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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1913)
i 4 THE OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER' 21, ' 1913. r TH E TANGO AND KINDRED ' ; ' MM-Willi I 111 ii I. I! I I I 11 fn w SOCIETY- FOLK QUITE DANCES- TAKE PQ RTLAN D BYSTOR M ENTHUSASTie OVER NEW DANCE STEPS Thes Dansants an Interesting J Feature of Winter Season's Social Activities. By Nona Lawler. :v Thes Dansants have occupied a con spicuous place in the greneral Interest of Portland society for the last few week. . Rags, tangos, one-steps, and countless other comparatively new dances have been known and danceJ for; some time hy the young people of ' society,', but the general acceptance of ; the dance as an ordinary feature of a ball room program has been slow In coming. Even In New York and th ' other large eastern cities, the high tide , of the dance craze has Just come in ,' this season. Ere this it was on'y a few of the light footed and very yuag Boclety folks who patiently worked out the tedious, though fascinating new steps, but now the most staid of matrons, ' maids, bachelors and benedicts may be caught wiien off their guard worrying oat the intricate mazes of the nesita tion, or tango, to say nothing of the other more generally accepted one-step, 'Boston Dip and Castle walk. The publicity which foreran these dances has been alluringly suggestive of f'the naughty," chronicling in an al together irrelevant manner a bodge ' podge of "bowery," "Barbary coast" and "smart society," without troubling' to point out differences or distinctions, To the uninitiated it seemed as though society had gone mad, notwithstanding the fact that the waits and two step or ' any other dance has always enjoyed equal popularity and a variety of inter pretations in the many different strata of i society. This is a pity for those who will never be more enlightened on the subject and has served as a splen did' stimulus to catch the Interest and enthusiasm of the curious. A laughable feature of the Thes Das sants In Portland has been the very evident surprise and even a twinge of ' disappointment in finding the dances graceful and proper to a degree of tameness. They re as far beyond rs- - preach' as e stately minuets of our great grand parents or tne more bois terous lancers and quadrilles of the last generation. Who can not remem ber a sheepish recital of a lancers long ago when a perfectly nice grand parent i "swung his lady" with more seal than the dance demanded, yet we "not all bad" people Are living to hear the talu. Who started this? Is the natural in quiry on all ' sides. The origin of tlte danoe has been explained in every im aginable way that the all too fertile Imaginations of the press could otter up Xov the purpose. The old polar bear on his Ice floe in the frigid northlanl Is doubtless the Innocent source of the rag step. The two are Identical in rythm, and In many cases natural grace, It depends upon the avoirdupois of the -bear. -The -Boston, a swift double time version of, the waltz, must be a witticism at the proverbial slow ness and primness attributed to that city. The Castle Walk had its incep tion from the fertile brains of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle, who are leading the professional world in the presen tation of the new steps. i "In far off Persia," says H. XI. Topakyan, Persian consul-general in new York, speaking of the Tan go, in an Interview In the New Orleans States when ho was visiting in that city last month, the Shah's court has": been-entertained all the way down from the Arabian Nights by dancers whq tripped the light fantastic in a na of steps that were, very probably, he points out, the forebears of the craze of today." Thus we are relieved from any sug gestion that we are presenting some thing original, as is the case with all the. Yogi swarming schools of philo sophy without number that claim u new. thought, aome man from the orient digs back in the archives of ancient history and finds that Beers of long ago ate it every morning for breakfast. Mr. Topakyan further proved his herl- GOTHAM BORED, NOT BAD IS DIAGNOSIS OF ACTOR B. M'INTOSH After Three Years' Absence He Is Astonished at Changes for Worse In Metropolis. I Miss Ctddle Wirt and Harry Gray, In poses of the Tango and Hesitation waltz. FLOWERS' and i FLOWERING ; PLANTS are dear to the heart of every lady as Xmas Presents 1 1 A large and varied dis- play of everything v beautiful in flowers ' FREE DELIVERY f To every part of city. CLARKE BROS. . Morrison St, Near 5th tage while sojourning In the southern city by giving a skilled rendition of the American prototype of the dance of his fatherland, when a guest at a danoe at the Italian gardens given by smart society folk of the city. Another point of especial . interest relative to tango dances, is dress. Women .will take up nothing without due consideration of the all consuming subject, of the dress, fitting the occasion. informal, has been the keynote to Tlieo Dansants. That could not have been the women's doing. To look their pret tiest on all and every occasion Is the will of every womanly woman, and to dance for an hour or so at a merry clip In the heavy folds of a tailored suU, scant though these folds be in most cases,- is not conducive to her prettiest. It must have been for the men, A bait to enlist their Interest by touching a weak spot The native shyness of the sex recoils at being "dolled up." The women have found a way out of the dilemma. They never looked pret tier than they do in some- of the varia tions of tailored suits now to be seen. The jacket removed, the skirt is found to be somehow brought to be a part of the bodice, a kind of evolution of the old shirtwaist and Bklrt Is the effect. Soft chiffons and laces in white or cream with bits of the material of the skirt Introduced In buttons or pipings as trimming te the waist give a charming effect. Winter sees thet-e modes realized in velvets or cloths and in spring and fall they are worked out In the softer new moires, failles or satin crepes. Instead of the former muff or cor sage milady must carry a nosegay when out for tea. Quaint copies of the little Old fashioned bouquets of long ago, ar ranged in stiff holders with chiffon frill. This fad carries with it the finer thought and appreciation of the flowers in not crushing the delicate blosson.s in the folds of the girdle, where they must so soon fade or mar. Thes Dansants hats so far are "Just hats," all kinds and descriptions of afternoon head wear. No style peculiar unto the tea danceg has as yet been intorduced. The suppers, however, are a very essential thought Some have Seels and some have not, as best ins tne necessities of the dancm Dainty silver clasps have been made to catch ribbon to the slippers not having straps with which to lace them on securely. WOMAN era HAS E ISLAND OF HER OWN Her Houseboat, She Oc cupies Forgotten Island in Calumet River, Chicago, Dec. 20. Wind swept For gotten island lay desolate today in the eddying current of the Calumet river. For the first time in years not a soul rested a foot on Its alluvial banks. One would have thought that its soil had seldom felt the tread of human feet, had not a goat appeared on Its bleak crett to peer haughtily down on a large houseboat that churned and ground against the black shore. And from this lone, hairy inhabitant there came a mournful bleat, akin to a wail. Koigoten island, however, had a mis tress. Four miles away, In the cell of the South Chicago police station, she sat. bitter, resentful, but humbled no wise in spirit. Because she resented the intrusion of hunters she has been cast into a cell. Some assert that she is a "squatter," but this she denies. xaiUan Stevens Defies AIL Lillian Btevens. gray haired and ruddy faced, is the mistress of "Forgotten ls and. . ; . While waiting a hearing she bade de fiance to thorn vhn .h. .. ..w B..19 Mociia hi o seeking to oust her from the five acres of soil that stick out of the water off tast U4th stret. . 1110 ioiu.ua ana me houseboat in which I have lived for 12 ?.." ,a- w,Ul 1,nt ln " blue eyes. i i fire tn! wnole p,BCfc Th- ia land and I go together, The houseboat will go, too. i have lived too long there hmLeakT,way trom th t,e that I call thT V-.1 have .aJettM on th -Una and they have no right to take me from ltr The goat and houseboat are all I have in the world be'sWps the Island but we're all fast friends. "They claim I shot at men "Who tried to get on the island," she continued. "What if I did? It la my island and they must keep away from there." Miss Stevens assailed the police' for the tactics they employed to arrest her. She characterized If an offense against the government ' " "Not a policeman had the nerve to come out there and serve a warrant on me, as he should have done," she ex claimed. "They sent word by a round about source that they wanted' me to come to the east side police station and Identify some property that had been stolen from me in the spring. When 'I entered the station they read a warrant to t and placed me in a cell. "My houseboat Is the same as a ship, and they should have sent a government marshal after me, as I was on board the vessel when I was hailed." Policeman William Klelnman is one who asserts that the feminine rules of the Isle sent two loads of buckshot at him when he endeavored to land on the property. Forgotten island was virtually un. known when a houseboat steered by Miss Seteven's aged father ground upon Its marshy shore one dark night 12 years ago. Father and daughter tied up the clumsy craft to a big willow until morning. Dawn disclosed the island. Miss Stevens and her father decided to Quality Sorrii j3 TANGO WAISTS in the LATEST PATTERNS Made of sheer delicate lace or chiffons. The full bloused ef fect jives perfect freedom to the arms. Prices $2.98 to $10. F. P. Young Co. Ladies' Haberdashers 328 MORRISON ST., Portland Hotel Building. remain there and raise garden truck. This gave them a living, which Miss Stevens enlarged by embroidering In signia for uniforms. Two years ago her father died and she became posses sor of the property. "After father died trouble really began," she said. "Certain , rich men have been anxious to get the property and. they knew 'they. couldn't because I held a lease from the Chicago Title and Trust company, . which still has five more years to run. Now It is this means , they have adopted." Several times since the settlement of Forgotten island Miss Stevens has rescued men from drowning. Only a year ago she dragged' a drowning man from rlcy water and held him for an hour until assistance came. The man died from exposure. t . New York. Dec. 20. The Wimble with New Tork is not that it's bad. but that it's bored. It makes large, convulsive efforts to show Itself a good time, and it falls down hard oh every trial. The men on Fifth avenue and Broadway are haggard, furtive and . old before their time; the women are painted, artificial caricatures of what they used to be. in three years the happy, human bohe mlanlsm, the insouciant youth and gay ety of the Great White Way has been swallowed up ln cabarets and tea t rot ter les. Now, If New Tork likes this sort of thing, it may "go to It," for all Burr Mcintosh cares. That genial combina tion actor, editor, photographer and man of the world positively and definitely refuses to add the role of reformer to the others in his repertoire; but he has been away from here for three years, and now that he is back he can't help but note the changes. He said as much today. ' "Gee!" he bursts forth, "you know, when I was here, a few years . ago, , 1 used to like to walk up Fifth avenue, because I could see crowds of the nic est, prettiest, sweetest American girls the daintiest girls to be found anywhere ln the world. "And now, what do you see there! Girls wearing the most ridiculous clothes, the narrow, slit skirts, the out landish, absurd fashions, girls with their hair brought down over their cheeks, little school girls painted and rouged and powdered up to look like old women. And all the women painted and powdered- and dressed like young girls. There never was anything like it before! "New York has simply gone crasy; and if it wants to, all right! Lord knows, I don't want to Interfere. But I can't help seeing the changes between now and three years. And, so far as I am concerned, you can leave me out "Take this turkey trotting. It can be done in a proper way, of course, but I don't believe the majority of persons who dance it day and night are inspired by any delight in the rhythm. It's Just that they want the personal contact. And their absorption Is a part of the general craziness, the interest ln the unwholesome and unhappy sides of life." "Understand, Fm not discussing the question from a moral point of view," Mr. Mcintosh repeated. "What inter ests me Is that the folks who chase from cabaret to cabaret don't seem to be getting any enjoyment out of their program. They must lead that sort of life because they want to; certainly no body compels them. But if they are happy, they don't look tho part. "Everything they do has to be paid for, and the price is going up all the time." "New "York men are crazier after the dollar than ever before," be continued, "They must have money to pay for all the extravaganoes of the women, and they will do anything,, sacrifice any body, to get money. That's what gives .Uem..JjeJjf.Jiaante1..wearx furtive; ex pression sr- .They- are speedlng---up the pace to the last notch and beyond, and It's the pace that kills. I've seen more young men with gray hairs since my re turn to New-York than I've ever seen in my life before. 'r-i'"v- "Everybody's talking hard times and the high cost of living;, yet I notice they seem to find money for new clothes and restaurant suppers. I read in, the papers about men who earn 150 and 175 and $1-00 a month; but I'll be hanged If I see how they can live at all, as living is considered ln New York." ; , -1 ' "And the wpmenT Are they asWmey ; crasy as the men?" IV' . " ' "Every woman In New York with a 1 4 pretty t tinkle U crazy to ' eno W y It.", ha said. . "And she Knows Just how to go to work Just, the way to holdher 4resf JusC t1iaVprpeirrav.a-.iit'Aer'.lag"c:T ''' "It's mighty-hard on women who have been, happily married, up till recently. For the husbands are Just as busy look ing as the ankles are busy showing. "Men are continually chasing around with, the wives of other men, and their own wives find consolation promptly. ' Everybody's doing It! ' . ' , "But it wasn't always like this, I can tell you. I'm no octogenarian, but I re member the time when honest friend liness and loyalty and simplicity cov ered a multitude of bohemlan fallings." re for the Tango CUppea from The Journal' December 9, .1S13 . .: ::i . 5 The Tango down. The tango gowh iu all its loveliness and dancing possibilities has arrived. ! I saw it at. that exclusive. little shop on Alder street at, the corner of Park. The color combination Is' shell pink and cream white. The waist ia a succession of falls of the most delicate Bilk shadow lace, with butterfly sleeves and lqw neck outlined with, ptarls.- The skirt is of crepe de chine draped with trouser effect over a full -skirt of "accordion pleated chiffon. A minaret skirt effect and big flat bows of delicate pink rib bon, completes this very fetching cos tume especially designed for tango dancing. - - Clipped from The Journal December 11, 1913. A Kase Embossed Chiffon Gown. One of the most lovely dancing gowns ' I have seen was shown me at that lit tle exclusive Alder street shop this week. The foundation was white char meuse with a fish tall train, while the overdrape was white Paul.Polret crepe embossed In softest maze colored velvet A girdle of French blue velvet and a broad flat bow of the same catching up the draped skirt were the only touches of decided color. The dainty little bod Ice was outlined in rhlnestones. Clipped from The Journal December 16, 1913. Smart Trocks for Dees. The wise woman who loves smart and exclusive things, but whose purse is somewhat lean, may now pick up some really splendid bargains at that exclu sive little Alder street shop. There are some really beautiful dancing gowns ln the new yellow that lovely, Illusive cross between a yellow and old gold, which has sprung lqto such recent popu larity under the name of tango yellow. These gowns are draped in delicate shad ow lace, they have the "correct" drape and are altogether adorable while the prices are surprisingly low. C.E.HolIidayCo. THAT .EXCLUSIVE LIT . TLB SHOP REFERRED TO ON ALDER ST. IS AT THE CORNER OF PARK. FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE ATTRACTIONS AT THE f HOLUDAY SHOP C.E. Holiday Co. AOAZST TRB , ALDER ST. SHOP ATTRACTS BTOTZCS - FOR THE PROPER DRESS FOR ALL OCCASIONS CONSULT C.E.HolIidayCo. 35S Alder Bt, Corner Vara. -L. Dress Clothes For All Occasions OUR SPECIALTY Second Floor Morgan Building Spirella Corsets MADE TO MEASURE-, The flexible boning gives you perfect freedom of motion. Best Suited for tht Tango . ' Not Sold In Stores ( MRS. E. C. GLENN, City Mgr. 407 Selling BUg. Main 2374S Dance music for the Christmas holidays See that there's a Victrola in your home when Christ mas morning rolls around, and you'll have splendid enter tainment for yourself and for your friends when they drop in. Delightful vocal and instrumental numbers that every 5ne will enjoy listening to, and dance music galore. The Victrola will be ypur musician and play all the latest Tangos, Turkey Trots, Boston One -Step Waltz, the Hesitation Waltz or any other dance. Come in and hear some of the newest turkey trots and tangos get acquainted with this wonderful instrument. Victrolai, $15 to $250 Terms and delivery ar ranged to suit you. OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS Morrison Street at Broadway. ' " ' " Othsr Stores San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno, San Jose, Lot. Angslet, San Diego and OtW Coast Cities. Hand Made Gifts are always appreciated.. Our shop is filled with beautiful gifts. at Little Cost. Specials for this week Hand-Embroidered Sofa Pillows, values to $10, special $3.98 Hand-Embroidered Guest Towels, size 15 by 27, special $1.39 Hand-Embroidered Bureau Sets, scarf and pin cushions to match, special i . . . . . . i . . . . . j . i . $4.50 Hand-Embroidered Doilies, 6-inch size, set of six, special .$1.25 Hand-Embroidered White Linen Centerpieces, size 12 by 12, extra special. .'.39c to $1.39 Hand-Embroidered Initial Tie Racks for gentle men, any letter, special $2.49 fififip With Every Purchase of 50c or Over rKrrTen S & H Stamps. Bring Coupon. 1 liXil Void after December 24. The Needlecraft Shop 384-388 YAMHILL STREET ; y K AFTER THE DANSANTS You Will Enjoy a Lunch at the 7. RMNBOW IheMusicW :5:ou R ; 'Aftern ING WITH MUCrfFAVOR - ' V Y;.; ;CV;.'r1v:v;;'.:,