136 HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SKETCH OF 



Nothing can be imagined more simple or more 

 fascinatinof than those Pineville balls. Bear in 

 mind, reader, that we are discussing old Pineville as 

 it existed prior to 1836. No love of display gov- 

 erned the preparations ; no vain attempt to outshine 

 a competitor in the world of fashion. Refresh- 

 ments were provided of the simplest character, such 

 only as the unusual exercise, and sitting beyond the 

 usual hours of repose, would fairly warrant. Nothing 

 to tempt a pampered appetite. Cards were usually 

 provided to keep the elderly gentlemen quiet, and 

 the music was only that which the gentlemen's ser- 

 vants could produce. The company assembled 

 early. No one ever thought of waiting until bed- 

 time to dress for the ball ; a country-dance always 

 commenced the entertainment. The lady who stood 

 at the head of the dancers was entitled to call for 

 the figure, and the old airs, Ca L^a, Moneymusk, 

 Haste to the Wedding, and La Belle Catharine 

 were popular and familiar in Pineville long after 

 they had been forgotten, as dances, everywhere 

 else. Ah, well do we remember with what an ex- 

 ulting step would the young man, who had secured 

 the girl of his choice, exhibit his powers of the 

 poetry of motion, when his partner called for the 

 sentimental air of La Belle Catharine. How 

 proudly would he perform the pas seitl on one 

 side of the column, while his partner did the same 

 on the other ; how gracefully would they unite at 



