Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1885 — Why They Did Not Dance. [ARTICLE]

Why They Did Not Dance.

Lafayette, at the age of 20, left his young wife and flew to aid Washington. He loaded a ship with supplies which were most needed by American troops, and helped them with the prestige of his name, with scant military experience, and with all the cash he could command. He not only drilled his soldiers, but clothed and fed them, and when his own means were exhausted he appealed to the generosity of others.

When the ladies of Baltimore proposed to give a ball to the gallant Frenchman he said to them: “Ladies, I should be delighted to dance with you, but my soldiers have no shirts.” The ball was postponed and the belles of Baltimore made shirts for the soldiers. —Philadelphia Record.