New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-20
Il NEGRO FESTIVAL.
THE "cAKE WALK" AT MOUNT VERNON.

fair butterflies of fashions Lake George has its exquisite
scenery and its learned BOstonan coere but all these
ecpsed in thing by quiet unpretending Mount
Vernon for Mount Vernon has its "Cake Walk" fesu
val most unique and most entertaining This fee is,
believe peculiar to the colored race, and although there
may exist no written record Of its history Of its origin
it has been faithfully handed down among the traditions
Of the past from generation 10 generation, by sable
grandmothers, until in our own day it has suddenly
sprung up again in our little village.
The coored people Of Mount Vernon are endeavoring
to raise funds for building church, and as it is
always quick-wited woman who is at the bottom OF
everything ancient relic Of the joys departed sud-
denly recoeced the festivities Of her youthful days. and
proposed "Cake Walk" The idea seized with
avidty the younger members and the result was the
festival of last evening" the proceeds Of which are to be
devoted to the erection of Zion NJ. L. Church 1t was
held at Union Hail. and at an early hour the house was
filed with large audience, which comprised motley
gathering Of white and black. The arisocras OF the VII
lage and the humble sons Of Erin fully as well
represented in regard number the sable portion
of the community.
Talk of great expectationsm One should have been
amid this thrOng last evening TO fully realize the
true meaning OF that term. Every face was beaming
with expectancy and every eye was turned eagerly to-
ward that part of the hall from which the procession was
to start-for a procession there The pattering Of
impatient feet heard upon the floor, as the time
drew near for the ceremonies TO commence, and
smohered Shoe Fly" escaped from some mischievous
mchin, who, however, awed into quietude by
frOwn from of the sable brethren who were seated
upon the platform These brethren have peculiarly
OminOus expression when they frown 1t is the backness
thundercloud with its dangerous lightning too
Upon long tables were placed number OF cakes with
other refreshments The largest of the cakes were those
destined prizes the successful walkers. The dark
beauty should be adudged the best promenader was
receive he largest cake the who made the next
best display would carry of the second cake in size-and
so on At last the moment for which all had been wait
ing so long arved-an elderly eolored man arose and
announced that the meeting about to OPEN This was
received with cheers. Then all the coored people, male
and female, arose, and forming into procession they
marched slowly around the singing hymn as they
went There were sedate elderly the pillars of this
Church of Zion; there feeble old men, who hobDled
along upon their crucbe and found II hard work to keep
ND with the rest there TALL looking negresses,
and cOmely buxom matrOns; and young lasses with
bright dark faces and innumerable little "niGs" who
brought up the rear and who were evidently trimming
over with fun. Three times this odd process
sion walked around the hall, while the rest
looked quietly on After the promenaders had taken
their seats, addresses were made and prayers were
offered The Rev. Mr. Butler the chief orator OF the
OCCASION and acquitted himself TO the great admiration
Of the coOred people, and TO the praise OF ALL The rev
ereud gentleman quite eloquent, and certainly con
trbuted largely to waken the enthusiasm Of the people
Zion. Several other speakers followed Mr. Butler; but
all these however, rather impatieny listened to
by the younger portion Of the assebage, who were on
the All pipe for the "Cake Walk" and cared for little
else beside truth, 1t required all the solemn dignity
of the elders 10 subdue the incpient "Shoo Fly
which was ready to burst forth as greeting to each new
speaker
But the speeches all made at last, each one hay
ing received of applause and the last speaker
as he took his seat receiving the most of ALL although
he was by the bright particular star OF ora
tory upon the platform. Then commenced the great
event this unique festival All was silence and breath
less attention as two little old set off upon the
first walk for the cake. 1t impossible to repress
smile as these aged danes elevated their turbaned
heads and striving TO throw all the youthfuness possible
into their carriage fastened around the ROOM one could
not help remembering the story Of the little old woman
who swept the sky with her broom, and half believing
that if two broOmstcks produced these antquated
specimens OF humanity would seize upon them, and fly
away through the airi But as everything had been
placed in "apple-pe order" not brOOm-stck was vis
BILE ard the little duskyaced crones reached tho goal
amid burst Of laughing applause. Breathlessly they
resumed their seats, and their places were taken by
three young colored maidens One OF these danses was
tail slender girl seemingly strung upon wires; another
short and pretty faced and the third exceedingly
stout As for their attire, question me not ye fair in
qurers after cOored fashonsfOr OF only thing can
assure you that gorgeous PhGbus their array,
and il all the hues of the rainbow represented
Red and yellow, of course, predominated Perhaps vel
low dresses with red hOnces, and deckcd with green
bows would not be considered in good taste by some
utrafashionabe feminine judges OF the matter; but
differ, all know and certainly from the self
satisfied halfcOquettish air OF these competing damsels
il was easily he perceived that each considered
herself quite rat 10 the matter Of Dress and
Loud cappng Of hands, and even cheers greeted them
as they started upon their expedition, which was to he
three times around the Long and rapid the
strides OF tail maiden; short and breathes the quick
stepping OF the stout aud easy aud graceful the foot
falls of the little one Faster and faster they went,
making endeavor TO keep step nounces flew, and rib
bOns huttered strangely TX eyes nashed ana cheap
jewelry gtered in the gas gt as the aspiring three
haseued around the hall Iach one proudly expeeant
winning the first cake. However, the trial was not for
speed hut to see which one exceed IN the fine art OF
walking; which carried her lead and shoulders erect
which turned her toes ot and which one knew how
10 manage her arms ana h'1dS gIaSenny All OF thtse
points both grayely ana cOmcay discussed, and
decided upon by the spectators.
II would not he a bad idea if some OF our fashionable
bellies should emulate the cndeavOrs Of their cOOred sis
the art Of carrying themselves gracefully upon their tiny
feet. For since the day Of paners and nigh heels as
cOnscienousiy praise the walk ~ modern fashionable
belle, she passes down Broadway, treadng upon tip
forward, her back dishgured with apparent hump,
and her whole figure swaying TO and fro with an In
nv air aI 6nt n Tie VIII Inc the trIe cTiteion
fear that goddeses to be found in the sweet dis
guisc of our modern bellies She walks "a goddess"
said Virgil but had Virgil lived in o day, what would
1t viii readily be supposed that our sable bellies
not Wilt bchnd the fashions Of their ftIer sisters
and nigh heels and pauis the order Of the even
ing, To cay nothing OF fTzzled thgnons and butterfly
bows The walk drew near - close the enthusiasm of
the spectators waXcd louder and deeper and cheer after
cheer greeted them they reached The goal The little
maid ainIOst unanimously pronounced the victor,
and therefore entitled o. the tIst cake. Such grace
such elegant posi- snch eate OF movement, and such
charm Df manner had never been witnessed at such
exhbitd before At least said tic wlseacres Of the
evening. aud many dusty swans heart was doubtless
smtten within his dark bosom. few
words OF dissent heard the appointed judges
announced their decision hut these frUm the partc
uiar trieuas vi khs ysaaaed dase.s. and they