Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-29
WALKIN, FOR D4TCIKE.
ColOred Gentlemen and Ladies Dis
playing their Grace I'm the Circus


King.
A large audience was gathered at the Lon
don circus last evening to witness the cake
walk which was announced as the wind up of
the color ed baby show. The babies. of course
did not Wall, but many of their parents had
before been presented in New York for the
colored aristOcracy to indulge i'm what is
favorite pastime in the SOUTH and no less than
ten coupieS were entered. though only nine
competed: After the last circus horse had
capered out the three judges took their seats
at little table, and Frank Whitaker, the re-
tired veteran ring master, announced that the
Walk would begin, an announcement which
was received with yociferous cheers. The
Judges were Messrs. James A Martin, Ed"
Gilmore and Peter Conkiin.
HE trumpeteis in the brass band blew an
able blast, apd the nine couples walked out
one after the other. cheered as they came with
Wild enthusiasm They made the circuit of
the ring twice, and then. in order to afford a
better opportunity for critically examining
the gait OF each, they walked one couple al a
time.
Ladies and gentlemen" roared Mr. Whit
taker at the top of his voice. " the prizes To be
awarded are very valuable, magnificent,
chased silver watch. a gold headed cane and
an elegant Christmas cake containing a -
gold piece. These will he awarded a. first;
second and third prizes. Ia Tie couples dis
playing the greatest e!as, lefty ui limb, dignity
Of carriage and grace in department. The
hrst coIEI'le who viii walk are Mr.. GriggS and
Miss Clay"
Miss Gray was elegantly attired. She wore
rich white bTocade dress with long train
prOfusey decorated with natural flowers
From her graceful sloping shoulders hung a
long white opera clo'lk. ciaSped with silver at
the neck. Her escort was in full evening
dress. with white kid gloves. They were aD-
plauded a. they walked, and they walked We'll
but there was an instructive feeling in the
audience that something better was to- come
Niles Butler and Miss Patty Harris We're the
neXt couple. Mr.. Butler was large. PERHAPS
ne was tpo poortly for perfect symmetry. but
his gait was dignited and elastic. and he wore
little gold earrings Miss Harris was slender
but well built, and their motions We're in
rhythmic accord Her dress was a simple but
rich black and white check, with black sleeves
and trimming. Charles Murray and Mrs. Muir
lay came next. He was in full dress. and She
wore a pink silk with black OyerdreSS. His
gait was manly and his tread firm. but he
seemed to hold himself rather too much i'm re
serve, and her motion was hardly free enough
for the highest excellence. Her right arm hung
perfectly motionieSS, in defiance of the latest
fashion. Yet by bowling politely To the audi
ence as they came out, and again when they
had completed their two circuits, a Formally
which their predecessors had neglected, they
earned great applause.
George Anderson and lady," yelled Mr.
Whitaker, and instantly the audience clam
ored for the ladys name. She bluShed little.
but told Mr.. Whitaker. and he shouted: The
lady'S name is Lucinda Brown" whereat there
were thunderS OF applause. Mr.. Anderson
carried a cane very decOrouSly and walked
like drill-sergeant. but Miss Brown held her
elbows too Stlffty. and in SO keen a contest
the slightest failure in grace was fatal. Simon
Id
body saw at once that they would not get the
prize. He stepped with the regularity and
also with the stiffness of an autoprripatetikoS
Ii is not too much to say that he Straddled aS
lie walked. and his steps were very long. Nat
uraliy, the lady was unable To Keep step with
him:
said Mr.. Whitaker at this stage of the pro
ceedings, and L hope they will be taken i'm
good part. Mr.. WOodsOnTs lady has disap-
pointed him and viii not appear"
In nh
derisiyely and reprovingly.
But, said Mr.. Whitaker with ineffable
emphasis, another lady has consented 10 walk
with him with your permission" This met The
views of the audience and Miss Bains came
out OH Mr.. WOodson's arm. Miss Bains is gifted
with great personal beauty and most impress
sive manner, and wore handsome brown silk
dress. As this couple retired they bowed TO
each other, several inches lower than any-
body else had bowed, and the applause was
deafening
Mr.. William Allen and Miss Mary RAY came
next. Mr.. Allen looked very young but walk
ed vel, and carried the lady'S opera cloak on
| dress, low in the neck with tulle overdress and
wreath of red and white flowers. In one of
her white Kid gloves was claSped handsome
bouquet and her CATERS were of white kid.
MIR. Allen adopted the latest fashion and wore
no gloves.
The next couple was beyond rivalry. Mr.
George Ray, tall, hnely-Duilt gentleman in
| full evening dress with broad walking Shoes
moved placidly around the ring, neither swerv-
| ing nor swaying, but with steady, graceful
| step. Mrs. Hyatt leaned just enough on his
| strong arm, and walked as handsomely as he
| She was elegantly attired. in claret silk cut
| POmpadOur with demi-train; the trimming
was OF natural flowers, and over her left breast
| was handsome medallion. She was stately
and well-develOped, and wore her hair per
| fectly plain.
| MIR. Joaquin Brown and Miss Lucinda Brown
| came next, and the lady showed that with an
| able partner She could walk better than the
| audience had thought when she walked before,
and when they retired every one felt that they
| were sure of prize.
AL the contestants were then ranged i'm a
| single rank across the ring. and Mr.. Whitta-
| kcr presented the first prize to Mr.. Ray and
Mrs. Hyatt, the second to Mr.. Butler and Miss
| Harris, and the third to Mr.. and Miss Brown
| Each gentleman receiving a prize was called
| on for a speech, but owing to the size of the
| room their remarks were inaudibie.-[N. T..
| World.
Baileyana.