Wichita eagle., 1888-03-08
A LOUISIANA CUSTOM.
CELEBRATING THE CUTTING OF
THE LAST STALK OF CANE.
Vigorous Work ut the Last Acre-An
Envied Man-Banners of All Sorts-A
Long Procession Of Happy Darkeys.
Negro Oratory-Supper.


Envied 1an-Banners of All sorts-A
Long Procession Of Happy Darkeys.
Negro Oratory-Supper.
A time honored custom among the hands
On sugar plantasi ton is the celebration OF
the day when the last load OF cane is
hauled from the fields to the sugar house.
There are few planters who object to this
festival, and there are not many who
assist personally in its observance. An
account OF one Of these celebrations will
be an almost faithful picture Of all, for
there Is little variety about them.
1t ls clear, sunny, winter day, and
the hands work vigorously at tho last acre
OF cane. Cane knives glitter in and out
OF the rustling green tops, there IS swift
CLEAN OF bright steel along the stalks, a
quick stroke near the ground and the
pliers lift the clean stalks in piles ready
for the leaders to toss in great armfuls to
the men waiting in tine carts. Cane is
heavy, and it requires marvellous sleight
OF hand and some muscular power to send
bundle of cane flying into the grasp Of
another person. Mingled with cracking
OF stalks and the rushing sound of falling
cane tops, comes the even melody OF the
negroes as they chant jubilee songs.
There is only little cane LETT. The men
hold back, making desperate appearance
OF haste; but not cutting more than they
can help. Each man tries to deceive his
neighbor, but the overseer is looking on
and the cane must be cut. Swish, crack
the last stalk is almost reached, and
who will have the glory of cutting it!
The men are eager and excited; the over
seer hurries them up; one after another
the stalks fall-and. hurreh! the envied
man cuts the last, and waves it triumph
antly above his head. AS the last load is
piled on cart, cheers loud and long an
nounce the beginning Of the celebration.
BANNERS OF ALL SORTS.
The planter has supplied the negroes
with banners of all sizes. The cane carts
are decorated with these, and the three or
four mules in every cart have bright
rosette, surmounted By small United
States flag, placed above each long ear.
Besides these there are from one tc
three great flags supported in every wagon
by proud darkey, Malay or white man.
as the case may be. When the line is
formed it ha. very imposing look. First
comes the leader. cart, in which stands
and one or two big flags which the ladies
of the planters household are solicited
each year to manufacture; and much
envied is the man to whom they are pre-
scented, for they are as attractive as yards
Of tricolored flannel ribbons and gilt de-
vices can make them There are also ban
ners made by the colored wOmen-mar-
wells IN the way OK streamers and gaudy
patchwork.
The. long procession forms behind the
last load Of cane, surmounted by its gay
decorations, and moves toward the sugar
mill amid loud songs and deafening cheers
for the planter, manager and overseer.
All the mill whistles are blowing, and the
much respected plantation bells are left in
the power of ths people, to be rung until
the arms CT the ringers are worn out. The
procession is greeted Mt the sugar house
with great rejoicing, speeches are INDUCED
in, and the women and children stream
from the quarters and Chamber into the
carts.
There is great shrieking Of whistles,
roaring Of machinery, crashing of cane
mingled with the sounds OF song and
cheering, whjle toasts are drunk in every
variety Of wfAshy but the best Amid all
this din minor noises are unheard. After
leaving the sugar house the troop of
darkeys files around the mansion Of the
planter, cheering the family, who are ex-
pected to make thoir appearance and be
looked at. Addresses are made to the
planter, who, Of course, has to return
thanks; for if there is anything dear to the
soul of the darkey it is speechmaking, and
the father and brothers of the planter, if
he has any, come in for their full share Of
negro oratory.
TREATING THE CROWD.
Money is given to the leaders to treat
the crowd, and the planter has to use
every excuse in his power to prevent him
self being hoisted upon the shoulders Of
the joyous negroes. This ceremony being
over, oranges are thrown into the carts,
the leaders return to their wagons, ana
rattle around the grounds two or three
times, with beating Of drums, squeaking
Of flies, cheering and other demonstra-
tons. Then of they 60 to get their sec
ond instailment Of whisky at ''de sto',"
where the plantation storekeepers receive
their share OF attention. The procession
goes to as many plantations as possible,
and in the dusk, rs the fog comes rolling
in from the river, sweeping across the
empty uelcS ana Winning ID ana out OF
the border Of the woods, almost mile
away, one hears the sound Of a beautiful
negro melody.
We arc waiting on de Lord,
rising and falling sweet and clear on the
night air. And then the carts come lum-
bering home holding half intoxicated,
wholly happy crowd. There is a grand
supper waiting for them, and nobody
thinks Of the depredations committed be-
forehand upon other mems goods in the
way Of pigs and poultry. More liquor is
drunk, more speeches made, and the
planters entire fence is serensded by the
untiring crowd until late hour.
Before the rising bell rings the fog
sweeps in eddying fields, white and pals
golden, into the blue oak woods, and dis
closes the quarters silent, for the very
dogs are sleeping Here and there gray
smoke curls up above the cabins: the bell
ouavers its summons. There is a long,
waking howl from the dogs, and sharp
call. of negro women. Soon large part
OF the previous days proceedings will be
enacted with unabated enthusiasm
Ruth Ramay in New Orleans Times.
Democrat.