Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-01
DEADLY NEGRO SPORT.
Taking the Cake in the South.
An Amusement of Which BIoOdShed
and Riot Are the Usual Accom-
panimentS. From Which is
Derived an Everyday
Expression = The
Game.

hooio ' Lille. IeW ptISOlIS - certainly
few outside the south-who have either
heard or employed that common express
sion, He takes the cake in some one
OF Its various conversational modifca-
tlons. have any idea of the origin of the
phrase. Certainly few were ever specta-
tors or participants in the little game from
which it had its being.
The ''cake walk is distinctively Afri-
can institution. Save on one notable oc-
caslon. the Caucasian has not ATTEMPTED
to profit by the inventive genius of his
dusk brother. This was when Douglass
Sherley, the welI-known dilettante of this
city. the leader of Kentucky's -Four Hun
dred, introduced it to the society of the
Bourbon metropolis. The best blood of
Kentucky participated on the memorable
occasion. The fairies of beauties in the
famed Blue Grass, brave galIants with
pedlgrees almost as long as those of their
thoroughbreds, gentlemen ''of the old
school, sab, judges and statesmen, were
there and walked" for the cake"
Socially, it was a grand success; artsti-
cally, it was a dismal failure. As well ex-
pect to take native Caffre and by putting
him in evening dress make a modern
Chesterfield of him. The ''cake-walk" be-
longs to the plantation, not the drawing
room. 1t has been known in the south
for at least fifty years, but has undergone
slight changes since slavery was abolished.
1t hourishes to great extent in country
towns, but reaches its highest luxuriance
On the farm or plantation.
The trophy-a would not be worth
over 40 cents in any baker shop in Amer
lea, even If flour wentto $50 barrel. But.
If we come to that, what is the intrinsic
value Of the red ribbon of the Legion of
Honor? 1t is mere question of prefer
ence. The Frenchman wants millinery
and the negro wants cake. To allow the
eagles of France or the fiddlers at cake
walk requires an equal amount of valor
or courage, though may be different
kind. Each is oftimes attended by blood
shrd and not infrequently by loss of
life
A negro-he must be the head of
famil finding himself in financial
straits, bids his friends to meet him at his
cabin, at cake-walk, at time specified.
The etiquette of the walk-there is an
etiquette, mind you, and it is rigidly en-
forced requires, first, that you be invited;
second, that you pay; third, that you bring
company; fourth, on no account must a
musician be attacked. Failing to de-
cline an invitation at the time of its ten
der is an acceptance, and the host will
hold you to a personal accountability for your
failure to appear. There is a pleasant
feature connected with walks, to the
effect that a host cannot be held to account
for emitting to invite one, just as in legis-
latlve bodies a member cannot be question
ed outside for words spoken in debate.
But, as in the latter case the outrag ed ele-
ment gets even with the statesman at
the first convenient opportunity by rip
ping him up the back at the polls, so the
sighted colored brother gets up an opposi-
ton ''cake walk" or, falling in that,
seeks a quarrel and let's the sunshine into
the vitals of the forgetful host.
That couple gets the cake which dis
plays the most grace in the promenade,
which is half a walk and half dance;
that is, they get it when no demurrer is
entered. 1t often happens that the negro
who is handiest with his razor and not his
feet is awarded the cake. There is gener-
ally present some big buck, hideously ugly,
who invariably looks around to get the
most slatternly wench he can find. And
he and his partner usually get the cake.
Indeed, observation leads to the conclusion
that Apollos are generally nowhere in the
race, and that ''cake-walk' is a game
where Hercules wins dies.
The position of judges are ones of grave
responsibility and moment, which call for
nerve and no small amount of courage.
These judges, together with the musician,
gather in one corner, while the chief JUS
tlce cries In a loud voice: Ladies, prom
enade.' Festivities have begun. On
with the dance. Mark the music sort
Of old plantation, ''hoe-down," with
shuff1ing accompaniment. A big buck,
with affected unconcern, leads his female
companion out. salutes, and together they
do their most graceful walk, he lifting his
hat at short intervals, she Sinking and
bowling.
1t is part of the ethics of cake walks"
that no remarks be made of any couple
while they are in the ring-partly because
it might influence the Judges, mainly be
cause it would interrupt the revelry and
precipitate a panic All the talking is
done by the contesting couples-generally
twenty-five, although any number will do
who from time to time give vent to such
elf-congratulations as these: ''Oh, we'se
exputts at de biz, Il Sc web-footed, is;
watch dis wing or joining in the refrain
of the fddles and punctuating the time
with the shuttle Of feet
Is'e humpbacked, roundshoudered and full of
feas
But dere amt no flies OF Dandy Jim's knees
recommendations which would be some
what out of place in Douglass Sherley's
drawing-room or even average polite So
ciety.
The cake-walk proper generally lasts
from D. m. to II, at which time the
judges are expected to hand down de-
cision. They are prompt. There is no
hanging fire, or being irresolute. Their
and arrays the remainder of the contest
this point work their most stirring and in
spring music. They had been at cake
walks before and know what is coming.
honesty of the decision by asserting that
fullest lady on the boards is liar This
followed by every other buck reciting his is
damsels charms of graces. Meanwhile
the successful couple is eating the cake.
There is no divinity that hedges a
''cake-walk" judge. No proceedings will
hold for contempt. So he is thrown on
the savage and aboriginal method of TAX
ing care of himself He has full faith in
his powers in this direction. else he had
never accepted the trust. He announces
that he has put up his ante and is goin'
to play his hand" This defiance brings
out some dissatisfied walker" and the
ball proper is open. No respect is shown
to the sex. To falter is to lose caste and
to put yourself outside the pale of all future
s.calro-r-alLr- - IL l. q riot ,r-hich L. oithar