The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1891-10-10
A LOUISIANA CUSTOM.
CELEBRATING THE CUTTING OF
THE LAST STALK OF CANE.

Vigorous Work a the Last Acrc--An
/ Euvicd Nlau--HanucS of An Sorts-A
Long Procession of Happy Darkeys.
/ Negro oratorN
\ time huuored custom among the hands
on sugar plantation is the celebration OF
the day when the last load Of cane is
hauled from the Fields 10 the sugar house
There are few planters who object TO this
festival and there are net many who
assist personally in its observance. An
account ot one ot these celebrations will
be an almost faithful picture OF all, for
there is little variety about them.
lt is a clear, sunny, winter day, and
the han is work vigorously at the last acre
OF cane. Cane knives glitter in and out
OF the ruStling green tops, there is u swift
CLEAN ot bright steel along the stalks, u
quick stroke near the ground and the
pliers lift the clean stalks in piles ready
for the leaders 20 toss in great armfuls TO
the men waiting in the carts, Cane is
heavy, and il requires n marvellous Sleight
of hand and some muscular power 10 send
a 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 che
negroes as they chant Jubilee songs.
There is only little cane left The men
hold back, making a desperate appearance
of haste; but not cutting more than they
can help, Each man tries to deceive his
neighbor, but the uverSeer 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 it9
The men are eager and excited the over
seer hurrieS them up; one after another
the stalks fall-and, hurrahl the envied
man cuts the last, and waves it triumph
antly above his head As the last load is
piled on Il 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 a small United
States flag, placed above each long ear.
Besides these there are from one to
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 has very imposing look. First
comes the leaders cart, in which stands
the man with the last stalk held upright,
ana one or two big flags which the ladies
of the planters household are solicited
each year TO manufacture; and much
envled is the man to whom they are pre-
sented for they are as attractive as yards
of tri-COlored flannel, ribbons and gilt de-
vices can make them. There are also BAN
ners made by the colored women-mar-
vels in the way of streamers and gaudy
patchwork.
The long procession forms behind the
last load of cane, surmouuted 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 the people, to be rung until
the arms Of the ringers are worn out. The
procession is greeted at 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 a great shrieking of whistles, |
roaring Of machinery, crashing of cane
mingled with the sounds of song and
cheering, while tOasts are drunk in every
variety of whisky but the best Amid all
his 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-
Dected to make their 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 |
be 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, and
rattle around the grounds two or three
times, with beating of drums. squeaking
Of flies, cheering and other demOnstra-
LiOns. Then off they 90 to get their sec
)nd installment 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, as the fog comes rolling
n from the river, sweeping across the
empty fields and winding in and out of
.he border of the woods, almost mile
away, one hears the sound of a beautiful
negro melody,
We are waiting on de Lord.
rising and falling sweet and clear on the
hight air And then the carts come lum-
1ering home holding half intoxicated,
wholly happy crowd There is a grand
supper waiting for them, and nobody
links of the depredations committed be-
upon other mems goods in the
way of pigs and poultry. More liquor is
trunk, more speeches made, and the
'lanter's entire fence is serenaded by the
lntiring crowd until late hour.
Before the rising bell rings the fog
weeps in eddying folds, white and pale
,olden, into the blue oak woods, and dis
loses the quarters silent, for the very
ouS are Slpeninp Here and thara cyrav | :