, 1892-03-10

alton. There are differences or opinion
among professional male cake walkers as
to the utility of women in cake walking
Will Proctor insists that the sole burden Of
winning the cake rests Upon the man, and
that the woman is only required to keep
step and be careful not to interfere with
her partner, but Luke Pulley insists that
a good looking. graceful woman is a strong
ally In influencing the decision of the
Judges. Among the colored bellies who
have taken part in various competitions
with the champions are Rosa Coster, OF
Washington; Lottie Smith, Celia Braxton
and Lulu Montague, Of New York city.
Miss Smith is tall and stately. When
walking for a cake she usually wears a
black velvet dress, the train Of which drags
two yards Upon the floor.
The professionals say that dress suits
should always be worn by the men, with
white gloves and patent leather shoes.
The face should bear a gently smiling ex-
preston, the lips just parted, shoulders
thrown well back and hands hanging
gracefully at the sides. Some callpw anna
teurs have asserted that the knuckles Of
the right hand should be showed into tho
small OF the back, but the best authorities
unite in condemning this custom as coarse
and un~gentlemanly. Not every one who Ia
hungry can hope to win the cake In these
days OF artistic pedal locomotion. The
gods must have been very kind 30 the COM
petitor who would bear away the trophy.
He must ave straight limbs, square
shoulders and be erect as a palm tree. His
heart must be firm and his nerves strong
to ndure the mingled applause and guy
ing. In composure and dignity he must
rival the rock of Gibraltar. 1t is also con-
sidered good form to carry a razor.
OF late years prizes in addition to the
cake have been offered. In one case not
long since the inducement to the competi-
tors was a mail pig, which was let loose
upon the ballroom floor Just as the trial
heat was being walked off. The animal
interfered with the walk to such an extent
that one of the artists sat down upon its
back, thus destroying his chances OF win
ming the porker. In some instances the
prize offered is a gold watch or a gold
headed cane. Not long ago there was a
walk in Brooklyn for a rooster.
The judges are usually three white and
three colored men. The music to which
the walking is done consists of an orches-
ira of from seven to fifteen pieces. A pop
ular tune to walk to is the Mecca"
march, although there have been high
toned affairs at which the orchestra has
played Mendelssohn's wedding March or
the march from "L~ohengrin." As a rule
there are always from a dozen to twenty
couples entered. These start Off around
the hall at a slow measured step, the par
Elephants having the appearance of going
to a funeral, with such gravity is the walk
ing done. After the walkers have gone
around the hall three or four times the
floor manager stops the procession and the
judges decide who must drop out.
Frequently six couples will be disposed
of on the first heat. There is another heat,
and when this Is finished only the flttest
have survived, generally two couples. By
this time the excitement is at fever heat
and the windows are opened. The room
echoes with the shouts of partisans. Now
comes the trying moment. But grave and
digniied the favorites walk on, each con-
scious of his W superiority. During this
interval of suspense 1t is very interesting
to hear the remarks Of the colored women
onlookers. The battle of Bunker Hill
would not have excited one-half the COM
ment on the part Of these women that q
cake walk does. They stand on chairs and
shout themselves hoarse in n frenzy of ad-
mirAtion ERNEST JARRoLD