Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-26
A BIG Cake Walk
TIE CHRISTMAS SOCIETY EVENT IN COLORED
CIRCLES.
Ball at Grand Army Hall Monday Night-Ihs Pie
Eating Match Declared Of-rhs
Cake Walk.


evidence to substantiate this couplet, in
the Peasant Social ball at Grand Army
hall Christmas eve and morning. The
affair had been discussed in colored
'.sassiety" for a month, and everybody
who was anybody determined to be
there. 1t Is the correct thing at these
balls to come late. Especially is this
true OF the night before Christmas,
when the dusky bellies and beaux have
so many services to perform for white
folks" The custom Is the outgrowth
of necessity.
1t was eleven o'clock before the crowd
assumed large proportions. Then the
fun began, and it was five o'clock on
Christmas morning when the last notes
of Home. Sweet Home" were played
on the piano.
The doorkeeper politely informed
each male escort that II bis lady left
the hall during the evening, IL would
cost her a quarter Of dollar to get
back, adding in stage whisper that
1.-THE club didn't want no trouble. II
the ladies go out they start drinkin',
and there's liable to be fight" This
was a novel scheme for preventing dis
| tur bances,-much better than requir-
ing the gentlemen TO leave their razors
In the ante room. But the rule kept
the doorkeeper in hot water. Some OF
the ladies showed disposition to argue
the matter indefinitely, and one burly
bod carrier kicked strenuously
on "the unreasonabeness" OF the
thing, and intimated rather
broadly that he "wouldn't low
no man to impose on him." Another
got wind of the matter In advance, and
came prepared. he carried a flask in
his pistol pocket, and while il contained
any "red Ticker" he was the most pop
ular fellow 10 the hall.
But the ball. 1t was similar to other
| colored balls. only more So" 1t must
| be said to the credit OF the club that 1t
was orderly, Notwithstanding the mix
ture of so many grades OF colored So
ciety, from the hightoned tonsorlal
artist TO the gaudy representatives OF
the half world. There was bewilder-
ing array OF colors in the gowns OF the
ladies, while there was range OF dress
| in the males from the collarless gingham
shirt and well worn jeans suit OF the
| bod carrier, TO the conventional full
dress of the swell waiter, A slightly
| built damsel, with gorgeous dress OF
| mahogany red, trimmed in black, was
unquestionably the belle of the ball.
| She was the most sought after OF
them all. She had been q mem
Der Of South Before the War" COM
pany. and could do the double shuttle
and Virginia shoe down" TO perfection,
and with all the embellishments known
| TO stage art, including the display OF a
neat ankle and snowy draperies. She
| had chic way of leaving her partner
Ia the middle Of waltz, and rushing
into another pair of black arms, which
caused many a dark masculine bosom to
heave with pride, especially while her
head was nestled on that particular
bosom. One girl wore pale yellow
dress, ''decolette and en- traine." The
train was tucked up at the side, expos
ing white stockings and short skirt,
but she didn't mind that. She knew
she had swell costume, aGd the many
envous darts from the eyes OF the
other girls did not escape her notice.
The musicians seemed to know the
sort Of music which was required for
the quadrilles, and there was little OF
| the melody wasted. Archibald John
sing, the Ward McAllister OF colored
society, ofiiciated as master OF cere.
monies, and accompanied his calling Of
II OLE IF n
stuffling of feet In time with the music.
There were no idle feet In the hall.
Even the spectators joined 10 aud clap
ped for the dancers. Every step ever
executed on the stage, and many that
the most ambitious minstrel would not
attempt TO initiate, were danced by
men and women alike. 1t was fun for
the spectators; 1t was supreme happ-
ness for the dancers.
A cake walk and pie eating contest
were advertised as the stellar attrac-
| tons. There was an insufficient supply
of pastry and the latter feature was
| abandoned. Tue cake walk was a
| bowling success. About twenty couples
participated. The walk looked like a
failure until il was whispered about
that Arch and Liz" would not take
part. Then there was rush for part
| ners, for with these two inevitable prize
winners out, the others had chance.
Then the horn manipulation blew a
| loud blast on his instrument, the door
of a waiting room opened. and out
stepped Archibald, who was to lead the
walkers. To say that he looked
swell" were to express IL mildly,
He wore dress suit, with patent
leather shoes, gorgeous yellow vest,
| immaculate shirt front, and red four
| finland caught on one side under his
suspeuders, and the browning glory OF
his outfit was q shining silk hat. He
carried a cane. and In his inimitable
way bowed, and ducked, and scraped.
to the intense delight OF the specta-
| tors, as he led the walkers, first In pro-
cession, then in single couples, then in
! dIvidually, and finally brought them up
with a grand flourish In front of the
three judges, When the judges con-
cluded their deliberations, five couples
we're left TO compete from the mountain
OF baked dough. and to stimulate the
com petition Archibald took the cake,
carried it about the ball, and then per-
mttsd 10 TO get near enough TO the
| walkers to examine without touching.
This time the favorites were warmly
applauded as they marched past q group
of friends. Miss Fletcher, the erstwhile
undefeated, had a partner, but he wasn't
a Johnsing, and she threw up the
sponge in disgust Again the judges
confer, aud this time Bill Taylor and
lady. and Joe Franklin and lady are
| left to compete. The spectators go down
into their pockets to invest their spare
| nickels on their favorites.