Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-15
OUR LETTER BOX.
ORIGIN OF THE CAKE WALK.


 For the past few weeks people of every calling have. discussed the cake walk. The daily press has favorably commented on the cake walks that have taken place in this city. l have never seen an arti cle on where or how the first cake walk was conducted. So I decided to give what l know of the amusing paSttime as a cake walk. Not only the specta- tors, but those who take part in the walk are entertained by the proceedings, which generally occupy an hours time, owing to the number of couples engaged.
 After the grand march each couple is allowed to walk, five minutes. The in formation have was handed down from my ancestors, who first settled in Mad ison county, Virginia, in 1715 l am also indebted to my old black nanny for some information. She was an old-fash ion Virginia cook, who delighted to re- late many amusing incidents of her young days spent in old "Virginy." She always began by saying she was one of thd aristocrat negroes-was always a belle at a cake walk or quilting. Poor. old black nanny went to her long home years ago; but her good advice and ex-f amples, learned when a child, are indel- ably printed on my memory. Even now l often find myself preparing one of her oldtime dishes for dinner, at the same time quote something she told years ago. After the revolution, which lasted seven years, the country was not in prosper- ous condition; people were demoralized, women sad and servants in many in stances were disobedient In order to en- courage the negro to be obedient, mas ters offered rewards to ones that would be diligent for one year. The prize of- fered was a fine dress to the woman and a Sunday black suit for the men. These were tha prizes offered from Christmas to Christmas .eta
 This premium business in time brought about great dissatisfaction; many would contend for fine dress and many Tor suit of clothes. Cake and pure, good whisky were always served to all on Christmas morning. The negro girls took great delight in walking straight to have master or mistress" say a glrl was graceful. It was compliment high ly appreciated The girls often had walk ing contests on Saturday afternoons. They would measure the distance from spring and walk with pails of water on their heads, walking a given number or yards without touching the pail with their hands or spiling one drop or water Such a thing as a. bucket was not in general use in those days. Red cedar pais with white oak hoops were used for conveying water. They were usually made by the neighborhood coop er who had a small shop ana supplied his neighbors with pals and tups at nominal price.
 On every plantation were a limited number of negro musicians; at least one who could play a violin, one or more banjo, Ca crude homemade instrument in those days), flute made from the large reeds that grew promiscously along the banks of small streams throughout the country, and triangle made by the home black smith. These constituted the musical instruments. l need not dwell on a description of the sweet mu- sic poured forth by this band of musi- clans All the southern people know and appreciate the natural born negro musi- clan. .
 Early Christmas morning, 1790. an old farmer and his wife awoke to these same sweet strains of music interspersed with peals of laughter. The good man and wife were not long preparing to go to the front to meet their servants, who were coming to receive their Christmas gifts which they knew would consist or plenty to drink and good cake "Mistus and Aunt Hannah" had been several days baking. They were also interested to know who would win the fine dress and Sunday black suit.
 "Master and Missus" soon realized that most of their servants had plenty to drink and did not then need the con- tents of the demijohn. The men and boys sang, the girls practciing walking with pails of water on their heads; all amused that few were too tipsy to walk straight. John, "Old Mistus" " car- riage driver, was quick to tell Master" that Mary Ann and Lize Jf% were not deserving of fine dress-they were tipsey. Among the cakes to be cut was one iced and trimmed in sugar plums for Aunt Hannah. and John. The ne- groes all admired what they called a "whitewashedl cake" One smart boy proposed to Master to let all the girls walk with pails of water on their head for the white cake, the most graceful to receive the cake. The good Mas hi ic ty minutes Master and Mistus," with their seven children, enjoyed the first cake walk in "Old Virginy."
 l.. J. S.