The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-08-26
A CRACKER DANCE
one OF the Few Pleasures OF the sPOOE
WhItes1 OF the Southern
States


States
Few, indeed, are the Pleasurable ex-
elements Of the Crackers life, and
yet he has some fete days and hoi-
days Paramount among these are the
cane grindin' and sugar bilin'-"
Most of them have a cane patch Of
greater or less extent, according to
tee number Of his stock of cattle and
the children big enough to assist, and
the extent to which he can overcome
his chronic indispositiOn TO labor.
Along In November and December the
grindings begin, and usually so in TO
tation. so that "the linked sweetness
may be long drawn out" Everybody
is invited and preparations are made
to entertain all corners, for the
Cracker is above all things hOspitable.
One OF more razOr-bacls yield up the
ghost; a plenty of grits and sweet po-
tatOes are on hand and the larder is
ready. For some days before cutting
actually begins the Cracker is busy
setting up his mill and furnace. The
whole affair is primitive in the eS-
IRENE. \ pine sapling with Just the
right crook in II is hitched at one end
&c a pony; the other is fastened to
two small upright rollers, between
which the cane is crushed.
While the pony steadily treads his
circle three or four sticks Of cane are
fed TO the mill. The thin greenish
juice runs into a rude wooden trough,
which conducts It to barrel covered
with a gunny sack, which serves as a
strainer. The chimney and furnace,
into the fat top of which the large
iron boiler or caldron is set, are rude
" fashioned of clay. After five or six
hours hard boiling and skimming the
strip is done, and for few moments
all Is excitement. as the frebrands are
raked out from the furnace and the
boiler is emptied Of its saccharine con-
tents. The strip IS a clear amber and
Of delicious flavor, and Just a few mo-
ments' overlooking would change 1t to
sugar, for which your true Cracker has
little use, the strip having "a much
greater financial value. The skim
mings are all carefully put in a clean
barrel, where they soon ferment and
make a kind Of beer, they call II. which,
with age, becomes highly Intoxicating
Wei, the Cracker works steadily. for
him, for some days, knowing full well
that his fun viii come when once the
boiling IS over; for invariably they end
with a dance and a candy pull.
Now, truly, a Cracker dance Is a pc
culiar institution, and one which fur
nishes boundless amusement to the
outsider, if so be he is fortunate
enough to be invited to grace one with
his presence. Young and old, big and
little, attend, each one bent on get
ting his fullest amount Of enjoyment
out Of the occasion. There are al
ways some among them who can play
the violin, and the air they play must
be an heirloom, for It is always the
same and only one. It is always the
same monotonous jangle on a few
notes, and played as fast as possible
but the Cracker seems to enjoy il, and
bis feet keep time to the measure, how
ever rapid 1t may be- As the rooms
are not large, but 10 can dance al
once, and they are all in one set, two
couples being on each of the four sides
The fun commences early and con
tinues late, a fresh lot Of dancers al
ways being ready to take the places OF
those who are about wearied out with
a good half hours rapid dancing. fol-
each set holds the floor at least that
long. All night long. above the ting-a
tang Of the violin. Is heard continual
repetition Of such calls as these: Hon
OF you partners; now YOU cOrners!'
ftAII-a-men-left!' First couple to the
right and dos-a-ballet-net." ''Next
couple follow and swing lady OF
cheat!" Irvine the blacksnake in and
cut!" First lady to the right. swing
and aoatl" and such floating. about as
airy ard graceful as careening mule!
"AlI lemonade and hit a well sweet
cned with nOthin'!'' Honor the flower
basket; now the wOodbOx!" Zig ring
all around Ladies TO the middle oil
the floor and gentlemen to they seats!'
Then each gentleman makes frantic
graz for his partner and leads her
rosy and painting. to the coolest spot
he can find. for seats are few and fal
between.-Boston Transcript.