Evening star., 1899-01-02
UNCLE 81 WINS THE CAKE.
Watch Night Meeting With a SIfgh-
Change in Proerani.

There was a watch night meeting in
jamestown Saturday night the watchers
remaining up until morning Included in
the party were men and women of certain
and uncertain ages, old Uncle ST. who
picks rags on the dump, being among the
number. His .ole woman as he calls his
wife, was also in the gathering
At this particular function no white folks
were admitted, not even muiatto being
permitted to enjoy the festivities.
Uncle ST. was the leader of the grand
march, and with him walked a young wo-
man whose raiment was enough to con-
vince the others that she had no idea of
working in a kitchen the first day of the
year. To take this position in line was an
honor that was sought after by every wo-
man in the gathering. Uncle Si'' had on
his church clothes, and some of the jealous
ones were mean enough to say he was
putting on airs because he was in society.
While the affair was intended as a watch
night event the hostess had really sent out
word that she would hold a wine reception.
Anything with wine in ii will always tempt
Uncle ST. and this was done with that
object in view, for where he went the host
ess knew others would follow.
1t was about 1870 o'clock when the last
of the party reached the house. and the
musicians, who We're seated in the corner.
began playing music, such as they had
played at cake walk the night before
and this caused Uncle ST. to suggest that
the program be changed.
ITS the pleasure of the guests" he told
the hostess, that we have a cake walk
The hostess explained to the old man
that she only had one cake and that was
to be served with the wine.
Give the wine first" pleaded Uncle
Si'
1t was finally agreed that the guests
should settle the question and there was
only one dissenting voice. The objection
w he f,tl g !, ,;In
on questions concerning their home life he
always gives in to his old woman. he
thought the yielding of a point to her on
such a public accession would be too much
ike recognizing woman's rights. However,
Uncle ST. made peace with his wife and
tEen the cake walk started. The guests
We're allowed ten minutes in which to re-
arrange their costumes When Uncle ST.
rang the bell for the participants to make
ready, there was great transformation
scene Red flannel and white embroidered
skirts took the places of the ordi-
nary apparel of women, and arti-
rations We're used as hair ornaments
lhe men, however. had been unable
to make such great changes. One of
them had pinned his cuffs together and
made collar of them, while another had
altered his vest to give him broad ex-
panse of white linen. All Uncle ST. had
done was to don his silk hat and thus the
walk began.
Wine was served at frequent intervals
and soon several snowballs. thrown from
a rear room, came near causing Uncle SIS
silk hat to fall to the carpet. Whether or
not this was the result of the wine bibbing
no one knows.
Keep it up, boys and girls" shouted the
old man, while I'm winnin' de cake
Sure enough the prize was awarded to
Uncle ST. He refused to follow the usual
custom of cutting it, declaring that he ex-
pected some callers today and was going to
keep it for them. This he was going to
do for "his old woman's sake" He was
told that to keep the cake because the "old
woman wanted him to do so was giving
up his opinion to her, and he had refused
to do this earlier in the night
Il know l did" said the old man. THAT
was last year Now it's 1899, and I've made
q new resolution"