The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

l time was lost in getting across de big road The large, and fortunately | wellventilated cabin was cleared of | it's rude furnishings. The room was | lighted by two chimneyless lamps. In l the corner was a chair. the bottom of | raw -hide It was placed upon big empty pine box. Occupying the ele vated seat with an air as important as | a king upon his throne, Uncle Billy the nimble fingered banjoist, recogniz- | ing no rival in his section through a just appreciation of the facility of his execution.
 The dancers assembled In big cir cle men and women. The complacent old musician was the target for many | high compliments apt to turn his head did he not already place high value on his talents. Modestly he would tell | you self praise Is half scandal, but hits dc troof. kin beat air nigger in de valley handling de banjo" Over hearing this speech in compliment to himself an enthusiastic admirer chim- ed in,, Oats right. ain't nare mother nigger in APbama whut kin to'ch Uncle Billy when hit coms to maxim de banjo talk" As a period to this remark, Uncle Billy" suddenly in a grand and pompous manner. gave the strings i mighty jerk; the circle moved as if an electric button had been touched set them in motion. The prompter. Guy Jones, a tall. loose, limber-jointed nc gro. beside whose face charcoal would have paled, understood his business. In stantly he was prepared to direct their movements.
 Did you ever see country negroes dance? If you have not, then you have missed seeing the personifcation of na- rHhaU Gl1Rhr- ly to and fro, their feet lightly glide over the sand-covered floor. In start ing off, their advancement was dila- tory, dragging style. yet betraying in every move of flexible bodies peculiar, reposemul grace. By an ingenious touch of his bandore Uncle Billy" gradually caused them to quicken their pace. Again, by a beat of the banjo he hastens their natural rural move ments. Finally giving a quick jerk of the strings. transient shake appa- rently animated the entire numoer and then the dance was on!
 When dancers meet with shufling feet" my me! Is there anything to sur pass ahem? No, nothing. if they be the Southern country negro.
 Old Uncle Billy's" very finger tips were alive with the ecstacy of the in spiring moment With the genuine madness of perfect joyousnesS he play ed on and on. We could hear him ten derly coaxing his beloved banjo In en- dearing words to "git dar' and "gtb em de bes' dance tunes nissers years ebber heerd or dat his fleets ebber step ped to t"
 Mnze of Dancers.
 The ease with which the agitated dancing performers moved about the crowded room was surprising. Even collaboration was in the enthusiastic words of the pleasant tempered prompter. He showed ability In en- gineering in so small a place whirl- ing heap of humanity that would have been creditable to a general martial ing his forces. The dancers were thoroughly intoxicated with hilarity. but never failed to give tremendous expression" to movements over limited space. and throw coquettish glances to merry-faced partners. Hear him call out. Swing" swing" and the entire lipe would relax their bodies and sway to equal a low swinging vine. All to the right" Now all de couples to de lef'.". Now. ladtess. s-h-o-o-f-l-y! Every -b-o-d-y pass Way b-a-c-k" 'P-r-o-m -e-n -ade' All over" Back to yo' ladies" "Sw-i-n-g!" "S-w-i-n-g!"
 It would be impossible to describe the rapidity with which they made the changes in step and swung themselves bac kand forth ever stopping In att