The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-11
Fooling a Massachusetts, Man.

Muggins knows young man, native of Massaehu-
setts who spent his first summer in New Orleans in
1861 Bosting all right on the secession goose
like grated tree, bearing good tru-but always i'm
agned the natives watching him with suspicious
eyes. He subscribed largely to military companies
sent wooen donations to Virginia joined company,
drilled regularly attended benefit concerts and worked
hard for the free market But still thought he the
object of suspicion for the sake Of Massachusetts!
Bosting subject to another imaginary annoyance
"a mortal dread of yellow fever He often told Mug
gins that there hundreds of of yellow fever
in the CITY, but that the fact suppressed by the
board of health. That not one-haf of the deaths were
reported in the weekly moruary records. That it was
topical mpossibilty for summer or fall to pass with
the regular visitation of yellow jack and cited the
visit of Asa Harz to the Brooklyn to prove that the
dreadful scourge was destroying the unaccmated in
New Orleans.
His intocrable dread Of the fever and his morbid
sensveness in regard his nativity made him miser-
able He afraid to go away from the city because
he thought the people would then say he spy of
the federal government If he remained he would fall
a victim to yellow Jack, and 90 to his grave with
foul stigma upon his name that he was a Lineolnte.
He often spoke Of these things to Muggins and the
latter tried to persuade hun that he mistaken; first
in spposing that the natives suspected him of Union
procIyites and second that there was not case OF
yellow fever in the city. But Bostne knew better He
had seen funeral after funeral passing through the
streets, and knew that many people couldn't die OF
ordinary diseases in city which many people to
the wars.
! few days ago. Muggns and Bostiug were walking
together Camp street Just above Lafayette square
Bosting enarging usual, upon the yellow fever
idea and Muggns very tired Of listening to it, resolved
to change his tactics. With great apparent reluctance
he confessed Bosting that was too trueleyer
very severe in New Oreans-and that he had endeavor
ed all along to keep the fact from Rostng because he
saw how timd he was and afraid BOsng would catch
tai al md
See thercp' said Muggins, pointing to furniture
cart which passing the time That tells the talc
Bosng looked and behed with horror the cart filled
with cotins OF various sizes piled up three deep An
old gentleman men followed the cart, and at intervals
looked up anXiously at the dread enblens Of mortality
sickly palor overspead Bostings conntenance, and
his knees each other dreadfully lie leaned upon
Muggins arm
That's not all, said Maggns chat is the third
load have seen hauled Oft to-day, and that old gentle
man has followed the cart every time
Bosng made desperate efo and recovered somc-
what, his eonposure He tool, his watch. "Muggins,
said he, cts just quarter before O'clock and the
governors Office closes at quarter before 3. want
passport | can't stay here any longer. VIII you 90
and youch for that can get my passport and I'll
eave?"
Muggins agreed and the two walked down to the ex-
ecutve office. As usual there was crowd of persons
at the desk awng their turns to be served with pass
ports, and BOsting had wait. At last the document
was secured and they left the office together.
Arrived at the corner of st. Charles and Common
streets, Boosting held out his hand to Muggins bid
him good bye
''Whcre are You going to- asked Muggins.
"To jackson Mississippi, was the reply.
They have it just as bad there we have here, >
said Muggns
You don't mean to say they carry of dead bodies by
the cart load there, too, do you?'
No neither do theycawy them ofin that style here
We'll Muggus You'll allow me to bclive the evidence
Of my eyes. Didn't Isee one load of coiDs myself
and didn't you say that the third that had passed
''IeS nit JneTe were no D0dEs
Bostng opened his eyes. You don't mean to say
that, do you?n
Yes" Those cofins belong 10 Mr.- the under
taker. BE Is moving higher up the street and would
not have him leave them behind would you?"
Bat, Muggns YOU yourself said tie fever was very
severe here; don't you recolect?"
We'll so it is-the leyer-but it only proves IA
tai to those who leave"
And doyou really think there IS no yellow fever in
New Orleans" asked Rosting
Not case; nor has there been one this year.
Bosting looked at his passport for minute or two
and then tore it to pieces. "Muggins" said he, sit
strikesme I've been darned fool about this thing and
calculate won't be any longer. rather guess shall
stay in New Orleans"
Bosting kept his word and We see by one of the mil
tary advertisements that he has been selected for orderly
sergeant OF his company. n. O. Delta