The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-12-27
THE "CRACKER" AND THE
NEGRO.
Pen Pictures From the Florida OF
Twelve Years Ago.

The crackers love of whisky was
only spasmodically developed, or at
least He only expressed it in that kind
of manner, while with the negro it
was an abiding thirst and capable of
daily exemplification. The cracker"
with commendable self denial, would
go month or more without drop of
liquor in any shape or form; the prim-
ary reason being, perhaps, that he had
no money and therefore was kept away
from town. His crop was generally
mortgaged in advance for provisions to
carry him through 20 harvest time, and
even at this enlightened day it was not
considered absolutely necessary that
whisky should take its place among the
necessaries of life.
SO the cracker would remain
quietly at home under the shade of his
own sweet potato vine, hoe his corn
and keep the grass out of his cotton
rows, his only beverage being water
from the neighboring pond, or the rain
that falleth alike upon the just and the
| unjust
Some morning, however, the thirst
that even once upon time got the best
of good old father Noah, would encom-
pass the "cracker" round about, and he
would give up without fight. He
would unharness his faithful old mule
from the plow, hitch it up to his creak-
ing old homemade cart, take on load
of watermelons and go to town, after
travelling mile for each melon. In
town he would quickly dispose of his
cargo, buy the old woman at home
cnr,H hoT nhox
and, that duty performed, quickly in
vest the remainder of the money in
whisky.
A HAPPY PAIR OF CRACKERS.
/ saw such cart as | have described
homeward bound one day, which con-
tanned more sincere happiness to the
square inch than l had seen for long
time.
In the bottom of the cart, reclining
at full length, was "cracker" most
thoroughly and jovially drunk. He
had little brown jug by the neck, and
every little while he would rise upon
his knees, and, clinging to the side of
the jolting cart, give utterance to a war
whoop of the most intense delight.
On the back of the aged mule that
was hitched to the cart was 'tcrack-
er" chum, who was not quite so drunk
but fully as happy. He was laughing
TO himself, and must have been wrest-
ling with some stupendous joke, as
tears of fun were rolling down his to-
bacco-stained cheeks.
AN ACCOMMODATING BAR-ROOM.
There was one saloon in Tallahassee
that kept three kinds of whisky, desig-
mated, respectively. as ''fighting, $50
cial' and sleepy whisky.
This place was extensively patronized
by crackers and negroes. and the
bar-keeper always asked them which
variety of the poison they preferred.
This bar differed from all others in al
lowing every man to have his free and
unbiased choice. After he had chosen,
the headache and disordered stomach
were thrown in as a sort of chrome.
The fighting" whisky was warran-
ted to bring scowl to the face and a
furious light to the eye. The "crack-
er" who imbibed it would grow moody
and silent, slyly finger his knife and
become very jealous of his personal
honor The negro, under like GUAM
tity, would become sullen and insolent,
and think of his razor more than was
strictly advisable in a peaceably ir-
clined man.
1.-The social brand of whisky had
an entirely different effect Under its
benign influence the drinkers would be-
come all smiles and affability They
would travel in couples, with locked
arms, and protestations of undying af-
lection.
The ''sleepy" whisky was true to its
name, and paid close attention to busi-
ness. 1t very quickly brought sleep to
the eyes and slumber to the eyelids.
A wandering stranger from the old
Bay State dropped into this place one
day, and was asked the usual question.
He thought it vas all joke, peculiar
to the latitude and the people, and said
he preferred ''sleepy" whisky. After
he had drank it he lit a cigar and sat
down in chair for few moments
rest. In I've minutes he was sound
asleep, and while in that condition
some lawless individual borrowed his
watch to take medicine by, and must
have been In a chronic state of illness.
for | don't think he has returned the
watch yet.
During the remainder of his stay in
Tallahassee he a.vays chose the $50
cial" brand, and thus escaped further
contributions to the unknown.
HIGH-PRICED LUXURY.
Even ordinary whisky was twenty
five cents drink, but after you got
thoroughly acquainted with the bar
tender. as general thing he would
look in another direction while you
we're drinking, and you had an orpor-