The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-24

We DO SON CCl SA1 uuh AOiO NS WI van
Jurangy no, so early in de day
-Opie P. Read, in N. Y. Mercury.
erzz.----=-----z----zna--
THE "CRACKER'' AND THE
NEGRO.
Pen Pictures From the Florida of
Twelve Years Ago.
The s'cracker's" love of whisky was
only spasmodically developed, or at
least he only expressed it in that kind
of 4 manner, while with the negro it
was an abiding thirst and capable of
daily exemplitication. The cracker"
with commendable self denial, would
60 a month or more without a drop of
liquor in any. shape or form; the priin-
airy 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 to harvest time, and
even at this enlightened day it was not
considered absolutely necessary thar
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 TIE best
of good old father Noah, would encom-
pass the ''cracker" round about, and he
would give up without Il fight. He
would unharness his faithful old mule
from the plow, hitch it up TO his creak-
ing old homemade cart, take on a 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
some snuff for her private chewing,
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-
square inch than I had seen for long
time.
In the bottom of the cart, reclining
at full length, was a ''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 wal
whoop of the most intense delight.
On the back OF the aged mule that
was hitched to the cart was q ''crack-
err 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 sort of chrome.
The lighting" whisky was warran-
ted to bring a 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 a like guam
tity, would become sullen and insolent,
and think of his razor more than was
strictly advisable in q peaceably in.
clined man.
s'The social brand of whisky haG
an entirely different effect. Under it:
benign influence the drinkers would be,
come all smiles and atiability. They
would travel in couples, with LOCKED
arms, and protestations of undying at
lection.
The sleepy whisky was true to it:
name, and paid close attention to busi
ness. 1t very quickly brought sleep t.
the eyes and slumber to the eyelids.
A wandering stranger from the ole
Bay State dropped into this place on
day, and was asked the usual question
He thought it was all joke, peculia
to the latitude and the people, and salt
he preferred "'sleepy'' whisky. Afte
he had drank it he lit cigar and sa
down in chair for few moments
rest. In five minutes he was sount
asleep, and while in that condition
some lawless individual borrowed hi
watch to take medicine by, and mus
have been in a chronic state of illness
for | don't think he has returned tn
watch yet
| "a ind nf his Cf9N
Tallahassee he always chose the CSC
ciar'' brand, and thus escaped furthe
contributions to the unknown.
A HIGH-PRICED LUXURY.
} Even ordinary whisky was twenty
five cents drink, but after you &C
thoroughly acquainted with the bal
tender, as q general thing he woul
J look in another direction while yo
were drinking, and you had an oppo
tunitv of testing the elastic qualities
the glass.
The negro would not work in you
field half day for fifty cents, bl
would carry bucket of water mi
for drink of whisky. 1t was the dl
ference between labor pure and slmp
and spasmodic industry with social el
ioyment as the prospective rewar
T, The latter always won.
y DRUM WITHOUT POLITICS.
One of the famous characters of Ta
lahasse was Tom Mason. Tom was Il
bass drummer of the district, and ther
by a yery important individual bo
socially and politically. He led L
right ON all military displays and