The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-06-25
HAD BEEN TO PENSACOLA.
How Drummer Turned n Laugh on =
Yellow Fever Quarantine officer.

ut is difficult for Il Northerner to
appreciate the terror that "A rumor of
yellow fever creates among the resi-
dents of the South" said commercial
traveller recently.
The last time | WAS South, he con-
tinued. There were Il few supposed
cases of the disease in Pensacola, Fla
1t was several years ago. In order to
protect their cities from visitation of
the plague the cities of New Orleans
and Mobile established severe quar-
antine against people coming from
Pensacola.
Il was leaving New Orleans with
several commercial men. among whom
was a great, big Jolly, practical joker,
n typical commercial traveller who
represented Troy shirt and collar
manufacturer He was Il man well on
toward middle life.
LAS the Louisville and Nashville
train drew nearer to Mobile, and had
passed the only available connecting
point with Pensacola, it was boarded
by a quarantine officer.
''He was Il thoroughbred Southerner,
a man whom you would instinctively
call colonel whether you knew he
bore the customary Southern title or
not.
He went through the cars. ques-
tioning each passenger upon where he
had come from, and particularly if he
had been anywhere near Pensacola.
Finally he reached the Trojan tray
eler.
Have you been to Pensacola?' he
said
The Trojan hesitated for moment,
and then replied. Yes. Colonel. l
won't lie about it. | have been to
Pensacola His companions looked at
the man in amazemcnt. the Colonel
Jumped about foot IN the air, while
the other passengers in the car started
precipitately for the doors.
do You know there is n quarantine
against that place? continued the
Southerner.
Yes. replied the other.
'"Well, you can't stop off at Mobile
But | must. l have business
there
ut makes no difference about your
business continued the Colonel. posi-
lively. The Mobile Board of Health
has passed resolutions quarantinirg
against Pensacola. and you'll have to
continue on this train
Il won't do any such thing said
the drummer. I'm going to get off at
Mobile. I've got an engagement with
Johnnie StrauS. aud | wouldn't miss
seeing him for good deal. He ex-
poets hlc.
"'Tll tell you what it is. my man.
answered the quarantine officer there's
Il party of gentlemen Oh the railroad
platform at Mobile armed with shot
guns that will look after you if you get
of
But, Colonel said the drummer
seeing that the joke had gone far
enough. 1T can't be rs bad as that It's
some little time since I've been to PEN
sacola.'
How long is it?' queried the Colo
mel, who had neglected 10 ask that all
important quesis,n.
We'll. replied the other. L can't
exactly recollect the day and month.
Perhaps you can assist me. | was in
the Union Navy during the war We
had IL little affair at Pensacola aud
another one right out in Mobile Bay.
Do you recoilect the date of the PEN
sacola eyent9 If you do. that was the
first. last. and only time | was ever
at Pensacola. It's about twenty-five
years ago. now l think
"A great shout went up from every
one III the car The Colonel laughed
as loudly rs the rest.
III tell You what it is, boys. he
said. the drinks are on me. ! want
you ail to join me at the Battle House
bar rs SOON as ever we reach Mobile.
Then turning TO the Trojan he
added, ''i'll refresh your memory 4
little about those affairs at Pensacola
and Mobile Bay. | was there myself. :"
~ !. Herald.