The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-01
NOT DRUMMEns' DAY EITHER.
One savannah Man Who Was a Little
Slow in Transport Business.

IN
The quartermaster in charge of The Man
itoba was impressed with the business ac-
tivity of Savannah drummers when he
arrived in port One drummer was also
assured. if he had ever been doubtful, that
he would have to get up very early in the
morning TO get ahead of the rest of his
craft. And the manner in which he gained
ihis assurance was novel, to say nothing
of the hours of waiting and watching it
cost him
News had come in of the coming of the
Manitoba She was on her way here from
the Indies, end was to make her way back
to Cuban soil This was as good as the
drummer, who is one of the best known
of the jolly fellows who go between Sa-
vaunah and the outside world ever wants
to hear, for visions of a good thing doomed
up before his fancy as soon as he began
to think of the coming of the transport.
He was down at the Central wharves
bright md early in the morning to get
in his work with the quartermaster in
charge. All the way down TO The wharves
he was thinking over the nice little bill
he would sell for his house, if he could
just get ahead of the other fellow. This
Was. ltlea lIDDOFtdkt 4ueSllOls anu lie saw
no reason why he couldn't do ii. Even
If there should be one or two other drum
mers down al the wharf to welcome the
vessel in and. incidentally, to make a spiel
for business and furnish supplies for the
outward trip, he would stand good a
chance as they All that would be needed
would be a little case of talk, and several
of these he always carries along with him.
When he reached the river front there
was not a drummer in sight. This iickled
him. and he began to wonder if the fell
lows We're going TO let any such oppor-
tunity slip. He waited a while. and not a
one put in an appearance. The drummer
was beginning to get abnormally happy,
when he saw another making his way
down to the docks. He sized the newcomer
up, however, and decided he could stand
the competition without fear. All he want
ed was for other craftsmen to keep away.
And it looked like they did not care par
ticularly about having anything to do with
the Manitoba, for not another one APP
peared.
II was after some hours of waiting that
the Manitoba came up the river. 1t looked
TO the drummer as if his ship was surely
coming in and he was in an ecstatic con-
dition when she pulled up to the wharf
and threw out her lines. The Manitoba
is a big vessel, though, and no means was
apparent for boarding her except lad
der that was flung over the side. The drnra-
mer is not much of a sailor. but he saw
his competitor with a look on his face
that indicated determination to swim
aboard the vessel This determined the
one who was first on hand, so up he went
in advance of the other commercial rep
| resentative
A very cordial greeting was extended
the drummer after he had gotten aboard.
He went down into the captains cabin
and began a very pleasant little talk. He
found time presently to interrupt his little
flow of pleasantries long enough to observe
TO the officer that he hoped he would be
able to furnish the vessel with what she
might need for the outward trip above
what the government supplies, as ne was
the first drummer TO come aboard.
whats that2" asked the captain, think
ing maybe he had not heard Alright.
"Why, l am the first drummer aboard
and want your business said the other,
"What are you talking about, man?'
said the officer This is the greatest place
for drummers / ever saw. You are SLOW.
There have been exactly twenty-five drum
ners on this ship since she got in the Sa-
vanuah river. Thirteen came aboard down
near Tybee lighthouse and we have been
throwing that ladder over the side all
The way up for Others. Twenty-Five drum
mers from Tybee light to the Central
wharf is a pretty good record"