Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-15
THE LUCK OF A
!: PRACTICAL JOKER
An Amusing Episode of the
Spanish War.

Bob Backstay, midshipman during
the Spanish-American war, was just
out Of the Naval academy. He had
been in more scrapes while ut AnnapO-
lis than any man there, and, though he
was a fair scholar, that he had sue
ceeded in coming out with a commits
sion was a surprise to all. The truth
Is he was such good fellow that the
faculty did not have the heart to re-
fuse to graduate him. Nevertheless 1t
was predicted that his love for esca-
pades would always keep him back in
his profession.
Backstay was sent to Cuban waters
on the Yellow Jacket one Of the many
small armed boats used to watch the
coming Of the Spanish feet, which was
daily expected. The Yellow Jacket
was commanded by Lieutenant Quack-
enbos, man abnormally anxious for
distinction. Indeed, he talked SO much
about what he would do or try, to do
If he got an opportunity that his off,
GERS would exchange glances whenever
1.-THE old man" touched upon the oft
mentioned subject. OF course the main
topic Of conversation on the Yellow
Jacket was the Spanish fleet and the
opportunities it would present for wide
awake officers to give notice Of its ar
rival or perhaps save the American
ton and thereby gain promotion.
The longer the Spaniards were In
coming the keener the expectancy till
at last Lieutenant Quackenbos was In
a tremor OF excitement during each
and every twenty-four hours. Then
when it came to be understood that the
first man to discover the hostile fleet
the Yellow jacket resolved to reduce
his sleep to two hours In the day and
two in the night.
The Yellow Jacket was cruising on
the south Cuban coast and kept in
touch with other vessels Of the feet.
In order that none Of the others should
get ahead Of him in announcing the
arrival Of the enemy, II indeed the en-
envy came in those waters, Quackenbos
ordered that all signal apparatus be
kept on deck ready for Immediate use.
In all this Backstay saw golden op-
portunity for prank. On his glass he
painted or, rather, daubed with ink
something that looked like a man-of-
war in the distance. Then about 4
bells in the evening, when the sun had
been set long enough to cast slight
dusk over the ocean, he rushed down
to his commander, who was taking his
daily nap in his cabin. and shouted In
stentorian tones:
1.-THE fleet!"
Quackenbos, selling his glass. bound
ed up the companionway and, bringing
the glass to bear on the horizon, swept
it. Backstay handed him his own
glass. The lieutenant brought it to the
sky line and saw a Spanish manor
war. Without losing moment he or
dered that a signal be sent to the near
est vessel stating that the feet had ar
rived. Backstay received his glass
from his commander, passed his tongue
over the object lens and wiped the lens
on his coat sleeve. The officer to whom
the signal had been sent signaled back
that the announcement had been for
warded to the admiral and asked in
what quarter the enemy was to be
found since he had not discovered him.
Quackenbos looked again. but could
see nothing. Others looked, with the
same result. The man-of-war had van
ished.
''We're outdone," said Backstay, low
ering his own glass. "Some floating
torpedo has blown her up"
. Handing his glass to his commander.
that officer saw clouds Of smoke. He
signaled that man-of-war had been
seen. but had disappeared.
you'll have to pay for this, Back
stay" said one Of his mates. eth all
come out. and they'll court martial
you"
Backstay looked trifle uneasy. but
said nothing. He grinned. He was al
ways grinning.
The next day, while the officers Of
the Yellow Jacket were at dinner. they
all left the table in hurry at hearing
some one on deck say:
1.-The Spanish fleet has eluded us and
got into Santiago" -, W. = ,
If the excitement at the confirmation
Of this news was great it. was mag
nified a hundred times the next day
when a message came from the flag
ship asking for the name Of the man
who had discovered the. Spanish man.
of-war reported two days before. : The
officers in Backstay's secret looked at
each other with mingled amusement
and wonder, and the commander of
the Yellow Jacket signaled. as he was
obliged to do, that the officer was Mid
shipman Robert G.. Backstay. Back
came a signal for Midshipman Robert
G. Backstay to report on board the
flagship.
Before Backstay left the Yellow
Jacket a consultation was held be-
tween him and the Juniors. and it was
decided that the secret was to be kept.
To confess that the Spanish vessel
seen was an ink spot would make
terrible scandal. even if the story were
believed. Backstay reported on the
flagship, was complimented by the ad-
miraF for his watchfulness and promot-
I'd on the spot. He held his peace,
the honors thrust upon him
with his llsual grin and entered uDOn