# The Youth's Companion/July 19, 1860/Mr. A's Journey Through the Alphabet

This short story is signed “L. M. A.” and is identified with Louisa May Alcott by Chapnick (2023).
Children’s Column.
Mr. A’s Journey Through the Alphabet.
Mr. A’s attraction for journeying through the Alphabet (after a long confinement in the Academy) was great. After breakfasting at his boarding-place in B—, he crossed the ice-bridge by means of an ice-boat to C—. He then took the cars which were furnished with carpets, curtains and cushioned seats—a very convenient and curious way of traveling. The passengers consisted of clergymen, committee men and many others, with whom he had a chat upon writing compositions in common schools, which was not customary centuries ago, or even at a later period. He observed on this route, churches, colleges and many curiosities too numerous to mention. He was conveyed to the depot in D—, entered a daguerreian saloon, and had his daguerreotype taken, which it is desirable to leave for friends when far away, or cold in death, as a token of remembrance. He was next directed to E—, which is noted for education. While there, he employed his time in attending exhibitions, examinations, and many exercises which were very entertaining. He continued eastward to F—, entered factories, attended fairs and festivals, met many familiar friends, and also followed a funeral procession to G—, which is noted for the pranching of the Gospel, of the great God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He then hastened homeward to H—, where dwell Health Hope and Happiness. After a lapse of time he resumed his journey to I—, passed an inn which was noted for intemperance, consequently inebriates were spending their time in idleness. He also saw a fire which was caused by an incendiary. Passed through J—, which was inhabited by judges, justices and jury men, then through K—, which is noted for obtaining knowledge and for Kossuth’s visit to the United States, and also for Dr. Kanes’ Arctic discoveries, then on to L—, which is distinguished for latitude and longitude for light and liberty, and for the legislature who make the laws. Then left for M—, which is noted for the Maine law proposed by the majority of temperance men, the Moral law that was written by Moses, miracles wrought by the Messiah, marriages instituted by our Maker, and money-making practiced by mankind. He next proceeded to N—, heard the news of the day, read the narrative of Nehemiah and the destruction of Nineveh, then went onward to O—, improved the opportunity of attending an ordination, journeyed onward to P—, which is distinguished for piety, prayer, peace and praise, and for printing, poetry, and prose. He then left P— and proceeded to Q—, which is noted for Queens, Quakers, questionings, quizzing and quiltings. Then quickly left for R—, which is distinguished for religious reading, railroads, rocks and rivers. He then rode to S—, where there was plenty of snow, sleighing, sliding, skating, snow-balling, &c. He then traveled to T—, which is remarkable for the telegraph wires stretching from pole to pole, for the purpose of transporting news to thousands of miles, and also for temperance and truth-telling. Next to U—, which is unbounded, uninhabited, unpleasant and unhealthy.—He proceeded on to V—, which is valuable for vines of various kinds, and which is the resort of vagabonds and ventriloquists. He then visited W—, met with a welcome reception at a wedding where water was wisely used instead of wine. This place is noted for windy and extremely warm weather. He then proceeded to X—, which is dependent on the sound of Z— for the beginning of a word. Thence made his way to Y—, which is noted for small words as yea, yes, ye, or you, years and yards. Then to Z—, which is noted for its different temperature of zones, and for its generosity in supplying the wants of X—(above alluded to) and finally would say that the Alphabet, (with the exception of G,) may be found in the seventh chapter, twenty-first verse of Ezra.
L. M. A.