The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-07-19
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
SALT LAKE CITY, L. T., ,
July 8, 1872.

SALT LAKE CITY, L. T.,
July 8, 1872.
DEAR NEW NORTHWEST
Leaving Laramie City on the evening
of the ID, found, to my amazement,
that, although l had telegraped 10
Cheyenne TO secure 4 sleeping car, there
were no accommodations Left except the
upper berth of a small state-roOm, the
lower half OF which had been secured by
a Spaniard, who looked up as the con-
ductor showed me the alarming pros
pect, with ferocious flash in his eyes
and a question of evident annoyance on
his tongue, which, after an uncomforta-
bic silence on my part, he concluded
with the expression, "no sabe, ell ?" on
an upward sliding key which almost
me out of my wits.
Cant afford to take lodgings with
this brigand," 1 said in dismay. SIS
this really the best accommodation you
have?"
"All 1 can do, madam. Could have
sold this berth half dozen times"
"To ladies'"
Certainly. There are a number Of
ladies in the next car, any one of whom
will be glad to get it,
/ This announcement raised the value
of my sleeping car investment, and
shrinking from the guns and other bor-
der ruffian pharaphernalia with which
the little box Of q room was filed, re-
treated to the other end of the car, where
a number of tourists, ladies and gentle.
men, who are on their way to Oregon
were watching with amusement and ev.
ident interest the denouement OF tn,
comedy. We were soon all we'll ac
quainted and happy-that is, all excep
myself, and I confess a nervous tremo
made me very uncomfortable whenevel
| thought of the approaching darkness
and my anticipated night of terror witt
n state-roOm full Of blunderbusses and :
ferocious Spanish brigand beneath my
elevated couch.
A Southern Methodist minister on hi
way to Albany, Oregon, from Balti
more, an old gentleman who, notwith
standing his clerical dignity, was a
full of fun as boy Of fifteen, and an ex
cellent lady whose acquaintance hop,
/ to be able to continue, finally began /;
conversation with my brigand, whc
proved to he a cultivated Spanish gen
I tleman, who for twenty years has re
sided in Sonora, Mexico, and was nov
on his return from a late visit to his ma
/ tive olive groves. found-Oh, shades
of adventure and anticipation tina
my perturbation over his blunderbusse
was altogether unnecessary; and all un
mindful of the fact that "brigand" anC
"Corsairr were among the mildest o
our half-earnest epithets, the gentle
man, in the best English at his com
mand, rendered the ''Senorita' In,
choicest section of the state-room, ,whicl
/ had the audacity TO accept, but no
without some compunctions of con
science over my unjust judgments.
Arrived at salt Lake City on Tia
evening of the Sd, and on the morning
of the 4th was called upon by Governo
Woods, who accompanied me to hi
pleasant home, where for several days
have been enjoying delightful visi
with his excellent family. On the even
ing of the Fourth, large assembly O
citizens, headed by the National Bras
Band, marched TO the residence of tn
Governor and discoursed the Nationa
airs, after which mine host addresse,
them in AN impromptu speech i'm hi
} peculiarly eloquent and patriotic style
concluding stirring peroratiOn will
an announcement, somewhat TO m,
perturbation, that "an eminent edito
; and speaker, an old friend, au Oregon
ian," etc., etc, twas present, and WHOM
! he wished to introduce And, ther
J being no alternative but to retreat O
"face the music" L preferred the latter
and made my first Fourth of July ad
dress before a dense jam in the gather
. ing darkness, standing in the Governor
gateway.
A number of gentlemen came forwar
at the close of the little speech and ten
dered me the Liberal Institute for lee
ture, which 1 accepted, and on Saturda
evening q fine audience Of intelliger
and orderly people filled the spaciou
hall. At the close of the lecture l wa
introduced by the Governor and hi
wife to a large number of ladies an
gentlemen, who proved as home-lik
and social as our friends in Portland
Mrs. S. f. May, rejoicing in the goo
news of her husbands honorable aC
quittal, is as happy now as she has bee
nopeiui. If any one yet believes tha
woman is the weaker vessel" !" let hir
: visit salt Lake City and see how thl
:, heroic woman has braved the storms