The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-11-15
SAN GABRIEL. January 9th. 1875


Ny DEAR FRIEND,-" Our Mutual Friend g"
tells me l owe you letter, by your assertion :;
really, had looked at the other side OF the
shield, and was longing for the letter which
thought was my due from Yourself
Dews are heavy IN this country (spelled ia
both ways l propose to remove all can
from. myself, and make fast atonement for long
delays. l wish oh how very much | wish -
yourself andithe dear Doctor could have enjoy
ed with me the delicious experiences OF the
last three months. Sunshine all the DAYS: or.
if the heavens shed water, it was in such
charming, benefcent way, that 1t seemed a
response to earthly aspiration. Mems faces
frightened on the streets as they met, and ex-
changed jubllant salutahons. Water is the only
want here. When the rainfall comes to nine
inches, they can count on succulent grasses,
which tells in the butter and cheese ranches
on the carpet of flowers, which yields the honey
OF Hymettus, from the mountain sides on the
yield Of grains; on the fruit-walnut, almond.
peach and apricot, fig and lemon, pomegranate
and olive trees. All these depend on the rain
fail, unless one is so fortunate as to drop into
the wake OF mountain stream or spring. Then,
indeed, they are independent, for fruit, grapes
and gram are assured.
Where shall begin to tell you the gories OF
this cline? II | begin with my journey at
Chicago, can never cease until l fill folio. |
think San Francisco must be my poant ddppert,
as we dropped to the foot Of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, after a morning of magnificent
scenery, on the Central Pacific Road felt the
first soft zephyrs of the Pacific. Dropping
down to Sacramento, a friend, whom 1 had
made on the cars, with myself, ran up into the
city, while our cars were dining themselves
The houses were long, low, two STORY, built
with summer piazzas on the second story. OF
course, we did not go far enough to see the
mansions. 1t was the day before Thanksgiving
and the markets we're stocked with everything,
from the American bird, in the garb OF the old
philosophers rooster, prepared for the sacrf-
cial knife. AS l entered the cars, a lady, sitting
near the entrance (new passenger), sat with
magnificent bouquet Of roses. freshly pucked.
" Oh, how lovely From the open air F." said
/. With look of reproof, lifting Of the eye
brows, she quietly replied, "Of course"
dropped INTO my seat, squelched ,cds ignor-
ant My question betrayed me. There first
saw the eucalyptus, with its curiously blue
(ever blue) foliage, aromatic, especially so If
burned; and it makes rapid growth, and burns
EARLY. 1t is being planted in groves, both for
the salutary influence and for fire wood Reach
ing Oakland. from whence we cross the Bay
eight miles to San Francisco, l saw the sun
preparing for his bath; looked again, after ar
ranging my hand luggage, and he was gone
dsrobing so quickly, lost the sight-a trick OF
old Sol on this coast. We are not INDUCED
with twilights dip, and he is 7" lost to sight,
to memory DEAR I was domiciled on the Hills,
in San Francisco which is city OF hills, where
nv sun sets we're glorious The extent OF San
Francisco surprised me. Down on the plain,
where the palatial hotels and business men con-
gregate, it is compactly built. The hotels are
palaces. indeed. People require gold mine as
cushion to bear the strain on the purse. For
tunately, 1 have brother who located on the
summit of the finest bill, except one, In the
CITY. The views from my room were perpet-
ual feast. The Bay and shipping, the city at
our feet (for we could step from the hill on to
the roofs Of houses in the next street below,