The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-03-15

and no more rain for California this
year. I never expect to find a prettier
picture of the wealth Of nature than
that which meets your view in look
ing back from the beach over the val
ley of thirty miles that lies between
the coast and Sierra Madre Mountains.
It seems as if natures lap full Of SAM
pies of all the good things on earth
in her effort to cross the noun
tains had spilled all her treasures on
this spot. We arrived home near 9
in the evening pretty we'll tired out
with our drive Of thirty-six miles.
The next day Miss Graham came
down. We all went to the opera to
see ''Fra Diavolo'-quite a treat to
me-the next night to see the Two
Orphans at the theater, and the next
night again the opera Of "Nanon," a
most beautiful opera. Sunday we all
went to Santa Monica to bid farewell
to the place, and expecting to go in
bathing, but on our arrival the wind
started blowing quite a gale, the tide
tide was going out. and the rest Of the
party feared it. Quite a disappoint-
ment to miss the famous baths Of the
Pacific. We found our way back to
Los Angeles and China Town just in
time for the celebration Of the Chi
nese New Year, which begins at mid
night Of the 18th of February. This
is the appointed time for soaring the
devil-which they endeavor to do by
fireworks, to such an extent as would
delight the heart Of Young America"
on a Fourth Of July morning. Their
religion requires them to appropriate
a certain sum each year for this pur-
pose. 1t is said that SIS, 900 was spent
this year in Los Angeles. It might
be interesting to you to know shat the
fire crackers to the number of thou
sand are strung on a cord making a
good sized rope, then hung up by
means of cords, in the form Of a SER
pent. Each Chinese store boasted one
of these, and the fun begins when
they light the tails. They really
wiggle and look like so many fiery
serpents. It is terrifying, to say the
least. No doubt the Old Nick was
scared away. Box after box of crack
ers were Lit and thrown into the street
not counting the bombs, Roman
candles, and numerous other fireworks,
new to me. The head Of the serpent
with terrific noise, throw
ing out dozens of bright colors, when
a red banner unfolds, bearing an ap-
propriate Chinese inscription. I tell
you, New Year means more to them
than to the average American.
Monday I started for the great city
Of San Francisco-and how glad I am
that [ did not allow them to persuade
me to remain in that part of the State
any longer. I never spent such de-
lightful days as I have since here.
The trip back and forth across the bay
alone is a great treat. One cannot
much prettier sight than
the hundreds or more large sail boats
and ocean steamers lying in port, and
the bay itself is dotted with small
schooners and yachts as well as large
vessels. [ never tire of this trip on
The water. Each day it seems new to
me. San Francisco has the best cable
line system of any city Of its size in
the State. On landing at the ferry
you find between fifteen and twenty
cars and an agent there to direct you.
A child could go from Oakland to any
point in the city with perfect ease.
Every car in the city runs to the ferry,
so you see | have no trouble in going
alone. In fact l rather enjoy it, for
when Mr.. and Mrs. Holt go they move
much slower than [, and one trip a
lay tires them out; then when | come
nome in the evening they are and |
glad to hear my experience, and are
much company for me. I will venture to |
say tnat | can get over more ground
,han any man. Those men at Los
Angeles used to spend so much time
n hunting places, when l would ask
4 policeman and be there and back be-
fore they could get started. | econo-
nize time by employing every min
lite. I hardly know where to begin
;elling you about the sights I have
'een here. 1 have not missed day,
md yet am not tired. One can endure
10 much more exercise here than in
los Angeles. The first day Of my ar
ival in Oakland Mr.. and Mrs. Holt
md | took in some of the finest resi-
lences. The homes are really finer
han in Los Angeles. That is they
re more romantic, and nearer the
deal California home. It can be ac-
counted for in this way-Oakland is a
cry old place, and the lawns have
cached perfection. The best resi-
lences in Los Angeles were built dur
ng the past year, and the lawns Of
curse are barren yet. don't believe
hat one could find a more desirable
lace to live than here. 1t is quiet,
hough not painfully so, and you have
he advantage of the city-can ride
rom any point here to the ferry free