The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-02-28
SETH. .cLAPP AND GIN. GRANT

1t was in the early fall of 1881, while
President Garfield was lying at deaths
door in the cottage at Eiberon, that
business called ME to Boston.
| boarded the 6:15 p. NJ. train of the
Michigan Central road. aud, after get
ting my dinner proceeded to the little
slate-room at the end of the Pullman
sleeper to take my regular post-pran-
dial smoke.
/ took one of the two double seats
facing each other, lighted my cigar.
and turned my eyes out of the window.
i was soon after aware of two gentle
men entering the room; and careless
glance revealed to me in the fading
light solid, we'll dressed, farmerish-
looking man, who settled into the
seat beside me, and II young man with
a slight military air taking the seat
opposite.
Absorbed in my own thoughts,
took no note of the occasional words
passed between them till the one at nv
stle said, in a strong tone:
''What enormous sandhills! where
are we?'
AS the other did not reply, l an
swered:
''At Michigan City"
In minute or two he asked: "How
came tltese enormous piles of sand,
here, heaped up in this way?"
Now, us | am, in general, benevo-
lently disposed individual, always
ready to bestow some portion of
my vast resources of knowledge on
those that have been less fortunate
than myselfin acquiring a wealth of this
worlds wisdom, and moreover, as.
was somewhat weary of my own
thoughts in the tiimly lighted room. l
proceeded to confer upon my modest
but worthy neighbor the desired in
formation. explained the wind-drift
sandhills along windward
shores, and as the gentleman by his
intelligent questions from time to time
seemed interested, branched out and
on the effect of the wind and
sand on the Pacific coast at San
Bernardino pass, Cape Cod and New
Jersey. l explained the sand-d1nes
of England, and gave the good man
considerable Information about vari-
Gus parts of the world, of which lie had
evidently. heard by the questions he
interposed.
soon became aware of quiet tone
of familiarity with distant places
evinced by his questions that some
what restrained the food of valuable
information with which had been de-
luging him, and his thirst for knowl-
edge began to take form in more dcti-
nate and searching inquiries. l found
myself occasionally brought up against
the fence that, may confess to you
privately, does actually mark the
limits OF nay intellectual possessions,
and, with my neighbOr, we looked out
into the regions of the unknown.
But soon found that my acquaint-
ance had little interest in speculations
and hypotheses. Whatever facts or
ascertained principles had at hand he
was ready for and received implicitly.
As the conversation developed, /, in
turn, began to receive information,
and noticed in his tones and inflec-
tions decision that satisfied me that
he made no statement that he did not
absolutely know to be true. l felt
that was talking with man ac'
customed to have his word unquestion-
ed. There was an indescribable air OF
certainty in all his sentences thai
readily impressed me, and as the con.
yersation drifted to the proposed
creation of great interior sea in
Africa I spoke of the advantage ex
pected from it.
sit will never be-" he said.
..Why not?" l rejoincd.
"The governments of Europe viii
never permit it,"
ION account of their jealousy O.
FrauceP" i inquired.
mo. But they fear the effect upor
the climate of Europe"
"There are no winds blowing from
Africa to Europe. except the sirocco,
l objected, land they would look up
on the destruction of that as bless
ing"
at is not the apprehension of an.
particular change" he replied, 'bu
the creation of II vast watery surfac
in that locality, from which a larg
amount of evaporation would be con
stantly going on, would be liable t
change the conditions of atmosphere
currents 10 degree that might ell
danger the welfare of vast areas @
European territory, and, as no on
can tell where the change would Oc
cur, the governments are unwilling t
run the risk"
..Do you speak of probable conclr
sions or policy already settled il
quired.
Tine conclusions are already al
rived at. l am not fully posted on til
grounds of their action, but / know
IS settled thing"
| was little startled. Who was til
quiet man. sitting here, putting ava
socially with me, and yet evidentI
so well able to speak "hy the book
on the international affairs of Europe
AS the talk drifted on the resOurct
of France, the affairs OF Egypt, Il
khedive's army and other topics
worldwide interest, | became mo-
and more surprised at the abunda
and accurate Information flowing {
easily and in such a simple, common
place way from my worthy con
panion.
1t nowise resembled the copio1
stories OF historic fact and graz
9 ideas, adorned by classic quotation
and illustrated by brilliant and a
passages from the literature of d