River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-02-20
CALIFORNIA LETTER.
SAN JOSE. Cal. Feb. 8. 1890.

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of the old familiar theme, the wealth
or, and will assure you we have had
that article in abundance. AS to its
kind, we have had variety, and as
that is the "spice of life" we ought to
be pretty spicy by this time.
1t has rained almost continually I'M
til about a week ago, when the sun
showed its face in full and set all
hearts rejoicing, but the fogs of the
past few mornings have been almost |
as bad as rain, but to-day the sun is
warm and pleasant and the world be-
gins to look bright and cheerful to us
again.
We have had floods. ice, hail |
and almost snow in this valley, a |
plenty of the latter to be seen on all
the surrounding mountains, and even
now Mount Hamilton's crest glistens
in the sun. The hail stones that fell
were genuine, and were gathered by
one of us, at least, with all the old
time enjoyment when we lived where
hall stones grow. The food was
something not as enjoyable, for it be-
gun to seem as though the foundation
of things was slowly settling and let
ting us down into the Pacific. The
Los Gatos, Guadalupe and Canvas
creeks overlooked their banks and
went skurrying over strawberry fields,
orchards and through the streets of
the city, filling cellars and Easements
and causing many to leave their
homes, some to be taken away in
boats.
In many places household goods
were much damaged. We were lust
near enough off to be comfortable,
although there was a small river run.
ming through our front yard when we
got up in the morning, which afforded
Arthur great pleasure, for he went
right to work turning it into the or
chard, thus trying his hand at irriga-
ton, although the water was not need
| ed then, for it was already covered,
but it wasn't very pleasant watching
| it slowly creep up the front steps, so
we were glad to see it turn its course.
There has so much rain fallen
something over "a inches, l think
that the ground is so full it does not
settle very fast, at least in this Sec
ton. Many cellars are still full and
pools of standing water begin to look
green, and we shall look for disease of
any kind soon.
La Grippe has invaded the city and
surrounding country, and very many
are sick with it, few cases proving
fatal and these only by its complica-
tions. Its presence must be secret
as yet, for the papers do not admit
its prevalence, aud the doctors are IN
willing to admit that it is epidemic.
IL would not be wise in them to do so,
of course, for eastern people might
get a different impression of this
wonder land of CLIMATE (which is
worth more to the square foot than
eastern SOILl if they knew that the
foreign disease had its grip on this
valley, but it is true nevertheless,
and we were told few days ago that
men and horses were coming down
with mud fever. We don't wonder at
that at all, the only wonder being that
they haven't had it all winter, 1t
would seem so good to walk through
the clean, white snow of Wisconsin.
Years ago, friend and | rode from
Hudson to River Falls, one spring,
with one of the good citizens of the
latter place. and whenever he came to
bit of snow he would drive through it,
for he said it cleaned the mud off the
wheels so nicely. Presently as he
drove down into a hollow for this ex-
press purpose, and the horse began
the opposite rise, the animal very
quietly walked up with the front part
of the vehicle, leaving us sitting there
in the snow. Not knowing what the
outcome of the gentleman's feelings
might be, we hastily scrambled out
and without waiting to ask what
broke, walked rapidly on to hide our
faces, for the funny side of the affair
was palmer to us than to him.
Vehicles of all descriptions are a
burden to themselves as well as to the
horses, because of the weight of mud,
and we notice that those who usually
ride out great deal are not busy that
way now. We have been told that
they don't like to take the horses out
because it is too much trouble to clean
both horse and buggy on their return.
Aside from that the streets and roads
are dreadfully rough, SO there is no
pleasure in riding.
The land is so wet that many nave
not finished pruning and some or
chards will have to be moved before
they can be cultivated, the weeds are
SO high.
49, eldest inhabitant has ''Fetire in
I~~ ~"- lose Mercury says.
disgust so the d. -"n't date
One thing is certain, they Co..
everything from 40, as they have
been doing, but will have to begin
anew with the present year.
That dreadful blockade in the Sierra
Nevadas held all our letters and pa
pers for several weeks, and the time
seemed long, but nothing in compari.
son to what it must have been to
those who were in it all the while.
When we did receive them they
brought us sad news of more broken
homes. and how our hearts ached for
those two lonely boys. May our Faith.
er comfort them as none other can.
The Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation organized the Boys branch in
stead of the Y. P. 5. c. E., as it was
printed. They are very active and
jealous in good works and there is
much need of all that can be done. for
Il San Toso thouuh oaIIad tho Carlan