The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-02-18

there with her husband to reside long
years ago.
While in Portland Mr.. Dolph
went with me to call on Mrs. At
kinson, widow of Rev. DR.. Atkinson,
whom we had known at the Ha-
waiian Islands many years ago. She
has two children living, son and
daughter now in the prime of life.
On the 25th we left Portland by
rail for Tacoma at 11:15 A. NJ. At 2
P. NJ. the whole train crossed the
Columbia by ferry boat at kalama,
and we went on through the forest
covered country. There were some
villages or small towns on the way
and some small farms; but every
thing had on an unmistakable APP
pearance of newness, most of the
houses being implanted and still
unstained by the weather. For some
distance we passed along the muddy
Cowlitz, a tributary of the Col
umbia.
Mills for cutting lumber were very
numerous and piles of lumber lay
everywhere. But, as l said, the far
Their we went the denser the smoke
became, and we could only see
short distance, and the heavy, SER
rated forests lost themselves in the
thick atmosphere. The cause was
not far to seek; fires We're burning
in the forests in all directions, and
huge piles of sawdust sent up huge
columns of smoke; being burnt evil
IDENTIFY to get them out of the way. So
fiery had the whole atmosphere be-
come that lines of fence removed
from the forest were seen burning
with none to qUench them.
Portions of the country had a
poor, gravelly soil; but it was re-
markable how the young forest was
springing up to fill every unconsid-
cred gap in the country. The Turk
branches of the forest trees APP
preached very near the cars as we
passed and could be reached by the
hand. Many wild plants common in
New England were seen here among
which "hard hack" especially figured
and its usual accompanying white
husk." The yellow pine was com
mon, but was succeeded by frs as
we passed onward to the north.
Some curious mounds were seen
and near them corresponding de-
pressions. At 7:15 P NJ we reached
the new and enterprising city of
Tacoma with its 10000 inhabitants.
But alas, for human expectation
when INDUCED by sober soul who
despises flash" and depends on a
man who understands how to poke
his nose in the air. Though with
the rest of our company had pre-
viously engaged a room in the
Tacoma House," and all the rest of
the company were accommodated, l
was told there was no place for me.
So there was nothing for it but to
seek lodgings elsewhere. A Boston
man who said he knew what it was
to be stranger, kindly went with
me to the Fife House, only two
blocks away, where / found an inside
room in the top story of the house,
which they said was ''the best they
could do for me-"
This was an inferior house; there
was no parlor, and the elevator was
not always at your service. But the
charges were reasonable, and you
boarded at a restaurant IN the house,
or elsewhere as pleased you.
But, depending on my former ar
rangement, had ordered a transfer
of my luggage to tie Tacoma House,
to which it was carried, and it was
long before l could get it taken to
the Fife; all the longer that l had
given my checks to the clerk who
engaged to have it brought. 1t was
not brought till l took the checks
myself and went for it; by that time
it was IL P. NJ and l went to bed.
But it was hot, and there was no
connection between my room and
the open air, and only by throwing
off the bed clothing was it possible
to sleep.
We expected to have Friday the
18th in Tacoma, and to go on board
the Geo. w. Elder at night, sailing
up the straits early in the morning
of Saturday the 9th. But the Elder
was not in port, and after awhile q
telegram said, she would be here and
would sail at s A. NJ. Sunday morn
ing the 2Sth. So we addressed our
selves to spend Friday and Saturday
as we best might. With Mr.. John
son and Miss Hall made parry
for a drive about town. 1t was very
dusty, but otherwise the drive was
pleasant. The town lies partly on
low terrace by the channel, but
spreads back from the top of the
bluff on the high rolling land in the
rear. Multitudes of new and beau
tiful residences are springing up in
all directions.
In many cases the tall stumps of
the old forest trees still stand IN the
door-yards, and among them are
springing up the flowers planted by
the delicate hands of the fair occu-