The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-01-15


"Uncle Johns Hotel" and this made US
laugh as we thought right away of our
Grandpa John and his 'hOtel."
One of the tedious parts of our trip was
our having to wait nearly four hours at
Kansas City although we were in large
depot where there are always many things
to attract ones attention and take up the
time.
We left Minnesota without any snow and
went right into the midst of heavy fall Of
snow. and we found it quite cold most of
the way. There were number of inter-
e3ting people on the car. There was party
OF four returning from Germany; two Of
the party got left in Chicago, which was.
not so interesting for them; lady and
three children going to California to live
her husband, minister. and one little boy
were already there; one little girl ten years
old travelling all alone going to live with
her uncle and aunt in San Francisco.
How characteristic of each state were the
people we saw at the different cities along
the route! And these with the wonderful
cacti we saw when passing through New
Mexico, Arizona and California, made the
time pass all too quickly. We were very
much interested in the MeXicanS who came
on the train with their brilliant blankets
and whips which we were allowed to ex-
anime and ask questions about. They were
home made. The blankets were woven in
geoMetrical patterns and were cOlOred red,
yellow, black and white. The whips, called
quirts, were braided of horse hair dyed in
the same brilliant cOlOrs as the blankets.
The adobe houses all through Mexico and
Arizona were quaint looking affairs, and
close to most Of these houses were little
mound shaped houses with small arched
opening near the ground. We called them
dog houses. but we were told they were
ovens. All up the mountain sides were
numerous herds of goats, and there were
funny little bnrrOes in great numbers.
At one station in Arizona the Indians
came to the train with cactus for sale of
variety we had never seen. They were
| finger long all over them and were only ten
cents piece. (They were the kind fell
low would not like to sit down On.) They
were from ten to thirty inches in circum-
ference. The squaws had an odd cape
made of blue and white beads which they
seemed very proud of, and they had strings
of fine blue and white beads around their
necks-so many l would not dare to guess
at the number. With these and their red
blankets they made quite bright picture.
The Needles were another interesting part
of the trip. We wondered what the Nee
dies could be. but we learned that they
were miles of mountain peaks composed of
immense powders and stones among which
grew in prOfusiOn cactus in great variety.
In the southern part of California, for a
long distance, we saw three and four teams
together, of from eight to ten horses each,
breaking new ground for crops. This was
on the plains of California. All through
this same region were immense vineyards of
raisin grapes. and the drying and packing
houses attached to the grounds. we 800
passed places where wine. was manufact-
ured. From San Francisco to San Jose the
way was lined with palms. century plants.
cola lilies in bloom land this is winter in
California;. and the lovely pepper trees with
their fine, dark green leaves and long
punches of red berries, the most graceful
and beautiful of trees. There are still
many roses and chrysanthemums in bloom.
and numerous other flowers the names Of
which we must learn, making veEitable
Garden of Eden to us who have never before
been in country anything like this.
We are located in very pleasant rooms
from the windows of which we can see
Mt. Hamilton and the Lick Observatory
dome glstening in the bright warm sun
| SHln0. L SIlOulu GulDk every udGlOu was
represented here-the Chinese in great
numbers.
Well, we had an experience to-day not
soon to be forgotten. About twelve o'clock
the house began to rock violently, the door
bell rang and the windows ratified. This
lasted about a minute. but it seemed to me
much longer. The lady of the house came
running up to our rooms. more frightened
than we. and said she had never felt so
severe a shock of earthquake. We expected
at least to see chimneys falling, but the
only apparent damage was-a boy thrown
off his base, crying girl, and spilled milk.
| We are reveling in the little japanese
oranges (three dozen for two bitsl, also
bananas. very fine apples. pomegranates.
tamarinds, all kind of fresh vegetables and
other luxuries too numerous to mention.
The New Year was ushered in with the
greatest noise and commotion imaginable.
We saw small boys buying kind Of
squeaking trumpet all day, and at night we
found out what they were for without ask
ing. All the whistles, bells and trumpets.
kept up racket until after midnight.
| There are many Interesting things which
I will write about another time.
BESSIE BRINK.