The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-26

couver island but the whole place gives one
the impression that it has settled itself for
a nap and does not wish to be disturbed by
any thing verv new or modern. 1t was
quite damp and cold while we we're there
but the flowers and grass looked as green
rs though people We're not wrapped in furs
and great coats. One thing We noted was
the absence of stoves and furnaces. Why,
the people have absolutely to stay out of
doors as their houses are so uncomfortable!
The next evening we took the steamer back
to Tacoma and then went on to Portland
by ., rail; h.,,+;t,, ,;+ NO, 10 ~.
very favorable circumstance as, during our
stay their, it rained continually-something
which from all reports happens very often.
However, rain did not keep us in doors and
We saw many of the elegant buildings and
residences, though the view from the
! Heights, which is said to be very fine on a
clear day, consisted chief of a blurred
mixture of trees. houses and fog. Leaving
Portland it still continued to rain during
that night and the next day, except when
crossing some high mountain range, when
1T changed to snow, SO we missed much of
the grand scenery along the route. es-
pecially Mount Shasta, which we p%articu-
Larry ln1lyn wished + to see but WHICH remained
of fog and would not allow itself to be
seen for an instant. But the
next morning the sun was shining brightly
and we foundo ourselves within a few hours
ride of San Francisco. We crossed the
bay separating Oakland from San Fran
cisco by a ferry boat, the only means of
transportation between the two cities. l
cannot tell of all the places of interest Wis.,
tied buring our stay in San Francisco and
also since our coming to Oakland.
of course, among the first places visited
were the mint, Cliff house, Golden Gate
park, and Sutro heights. The morning we
visited the mint one of the officers took US
through the building and explained the
various processes gone through before the
coins came out in their proper form, at
least | suppose he did, for on account of
the motion of his lips and now and then
catch n word or two. The Cliff house, with
the Seal rocks haunted by hundreds of seals
is of worldwide reputation. From
the Cliff house and from sutro
heights one can see the bay,
dotted with islands and over which the
ships pass to and fro like great white
winged birds, the Golden Gate with its
steep cliffs on either side. the shores of
Marin county with high mountains tower
ing in the background, willis in front gather
and roll and break the huge waves of the
Sutro heights and Golden Cate park are IN
deed examples of the desert b~lossoming as
the rose,' Tor only ten years ago they were
barren stretches of sand like the great
tracts now lying around them, and it. seems
Olulf SolltClkul uaIuU oub VI EuCu HluGSTltl
could be created such Objects of beauty.
Chinatown with its joss-housS, theaters,
curlo shops, strange sights and worse smells
is another place which strangers think they
must visit. This city within n city has
80, 900 inhabitants and ia really situated in
tho best part of San Francisco, being tho
freest from the foes and cold winds which
sweep over the city.
"After remaining in San Francisco ten
days we removed to Oakland. This is
mainly II residence town. as il il too near
San Francisco to be much of a business CEN
tor. 1t Is very strange to watch the crowds
OF people crossing the bay every morning
and returning at night. All do not, of
course, come to Oakland, as there are many
small towns scattered about on this side of
to strangers is the fact that within the city
limits one can ride free on the local trains,
and Il very great number aynil themselves
of thiso opportunity, though the trains are
intended merely for those crossing to San
Francisco.
"Of course l was greatly interested in the
school system. Oakland is called tho Ath-
ems of California. and In noted for the num-
ber and excellence of its schools. The high
school ia very large. having over GOO pupils
and Il teaching force of seventeen.
They seem to believe thoroughly
in the old ndage, All work
and no play makes Jack u dull boy for
they have very jolly times and, judging
from tie exhibit of work given at the CLOSE
of the term, their studies do not suffer in
consequence.
From MI accounts that | had received, I
had an idea that in the way of climate Cali
fornia was q paradise. So l was entirely