The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-24
FRIENDSHIPS MADE ON STEAMERS.

Just How Far the Acquaintan oeship
Made on Ocean Liners Goes.
From the San Francisco Call.
Among the stoerRge passengers on a
steamer which arrived hero recently was a
young man. apparently ~ to 30 years old,
whe had plainly enough seen better days.
As he leaned over the side Of the steamer,
| about the moment the gang-plank was be-
ing pushed aboard. he peered intently along
the line OF openings In the shed, aB If hop
ing yet fearing that somebody would recog-
niZe bin.
There was just enough leisure after the
tide OF wealth, fame and fashion, which
came first -class, had made its exit from
customs corral, for Coll reporter to be-
speak an interview with the young man.
He proved reticent at first, but thswed
out after an expressman had removed the
valise, which seemed to constitute his sole
worldly possessions and cares
This is not the first time have been In
San Francisco, he said to the Call reporter.
IF you have bean here longer than four
years and have ever boarded a Panama
steamer we have surely met
81 am the victim Of that illusion which is
a disease, as homesickness is a disease. The
doctors call homssickness nostalgia and pre-
scribe for it. But my disease is the result
Of what every traveller ought to know-a
steamer friendship. -
Let me explain. Five years ego ! came
here by sea from New York city with about
81 800 to 1000 in my purse.
"Of course made friends on board
Before we reached the Hatteras, three,
days out, had got into the good graces Of
two or three gentlemen, who kindly taught
me to play poker. and generously allowed
me to pay for the drinks.
"Then obtained the easiest kind Of an
great interest in the first glimpse of the
Southern Cross as we passed down through
the Bahamas amid balmy breezes and tram
quill nights following sunsets that love to
think Of now.
II met, toe, a California semi millionaire,
who professed the greatest interest in me,
and who paid for wine about once in twenty
times when it was passed around.
"A lady of doubtful age talked Neopla-
tonism and transcendentAl philosophy to
me, and asked il know Boston.
Really, felt quite warm friendship
sprinRing up in my heart for ali these peo-
pie, and, as usually happens, believe, the
friendship became tropical with the climate
On the way up on this side / submitted with
the best grace TO the whims and caprices OF
the young lady, who insisted on landing at
every port, and, Of course, had to foot the
bills.
Everything was perfectly respectable.
when We reached this city l had pock-
etful OF addresses of my stea ner friends.
ut is true that their acquaintance bad
cost me about $500 up to date, and that 1
had beeu compelled to plead poverty to save
further demands.
81 suppose had 81. 900 still on hand when
went around to pay respects to my
steamer friends.
perhaps they did not know 1t or [
might have been differently treated.
THE cold shoulder is mild term. l got
the cold, cruel shake. Mind you, had not
been fool, pure, unadulterated fool, for
l had Travelled bit before. But when l
went over to Australia l consoled myself
with the reflection that among all my
steamer friends left not one to regret.
"Since then have Travelled largely over
southern seas and it is always the same
There Is nothing go ephemeral as a
steamer friendship.
Even in the steerags-aud / came that
way for "A chRnge-it is the same. am not
as rich as / was, but like San Francisco
better than any place have seen in four
years Of constant travel.
But IL man talks friendship TO You on
a steamer don't be deceived. He may mean
no harm, and you may not suffer in purse as
have done.
'As for women, l believe they form
steamer friendships 10 pass away the time
"All these friendships with men or with
women are writ in water my friend.
Watch the rainbow fading out OF the day.
That is just how they pass away