Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1892-07-15
CALIFORNIA LETTER 4
San Francisco, July Z,

LII. 0hAIdiC.--lu lTdSe1lUS
over this country, we ale some,
times in localities SO Strange to
our nature that we cannot enjoy
its best conditions. Not only the
human faces appear strange, but
the things usually most familiar,
the roads, fences, fields, farms and
the forests are all strange to look
at, even the grasses seem off color.
However the flowers are fra grant
and beautiful, the fruits are plen-
tiful, ripe and delicious, the water
is clear, sparkling and cool, the
air baImy and brscing. The song
birds sing sweetly and everything
seems to say: "eat drink and enjoy
your self" The fact of being u
stranger in strange land seems
to be the only barrier to our en-
Jcyment and it is most efectual.
Such conditions are perplexlng
and when thus embarrassed we
want to hang our "harp on the
willows" and 60 home. We have
tried wandering and being a
stranger until thoroughly conyinc-
ed that home, friends and sociabil-
lty add materially to our surround
ings- lie whole country is mary
'elous in beauty aud rich IN pro-
ducts. Midst old acquaintances
their presence gives relish for the
fruits and viands, beauty and
sweetness to the flowers, boquet
to the wines and aroma to the
after dinner cigar. And without
them, life is as destitute of pleas
ure as smoking a fine cigar in the
dark is void of comfort. Friends
as | wish to use the term here,
do not ct all times come to us in
human forms. Letters and pa
pers frequently bring good news
from far away country and are
esteemed as friends. How are you
anyhow" was the contents of one
very valuable letter. Valuable be-
cause there was life time ac-
quaintance expressed in those few
words. Our home paper usually
comes to hand every week, at least
as regular as transportation will
permit. 1t is full Of news and
good reading matter. Its contents
are very interesting to one like
myself, acquainted with its be-
ginning, rise and influence, know
ing that enterprise and fair deal
ing has made friends out of the
most bitter enemies, overcome
seeming insurmountable obstacles,
laughed at the scorn of competi
tors, stood by its friends, fought to
win and is now the victor. My
weekly visitor Is radical in
politics and usually right
in criticism, slow to censure
but severe in punishment, moral
IN sentiment, enterprising, pro-
gressive and interesting, giving
all the valuable news in detail. Ii
is the GRAPHIC that answers near
ly every purpose of a friend in a
strange land. Come on my COM
panion and bring the tidings from
home. | know storms, railroad
wrecks, washouts anG. cyclones are
many times between US, bnt you
have had to climb obstacles as
great as any CT these to get up to |
the top. From time to time | have
read in Your columns of the mac
a9amized streets, cement walks, |
brick making machines, steam |
heating radiators and electric |
lights. These were our dreams
years ago and you advocated them
and they came, to stay. Our
dreams of these used to be inter
preted some years ago by the wise
acres in brief-"it wont paw"
You haye upheld the Normal and
here IS not a country to-day where
English speaking teachers are en-
oloyed that does not bless the
good old school. Go on dear
GRAPHIC criticising the whole, up
lold the right; condemn the wrong,
help progress, encourage en-
erprise and live for ever. |,
Yours, RED WooD. i
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