Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-10
FRIENDSHIPS MADE ON STEAMERS.
just How Far the Acquaintanceship Made
Ocean Liners Goes.


on Ocean Liners Goes.
Among the storage passengers on a
steamer which arrived here recently was a
young man, apparently twenty-seven to
thirty years old, who had plainly enough
seen better days.
As he leaned over the side of the steamer.
about the moment the gangrlank was be-
ing pushed aboard, hepeered intently along
the line Of openings in the shed, as if hop
ing yet fearing that somebody would rec
ognize him.
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 a reporter to bespeak
an interview with the young man.
He proved reticent at first, hut thawed
out after an expressman had removed the
valise. which seemed to constitute his sole
worldly possessions and cares
This is not the first time I have been in
San Francisco" he said.
IF you have been here longer than four
years and have ever boarded Panama
steamer we have surely met
II am the victim of that illusion which
is disease, as homesickness is a disease.
The doctors call homesickness nostalgia
and prescribe for it. But my disease is
know-a steamer friendship
LET me explain. Five years ago came
here by sea from New York city with about
$500 or 81 900 in my purse.
"Of course l 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 nav for the drinks
Then j obtained the easiest kind of an
Introduction to a young lady, who pro-
fessed great interest in the first glimpse of
the Southern cross rs we passed down
through the Bahamas amid balmy breezes
and tranquil nights following sunsets that
| love to think Of now.
81 met, too, California seminillion-
aire, who professed the greatest interest in
me, and who paid for wine about once in
twenty times when 1t was passed around.
"A lady OF doubtful age talked Neo-
platonism and transcendentaI philosophy
10 me- and asked if knew Boston.
Really felt quite a warm friendship
springing up in my heart for all these PEG
pie, and as usually happens, believe, the
friendship became tropical with the eli
mate. On the way up on this side I sub
mitted with the best grace to the whims
~NN SsNPi iSeF "a ohS young ItON, VINO In
sisted on landing at every port. and of
course had to foot the bills
Everything was perfectly respectable.
when we reached this city I had a
pocketful Of addresses of my steamer
friends.
1t is true that their acquaintance had
cost me about $500 up to date, and that /
had been compelled to plead poverty 30
save further demands
Il suppose / had $1,000 still on hand
when | went around to pay respects to nv
steamer friends
Perhaps they did not know it or 1 might
have been differently treated
The cold shoulder is a mild term. I
got the cold, cruel shake. Mind Won. had
not been fool, pure unadulterated fool.
for had travelled a bit before. But when
went over to Australia consoled myself
with the reflection that among ali nv
steamer friends left not one to regret
Since then have travelled largely over
southern seas, and il has alwav-s been the
same.
There is nothing SO ephemeral rs a
steamer friendship.
Even IN the steerage-and came that
way Tor q change-it is the same am
not as rich as was, but like San Fran
CISCO better than any place ] have seen in
four years of constant travel
But If a man talks friendship to you on
steamer. don't be deceived. He NAV
mean no harn, and you may not suffer in
purse as have done.
AS for women. L believe they form
steamer friendships to pass away the
time. Francisco Call.