The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-06
MADE ON STEAMERS.
just How Far the Acquaintanceship Made
on Ocean Liners Goes.

on Ocean Liners Goes.
Among the steerage passengers on
steamer which arrived here recently was
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 gangplank was be-
ing pushed aboard, he peered intently along
the line Of openings in the shed, as if hop
ing yet fearing that somebody would rec
Dgni2e 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 reporter to bespeak
an interview with the young man.
He proved reticent at first, but 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 l 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
the result of what every traveller ought to
know-a steamer friendship
Let me explain. Five years ago came
here bysea from New York city with about
81, 800 or s., 600 in my purse.
'Of course / made friends on board.
GEpafora yrn acbad tha II Iott roo
days out, l 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
introduction to young lady, who pro-
fessed great interest in the first glimpse of
rhe Southern cross as we passed down
through the Bahamas amid balmy breeZes
and tranquil nights following sunsets that
l love to think of now.
II met, too, a California semimillion-
aire, 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 Neo-
platonism and transCendental philosophy
to me, and asked if knew Boston.
Really felt quite warm friendship
springiug up in my heart for all these peo-
pie, and as usually happens, believe, the
friendship became tropical with the eli
mate. On the way up on this side sub
mitted with the best grace to the whims
and caprices of the young lady, who in
sisted on landing ut every port, and of
course had to foot the bills.
Everything was perfectly respectable.
"When we reached this city l had a
pocketful of addresses of my steamer
friends.
at is true that their acquaintance had
cost me about $500 up to date, and that
had been compelled to plead poverty to
save further demands
Il suppose / had $1,000 still on hand
when | went around to pay respects to my
steamer friends.
Perhaps they did not know it or / might
have been differently treated.
1.-The cold shoulder is mild term.
got the cold, cruel shake. Mind you, had
not been a fool a pure unadulterated fool,
for | had travelled a bit before But when
/ went over to Australia | 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 has always been the
same.
"There is nothing so ephemeral as a
steamer friendship.
Even in the steerage-and l came that
way for change-it is the same. lam
not as rich as was, but like San Fran
cisco better than any place l have seen in
four years of constant travel.
But if a man talks friendship to you on
steamer, don't be deceived. He may
mean no harm, and you may not suffer in
purse as have done.
"As for women, believe they form
steamer friendships to pass away the
time. "-San Francisco Call.