The record-union., 1896-12-27
BARBARA CLYDE.

all my life that I've had no time to keep
journal, but now for more than three
weeks l am to have nothing in particu-
lar to do, so am going to entertain my
self by writing what is passing around
me. L am on my way to California 1t
Is almost too much for me to realize that
] am a passenger on the George Law
bound from New York to Aspinwall.
have dreamed of this by night, and
worked by day to accomplish it and now
] am to rest for a whole omnth.
l have been long enough on board the
steamer to feel somewhat settled and
30 am at liberty to watch the meetings
and the partings. The meetings are
pleasant to look upon, the greetings are
80 hearty and varied. We'll, well; you
here; what luck" as two old Cali
fornians grasp hands, rejoicing to be fell
low travellers Unexpectedly.
Or, Hello, old fellow, right glad to
meet you; expected it; thought you'd
be sick of it here, and be facing west
ward about this time. Knew you'd
never winter in Maine again. I tell you
Californias the place after ALL"
Or, two ladies who have planned TAX
Ing the long journey together, greet each
other with glad words, rejoiced that
their plans have not miscarried. One of
these ladies claims Boston as her home
and the other Philadelphia. AS I write
two young girls come on board and are
met by a portly middle-aged lady, with
the words: Il feared you were de-
layed and would not get here in time"
The meetings seem to be all pleasant,
but oh, the good by'si 1 have been
glad that l had no one to say good by
to. The gentleman in whose care I
came to New York was an entire
stranger to me, New York merchant
who had been spending a few days in
the little village where / taught school,
and a friend of one of the Trustees. He
attended to all my wants very kindly,
shook hands and wished me a pleasant
journey. l don't think he said good
by.
A big boy, 16 years old, I judge, is
standing by his mothers side, who holds
in her lap little girl of about 1. She
says, ''Be a good boy, Johnny. Don't
smoke; you won't will you? o, don't
go with bad boys, for mothers sake I'll
try and send for you real soon. Oh.
GHhnny!" and here she broke down, and
Johnny too, and the three with their
arms around each other cried aloud, and
l moved little away.
But here is another group, a bridal
party. They have been some little time
on board, and l have seen them before.
The groom is an old Californian and was
greeted by other returning Californians
to whom he introduced his bride.
Who'd think" one of these said,
that that man two months ago took
home a dead wife to bury. He made
quick work this time, sure
The bride is pretty and young, about
my own age, think, and the maxwell,
he is older. There are brothers, and
sisters, and a care worn, delicate look
ing mother. I think she is a widow by
her dress, and 1 think her child is mar
ried to-goldi Poor mother, l do not
wonder you faint away.
Has your mother heart disease" the
groom asks. as she is borne on shore. 1
do not hear the answer, for he and his
bride move away to the saloon below.
A drizzling rain has set in, and / too
must look for more sheltered quarters.
The greetings and the good bys are
over and we are on our way. Every
one is getting settled. oh. dear, l am
afraid I'm getting unsettled-Tm afraid
I'm going to be sick-I know 1 am
Monday, Sept. 2S.-This evening we
are to reach Aspinwall. o, how sick
I've been! I have had no rest, except
the few hours We lay at Kingston. Ev-
cry one has been most kind to me.
Dear grandma, safe in Heaven, have
you been permitted to watch over your
darling that she has been kept SO safe
from harm?
Sept. 30-Safely on board the Golden
Age and it seems so comfortable after
being a week on the old George Law.
A gentleman came to me this morning
and offered me any assistance in his
power during the remainder of the voy-
age He took the liberty to do so, he
said, as he was acquainted with a gen.
tleman of the same name as myself
living in the town where my baggage
was addressed. Was he mistaken in his
inference, he asked, that 1 was a rela-
tive of Clinton Clyde, and was l going
TO join his family?
| hesitated in replying, and to con-
vince me that he was acquainted with
my relative he described his appear
ance, and I was obliged to acknowl-
edge that I had never seen him, and
that he was only my fathers cousin.
| think l was imprudent in convers-
ing as freely as I found myself doing
after that for since that time he has
been unremitting in his attentions to
ne. He looks like good man, but |
know l ought not to receive attentions
from any strange gentleman. 1 do want
to conduct myself SO as to avoid re
marks Of all kinds, but l find that even
my reserve makes me conspicuous
oct 12.-The evenings are charming.
I have INDUCED myself in staying on
deck until bedtime. Perhaps | am
wrong, but Mr. Prentiss Ghe gentleman
who is well acquainted with my cousin)
sits with me, and l have been assured
BY those who knew him in California
that he's nice, and 1 do enjoy his So
ciety.
He is very respectful. and very. very
kind to me. Although l was warned
about this very thing before l started
for California by those much older than
/ am. yet I cannot think il wrong for
me to enjoy this delicious bit of life.
which has come so Unexpectedly TO me.
/ never have had a good time in all
my life I've worked. oh. how l have
worked 10 educate myself, in the first
place so that / could teach. and since
l graduated I've not rested day or
night Ny cousin wrote me If ! could
raise the means to get To California
ne would get me a good position, and
I've taught school by day and given