Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-19
LETTER FROrl DR.. Lucy WAITE
On Her Visit t Moscow Medi cal
Congress in Russia, July, 1897.

On Board the "Werra": This Is the
fourth afternoon out and | have picked
10 courage for he first time to attempt
letter Writing-why | do not know, ex.
cept that the moment one is really
launched at sea, a fit of laziness attacks
him, W hici Only increases from day to
day until land is again in sight We
have had very smooth sea so far and
| have not had the least qualms in the
neighborhood Of the abdominal brain
Life on board ship is curious expert
ence. When the little floating city is
once cut loose from the land wing, one
becomes Immediately interested in his
neighbor, every incident is magnifed
into great importance, the past fades
away III hazy cloud and one lives only
in the present from hour to hour--the
mind a blank upon which is registered
only the passing events. We have the
Jolliest crowd imaginable on board, not
a disagreeable one among them, AMI
the list of distinguished physicians is
really appalling: DR.. Sem of course
heads the list. Then we have DR.. For
wood of Washington, d. c., who is also
a colonel in the L. S. army and surgeon
to the Soldiers home hospital. He is,
by the way, a great admirer of father
on account of his writings and has read
his book. This has made it very pleas
ant for me. He explained to DR.. Sem
about fathers book and assured him he
considered it an honor to meet Judge
Waite's daughter. DR.. Southland of San
Francisco is another distinguished ply
stefan. Among the long list are DR..
and Mrs. Foster of Brooklyn, delightful
people; DR.. Casey Wood and wife; Dr.
McCuilum of N. O.; DIR. Catherine
Slater of Aurora, and DR.. Brewer OF
Chicago, accompanied by his son.
Besides all the great doctors we have
ministers, artists and musicians without
number; having in All one hundred and
thirty first class passengers. I sit at the
captains table, at DIR. Semi S right hand.
DR.. Forwood sits on the other side of
Dr.. Sem and Dr. Southland just oppo-
site, SO we have choice company at
table.
1t is altogether the jolliest crowd l
ever saw. We vie with each other to
keep the mirth going and to Danish
inconsistencies and the blues. DR.. Sem
is truly charming companion and en-
tertaIns us with stories Of his early life
and of his experiences with prominent
people. There is no. one on board more
unpretentious in manners and more
attentive to the comfort of others. He
is a great favorite with the ladies. He
was telling us yesterday all about his
early life and training. He said he
earned every dollar spent on his edu-
cation and that he had lived in Chicago
on 81 80 per week, rent, board and fuel
included. His mother wanted him to
study for the ministry and was much
disappointed when he decided to study
medicine. His brother told him that if
he would 60 into the medical profession
he wanted him to study hard and
amount to something, he didn't want
him TO be satisfied with being quack
lie came one day much crest-falen and
said his pride had experienced sad
fall. His roommate, a physician prac-
ticing in the United States, had never
heard of him, asked him where he was
from and if he were going to Moscow.
DR.. Sem was very much amused and
said a man needed just such taking
down occasionally.
Saturday y. Must week out this
morning. Monday we stop at Gibraltar
and send back letters, so all are busy at
work tins afternoon getting mail matter
in order. The week has passed quickly,
smooth seas, jolly company and good
food with nothing to do, describes our
seven days out. We have had only one
rough day, just enough to add little
spice 10 the monotony and to make
those of us who weathered the gale Just
Il little proud of ourselves Quite a
number of the ladies succumbed, but
DR.. Slater and | have not missed a meal
at the table. Indeed, smooth as it has
been, some of the ladies have been sick
all of the time and do not think of com
ing to the table. We have some enter
tainment nearly every evening in the
saloon. Last night concert of real
talent; the night before Il mock trial,
with DR.. Sem as judge. | was on the
jury and we had great fun out of it.
They made it a suit for breach of prom
Use, and DR.. Southland and lady from
st. Louis were the principals. DR..
Senn's instructions to the jury were
really very funny. | had no idea he
was so full of humor. The jury ordered
the defendant to be thrown overheard
the judge to pay all costs of the trial
and to be set off the boat at the Azores,
and the lawyers TO pay heavy fines for
talking SO much-all to go to the sea-
mans fund. The entire company, old
and young, seemed to enjoy the, even.
ing immensely. The other evenings
and much of the afternoons we spend
IN playing whist. The colonel gets
badly beaten which makes him crest
fallen. DR.. Sem and the colonel are
old friends and after each defeat he
takes him away for smoke and a glass
of beer, which he says is all he can dc
An &c