Douglas Island news., 1899-03-22
The Douglas Island News.
(coNr1NuED FROM FIRST PACED


 Judge c. Fl. Sundmacher, the lawyer
 came to the town when the boom was
 on and stays by it in proper shape. He and IngersOll are the only lawyers left except the Judge, who, you might say is out of practice while he holds office
 We visited Mr. Romer, who was laid up for repairs and was being nursed by his excellent wife and daughter. We whispered words of sympathy to the sick man and were about to try the eX- pertinent of soothing him by reading the News, when we learned that hls complaint was a great big boil on the back of his neck, and we declared all of our desires off. Mir. Romer is one of the brainiest men that ever came to Alaska and his hosts of friends wish him a speedy recovery.
 But we are too busy moving to do much visiting and we regret that we failed to meet Dr. Thwing and his charming wife, but we couldn't see everybody.
 Our home in the city this trip was with Marshal Grant and his family. Mrs. Grant, most estimable woman, their beautiful daughter and two boys came from the east not long ago and found the lOveliest residence all fur nished. that there is in the town wait ing for occupancy.
 At 9 o'clock in the evening we were ready to return. The City of Topeka was to arrive that night from the Sound. but of course not until we were asleep in bed and dreaming beautiful dreams, such as only the editor of a religious paper can enjoy, and at 3 am. we were Scampering off to the boat. Purser Ballentine was in sight and was gentle and dOcile. He is getting to be a very nice kind of fellow We can't say that much of most of the pursers. They generally regard passengers as enemies. The freight clerk was also up attending to business. He is just as good and accommodating but 3 a. m. is the time for sleep and not to philosO- phiZe concerning the personal charac- teristics and peculiarities of purSers and we were soon in our berth.
 The sound of the gong soon produces crowd of passengers on board of ship aud the first place one strikes for is the dining room, and on the Topeka one gets best of fare and the best ser vice of any boat running into Alaskan waters. Chief Steward Saunders is the best to be found anywhere. He takes to the duties of that office like a duck takes to water. We don't always travel on the Topeka, but it is not because we prefer any other boat. The second steward, Mir. McAvoy, makes a close second. He is pleasant. gentlemanly and obligiug and is gaining hosts of friends, and deServedIy, too. Captain Edwards. the pilot, is a jolly good fel- low and Capt Thompson is a prince and one of the best commanders that ever walked the bridge of a vessel. You never hear of boat sCraping around on the rocks or trying to run on land that he is in charge of. But one of the best things on the Topeka is the stew ardess, Mrs. Haren. She Is from Seat tie and all Seattle women are good, aw- ful good. She is very popular with the crew and passengers and she retains her good disposition by reading the News. The fact is that the Topeka has a model crew from waiter mp.
 At the awful hour of 3 a. III. on Thursday morning we were landed at Douglas City. "Glad to get home?" Of course we are, for "There Is no place like home" and especially so long as your home is in the best town in Alaska.