The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-22

what in dignity by accepting this GIT,
I gained o welcome addition to my
purse. Alas, that. these two things
should be so often inseparable!
CHAPTER XVIII.
NEW YORK CITY.
I remember asking my uncle. soon
after / first became acquainted with
him, what sort Of q place New York
was; to which inquiry he made the
characteristic reply that 1t was very
fine city. with more thieves to the
square inch, than any other place
on the earth's surface. That was all
l could get my relation to say Of 1t.
Baedeker's account Of New York. my
only reading while on the Atlantic,
was more detailed, but less interest
ing. Indeed, one Of the first things
to impress a traveller Is the made.
quacy Of all descriptions Of places, for
the faces Of men do not differ more
widely than their ideas Of the sub
lime and beautiful, the sordid and hid
eous.
1t was with great satisfaction that
found myself at last in New York
harbor. The steamer which had
brought me to America was Of recent
construction. well found. swift. and
,uxufiously appointed; but none the
less was heartily tired Of the voy-
age. My first forty-eight hours ut
sea had been spent In a way too COM
men with travellers to need more than
passing reference. Fear that the ship
would 20 to the bottom soon changed
to fear that It might not; and that
mental condition departed on the re-
newal Of health and appetite. Then
came the days on deck, spent In watch
ing the restless waves and the mag
niticent rising and setting Of the Sun,
varied by occasional studies through
q feld-glass Of some fifteen hundred
Russians huddled together on the fore
mart of the deck, the Eaost filthy and
repulsiye mass of humanity conceiv-
able-material destined for speedy con-
version into American citizens. Bar
tholdis statue of Liberty. the rnagnih-
cent suspension bridge connecting the
populous cities Of New York and
Brooklyn, the multitudinous ships
from all parts Of the world. and the
commodious ferryboats keeping up
continual communication between New
York and various points In Long ISL
and and New Jersey, taken altogether
form undoubtedly one OF the great
sights Of the world, quite captivating
the stranger. and worthy Of all ad-
miration.
My foot first touched American soil
at one Of the slips on the North River,
near Courtlandt street at once en-
gagged the services Of an Irishman. the
proprietor or custodian o. o cumber'
some four-wheeled vehicle something
like the London growler may be sup
posed to have been II an early stage
Of its development; and having Sc
cured my portmanteau and handbag
the only luggage with which ! was
encumbered, bade him drive me to the
Gilsey House in Broadway. 1mmedi-
ately the vehicle began to move
perceived the necessity lor its strength.
for the roads were extremely rough
in some places paved like the bye
streets of Norwich and other English
provincial towns. The fine width OF
the avenues and streets, and the height
and grandeur Of some Of the CONNER
cial buildings, pleased me greatly.
Having secured room at the Gil
sey House. refreshed myself with
bath and good square feed" Ito use
the language Of IN American gentle
man who sat next to me at dinner).
l adjusted my watch to American
time. and sailed forth into the street
to observe the qualities Of the people.
or whatever else might attract my
attention. 1t was the first time that
I had been 80 far from home. or had
SO much as f3O0 In ny possession, and
greatly appreciated my responsible
ity and felt very manly.
On coming out 0, the Gilsey House
turned to my left and proceeded
what the New Workers call down town.
until ! reached the region Of City Hall
Park. Printing House Square. and
Bowling Green.
1t was scarce midday when I ar-
rived in New York, and three hours
later ] dispatched q telegram to my
father informing him Of my safe ar
rival. The month was September.
and the fierce glare Of the American
summer had subsided and given place
to beautifully clear bright weather
which rendered walking very enjoy
able. especially to one just released
from the monotony of a sea voyage
Continuing my walk up Broadway, l
observed that the street which ran
out from 1t on each side were num-
bered, not named. rs In the older por.
ton of the city about Castle Garden.
and my heart beat faster. and my mind
became confused with resolves and