The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-26

1891
a sea-going vessel and found that the
dream was a reality.
From the interest shown in my re-
turn. am convinced that if can tell
in simple and matter of fact way the
it's cost, the sea sickness, the tips, the
foreign customs, scenes and experiences
as they unfolded themselves to kan
san, that the reader may be entertained
and instructed, From the number of
queries piled. am sure the questioner
is ready for instruction and entertain
ment along these lines. Otherwise. he
would not ask with such polite persist
ence nor await the replies in eagerness.
1 dislike a personal recital, but in this
instance 1t is unavoidable and the sub
scriber presume wants our exper-
fences and not those of the thousands
who have before gone up and down in
ships.
The trip was planned upon short
notice. There was little more prepara-
ton upon the part of our trio, my wife,
my daughter and myself than had we
been going to Eureka Lake. I do not
say that more preparation was not ad-
| NiSdOiC, OUl tfhN Jul coAANAA
decision gave US no time for an elab-
crate make-ready. 1t was just as we'll
He waits long, who goes full panoplied.
We went quickly and wore our old
clothes. The result simply proves that
good way to go abroad is to go, just
as John Sherman once said in regard
to returning to specie payments, the
way to resume, is to resume"
= l,1o 1aa oil
family to take a few weeks rest and
recreation in the month of August.
This event had been followed for a
number of years and had given us what
we sought, as well as a liberal &C
quaintance with the different portions
of our own country. This summer we
could not decide to which of the old
places to CO. The vision of a foreign
trip suddenly presented itself and be-
came something more than a sentiment
or than things hoped for. We would
not in all probability spend great deal
more money, we would get the vacation
and it's benefits and see new things
which would broaden our horizon in
life and certainly make us better citi-
zens in a country where we were al
ready quite content.
fled and sufficient funds laid aside. The
State Journal was prosperous with the
town and state More Topekans were
reading the paper, and more important,
paying for 1t. than during any summer
in it's history The city had recovered
from the fiood-bIue grass and bright
faces were springing up anew where
driftcd sand. saddened features and
lodged Nothing was doing in politics
The state house was run by the jan
itors. The executive council could not
be collected. Some Republicans were
knifng each other in absence of an
enemy. The Democrats were saving
wood. Tom Kelly was lowering as
sessments in Miami and raising them
in Nemaha. The Burton men were be-
laying Bailey because his stenographer
had named a Leland man justice of the
peace and given an ex-confederate a
notary's commission The bank COM
missioner was working on the state
treasurer's tax report. Bill White was
lost again in Thunder Mountain. The
city council was so pleased with the
new railway people for giving us street
car service, something we had not en-
joyed for many years, that the alder
men were giving them our avenues with
the right to macadamize and gravel
certain paved thoroughfares. The COM
pany was negotiating for the gift of
the Melan arch bridge. structure they
did not altogether approve. and about
which it's attorneys disagreed.
The campaigns of next year would
make it inconvenient to be far away.
The following year was an uncertainty.
Now arose Opportunity. master of hu
man destiny. 1 became thoroughly
convinced that the great debt. owing
by me. was to my family. and myself.
now due and payable in London and
Paris. Threadneedle street and The
Bourse. This was definitely decided two
days before leaving. L found we could
not leave home before Saturday. Au-
gust 8, and that New York business
engagement required my attention on
September is. Joseph Groll, the To-
pelxa agent of the North German Lloyd
line, helped us in the problem. A wire
to New York settled accommodations
which would see us across at once and
again in America at the date men
toned: the intervening time in Europe.
This meant the fast ships and a more
expensive trip than to a party with
months at its disposal.
We were gone from New York city
exactly five weeks, made all our con-
nections, lost no baggage nor time, Wis
tied London, Scotland Holland, Ger
many. Switzerland. and Paris. We re-
ceived our moneys worth. and know
that thirty-f1ve days of our lives were
never so fully and profitably filed The
schedule, practically mapped out the
evening before we left home. gave us:
Six DAYS on the ocean.
A week in London.
Three days in Scotland.
A day at The Hague.
A day between Rotterdam and Am
sterdarn.