The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-05

Tuesday. December II.
I doubt if anyone on land, who has
never gone through with it, can ealize
how slowly time dragS at sea. You
may think you have seen Il weary yawn,
but you have not, unless you have seen
man yaWn on the deck of a ship.
after he has been at sea seven or eight
days. On land, there is always some
thing going on; there may not be much,
but there IS something. If you live in
tovn,Har raan-Evill, come in and tell yea
that the bridge over Big Creek IS out.
and that he was compelled 10 go aIouud
six miles, IN order to get to town. Il
you live in the country, Il candidate,
or the assessor, or a traveller, is liable
to come along, and tell you some thing
you have not heard; but if You are on
a ship at sea, you see nothing, and hear
nothing. The same old passengers ev-
cry day. and the sea soon becomes as
embarrassing as the wall paper in
room you have lived in for months
have heard aboIt rhe changing lights
and shadows on the ocean. but have yet
to see them. I have observed oTly two
things today Of A. terest, and they are
not of much interest; "A young English
man appeared in a white dinner coat,
a bobbed affair that locke like wait
erss Jacket. It seems they wear these
during the hot season. being determined
to wear q dinner coat Of some kind.
The other item was that butter is hot
served at dinner; it is served at break
fast and luncheon, but does not appear
at the formal evening meal.
The men sit around in the smoking
room. and talk about the same old
things: Singapore, Penang, Colombo
Bombay, Calcutta, etc. On the Siberia
it was Yokohama. Kobe. Hong Kong.
etc. Beyond Bombay, it viii be Port
said. Suez, Alden. etc. Occasionally a
man tells a story; always a story have
heard. I haven't heard a new story
since leaving Atchson; there are men
in that fine town capable of inventing
new ones.
Tomorrow night the "Simla" viii an
Choir at Singapore, and the next day we
will go ashore to do our Christmas shop
ping: I expect to develop quite a Christ
mas trait in looking for presents for six
people who sit at my table I am TAX
ing more interest in Christmas than I
usually show at home. The first off,
Ger talks about Christmas as I usually
talk at home. and am shocked: I shall
buy him a present, though he says he
does not believe in such foolfshness. And
he Christian and an Englishman.
I met an old gentleman today who
really enjoys travelling. Eighteen months
ago he left home with his wife for a
tour around the world, going by way
Of New York and London. In Egypt he
ran into the war and, not liking the
prospect of sunken mines and Warships.
returned home leisureIy. He remained
at home d month, and then started
again, this time by way of San Fran
cisco. But he sold his home ard his
business three years ago, and is at home
wherever he happens to be, all his chill
dren being grown, and marrned. He
viii spend a month in Colombo; 1 Will
spend two days there: less, if possible.
He says he feels better when travelling
than when at home. But he is the only
one I have seen.
told the B1issourian about the con-
tented traveller, and you should have
heard the Missourian snort with dis
gust.
I intend to have my vacation when
get home; I intend to ask the in
/ diligence of my associates once more,
and remain at my house two weeks,
resting up, and not come down town