The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-03-28

In Honolulu. A committee of ladies
had previously collected $50 among the
gentlemen to purchase at this place a
tree, trimmings, and simple gifts for
all the children of the Thomas" which
was done, and armsfull of mysterious
packages were struggled aboard just
before the whistle blew for departure
at 4 O'Clock. The pilot saw us safely
on our way and then returned to shore:
meantime half score of Hawaiian
boys, clad only in swimming trunks,
made us stare at their aquatic feats.
They are wonderful little fishes, these
meath the water, remaining until the
spectator gives up hope of seeing them
again, then coming to the surface with
dime or some even more tiny object
thrown from the deck of the steamer.
The boats all signal US goodbye"
and "bon voyage" and we are again at
sea. Once more rough seas and heavy
swell laid many of us low, but only for
a day, and we arise with feelings of
relief that it was not longer.
Dec. 18th. Daily life on shipboard is
of course somewhat monotOnous, but
we are most fortunate in combining an
unusually agreeable coterie of people,
and a quartermaster who hourly has in
mind the entertainment and welfare of
his passengers. Shuttle board and ring
toss are arranged on deck, which cause
a great amount of laughter and amuse-
ment: stringed instruments are brought
out and SnatcheS of popular songs heard.
At 1880 each day the stewardess passes
around cups of steamlng bouillon and
crackers: from 10 to u the trunk room
is open and we have free access to our
baggage to procure fresh wearing APP
parel. The commlsSary saleSroom is
also open during those hours, where
fruit, confectionery, ginger ale, as well
as stationery and many other neces-
SarieS, can be purchased At tea and
cakes are served in the saloon, where
there is generally music, conversation,
card games, chess, etc, to while away
the hours Dinner is between the hours
of and 6, and the evening is pleasantly
passed in listening to selections of popu-
lar music given Oh large concert
photograph, and various other forms
of amusement. Last night there was
a hop which all enjoyed until late
hour. Sunday morning and evening
religious services are conducted by
Chaplain Gladdens in the large saloon.
Sundays and Thursdays a special
turkey dinner is given. This boat car
rieS corps of most efficient cooks, and
the daily menus are as fine as first
class hotel could furnish, and leave
nothing to be desired, either in quality
or service. Large quantities of meat,
fish, game, fowl, and fruit are kept in
cold storage, and fresh pineapples, ba-
nanas, oranges and lemons, are taken
on board at each stopping place. The
first class staterooms are very comfort
able, fitted with electric lights, electric
fans, etc. and room boys and bell boys
are hourly at our service. Men are
everywhere cleaning and repairing all
day and all night. The white-painted pro
lions of the ship are wiped, the brasses
polished every day, and the boy with
the broom is ever present. During the
night the decks are secured with sand
and washed down and everything made
scrupulOusly clean. | was delighted to
find III Captain Wyman, the master of
the Thomas, native of our dear old
Pine Tree State, and as Malneites are
always old friends wherever they may
meet, the captain entertained me most
cordially i'll his rooms, telling me of his
life and former home at Bar Harbor,
proudly showing the pictures of the
sons and daughters settled there, and
of the wife now living in san Francisco,
where the captain can spend the weeks
between trips of the Thomas" This
meridian and Jumped ahead day. From
arise in the morning it will be Thursday
on the calendar.
TO be concluded.