Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-07-31
"REMINISCENCES
(By E. S. Goodhu e, M. D. Of Holualoa. J

OF prominent MdsSdCnuselts ldI1lIy
and own cousin of President Taft.
He and ! were banner" packers at
that time, that Is, we packed the
most oranges in the best way. This
prominence was not an empty
honor as we increased our pay by 1t,
but IL was liable TO be taken from us
of course, In the way of legitimate
competition. We roomed in little
shed with companion (now
wholesale clothier of California;.
Their quarters were small, but as
neat and prim as New England
kitchen, made pleasant for frequent
gatherings Of young men who came
in to eat a tasty meal and crack
nuts. Only the other day | had a
letter from w who wrote: What
delightful days we used to have?-
Do you remember our packing ex-
petition to San Bernardino, and the
old barn where we slept on the
eweet hay! ! never slept better or
had a better appetite in my life
We are naturally gratihed at the
election of cousin Wilt is the
first time there has been a Presi-
dent in the family-We have been
more literary than political"
Bill Simms was our foreman.
goodnatured Kentuckyian. He mar
shalled his forces" each work
morning. the pickers going into the
sweet groves, the packers remaining
to handle the fruit.
Sometimes "all hands" went into the
groves, packing on the ground. or
there was an expedition to q neighbor.
ing town for several days work. There
were ten or more Cinnamon besides
the "boys" we dressed In jumpers ana
overalls. the Chinese in their peculiar
costume. everyone of the crowd as
merry as the birds which twittered in
the trees. The work. however. at this
time. was not steady. and we had to
LAY on more frequently than pleased
us. On such days had time to clean
up house for myself and companion
(now the owner of residence I'm Pasa.
denl). who was ont all day Some.
times there was time TO read and write
q little. Our rooms were In DR.. Gill's
barn, partitioned OFF, with floor
screen, and other accessories Here
we hpl' the usual furniture of living
room. With Dr.Gill who had the larges,
and. "toniest" practice In the va)ley.'i
madsu arrangements to read" med.
icing. that is, to become apprenticed
To- the trade In the old fashioned way
pof twenty years ago. The colleges al.
lowed credits for this work. When.I
@as not otherwise employed. rode,
over the country and saw PATIENTS
the poor ones. Often the Doctor came
for me at the packing-house to have
me go with him to some unusually in.
teresting case. when ! doffed my jump
ers, brushed mp hit. and assumed
the role of a medical student.
had bought several books from
n doctor who was stranded" In the
city. Said he was going to be a sculp
tor, and, indeed, his books were Gov
cred with drawings of heads ana busts
but the next day after ! paid him for
his books, he was run in" to the
calaboose for drunkenness.
| did some hard studying. one dis.
section up In the loft of DR.. Gills
barn, outside of my regular packing
getting up at A. NJ. and not quitting
until six In the afternoon; cooked my
own meals. made my own bed mend.
ed my own clothes, but enjoyed every
clear California morning. and saw
life with cleaning eyes.
A little incident marked In my mem.
DRY was the death Of Mr.. Seger owner
Of one of the packing.houses. He was
a lonely man had room on his own
building, and at the time knew him,
was far gone with consumption.
He was n gentle and refined. a Ma
son though not | believe, identified
with any local lodge ana II was my
privilege to be with him the last week,
night and day Of his life not In any
paid capacity but ms a fellow sympa.
ihizer.
To the credit Of the Masonic order
be It SAID that everything was done
that could be done. to give the man a
decent burial. and purse was sent
to his widow In the East.
While differences must exist even
between Masons, have ever found
them to be united In carrying out the
altruistic principles of their order.
The Y. NJ. c. a. readingroom was
q great boon to us In these DAYS, as
there was no library In the city. EXCEPT
4 private one of which DIR. Gill was
"a patron. Mr.. Carnegie has since
established large library with many
thousands OF books, located In cen.
trail part of town.
Tourists used to come through the
packing.houses, and one day when my
name was marked on pine board as
banner" man for the day. a young
woman presumably from Ohio, remark.
ed lauuhinplv IN har cpm "a nj In, ..uyn,,