The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-13
mY JOHN BARRl

cnGnGo8 or enBitle3 1tAu cgSWby rolled into Los Angeles one daz- zling beautiful March morning fifty years agc-befcre break fast.
 The famous city, that now ranks fifth in size in America, was then . charming little town about the size of Torrington. The whole scene as we arrived that morning, 60 long ago, was lovely beyond description; the pretty, low cottages with broad verandas and large yards glorious with flowers all the people, young and old, out doors, bare- headed, with laughing faces and cheery greetings to their neigh. bors; yes, and friendly smiles, too, for passing strangers. Rather Q pity to have to think of it nowI
 Our party being in the first section of the train we were among the earliest arrivals at the largest hotel, where my three big companions made Q very i'm. posing appearance as we lined up to register. As usual, the hotel clerk was duly impressed and as. signed us to the best rooms avail- able.
 The real estate agents erllulat- ing the early birds introduced themselves to us while we were at breakfast. They were fine fel- lows, too. They were from New England or other parts of the East, and had to come out in quest of health for themselves or their families. Among them were clergymen and representatives of all the learned professions. They were honest gentlemen, tremen- dously enthusiastic about Cali- fornia, and believed in the big destiny of Los Angeles-so they could conscientiously urge every. body to buy before prices got to soaring too high.
 Of course they were making money for themsevles-aid they were entitled to 1t. It was good to see these earnest men, who were winning health and wealth and making friends-all at the same time.
 They drove splendid horses and turnouts and insisted upon show. ing us all the country in the Los Angeles region, in spite of our party's protestations that we had no intention of buying.
 At Long Beach-where Q city stands today, and everybody has flourishing oil well in their back yard-there was then only one lonely little tavern and Q scattering of fishermen's huts. Our agent-hoSt advised us to take a little flyer there. My companions could easily have brought the whole place then, and even l had Q little money to invest; but our vision wasn't as good as the agent's-and we let that and many other golden op. portunities pass.
 Daily the long trains of Pullz mans rolled into Los Angeles, and the boom grew and spread like wild-fire. It soon became e matter of pride for every male tourist to boast that he had made the cost of his trip in 6 little speculation that he went into in the morning and got profitabiy out of before night.
 One day we were driving through Pasadena, when l heard my name shouted by c man who came rushing out into the street to stop us. He proved to be my honorable young friend, Metcalfe, who had left the East Q few years before in search of health-and involved in 8 most perplexing roe nance. At his urgent request I left our party for a few minutes for Q little visit in his nearby office.
 His face was beaming as he led me to his pleasant offices--well stocked with law books and bear. ing every evidence of prosperity. Alone in his private room we claspcd hands very tight and stood looking affectionately into each others eyes and he said, You can see for yourself, my dear friend, that I have regained my health-but what's more I've gained supreme happiness. You will remember the state of mind I was in when I saw you last my deep perplexity; and you'll be glad to hear me say now that my wife has proved Q treasure and I love her with all my heart and never could have loved ail- other as I do her. I tell you this, my friend, because you will un. derstand. Of oil things on earth she is first In my affection-a next comes California" he con- cluded, in his old earnest man. ncr. as he pushed me into . chair and sat down beside me.
 Let me tell his story just as I had heard 1t, years before:
 WI AbMQ UCGkA A6W bgu0GAtbp O~ gether. Then each had gone in. to practice for himself. He was highly esteemed and was juEt getting well started in hiE pro- fession--when one day l re. ceived Q call from him on the phone saying that he wanted to see me at once on Q very iIrl- portant matter, and would come to my office then if convenient for me. Isaid yes and he came right over.
 To my great surprise he told me that his doctor had advised him that his lungs were in such serious condition that his only chance to live was to get away from that climate immediately, and to try California. He said that the only person besides the doctor and myself who knew of his condition was c wealthy cli- ent, a young widow q couple of years older than himself Land he was obliged to tell her in set- ting up matters that he was at- tending kO for her.