JOURNEY TO LA CROSSE. 245 



Here was my sheet anchor suddenly torn away, just when it was 



most needed. However, H acted with a promptitude for which 



I had not given him credit, and at once sent out a shower of letters 

 on his own account. One place La Crosse, near Chicago he has 

 already secured, and he has received a number of applications from 

 Chicago. To save time, he is conducting his correspondence by 

 telegraph. 



All these applications, however if ever they existed 

 came to nothing, and the first eight days of the new 

 year my father was compelled to spend in inactivity at 

 Boston. On the 9th of January he started for La Crosse, 

 hoping against hope that other lectures might still be 

 arranged either in Chicago or some of the neighbouring 

 towns. But in this he was again disappointed. 



From St. Paul's, Minn., on his way to La Crosse, he 

 wrote as follows : 



I'll just write what I can. I arrived here at 8.0 a.m., after 

 travelling all night. Thermometer 4 below zero, and no one to 

 meet me. Fortunately I had the name of the secretary in my pocket- 

 book, but not his address. So I put my belongings into the baggage- 

 room, went into the streets, and by enquiring at the best shops, 

 found the address. He is one of a well-known firm of lawyers. 

 There I found one of the firm. As usual, each of them thought that 

 the other was to meet me, and so I was literally left out in the cold. 

 However, he was very kind, and went with me to the hotel, where 

 he engaged a room on the quiet side of the house. The other side 

 .stands on the platform of the railway station. 



As far as I can see, I shall have to pack my frame, have supper, 

 and get to bed by 11.0. Then up at 2.30 to catch the 3.0 a.m. train 

 to Chicago, where I arrive at 3.0 p.m. Then a thirty-six hours' 

 journey from Chicago to Boston. So I need to be somewhat tough 

 to get through all the fatigue. Just think what thirty-six 

 hours' incessant jolting and trembling of the car must be. Then 

 the monotony of American travelling is appalling after you are 



