106 ON THE FEONTIEE. 



as much dressed as the majority of the vendors of fruits 

 and " notions." 



Altogether, it was an interesting and delightful trip. 

 There was hut one drawback Panama fever was reported 

 very prevalent, and unusually malignant. There had been 

 several recent deaths from that epidemic, and everyone in 

 the train would talk about it. When passing some splendid 

 crimson flowers, a lady, to whom I was temporary escort, 

 expressed a longing to possess them, so I went forward 

 and asked the conductor if he would stop the train while 

 I got out and picked some. He knew who I was well 

 enough, and most obligingly pulled the check-string ; the 

 engine was stopped, and the conductor offered to send 

 one of the brakesmen for the flowers ; but I preferred 

 gathering them myself. It was the middle of the day, and 

 the heat had become intense. The sun was quite vertical. 

 A man's feet covered his shadow. After plucking a suffi- 

 ciency of the crimson beauties, it occurred to me a border 

 of green round them would be an improving addition, and 

 noticing a large bed of plants, about knee high, of delicate 

 form, and of a beautiful green shade, I walked to where 

 they grew, stooped down, plucked a fine spray, and placed 

 it alongside the flowers. To my amazement, I saw that I 

 had gathered a withered, shrivelled, brownish weed. I 

 chucked it away, carefully selected by my eye a large 

 bright green plant, and plucked it. Again I had in my 

 hand a bunch of withered leaves. It Hashed through my 

 mind that a sudden attack of Panama fever had struck me 

 delirious, like the mayor of Denver. I went " off my head " 

 from fright. I have no recollection of throwing the 



