296 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



the happy sun rays sparkled playfully in the reflecting 

 mirrors of the many windows and in the terraces of the 

 zinc roofs. It was a beautiful morning. 



How differently did I look upon everything a year 

 ago, when I arrived here at night during a downpouring 

 rain, deathly sick, penniless and without hope for work? 



This time, I was positive that success would accompany 

 me on my search for work, and, bless your heart ! I was 

 not disappointed, as the very next day found me at work 

 as. — a painter! A friend of mine, Edward Eaabe of 

 Posen, has settled here as painter and paper-hanger and 

 has done a good business during the last year. He re- 

 ceived me kindly and offered me work and pay. Of 

 course, this being winter-time, he could not offer me per- 

 manent work as he himself is idle at times and cannot 

 agree to engage a helper except by the day. So far I 

 have been in luck, as work has been rather steady, not- 

 withstanding the holidays; if there should be a day now 

 and then, when I shall have to lay idle, I do not worry 

 as there is enough forthcoming to cover expenses, with- 

 out living off my own fat. My savings at Etonbleau 

 amounted to about seventy dollars with no more debts to 

 my name. Eaabe pays me three dollars a day. 



As you will readily understand, I have to learn many 

 a knack, and "the tricks of the trade," so that, if I can 

 only make my expenses, I shall gladly stay at Eaabe 's 

 through the winter. In summer time there is always 

 a scarcity of painters and no one needs to worry. Eaabe 

 is a good, quiet and temperate fellow so that I cannot 

 hope for a better "boss." 



Am I now to waste time, ink and paper to tell you in 

 fine words and well calculated phrases, how earnestly 

 and heartily my wishes for your future health and happi- 

 ness are, which flash with lightning speed through space 

 to greet you on the New Year mora? Truly not! 



My love for you remains the same, from year to year, 

 from hour to hour, from minute to minute. I cannot 

 promise you greater affection than hitherto shown for, if 

 it had been possible for me to increase my love and de- 



