A FOURTEEN-YEAR PERIOD 321 



departure. T had two tickets, one for the North Amer- 

 ican liner "Nebraska," passage $75 to New York, and 

 another for the "Orizaba," $20 to San Pedro. Many 

 friends, Lembcke's whole family among them, bid me a 

 hearty farewell. I felt touched by their good fellow- 

 ship. Golden Gate, Fort Point, Cliff House and Seal 

 Pocks disappear and as rain has set in I take to my berth 

 in good time. My farewell visit to Los Angeles gave me 

 many a proof of good will on the part of my old friends, 

 Dr. Wollweber, Messrs. Behn and others. One even- 

 ing the "Teutonia" gave a little ball in my honor, the 

 next night while at my lodge the German Singverein 

 serenaded me at the head of a carefully planned torch- 

 light procession; and still I wonder why the humble 

 clerk has thus been treated .' * 



Many were my visits and many were the tokens of 

 friendship. I mention but one, the one I treasure most 

 for the sake of the noble giver; it is a biography of "Mrs. 

 Eliza A. Seton," and with it a few verses, eulogizing the 

 virtues of Merced, whose grave I had visited during my 

 short stay. Said verses were the giver's own. But all 

 days end, and I had to embark and did so with a heavier 

 heart than from San Francisco. Was there a reason? 

 My heart will not tell! Onward once more, back to San 

 Francisco, and then for the long, long trip East. 



*Do you, dear reader? Certainly not. But you who are youflg 

 and ambitious, remember the virtues which made Franz Lecouv- 

 reur beloved : Integrity — simplicity and perseverance in all that 

 was honorable. — Transl. 



21 



