338 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



thirty-first before I can get a berth. The disagreeable- 

 ness of this delay, however, will be greatly overcome by 

 the unexpected pleasure which is in store for me. My 

 former employer, Harris Newmark, has taken a passage 

 on the same steamer and seemed to be as greatly pleased 

 as I, wherefore we decided to share one and the same 

 stateroom. To be in such congenial company is truly a 

 pleasure, as I should otherwise have been compelled to 

 share the cabin with any stranger who might happen to 

 have the price, as, owing to the crowded condition of the 

 steamers, there is no favor shown. My disposition would 

 have made life miserable for anyone who might have had 

 to share the place with me for three long weeks, as I do 

 not take to strangers very readily. This means one worry 

 less. 



The evening papers are just out and state that the San 

 Francisco damage will not exceed three hundred thou- 

 sand dollars, while but four lives have been lost. This is 

 good news, indeed, as compared with that we first heard. 

 When I reach my destination I shall send you a descrip- 

 tion of actual facts, which in all probability will be less 

 sensational than the reports in your papers. Los An- 

 geles has evidently escaped the earthquake completely. 

 How anxious I am to go to work again. Truly I was 

 not intended to be idle and shall welcome the day when 

 this travelling ends. The steamer "Arizona" will take 

 us from here to Aspinwall and the "Sacramento," an old 

 acquaintance, will make the home-stretch from Panama 

 to San Francisco. 



Do not expect any letter from me before New Year, as 

 there will be little prospect. 



Thousandfold greetings to all! 



FRANZ. 



