14000 MILES 



two other trains had gone. The conductor came along 

 and said, "It is too bad, but the office will be closed now." 

 "Oh, I have been, and have my letters too." 



The freight "time" was announced, and the car was 

 reached by a jump down three feet from the platform 

 into water as many inches deep, and a climb on the other 

 side. Every face was strange but one, that of the "drum- 

 mer" who breakfasted at our table that morning, and 

 who liked the little hotel so much that he was going back 

 to spend Sunday, as we were informed by the waitress. 

 We do not think he mistrusted that the bedraggled pas- 

 senger was one of the carriage tourists. We wrung out 

 the dress skirt, hung up the waterproof to drain, and then 

 were ready to enjoy the luxury, — the caboose. When 

 we reached Quincy the sun was setting in bright clouds, 

 as if it had never heard of rain. 



The prodigal himself was not more gladly welcomed. 

 Our outer self was hung up to dry, and in borrowed 

 plumage we spent a very social evening, with the many 

 friends who had come to us by mail, through tribulation, 

 to swell the company. 



We went to Vermont to begin our journey, and we 

 may as well end it in New Hampshire. We must tell 

 you first, however, that this journey has opened the way 

 for many trips that have seemed among the impossible, 

 but which we now hope to enjoy before Jerry is over- 

 taken by old age or the phaeton shares the fate of the 

 proverbial chaise. 



172 



