320 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



JJ'inetjJ-atD^ntl) Hag. 



72 West Main Street, 

 Battle Creek, Michigan, 



August Sixteenth, 



Called at Captain Loud^s law office at Albion in the 

 morning, and had a delightful chat over old times, 

 our topic an inexhaustible one — the battles and incidents 

 of the late war. As this town was only a short dis- 

 tance away, I was tempted to prolong the chat into a 

 visit, finding the Captain a cordial comrade. 



According to previous agreement I lectured in the 

 evening at Wayne Hall, Marshall, having an intro- 

 duction by Colonel Charles W. Dickie. 



My horse .was now in Michigan City, being treated 

 for the sore on his back by an old comrade, who since 

 the war had attained quite a reputation as a veterinary 

 surgeon. The delay was somewhat annoying as I 

 anticipated trouble in crossing the Rockies, if I did 

 not reach them before the season was too far advanced-; 

 but there was a possibility of disabling the animal if 

 his affliction were neglected, and my sympathies were 

 with him. As the delay could not be avoided I 

 availed myself of the ^'Iron Horse" and on it made 

 brief tours to the neighboring towns. 



At this time it was very easy to agree with the theory 

 of the fatalist that "whatever is, is right," for by an 

 accident I was enabled to meet more agreeable peoj)]e, 

 to enjoy their hospitality, and to see more, which was 

 my chief purpose in crossing the continent. 



A philosopher never worries about little hindrances, 

 for he soon learns that a delay often proves to be 

 an advantage. Such was my case. 



