It was a vast champaign of almost boundless extent, which the
fairy-like coloring of the mountains, softened by their great distance,
enclosed, as it were, with banks of unmoving clouds. Through this
delightful country we sped on rapidly, until at the evening hour, we
reached San Jose, and once more, came to our night anchorage in the
station.

We had had a full day of it, and, as if by mutual consent, we separated
into various groups to wander at will through the strange streets of
the pretty place. It was pleasant to look at the rose-covered cottages
and the well-kept lawns, seen by the glitter of the electric light; as
also it was pleasant to stroll through the busy streets with the shops
all aglow, and the people lounging about in happy leisure.

I wandered off, all alone, to hunt up some friends who had moved to San
Jose from distant Illinois, years and years ago. I found the street and
number in a drug-store directory, and strolled on and on under the deep
shadows of the overarching trees, losing myself once or twice, but
after some inquiry, I was soon piloted to the place and rang the bell.
There is always a little trepidation in such an adventure. Will one be
remembered? Will the friends be much changed? Will one be welcome? But
soon all doubts vanished when my good friend, Mrs. G----, stood in the
doorway, lamp in hand. Yes, she was changed; but the years had made her
look more and more like her dear mother, whose face I could never
forget. Instantly my name was spoken and I was at home. The whole house
was rather topsy-turvy; carpets all up, and everything in that state of
desolation which house cleaning involves. But what did that matter? We
had a long and good talk over all the past. I was told how, when they
came to San Jose in the early days, they had first to go to New York,
then take a steamer to the Isthmus, to cross that, and then once more
embark on the Pacific for San Francisco, and from thence come here by
team. I was shown the pictures of the five lovely girls and the boy, a
man grown--all Californians--and I saw that happiness and prosperity,
which rejoiced me much, had come to these my friends.

The evening hours lengthened out while our chat went on, until I had to
retrace my steps once more under the overarching trees to the
"Lucania," after promising that I should dine with the family on the
coming Sunday. This I did, and saw them all, and enjoyed the hour to
the fullest. The Chinese man-se