ALICES LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 45

ALICES LETTER TO HER READERS.

Half the pleasure of a journey depends npon the company in whioh it is taken — even that long journey of life! I don't believe any of us would be afraid to die if some one could go with us; but that is not what I wanted to say. We English- Bpeaking people are notea all the world over for our lack of sociability when travelling. lam reminded now of a etory I 'heard an old gentleman tell. " Urgent business," he eaid, "compelled me to take the night express from London to Edinburgh.' It was a cold, disagreeable night for a journey, and tnuffled up to tbe obin, feeling injured and croBS, I entered* a compartment. Another man, a Scotchman, feeling more injured and more aggrieved than I, entered also. We were unknown to

each other, and intended to remain bo all the way. We put on our travelling caps, rolled ourselves in our rugs, and made a great and aggressive rustling with our evening papers. Presently another gentleman entered. I knew him slightly. He was a candidate for Parliament, but as our political views dashed, we imagined that we disliked each other, and a short nod beganand ended our salutation. He arranged - himself in his rugs, and rustled his papers, and we three, believing that we were brothers, at least in a Christian sense, prepared for that long •night journey, in stony, suspicious silence. .Bat the fates decreed against us. Just as i the train was about to Btart, all in .a Ihurry and bustle there entered a lady— a )French lady. It took her a long while to i settle herself. When that was done she surveyed her three - silent companions. daunted, she made an attack. She ipeeled oranges (very daintily handing them wound when they were peeled), and talked ttriflea; she peeled oranges and talked politics; Bhe peeled oranges and talked stocks; she talked with such grace and tact and great good humour that she drew each one of us out of our shells and made us known to one another. Not one of us slept a wink all the way. Indeed her 'Adieu' when we arrived at our destination reminded us how short the" journey had been," Usually we start a journey in an aggressive mood. In sublime egotism we isolate ourselves. If we only take the tram to the city we are annoyed that it should be so crowded, j \We do not consider that our presence helps <to make it inconvenient to others. We ate j : incommoded by .them ; ow dress is getting \ crushed ; the woman next to us is sticking i her elbow into us, and a disagreeable little i frown puckers our brow. Or we take an extcursion boat or train. We do so to participate in the cheap fares, and because we \have elected to go are injured because there is snoh a crowd on board. "It is so annoying," we declare, and we regard the stout woman in the opposite bunk as an intruder ; and in that frame of mind we go far towards making the pooraoul wish she had stayed at home. I remember one cabin mate I had on board a steamer. She was a little thin thing, but she took a lot of room . When I went into the cabin I thought at least six persons were to occupy it, co crowded were . all the pegs with clothes, I looked round. In the lower berth opposite to that allotted ? to me I saw a muffled-up figure, and I heard : a plaintive voice say, " I've gone to bed ; I'm tiraoh an awful Bailor." I said I was very t-aorry. Then I asked how many of us would toeeupy that cabin. "Only three, my dear ; Ibut the lady who has the berth above yours rseems terrible fussy— terrible fussy 1 I think rehe must 'be an old maid." "Are these all Bier clothes on the pegs ? " I assed. " Yes ; }I conldn'l jfind room to hang up my cloak." ]I looked round, and carefully removed one or jtwo garments, so as to have a peg for my •own use. I was brushing my hair for dinner when in the little lady came with a rush like <a condensed whirlwind. "Whose been touching my clothes?" demanded a shrill voice behind J»e,. I took the liberty of appropriating" cmsl the pegs," I replied. I beard a little scuffle, <and then the voice behind me said, "Two -can't dress together in the cabin ! " " Ho V I replied, quietly going on with my hair; " that is unfortunate, as I shall be some minutes yet," $he snorted and ,drew out a tin box with a bang. Later on in rttbe evening, when I had given up in despair vtbs hope of righting the sea monster, I went ,^osrn to the cabin and saw, comfortably . ensoenced in my lower berth, the little lady. i>She had been revenged for the peg. She had aemoyed my nightolothes into the upper Vtiertb. It" looked a long way up, and imy knees felt uncertain. I was-juet about ito sciamble up the ladder when the motherly <-voice that had first spoken said: "She's itaken your berth, my dear, because the top i one is wet. The water came through the vpoithole; she would open it. Take my fur »Oloak and put It under you ; and would you anind closing the door, my dear ; I'm afraid of rats." " I can't have the door closed I " called out the other voice tartly ; " I'll smother 1 " " Smother on a cold night like thisl " replied themotherly voice, "rubbish r " Rubbish or no rubbish," 'said the sharp j voice ; "it shan't be dosed I " "Do you own the ship I " asked voioe No 1 ; and I got j into bed and left them at it. Finally the ! . stewardess settled it. I forget how, for I .' ■was bej oud.caring. Early next morning the £iotherly woman departed, first advising me to£ake her lower berth, which I did. I was *ii<?eping away the agonies of the night, ■when my tormentor awakened me with, " You can get wp no w1 " I opened my ej es and looked at the opposite berth, and saw Above the bedclothes a very sharp nose and a. pair of green grey ejes. "You can get up SoV' £c repeated. "Thank. you," I answered,"* don't want to get up; I am very comfortable where I am." She looked at me, and I dozed off again. " When are you going to get up?" demanded the voice a little later. "Never!" I answered. "I «uw«r eet ap when I can stay in bed." "Do half yonr life in bed?" "More," y*. njjjgdj trying to smother a laugh — " three Ire t •» v&re F<>» an invalid?" "No." partjl v jthe matter with you?" " Nothing ' H £h$ world." •" Then its sheer "Nothing l. , efcclajnied. "Sheer!" She idleness 1 " sh. •, ghs gjared at me, and said was boiling ovei , $uj you are married— viciously, "Ala, v*. vy^reonsgs!" "Bat? that will bring you to »<^/> j repljetf sweetly, never mean to get mam 'Aipg jbo disturb my •T never mean to do anyi- ■ people's, if f peace and quietness — or otlu % fa a can help it." She bundled out. waß very bad temper, and long beU half 'through with her toilet I <h , £ nt why she preferred to make it alone. f te the return -journey made up for it. 1. was a lady in the cabin who almost ma^ eeasickness bearable. She had a remedy to suggest for everybody, and so many kind things to say and do that she was welcomed all about the boat. L . !„«.«,«. The pleasant railway companion makes the iourneyfly; and who has jiot met him, for almost invariably it is he who has travelled and knows just how wearisome the long hours can be. He has an interesting book, and cheerful conversation — tea when you are thirsty, and if you are cold, a hot-water bottle for your feet. If it is summer be knows jaat where you can get fresh fruit along the line, ana, if winter, how to secure your lunch while' it is hot. He despatches your telegram and calls your cab, and re- ' ikves you of a dozen little burdens,

Then there is the motherly, kind woman, with her basket full of delicacies, which she hospitably presses upon all those near ; and the silent man who looks out of the window, and the woman who tells you all her troubles, and she has so many I But there is the woman, too, who comes— the only other occupant of your compartment— and takes a seat, opposite. " I don't know you, her compressed lips and the cold glance of her eyes say the first five minutes of her entry. She settles herself with much precision and care. She is particularly careful that her rug shall not come into contact with yours. She arranges her periodicals, and you. begin to hope that here, at least, you will have a common topic of interest, and you begin to display youra. She glances at their covers, and draws herself more to herself, and unfolds her journals. "The Power of Faith " you read in large letters on the cover, and you despair. She won't talk to you. You say it is a cold day ; she affirms icily that it is. At every station your most worldly friends appear, and say their most frivolous sayings. They can be serious enough upon any other occasion, but as though they wanted to ruin your only chance, they behave like schoolchildren. " Will you allow me to bring you tea?" asks one of hers. "No, thank you," and she never speaks again all the long, long, weary day. She looks out of the window, or reads and rereads her journals, and when at length you reach your journey's end you begin, like Topsy, to wish you were dead.

On Tuesday evening the Kaihanga Olub met at Mrs J. M. Ritchie's, and spent a most enjoyable evening. It being the Misses Oargill's last evening prior to their departure for England, several allusions were made to their going. The programme was prettily designed, and had a picture of a ship sailing away, and in another corner two hands

grasped singing "Auldlang syne." It was designed by Miss M'Laren. Later on in the evening the members joined in singing, and deservedly bo, "For they are jolly good fellows " ; while at the finals one and all joined hands and sang "Auld lang syne," and wished them a safe journey and a speedy return. Mrs Ritchie was chairwoman, and a moßt pleasant programme was carried out. The first item was a very spirited Australian recitation by Miss Kenyon. Then followed a song, "Maid of Athens," by Misa M'Laren, the accompanist being Miss Gwen Roberts, while Miss K. Rattray gave a 'cello obligate Then came a most amusing recitation by Mrs Hosking. The first item after the interval was a recitation by Miss Oommin from one of the early scenes of "David Oopperfield." Then followed a trio by Miss Gwen Roberts as pianist. [Miss K. Rattray on the 'cello, and Miss M- Maitland on the violin. The evening was brougbt to a close by a silent drama by MissM. Oargilland Miss A. Oargill._ This was very cleverly executed, Miss A. Cargill taking the part of the lover and Miss M. Oargill that of the shy damsel. Jt; was all acted without a word being spoken, and was most cleverly-done. ,

On Wednesday afternoon Mrs George M'Lean gave a' large afternoon tea, the majority of the people being of the older stage. During the afternoon Miss M'Lean pang, Mrs B. 0. Reynolds played, and Miss fJummin gave two recitations f rom Dickens. Miss Moss Davies (Auckland) also gave two imitations, one being a pathetic morsel, and Tie other entitled "The Dejected Lover." p "»senfc were Mesdames A. W. Morris, Rat-

*■ ' '-Haggltt, Williams, H. MacNeil, Neil, tray, \- Bobertß, Ogston, Ridings, Cock, Maoasst. ' and the Misges Revno i dßt Chapman, ftnd Bo betts, Morris," Moss Macassey, £\ » fl more D WTh«sday XHX Hr 8 Hart gave a most en- • °J ?ScM The table was artisK%Affi« »• Sl^ - d MiM

gave a very large girl's afternoon tea, there being fully 70 present. The table waß prettily decorated with pink silk and trails of moss. Music was kept going most of the afternoon, songs being given by Miss Mills, Miss R. Reynolds, Miss L. Shand, and Miss L. Roberts, while a violin piece was contributed by Miss M. Maitland, Miss Stanford acting as accompanist. Piano solos were also given by Miss Smith (Balclutha) and Miss Mary Smith, while Miss F. Sise created a pleasant variety by giving two recitations. Miss Ulrich wore a fawn dress with brown velvet trimmings ; Miss,E. Ulrich, red serge; Miss Smith, dark blue serge, the bodice being prettily braided; Miss Williams, dark blue, and jacket to match ; Miss Sise, dark blue, with zouave jacket and pink vest ; Miss N. Reid, tweed costume, with red jacket; Miss J. Gilkison, red serge; Miss G. Roberts, pretty tweed, with cape trimmed with bear fur. Among the many others present I noticed the Misses Farquhar, Williams, Reid, Sise, Morris, Roberts, Reynolds, Mackerras, Macassey, Neil, Gilkison, Cargill, Garrett, Stanford, Maitland, G. Roberts, E. Roberts, &c.

On Friday Mrs Jeffcoat gave a large and most enjoyable luncheon to a number of ladies. The table was beautifully decorated with pale heliotrope ohiffon and little glasses of violets and daffodils. Amongst those present were Lady Scout, Mrs Preston, Mrs Sargood, Mrs Finker, Miss Moss Davies, Mrs Davies, Mrs H. MacNeil, Mrs Roberts, Mrs Fitchett, and a number more.

On Saturday afternoon Mrs Finker gave a larga and most successful musical at home. The table was prettily decorated with pale blue silk and tall glasses of marguerites., The music was exceptionally good, Miss Blaney being present and contributing several items, the principal being "Last night," "Close to thethreshold,"and "Don'tquitefor-

get." Mrs Theomin, Mrs Finker, and Miss Moss Davies also sang ; Miss G. Roberts played a piano solo ; and Miss Daviea charmed her hearers with two recitations, one of them being entitled "Our Folks." Mrs Finker wore a stylish black dress, with blue velvet yoke and jet trimmings ; Misa Moss Davies, black skirt, with black and white blouse and black zouave; Lady Stout, pretty brown and red costume, with bonnet to match; Mrs Theomin, black silk, with handsome jet trimmings and black bonnet; MissE. M'Laren, grey costume, with blaok and blue hat ; Mrs Hart, brown costume, with cape to match ; Miss Ziele, daTk green, with tartan velvet trimmings ; Mrs Jowitt, fawn costume, with lace trimmiDgs, dark green Bilk vest, and green and pink bat; Mrs Oantrell, dark brown, with brown and blue hat ; Mrs Maxwell, dark blue serge, with large plush cape ; Miss Gilkison, dark blue serge, with velvet bodice; Miss Williams, dark blue serge, with blue skirt ; Mrs Fitchett, pretty grey costume. Also present were Mesdames Jones, M'Maßter, Maxwell, Wright, Perston, Roberts, Hales, Alexander, Neill, Sievwright Brown, Mackerras, Ulrich, Jeffcoat, Hart, and the Misses M'Laren, Macassey, Neill, Alexander, Roberts, Gilkison, Ziele, Scott, Dymock, and many others.