Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1893 — Letter from S. E. Sparling. [ARTICLE]

Letter from S. E. Sparling.

Jottings of His Journey Across the Sea.

On board City of Rome July 7th. An increased wind durmg the day. The ship running in the trough. Very difficult to walk up spar deck without landing m some person’s arms. Not a sail seen to-day; nor a whale; nothing larger than a gull. Rather lonesome. Spent most of the day in trying to keep my equilibrium and talk to a few friends. Several college students on board. It is interesting to note the difference in Scotch and Irish character as I find it on board.

Attended a concert at which we had a great array of talent. Any person who could sing the simplest ditty appeared on the program. Sea rolled the highest to-night of any time during the voyage. Waves came dashing at the plunging vessels, and to the inexperienced wouldseem to swallow her, but the sailors say it was only good sailing. Great cataracts, beautiful fountains were constantly amusing you. It was indeed a beautiful spectacle; at night to watch the phosphorescent glare of the waves as they were whipped by the wind. Made 378 miles. Attended religious services m the evening. One finds variation of climate on the ocean as well as on land. One day it is very warm and the next an overcoat is very comfortable. In the latitude we are at present [s3] the days are very long. At ten o’clock this evening a paper could be read on deck with ease. We are in the gulf stream and consequently a warm, balmy wind. July Bth, Arose early with the expectation of finding a “kicking” sea. Was disappointed, but the spray of the colliding waves was thrown high in the air and the bright sun made it to sparkle with rainbows. So that the very wateis before you were gemmed with fleeting and ever returning emblems of hepe and promise. The day passed in reading and games. A clear sky, most of the day with banks of clouds in the horizon. All grow restless from the prospect of land. The sailors are in ignorance of the time of landing or else they are hardened liars, probably the latter. The life they live would harden them to most anything. Any boy who has had dreams of a sailors life let him spend a week, even on as beautiful and quiet a voyage as this and he will be content to remain on terra firnux. We have certainly had a remarkably calm voyage more so than was desired. I find it sometimes interesting to attempt to walk deck when the vessel is plunging. I had hoped to see some of the waves that run mountain high that have tilled mind with their sublimity and grandeur but I am fated with disappointment- A perfectly, glassy sea with a variety of colors playing on its surface. The swell not very large. Three sails to remind us of land and that we were not alone. Seaweed floating m the water brought by gulf stream. July 9th. AIJ on deck early with the word that land would be sighted. The Irish wild with the prospect of the land of the Blarney stone. Every mailen is adorned in her best and interesting will be the sight that will greet us when friends meet again who have not only been separated for years but with a watery space of 3,000 miles. We will go on deck and imbibe some of the enthusiasm. Scarcely had I mounted spar deck when the Columbian cry of “Land” passed from fore to aft and real enough the Emerald Isle threw her beautiful countour up through mists that shrouded her. Every Irishman’s heart leaped with joy if a sparkling face is any indication of a heart throb. ■ One is impressed with the rounded form of the distant land in contrast to much of the rugged scenery that we see in the States. There has been much bustle on hoard preparatory to the landing of the Irish section. Quite different is the appearance of the passengers as they prepare to land. Some who were content to go rather shabby on the voyage now appear in Sunday clothes, and bright new bonnets. Our sail up the Clyde was in the of a driving rain and much of the beauty was marred. But as it was it was certainly unrivaled in magnificence. Ireland from a distance is certainly the garden spot it is said to be. Only have passed to Glasgow and have not seen any of the country only from the car window. Am starting to do the citv this afternoon, the 10th.

Dr’ M. J* Davis Is a prominent physician of Lewis, Cass county*, lowajMind has been anti roly engaged in the practice of medicine at that place for the past thirty five years On the 29th of May, while in Des Moines en route to Chieftco, he was suddenly taken with an attack oi diarrhoea Having sold Chamberlain's Colic, Colera and Diarrhea Remedy for'the the past seventeen years, and knowing its reliability,

he procured a 25 cent bottle, two doses of which completely cured him. The excitment and change of water and diet incident to traveling often produce a diarrhoea Every one should procure a bottle of thia remedy before leaving home. For mle by Meyers The Druggist.