p. 16 | At Home Again by William Clarence White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1885

At Home Again.

By William Clarence White

THE larger part of the party which left Battle Creek Dec. 8, reached Oakland the morning of the 16th. Five left us in Colorado, five went to Los Angeles, and others stopped at Goshen, Selma, and Stockton. We experienced no accidents, and very few disappointments on the road. There were many things that contributed to our pleasure and comfort. We had selected the best routes. We were not crowded. We had made ample preparation for the journey. All were intending to enjoy the trip, and so we did. In starting, much was done for our comfort by Messrs. Warner and Gilman, the agents of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Companies; and all the way to Mojave, Cal., we were treated with the greatest kindness by the employes of these and the Atlantic and Pacific Company. At Mojave we were thrown upon the tender mercies of the Southern Pacific Company, and were treated by its employes with their customary indifference to the comfort and rights of passengers. While at Mojave we were led to reflect how competition helps individuals, as well as corporations, to be kind and courteous.

On reaching home, we find our friends at the SIGNS Office well and as busy as ever. The low prices of grain, and the fact that many farmers have not sold their grain, makes money very scarce and business exceedingly dull; but so far our office has had plenty of work, and the future prospect is good. At times like this, when our tract societies find it so difficult to pay their accounts, we could hardly keep our work moving if it were not for our custom work, which brings immediate returns.

At Healdsburg we find a large and prosperous school. Teachers and scholars are of good courage, and peace and harmony prevail. Ample preparation has been made for a large attendance during the next four months. W. C. WHITE.