St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

Page 25 text:

ROVINGS OF A Jf1CKIE ' 23 from people, we are anything but bashful. We must have asked about a million questions and every one was answered. The people here are willing to go a mile out of their way to help you along. VVe all admit that San Francisco and New York are identical in every respect. The people of both cities seem to possess the same sort of energyg the dress, manners, customs and life are the same. To tell the honest truth, I feel more at home in New York than I did in Los Angeles. In all, folks, it has surely been a glorious week- end for me. I have seen New York in a way in which I would never have been able to see it again, and I have en- joyed it much more than I ever could have under any other circumstances. It has all been a dream that I never before thought could be realized. Before it slips my mind, did I ever tell you how we have our brothers from the East Ukiddedu about the Vifest? lVe tell stories about how the cowboys and Indians used to ride in for miles around to hear our 300-piece band at San Pedro: tell them of the flourishing farms around Powell and Market Streets, and such things as that. It's a picnic. The majority of them have their ideas of the Wfest from moving pictures, and they believe that before the war we all used to pack guns around on our hips. VVell, folks, I think that I have overwritten myself, for, as Mother used to say when she got tired writing, I have a cramp in my thumb. I hope that everything is all right with you both, and that by now you have ceased worrying over my trip. All my love to you both. I will write again tomorrow. Broadway, Charlie. Naval Training Station, Pelham Bay Park, New York, March 3, 1918. My Dear Friend: At this reading you are undoubtedly aware of the details concerning my rather hasty leavetaking from the land of

Page 24 text:

22 THE IGNATIAN a more interesting and beautiful ride. The conductor took a special interest in us, as did likewise several of the passen- gers, They pointed out to us all the famous millionaires' mansions, the particular buildings of interest in Central Park, and also prominent buildings that could be seen in the dis- tance, such as Columbia College, St. John's Cathedral, etc. NVe returned on the same bus, and sat back to enjoy River- side Drive to our heart's content. The trip lasted about two hours, and we arrived back at the hotel at half-past three, where I dispatched a few postals to you. After a few minutes' breathing spell we set out again. This time it was to the business district and Brooklyn Bridge. Mother, you can explain to Dad better than I can how that part of New York is located. VVe took the subway at Forty- first Street and Broadway. and in a few minutes we were landed at the other end of town. By the way, it was my first ride on a subway train, and I appreciated the novelty of it. The first thing we did was to walk out to the middle of Brooklyn Bridge: it was a wonderful sight: but there was something still better in store for us. After lingering on the bridge for a while, we walked along those streets where millions are made and lost in a few minutes. You'll have a very fortunate son, Mother, if my head does not fall off tonight after the way I twisted my neck gazing up at the 'real sleyscrapers. After we had feasted our eyes on these sights for half an hour or so, we caught the subway back and returned to the hotel. I just could not wait until tomorrow to tell you all I saw, so I had to take advantage of these few minutes before we eat supper to write you. Don't you think that we have been busy boys since we landed in this city? I donlt exactly know what the program will be tonight. I think that all the theatres are closed, but the evenino' is ounof and we are pretty certain to keep going. New York is the easiest town in the world to find your way aboutg of course, when it comes to seeking information D y bs

Page 26 text:

24 THE zcivarfi-iiy sunshine, fruit and flowers: nor shall I burden you with a lengthy description of my transcontinental trip, filled though it was with wonders that my fertile imagination never con- jured as existing. Wfe traveled via the Santa Ire, passing through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, I'ennsvlvania, and Finally along the Hudson River to the Empire State. Your own experience as an American trav- eler will enable you to recall the glories of each of these places far better than I can portray them. In my own case. however, I doubt if I shall ever again have the good fortune to enjoy as much the trip over the American continent, for we traveled 450 strong, and every habitation along the way manifested its patriotism and showed the proper spirit by tendering us the municipal keys and allowing us the full possession and use, free of cost, of street cars, hre engines and sundry municipal instrumentalities. As you know, I bear you no ill will whatever, but I did wish that you were one of us on the night we arriveclin New York, One of the natives informed us that the temperature was IO degrees above zero. At the time I was too cold to argue with him, but I insist to this day that it must have been ISSIG degrees below zero. Since the day of our arrival the brand of weather has been such that it might fairly be compared with that of our own California, and we have received informa- tion from sources that are fairly reliable that the winter sea- son is now spent, for which we are all quite thankful. There are about six thousand men quartered here, living in barracks, about sixty men to each barrack, and every regiment having its own mess hall. lVith my wonted hu- mility I hasten to apprise you of the statements that we have heard on all sides that our California unit forms the finest body of men that has entered the camp up to this time. The nrst day we were here men holding college degrees were taken from the unit and placed in another regiment. and are now taking a special course of instruction. In all about one hundred men were chosen, and am diligently ap-