Running across old friends is one of the best things you do on these jamborees. Here in ’Frisco I found two old Minneapolis Journal men holding down important jobs—Jim Callahan, now business manager of the Examiner and generally considered one of Hearst’s “right hand” men, and Chris Helin, manager of The Examiner’s Automobile Department. I am sorry to say that they are both back sliders and wouldn’t trade the nip of the peninsula for half of Minnesota. Funny how these fellows go loco when they reach California. Really, folks, you wouldn’t expect your friends to try to sell you real estate, would you? * * * * * My visit to San Francisco was the first since 1904, when I came home from doing my Spanish-American war “bit” in the Philippines. She’s a different city since the fire. California is a great state for new building—buildings going up here and everywhere. Among other enterprises they are building a lot of old missions, I understand. Saw a sign over a Mission street doorway reading: “Virtue & Co., Ltd.” It used to be “unlimited” here back in the Dupont street days in 1904, but I thought that had all gone with Barbary Coast. Am off for New York but hope now to come back later. * * * * * Canadian Stuff A little glass of near-beer; A little drop of ether, Will make the world spin merrily, In any kind of weather. * * * * * Times Are Improving “How’s business?” asked the passenger. “Better,” said the conductor as he shoved his hands in his pockets, “I can feel the change already.” * * * * * Fable of a Sap _He sitteth and enjoyeth_ _The Evening_ _And Spendeth only_ _His Time._ * * * * * An Opulent Love Letter! Oh, dearie! just the lucid thought of your love, yes just to think of it fills my combined heart and soul with the most limpid fulgency. Every time I think of you my erotic pumping organ vibrates all through my body. It is just your love that keeps my soul from sacrifice. One minute I imagine you are exulting your thought on me in the most wonderful way, and then I feel, Oh, so strong and lusty, and it encounters the greatest exultation of my life, but before I know it the door flies open and the entire thought escapes without impetus, and then the next thing to come is a thought rather much undesirable.