Part Love Story, Part Travelogue Pt 6
Fraser River Gorge
Our
Love – Story
My Grandmother Margaret E. Winslow, 1908
BY SWEETHEART (SHARED BY J. STEWART)
( click here for other installments)
Installment #6:
So the last morning of your trip was a happy one. Everybody was gay. The scenery was less rugged than it had been until The Fraser River gorge was entertained. There the very heavens conspired to make it more awesome, for a lowering sky was in keeping with the precipitous cliffs margining the swirling green torrent. As the day wore on, people began to drift into their own seats and the train seemed to settle down into a quiet mood. Mr. Baldwin had retired to his own section where he half sat, half lay with his head buried on his arm. The sight troubled you for you knew why the trip had lost its interest for the man you wanted for a friend. You waited till nobody was looking and went softly down the aisle to his seat. You took his hand saying, “Mr. Baldwin you are missing this gorgeous scenery. Won’t you try to enjoy it?’ His only reply was a crushing of your hand that made you wince with pain. After you had drawn it away and made your way back to your seat the day seemed grayer then before and the scenery more awful.
That night before you sought your berth for the last time on your memorable trip you caught sight of Mr. Baldwin in the vestibule. You went up to him and held out your hand. He took it limply, looking dazedly at you as you said, “Goodbye. I may not see you in the morning. I am so glad ~ and so sorry.” You hurried away but not before you had seen the dazed look give way to a shining brightness.
When you awoke you were in the gloom of the Seattle station. When you found the group bound for the hotel you were in tears. For your journeying thru successive wonders was over. Now you were out from under the care of your conductor and porter and across-the-aisle-ladies. The known was behind you and the dearest ones three thousand miles away. But, dear Other Girl, you didn’t have long to stay, for that was only a little while ago and here am I the I that parted from you when the wonder of love came.
Your destiny was determined the night you sailed for Alaska, Before Girl, when from the dining room of the Hotel Perry, you saw two of your trip acquaintances in company with a stranger come into the lobby. The Eckert girls left the table and went out to greet them but you waited for Mother Eckert and joined them in a few moments. After shaking hands with the trip friends Mr. Jackson said, “I want you to meet our automobile man, Mr. Stewart, Miss Winslow. You glanced up brightly at the new comer, made some unmemorable response but held out your hand and met as hearty a grasp as you with your natural enthusiasm, always gave. Wishing to do a little errand at the desk you held out your bag and coat to Mr. Stewart saying, “Please hold this for me a moment.” Afterward you remembered that impulsive command and wondered why you felt so at home with this new acquaintance. I know, dear Other Girl, and I’m telling you as fast as I can.
Hotel Perry, Seattle, WA ~ 1909, just completed for the World's Fair.
Hotel Perry, Seattle, WA ~ so luxurious!! My grandparents first met in that lobby!!
Hotel Perry, Seattle, WA ~ The lobby is the center photo... Just imagine my Grandmother Margaret meeting my Grandfather Ray Stewart there, for the first time! Wow!!