Part 8 (2/2)

_Girl._--”I can't fix my box--you do it.”

The rope had come off.

_Myself._--”Yes, I'll help you. Are you waiting for the train?”

_Girl._--”Guess you are right. How stupid you are, don't fix it in that way. Can't you see the rope is long enough to go twice round?”

_Myself._--”All right, I'll do it so.”

Having completed the job, as the young lady was sitting on the one chair available, I sat on her box, which was a large and strong one.

_Girl._--”You fixed it well, thank you, but don't sit on my box.”

_Myself._--”Why not?”

_Girl._--”Because I don't like it. Can't you sit on the steps?”

_Myself._--”No, thank you, I'll stand.”

_Girl._--”Tell me when is the train doo.”

_Myself._--”Immediately. There it is coming now.”

_Girl._--”Guess the box is too heavy for one man. Will you help to fix it upon the car?”

She did not wait for a reply, but ran and took her place. No more thanks. I looked round for some one to help with her box, and as I did so she put her head out of the window, and called to a man who was sitting in a cart, and had probably brought her and the trunk.

”Jimmy, can't you see my box? Help that man standing by it to s.h.i.+p it on the car.”

Jimmy did kindly help me, and so the difficulty was got over, but I saw or heard no more of the American la.s.sie.

As I made notes of the above (I filled many pocket-books in that way in America), I pondered and thought it over. I don't at all believe the girl meant to be rude or unkind, it's quite likely she would have done as much as she asked of me for some one else, but she had not been brought up to consider courtesy a necessity, and most certainly did not practise it.

The tea usually drunk in the States is dreadful stuff. As I am interested in the growth of tea in India, I inquired much as to the prospects of that tea if sent there, and on my return to England, I wrote the following to one of the papers devoted to tea matters in Calcutta. I give it here, as it exemplifies the difficulty of getting good tea in America, which so many English appreciate, and because large numbers here now are interested in the tea industry of Hindustan.

TEA IN AMERICA.

Would you like to hear as to the prospects of Indian tea in America? Having been in the States some five months and looked into the matter, I can tell you.

At present Indian tea is literally unknown on that side of the water. Not only is the tea unknown, but, with few exceptions, no one here is cognizant of the fact that any tea is produced in Hindustan.

This, considering that a fair amount of Indian tea has been sent to America, may appear strange. But the explanation is not far to seek. When those who have not travelled in it speak of that country, they do not realize its vast size. How many dozen countries like England joined together would equal the area of the United States? Take away Scotland and Wales and all that remains, England proper, could be put into Lake Superior! Is it strange then that the comparatively little Indian tea sent has never penetrated into the interior? Again, the tea sent has been delivered in New York. There, and there alone, and in a very minor degree, has it begun to run the course it has pursued in England for years. Very nearly all received has been used to mix with other and weak teas, but the whole quant.i.ty has been hitherto far too small to visibly affect the strength even of the teas sold in New York.

Speaking generally, two kinds of tea are used in the States--Java green tea, and what they name ”English breakfast tea.” The first is Java, and that only, and more woful stuff I have never tasted. It is far weaker than the Chinese mixtures which were used in England years ago, ere the Indian teas came into play. It is literally tasteless. It has no aroma, and very little colour. I never tasted so bodyless an infusion.

Nine-tenths of the Americans drink the above.

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