Fresh from the drydock, glistening in new white paint, her blue streamers snapping in the breeze, loaded to the limit with enthusiastic and babbling passengers, the Water Wagon left last night on another perilous voyage. A tremendous crowd was present to see her off. The surging mass of well-wishers included relatives and friends of the passengers, a large delegation from the International Federation of Mineral Water Bottlers, and representatives from the W. C. T. U., Band of Hope, Never Again League, and other dusty associations.
The farewell presents to the passengers were unusually numerous. These included hot-water bags with “Bon Voyage” hand-painted on them, silver bonbon boxes containing soda mint and lithia tablets, individual cut-glass bromo-seltzer bottles, water lilies, watermelons, and other fruit and flowers.
Just before the hour for sailing happy little speeches were made by the Superintendent of the Water Works, the Commissioner of Irrigation, and the Hon. Bromo S. Emerson, of Ballato, whose sizzling oratory was received with terrific applause.
Promptly at midnight a bottle of sarsaparilla was broken on the Lithia’s sprinkler, the gang-hose was uncoupled and hauled aboard, and the Water Wagon glided gracefully away from her moorings.
A score or more of belated passengers came straggling down the pier and finding
GENERAL INFORMATION[16] ]
In making reservations, the passenger’s real name, not the station-house name, must be given, in full. All “John Smiths” will be regarded with suspicion, and must be satisfactorily identified.
Seats as well as berths will be assigned for the entire voyage. For a few choice seats next the water-cooler a small additional fee will be asked.
No life-preservers will be found in staterooms. Do not ask for them.