acquainted with my wife, Mrs. Harris, my daughters, Gertrude and Lucille,
and my son, Alfonso."

"An unexpected greeting you give me, Colonel Harris," said Hugh Searles,
as he gave each person a quick hand-shake, thinking that to be an
American he must grasp hands cordially.

The family were much interested in the details of Mr. Searles's voyage,
as they expected soon to be en route for Europe. Mr. Searles said, "The
cause of the 'Majestic's' delay was a broken propeller in rough seas off
the Banks of Newfoundland. I am glad to reach New York." He had arrived
at the Hotel at ten o'clock and already had been to lunch.

Mr. Searles gladly accepted an invitation from Colonel Harris for a
drive, Mrs. Harris and Lucille to accompany them. Searles expressed a
wish to see the famous Roebling suspension bridge, so the coachman drove
first down Broadway to the post office, then past the great newspaper
buildings, and out upon the marvelous highway or bridge suspended in the
air between New York and Brooklyn. When midway, Mr. Searles begged to
step out of the carriage, and putting his arms around one of the four
enormous cables, inquired of Colonel Harris how these huge cables were
carried over the towers.

Colonel Harris explained that each cable was composed of over five
thousand steel wires, and that a shuttle carried the wire back and forth
till the requisite strength of cables was obtained. The expense of the
bridge was about $15,000,000, which the two cities paid. Its great
utility had been abundantly proved by the repeated necessity of enlarging
the approaches.