American AcornsPDF page 91, printed page 83
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ORA OAK 83 the usual common school training and one term at Foxcroft Academy and one year in a lumber mill in New Brunswick, and one term at the Maine State University, came to California at his brother's suggestion, in January, 1872. A place had been prom- ised him in the wholesale department of the Bancroft Company, but it was not vacant on his arrival, so he was admitted, or con- signed, to the fifth floor—Library department—until the down- stairs vacancy occurred. Consequently, he was inducted into history writing for several weeks, thereby earning a whole line in Bancroft's History as showing "marked ability," a reputation assuredly standing on the slightest foundation on record. Un- fortunately, the next line states that my work as well as that of several others "all amounted to nothing," owing to change of plans. After a few weeks I went into the wholesale department, but continued to live with my brother, who had rooms on the library floor. I spent my evenings and Sundays there and knew what was going on. I was well acquainted with nearly the whole force and kept in touch with the work as it progressed. Later I left the house and spent five years in Nevada, but in 1881 re- turned to the Bancroft establishment and became manager of the Mexican department, and spent the most of four years (1881-5) travelling in Mexico, first as salesman for the wholesale depart- ment, then as special agent for the History department, conse- quently I knew as much of the writing, making and selling of the Bancroft works as any one outside the principals. I spent six months in the City of Mexico, where I had the honor and pleas- ure of a personal interview with President Diaz, and met most of the military and literary men of Mexico. In 1886 I left the Bancroft house and came to Southern California. In 1887 "^y brother made a trip through the state for his health. My first wife died in June, 1887, and I soon after joined my brother at San Luis Obispo, and we journeyed together with a single horse, by slow stages, through to San Diego. I had just buried my wife; he had left all that made life dear to him. During that trip we threshed over life's straw pretty thoroughly, He told me things I had not before known. He had never been confi- dential. His own aflfairs he kept carefully to himself, but reserve was largely laid aside during that two weeks trip and what I write concerning the Bancroft enterprise was largely acquired then and added to what I already knew and have since learned.
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