My trip to Europe came about so unexpectedly that the influence of my lucky star or Sagittarius must have been at work! Claude was home from Princeton in March, 1899, with a bad condition in one eye. His doctor had said a long sea trip would help him. On a warm spring day he and father were sitting under our big elm tree. I had just returned from a horseback ride in a new ______ habit. Along came Mary Phillips, later Mrs. Jacob Reis a near neighbor, who told us of her plans to go abroad on April 19 on the City of Paris. Mary was full of joy over her coming visits to a French aunt in Paris and an English aunt in London. We were enjoying Mary's enthusiasm when suddenly, like the shot of an arrow, father said, "Mary, do you think your father could use his influence to get reservations on the City of Paris for Lucy and Claude?" Mr. Phillips was a cotton broker and went abroad for his company every two years. He had no trouble, at so late a date, in getting our reservations.

In three weeks I had a new tailor made suit and covert cloth ulster, and a new steamer trunk full of the right kind of clothes for an extended trip. Getting clothes, addresses, letter of credit, and going to farewell parties gave me little time to read and plan our trip. Claude read French novels, history, etc., that helped us. Father and mother had been abroad twice and gave us good instructions. We were told to ask the purser for places at the Captain's table, which we did. Mary was there, too. At this table we met Mr. and Mrs. John McKesson, Jr., who became my lifelong friends. Mr. McKesson was president of McKesson & Robbins Drug Company of New York. Mr. William H. Hill, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and his son and daughter were also at the table. They were from St. Paul and were very wealthy - quite distinguished people.

I sat next to Mr. McKesson. When he learned that my grandfather, John Matthews, Jr., had been president of Matthews and Sons Wholesale Drug Company of St. Louis, he told me that his grandfather, John McKesson, had known him for many years in business. This started a wonderful and lasting friendship. Our first meal was luncheon soon after we sailed. The delicious French food and animated conversation gave us a gay start. However, that was the last meal together for Mrs. McKesson, Mary Phillips, and Claude for two or three clays. Mrs. McKesson was sick during most of the trip to Cherbourg. The Hills were soon back at our table. Neither Mr. McKesson nor I were (or was?) sick so we walked the deck or sat and read in steamer chairs for the eight days to Cherbourg. Mary and I occupied a stateroom together below decks and Claude was in one nearby. The McKessons and the Hills had deluxe cabins on the upper deck. Mary was so ill that I kept out of our cabin as much as possible. The stewards were very attentive to her and Claude. He was up on deck in two days, Mary in four, and Mrs. McKesson the last two days.