Amy Likins was in Sacramento (as related in part 5) when she was treated courteously by “the illustrious and distinguished Governor S.” at the railroad office, and given permission to canvass around the premises, where she encountered “a ruffian under the influence of liquor,” a not uncommon occurrence for the lady book agent.

It took a good deal of stamina and grit to deal with some of the men she meet. She visited the office of the Chief of Police where she “was treated somewhat abruptly by some loafers, who seemed to be just hanging around.” She called them as she saw them. But it took a toll on her spirits.

I then continued on my way to the boarding-house, tired in both body and mind. When once in my room, and reflecting over the occurrences of the day, I could not help weeping. I thought it was a great undertaking to be a book agent.

But she persisted, working in Sacramento for three weeks. She admired the wide, well-shaded streets, the stores full of merchandise, and the Capitol, then under construction. She returned to San Francisco by way of “Davisville,” which has since lost the “ville,” and found it to be “a very small village.”

I found Woodland a beautiful inland town, of, I should judge, about two or three thousand inhabitants, who seemed to be a well raised and intelligent class of people, full of life and energy; every branch of business was well represented. Here I remained two days, meeting with great success among the ladies, for a wonder.

I returned to Davisville, and finished my work; there I took the afternoon train for home. I passed through some fine looking country, also two small villages, which I was told were Fairfield and Suisun.

Don’t you wish you could see these “villages” as she saw them then?

Her next assignment was Santa Cruz. Riding in the stagecoach over the mountains, she admired “the deep forests, with their tall redwoods and many varieties of smaller trees; while beneath their
branches grew large quantities of ferns and flowers, with their many shades and tints.” Her landlady at the Santa Cruz House recommended she visit Mrs. J, “a strong woman’s rights advocator,” who “believed in helping her own sex.” Amy “had not much faith in members of that sect,” but she would give it a try.

The bell was answered by a more than middle aged lady, neatly dressed, and with a smiling countenance, until her eyes fell upon the books that I carried in my arms. Oh, horror! what a change came over her; her face was drawn into more than a thousand wrinkles, as she partially shut the door in my face, so that I could only see one eye, as she told me she supposed I was selling books, and that she had just bought one the day before from one of you agents, and could not afford to spend money every day for books, all the time closing the door a little, while she was speaking, until it was finally closed in my face. She acted very much as if she was afraid of me. I left with the opinion she was not a lady, or at least did not act like one; and my fullest anticipations were realized, as to my being received by the so called woman’s rights advocator.

On to Redwood City, where she sold a book to a gentleman at the lumber yard. Later that evening at the hotel:

When I entered the dining-room, I noticed he was seated at the table. After dinner the landlady told me he was an old bach., and boarded there. “You just wait,” she said, “I will have some fun with him. I will get some of the boys to help me in making him believe you are a widow lady, and try to get him to take you to the ball, which is to come off this evening.”

I told her I did not attend parties or balls while I was canvassing. She inquired my name, and introduced me to said old bach, when he came out from dinner, and someone went so far as to tell him I was a widow; still, we did not, for all that, get up much of a flirtation, nor fall desperately in love with each other, for I think he would not be so easily caught by a stranger, especially a hook agent. I know I did not wish to get rid of my husband; one man is trouble enough, without having two.

I must say I agree!