Swamiji reached probably on 9th Sept. because 0n 10th we find Him in the office of Mr.John H Barrows. Though i have read it umpty number of times, it still pains my heart to read about Swamiji's state on 9th and 10th morning till the door of house opened for Him. But when i was reading New Discoveries i also had a smile along with tears when Marie L Burke tells us where He might have slept.
When He reached Chicago again, He was alone and a stranger in this strange city, not knowing where to go and not able to make anyone understand where He wanted to reach. In this predicament He did the most natural thing...to follow the instincts of Sanyasin, whose heart sang - 'the sky thy roof, the grass thy bed and food by chance if you get'.... the equivalent to sky and the grassbed would be the Chicago Depot in the freightyard would have been the Boxcar or as we call the goods wagon where a shelterless American would retire.
It's a pure misunderstanding that He slept in a huge box as written in many places. We have seen Him sleeping uncomfortably and curled up in the picture of children's books and now it is almost difficult to erase this image form our minds. As Sister Gargi says - But box or boxcar, the next morning he set out, sannyasin like, to beg his food from door to door.
So box or Boxcar our dear Swamiji slept in a wonderful house with a wonderful family the next night. I can't wait to tell you more.
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