The Portland daily press., 1864-07-02

face Of the earth and water, whether by rail-,
steamboat or old mail stage coach, what acct
dents happened on the way and the great
perils passed through; but must pass by all
these, and write of other matters; for | be-
lieve the public don't care fig about such
things, however much the writer may think
of himself and what happened to his person.
will say, however, that Conductor Cousins
didn't rnn off the track, bnt landed US safely
at Gorham Depot in due season; and he did
it too, with smiling face. 1t is pleasant to
see smiles instead of irowns, at any time.
Good nature helps one along in this world,
amazingly.
This beautiful old town of Gorham was
one of the seven towns granted 10 the Maria
gansett soldiers by the General Court in 1872.
When division OF these towns was made
among the original grantees, this town was
assigned to John Gorham and 10 others, and
then called Narragansett. 1t was Incorporate
ed by the name Of Gorham, in Oct. l714. 1t
will be seen by the above, that almost a cent
ury has passed since Its incorporation, and
what changes have passed since that time.
| But will not stop to moralize or speculate.
| obtained the above facts by reading the
record OF them on a stone post standing
near the church. The citizens did well in
erecting such post, and making such an en-
during record.
But the reader may ask what has all this TO
do with the Strawberry Festival? Not much
confess, and yet historical facts are always
interesting. But TO the Festival and Fair
which was opened yesterday afternoon, at the
academy that stands on the hill and has stood
there good many years. The prospect from
the hill is exceedingly beautiful. The "For-
est City," the ocean. the observatory" on
Munjoy, which, in my boyhooi, was the ''oo-
served OF all Observers" and esteemed very
big thing, the back country for several miles,
with its orchards, fields, farm houses and
patches Of woodland-all make up fine PAN
Drama, which cannot fail to delight lover Of
nature. The Festival was well attended yes
terday, and the tableaux last evening crew a
large crowd to witness them.
Early this morning the ladies began TO
wend their way up the hill, bearing flowers
and feeling as il they were doing something
for the benefit Of the soldiers. who are expos
! ing themselves in the defence Of their coun-
try and their homes. i followed these fair
pioneers, and soon entered the building. The
first thing that attracted my attention latter
the LADIES' was a good sized conch she'll fast
ened to a pillar, and the following letters
printed on it-O-U-T. / did not at first take,
but it soon got through my hair without
surgical operation. It's meaning is shell ont
A very good motto 10 stare one in the face as
soon as he enters. Yes, "sheu out" has been
the cry for long time; and the loyal people
have "shelled out" more generously than ever
known before. They mean TO help those who
are fighting for their country, aud they do it
as no other people ever did. And the wo-
men-God bless them! are first and foremost
in the good work. The tables above and pc
low are loaded with good things TO eat and
fame articles for sale, all got up in most adj
mirable style. Here is the anglers Nook"
where many drop there hook and catch
prize The ice cream saloon and the Post
Office are fitted up very tasteiully, and all
the decorations are excellent. They were de-
signed by Edward S, Morse, very fine artist
of this village, who has done much to en-
nance the interest Of this exhibition for the
benefit Of the Army Christian Commission.
Among other curiosities is continental cur
rency eight dollar bill, printed in 1I77 by
Hall and Sellers, and authorizedpy Congress
/ in July Of the same year, The number is
/ $3.50, its dimensions 2 / A by A inches, and en-
! grayed on thick, coarse, dingy paper. Within
an engraved circle is the picture of harp,
and printed about it the following Latin
words: "Mcjora minoribus consonant,"
which means, suppose, "the geater harmon
ICES with the less,' as the large strings of the
] harp harmonic with the little ones, and that
makes the Music of the Union" with which
we are now trying TO make the rascally rebels
keep step" and | trust we shall succeed in
that glorious enterprise. The greatest Curl
osity on exhibition, are some fancy articles
made out of meat bones by Capt. Wentworth
while he was in Libby Prison. They were
indeed beautiful and highly flushed, and ad-
mirably designed. One piece is kind OF
watch key or seal, with the words "Home,
sweet home" on one side, and Libby Prison
on the other, finely carved and raised on the
bone. He must have lsbored long time to
produce such finely wrought articles, but in SC
doing he beg uiled the weary days OF his prison
life. When / think OF Libby Prison, my
blood boils-but forbear.
In one corner OF the room is large shoe,
covered all over with little dolls, and little
girl sitting in Il, dressed In the costume of all
old woman, and ready to barter her little ba-
bies for postage currency. And believe she
is dong snug little business Tor one SO
young. She looks perfectly good natured
aud the expression OF her face shows that her
heart beats with patriotic pulsatons.
The rooms are decorated with flags of dif
ferent nationalties, and-wiih the ladies toe
who are here, there and everywhere, smiling
and waiting upon their generous customers.
And permit me to say, ca pdsSant, they are
noble hearted, full of patriotism, and good
looking into the bargain. have read Of a
land flowing with milk and honey, but this
flows with cream, rch fresh, delicious cream,
and Strawberries by the CARLOAD. And such
coffee! Thanks, thousand thanks to that
good generous woman who poured it out. In
fact everything eatable or drinkable was of
the very best kind. And how industriously
have the Gorham ladies worked for the bene-
fit of the soldiers. There is a deep current
of patriotic feeling running through the coun-
try.
The concert Thursday evening was most
excellent and the church was crowded in