Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-11

ed by a white picket fence, and near by the
little school house where the children John
A. and Isaac were taught by private teach.
er, for their mother was lady of refinement
and did not care to have her boys attend
school with the many from the village
There were some in the neighborhood who
did not like her reserved manner, But I've
heard my mother speak of her in the highest
terms of praise. She said there were many
who did not understand her. and thought her
naughty, when she was really very amiable.
l will relate one instance of her kindness to
my mother which is very pleasant to my
memory One hot day my father was busy
+ in the haying field, and being in want of more
help, wished my mother to assist him, as 1t
was no uncommon occurrence in those days
for good wives and daughters to assist in get
ting hay. She took her only child, babe
Just strong enough to sit alone, and placed
him under shcltering tree from the scorch-
ing sun, while she attended to her labor. He
was robed in simple night dress, for in this
he was most comfortable. Mrs. Andrew, see
ing him from her window, sent for him to be
brought to her, but my mother, not being ac-
quaintcd with her at the time, and having
afraid to have the child presented to her in
his simple attire. Mrs. Andrew sent the
second time saying she should come her
self if he was not sent. Then my mother
let him go. When her task was fin
shed in the field she was obliged to go for
him, and with her sensitive nature, timdly
approached the dwelling. Mrs. Andrew met
and welcomed her at the door, invited her
into the nursery, where she saw two children
at play on the floor, dressed alike in white.
At first my mother hardly knew her own from
Mrs. Andrews babe, the little John Albion,
afterwards Governor Of Mass. She insisted
my mother should keep the garments for her
boy, which were very nice and pretty, and
ever after treated her with as much kindness
and respect as if she had not been n laborng
woman. The original farm house was the
same size as at the present time, large and
convenient, consisting of five rooms the
tached large entry, a window on either side
and a door in front. This was removed some
years since; the house was one story, painted
yellow outside, with green blinds and mahoga
ny colored doors. The main part Of the house
was finished throughout and papered very
nicely, in the lower part, with the exception
of the parlor which was painted wholly
The style of the paper was very interesting
to me when a child; there were groups of
people, dropping foliage and quiet focks,
which pleased my fancy and charmed my
childhood hours. The former appearance of
the rooms are now entirely changed, running
in straight line from the house was porch
longer than the house, containing a large
kitchen, a woodhouse and carriage house.
There were three flights of stairs leading
above, and nice places for 'hide and seek"
remember well. This has also been removed,
The father of John A Andrew and the own
er of these premises, was Jonathan Andrew,
better known in this vicinity as Esq. Andrew.
He kept store and owned large farm adj join
ing his house, which was far superior to most
houses in town, when owned by the Andrew
family. The mother of John A. Andrew is
buried in one of the towns burial places not
far from her own home. Although never
saw her think of her as sweet lady, not
dead but more glorious in better home than
earth could give her. The little school house
where the children were taught is now hem
house in the vicinity of "Gambo," a little
village on the Presumpscott next above ''l-t-
tie Falls" on the line of the Portland and Og
densburg railroad. And change is written eve
rywhere. ?. c. ID.
South Windham, Maine.