Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-19

Car Them he cherished something border
ing upon affection.
Shakes was viewed as one of Norway
Flats fixtures. 1t had been settled long
400 in the minds of its inhabitants that his
homes would decay in the little cemetery
on the knoll overlooking the Flat. The
idea OF his removing was never for y
moment entertained by any one in that Sc
cluded community Shakes and Norway
Flat had grown up with one another NOR
way Flat was Shakes home. IT he pos
sessed home elsewhere he had never
been heard to speak of it.
The winter of SO had set in. 1t was
about the middle of November. The ground
was covered with several inches OF snow.
The tinkling of sleigh-bells was heard in
the distance. and the little town on the
Flat was instantly thrown into commo-
ton 1t was all occasioned by the arrival
of "Barnard's" Monthly Express" The
arrival of the express was an important
event in the otherwise monotonous routine
of everyday life at Norway Flat; for be
it remembered that the era of wagon
roads and railways had not then been in
augurated, and communication between
that mountain retreat and civilization was
at best infreguent and uncertain. Among
the little wicket of the post-office and the
distribution of letters appeared that of
Shakes. Shortly afterward he was observ-
ed intently perusing letter.
s.Dam'd fl don't make tracks for hum"
he suddenly exclaimed, and as suddenly
babe farewell to Norway Flat and its sur
roundings.
That evening Shakes was missed from
-
orally known that he had left the Flat.
This was an unprecedented episode in
Norway Flat history Nothing had ever
occurred before to disturb its uniform
equanimity, excepting the shooting of Red
Alick by Russian Bill in moment of fren-
zied excitement produced in the heat of
a discussion as to the merits of the par
ties then engaged in the Crimean war.
His departure was the universal topic of
conversation around every fireside and in
every bar-room in the camp. The specu-
lations as to the cause were as varied as
they were improbable.
The Thermometer at Browns that even
ing indicated 15e below zero; but no
fears were harbored in the mind of any
one as to the safety of the one who had
50 unceremoniously left the camp 'home-
ward bound.1
Weeks passed on, and nothing had been
seen or heard of Stakes since his depart
ure. Norway Flat had almost forgotten
him. Brown, the landlord of the ''Occi-
dental,n was standing in his doorway,
gazing abstractedly at the distant wind
ings of the ''down ountry' trail 1t was
only the previous day that prospecting
party had passed along it from the Flat,
InrrI fos ba n ara,4o1- whining Damn IF
Diggers' Delight, situated about ten miles
distant His thoughts naturally required
to their departure and prospects. Sud-
denly, his quick eye detected in the dis
lance group of men slowly trudging to-
ward the Flat, and was somewhat aston
ished to recognize in them the prospectors
of Diggers' Delight returning, bearing
with them heavy burden. The news
soon spread that Shakes had been found
dead at Diggers' Delight. 1t was evident
that night had overtaken him there, and
he had determined to spend it in one of
the deserted shanties The fireplace had
been filled by him with wood, ready for
the match; but it remained unkindled
Why, no one could answer. The verde,
of all who heard the story was that he
had fallen victim to the severity of the
weather on the evening of the day he had
left the Flat, or as they expressed it 'friz
dead.''
In an inside pocket of vest worn un.
derneath his ragged overshirt, a packet Of
letters was found, all of which were writ
ten in the same handwriting. and address
ed to FLAMES Wilkinson, Esq, Norway
Flat" Sundry photographs were also
discovered in the same pocket--one of ar
aged lady, another of a woman in the
prime of life, and the rest of three beau
tiful girls of from ten to fifteen years O
age All the letters bore the same pos
mark, g, Me-" Each envelope wa
Endorsed in pencil mark. "Recd, date
j. w." One of them was Endorsed
"Recd. Nov. 18th, 1860, j. W." Tha
was the day that Shakes left Norway Flat
Its contents explained the mystery of hi
life and poverty, it ran thus;
Maine, Aug. 30th 1859.
My DEAR JAMES Your last remittance
of $3.50 has been duly received and the
mortgage on the farm is now paid
Have you not Impoverished yourself to
keep us in comparative luxuryp We have
wanted nothing. Mother
is ailing and rapidly declining, Doctor
says she cannot possibly live through the
coming winter. She longs to see you,
James, before she dies.
Emma, Annie, and Gerty are all well.
o, James do come home at
once; If not 1 shall sell the place next
spring, and come to Norway Flat myself.
Your affectionate wife,
ELLEN WILKINSON.
The bright side of Shakes character,
which he had so carefully concealed from
the sight of his fellow-men, was here re-
vealed. And he had now gone to another
home to receive his reward.
The Overland Monthlu SeDteuaber