Daily Kennebec journal., 1874-09-19
RURAL WANDERiNGS.-I.
NORTH L1yERMoRE, Sept. lG, 1877.


What is it Tom Moore says about "the bird
let loose in eastern skies?" Probably no
part of it would be applicable, except the first
four words. We feel like birds let loose.
We have escaped for a season from the dull
routine and dry details of every day life. have
burst the bonds of care and toll for "the meat
that perisheth," and are at liberty to wander
about at sour own sweet will"
The first and most vivid impression one re-
ceives on such ride the present season, is
the wonderful freshness and fulness of YER
dure which the landscape exhibits, more like
the appearance of the leafy month Of June,
than the ordinary garb of sober September.
1t is true that here and there the foliage of
tree has begun to put on a russell tinge, which
somewhat varies the uniformity of the other
wise vernal scene. Spring. summer and au-
tumn seem to have shaken hands together,
and June and September kissed each other.
One could no, ask for prettier little coun-
try village to linger in for a few hours, than
this of North Liyermore. 1t has every pleas
ing variety of landscape in its vicinity. High
hills and lowly wales, green fields and pas
lures, and not very far off beautiful and
picturesque pond, all this has nature done;
and man has contributed his share by con-
structing broad and smooth streets, pleasant
and pretty dwellings of all sizes and con.
structions, two neat houses for worship, with
stores, shops, etc. Ornamental and shade
trees and shrubbery, flower gardens and bor
ders, are literally interspersed, and in the
celtre of the village is a triangular common,
around which the various buildings are ar
ranged. 1t is said to be favorable location
for country trade, and some of the merchants
have done very large business for several
years in buying wool and sending ou! agents
in every direction.
We came through the village of North
Wayne in our route hither, rather sleepy
looking place, with its scythe factory which
once did such large business, now fallen in
to ruins. 1t is said that the water power has
been purchased by some capitalists, and hopes
are entertained that the busy hum of industry
and the buzz of machinery may soon be heard
once more making its cheerful music there.
Our road led US through many miles Of
forest, oftentimes seeming for a while far
away from the haunts of men. In these for
est rides, it is seldom that we notice living
animal of any kind Yesterday we did hear
few birds sing, besides the occasional cav
ing of the crows. The wild flowers bordered
the path in unusual profusion. The roads,
which in the open country were somewhat
dusty, in the wilderness were smooth and
hard.
1t is noticeable, in travelling through an
agricultural country. how seldom you a
living person, except those you meet or pass
on the road, who are travellers like yourself
The men, women and children may be some
where about their homes. but are seldom seen
by the passer-by. The landscape is one of
"still lfe." Occasionally you see cattle graz
ing in the pasture, or poultry about the yards;
but the human element is lacking, to give an
imaton to the scene.
Ia riding through rural district, it is rath
er sad to see how many farm houses are de-
serted and falling into decay. This we have
noticed in various parts of Maine and New
Hampshire. wherever we have travelled. In
quiring, we find some have gone to the villa
ges and some have emigrated to the great
West.
Livermore is a town where men are raised
who make their mark. Not only the Wash.
burn family who have distinguished them
selves in various parts of the United States,
but many of our active and successful busi-
ness men on the Kennebec, as we'll as else
where, had their birth in Livermore. 1t is
beautiful town, and long may its families send
out their branches to make their mark in the
world VIAToR.
p. T. Barnum, the Snowman, was married
at New York, Wednesday morning, in Rev.
Fisk of Southport, England. The ceremony
taking place at the close of the morning ses-
sion of the Cniversalst Convention, and be-
fore the delegates had left the church, was of
course wi 'essed by large and distinguished
assemblage. Rev. DR.. Chaplin tied the nup-
tal knot and at the close of the ceremony
Mr.. Barnum and bride were congratulated by
many of the delegates to the convention pres
ent. In the afternoon the newly welded pair
departed on an extended wedding tour. The
bride was an attractive English girl, and was
noted as a belle of Southport, Lancashire
England. Her age is twenty-six. One of the
Universalist clerkymen jocularly remarked
that the marriage was a union of Phin to Fish.
The bride was dressed in atravelling costume
of ashes of rose color, and wore elegant dia-
monds. There were no bridesmaids or
groomsmen. Mr.. Barnum looked even more
happy and good than usual, and when
he with his bride rode away from the church
in the carriage, he bowed and smiled at the
people who had assembled to witness his de-
parture.
tn" pc refuses to recognize the Spanish
Republic,