The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-06-15
00leeklp Dimes
THURSDAY, JUNE Is, 1876.
Looking for the Maine Building.


PHILADELPHIA Correspondence Of the New ioiA
Times.
Yesterday afternoon, standing near the
,-;,cinaI entrance to Paramount Park,
noticed /. tall, rsw-boned New Highlander,
who had Just made his way through the
,,,-,s,iIe ard who. stood in evident amaze
mon, looking at the great buildings about
him. and staring in open-mouthed wonder
Al the immense crowds that thronged the
avenues. He was young man, evidently
mst fresh from come interior village. He
was naturally no fool, but il could he plain
~ seen that he knew next 10 nothing OF
men or OF the world, and that his visit 10
the worlds fair was the GROWING event IN
his quiet life. He had his best clothes on,
''store clothes" j suppose he would have
called them, and in his hand he carried a
new and shining black carpet-bag, which
probably contained the greater part OF all
his earthly possessions. He chung TO II as
If it contained untold treasure. For fuiiy
i've minutes he stood looking about him,
and then in an humble and dePrecatory
kind OF way approached an Irish ponce
man, radiant in his new uniform OF black
and red, and almost bursting with an over
poWering sense OF his own Importance.
Timothy, the villager, asked the mighty
official, "Will you please to tell me where
abouts the Maine building is"
That's il, sur" said "the guard" with a
toss Of his head toward the grand palace OF
industry, and tLen, "a became person OF
his dignity and position, turned ON his heeI
and walked away. The countryman look
Cd at the imme' Sc strI ture that had been
pointed out 10 him, and then shaking his
head walked on a lew PAGES. He passed
tao policemen without daring to address
them Then he came TO a jolly-faoed men,
Der Of the French commission, and making
Il profound bow attracted that gentleman s
attention, and again asked the question,
"Will you please to tell me whereabouts
the Maine building is Z" The Erenchman
could not understand him, and laughing
gUCi-naturedly, shook his head and passed
"n. At this the New Highlander began TO
losc his temper, and growing very red IN
the face he muttered something about
"darned fools that wouldn't answer civil
questions" Then, "his native courage
having risen within him." he went up to
another policeman and asked, BE you a
police officer ~ Eyes, sir" was the reply.
well, then, if you be, just tell me where
abouts the Maine binding Is" That's IT,
sir" pointing, like his Irish colleauge, to
the grand hall. The countryman indignant
ly said, "Look a here, mister, | haIn't
come here to be fooled. i want TO know
where the Maine building is, and / want to
know quick" 81 told you once that the
main building was over there" was the an
CRY response, "and If you don't believe me
you can get satisfaction somewhere else. .
The positive tone of the policeman seemed
to stagger the countryman for a moment
and he looked first at the grand hall and
then at the crowd that was beginning to
gather round him in a dazed and puzzled
kind of way that was truly laughable.
Then he caught sight of lieutenant of the
guard, who walked down the avenue, "rich
in the many trappings OF his station" and
rushing over to him he asked: Say, mis-,
ter, is that the Maine building ?" "Ies,
said the officer, politely, 'that's the main
building, sir" OF course, such authority
as this could not be doubted 'the gentle,
man from Maine" drew one deep sigh Of
relief, and in the fullness OF his heart ex.
claimed "Well, | swan to man, / was
sure the old State want goin' back on us
but 1 hadn't no idea she'd put up buildin
like thatw As lost sight of him, he was
still muttering about "the Maine buildin
and the old State"