Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-09
Written for the Kennebec journal.
NasSalbOrOugh.
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT MEN AND THINGS
A FEW FACTS CONCERNING A VETERAN Ma
son.

Out on one of those quiet, delightful country
roads which abound so abundanty in the good old
town of Vsssalborough, stands pain, unpreten-
tious country dwelling house. matched roof and
moss grown just enough to give the assurance
that it has been standing, sentinellke. for great
number Of years. 1t is indeed, an unpretentous
old structure, constructed like'mos farm houses,
with view to comfort rather than to orname nta-
ton. The window panes are small. the roof steep,
and the steps leading to the front entrance were
hewn from huge granite boulders. 1t faces di
rectly over that delightful sheet of water known
as Webber Pond. The psrlor, a large, old-fash-
toned room, faces on the road leading past the
house, while the sunlight is kept from fading the
carpet by conventional green paper curtains If
you have ever visited the country, Mr.. Editor, you
can recall scores of houses such as am writing
about. Everything about the house is kept scru-
pulously clean and tidy, and the green shades are
never raised unless some particular friend calls, or
the country parson happens in fol- the purpose Of
conversng on religious topics. The sitting-room
and dining room also models in their wav,-
clean, quiet and homelike and an air of comfort
is everywhere observable. Still farther in the rear
is the wash and cooking rooms. woodshed and
carriage house, all adjoining; while beyond, at
convenient distance, stands the barn. well worn
with age, which, like the house, has wthstood the
storms of many decades. In front of this old
mansion is u wel-kept and thrifty garden plot or
at least such was the case in my younger days,
where the youthful marauders were wont TO
"hook" luscious melons, cholera creating cucum-
bers, and various other varieties of vegetation.
as well remember, when lad of dozen sum.
mers used to visit this envable spot at the dead
h ,urs of night, repenish my expanded pockets
with forbidden fruit, and then suffer the pains of
a overloaded stomach also we II RENE III her every
choice apple and fruit tree standing on that once
thrifty homestead, and often wish that | could
once more return to those happy childhood days
and revel in the Injuries Of that precious garden
and orchard. | have "Ly pothecated" enough fruit
from the spot am writing about to supply an or
binary family for a full year. And while am
now giving my own experience 10 this simple
form, | suppose there are hundreds of "boys"
grown into full manhood, who have had similar
experiences, especially those unfortunate fellows
whose parents were not blessed with those r,re
luxuies. In the rear of this old country home
stands a burying ground, with its sombre and top
pling headstOnes in large numbers, which have
stood guard over the dead far beyond the memory
of the present generation. This sacred spot IL
surrounded by a stone wall, with u gateway lead
ing from the roadside, while the enclosure has
grown into weeds and rank grass,-just like near
ly every other country graveyard. Beneath the sod
lie the remains Of some of the best people of that
dear old neghborhood, sleeping their last sleep.
Here in this little plot the ravsges of time are too
plainly seen by the nearly obliterated inscriptions
which mark the final resting places of those once
bnsy fighting the battles of life.
In the old home of which | have been telling
you about and which have tried to n,elligently
describe. lived one Of Vas alboro's most honored
and respected citizens. | need not tell you that
allude TO
CAPTAIN WARREN Colby,
for doubt ess you have already surmsed that fact
| write of him being an honored citizen he
cause he is fully entitled to that distinction. 1t il
statesman, nor as a scholar of great renowa; but
he has won good and enviabe name by acts of
kindness, by generous impulses, and by christian
virtues such follow in the footsteps of but few
men even 10 obscure country towns where many
good men wear out their lives in noble deeds, hut
whose virtues are never recordcd-at least not by
man. While he has never held any exalted sta
tons in life, he has well and faithfully filed his al
lotted place and what better record can be set TO
his accounts During the days of the old Wing
party he was an ardent and consistent advocate of
its principles. and when that party was merged in
to the republican party, in 1870, he warmly es-
poused its doctrines, and has, from that early
period to the present time, food shoulder to
snouluct WIN the SlduHCH Hltu III IT'S fHuks. TDF
the pa forty years he has been a careful and dill
gent reader of the Jou nal and followed its lead
ing in all that relates to the political welfare Of
the county. lie has never sw, rived from his allie
eisEce to that great party but has done valiant
service, 10 his humble way. in promoting its best
interests. Captain Colby was
BORN IN EMBpEN, MAINE.
Ia Somerset county, on the 9Th of March, 1900
and consequently reached the ripe old age of sew
enty- eight wears on the 9th of last month. Yet
Notwithstanding his advanced age, he is man of
good intellectual ability, and none Of his facul
ties have apparently deserted him. He converses
on all topics Of political character with much
freedom, and displays in hi. conversation
ly balanced and cultured mind. Old age is dealing
! gently with m and bis usefnl lie bids fair vet
to be prolonged these many years. Captain Col
by f4ther WAS the third lhhabtant of the town
OF Embden in its primitive days, and the place
was at hat time comparative wilderness, The
house where the subject of thi. sketch was born
was log hut. and the hardships which he en-
dured during bis early boy hood days will never
be rsceried The nearest neighbors lived three