Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-10-22
A Vacation Ramblc.

Amongst other calls that we made, we called to
see Lewiston Falls, but they were not at home
Instead OF the beautiful torrent of water, dashing
over the rocky barrier which barred its progress,
as we have seen it at other times, nothing was Wis
ible but dry and barren rocks. The whole vol
ume of the river is turned into the canals and
fumes which carry the machinery of this busy
place We were informed that the propretors of
the water power have purchased all the dams on
the Upper Androscoggin, heretofore owned by the
lumber dealers of the lMegalloway region, and
thereby control the water from Lake Umbago TO
Lewiston; but owing TO the drought they have
now no water to spare, and the falls go dry.
We spent an hour two in the morning riding
abou, these twin cities. To think how few years
have elapsed since here was nothing but little
village It was within the memory Of men now
living. Yet now the place is metropolitan in its
dimensions and whole appearance. Street after
street of handsome residences may be seen on
both sides of the river. until you tire OF rsvers-
ing them. These streets wide, neat, and orna-
mented with trees; and the houses are not crowded
together as though the world not large enough
for them. On the Auburn side. the Court House
is handsome building. We passed the hall of
| the Young Mems Christian association, churches,
school houses &C large shoe factory, stores and
offices. One large brick church model OF
fine architectural taste. On the Lewiston side,
we noticed the City Hall, Music Hall, and many
other fine buildings. Some of the stores and
dwellings are elegantly constructed. Most OF
| them are very substantially built, and have mas
sive and durable appearance The churches are
numerous costly, and some Of them in very good
taste. The college buildings we only at a
distance.
The crowHng feature of the Lewiston side, is
the immense factories that fill so large space,
and give employment to such multitudes of oper-
atives. Some of the corporations have had heavy
losses in one way another, but they have reor-
ganzed with new stock. Nothing has occurred
to check their onward progress. They are all
running, manufacturing great quantities of cloth,
paving their bills punctually, and giving life to the
business community in in all its departments.
At Sabbattisve, six miles from Lewiston, we
found more factories and pleasant little village.
We passed through part of Wales; but neither
the Prince of Wales nor his beautiful Danish
Princess appeared to show us the least attention.
History tells us that when Edward the first of
to give them native prince. lie fulfilled his
promise, for his queen gave birth to a son in Cae-
rnarvon castle in Wales and this little fellow was
created Prince of Wales, when he could not speak
any other language. But our modern Wales is
not limited to a modern prince for every man in
, it is king or prince. and bears part 10 the
government of the town, county, State and coun-
try if he chooses. just as in Germany, great fuss
has been made first and last over called the
Elector OF Hanover and one called became king
of England, and Victoria is one of his descend
ants; while in the little town of Hanover up the
Androscoggin, every male citizen Is an elector
and makes no noise about it. Our Wales is re-
gon of hills and dales, fields and forests with a
distant view Of mountains and is very pleasant
country.
The same may be said Of Litchfeld, the ad on-
ing town. The name Of Purgatory still adheres to
the pond but the neighborhood that used to be
known by that name, in the old days when rum
was the principal article Of consumption with
many of the inhabitants, is beginning in this age
of temperance ard prosperity, to be more apty
called Pleasant Valley.
Before closing these letters, will refer to one
or two omissions have made. On the second day
of our journey, nearly opposite Dixfed village,
we came to bridge that was being repaired, and
which we could not cross. This compelled us to
go perhaps half mile with our teams through
fields and pastures, letting down and putting up
bars, and exploring our way amongst knolls and
hollows, fences and trees. At last we came out to
another road, which led US across bridge, and we
found ourselves in the pretty little village of West
Peru, spo. we had never visited before nestled
down amongst the surrounding hills and noun
tsins. We soon, however, found our way back to
the banks of the Androscoggin, and pursued our
| onward course.
| forgot to mention a curiosity which we saw
at the Crawford House. 1t was a section of for
est tree perhaps three inches in diameter, and five
or six feet in length. out of which grew limb
nearly an inch through, which at the distance of
perhaps four feet again grew into the tree, so that
it was difficult TO determine which was the bottom
of the limb, or which the top. Since returning
home, | have seen in the possession of MIR.
Augustine Lord of Ilallowe similar curiosity.
Ii is of hornbeam, about four inches through,
and grew in Readfed. The limb is an inch
in diameter. and about three feet long. No one
can decide with any confidence, which is the bot
tom. and which the top end of the limb. VIII
the natursllsts and scientists who profess to ex-
plain everything, and never believe what they do
not understand, throw little Of their super r-abun-
dant light on these freaks of naturei
And now our excursion closes. 10 all its attep-
dant circumstances, except only the sad cause,
which detained two of our usual party from be.
ing with us, it was one of the most enjoyable oc
casions we have ever experienced. The weather
was perfect, the roads smooth. and mostly free
from mud or dust, the health of the party all that
could be desired, we were preserved from adverse
accidents, the scenery magnificent, and the whole
route one to be desired and enjoyed. MANY of
the pictures nature has impressed on our minds
will not be forgotten whilst memory performs its
office. In view Of the many uncertainties Of the
future, and the changes and chances incident to
human life, we may well conclude that
| ''Not another" ramble "lke to this
Succeeds in unknown fate"
PEN HOLDER.