The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-09-07
BLAME,S HOME LIFE.
THE PLAIN HOUSE WHICH SHELTERS
THE PLUMED KNIGHT.
Dr.. Philadelphia Press. !


Augusta, Aug. ga neat frame
house, large enough to hive good
sized family and always have space
left for few friends, stands in the
centre of an acre or SO of ground al the
farther end of the chief street of this
quiet town. There are pretty shade
trees in the yard. Graveled walks run
through the greensward and around
an occasional bed of flowers. It isn't
a pretentions place, by any manner of
means, and there are many far more
snowy houses within gunshot of it. 1t
has a quiet, contented air about it,
however, that attracts strangers, who,
while passing more imposing resi-
dences without inquiry, are almost
certain to ask when they reach this
one, "Who lives there?"
The flag stones that lead to the main
| entrance of the house are not barred
from the sidewalk by gate, and the
atch-string that swings from the door
knob, like the open entrance, seems
to beckon all who come within reach
of its charms to the masters presence
Yes; master, not only of this home,
but of great mind and of an eloquent
tongue. Master of most men in all
that make men noted in their gener-
alton and in the history of a powerful
nation. Commander of himself and
OF unpounueu RESOURCES III poiltics,
statescraft, debate, and in social quail
ties that knit men to him with steel
wire. Master of the art of welding
friends to his fortunes by audacious
courage and power of thought and
statement that is at once sublime and
convincing.
Just across the street the little gran
ite State House where he began pub
lie life, sits upon high terrace, and
almost before the place l have des-
cribed, the public park, that the State
owns. stretches off toward the river.
The State Capitol ground on one side
and this park with its depth shade on
the other, set the quiet home of James
G. Blaine in an attractive and appro-
pirate frame. How and why appro-
pirate will appear further on.
Augusta is not the most attractive
or busy place in Maine. 1t seems to
have been begun along the bank of
the river for business and to have
crept by slow degrees back upon and
over the summit of the hill as it began
to rely upon politics rather than trade
and manufacture for its growth and
dignity.
ALONG THE KENNEBEC.
One starts with favorable impress
sion of the capital of the Pine Tree
State when he first strikes the Kene-
bee River, upon which it is situated,
for he rides through thirty-three
miles of charming scenery in coming
here by the Maine Central Railway.
There are none of those grand land
scapes with the bold mountain view
softened by the fertile lowlands and
flowing water that one finds in such
rich confusion along the Juniata or
Susquehanna.
But there is a spot of mellow tint to
the scenery that is beautiful. The hills
| that slope back from the river are
Just high and rolling enough to make
fitting background to the restless
water that flows between them.
Then there is dark green to the foli-
age that is charming, and it seems to
vie with the river in the depth and
beauty of color. You get the best OF
the country along the stream, famous
for its ice.crop, in going from Bruins
wick, the place from which 1 last
wrote, to Augusta. 1t is ride
through stretch of beautiful country
kept chilly enough by the presence oI
great ice-houses to make thick clothes
comfortable on the hottest summer
day.
"There is no counting the tons oi
ice taken off the river every year,
said typical Maine Yankee, who sa
by my side while enjoying the ride
His nose was sharp enough for an ic'
pick and his face as cold as an iror
wedge. 1 had surmised he was in the
ice business before he spoke. ~ an
known" he continued, "as the ice cate
of the Kenebec, and know what Tn
talking about. 1 got the name because
I'm boss hand, and can house NOR
frozen water i'm given time than an.
man on the river" And from tn
time he sighted the stream until tn
train reached here he told me quee
stories of the ice gathering season il
Maine.
Mr.. BLANE's HOME.
From the railroad station down nea
the river to the place on the hill, a dis
cription OF which begins this letter,
something more than a mile. l foun,
my way to the pleasant spot this even
ing, and was cordially received by 1t
proprietor. There is nothing show.
inside of the house more than on til
outside. Everything is arrayed TO
comfort rather than display. Parlor
drawing, library, ,all are filled and fitte'
as unpretentiously as though the maj
who owned them was the village law
yer. or perchance preacher. Tn
townfolks tell me that it was bull
many years ago, before the landlor'
was the great man he now is, and tha