Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-08-24
A POETS CASTLE,
Graceful Little Ceremonies at tho Laying of
tho Corner Stone in E. C. Stednaan's
Summer Home

Graceful little Ceremonies at tho Laying OF
the Corner Stone in e. C. stedman's
Summer Home.
The corner stone Of the new cottage Of the
poet Edmund Clarence 6tedmaa laid OF
New Castle n. H, with pleasant bnt informal
ceremonies last week. His lot is situated on
Jaffrey Point and is approached from the main
road through lane bordered with old gray
stone walls covered here and there with wild
roses, just now in full bloom. 4 more lifting
spot than New Castle for o poet to build his
home in could scarcely bo found
An The for sres fhs past n oo y Wp
worth" this picturesque island has been given
over to solitude, except for the little fishing
village Derched one side, it is as historic as
beautiful. Directly opposite, SIX miles away.
is Mrs Thaxter, the songstress of the Isles Of
Shoals. he records of early days show 8
long procession OF dstlng Iished men touching
at these shores-discoverers, warriors, states
men, kings and presidents First among them
are the names of Capt. John Smith, whose monu-
ment may be seen on Star island, ard Samuel
Talleyrand and Louis Philippe. Mr. Sted-
mans house, which is to be an artistic one, ia
designed by the young architect. Mr. E. nj.
Wheelright, Of Boston, who has just conn leted
The mansion, situated near by, Of Mr. Jacob
Wendell, of New York A conspicuous feature
the native gray stone of the island. 1t stands
on rocky point, the foundations Of tie tower
rising from ledge OF which it seems to be s
part It will be composite structure, largely
made up of resemblances, in its stone work, to
the Norman style, and in its wood work to that
of Queen Aune, though the whole design
original creation on the part of the architect
At 1890 on Monday the corner
stone was gracefully laid by Mrs. Sted-
man, who formed the center of
fi%f1 DT bar hnol
architect, the master mason, few friends and
the workmen, after which goble. OF red wine
was poured over it amid three rousing cheers.
In leaden box placed under the stone were
copies Of Mr.. Stedman's works, with the poems
of his mother, Mrs, Elizabeth G. Kinney. aud
those of Mrs. Thaxter and Mr.. Albee photo
graphs of the family, some coins, newspapers
Of date, Mr.. Wheelright's drawings of the house
and various documents, After some punch
had been enjoyed by the guests and workmen,
poetical interluds, written for the occasion
by Mr. Albee, was charmingiy spoken by MI.
Albee's two daughters, Esther and Louie, as
sisted by Miss Edith Couss and Master Jack"
Wendell 1t was as follows:
LOUIE.
Whose walls are these, whose rising tower
BY our old Fairy Field" find?
Who thus defes the Oceans power
Where earth her realm has half rssigned2
ESTHER.
poet! None but poet dare
w I'LL Wual ne loves 10 DOiuly p6oRos
And here, long years may ruin spare
The stone he joins to Einared Lodge
EDITH.
Yes; soon in all he dreams OF home
For love, for friends, for toll or ease.
May Muse and yonder fairies come
With gifts and songs his years to please.
JACK Ito Mrs. stedman).
And give to her whose careful aid
VIII deck these walls with bsauty's art,
- The Graces touch and Laurel shade,
And blend witn all her woman's heart
CHORUS Coy ALI.
Der all the architect has planned,
And all the dexterous masons wrought,
We hold trusting, helping hand,
And join with theirs our friendly thought
Dear friends aud neighbours soon TO- be,
Accept our hearts and hands to-day:
And here, beside the listening sea,
b Your cornerstone we Joyful! lay
After come impromptu toasts and responses
and neighbors stroled home over the beach
and new-mown hay Immediately upon the
conclusion OF the little ceremonies, Mr. Sted-
man went to Portsmouth to take the train for
New York. He will returl again in August
Mrs. Stedman meantime occupying the pretty
cottage OF Prof. Bartlett, which stands on
q hill near By, from which she can overlook
during the summer the rising walls of her new
home. During the laying of the stone q large
black eagle called across the sky, and for a.
short time in the afternoon of thas day, away
toathe south, a rare and beautiful mirage Has
sesR over and about the Isles Of shaala. 4