Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-24
EXCURSION OF MAINE PRESS AsSo.
CATION.

within, the sunshine OF happy faces
laughing voices, and the chatter OF innum
cradle tongues; amid such pleasant sur.
roundings we started on our Journey.
At nearly every town the whistle Of the
locomotive called upon the weary Editor
to drop his pen, and hasten TO his friends.
They came hocking in with wives and
daughters until our numbers were so aug
mented we completely surprised and over
whelmed the good man at Bangor who
furnishes refreshments for man and beast,
but not for the whole Maine Press Associ-
alton.
We pride ourselves upon the fact that
two-thirds OF our number are actively en-
gagged upon the papers they represented,
but alas We found the worker is not al
ways the eater. Some OF our party HE'D
themselves to a hotel-to feast, and wait
for the Flying Yankee; the rest OF US swal-
lowed our disappointment for our suppers,
and entered the car for a nights ride.
With song and jest and general mirth
the hours and the train sped on till long
past midnight, when drowsiness settled
upon the noisy crew, and many head in
voluntarily sought the back OF seat or the
casing of window.
The change from train TO ferry-boat, at
Carleton, was gladly made as we luxuri-
ated in the thought OF speedy breakfast
and comfortable bed, soon TO be obtained.
Vain are the hopes OF man! The British
Lion was prepared TO feed the mighty
Eagle, but where TO bestow the various
members OF that anomalous creature was
a matter requiring consideration. Leave
the Yankee alone and he will take care of
himself if not OF several others at the same
time. We glor!fed three of the hotels OF
ST. John-The Dufferin, The waverly aud
The Royal, in all OF which we were we'll
pleased. The hotel parlors were particu-
larry delightful on account OF the absence
OF that boarding house air which usually
perysdes the public parlor. These rooms
were not only well carpeted and furnished
with lace curtains and window shades
but were furnished with good taste, adorned
with bric-a-brac and flowers, while well Sc
lected pictures hung upon the walls. The
rooms were evidently well ventilated and
used for social gatherings. We noticed
the indispensable stove, but It did not OBJ
trude itself
First we treated ourselves to an outward
application OF cold water, next delicious
hot breakfast, and then with great delight
We stretched our cramped and weary
limbs upon couch and lost ourselves in
sleep.
Ambitious ones, scornlng such waste OF
time, hired q carriage aud visited the
points OF interest" but were well paid
for trying to steal Ia march upon us-as
they We're obliged 10 revisit them all in the
afternoon.
About O'Clock a long line OF carriages
drew up In front OF the Royal Hotel, we'll
clad centenary drivers with button-hole
bouquets dismounted, and the ladies and
gentlemen from Maine were invited by
members of the newspaper fraternity OF
ST. John TO take ride. In groups OF four
we took possession, and were soon the OBJ
served OF all observers. Old men and
maidens, women and little children gazed
in establishment from the windows, or
stood with gaping mouths upon the corners
waiting for the line OF carriages TO pass.
Many and curious were questions We heard
as we hurried by. Being obliged TO 'do"
the city in one day, we could not fully sat
lSfy the wishes Of our kind friends, but we
greatly enjoyed the different views OF the
city and surrounding country We were able
TO obtain.
Our pleasure was greatly increased by
the courtesy OF Mr.. Reed who invited us
into his castle, where Princess Louise lived
while in St John. We followed her royal
footsteps all over the house and into the
cupOla. We admired the roomy hall, and
deplored the register" for We had hoped
to see the much-read-of open fireplace II
not the veritable wood fire so dear TO the
the British pen. We appreciated the pic
lures. mantel ornaments, and carpets,
while we formed high opinion OF the
Briton's honesty, as We saw all these ex-
posed 10 view while an army of workmen
were busy transforming the Castle into
Hotel,
None but q poet or painter should at
tempt TO describe the view from the roof,
so we leave 1t to the Imagination or the
reader, saying, IL you are are not satisfied,
90 and see for yourself. Mr.. Reeds gen.
erous heart was not satisfied with what ne
had done. so he sent profusion of flowers
10 the hotel, and early the next morning
was on the wharf to bid US adieu. We
were glad we had pleased him by keeping
the flowers over nighs and wearing them
where he could see them. We shall long
remember his pleasant countenance ana
cordial manner. The love OF flowers dis-
played by the people Of st. John is remark
able. There was scarcely house, howev-
er mean, without one or more poisoning
plants in the window. In some Of the more
pretentious houses every window was so
died. We regretted that very rough
and billy road with the lateness of the hour
prevented US from making close inspec-
ton OF the martello tower which looks
like q Yankee cheese box on hill.
Trinity Church delighted us. We found