Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-26

lance down the bank 10 brick house, buils
by Ephraim Blaine, which is in better condi-
ton. When Mr.. Blaine drove over the
bridge up the narrow road that lies between
the house and the railroad track, and had
turned into the open yard. he leaped to the
| ground and helped Emmons tie the horses to
| tie chicken house. Then he stood pointing
out the scars on the old stone walls where the
plaster stucco had fallen of.
'How well l remember playing in this
yard" he said. sit was pretty lawn then.
No; don't remember much about the ferry,
tor that was done away with before l was
four years old"
John Hail, the tenant of the stone half Of
the house, stood leaning against the door,
pipe n mouth and hands 10 pocket. Scan
come in?" asked Mr.. Blaine. 81 want to
look at a room upstairs" Hall, who 10 a
democrat, excitedly made dive for his visit
or's hand and shook it hard. Then he led the
way in. The door opened directly into the
kitchen, where Mrs. Hall was putting dinner
on the table.
"Well, declare" she exclaimed. "Here's
Mr.. Blaine. I'm glad to see you. l am,
really, now. l remember your father we'll"
and she opened the door for the visitor to 90
up stairs. The party trooped after. There
were three upper rooms, all deserted, with
walls once white, with plaster hanging from
ceilings, the floor thick with dust and scraps
Of paper and straw, the windows dingy. Mr..
Blaine pushed open the door of the corner
room and failed to identity it. He glanced
into the others, shook his head and went out
into the open air.
We'll, it's pretty dingy place. now, isn't
it p was his final comment, as he pulled the
horses toward the ROAD. Mr.. Blaine added
that it seemed to him in some sense a desc
Grafton that the old home of his parents
should be so dIlapidated The old farm of
sixty-five acres which originally surrounded
1t belonged TO his grandfather, Neil Gillespie,
who built the house where Mr.. Blaine was
born. The property went to Mr.. Blaine's
mother, but the part back from the river on
the hill passed into the hands of her brother,
John Gillespie, and she afterward sold the
rest
RECOGNIZING OLD FRIENDS.
While Mr.. Blaine's visit to his birthplace
was the most dramatic event of the day, it
was preceded and followed by others of al
most equal interest. He and Elkins took a
long walk before break fast down the Eastern
river bank, and after breakfast a long line OF
people filed into the hotel to shake hands.
Among them was an old man with tangled
white beard reaching nearly to his waist. Il
grsspef Mr.. Blaine's hand, saying, "Don't
you know me ?" Mr.. Blaine gazed straight
into his eyes for nearly minute.
Don't you remember John Harb-" the
old man began, when Mr.. Blaine exclaimed
John Harbison-of course | remember you
and your partner, John Paul. l remember,
too. how good the grapes were in your back
yard, and how l used to climb the fence to
get them"
A wrinkled old Irishman with weakened
face rushed up, exclaiming, "Me God Mis-
ther Blaine, but it's moighty glad am to see
you"
"How are you, Johnny Malone" was the
quick reply. Johnny was farm hand who
worked over the whole region when Blai.e
was boy. Then an aged and very black ne
gress pressed up and seized MIR. Blaine's
hand in both hers. The tears poured over
her cheeks. and she sobbed violently.
"Whv, Aunt Hetty," Mr.. Blaine exclaimed
and Gained her agitation. Henrietta Harbi-
son worked in Neil Gillespies family when
little wench and she cooked the dinner that
President elect Harrison ate when journeying
to take his Inauguration. Mr.. Blsine slipped
yellow coin into the old woman's hand aS
she turned to go, exclaiming: "God bless
you, may you have health and happiness in
this world and home in heaven hereafter"
DRIVE TO THE CEMETERY.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when Mr.. Blaine
started with his companions for the ride that
was to last all day. The party drove first
up the steep hill to the Catholic church
aud cemetery which overlook the
town and river, and walked to
the graves of Mr.. Blaine's father
and mother and sister, Mrs. General Walker.
Mr.. Blaine and his sons stood with uncovered
heads while they read the inscription on the
handsome granite shaft which the son had
erected. The inscription reads:
EPHRIAM LYON BLAINE,
Born February 2S. 1896.
Died June 28, 1850.