The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-27

Necessity is the mother OF invention, and
the sterner the necessity the more enec-
tive the invention often. The Dexter ga
zette gives notable instance. In the midst
of the recent fire in Corinna Mr.. I. +. Bur
rlll saw einder light on the roof Oh his mouse
and slowly but surely develop into deVour-
ing flame. Everything about his premises
that would hold water had been surrendered
to the use Of the fire fighters and he was ao-
solutely without means TO convey water 70
his burning dwelling. TO hesitate was 10
lose all. But he didn't hesitate. Rushing to
the pond near by he sat down in the water,
then with all the moisture lie could absorb
about his person he fastened up the ladder
which rested against the caves Of his building
and most effectually sat down upon that
blaze.
Some Of the pioneer mothers OF Cumber-
land county were women of nerve. The
Bridgton News relates how Mrs. Ebenezer
Choate, mother Of Mr.. Leander Choate, OF
Bridgton, used to journey alone from Bridg-
ton to Essex, Mass, in the day before the
stage coaches came. She went on horseback
through the forests primeyal. On one occa-
sion, far from any help in the depths Of the
depths and with no help near, her
horse refused to go. After vain endeav-
OTS 10 DtISuduC buC Dcdots MIS-. NuOdbO AOhha
that radical measures must be taken. SO,
lifting the butt a stout riding whip, she hit
the beast a blow in the head that knocked 1t
over stunned When the horse arose 1t was
willing to go where its mistress directed.
Like some Of the modern women, Mrs.
Choate seems to have liked to create SEN
sation, for 1t Is recorded that on reaching
Essex she "put the horse into q dead run
creating fiutter Of excitement among her
old neighb0rs as she dashed into the place."
A Colby professor of Latin and Brown
professor Of Greek INDUCED In little rival
ry in a Providence (R. I.) auction room that
was expensive while 1t lasted, but pleasant
after 1t was over. A piece Of real estate,
valuable as an investment, was for sale. The
Greek professor from Brown was promis-
ing bidder from the start, and finally there
were only two bidders left, Prof. Harkness
and clerical and scholarly looking stranger
whose general air and manners showed that
he was not Rhode Island man. Each gen
tleman raised the other S25 on each bid, un.
til Prof. Hardness began to look a little anx-
ious. He hesitated once, went the stranger
S25 better and then let go. The estate was
knocked down to his competitor at $3.50.
ALI were somewhat curious to agcertain who
the dignified investor was, and sought his
name, Prof darkness among the others.
The latter was somewhat surprised when a
friend introduced the purchaser as Prof. j:
Latin at Colby. The Brown professor, who
is the owner Of property adjoining the prem
ises sold, heartily congratulated the success
full purchaser.
Harper's Bazaar notices the work Of one Of
Names remarkable boys. "The case Of Ar
thur Elmer Hatch Of Lewiston, should act
as a stimulant upon the energies Of the lag
ging student" says the Bazar. young
Hatch is the son Of poor parents, and is stone
blind, having lost his sight by disease when
only two years old. He was sent to the
South Boston Institute for the Blind for 10
years. and there received common school
education, and learned the trade Of chair
bottoming. Then he came home thirsting
for higher education. He went to the Lew
iston Academy, where he graduated with
honor. notwithstanding the difficulties snr-
rounding him. The way he learned his les
sons was by having his mother read to him
those that were in English. while his fellow
students helped him with Latin and
Greek. To study geometry he devised an
arrangement Of pins and strings. After leav-
ing the academy he worked at his trade
year, in order to earn money to enter Bates
College, where he graduated this summer,
carrying two prizes off with him. There are
few such cases Of perseverance and pluck on
record"