Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-11
MAINE GOSSIP.

Androscoggin county has produced some
famous jokers and among them must be
counted Uncle" Johr Cole, Stephen Bray,
Uncle Steve" and Mr.. Pompilley. a
few of whose pranks are related by Lew
ston Journal correspondent. OF the three
men "Uncle John" was, perhaps entitled to
first rank and the stories told concerning
him are almost inuumerable.
They tell story of one os Uncle Johns
tricks that took place before he was con
verted. One evening he and other young
men, Or rather boys, went to prayer meet
ing. They used to hold their meetings In
private houses. Blocks were set on end
ard planks laid across for seats. Old Mr..
Bennett Pompilley was q good man and al
ways took part in the meeting. He was
very much addicted to the use of tobacco.
When he knelt down to pray he would re-
move bis quid, lay 1t on the bench before
him and return 1t to his mouth when he had
concluded.
Before John Cole went to the meeting
that night. he prepared n taste of the barn
yard for Brother Pompiiley.
When Uncle Bennett knelt down and
closed his eyes, John reached forward and
changed "cuds." After concluding his
prayer Mr.. Pompilley picked up bis tobac
co. as he supposed. placed it in his mouth
and gave one or two slow motions of his
jaws But suddenly he elected !: with the
inquiry SIS John Cole here:'
One of those lsnx, long, green looking
fellows came into the village one day. Uncle
John went mp TO him. gfasped him BY the
hand AID looked him earnestly in the face
saying "Why, how are you?"s giving his
hand hearty shake when did yon come
down. How 10 your father and the folks !?
/ haint seen him for a long time" Thus
be Piled him with questions thick and fast
for five minutes, giving him Intermittent
shskes Of the hand
The fellow could only grin and blush. and
utter unintellisible sounds. Finally be
gasped out. II don't seem TO know you
Nor you" replied uncle John, dropping
bis hand and turning away with straight
face.
Uncle John sometimes found the joke
sgainst him. The ladies' used to holl their
sewing circles around from house to house
Mr., Leavit. lived 10 the ell of his house
and Mrs. Lsavis; entertained the circle one
afternoon. To help out the trest Mrs.
Cole, Aunt Sally" as she was called gave
Mrs. Leavitt some cheese. Uncle John.
fat and jolly, msie one of the party. and
kept the ladies laughing with his cranky
stories. During Refreshments he ate i'm
moderately of the cheese. Next day at
dinner cheese was passed to him aud he
declined to take any. by the way, moth
err" he said. ''that was noble cheese Mrs.
Leavist had yesterday. I ate until was
ashamed. wonder where she got it,"
Aunt Sally'e eyes snapped. as she re-
piled. "You have been eating Oh from the
other half Of IL for Q month.
Yesterday was such day - made farm
ere hustie, and all of them we're glad of
the chance. The "hustling days" this
spring, 90 far. have been very few.
Bath Times The way Bath built steam
efs have captured the hearts of the Port
lAndeSs 10 something amszng. The Port
land. Winthrop ard Cottage City are to be
followed by another craft of the same
ely lie from our Iron Works and still the
orders come in as fast As our builders can
take care of them.
In the town Of Mschias a-e two Districts
kDuNu ~ EStt AnI week heOEe0ec LIS
sricts-so called became they we're largely
settled by people from kennehec county.
The Republican says that the part taken iu
the Rebellion By citizens Of these districts
shows . record Of .stric:ism equalled by
that Of few communities II any. Of an
equal number Of families, anyvhere in the
country. These districts embraced forty
eight homes at the outbreak Of the Rebel
lion, and they sent forty. four soldiers to
the frort. One Of these, Capt. William
II. Sboppee. rose from a private to the
rank Of captain. and fell dead at the head
Of his company in tbs fatal charge at Pc
sersAurg On the essh Of June. Three at
tained the rank Of lieutenant. and nine
that of sergeant sixteen were killed in bat.
tie, and one starved to death in the prison
pen a. Abdersonvslle. Seventeen others
we're wounded One mother sent three of
her boys. two Of whom we're killed at
Spottsy lvania. Oh the number Who vent
70 the front twenty six lived to return heme.