The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-05-01
SELECTED.
After Five Years Absence.


AGAIN AMONG OLD FRIENDS IN FAMIIIAI
PLACES.
1t always brings JOY TO the hearts oil
those who have long been absent from
their home to return to the old spot where
they passed the years of early life, and
mingle once more among those who In
other days manifested by word and deed.
Interest in their welfare. Such were the
feelings OF the writer, after an absence of
five years from the thriving village where
the REroRTER now is and has been, pub
lished for more than quarter of n century.
And now again, after mn absence of
another five years, he finds himself on the
streets of Skowhegan, mingling with those
whose Dames and faces are familiar to him
Before making mention of men and affairs
Mt the stopping place, few notes on local
matters along the line of the Maine Central
Railroad, en- route to the objective point,
may be interesting to the reader.
After AN absence of five months at the
'hub' of New England, the writer made a
| short sojourn at his home in the Forest
city, then he again started ON the road and
| spent an evening of enjoyment among
friends and acquant nces in the classic
town OF Brunswick, where scenes of early
years were recalled. There have been
marked changes and Improvements in the
old town since the writer's first visit forty
three years ago.
Continuing on-a day and evening al
the capital city gave an opportunity to
note the march of progress. Skilled arti
Fans and industrious mechanics have reared
TINT elegant stone structure, the new Post.
office building, an ornament to the city,
and public necessity for conducting the
immense postal business of that place
The citizens of Augusta have Just reason
to be proud of so grand and commodious
post ofhce. Credit is due to Postmaster
slanley and his associates for Their efforts
III moving the arm that opened the strong
box at Washington, and procured the gold
and silver to perfect the work.
The enlargement and Improvement of
the old State House is matter of public
interest and concern. The legislators of
Maine i'll 1883 were men of wisdom and
far sightedness, MS by theit voices they
decreed that henceforth and forever the
State Capitol shall abide at Augusta, and
that the Legislative halls shall lie IN style
and character BETTING the dignity of the
men VINO may occupy them throughout
coming generations.
Passing the open door of the Maine
Farmer Office, the writer cnught glimpse
OF the physlognomy of the facetious How
ard,-more respectfully speaking
esteemed brother Owen, associate editor of
that valuable agricultural journal. A
little time was occupied IN pleasant chat
ting with editor Badger. Brother Owen is
always busy with pen and scissors, but
manages to steal few moments To recall
events OF ''ye oldeu time" some of the
pleasing Incidents connected with the ex-
cui sion of the Maine Press Association to
Quebec, in 1878, and read few extracts
from his original primer ON "Pnssiug the
Custom House at Island Pond" and nu-
merous sharp personal hits, which are
Characteristic of the knight of the quill so
well known in old kennebcc
An evening spent among the members of
Asylum Lodge |. o. o. + i'll their new and
elegant hall, was "A specially enjoy abe oc-
caslon to the writer, being his first visit 10
| the Lodge after an absence of six wears.
IL Afforded an opportunity to renew old
Appropriateness aud fonm many new and
! pleasant ores.
The sun of Saturday morning shoue
brightly through the windows of the
dwelling OF our hospitable ENTERTAINERS,
Mr.. and Mrs Brown, on Winthrop street
taking the early train eastward. an
hours pleasant journeying brought the
travellers to Pittstield. when mine ho st and
genial friend Owen again was on hand but
this time 1t WAS Owen Bhckden, proprie-
tor of the l.ancey House, who extended n
cordial welcome and made the writer s
sojourn over the Sabbath highly enjo, able
Landlord Blackden has hosts of friends
among The travelling public, and makes the
patrons OF his house happy and conten,ed
They always come the second time. The
old adage, 'the longest why round is the
surest way home" induced the writer to
pro ure ticket direct for Oakland Mon
day morning, and change cars at that point
for Norridgewock. over the Somerset GA |.
Time has worked many changes IN that
ancient town of Somerset County. The
sound of the grinding has ceased in the
small stream, and the buildings have pu,
out their signal to be taken down. A no.
tieeable improvement appears in the cree.
ton of large building on Depot street
occupied by Me'srs Murphy and Ingalls,
manufacturers of clothing. The upper
story is owned and occupied by the Odd
Fellows Lodge.
The various industries of the town fur.
II
rank in wealth and social prosperity with
their neighbors in other towns equally
favored.
The principal attraction for the writel
during his stay in the place was the meet
ing OF Quinnebasset Lodge, which though
young MS an organization is increasing in
membership and prosperity. The mem
bers are united and jealous in the work OF
the order, and the results OF their effort,
are manifest in the field of their operations
During the past year two of the activ.
members of tho Lodge have been removed
from the scenes IF earth to the spirit world
The loss of such estimab!e brothers al
Frank Lawton and Fred A. Spauldiug car
ri-s sadness into the hearts Of those who
daily associated with Them III dispensing
the principles Of bsnevoience and charity.
} The gathering clouds Of the night parted
at early dawn Tuesday morning, and Their,
came forth from the heavens q rushin,
mighty wind, sweeping over the snow -clnt
hills at the north, aud there appeared NOR
than one Harry Gill upon the street, who's
teeth chartered, and ~ he buttoned his Goa
cloaelv about his body. thew chatterad