The Somerset reporter., 1891-10-29
I'm Old Ouinnebasset. g"

Doubtless Sophie May the writer Of this de-
lightful book expected her readers to begin at
the first page but We confess to have been So
charmed with the page we happened on, that
we could not turn back until the last words OF
the story were read, and So tested the workman
ship in this fashion. How old this Quinncbas-
set was, let the fair maiden Elizabeth tell. 81
walk the chamber floor back and forth spinning
and saying to myself as | draw the thread, ON,
for Il booke and shade nook. But books are
scarce and shady hooks are hard to come by,
and twas treat when mother babe me 90 into
the woods this morning TO get spruce and win
tergreen for the beer" She goes up the train
ing held along the river bank toward Jubilee
HILL A canoe takes her up the river to the
"Ripplings" and just before this point is reach
ed the canoe is moored. Elizabeth standing on
the bank, her GRAND for the time forgotten, lis
tens to the story that was seventy years old,
Of the Wigwam Village where died Father
Rssle the devoted priest ofthe Holy Chapel of
the Sacred Heart. The story has new inter
est on this spring morning with kind look in
the sky and she pictures to herself the little
hamlet as it was when the good priest gathered
"his children" as he called them iii the little
chapel. But the present soon claimed our
heroine who is withal patriotic girl, and she
speaks Of Washingtons Inauguration. She
little thought on that April day that on the fol
he visited Boston. The Boston town of the
past how can We better see it than with Eliza
beth Van Arsdale Gilman. She has not been
there since she left 1t school girl and finds
that the 'training field has been enlarged by
adding Fosters pasture and they call it-Bos-
ton Common and sometimes the Mall King
street is State and Orange street has the name
OF Washington. 1--WE are plain freemen now,
and please God, well be freemen forever" rev
erently says our Quinnebasset girl.
The sight of Washington at the head of
grand procession rewards her patience, for the
people stood by the town pump waiting in the
bitter cold for hours to catch glimpse Of the
new President. AT the Governors Ball Eliza
beth tells us that the few words Washington
spoke to her would be remembered through life
81 was no longer little Betsey OF the back
woods. Twas transfgured TO queen If our
heroine reached home i'll quiet frame of mind,
remember she did not rush into the presence of
her family to tell Of the gay happenings, for she
journeyed week and over by stage. Nearly
frozen, this delightful girl tells us, II retired
within myself to indite little pnetry," and can
we not exclaim with her, blessed be the art
of poetiziDg."
The artistic writer has given as one picture
which without being next to Elizabeth in impor-
lance, must have been tenderly lovingly sketch
ed, it is so real and true. the sweet Grandmoth-
er, for there is but one in the story. The Ma
dame of the mantle we do not admit to our pic
lure gallery OF SAINTS. though TINS stately wor-
shipper not only awed and impressed all in
church, but with her convenient cough she is an
entertaining parsonage to aud an i'm
portant factor in the life Of Elizabeth Brice
Prescott is presented with great skill, and
whether as school-master or physician, we adj
mire his outspoken help in the temperance
work, and his sturdy patriotism. The "person-
able young parson" will amuse the reader, even
if he did not the children at least on the Lord
day, for "he smiles not till set of sun
The minor characters are well done we
cannot easily dismiss them to the chorus, per-
haps this is one Of the greatest charms of Sophie
May, all her people are SO interesting. There
is no lack Of lovers in this book, tine pretty and
bright Sally is, SO Elizabeth thinks, the cause
OF the many calls that are made at this quaint |
old house, the first in Quinnebasset. There is
pretty picture given us in the spinning cham
Der OF the tenderness which after all, conquered |
the wisdom unwisdom of the beautiful moth.
er who, having missed the heritage of Joy, but
just escapes causing her daughter to lose hers
While all in the family will want to read this
book, for there is something for all, yet our
girls will feel that it is one more precious gift
to them from their much loved Sophie MAY.
We in Skowhegsn are very proud Of our gifted
writer Of books IN the adjoining town Quinne-
basset. This delightful book is amonh the holi-
day books for sale by our popular booksellers,
Bixby x Buck. Lee & Shepard, Boston, pub |
fishers. |