The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-02-04
Memories of Seacliffe,
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HOW GOT THERE
AND WHAT EXPERIENCE ED AFTERWARD.
Written for the Republi can Journal.

1t was pleasant day in August when,
ing the evening air, friend called my
name, and looking up | saw a familiar
face and in the extended hand letter for
me, which he had just brought from the
Office. The postmark told me it was
from Seacliffe, and | broke the seal won
dering, as one is apt to do, what it's con
tents were to convey. Did anyone ever
receive a letter without a thrill of expec-
fancy Or speculation as to its contents 1t
is one of those things felt yet uneXplain-
able. | broke the seal and read an offer
to me of the school at Seacliffe. pleas
ant nook upon our broad seaboard. stat
ing, among other things, that board and
S14 per month would be allowed 1t was
to be an autumn term, and fourteen dol
lars per month for a new beginner at
teaching was not so despicable a sum per
month before the war as the higher rates
of to-day would seem to make it BY con
trast. | had wanted and was wanting to
try my hand at teaching and had attain
ed that proficiency in book learning that |
hoped would pass me safely through the
school committee $ examination, and give
me that priced document IA certificate. =
stating that the recipient had been duly
examined i'll reading, spelling writing,
,,.it n
found duly qualified to teach these
branches and others usually taught in our
common schools, and especially in the
----- term of Dist No. and that he
possesses good moral character
| sat for a time musny over the propo-
sition. Could | pass the dread ordeal
of the committees searching questions?
Could | successfully pass the, perhaps.
merciless examination Of a strange boardo
Then again having passed could ! sustain
myself as a teacher? Thus turning it
over in my mind and looking at it from
various sides | felt a courage and trust
and confidence springing up within me to
grapple with it. Young and inexperienced
as | then was. urging me to try. 50 |
resolved TO go: and by return mail after
sleeping upon it an1 finding my resolu-
tlon strengthened. returned IN acceptance
Mails then We're not daily at on town
The stage instead of the ears was the con
veyancc and a tri-weckly lean mail bag
the order OF the service How things
have changed iii mail BAGS As we'll rs
teacher ) WAGES.
1t was with feelings OF sadness that made
arrangements to part for time With the
old home friends, and yct ioy at the anlici-
patton of what was ahead. Did Won ever
help discuss that old question at the lyce-
um>, "KesolVed, That anticipation gives
more pleasure than rralization And
how have YOU found it. my reader i'll prac-
tice? Well, at length preparations were
ready, the good byes said, aid va were
on our way.
1t was 4 beautiful early September
morning when, at ) 4. VI, we left home
and all it contained that was near and
dear to ol,r youthful heart, and IN com
panN with a friend who was to drive is to
the steamboat wharf Set out over the
road thitlclNard. THE birds were sine
inc their early songs along the way AID
the dew lay heavily un the Grassy fields
and pastures. The early autumn IN uuet
beauty was smiling i'll It's freshness 1t
was 4 beautiful ride NTH agreeable COM
panionship. "" arrived at tie Wharf ana
hat some TIME to- lool, oveI tile ,iglt~ III
our country town. I'M ~hipyards We're
places OF busy industry In one WaS a
tine Ship LIN another -Unboat building
for the government, VIZ admired the
skill and ingenuity with which man Was
enabled to make the ocean his pathway
and build these great structures tu out
ride its Stor1ns and bear him and his
10 tal distant Chimes fostering commerce
and linking country With country. The
public buildings. the stately business
blocks and the fine city residences were
! in large contrast with the buildings of our
quiet country town. God made the
country and man the town: one is nee
essary to the other, and all trades and
honest callings are necessary to the vel
fare of both
At o clock the good steamer arrived,
coming gallantly up around the monu-
ment and making her wharf We were
soon on board and the freight was being
merrily hustled off and on bv the deck
! hands, The rattling and humming trucks.
the moving throng, the hiss Of escaping
steam. the arrival and departure of
! hacks, carriages and wagons, are all ia
miliar scenes on boat wharves A signal, a
, hand clasp, good bye, and the steamer is
swinging away for her course. The wharf,
the houses, tn, crowd, the city, drew away
/ and the shores slid by as we stood looking
at them, watching the white foamy wake
OF the boat and listening to the plashino
of her great wheels the thrashiny Of her
mighty engine and the dip and return of
the great walking beam above the upper
| deck.
Northpolt Camp Ground, with its green
grove, white tents and proverbial throng.
! The ramnmpptiDU was session ne