Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-05-16

Harbor, which was also her own birth
| place, and the scribe hesought her with
much pleading that she would stir up the
| people to GO on with the building.
And Nellie, moved with compassion
and moreover having at heart the future
| good OF her native place, gathered about
her all the youthful ones of the land and
spake unto them after this manner:
''Oh, We slothful ones, why sit We idly
down with folded hands, when the seat
Of learning which Is meant to enrich you
and your children and your childrens
children even unto many future genera
tions, hath not yet received its founda-
ton stones? Come pray you, arise with
haste and let us show to the elders and
the scribes what great things We can do.
And she spake vet again, saying: eve
ill labor diligently with the needle, and
then gat her together all the products of
our skill and handiwork into the market
place, and we will make a great festival
! which hall be wonder and admiration
/ TO all who behold the display, and people
/ Will come from the uttermost parts OF the
cart to buy our goods, and thus shall our
! treasury be filed, and right speedily the
/ house for the books shall be builded-an
ornament to the land and a blessing to
the people" and her hearers hardened TO
the words OF wisdom that fell from her
lips.
And Immediately the young women
banded themselves toget her in council,
and appointed committee to give it a
name of good import, and Nellie, the
leader, and Katherine, the wife OF Will
! liam, and Katherine, the young tax col
lector, reasoned with one another and
said: 10. it shall be called the Owl
| club, after the round-eyed birds OF
| Minerva, the goddess OF wisdom" And
the council saw that it was very good.
Chief councillors were appointed to de-
wise schemes for money making, and
| divers committees chosen to levy tribute
upon the inha bitants for food and such
things as were needed from time to time.
Now there was one OF the band, a fair
maid, Grace by name and graceful by
nature, who was skilled in fall kinds OF
fine and dainty needlework, who though
sojourning in far country, yet found
!
fabric and fashion lace decked covers for
the festival; moreover, having the pen OF
ready writer, she indited chain letters
to bespeak few farthings from open
! handed lovers OF learning, and of the
| tribulations and vexation OF spirit it
caused her.
! Verify large book might be written
! concerning these things, and thus the
good work went on. There was hurrying
to and fro among the jealous ones; orders
given and countermanded, and though
| idlers tried the patience OF the leader and
| chief councillors, the notable day of the
| festival drew near. The spacious lower
room of the town house was made ready
| for the great event. Charles, the son OF
| Albert, who had travelled in distant
! lands and seen many fanciful devices of
adornment, was made chief of the deco
rators, and tents and stalls We're erected,
green trees spread their branches, and
bright garlands and waving banners
festooned the market place. while gray
owls sat unblinking overhead.
Fair women and bright maidens, clad in
soft raiment, bartered and sold fine linen
and household goods, kerchiets and san
dals, toys and gewgaws, besides much
fruit, cakes and Others things pleasant to
| the taste. Multitudes gathered to price
| the wares. Many came from Manset, a
southern province; some were jewellers Of
| the region about Seal Cove and Bass iar
Dor, and yet others from the mountains
of Somes' Sound, for the fame OF the
Tot bad ohr
much people focked into the town, and
they all marvelled greatly at the wonder
full doings of the Southwest Har Dor Owls
Musicians played skilfully upon instru-
ments OF brass, making stirring sounds of
| martial music.
And there came into the midst soldier
OF the republic, who was also vender OF
| jewelry, and he reasoned within himself
saying: Behold a vast multitude is
here, what binders me to offer my wares
for sale? Peradventure if do well will
share the profits with the Owls" for he
wist not that he should be stumbling
| block in the way OF the cause he fain
would aid. So he lifted up his voice and
| made known the price OF his orna-
ments, which were Of gold and OF silver;
and the chief councillors We're patient
and would not bid him hold his peace
nor cast him out, because Of the good will
he had shown in buying freely of their
merchandise.
And it came to pass when the festival
was ended and the people departed, that
the leaders and committees rejoiced ex-
ceedingly over the great gains found in
the treasury, and when the glad news
came to the ears of the rich benefactor
Mathews, he said within himself: 10.
his is a shining example of industry and
must needs be encouraged" So he sent
score and five dollars to be counted also
: h..,. Lodi l.