Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-02-20

Rural Life and Character, and "Sac,
Valley Fireside Tales, are all chapter,
that win amply repay the closest reading
not only for the vast amount of informa
ton they contain but also for the enter
tanning manner in which it is conveyed
After all, these pictures of the early day.
OF the Saco valley are but counterparts q
tie carly days of other New England com
munities
One of the most valuable portions o
this work, and feature almost unique il
It's way, will be found in the hundre,
odd pages devoted to Saco Valley Fire
side Tales. Aside from their histori,
truth, and the Important side lights the,
throw upon the early life of the com
munity, these stories have an absorbina
interest of their own. and prove anew The
force of the old adage that Truth i.
stranger than fiction"
Every pioneer settlement has its "Pc
culiar Characters, who combine a rugged
independence, with originality, and
whose acts and words become house.
hold talk They are far enough in ad
vance of civilization" to be unhampered
by It's conyentionalisms, and to create. in
a large measure, the atmospheres in
which they move.
Patchwork and Quilting Frames, "
Signs and Superstitions, " The Old
Militia Train Band Hunting, Trap
ping, and Fishing. are all chapters that
are full OF interest and value.
No less than 773 pages of this book are
devoted to Family Histories In his
portion Of the work is embodied the
histories of no less than 1876 families
| .,f IL - L
with the life Of our State.
The work throughout is handsomely
| illustrated Among the numerous por-
traits is an excellent one of our own Con
| gresham Milliken
| As we have already mentioned, Mr.
! Ridlon's book is rich in old-time anec-
dote and reminisccnce. Among them are
a number related of Daniel Decker,
familiarly known as Uncle Daniel, ;"
who was, in his time, the most widely
known and most original wag in the
Saco valley. Ne quote the following:
While AT work on Saco river. at one
time the drivers boarded for "A few days
at new place, where the good woman
was not acquainted with Uncle Daniel.
/ When at dinner one day they were some
what disturbed Try the lusty crying of
great, ungainly boy in the room, and
amused by the solicitude Of its mother,
who continued to cxcain: 4 do wish
somebody would tell me what that child
wants Madam, responded Uncle
Daniel. can tell you what that child
wants. Well, Mir. Decker ! wish you
would " That boy, continued the old
man. wants strip of shingle about two
inches wide Exit mother and child.
rou, d,ve arta,. N, coooeinn ,nantioro1
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