Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-14
LOVE IN THE WOODS.
Augusta Man and Girl Lives
Three Months in a Shanty.
They Dispense With Marriage cere-
mony But Are Very Happy
Until the Law Steps in and Breaks Up Their
Little World.

been disturbed by the conduct of man
ana woman giving their names as Mr.
and Mrs. Perkins. who have been liv-
ing together in a frame house in the
woods near here. The circumstances
are certainly unique and decidedly in
teresting.
The good people could not tolerate
them any longer, and Miss Estelle NJ.
Brainard, president of the Kennebec
County W. C. T. T., wrote the county
authorities to have the matter investi-
gated.
To that end Marshal II. T. Morse of
Augusta came here, Saturday. and
took the persons to Augusta, where they
belong. Their names are Fred Britt. a
man of is, and Miss Mary Stevens,
aged II.
The story Of their elopment from Au-
guesta is a somewhat long one. The
girl claims that her parents shamefully
abused her. They live in the town
house located in Augusta near the
almshouse. The father. John Stevens.
is said to be a useless sort of man, and
what living the two get outside of city
assistance is brought in through the
efforts CT his wife.
In such q nome as this, Mary was
brought up. She is pretty, and we'll
behaved, and can read and write. The
Augusta authorities know nothing
against her, previous to this affair, and
Marshal Morse. who came here after
them. Saturday. told the writer that he
..l1,a 10
girl. and, for all he could see. Britt and
she had been living in the woods to-
gether as happy as Two kittens, not
withstanding reports to. the contrary
about Britt's abusing her, and drinking.
Britts life has been an altogether diff
ferent one from that of the young girl.
He is known there as a heavy drinker.
He is several years her senior, being
over So. The strange, though not alto
gether so very strange part of 1t isthat,
during the three months they have been
living together, most of the time being
spent in the house in the woods, Britt
has behaved himself, and, the girl says.
treated her with all gentleness, and
made her life such a happy one that
she was sorry 20 leave it.
That with this happiness went some
deprivations, neither she nor any OF
the people who have visited them can
deny. For she has received much in
the way of clothing from the kindly
disposed people, who pittied her.
1t seems that Britt and the young
woman We're in love. she wanted to
marry him, last summer. but her par
ents refused She was not then quite
1G, her birthday anniversary coming in
November. She says she simply
couldn't stand the abuse she suffered
at home, and as Britt was kind to her,
she determined TO run away with INN.
Run she did. They first went to IoGus.
which they left for Oakland. They
went from there 10 Whitefield finally
locating in this frame house. which they
have made their home. They left Au-
gusta, September -.
The house is about u by 16 feet, ana
q simple frame structure, such as Is
generally used by woodsmen. 1t be-
ongs to the Littlefield brothers OF Wins
low, who own the land and timber
IhoreabolIts. Tho latter made arrange
nonts with Britt toachop up wood al
- cents a cord. In this way, he says,
ne has been earning about $Lo0 day.
On this. he and the girl easily llVed'
ont. as has been stated. spent little on
clothing, evidently working the good
oeople fos these articles, hers at any
ate.
When they arrived at the house in
he woods. there was an old man living
here. named Spauiding. Spaulding was
, bad man. it is said, and no one has a
wood word for him. He disappeared, |
some time ago, leaving them in charge.
With the money Britt earned, Mary
brought provisions in the town. 1t IS
,bout / p miles from the shanty, ana
,ver half q mile from the main ROAD.
.oadway leading in to it. 1t was on
hese excursions that the girl attracted
he attention of the people. They liked |
nor appearance one and all. ana as |
hev grew to like her, they hated him |
accordingly. Her appearance, or rather
he appearance of her clothing aroused |
heir svmpathies. and they gave her |
.srio,,s kinds of wearing apparel. Britt |
.laims to have bought her some
The house where they lived is indeed
1iserably furnished. 1t contains
tove. and with plenty of wood around
hev had no trouble in keeping warm
The stove was a good one Tor
oolinc. and .ney Jared fairly well. AS
an. tunitllre however. there was noun
ng TO speak of in this line. Inc ohiE
wo chairs which the place contained
ad no backs, and the two board puhhs
n one corner of the only room-for
here were no partitions of any kind
rere filed with straw. without the
oerest apology in the shape of cover
no II was this neglect and unkempt-
ess that aroused in the people addi-
ional pity for the girl.
There was also in the house cross
apged table evidently used as a meal
able. and a grind stone for sharpening
he axes.
How long their life would have there
optinued is doubtful, as it IS known
hat the Littlefield brothers had about
ot through WIN him. not from any
ense of being dissatisfied with ms
,ork because he is able, and consclen-
ions enough in that direction. IL
aems that the work was about done
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