Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-12-16
PITTS CENTENNIAL.


Great preparations were being made in
he town of Myckor for the celebration
OF the one hundredth anniversary of the
founding of the place.
The blocks were already decorated with
fancy-coIored buntings in all sorts OF de-
signs. Committees were hard at work on
various features of the programme, and
it would undoubtedly be grand affair.
Just across the bay, fifty minutes
sail lay the quiet little village OF Wake
(sIthough visitors usually declared that
'Sleep" would have been far more APP
propriste titlel.
On the sole steam boat wharf OF which
Wake boosted sat boy of fourteen, his
legs dangling over the edge of the pier.
He WAS apparently Indifferent to all the
world, but, in reality, engaged in pro-
found thought.
Pitt Bliss was often thus employed, for
good reason. too. He obliged TO
think for himself, to plan out all his little
pleasures, especially anything which re-
quired money.
lis father WAS poor blacksmith, with
an extravagapt. wife and grown-uu
daughter, besides children younger than
Pitt. What wonder, then, that " hen his
turn for Iuxuries came there was no
money left in the family purse?
OF course the aI-sbsorbing topic in
Wake was the approaching centennial ut
Wyckoff; and the little steamer Ruth"
Ws- to make an excursion, to which all
Were cordially invited, who had = 80 to
spare.
Every body wanted to go.
prss-mskers were overMorked by fair
young dsmsels, who expected to accom-
psny gay escorts. The only milliner WAS
Obliged to sit up until midnight every
nigh t for a week previous to The eyentiul
day in July.
Pitt sister Eva was making prepare
tions To spend the following Thursday at
Wyckof. she lost no oppori unity to
send her brother on some errand, when
ever he CHANGED 10 come into the house.
AS he entered bresthlessly on Monday
afternoon, she said 49,
Pitt, will you just run over to my
dressmakers aud carry this chiffon, to
put in the sleeves OF my dress? Then step
into Nj ISIS Ark's, aud tell her to pat two
more tips-w hite ones. remember my
hat she is trimming. saw one OF the
summer visitors at the Ocean hotel with
seven on hers, so | have decided to have
two more. II you viii do those two err
rands, my dear brother, I'll tell you all
about he centennial when get back. !
would GO myself but, you ST. there's All
those starch clothes to do to-day, aud n
thousand little tixings that iris slways
have to make ready
Pitt jumped on his wheel, and Was half
way down the street before she finished
her remarks. In fact, he had gone some
distance beyond the dressmaker's house
before he thought where he WAS sent. but
looked up in time to see the programme,
which was posted in the post office win
dow, and which he had read so many
times. That programme was the subject,
or rather cause, OF his meditations on the
wharf
'Ye-, will do it" soliloquized he, as
his eye fell once more on the words:
BICYCLE RACES p. NJ.
Al who wish enter, send in names before
the Soth.
first prize si0oain gold
second prize $500 In gold
Two years before our story opens. Pitt
began to save up money for bicycle.
He helped Farmer Ives every spring,
besides doing odd jobs about the village,
for which he was generously paid, being
favorite. 1t was one OF the happiest
moments OF his LIE " hen he was able to
mount his own W heel, and take spin.
He WAS now considered the champion
wheelman OF Wake, having won in all he
races with the other boys.
He must go TO Wyckof, and try for the
prize; but how to get there was the
trouble. Cash was scarce at home, he
knew, especially after the expenses OF his
sisters new tinery. He could not ask
father for it, and there WAS not much
chance 10 earn it.
Nv here there's a will, there's always
way thought Pitt, and, entering the
committee on races.
Then our friend began another perussl
OF the programme:
Yacht and Foot Races.
STREET Parade.
CREATIONS
Fire works and Band Concerts.
Pitts boyish heart bounded as he
thought OF the five bands, all in uniform,
that would play all DAY long proba bly,.
His dreams were troubled for the next
two nights, but on Wednesday evening
his mind WAS made up. There could be
no harm. He was somew hat acquainted
with the captain OF the Ruth; and,
W hen he kind heart ed man started ashore