The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-04-07
Here and There. No. 8.

Hawthornes. Nathaniel Hawthorne,
'shy recluse" that he was in the early
days, and at times all through his life,
had much in common with his younger
friend and neighbor. But this neigh
Dor, one may be quite sure, only made
use of the long avenue in winter time,
though the breath of almost tropical
sweetness belonging to the Balm.o Of
Gilead trees. which welcomed the sum-
mer visitor of the "Manse" was
surely part of the old-time-ness. Very
likely Thoreau would have been glad if
the pleasant avenue had been marked
by the strong growing pine, the tree he
loved and talked much about with that
other tree lover, Hawthorne. The ap-
Pile tree described so often in their writ
ings seems very much the same, and
frequently puzzles the reader until one
remembers the bit of genius relation
ship and the love for well known trees
which seemed to unite these writer's.
Perchance the casual summer visitor
entering by the front door and adyanc-
ing, hesitated at each inviting room on
getting a glimpse of the old orchard,
where they might have seen Thoreau
mooring his boat bent on a morning call,
returning book, and very likely wish
ing no other visitors were present hav-
ing in mind quiet row on the RIVER
with Hawthorne. Although after Tho
reau had written so discerningly and de-
lightfully of nature and her works, he
was invited to travel and urged to do so,
he declined rather CURLY, it may be fear
ed, he never refused one feels sure a
walk with his nature loving Hawthorne
or the other poet friend, who SO truly
appreciated him and shared their walks
to Walden Pond. While we can think
quite easily of Hawthorne as living in
the "Old Manse" it is impossible to set
Thoreau down in any one spot
Living quietly in New England and in
one town for the most of his life he yet
seemed to belong in special sense to the
broad world of natures own. How he low
ed Concord, but his little humble house
built by himself, we do not usually think
of as his home. Near by was the valid
en- pond, mirroring the changing skies
and cleaning sands, also the oncord
river where he found his boat al
ways awaiting his pleasure. AS he
drifted on the calm stream noting the
seasons passage by the appearance of
the flowers be was at home. There was
a curious vein of contrariness mingled
with humor that causes a ripple of
amusement often, as when friend re-
ceived his book ON "Kane's Arctic Re-
gion," which Thoreau had borrowed, it
was accompanied with the assertion that
Probably the same phenomena here
noted might we'll be found in Concord
at any time" This humorous childlike
directness with which he went straight
for the mark might have come from his
surveyor training. In the days when
he greatly sympathized with the anti
slavery workers, he declared by way of
notice in various places that he should
speak on the subject himself, giving the
time and place. 1t came 80 suddenly
that friends proud, as they certainly
were of their townsman, demonstrated
with him as to its being very unfavor
able time urging him to defer it, but
Thoreau was equal to even this emer-
gency. He replied that che did not ask
advice only stated his determination of
speaking and speak he did to a crowd
ed house and with good effect. A case
quite unusual perhaps of an audience
being urged to appear instead of the
speaker.
Walden Pond was quite a distance
from Harvard university and its library,
though one fears that the quiet student
pond dweller would have argued that it
was quite near enough as he could sup
ply himself with all the books he needed
at the time he required them. One day,
we read, he had presented himself to
the librarian asking for books. Har-
wards polite official very carefully ex-
planned that as he was no longer stu
dent, neither a , ambridge resident, he
could not be said to be included in the
list of these privileged takers of books.
| But ThOreau demonstrated very fOrcibly
that he needed the books and must have
/ them, but concluded after a little to re-
move all trouble of further explanation
from the librarian who was no match for
such character. He went direct into
the august presidents seclusion and
simply asked for such books as he
should be able to find.
He was politely referred to the libra
rian and what was the wonder of the
man when he learned that the regular
routine had already been attended to.
Still the president gave him the same
reasons for his being denied and it
would so easily have been dismissed had
ThOreau been the usual sort of man.
He eagerly stated that he needed the
books and added that when student he
had much enjoyed the library, in fact
it was the one benefit he owed to the
college. The president gave up with
his part of the argument all the books
Thoreau wished to take to his home.
The simple wild flowers might well
have seen with amusement Thoreau
rowing on the river which glided by
them, suddenly coming near the bank
and remarking to friend "There is the
flower, yes it has been in blossom for
five days." and with note book open
upon the quiet oars adding with entire
certainty the names of all the flowers
that would bloom that day. Truly he