The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-06-16
Here and There. No. Ii

ton by the chance visitor reveals
strength and beauty in hills and valleys.
A seasons pleasant acquaintance with
its hospitable residents, and with ma
ture in her varying moods of sunlight
and shade, will reward the summer visi
tor. But to be able to truly value the
charm of our village, even on the nature
side, to be admitted to its close, sweet
fellowship, that is reserved for the
jewellers on the hillside or by the river
in our good town.
While frequently inviting lovers Of
fine scenery to visit Somerset county
and Skowhegan, two persons have fol
some time intended to enlarge theil
geographical knowledge, not only, but
their acquaintance with the county PEG
pie as we'll Dead River has been al
unknown river, save for a glimpse of III
very live presence where its bright wa
ters are seen at The Forks of the Ken
nebec. The question at that time as tC
its name was not really answered and sc
bit of mystery is added to this new
Journey in a new world. If rightly
named, where would we find a greater
contrast than we have in the sparkling
glorious June day, when we set out tc
find Dead River and an old noun.
tain-"Bigelow?"
Somerset roads can bear a week OF
rain, even, at this season and our good
horse gaily trots over the firm road leav-
ing behind familiar places, and, doubt.
less, quite as careless of the newer ones
to come. We gratefully remark upon
the march of real improvement as the
electric car speeds on its way from Mad.
ison to Skowhegan.a
New scenery begins for the two trav-
elers bound for Mt. Bigelow, after leav-
ing North Arson, and truly the flowers
make it enchanted ground, Bluest OF
blue, long stemmed yolets line the road
way and make blue the fields. North
New Portland in the distance proves
quite Elusive with its blue mountain,
sheltering a village, while nearer view
shows attractive homes. which seem to
pleasantly call attention to the green
hills size and Importance. Not a single
harsh tone have we liz this striking, yet
peaceful landscape. The upland slope
has a comfortable appearance of happy
relation with verdant hill and pretty
white houses below, surrounded by gar
dens and orchards in full bloom.
Should one lightly quote 'tN hats in
a nance New Portlanders might well
indulge in repartee that an entire fleet
and a British fleet, too-was, histori
cally, in their towns name, for it was
first settled in 1873, the same year il
which it was given to the sufferers OF
Falmouth-now Portland-by the gen
eral court of Massachusetts. Here
Dirigo House gives us good dinner
where brook trout have place.
Again we drive on over hill, valley
and plain, and the sky, kind and re-
assuring, bids us enjoy TO the utmost
to-day Truly it is real tourist weather
and the recipe one may easily know, as
for the result, is it not quite evident
but how powerless we mortals are to
bring it about. The makeup is merely
June sun. which is brilliant-albe
tits soft radiance, which belongs tC
fair June alone-and the landscape must
be freshly washed, finely aired, and del
icately perfumed with sundry sweet
flowers.
Lexington is approached with interest
and the good farms, with the homes, the
groups of children, all awaken thought
and such pleasant thought, too. One
remarks that the bright children are
really the nations best and only hope
for its future. In this place surely, il
would be natural to think of the Revo
lutionary battles, but it is of the Civil
war that we think and speak. Indeed d
longer road is taken SO that call may
be enjoyed at the home of an 18th Maine
soldier, but the pleasant home is more
easily found, to our regret, than the
veteran, who is absent.
Highland plantation proves to be rare
ly fortunate in its name and we begin to
feel the uplift with which the approach
to high and still higher lands is attend.
ed. Frequently we pass pleasant
home surrounded, decorated by the ever
present, Towering trees of the orchard
and the carefully tended gardens. There
is a delightful feeling of oneness and
companionship, with our county peo-
pie who claim, as we do, Somerset as
their own. Maine also is ours, and not
the good, grand State only, but the
United States as well, and how can we
fail to remember what this citizenship
means.
There is stiffness on the hill
side that is only broken by the occa.
sional song of birds, who give mostly
little, happy trills and musical bits,
which evidently they know their busy
mates especially like There is much
fitting and fluttering about their new
homes and little care to entertain the
passing, plodding travellers. However
one songster would almost seem to be at
tending us as musician, for at intervals
the sweet singer from high tree top, in
sweet exaltation seems to sing:
"God is In his heaven
Ans right with the world
At this place we begin in good earnest
to look for our river, or rather to won
der what its appearance will be when
first it is seen. Really we have nothing
but the river to look up, for the noun
tain has been in sight for miles back
Though the winding road has again and
again hidden Mt. Bigelow from view
still it is but another way of showing its
many-sidedness, and of greatly enhanc
ing its beauty and grandeur. Coming
from the low lands it would truly be
quite impossible to gaze at mountain
without a quickening of the pulse
and joyous throb of delight, as though
it was altogether surprise. Perchanct
it brings to us. this sight of lofty rugged
mountains, somewhat of the discover
ers feeling, not the pride, but surely
we may share the Joy and reverence