The Portland daily press., 1898-02-25
ANNEXATION OF DEERING.
10 the Editor of the Press:

TO the Editor of the Press:
Often, of late. we have heard jocose
mention of the approaching marriage of
the cities, Portland and Deering. The
analogy lis not so worse as our friend,
"the Count" would say. 1t surely will
do for aliegory.
A man and maiden, they will be mar
ried some day ere long. and they them
selves admit it. The oourtship has been
full long. The wedding day is fixed:
likewise the terms of settlement. Each
will bring to the altar portion for their
future home; the bride, her youth,
beauty, purity, great capacity for future
The bridegroom, older, stronger, wiser,
of wellknown reputation. brings his
wealth, experience, and good character,
and with them he endows his bride, and
he vows to make her happy in her new
home. Tho day is rare, even for June;
the parties are willing and happy; the
future is bright beforethem, and the
world looks on and applau.is.
This Is the way of mankind, the union
is blessed, the family increases and multi
plies, and the honored name goes abroad
throughout the community as a symbol
Of strength, prosperity, and good repute.
Such unions are the Creators own.
But all maidens do not thus. Some are
coy, and grow old in their coyness, and
then forSooth, they are called old maids.
Some are old maids in truth land OF these
we fain would speak. We all have seen
I - m
who bide their time, while time goes on
in biding. Perchance such ali one has
her own little income, which by strict
economy will suffice for actual needs; the
old gown made over, the old hat re-
trimmed, the old shoes retapped; the last
years garment still in use, no parties,
few teas, endless self-denial; but no both
that! Her ways are her own, and her
way is her own sweet will; and she Will
walt until her beau is perfect In her eyes.
Perchance he smokes, 'swears at MS
men" Or sometimes quaffs the flowing
bowl He surely has some bad habits,
soma thoughtless ways which he must re-
form before she may trust her lot with
him, or bring him her heioful innnenoe.
Hers must be perfect mar, Meantime
she Is coy, and waiting, and the silver
threads alloy the gold, and the season OF
youth. of pleasure and strength, gl1des
by to return no more.
Must we name this old maid, Deer1ngf
Will she learn, like the rustic maid, to
say, sit might have beenP
Seriously speaking, although behring's
attractions may not become less by wait
ing, we. her citizens, are surely growing
older and each year gone is gone forever,
our opportunities for enjoyment SO much
abridged. Some of us want annexation
in our day, since all admit that it is
behring's manifest destiny. The contest
is on, to remain until the finish. What
sense to prolong the struggle. when the
growth Of sentiment is rapid and all tends
one way? When again shall we have SO
favorable terms? Double representation
in population and valuation. Debts, at
present, practically the same; and the
finances of Portland growing better, those
of Deering, worse. High school in Deer
ing assured. An able. fair, and Impair
tial commission, just such as the $ An
tis'' have always professed to desire, have
investigated and fixed. the terms of union.
Every valid objection has been met,
every requirement Of seven years ago full
filed. The office holders, although con-
WINGED, can never be expected to yield.
Then why longer delay the inevitable?
Citizens of Deering, register as voters,
and vote to become citizens OF, Greater
Portland.