The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-05-07
A Letter From Maine.
MILO, ME-, April 29, 1898

year in the old pine Tree State" | will
try and pen you few lines taken from my
''diary.' | will not sicken the readers of
your paper with Names beautiful scenery,
the glowing sunsets the mountain peaks,
which are now nicely capped with snow,
and the Northern Lights which far surpass
my pen to portray. Notwithstanding the
few balmy days of April and the little
birds arrival, the snow is still TO be seen.
The housewife has begun to think of
transplanting her plants and making prep
araton for her howerbeds which cannot be
excelled ''in the sunny land of tlowers.'
The fir boughs which have been accu-
rately placed around their homes for pro-
| lection and snow have been removed. The
storm doors and windows are consigned to
their places 'till winter comes again"
The ''door yards" containing many cords
of wood placed there temporarily for the
convenience of "haulers' on the drifts
snow, have been prepared nicely and stored
away in long bins until the return of
cold weather. The lovers of sleighing
were loath to dispense with that luxury,
which they have greatly utilized from
November to the beginning of April, and
carriages are necessarily brought in use
again. The tremendous fur overcoats
oapes, gloves and shoes to correspond, have
become burden and lighter apparel is
donned. The few milder days of April
| NH Will tbo a.
stove and rub his hands" the Yankees enjoy.
The thermometer falling 46 degrees below
zero will not deter them from business,
/ pleasure OF errands of mercy and kindness.
They are votaries of pure air and good
sanitary laws, windows are raised clear or
cloudy days, day or night, which will
account for the absence of many diseases
that seem to be agitatng Elkton. | am
glad to see a decided improvement in some
of the sanitary regulations in Elkton, the
women are being consulted. They are
better adapted for some work than the
men, and Elkton may look for a decided
healthful improvement. The doings and
management of municipal affairs to the
average woman is as much of sealed book
as the Koran or the domain of secrecy as
the precincts of the Eastern harem, but
here in rural Maine woman is nearer mans
level intellectually than in any other sec
ton | have ever visited, and when | was
invited to attend the town council or
regular town meeting | was somewhat sur
| in ,rba TO A.
invitation, but on reaching the hall | found
seats reserved and quite number of intel
ligent women. The choice OF moderator
being made, the different articles of the
town warrant which is posted in public
week before) were announced, discussed
and voted upon by written ballot, they
proceeded to the election OF officers The
municipal officers consisting of three select
men were first voted upon, then town clerk
and treasurer next. The election of school
officers provoked the most animated discus
sion, but after lively tit of the Pros and
Cons the matter was settled, one lady and
two gentlemen being elected to that de-
partment This being the first time lady
was ever chosen in this town. The various
appropriations for the current expenses of
the town were voted upon after being dis
cussed with business-like ability.
The courtesy and evidences of pleasure
from the gents at the presence Of the ladies
was shown in the excellent decorum of the
men which refuted the oft repeated assertion
| hat a.,
mingling in public affairs and her womanly
standard be lowered. Practical experiment.
| believe dlsproves this. From beginning
to end this meeting was educational and
women whose lives were simply running
in housekeeping grooves were lifted to
something beyond in broader channels, and
without lessening her interest in home de-
tails, they freshened their minds on the
betterment of their homes by outside
privileges. 1t was quite an awakening TO
one, IA stranger to such customs, and keenIv
enjoyed.
March in Maine has proved the banner
month"; only one day of rain and the morn
ings being clear and frosty, every one is
astir on missions of duty and pleasure for
the snow was a frozen crust sufficiently
hard to bear team without making the
slightest indentatons and old and Young
with sleds are to he seen coasting down
| hillside or steepest drifts.
One of these mornings "mine host in
cased me in his great REFER coat wrapping
me comfortably in fur robes took me for a
ride. He discarding roads entirely, guild
ing his faithful and speedy horse over the
white level fields, whose fence outlines are
hardly discernible yet over which we drove
as unconcerned as if they did not exist.
The flashing seintllations of the snow,
the keen bracing air and the vistas of snow
covered mountains and dark green forests
made it feel almost impossible that a few
hours railroad could give me scenes of green
fields and trees and blooming flowers.
More anon. NJ. r.
| Bucklen'S Arnica Salve.
THE BEST SALNE in the world for