The Portland daily press., 1899-10-05
A VISIT FROM HUMPHREY ooUs
EMS.
To the Editor of the Press:

&0 Gtc L<uttVf W Mt TcSSs
Yesterday the writer received an enter
tanning and instructive visit from the
venerable Humphrey Cousens of Cor
ham, now In his eighty -third year. He
drove stage, Of which he was one Of the
prpprietors, from Waterford to Portland
for fifteen years. and was the 1rst con-
ductor Of the then York and Cumberland
railroad, now Rochester, for fifteen years
more, and he is probably known by a
greater number Of people than any other
man now living in Cumberland county.
In addition to q common school educa-
tion he was pupil at the Yarmouth
Academy for two years, which fitted one
Of his natural intelligence TO be a good
travelling companion on an equal footing
with all Glasses of people which he met
in his business. go
MIR. Cousens has always lived in Cum
berlsnd county, and is a part Of IL In the
good sense that he has contributed SO
much, In his way, to the happiness Of the
people OF his county.
None ever met him who did not oatch
some OF his cheerfulness and carry it
away with him. One could not help 1t.
10 come into his presence is like stepping
from the shade into the heat and light of
the sun. one inevitably gets some of both.
a warmer heart and more oheerf ul head.
His cheerfulness Is not the frivolity OF a
weak character, but the natural result of
u strong ana philosophic nature. lie
looks on the bright side because his in
teileotuai vision Is clear and penetrating
enough TO see 1t. When things are bound
TO go wrong, he let's them run their
career, and keeps out of their way, until
3 L.. t.4. a.
views both cause and consequence with
the same happy philosophy. There are u
few men who can do this. They are
benefactors of their race In such a man
We all feel an interest, and that we have
certain kind OF property in him.
In this sense Humphrey Coussns be-
longs to the large community who know
him so well and who SO much enjoy the
sunshine of his presence
No one ever felt that he was taking
any risk in believing one of mir. Cous-
eus's good stories. He was never a story
teller, but teller of many good stoTirs,
that Ia. of what really was said and done
be can give a correct account of more
actual happenings while he was a stage
driver from Waterford to Portland, al d
mingliDg with all sorts of men, under
all kinds of circumstances on tho road
and at the country inns than any man
now living in this county. His memory
goes way back into the thirties.
OF political debates, and mass meetings
Of both parties. at a time when the Fss-
sendens, II. o. j. Smith. George Evans
and their contemporaries struggled like
the Titans tney were, for mastery In
this county, be Is full of incidents illus
tratiye of those times, and the manners
and methods Of those men. he can throw
true light upon them, and such an illu.
mination as makes history interesting as
we'll as truthful.
hereby make my acknowledgements
for his wholesome visit, for myself and
for his hosts of friends, who will recog-
lize this just tribute to a still living man
May he "round OUT not only this pres
ent century, but his own, in the same
sunshine that has always heretofore
cheered his useful and happy way
l.. b. DENNETT.