Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-21
sTReAkEu MOUNTAIN NOTES.

u0 uO0U0 WosSM n9o Ue<r&y9 - WV w.
OF the mountain fer nearly century, I
to be taken (not tora) down In = fev
days. It has been homo Of hlstori
Interest, and Il 10 not easy to give mp
place that has been the scene Of 90 manl
struggles, Joys, sorrows and victories
But the new house has become neces
sity, and We must say farewell 70 th'
structure with which % many happy
and sacred memories are associated.
Caleb Preutiss came Into possession o.
the place about 1904. The house VA
planned to furnish . school room, II
which the children for three milei
around were to begin their education
When the school VAS not In session, thii
room WAS used BY the numerous family
which Mr.. Preutiss reared with mos
loving and scrupulous care. There wers
ten children who went ont from that
dear old mountain home to make places
for themselves In the world. Only two
settled Ia Paris. Caroline became Mrs
America Thayer. Miranda married
Alonzo King, and after residence OF Z
few years In Oxford came back 70 the
| mountain to care for her father and "tc
mother" the younger children. Deacon
Prentiss died in 1888, and the property
has since been held by Alonzo King, bis
son, Julius A., and now by bis grand
son. Carroll r. King.
It has been interesting to look over
the many papers Of the family, which
have been carefully kept through all
these years. Mr.. Prentiss Was literary
man, and often used his pen to good ad-
vsntsge. In his journals are found bits
of poetry and his opinions upon the
various important questions Of the day.
On coming to Paris Mr.. Prentiss had his
home "above the Cape" toward the
Bolster neighborhood. He had Z store
and kept the post Office. The Congre-
gstionsl church elected him a. one Of Its
deacons, and ne WAS always active 10
every good cause.
We find license to "Caleb Prentiss OF
the town Of Paris 10 the county Of Cum
berland In the district of Massachusetts,
to sell ut retail foreign distilled spirits at
his dwelling house, or shop" This was
dated 1899. But we presume this busi-
ness WAS not very extensive, and II 10
doub tful II Il Was looked upon with
approval by Deacon Prentiss, for we
find the following sentiment 10 one OF
his journals: Temperance and exercise
are the two best physici Ia the world.
The former whets the appetite the lat
ter prevents the abuse OF It."
A receipt from Gideon Granger, post
master general, dated Washington City,
1904, shows that Mr.. Prentiss' accounts
Ms postmaster at Paris, were satisfac-
tory.
From all that We can learn from the
old pspers We have looked over, we In
cline to the opinion that all the children
Of this Prentiss household were some
what given to the poetical style OF think
ing and writing. This came naturally
from the father. We find Mary Prentiss,
the oldest Of the family, writing for the
Oxford Observer soon after $50, and
her prose and poetry won for her an
honored place among the Maine authors
OF that date.
Miss Preutiss taught school for several
years, and we find her certificates signed
nv such honored names as Jsirus 3.
Keith OF Oxford, and Zsdoc Long and
John Loring Of BuckAeld. The Buck
field certificate was given In 1924, and Is
especially noteworthy for Its wording
and penmanshlp THIS was evidently the
work Of Mr.. Long. In letter from Miss
Prentiss while teaching In Buckheld,
she speaks Of what she does for exer-
else, out OF school. She says ~ brought
nv wheel and rolls along and every day
spin the usual days work--6ve
skeins." She speaks Of being sometimes
weary, but expresses no fears OF nerv-
Gus prostration. For q number OF years
Miss Prentiss held an an important posi-
ton rs teacher 10 Portland. We Ind
her writing OF her work there a. early
rs 1928. Judge Kent Of Bangor writes
of Miss Prentiss after her death In 1888
"Her friends will remember her as one
who had won her way to their hearts by
the vigor and discipline Of her mind, and
by the gentle kindness and disinterested-
ness Of her life"
In the Observer Of Sept. Q, 1924, pub
lished by Asa Barton, We dnd Miss Prem
tiss giving glimpses OF her character 10
the following lines:
at evening hour. when near and far
Days busy hum Was huAh'd.
And brighter shone the evening star.
As fainter twilight blush'd.
"when cool and pure the breexes fan'd,
And dews distill'd 90 soft,
Have you not fek your heart expand,
And rise on wings Aloft!
Forgot each little thought and care.
And felt your heavenly birth;
And lons'd TO soar forever there,
Nor drop again TO earth"
But we are lingering too long In this
old home ut the mountain, while these
papers of the long ago are absorbing too
much OF our strength and thought. Fare
well TO entry, to stairway, to windows
from which we first looked out upon the
and to the rooms crowded
full Of memories which will remain .
han adIcttop forovoy