Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-09-12
HAWTHORNE.
STORY OF HIS VISIT TO HAN
COCK COUNTY.
PEN PICTURE OF sTAGE-COAC TRIP
FROM BANGOR TO ELLSWORTH
HOTEL SCENE IN ELLSWORTH
IN WAR TIMES.
written for THE AMERICAN by Miss Clio NJ.
Chicott, of Ellsworth.1

The readers Of The AMERICAN who
have enjoyed Hawthorne's accounts OF
excursions made to various parts OF the
Old World and the New, on which ex-
cursions his son Julian was his compan-
lon more often than any other member of
his family, will be keenly interested, per-
haps surprised, to learn tibet the last trip
these two we're ever permitted to take to-
gether was to Hancock county, in the
summer OF 1862.
| In "NathanieI Hawthorne and HIS
| Wife" by Julian Hawthorne, Is an account
of this trip to West Gouldsboro-frag
mentary but interesting; and Of course
we, who live in this vicinity, must have
| double interest.
The description which the son gives OF
the ride from Bangor to Ellsworth is one
which those who were accustomed to
make the trip before we were favored
with railroad cannot fail to appreciate.
| The following extract from his diary Is
among those pu blished In the work mem
| toned above:-
1--WE left Bangor at night by stage-coach, and
| down, for thirty miles. Papa rode inside and
outside. There were more than twenty pas
sengers on board, and great deal of luggage
l sat on the box with the driver, and a returned
| invalid soldier from the Peninsula, who drank
out of bottle, and sang songs, and told stories,
| all the way. The driver, on being offered whis-
| key, refused, saying, Il never drank a drop in
| my ifc.-no, cir nary!' There was a beautiful
moonlight. but 1t was very cold. We drove
among high hills. with now and then a lake be-
tween them rejecting the moon"
The driver mentioned is thought to be
| Isaac McCollum, who was then driving
| for Hale, Greedy Il Co.
What is by far the most delightful
glimpse In the whole account, is that OF
the little group gathered at the hotel
here in Ellsworth. As represented by
Hawthorne, the leading figure in this
company was Col. Hiram Burnham, of
Cherry field. There were besides in the
company "anoth her officer Of the Army OF
the Potomac, WHO had called around to
remiuiace llttie"; - young lieutenant
home from Port Royal on eccount OF
his health"; the editor OF The ILLS
WORTH AMERICAN, who must have been
n. X. Sawyer; besides several private
soldiers OF the Skin Maiue and other
regiments, " no had evidently dropped in
to see the colonel.
ain my judgment IA very reliable man,
fit to lead men in periIs aud d faculties"
was the estimate winch this "Neen reader
OF character" formed of Col Burnham in
the short time that he saw him. This
estimate WAS true one; tor the iatter had
just shown his "litness" during The Peuiu
sula csmpsign, and he showed it later by
his skill Ut Autietam, and his gallantry
at Fort Harrison, now Fort Burnham.
The picture given OF him is simply from
an entry in tiawtnorDe's journal, but it
is most striking.
ale Is middle aged man, or little more; "a
dark, Intelligent, rather kind y.looking man,
with black hair curling on his head and IL black
beard and mustache, and wearing II black
national wide-awake, giving him AN air some.
thing between soldier and bandit-his
shoulder. straps having two stars on them, in
token of his rank. lie was smoking German
pipe, and talked in quick. good-humored, ia
miliur way about his adventures, answering
the questions of all and sundry familiariy, not
repelling the humblest, butyet witha Kind of
natural dignity that would not he presumed
upon. - 49, 1t was curious to see how all
parties could SO freely dispense with ceremony
and iormalities and yet not transgress any
nice respect that ought to be observed"
Colonel Burnham must indeed have
been striking to behold; but it is easy to
think OF another in that group, in per-
sonsl appearance equally striking, most
retiring, conversing little, nevertheless
letting uothing escape hin, his pe"etraJ-
ing eye seeming to read the depths OF
each human heart i'll that presence.
In West Gouldsboro they boarded at
Barney HIPS. Julian Hawthorne, in
his journal, speaks OF Mr.. Hill and his
daught Miss Charlotte Hill, and Of the
had with these two.
Judging from what we saw week ago
at West Gouldsbo ro, where such marvel
Gus beauty lay spread out before us, we
should say that here Hawthorne had
abundant opportunity to crafty his fine
appreciation OF the beautiful, to spend
hours, as was his wont, looking through
son were boys together, and INDUCED in
walking, rowing, swimming, and fishing
to their hearts content.
The son seemed especially to enjoy
picnic on the beach with the West Goulds-
boro young people, when they made
chowder which they late with clam
shell" spoons. This picnic was followed
by barn dance, when the young people
merrily "tripped the light fantastic" to
the strains o! Miss Hill's violin.
They continued to enjoy themselves
here until the younger Hawthorne's
clot hing was in such state that his
father felt that their return home was
imperative. They left for Concord about
the first of September in the hope that
thew would return another summer; but