Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-30
SAM RETURNS.
Some of the Pleasant Incidents of His
European Trip.

European iTiP.
Samuel Osborne is back from his Euro
mean trip and has resumed his duties once
more as ianitor of Colby College. The
trip did the professor heaps of good
and he locks better and feels better than
before he went He was gone from Wa
terville just about two months. the long
est vacation that he ever had. Sans
life has been particularly faithful one
and he certainly deserved the little out
ing he has enjoyed. Born in slavery and
for 80 years a slave and for 20 years or
more the faithful server of Colby, the
two months vacation was none too long.
And it was Il splendid trip. Sam en-
joyed almost every minute of it, the only
exception being. perhaps. the time he was
crossing to Sweden when he was seasick.
But on the trip over and the trip back.
says Sam, he ate four meals a day and
sometimes five. The seasickness covered
but a small portion of the sea voyage and
the remainder was enjoyed as much as
any.
The professor was the only coloreG eel
egate from the United States to the Good
Templars convention and one of the only
three, the other two being from Africa.
The fact that he was the only one of his
race to represent America and especially
the old State of Maine at the convention
is source of great pride to him.
And he was a general favorite wherever
he went. He was called the best behaved
passenger on the trip and this. too, gave
him great satisfaction. On the trip over
Sam always had a prominent share in
l.
sengers to pass the time. ''Dey kept lie
old janitor's mouth open most all de
time" says Sam. The professor can
make a fine speech and his fellow pas
scngers soon became familiar with his
ability and made him talk whenever they
could.
The first time they wanted him to talk
on temperance. But / wouldn't do that"
says Sam. They had everything on the
ship and | wasn't going to dictate to
them what they should do. I was jes Il
passenger and what they done was none
of my business. So Is talked to EN- on
good behavior and give it to EN- hard"
Wise old Sam, After 80 years eXpe-
rience with college boys he knows pretty
thoroughly what good behavior is and
was fully competent to discuss this sub
ject.
Sans says the trip through Sweden to
Stockholm. which was made by train, was
just like the Presidents trip through
Maine. There were crowds with bands al
every station to meet and welcome the
delegates. The streets were decorated
with flags and banners and everything
had a gala appearance Sam was right
81 i
to make frequent short speeches to the
crowds, through an interpreter, OF
course.
But the incident of the whole trip that
he will remember, perhaps. with greatest
pleasure was his audience with the prin-
cess of the country. She welcomed the
delegates to her country, giving each Just
a word Of welcome as they were present
ed, but when Sans turn came she stop
ped him and talked with him for several
minutes. She could speak English flu
emily so Sam was right at home She
asked him many questions about his life
and showed great interest in him. He
was introduced to her as a liberated slave
and this interested her very much She
asked him how long he had been a shave
and he told her about 30 years This
seemed to surprise her and she asked him
old he was
Then | used good American word"
says Sam. land asked her to guess. SO
she guessed 50 an | told her she'd have
to guess more'n dat for | was 60" So
Sam told her about his life and his coun-
try and his boys over here in Maine at
Colby, and they had very pleasant little
chat. The other delegates were inclined