The Republican journal., 1902-11-27
Observations of a "Shut-in."

1t is surprising how much can be seen
from one window when confined to bed in
enforced idleness. The window in question
commands view of Northport avenue, and
there are many trees in the foreground
evergreens as well as naples, birches and
apple trees, long since stripped of their
foliage by the autumn gales. Occasionally
bird fitted across the range of vision or
hoped about on the bare branches, and
now and then grey squirrel was seen run
ming up the tree trunks or leaping from one
tree to another. The greatest surprise
was in the number of passing vehicles-top
buggies, hacks, grocery wagons, truck
teams, and twice day the school team.
At times there seemed to be an endless
procession. The truck teams carried down
coal for the water works, lumber, etc, and
went up with hay, wood and produce. Then
the dogs. 1t seemed as though all the dogs
in town must be passing in review Many
of them were following wagons or truck
teams, but others apparently had business
of their OWE, up or down the avenue, and
logged along seriously Once in while
one would stop long enough to tree a cat,
and then, reSumng its lost dignity, trot off
with IA buSinesS-like air This was the
panorama unfolded before the ''shut-in''
all day, until the early dusk let fall the cur
tain and confined his vision within four
walls.
Last week we had our first touch of Win
ter and it made a decided change in the
landscape. When the curtains were drawn
Wednesday morning the driveway, walks
and avenue were white-snow-wh ite-in
striking contrast to the grass, which was
still green in places, and the brown litter
of fallen leaves There was no trace of
snow on the trees OF on the ground. Thurs
day morning there was a similar effect, but
less pronounced, for here and there the
grass and dead leaves were powdered as it
We're With the ''beautiful snow This, with
the leaden-grey SIX y overhead, and the chilly
east wind which made itself felt despite the
furnace heat, brought a full realization of
the long winter before us.
With conValeScence came a change Of
inteIesting-a broad view of the bay from
Minister'S Point to Turtle Head, with the
Prospect hills and Blue Hill in the distance,
and nearer at hand Sears Island around
whose southern end is the mouth of the
PenO5scot river. This is the frame of the
pictu.e. 1t is the broad eXpanse of water
and the craft that ply upon it that give it
60 IL ~, l.;
ton steamers go FLASHING by, leaving broad
white wake behind them, the staunch Mer-
ryconeag goes up and down, and the Silver
Star is seen in the distance Over on the
lSleSboro shore the white sails of passing
schooners are often seen, or the trailing
smoke of tug boat as it toWs a coal-laden
craft up river Some times a lumber-laden
schooner bound to the westward makes a
harbor where she is plainly seen riding
lazily at anchor. The elements give further
variety to the scene-fog, rain, an easterly
gale OF a brisk Northwestern, all leave their
impress on the waters of the bay. Now
they CLEAN brightly in the sunshine, curled
into white-crested little waves then roll in
heavily upon the shore in sullen wrath; or
perchance are placid as a sleeping child,
rejecting all surrounding objects in the
mirror-like surface. Such view is never
mouotnnouS