Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-23
COUNTRY NE,eHRoRLINEss.
Wayfaring in Maine-Rag Carpets and
Roadside Hospitality.

simple, OlQt1me cOnultiOnS may De met
with in remote country places. There
is a rural village in Maine: forty miles
from the coast, which is reached by a
narrow gauge railroad. A journey up
the line as the phrase goes, brought
some varied and delightful revelations,
says writer in the New York
Tribune.
Along tilez county Feaa from the tiny
station Where the Train iefts them the
two travellers started under the hot
sun of the last week in August 1t was
a mile to the country inn, their destina-
ton. and there was no conveyance.
Passing a farmhouse on the way, they
asked if they might rest on the shady
porch. Permission was readily given.
and presently the housewife joined
them. with the inquiry, Wouldn't you
like some biackberries Her cordiality
was unmistakable. In answer to
question as to local history, the kind
ly. wistful faced woman brought out
an old scrapbook. rich with lore. and
volunteered to lend the book. Then she
took the strangers into her house TO see
"A valuable old engraving, hung IN
room which had a soft, effective colored
rag carpet-and thereby hangs tale
When the two women reluctantly took
up their way again, the quondam
hostess pressed upon them nosegays Oh
sweet. old fashioned flowers. Grateful,
indeed. but feeling unworthy of so
much kindness from an utter stranger
the wayfarers journeyed on
The INN at the crossroads was trim
and most respectable looking. On the
front lawn stared sign with the warn
ing, Keep off the grass" needlessly,
one would think, for there were untold
miles of grass in the neigh borhood, to
keep on. at desire. Fronting the house
stood a straight. stout post, with a
swinging sign, in oldtime tavern style.
The landlord was heard, but not seen.
The landlady. buxom, young, short
skirted. collarless, was evidently
housekeeper and maid of all work,
cheerful as the day is long, and her
house a model of neatness. Plants
blossomed everywhere-on the porch, in
the dining-room and in the by-courtesy
parlor, where hung the marriage GER
tifcate framed, and the usual family
portraits, crayon likenesses of stolid,
heavy proved men and blank faced
women in gaudy gilt and plush
frames.
1t was toward nightfall and supper
was served almost immediately-such
a supper,--of hot, yellow biscuits,
strong black tea, thick sliced cucum-
bers. burberry sauce, two kinds of
cookies. doughnuts and frosted cake.
The landlady's eight-year- boy, a
winsome eyed child, sat at the table.
His supper consisted of three biscuits,
a cup of tea. full strength, a doughnut
and two pieces of cake. Seldom would
u ruddier looking child be found, APP
parcntly not because Of his nourish-
mcnt, but in spite of it. Child and
mother made a charming picture. as
she held him. toward bedtime, his little
face snugged up to hers.
I'VE have our first breakfast at
o'clock, and the next one at I, but you
stay abed as long as you want to-" the
woman said. good naturally. Yes. !
get Up pretty carly o'clock usually
sometimes 4.30" The house took on
perfect silence at O'Clock.
Breakfast resemhled supper. save for
fried potatoes and eggs. Joey don't
seem to have any appetite for break
fast" the mother deprecated. But
Joey ate a hard boiled egg. a doughnut
and two cookies, drinking meanwhile a
cCpful of strong tea. The effects OF
such a diet may Tot show now; they
Will thirty years from now, in pinched
features and weak body.
This was experience No. 2 Feeling
that another meal at the inn might be
too much for poor human nature
wonted to their ways, the two travellers
set forth, after breakfast. afoot to the
next settlement. 1t was on this road
that the woman who made the rag
carpet lived.
Rag carpets. days of our grand
mothers. scents of laVender-all these
dear old memories go together. And
here, in this day and generation, was a
woman who wove carpets.
II should ask you in, just the same
IL you was travelin' agents" the aged
woman answered, as the strangers as
sured her they did not call with any
thing to sell. Come right in this
way" and they followed her into "A
room with just such a carpet as they
had dreamed of.
IF furnish the rags and the warp
I shall have to charge you 45 cents a
yard for making it. If you furnish
the rags. it will be A. cents yard and
If you furnish them all cut it won't be
but SO cents You can have it all hit
or miss'-'sheeny,' we call it-or you
car have il with a pattern. in alter
nate stripes then a strip of hit OF
miss"
Other rooms revealed other carpets
all in such good general tone that the
womans real appreciation of harmony
seemed trustworthy. The massive
wooden frame which forms the carpet
loom was next exhibited.
Il have always made carpets, and
my mother and grandmother did before
me-. the woman explained. Nov
take that path down by the spring
last the willow. Goodby, Goodbyr
she called out, as the two wanderers
departed. There were three miles OF
dusty road to the station, where they
would take the train at early noon
but they kept on, rejoicing over the
prospect of the coveted carpet.
At the small country all-kinds-of-
store where they stopped to buy a
cracker and cheese luncheon the wealth
er beaten man behind the counter
would fain detain them for a bit OF
gossip.
Il just wish you had time to STOP