The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-29

May are the different ways that man has devised to evade the officers of the law, but the most unique of them all was remarkable house on the bank of the St. John river dividing Maine from Canada. It has been many years since l visited the place, and as the reader will see from the conclusion of my story I was admitted to this most curious place by the courtesy of the owner. being en- gagged at the time as a salesman for one of the leading distilleries in Kentucky, and having learned from a reliable source that the proprietor of the house has been dead some time, l feel that l am at liberty to give the story to the world.
 It was in the latter part of the eighties that took my summer vacation down in Maine l would go from place to place, stopping here for a few days and then go on 10 some other place. I was always seeking for something novel and if heard of anything l would go miles to see if. l. was in the town of Passport one day when l heard tive travellers tals:1g of a notorious house on the river at Calies, where crime flourished and the law was powerless to interfere. I made inquiry and found that the only way l could get there was to drive. The dis tanee was something over twenty miles. and was travelled by commercial men, one taking team from Eastport to Calias and another returning with if. l learned that there was traver in the hotel who was going over that night. I soon had made arrangements with him to go along, and right glad was he to have me, for l soon learned he had little knowledge of horses. and being brought up with them was perfectly at home with pair of lines.
 The night was a beautiful one in Au- gust with full moon. My companion being most congenial we soon covered the distance, and refined up in front of a hotel at Calias at midnight. I was now on the ground, but how was I to get en- trance to the mysterious house? I was perfect stranger and well I knew that the owner was not going to let me walk inside at pleasure. I spent the next day looking over the town I made cautious enquiries, but got no information, as the people I spoke to either did not know. or would look at me. as much as 10 say. Young man you had better keep away from that place" all of which made me the more curious to get inside
 As sat on the piazza of the hotel that got into one of those conversations that the traveller will find himself indulging in without any other reason except that he is bit lonesome, and must talk to some one. l made as casual remark that the town was pretty low. My companion cast a side glance at me and said, .What is your line ?" This is the natural aues- tion for one traveller to ask another, and so l answered without one thought that the answer would get me inside the DOT tals of the mysterious house on the river bank When I said I represented a dis tillery from Kentucky I saw smile play over his face. and I thought something was going to take place, and sure enough 1t did for he leaned over and said Do you want to see one of the strongest houses ever bulld?'
 could have cried cut for joy. Instead l said l was always interested in curious sights. and would be pleased to go with him.
 Up the street about the length of a city block stood what to all appearances was common hotel with a small veran- dah In front. We walked m to it and Into the office. which was equipped as an ordinary hotel office would be in a small town. We were soon greeted by a small. wirey man. past middle age. with eyes that seemed to look right through me I was made acquainted with him. and learning my occupation. he claimed me as a sort of brother In crime.
 We were first ushered into a most lllx- urlous room. and invited to partake of something. I remarked that as we were In prohibition Maine I supposed that was almost impossible. He laughed and said. Prohibition does not prohibit as I will shortly show you"
 While eonverslng several of the towns