Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-15
AT SQUIRREL.
Continued from page ~

mere We nave our church and we have
our school for public library which
is public school,"
The public library has been a great
factor in the educational upiift. To the
summer resident Of Squirrel Island this
splendid gift of a fine public library
Will be for generations blessing, a
source of satisfaction and information
Rev. Charles T. Morgan of Haverhill
Mass, took for his topic: THE Recre-
alton in Books" In part he said: Rec
reation in books really means re-crea-
ton by the aid Of books. 1t means to
add to, or give new life to our wearied
and wasted energies by what We gather
from the printed page. To find real rec
reation in books. is the sure preventa-
tive of dissipation with books. No books
should be read that do not in some way
fit us for true living for useful work"
The chairman called on Frank l..
Dingley of Lewiston. Mr.. Dingley was
enthusiastically received as he spoke of
the old-time customs and the transit
lions to the present time.
The original poem. THE Pieran
Spring at Squirrel written for the oc-
casion by Rev. Samuel Pearce Merrill,
D. D., the Squirrel Island poet. follows:
Our island of beauty and friendship and
health.
Looks proud from her balms and her
frs;
For today she's endowed, not with mil
lions of wealth.
But the gems of the ages are hers
Q favored of Fortune. Bright island Sc
rene,
Whose charms make us glad at thy call.
Thou hast a fond lover. who. modest of
Has made thee the richest of all.
With generous heart and bounteous
hand
He brings thee Knight-errant brave;
Other islands are fair, other islands are
But he makes thee the queen of the
wave.
welcoming bay
Furled its sails in our safety and rest;
And our Fountain of Youth" dubbed up
to its day.
Tho it knew not the worth of its guest
When the ages had passed. and the island
awoke.
One day. came these "Squirrels'' that be-
And the pleasures they sought. and the
words that they spoke,
Made the island our homo by the sea.
So, today has been opened Fountain"
of Joy,
To flow while the centuries roll:
And the wealth of its treasures, unmiXed
with alloy.
Shall bring wisdom and cheer to the
soul.
Like the Spring" every corner finds
bOuntoouS store.
Each Taste" waits its word of COM
mand.
And the MUSES. are dwelling among MS
once more
AT this fountain Picrien, grand.
Till his face reflected his soul,
we are gathered to honor the generous
mind.
That such generous deed could control.
Proud of honorS like these all the SOUR
relS'' unite
To give to the giver our Toast
For amid all the Ports" that our State
can delight.
Davenport is the best on the coast.
Following the original poem by DR.
Merrill and the presentation of n large
and beautiful loving cup. by J. :
MaXcy in a few well-chOSen words or
behalf of Mr.. Davenport's many SPUR
rel Island friends. Miss Bowman put
a musical climax onto the great enthu.
siasm aroused by poem and presenta-
ton speech by leading the audience in
singing Our Squirrel Island Song
written some years ago by DIR. Merrill.
to the music of THE Red. White and
Blue" The dedicatory exercises closed
very socially at a public reception Civ
en- by Mr.. and Mrs. A. II. Davenport
and Miss Alice Davenport at the libra
ry.
The Islanders have been treated to
feast of good things. this week. The
farcidl comedy. "Charley's Aunt" given
at the Casino, Friday evening. was full
of fun and was splendidly acted by our
Squirrel Island talent, amateur in name
only.
The audience was afforded a double
pleasure in this performance by seeing
the Messrs Owens in a play together.
Frank A. Owen. who has been a leader
in Squirrel dramatics for years. was
warmly applauded at his appearance
on the stage. Thursday evening. plainly
demonstrating Mr.. Owens continued
, popularity. Much credit is due David
Owen for so acceptably taking a lead
ing part Mr.. Owen has played here
every summer since a boy. always been
versatile, ready and willing. good ac-
tor. but now better than ever @. r.
Wcsterfield. a lawyer by profession,
acted the lawyers part like a profess
sional. Prof. ]. VIM. Black and Eddie
Pratt put the old-time college spirit in
to their parts Of college boys. The
Misses Holden, Barta, Doane and Max
cy were beautifully costumed and all
are well-known favorites on the the
atrical stage at Squirrel. Mr.. Wescott.
member of the Yale Dramatic Club. is
deserving of much thanks for his kind
ly assistance and good advice. Mrs
MuteIl. who had the play in charge, Is
to be congratulated upon the great fl
nancial success.
Amasa Pratt Of LEVEL. climaxed the
weeks festivities, Saturday evening. by
fine illumination and display Of fire
works in front of the Squirrel Inn.