Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-11
BRADsTREET EXCURSION.
Big Crowd Enjoyed Pleasant Day on
Steamer Wiwurna.

Big Crowd Enjoyed Pleasant Day on
Steamer Wiwurna.
The childrens summer excursion,
founded by William w. Bradstreet of
| Gardiner, for the children of Gardiner
and surrounding communities held it's
14th annual excursion, yesterday, July
10. Under the general direction of Elk
mayor Freeman Patten, the large conf
mittee of ladies and gentlemen friends
of the enterprise, had carefully looked
after every detail. The steamer Wiwur-
ma of the Eastern Steamship Co. Line
| of steamers was chartered for the &C.
casion. With much care and guided by
former experience Mr.. Rradstreet linn
self chose the date. 1t is a fact Of no
small moment that in the IA years his
tory Of these trips for the children
there has not been one single day mar
red by a storm. By most careful calcu-
lation Of tides. winds and whatever
other agencies of weather may be TAX .
en- into account, Mr.. Bradstreet has
somehow chosen a fair day everytime.
OF all the days of past years the wealth
er, yesterday. was most admirable.
l
excursion was also all that could posi-
bly, be expected. The excursion itself
is now become so thoroughly under
stood and appreciated by the communi-
ty that there is little difficulty in Sc
curing the privilege of the trip for just
those who need it.; and SO in accor-
dance with this general understanding
probably those who patronized the ex-
| cursion, yesterday. as guests were the
best company which as yet have been
benefited by the generous gift of a
days outing.
| Any person with the ability of dis
eliminating observation, who saw and
mingled with the hundreds who went
down river. yesterday. would say with
conviction that the Bradstreet excur-
sion had at last gotten down to work.
ing basis. had found its people and was
doing for them just what the generous
heart of the founder intended should
be done for them when he established
the excursion.
Following the general plan of going to
a new place each year the stopping place
selected for this year was Five Islands.
This being somewhat nearer than Christ
the stop on shore was longer than usual.
some three hours and a half. How the
children and those having them in care
IenJoyed these brief hours. 1t was almost
like visiting a new earth. The cool re-
freshing sea breeze everywhere, shady
hooks in abundance, groves galore and
happy groups by the dozen making sweet
est music by EXPLANATIONS from happy
hearts.
Not less did the residents of Five
Islands seem to enjoy the occasion. for
in admiration for the new friends they
said that the Bradstreet excursionIsts
were the best behaved visitors they had
had, this season. OF course Gardiner PEG.
pie know how to act away from home and
1t Is to be expected that those who are
privileged to associate with them will re-
ceive expressions of cultivated behavior.
One of the most inspiring traits of char
acter of American citizenship Is indfvid-
h pap
hood. Turn the Yankee loose IN the des-
| ert and he will make it bloom and bios
som. This quality is seen in the most
the plan, the purpose, the scheme in the
child to amuse himself is the prophecy
| of what the future man or woman will
anyone felt that the boys on the excur-
| sion did not have designs, plans, pur-
poses and schemes tucked up their sleeves
they were surely greatly mistaken. for
scarcely had the steamer been made fast
to the wharf at Five Islands than hith-
erto unseen fishing tackle began to ap-
pear in large quantities. How the boys
| unsnarled, hooks attached. and properly
baited and into the water in such a re-
markedly short time will always remain
a complete mystery to any man who was
side of the boat into the water. the fish
began to go over the side of the boat
into the possession of the youthful tinni
| the part of the boys many nice little
string of fish was brought home.
The fact that Five Islands was only n
ure could be had meanwhile: when the
pany quickly gathered, eager for the an
wev OF tn o,estion bnsine
upon the condition of the waves in the
open sea. A sail from Five Islands round
old Fort Popham and up the kennebec
the conditions were perfect and the de
parting company were in fine glee. This
word glee suggests the musical feature Of
on board were Mr.. 6. A. Berkeley of Au-
gusta, and Mr.. H. T. Twombly of Gardi-
ner. They led the singing with their in
or the das MaPS
ering around these sang song after song
so familiar to the whole company that
many times the eXCuTSlOnlStS IOrmeO a
grand chorus. Life without song is Il
life half lived: even day of play with
out song can scarcely be imagined. Upon
these trips down river men and women
who have felt that song to them belongs
to other days find themselves singing the
dear old hymns over again or Justify join
ing in the old love songs of youth.
All of these expressions serve the pur-
pose of opening the soul to drink in the
charm of Natures kennebec. No wonder
the people who go out from Maine love
the old Pine Tree State. That love Is no
fulness of natures blessing to the State.
The very mist which hangs about the
border Of the sea has a kind of freshness
which is almost fragrant. This with the
blue waters. the modest groves. the rocky
isiets. the fields and rocks. accomplish a
harmony which awakens abiding ind love ,sd for
The soil around Fort Popham and up
Kennebec is one cGntinu9ns streak of
needs to stand by the side of some river
to fully Pre- this which As the the
chart describes he will tell you Of this
spot and OF that. Of this story and Of
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