The Republican journal., 1905-08-17
A VISIT TO THE L. OF N.
Bangor to West Sullivan by Rail and
Launch,

Bangor to West Sullivan by Rail and
Launch
Once on board the electrics bound for
Orono every inch of the way was familiar.
and the landmarks were looked for with
interest. AS Orono was neared interest
gave place to impatience as the school
houses, Universalist church, town hall, IA
miliar car station and shop where many
weary minutes had been spent, waiting for
cars during term-time; the drug store, the
mecca of many down town trips; and the
deserted post office, so different in aspect
from the mental picture of the place at
mail time, were left behind, and the rickety
weight of the car.
The extensive repairs going On at the
Sigma Chi House were evident from the
stagings erected and from the litter of shaw
ings and the hum of the carpenters tools
coming from the interior of the place. An
extension is being built on the front of the
house and the hard wood floors to be laid
are to be flush with the veranda floor to al
low of dancing both outdoors and in.
Farther along ON the college road the resi-
dence of Mrs. E. A. Balentne, the beloved
college secretary, was well underway and
nearing completion. The open doors of the
Phi Kappa Sigma and Phi Gamma Delta
houses denoted that the summer school was
not yet over, and although the customary
activity was lacking the houses did not
have that folorn and deserted air that
makes college campus in summer cheer
less place. Before many of the surround
ings could be noticed very fully, however,
the car stopped at the end of the familiar
driveway, down which came breathless,
laughing and self-elected reception COM
mittee. After the committee had discharg-
ed its duties in very informal fashion the
group adjourned to one of the rooms which
had remained unchanged under the on
slaught of the summer school, and there
exchanged vacation "reminiscences. There
were seven of the cold girls" and two of
the summer school students were admitted
and made a welcome addition to the magic
circle. The neighboring towns had been
drawn upon for the little reunion, whose
duration was all too short. The "do you
remembers had to be cut short, for visit
must be paid to the college office which had
been visited daily in quest OF mail during
the college year, and where one is always
sure of pleasant greeting. Accompanied
by a classmate, whose arrival had been de-
layed and who had missed the reunion, and
by Senior whose chance presence had add
ed an unexpected joy, the office was visited
and Mrs. Balentine and Miss Perrin found
in their places, where they are busy the
year around.
Car time was approaching, and with it
came another 'O6 girl whose work as assist
ant in the horticultural department has
kept her busy during the summer. The
campus was looking as lovely as ever. and
the occasional summer school student going
from building to building or bound library
ward gave a grateful touch of life.
The return trip to Bangor was unevent-
full, and train time necessitated return to
the station, where the train was boarded
en- route for West Sullivan. Before Ban
gor was left behind two college men who
had recently attended their fraternity con-
vention in New York made their appear
ance and reported that they had seen the
Belfast '05 man, who has d fine position
there.
The ride down toward Washington juno
tion was an unfamiliar one, and the wooded
shores of the ponds-Green Lake, Con-
garnebeak, etc, and the other attractive
bits of landscape were well worth watch
ing. Washington junction seemed to be
active and big crew of train men were
about. AS we pulled out and passed their
train-home, the tables spread for supper
were seen through the open windows.
Finally, the welcome announcement that
Waukeag was the next station greeted my
ears, and gathering up magazine and bag l
was soon on the station platform in com
pany with an assortment Of mail bags and
an old lady and gentleman. In the neat
little station my suitcase, which had been
checked through. was found, and everybody
in sight, except the station agent, departed
for the ferry slip, where the staunch little
launch Waukeag, under the command OF
Captain Mitchell, was waiting to make the
brief trip. The sunset light was in the
| west, intensifying the deep green OF the
river banks, and the water which reflected
them was as smooth as usual on summer
evenings. The chug, chug OF the aunch's
engine marked the decreasing distance be-
tween landings. and almost before it could
be credited the space was covered and the
landing made. A warm greeting was
awaiting the by this time weary traveller
and "Clip" was waiting to transfer passen-
ger and baggage to the house, not far dis
tant, where another welcome was received
| and sumner was in waiting,