The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-11-29
OUR GEORGE IN NEW YORK.

To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL:
It had been so long since l had been
away from home alone that l feared
that | might be lost in the shuttle, but
nv locking me into a car ! arrived safe
lv in New York and was met at the
depot by MI and Mrs, Geo. F. Harrl-
man who took me to their home, where
I was looked out for with all the care
that would have been given prize
poodle at a dog show Everybody treat
ed me well, and some treated me with
no reference whatever to the well. L
say everybody, but l must except the
clerk of the weather. He fairly outdld
himself in dishng up the most abomnl-
bic weather | have seen III along time.
Had | came from locality where they
never had any weather. it might have
been interesting, but | can get all the
weather | want right here al home, of
every variety, shade and color. On &C
count Of this Outburst Of generosity on
the weather clerks part, l was prevent
ed from visiting my old friend Charles
Havener at the Sailors Snug Harbor,"
and numberess other places of interest.
But | did attend the banquet of the
Maine Society of New York" That
was what | was there for; but had |
been like the others who agreed to
come but didn't, there might have been
a banquet, but there would not have
been any speeches. 1t was like the old
time in the Bible, one had this excuse
and one had that, and the result was
that Chancellor Day of the Syracuse
University, Herbert NJ Heath of Au
gusta, Chas. F. Libby of Portland and
Ex-Gov. Black, who had accepted invi-
tatons to be present, failed to material
ize. ! think when they learned that |
was to be there they didn't dare to
come. Any way, one after another de-
clined, until as the poet beautifully ex-
presses it,
And thus they faded, one by one,
Like leaves and flowers the group was
gone.
The meeting was at the Hotel Astor,
in the ball room. Over POO members
and ladies were present. Rev. Lyman
Abbott. editor of the Outlook" spoke
in place of those who failed to come,
and as | listened to him, it didn't seem
as if there need be anything else said.
BY the time he had finished speaking,
| didn't feel more than foot high and
weighed less than ten pounds, as |
bought that | must follow him. 1t
was like chasing an automobile with a
WheelbarroW: hut the listeners were so
kind and nice to me, and so apprecia-
tive of my efforts, that by the time
was done, it was a question with me
who the belt belonged to, the doctor or
me. The banquet was all that could be
desired. The room was beautiful, and
the tables handsomely laid and the ser
vice perfect. l met there, among those
knew, Mr.. and Mrs George F. Harri-
man. Mr.. and Mrs. Melville L. Mar
shall, Capt. Geo. Carver, DR.. Ferguson
and DR.. Patterson After it was all
over, and l found l hadn't been killed,
/ began to enjoy myself, but no enjoy.
ment can eliminate the feeling of
dread had experienced for some three
weeks in thinking of addressing that au-
dience. If l can make arrangements
with the coming Legislature to throw
its protecting arms around me, SO that
may be allowed to remain peaceably
at home and spend my declining years
in quiet instead of being trotted out as
. an after dinner speaker, 1 shall feel
that | have achieved victory, but
fear / am on the downward road and
nothing can stop me. 1t is not pleas
ant outlook, just at Thanksgiving time
OUR GEORGE.