Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-30
Beautiful Augusta.
Sweet Auburn. loveliest village Of


lage of his birth. 1t is exceedingly
icds Of debiuchery. in which this sim
SGlar contradiction was. unfortunately,
accustomed to indulge, consumed by
bitter remorse and haunted by the
hideous specters of his orgies, he fled
from the scenes of his destinations and
sought relief in the sweet, pure atmos-
phere of his childhood home, to wor-
ship at the hallOwed shrine of his
birthplace.
And so. after years spent in the on
vironS of sordid. unattractiyc city.
when I stood again in Augusta | look
ed, in turn. TO the four points of the
compass, at the city rising in every
direction and uncOnsciously para-
phraSed:
Sweet Augusta. lovcliest village OF
the hills"
A few steps from the station, lies
fare of the city. This busy avenue
runs steadily to the north for about
half its length. then suddenly larts Off
at an angle as if TO escape from its
narrow confines.
Rushing on, terrified by the roar of
the trains on the bridge, under which
il is obliged to pass. it ziZ-Zags hither
and thither in its frantic endeavorS to
escape. only to be turned back each
time by its watchful guardians. the
stolid buildings erected along it's Sides
Finally it scurries directly for the
broad kennebcc, with the evident in
tention of seeking oblivion in the tur-
Eulent stream. but is brought UP sharp
ly Ivy those grim seltincls, the Edwards
mills.
Thwlrted il this design. it turns
again. scouting freedom, hurrics up
the steep ascent Of Cushnoc Heights,
commonly and appropriately called
Sand Hill. Here. free at last. it lott
crs colnplaccEtIy along to the north
ward. sending Il branch out here and
thu re- on an expedition of discovery.
resolved to explore each ana every
l,"olniSe of recreation and enjoy its lib
city to the full.
Just before making the final turn
toward Sand Hill the street crosses a
little stream, Bond brook. which at the
first glance into its muddy waters
where it joins the river, does not appear
Trepossessins. Yet this little brook re-
wards the explorer at every foot by
the revelation Of some one of the de-
licious surprises which nature reserves
Ion her admirers.
1t is characteristic Of the race that,
in the search for the beautiful and in
ttreStinS, we usually overlook the Offer
ingS that lie at our feet In. the quest
for natures gems we seldom appreciate
the jewels Of our own locality and so,
of the many who pass daily over this
brook. it is probable that few observe
the beauties Of the spot
Passing upstream from the sweeping
arch of the stone BRIDGE that spans
the stream at this point, we forget the
existence of the busy world in the
rcverent contemplation of the scene.
Sheltered by capopy of Overhalig-
ing branches, through which flash &C.
casional rays of sunlight, lighting the
leufy armament with stars Of gold and
50 nding their golden streamcrs across
the veil Of twilight. which conceaIS.
yet half reveals the translucent depths
Of the tinkling stream, we pass from
the realm of reality into the dreamy
land of nature.
Following the b;tbbling rivulet
through its fanciful twists and turns.
it leads us through Il sylvan dell where.
turning our eyes upward, we are star
tied into d realization of the proximity
Of humanity by the houses perched
w on the submits of the steep banks.
The prattling becomes a murmur
which sWells into a roar and, making
an abrupt turn, We are confronted with
a miniature waterfall over which the
stream. suddenly broadening. leaps and
squirins uttering mad cries of joy at it's
unexpected awakening into life and
deliverancc from the placid pool that
slumbers above.
Then onto the artificial barricade
where, after beating helplcss]y and
impotcntly against the unyielding
wall, it finds the outlet and goes rum
bling and grumbling over the cleaking
water wheel.
Then on again it winds about the
base Of a Srim weather beaten old hill,
Tut failing to soften this hardened sto-
ic. with its gentle caresses and whis-
rered cajoleries, it steals softly away
and loses itself in the more suscepti-
VIC NHICI DeIlu 70 meet IL anu
lovingly receive it into their tender
embrace.
Returning to the foot Of the hill, by
a road creeping along under its protect
ing shade. we commence the long
climb to the summit. The main road
Sots sturdily upward for a distance Of
about half a mile, pausinE twice on
the way. for a rest from its excrtions,
and then again resuming it's tiresome
climb.
The fan shaped plateau broadens
toward the east and the eastern rib of
the fan. known as Washington street.
starting off as bravcly as its fellow,
soon tires and dips lazily toward the
level. Then. as if ashamed of its de-
htction. it makes another effort to
mount the rugged heights but, already
dlstanced by its more diligent COMPETE
tor. 1t sulklly disappears over the side
OF the rocky ledge which has been APP
propriately named Main Top.
Main Top. I pronounce the name
fcVerently. You. who have been ac-
customed to think of yourselves as the
nChlest work of the Creator, go stand