Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-03-05
Johns Letter.

Although it was bitterly cold on the
day set apart for the gathering of the
clan, Brother Prince and set forth for
the place of rendezvous, the Grange
Hall at East Hebron.
During our journey We might as well
have been passing through an unin-
habited wilderness, as no sign Of life put
in an appearance, brute or human. and We
questioned il We might not be the only
simpletons that would make the venture,
but soon after reaching our journeys
end we were merged in with about $50
simpletons and so escaped criticism.
We found q warm house and warm
welcome, and when both were brought
to bear the chill soon passes away and
is remembered no more. We have heard
it limited that the dinners are what draw
Changers into cOnclaves. 1t is to be ad-
mitted that a good dinner has its at
fractions for healthful stomach and a
hungry soul, but it is hard to believe
that there is magnetism enough in a
plate of beans, custard pie, and other
things too numerous to mention, to
draw q person ten miles, more or less,
when thermometers crack with the cold.
1t oils the machinery and has tendency
to make it run smoothly and prevents
squeaking. That is the part that the
dinner plays.
don't know how many were there
from Turner Grange, but do know that
they brought cultivated voices and cul-
tivated brains. Mr.. Bonney, the worthy
lecturer, had an excellent programme
and 1t passed off without hitch or a
break. Among other good things was
an address on the character and the
work of Miss Frances Willard by Rev.
Mr.. Markley, an easy speaker and not at
all wearsome. Short speeches were
made by others. Brother Lyman Water
man was at his best in two humorous
selections. Brother Prince claims men,
bership in four oranges and was called
on as q member of East Hebron Grange
(pro tenn and briefly responded. Sister
Z. P. Ramsdell bad paper. She has
the happy faculty of using right words
in right places. A member Of Mountain
Grange gave two selections, one pathetic,
one humorous.
Ever read "Under tho Snow" by
General Lander, HE of the Tyre aud
Sword? IL is one of the finest poems in
the English language. At least think
30. And what of its author, Gen. F. w.
Lander? He would have been better
known had he not died before the war
had progressed far. He was both poet
and statesman a. we'll az warrior. He
served under Mcclellan through all the
brilliant campaign Of Western Virginia
and won distinction by his chivalric
daring at the battle of Rich Mountain.
The official report has it that "Lander
led the leaders into the fight" His
heroic conduct at Edwards Ferry won
for him the merited title inscribed upon
his coffin, "The bravest of the brave"
He died at Camp Chase, Virginia, on the
10th Of March, 1852, and in compliance
with his last request he was buried be-
side his mother. Salem Is the place of
his rest For him the beautiful lines Of
Mrs. Hemans on 1.-THE Grave of Korner,"
the young German poet and soldier, are
appropriate.
"Green wave the oak forever DER thy rest!
Thou that beneath It's browning foliage sleepest.
And. In the stiffness Of thy coansry's breast.
Brightly thy spirit DER her hills was poured,
Thou Of the Tyre and swordp'
We missed some OF the old leaders and
pushers, but the old home feeling came
back to US.
Like the PRINCE of good fellows am q
member Of four oranges. and might not
be excluded from four hundred. just
whistle through the keyhole, the gate
swings open and there you are in the
bosom Of the family. Your isolation
has fallen away like useless outer gar
mont. You look upon tho "buxoms"
and the "brawnies" and you cipher that
there IL no apparent necessity for race
suicide.
Union Grange meets with Buckfield
Grange March cd. We think the three
Pomonas meet at Minot March 9th. We
had SCALP from the worthy lecturer Of
Union Grange to BE- there-loaded. II
II difficult to tell what . day may bring
forth and the event 10 ak days to the
front.
touv