The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-10-03
A House Party in Andover.
Y |.

VIVA VAN "
the stunts on our program, but one
of the horses met with a bad accident
which put using it out of the question,
and it was impossible to hire any steeds
in town as the haying season was not
over. The auto, too. was needed else
where and SO was not available to trans
port the party to the foot of the noun
tain. The day was warm one, how
ever, and bit Of chat tired feeling"
still hung about us, SO we were not 10th
to spend quiet day about the place,
where the croquet ground, the pine
grove beside the house and the shaded
porch all proved popular and satisfying.
During the afternoon preparations
went on in the kitchin which strongly
indicated picnic, and interest and
curiosity grew with the weight of the
rapidly filling baskets. A little before
supper time the procession started up
through the pasture back of the houses
walls and under and over barbed wire
fences, until we crossed the main road
and entered wide path through ever
green woods. Following it for some
little way we reached clearing where
first course of aspberries-seryed au
natural-Was enjoyed, and we then in
spected the log-cabin in the center of
the cleared place. The cabin was finely
constructed, finished and furnished.
The chairs were cnt out of solid pieces
of wood, and all the furniture was
rustic in style, though highly polished
and vanished. As we left the inter
esting place our guides explained that
we were on their late uncle's estate.
His winter home had been in Brooklyn,
the summe rs--and some of hi
many dollars--on the place there.
Acres and acres of woodland were
kept as private park, roads and
paths traversing them in all directions.
A number of men were kept working
upon the roads during the summer
months, and so large was the area of
the place, and SO many and winding the
pathways, that one could traverse them
for an entire day without going over
the same road or path twice.
On and on we went, sometimes al
most speeches. in admiration over the
beauty of our surroundings, while one
of our hosts recounted tales of the deer
he had seen on those same paths. After
quite climb, which we did not feel at
all. it was SO gradual, we emerged into
a little white birch grove, where, sur
rounded by ''the princely beggars of
the wood, in silver rags" cabin SINH
lar to the first one visited occupied the
top of the hill The view of the distant
hills and the intervening valleys was
different from any we had yet seen, and
was charming; but our walk had been
quite long one and the supper hour
had come, so we hied inside to enjoy a
merry meal in novel surroundings. The
pretty rustic table was soon covered
with good things and the young people
Stdb6tl dlOuiiu II OII elIC INV Ci VI
benches, chairs and stools got busy"
III the most approved picnic style and
did ample justice to the array of de-
liciOus things spread out before them.
Supper over we reluctantly left the
lovely place, but the waning light warn
ed us that we must be getting a start
homeWaId, Our descent was made by
a different route and was mostly along
footpaths between the beautifully kept
trees, but which led now and then
through fragrant beds Of ferns OF bit
of a clearing. The dusk was rapidly de-
scending when We reached the end of the
woods and came out upon the spacious
lawn back of the quaint old house,
painted cream color. 1t was built in
1890, but many wings and additions
have transformed the original struct-
ure, although it is still standing. As we
approach the place from the rear one
enormous wing attracted cur attention,
and we were told that it was known as
the club house, the lower floor being
devoted TO all enormous T6dulllg OF
lounging room, fireplace occupying
one end, while opening off the gallery
around the upper story were bed rooms
occupied by gentlemen guests. The
room was filled with trophies of the
hunt, ETC., and some remarkable pieces
of imported Elizabethian furniture
secured by Mr. Poor in England. The
house was not open this year, as the
sons did not care to come down, but
caretaker was in charge, as usual.
From the front and side veranda
there was a magnificent view of the
town and hills across the river, which
glinted between the trees in the half
light. We had not time to take ''the river
walk" down by the lily pond and over
a little rustic bridge, but it was describ-
ed to us and must be a charming place.
AS we left the veranda and sauntered
through the sweet scented old-fashioned
garden we reached the side lawn again,
and walked over the soft turf until we
came into the shade of an enormous