Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1907-08-22
Remi2isee3ees
Of CHILDHOOD.

This is a real true story which
Aunt Mas often told to her little
when she was a little girl, and 1t may
interest other little folks outside of
the greataunt's family. Possibly
there are some others who knew Aunt
Nj, and have heard of this remark
able trip to Orr's Island which hap
pened SO many years ago; and even
the little folks asked in establishment,
Where you ever a little girl?" And
no wonder! for it is like a dream Of
far-off childhood days-but a happy
one to remember-and Aunt M al
ways enjoys telling 1t.
Yes, Aunt NJ was once a little
girl; an active, restless one, too; and
when the long summer vacation days
came, what should be done with her
was always a vexed question in the
family. But on one particular season
an invitation came most OPPORTUNITY
for her to visit some distant relatives
living at Orr's Island. In those days
this island seemed more remote than
Madagascar, and not so near in i'm
agination as the Philippines are now.
Aunt NJ felt very important as
the necessary preparations for the
trip were being made. / wish you
children could see one of the large
carpet-bags used then,-a big, Powered
affair. made out of carpeting, having
handles and a clasp-not much like
the attractive dress suit cases that
are in use at the present time. A new
Bingham sun-bonnet, corded and made
with cape (perhaps more sensible
than the hats children are now wear
tng), two new Bingham dresses, a
wooden plaid, and a challie for meet
ing best" completed the wardrobe.
The day came for starting on the
visit, and the. good-by kisses were
exchanged with many parting injunc-
tons from her mother-what she
must do. and, more particularly, what
she must not do. Her father took her
on that lovely June day to Ingraham's
Wharf, Portland, for she was to sail
on Captain Orr's boat. the Polly
Ann" No steamers were running to
the island in those days.
The captain, with his daughter
Rachel, had come to the city for groce-
ries for their little store which sup.
piled the island people. The little
craft appeared pretty full. and, as
Aunt NJ went down the steps of
the wharf, her ardor was somewhat
dampened by being so near the water
and she would gladly have gone back
home with her father. But the good
captain assured her that he came to
the city every week. and that Rachel,
could manage the Polly Ann" as well
as a man. AS they sailed, Rachel be-
came heroine in her eyes, as she
thought her something wonderful.
After a short time some consultation
arose between Rachel and her father.
The sails were reefed, and the CAPTAIN
and Rachel took the oars; but the
boat made little Roadway for they
were, as they said, becalmed. The
little traveller did not fully under
stand the meaning of the term then.
but realized that they were at a stand
still. Many times since. in the hustle
OF this life, she has thought of the
beautiful stiffness of that June night
as the moon came out of the water,
the whole scene making a deep i'm
preston on her mind. Occasionally
the distant paddle Of some craft,
stranded as they were, was the only
sound to be heard. Supperless, she
did not think OF being hungry, for her
thoughts were more OF the wonderful
story she would tell her p1aymates
on her return home. She often won.
dered at the good captains patience
as he was asked again and again
about the time. At twelve O'Clock a
landing could be made as IL was low
tide. IL was decided that the little
girl should be left at Captain Pen
neiIs, the nearest house. while Rachel
ano her father went through the woods
10 their home. Good Mrs. PenneIl. on
being reused, very kindly said that the
httIe girl could come in for the night
and sleep as late as she wished I'm the
morning But little sleep came to her
Tor the previous evenings adventure.
and the water dashing on the rocks,
were too much for her: SO. very early
the next morning. she surprised Mrs.
=. by going out on the blum. Every.
ming was so. fascinating. down here
by the seattle fishermen coming IN
with their boats OF bake and haddoct
the catch OF the night previous ana
their talk while pulling in the boats
were so novel that she was 10Th IN
leave to go In to her breakfast.
And now for a part of the atorv
which interests her even as an e,derly
LAZY. as she has since learned that