Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-09-21
Johns Letter.

From early Wednesday morning, Sept.
9Th, to Saturday afternoon, we were at
moving picture show where nature was
the principal artist with man as no
mean assistant,-a part OF which we
have been familiar with from childhood
and of which We have never wearied,
monplace to US. supposed is so inter-
woven into our being that 1t has become
part of us and will only die with US
when we die-if it does then. Had our
life begun and continued thus far, 10
the land we have lately looked upon, 1t
would have been the same. Art and
wealth have done more for that section
of the state than just here without a
question. A ride OH the electrics from
Turner to Brunswick, thence to Free
port, unrolls long reach of beautiful
views, of which the eye never wearies.
1t is said that the eye is never satisfied
with seeing nor the ear with hearing,
and there is grain of truth in the re-
mark, but it depends somewhat upon
what is seen and heard.
The cool breeze through the open cars
chilled us so that we were glad of the
chance to walk the remaining five miles
to Pownal and our journeys end, and
really the most enjoyable part of the
trip. Surely land of "msgnificent dis
tances," and such roads as this part of
our county cannot show and probably
never will.
Our welcome at the parsonage We are
satisfied was sincere, and everything was
done to make our stay pleasant and pro-
longed. Thursday the Elder gave US q
"spin" over an endless highway, or If it
ended it was into another equally good.
, If it be sin for an elder to drive horse
that can Ego some" then this Elder has
one sin to answer for. He will doubtless
run his chances.
The parsonage stands on the outskirts
of a small village consisting of one store,
large church edifice, a town hall, with
a few farmbouses clustered near The
hall was gift to the town by a wealthy
man by the name OF Mallst and is called
"Mallet Hall" All fraternal orders
have the free use of the hall. The lower
part is used for town business, the upper
part for other purposes. We attended
the grange meeting in the evening and
were very much pleased with the easy
and quiet way that the work was per
formed. Three candidates were mi
tiated into the mysteries of the first and
second degrees. The most of the mem
! bers that were there are young people
Our selections seemed to be well receiv'
cd.
Friday morning the Elder "hitched
up" and we spun some more, this
time to Yarmouth, as lovely a village az
have seen yet. 1t even puts Bucktield
in the shade. On our return we passed
territory owned by the state which was
once part of Gray, Pownal, New
Gloucester and North Yarmouth, which
consists of sixteen farms, on twelve ot
which are farm buildings-about 100
acres, post office for state school, Wes
Pownal. A home for the feeble-mind
ed. 100000 was appropriated by the
legislature for that purpose. There ait
many workmen now employed in putting
things to rights. 1t is our impression
that it is the most undesirable part o.
the four towns. 1t looks as If it nigh,
be an excellent place to spend money
But they know more about it than VIZ
do, or the people, and 80 We will take
things as they come, good or bad, and
pay the bills. 1t is right that the feeble
minded should be cared for and al
others who need care. That is not al
open question. Christ closed that ques
ton many years ago.
Saturday, Laurin drove me to Free
port, where | boarded the train going
North. When l struck the chokecherry
belt knew that 1 was on my native
heath. The trees didn't "clap Their
hands" at our coming, and the hill.
stood at attention and didn't move a
hair; but little dog Carlo seemed to be
wild with joy. Whatever your condi
ton in life may be, rich or poor, manly
or mean, drunk or sober, faithful unto
death, and that's dog, just dog, and
! perhaps little yellow dog at that
with stub tail too, likely as not.
/ John