Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-09-30

asked some very ragged boys to show me
uo" 10 go. They directed me most
pohteiy- English children are never dis
courteous or impolite to strangers-and T
experienced no further trouble in finding
the stone. When l reached the spot. I
round my fame had preceded men, for
there stood the raggedest urchin with
many Of his kind.
"Here is the stone," said the spokes-
man, pointing to stone slab about the
size OF large fiat-topped desk, "and here
is the 1870. Over there" pointing to q
bronze tablet set in the stone railing OF
the quay, "is the tablet that tells all about
| it.n
/ was assisted in my inspection by the
boys VINO carried my umbrella, my camera
case, and my raincoat, and who hoped I
would reward them with penny each.
Soon had more boys-boys Of all sizes.
Evidently they associate pennies-many
pennies-with Americans. They, how
ever, were eompanionable boys; they
answered my questions brightly, without
any pertness or "cheekiness". In fact, 1
was glad to change my pennies for their
scraps OF local history, and we parted re-
gretfully at the end of halt hour.
Itook the trolley rides my new made
friends advised. l went "up the river",
and in fact, to all the interesting places
near, and found everywhere prosperous
and peaceful Plymouth during that first
week of my stay.
And then-Germany declared ,car!
England, for time, did not declare her
intentions. but her people knew as il by
intuition that war for the United King
dom was inevitable; alas, she declared
warl
| No longer could the pleasure seeker
wander at will along the rocky shore un-
der the very guns OF the forts, for now,
along his path were stretched miles of
barbed wire, set in fan-shaped designs.
No longer could he inspect the enormous
ship-yards where dreadnaughts and other
ships OF war were being made. Although
men toiled here row night and day,
guards in the uniform OF war, coldiy re-
fused admission. No longer could he visit
the great victualliDg yard at Stonehouse,
where fourteen acres OF land are devoted
| to storehouses and other houses making
| up the huge establishment OF the.gnavy.
He found soldier bearing gun, at every
gate, and he knew that the three million
pounds OF salt meat, as well as the other
stores, in like quantities, for His Majesty's
service, were safe. He could MT inspect
the great Saltash bridge, that, too, was
guarded. He could not even carry his
camera about, unless, he, too, wanted to
be guarded.
And the band played no more.
In fact, changes were very rapid during
the days preceding and following Eng
lands declaration of war. l had never
believed war possible in the twentieth
century. A war for commercial suprem-
acy, therefore, seemed out Of the ques-
ton; but 1 eagerly watched, knowing
that this was the ''once to every man and
nation" OF which the poet wrote.
/ Watched the hundreds OF preparations
for war. 1t was all done in a quiet and
| systematic manner, and l did not
sense the enormity OF war until one morn
ing when watching some small, black, war
vessels at work in the sound. These were
the mine-layers. Ishuddered. From be-
hind the headland of the HamoaZe,
slowly steamed line OF black or gray
black ships of-wsr. They crept nearer
and nearer; they circled about; and when
there were twenty-five war craft scattered
over the sound, they circled again and re-
entered the Hamoaze.
Chills followed the shudder. "Here,"
thought /, sis Death circling about
Death, indeed! One of these same ships
struck mine off the Thames river before
another week had passed, and you know
the direful result.
Preparations for sea were not the only
ones. Word was soon sent out that "bil-
letting" would probably ensue, or, in other
words, that certain houses would be taken
by the British government for quarters
for the officers and men who were soon to
mobilize in Plymouth. Indeed, saw the
officers talking over the needs, and point
ing to the houses soon to be taken. Our
pension, or small hotel, did not face the
Hoe. 1t was on a street, next below it, so
we we're not obliged to move; but those
hotels facing the water and thus serving
best the needs of the army, were taken.
Guests departed and soldiers guarded the
door.
In short time all the dwelling houses
on the front of the Hoe, as well as hotels,
were taken. An invalid who lived in one
OF these and who was obliged to have a
night light, had to be moved to room in
the rear OF her house, as orders were re-
ceived that no lights should be lighted on
the Hoe after ten o'clock at night. No
lights! None but the seven or more
powerful search lights that ceaselessly
swept darkness from the harbors.
Soon sounds of war began. Tramping
feet often resounded on the asphalt street
outside my window. Finding that it was
going to be almost a continuous excite
ment. went outside to watch. Lines OF