Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-23
BELFAST
Belfast Man Observes 85th
Birthday in the West

Birthday in the West
The following is a pen picture Of
a we'll known Belfast man, Thomas
Rice, who at the age Of 81 retired
from active work in the Leonard &
Barrows shoe factory. having made
shoes for over 10 years. written by
his daughter, Mrs. Ida Hartshorn of
Detroit, where he now makes his
home with his children. leaving Bel
fast last summer. The poem was
written in observance Of his S5th
terest by his many friends in this
vicinity:
when the seventh Of May comes
along for a day, as my Daddy's birth
day we all count it, and while 1
don't know but what that is So. if
he's reckoned them right, why I
doubt it.
For just look at his face. and
look at his pace, if you wish to see
anyone youthful, at his neat hair
and tie. rosy cheek and bright eye,
and you'll wonder with me- II he's
truthful. Tho he's young. bright
and gay. on this very same day. he
says with real honest intention, that
his birthdays he fears. are just
eighty-five years, but think that's
just an invention. For his daily shop
work. we can't get him to shirk, and
he dances and sings, reads and
CANDLES" he can hand you and I
what we call the ''go-by' as around
this 6n0 rifv he h1nc ho
good friends galore and can make
many more, with his wit and quick
answer. he's ready, he can work with
the best as his son will attest, and
can show them a squirt or go steady.
He's all ready to 60 If you name a
good show. a nice trip. a nice call,
a nice party: and when he arrives
he always contrives to enjoy him
self there well and hearty. So Time
has been stung. for each year he
grows young, and he's happy and
well. neat and jolly, and take off
my hat to a daddy like that, who
would think OF grow old was, a folly.
A tie and a brush and a pipe that
won't crush and a little postcard I
am bringing. and if I could be half
as rich as John D., on a pleasure
trip soon we'd be winging. His de-
scendants you see, large and small
seem to be and they all in the world
have a part. but they'll go good
way, along their LIES day, if they
copy this kind. youthful heart"
When Tom Rice. as he was known
to his shopmates. left Belfast year
Lo I,o Il IL ;,,c
and his children, having homes and
business in Detroit. prevailed upon
him to give up his work and join
them. They wanted him to spend
the rest of his life enjoying himself
and give up work entirely, but this
he was 10th to do. His son in De-
troit has an enameling and plating
plant and one of the inducements
offered him was that he could work
or not and receive good wages. Mr..
Rice's recipe for long life and good
health and happiness, is to work
hard. He has always done this and
at So looks about so. and grows
younger every year. He has several
grandchildren. three of whom were
in the service, as he was when a
young man. He is very happy in the
West but his Belfast friends hope
he will pay a visit to his former
home before he becomes real
westerner and forgets the East
DR.. and Mrs. Paul Smith Miss
Marjorie Shaw arrived on the Sat-
urday morning boat from Boston
and will visit the formers parents
Mrs. Smith is the daughter of the
late Walter c. Shaw. for several
years superintendent of Leonard &
Barrows' shoe factory. Her mar
riage to DR.. Smith took place last
fall.
Dr.. and Mrs. Ansel NJ. Lothrop
arrived Saturday, the former from
years service in England and
France with a medical unit. He ar
rived in New York about a week ago
where Mrs. Lothrop Joined him. He
will reopen his Office in the Colonial
Theater building, which has been
closed during his absence.
Miss Isabel Cooper who has been
visiting in her former home in New
port since the close of the Seapines
school at Brewster. Mass, arrived
Saturday to pass the summer in Bel
fast.
Miss Mabel Craig, who has been
teaching in Alabama, arrived Satur-
day to pass the summer with her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles NJ.
Craig at The Battery.
Miss Louise Hazeltine returned
Saturday from Boston and Lowell.
In the latter city she was the guest
of Mr.. and Mrs. James +. Preston