The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-25
With The President at GuilfOrd
(By Roland T. Patten)


One evening. probably in 1882, I
went with company OF other boys of
my own age to, the common on Baptist
Hill, where we were then accustom-
ed to play baseball. There were the
youngsters l had usually met and in
addition two boys were introduced to
me as Johnny and Archie. Perhaps
ought to correct myself as to intro
duced." Probably there were no for
NAL introducti1ns. We just discoy-
cred each others names In the way
that boys OF that age are likely to.
We chose sides and in this process
was the captain or leader of one
mine After the players had been
selected for the opposing teams" l
proceeded to assign my men to the
positions I deemed them best suited
for. Not knowing the qualifications
of the two new boys told Johnny to
go to right field and Archie to center.
Perhaps l was little autocratic about
1t. AS I recall, Johnny went along
without any comment but Archie
turned to me and said. little indig-
nantly; "",Who you'd, be my boss, l
wonder, II anything happened to
your" notwithstanding this some
what inauspicious beginning of our
acquaintance, we afterwards estab-
lished friendship which stood all
sorts of tests thru many years,
About that period I was enjoying
the acquaintance of school girl
friend, who lived on the south side of
the river. Her parents were splendid
people and they surely had the right
idea about some things. We had a
curfew bell In those days which rang
at seven o'clock in the morning and
again at nine o'clock at night. don't
just recall why seven o'clock was the
hour for the morning ringing. 1t
certainly was not regarded in that
early day as the time to get up.
Perhaps 1t was to notify people that
breakfast ought to be over and to
start them off for work. AS to the
nine O'Clock bell there was no doubt
of its purpose. 1t was intended to
indicate the hour when all young
people should be safe at home. The
parents of the girl just referred to
approved of the nine o'clock curfew
and were strong for its observance.
We we'll understood that she must be
in the house by the time that bell
stopped ringing. Sometimes. as
accompanied her home, the bell would
commence before we arrived at the
parental abode. In such cases our
stroll would break into run In order
that we might land at the door in
time.
Not long after the baseball incident
first above referred to an acquaintance
was commenced between the boy
therein mentioned and my school
girl friend. This led to marriage
after a few years and the establish
ment of an ideal home and family.
One morning. probably about 1888,
Il met my baseball friend OF earlier
days on the street and he asked me
to come along with him to the Show
hogan Savings Bank, not stating, as
| remember what his errand was. We
walked in and he stepped up to the
counter saying: II want to start a
savings account In the name Of Robert
Craig Houston" The two friends oil
my youth above mentioned are gone
leaving with me and with all who
knew them, an enduring. beloved and
respected memory. The boy for
whom the account was started that
morning long years ago is now a
prominent Piscataquis County wooden
manufacturer.
The above reminincense is suggest
ed by a recent visit to Guilford.
was fortunate enough to be included
In a party of Skowhegan ladies who
accompanied Mrs. Florence Waugh
Danforth to that town Thursday even.
ing Of last week. she going at the In
vitation of Guilford Woman's Club
and the occasion being federated
meeting. enjoyed every moment
of my sojourn In that busy and beau
tiful community. The people were
most cordial. the place Of meeting de-