The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-20
Around the World Twice But SkOw
hogan Is Best

The Reporter has received letter
from George H. Clark of Brooklyn,
N. Y, president of the Mertonian So
ciety of graduate Vocational Coun-
sellers. The letter was written to
r. T. Patten, business manager OF the
Reporter and the article referred to
in the following letter was one writ
ten by Mr.. Patten and forwarded to
the Tribune in reply to their refer
ence to "Old Names are Best" Show
hogan being mentioned in the Tribune
article.4s
Mr.. Clark says:
"In opening my Tribune this morn
ing 14th) 1t happened to BIO the edi-
torial page, and the first article that
attracted me was the one with Show
hogan, at the top. AS a state OF
Maine man, q product Of the schools
of Skowhegan, all the old interests
were aroused and l had good half
hours reflection, 80 l felt In duty
bound to thank you. wonder now
many more Maine folks read your
article, dare say quite few. but
very few probably realized that there
was only one Skowhegan.
81 left Skowhegan as boy, you
probably know some Of my folks,
Rome (every body always called him
Rome or G. J.) Abbey, and Uncle Gene
his brother co. A. Abbey: since
then have been around the world
twice. have hobby Of the study
of human nature (call 1t psychology
IL you care to I prefer the full breadth
of human understanding and l have
compared the people of most every
race and country, and also the coun-
tries themselves, but, l have yet 10
see people or place that surpass-
es the people and the place of SHOW
hogan; and I have sat In many coun-
tries and made this comparison. We
have more real variety in nature than
any place l have been to, the river;
the ponds, the brooks, the level
stretches, the slopes, the hills, the
healthy woodlands and vegetation,
and always more of 1t, with plenty
of room to roam around, with people
real neighborly, why as boy, going
ND or down one of the roads, most
everyone asked II you wanted to ride.
They were sincere, frank, trustful,
and they didn't have to know who
you were either. Many time l
remember, being asked who | was
about the time I was ready to say
thanks and get off. We could cross
anybody's fields or pasture or wood
lot. / have often reflected upon this
unique honesty. and am writing this
to say that there is truly only one
Skowhegan, and also there Is only
one REAL Maine. Here In busy
New York, where every thing is hus-
tie, where every one distrusts, where
no matter what you want to do. II
is the habit to discourage, where
money comes before friendships,
have tried to stick to and apply the
same teachings we learned at home,
and they work, not as well as In
Skowhegan, but they work VERY
WELL for New York. In my home
Il is a common thing to hear visitors
say / don't understand how you can
do 30 much for others, or how can
you trust people the way you do.
I have often wondered just how to
reply to these questions. guess
l will have to say, well | was brot
up In Skowhegan.' / notice I am
using a letter head of The Mertonian
Society. This Is society OF grad
uate Vocational Character Analysists.
In New York we are learning to read
character little better In the face.
Blend this with psychology and 1t
gives you a fair understanding of the