Daily Kennebec journal., 1923-09-24

In the twilight OF the early eve
ming. Sunday. powerful, smoothly
rolling. silent automobile drew up
to the curb stone in front of 'he
Augusta House entrance, and as the
bell boys on duty held the doors
wide. tall, bronZed visaged, white
haired man and a sweet faced little
woman mounted the steps, crossed
the lobby 20 the desk, and proceeded
to register. There were those in the
hotel lobby who believed that they
noticed something somehow strange
ly familiar about the features of the
quick motioned gentleman, but it
took the evidence of the register
page TO substantiate the quick
guess that some haZarded as to the
identity of the couple.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Ford, Dear
born, Michigan" was the inscription.
The great captain of Americas au-
tomobile industry sought refresh
ment and shelter in the Capital City
of Maine on his return trip from
brief weekend respite from the
cares and demands of his business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ford went at once to
their rooms and a few minutes later
came down to the home-like dining
room for dinner.
Divers are the methods and re-
sources of the newspaper man, but
the kennebec Journal representa-
tive wondered just how he should
approach this world figure, and wIat
would be his reception. He arrived
in the lobby of the hotel after Mrs.
Ford had gone to her room and
was informed that Mr.. Ford had
stepped out for few minutes. On
the point of seeking him out, the
door was opened and the automo-
bile manufacturer walked in from
the open air, bare headed, and
muncping salted peanuts. He went
at once across the hotel lobby, and
just as the elevator girl was about
to close the door OF the elevator car
behind him. the kennebec Journal
reporter slipped in like a shadow,
and as the door was rolled to. found
himself closeted in the elevator with
Henry Ford and an unobtrusive lit
tie elevator girl.
The Journal man introduced him.
self and Mr.. Ford most graci )usly
greeted him with firm hand
clasp. Il am not going to ask you
for an interview on the international
court, nor on the President cam
paign of 1924" said the reporter. II
appreciate the fact that you are TAX
ing a brief vacation from your busy
manufacturing interests, and just
want to ask you how you enjoyed
your hurried trip to Seal Harbo.'."
Mr.. Ford seemed to appreciate
the idea of not being asked for an
interview on his Presidential ;-spira-
tions or the like-or perhaps 1t was
hn nf hn; 1l0 .sxl
the reporter and the elevator .;irl
in the glass and steel cage. where
he curious folks in the lobby could
i'll a measure observe, but overhear
nothing. A pleasant little mile
curved his lips and his eyes twin
kled. Il like Maine very much. Mrs.
Ford and myself enjoyed our visit
at Seal Harbor, and think the ,cen-
cry most wonderful"
The reporter ventured a quest ION
as to whether there was anything
which occurred to Mr.. Ford to gay
in connection with his trip to Maine.
Il have met many nice people on
this trip to Maine and l like them
all very much indeed" he replied
He further gave the reporter to un-
derstand that should the occasion
present itself, Mr.. Ford would very
much enjoy sojourning for an in
definite time on the Maine coast. He
said that this was the first occasion
on which he had ever stopped in
Augusta. and everything had been
very pleasant for Mrs. Ford and
himself.
The Journal representative learned
that Mr.. and Mrs. Ford made the
trip to Seal Harbor. where their
son, Edsel Ford, has a magnificent
summer home, by train. They are
returning to Dearborn. by automo-
bile, and are unaccompanied in their
machine except for the chauffeur. 1t
was a most friendly and good fellow
sort of smile that spread over the
magnates frank features, when in
response to query. he admitted
that they were travelling in a Lincoln
car. They will leave this morning
to continue their journey by way Of
Portland.
AS the reporter bade him good
evening. Mr.. Ford held out his and
in a very sincere manner, and ex-
changed courtesies. expressing II as
his hope that he might again visit
in Augusta, and meet the good REQ
pie here.
Mrs. c. ]. Lincoln, formerly of