Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-02
quet at Augusta House
Norman L. Bassett)


Arthur Gray Staples laid Satur-
day afternoon on his editorial desk
tho pen which he has made so
famous. and setting his face east
ward from Lewiston, followed the
high road into the capital. He
came because a few weeks before he
had received this letter from the
Chief Justice Of the Supreme
judicial Court of MAINE, Dear
; Arthur. 49, A. few Off your friends
would like to give you an informal
dinner at the Augusta House. on
Saturday evening May thirty first
at seven o'clock. This is not in the
form of a legal summons but I hope
1t will have the same compelling
force. l trust you can be present"
At midnight he was following the
high road westward home seated by
the side of one of those friends,
neighbor, and, holding tightly under
his arm book that a king might
we'll covct, his thoughts were over
flowing with contentment and hap
piness. Those few hours between
his coming and going had brought
to him q unique and beautiful gift,
unexpected tributes of admiration,
OF affection and friendship and were
the final chapter of story more
interesting and inspiring than which
none has, been written or will be
written on the pages of the history
of our state. Read we the story.
& Last November, one of those sud-
den Inspirations came to one of
Arthur's friends. 1t was passed on
to another and to another. Always
1t found a ready and hearty re-
Spouse. This was the suggestion.
You know what forks are thinking
nd Inc Oh ArkE Ia
More and more as time has gone on
have they come to know through
| that pen Of his, when they have not
actually met him, and through that
same pen and acquaintance when
they have met him, his power and
charm. In this direction and in that
and farther and farther out his
knowledge. wisdom, philosophy, wit
and humor. have. reached. How
! many corners, near and far, his
| sunshine has frightened. How
| many pictures he has drawn Of men
ana things. He has written about
what he has seen in us and others.
Why not turn this about and let
| some of his friends write about
what they have seen in him. Bind
this together and put 1t into his
hands, right now while he is in the
very prime of his life and let him
enjoy it to the full. 1t will lengthen
and strengthen his days. Let's have
little book about and for "A. G..
81, those initials which have be-
come household letters in Maine
"And that's how it all started" as
the witness said.
| For the substance of the book
friends Of AGS who knew him well
| In varying ways. who were them
selves well known in Maine for
keen observation, wide experience,
and the power of clear expression.
upon being informed of the plan
and being requested to write about
Arthur, each from his own angle,
gladly consented.
For the form of the book It
should be made by the Roycrofters
of East Aurora, masters Of the art
of making beautiful books. This
would of course require money but
one hundred were readily found
who wanted o copy of that book
and were glad to subscribe q sum
therefor which would pay for one
hundred and one, this one being
Arthur's own. r
The next qeustion was how and
when he should receive his own.
Who does not love the festal board :
An easy road to theN heart has AT
ways been and win always be VIA