Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-05-08
Fire and Water.

felt-enough indeed TO adjourn very
important Justice Court without ceremo-
ny, and call upon the jury, not ito SIT
upon," but 10 stand around the threatened
building. The fire proved to be sight,
however, and with the aid Of our efficient
fire company-three men and boy
and of our invaluable engines hall
dozen water pals and pint cup-the
deyouring element was soon brought un-
der. Had the building burned-the large
one know as the Enos house-such was
the direction Of the wind that no house
to the north, on that street could have
escaped. The Baptist meeting house
would have gone first, and so on. But
such is the apathy and Indifference Of
the people dwelling on this common
by no means Il common people, however
that one might almost pray for n fire TO
wake them up, as the minister prayed
for great snakes to bite the rest of a very
hard family, after one had been converted
by means Of bite.
What indeed can equal the lack Of
enterprise or even provident foresight of
this placer There are two seasons eve
ry year, the dry and the cold, VIXEN there
is not water enough on this common, un-
less drawn in barrels from the river, to
put out brush heap, if it was well a-fire.
There is scarcely enough to water trav-
ellers' horses. All the wells in the viii
lage, save one or two dry, and the els
terms containing from one to fire pals
full! What could we do at such time
In case Of a fire i? Even our engine, the
Gin cup, would soon exhaust it all, and we
must just stand by and see the building
burn. We are not q prophet, nor the
con of a prophet, but we predict that
that time will come, and we advise our
citizens to have their property insured
for all it is worth and little more, as &
speculation. The insurance offices are
good. Let them stand it.
But, seriously, would it not be a wise
movement simply as a security agains
fire to bring water upon this common
The convenience would be something
We see apparatus fitted up, sleds with
holders bound on, and Wagons similarly
ripped for drawing untar from the river
And at some seasons of the year these
fixings are in pretty constant use. l
would appear TO US that the small outlay
necessary to have running water herr
would be more than repaid if TO say,
this trouble alone. Here then is the fir
danger to add 10 the plea Of convenience
And last, but not least, the score of prof
and loss. 1t would more than pay il
the increased value of real estate. VIII,
Is real estate, village lots and villag
property such drug upon the market
A little examination will show that il
because there is no thrifty foresight nc
energy in the people, at least so far {
real estate is concerned. A man owns
farm. He allows everything on it to III
to waste, pays no attention to his fence
his door yard becmes a cow yard, h
buildings lose single here, and boal
there, become leaky, rotten, exhibit
tumble down appearance. His meadow
for want of care are all grown over wi
moss or bushes his blowing is steri
and unproductive. lie says the far
must take care of itself. 1t is pc
farm that will not keep in repair, and
this is fine it must do so. But by al
bye he wishes to sell, and he cannot
course. Then he turns around and CT
ses his farm because it will not sell
high as his neighbours. Who does 1
see the man is fool? If he had tax
care of his farm, laid out few doll;
for repair Of buildings, kept his promi:
tidy and nice, had his fences secur
properly in their time, the result wol
have been just the opposite. 1t is
negligence, letting the plantation ia
care of itself that so much Of Virgin
has become entirely worthless. Now
think here is a principle applicable
Irasburgh. If you would have prope
saleable, make it desirable by your
provements, rather than the opposite
neglect.
We have already made one suggest
to this people, and we would now CT
mend to their consideration another
Trees viii have grown themselves in
village, as on the site Of ancient Baby
first grass II. the streets, and then tr,
unless new policy shall be Inaugural
in some way. But water cannot &C
here, save from the clouds, unless by
tifcial means. St Johnsbury has rec,