The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-04-21
For the Register.
Side w alks.

entitled to hold conspicuous rank. They
are a desideratum to our citizens. There
is no one feature of improvement, that
presents itself to our consideration, so
fraught with the elements Of personal
comfort as this. Unquestionably it would
do more for the health and happiness of
the people of Middlebury, than any sim
liar outlay OF means. The County seat
of Old Addison, rests under the foul
charge of having poorer, meaner side
walks, than any village of its size within
a distance of IS miles.
After drizzling rain, they become waxy,
greasy, sopy, concerns, unfit for the feet
of well-bred people,-we had almost said
of civilized beings. .r.
Look at yonder female, pulling away
at her skirts, topping upon a bowlder,
and sharply straining her vision to spy
out another, on which she may poise her.
self and escape miring.
Observe the Merchant Fastening from
his place of business, in slight shower,
to his dinner. Instead Of tripping along
quickly and neatly upon a nice plank
walk, you see him with heavy over-shoes,
made still heavier by several ounces if not
pounds (avoirdupois) of argillaceous mud.
He strides, or walks with feet wide apart,
as he goes, lest his black-doe-skins become
plastered and stifened and he taken (by
his beloved) for scayenger, rather than
a knight of the yard-stick.
Notice the little, girl of 10 or II sent
to the Office for news. At some of the
street crossings, her rubbers suddenly be.
come seized with afoctionate attachments,
and she walks out Of them, and her neat
and shining goat-skins. are introduced to
an acquaintance with clay mud and
w1ter ti.f .r.t
But the most delectable sight is that of
the man, who would by his firm tread and
airy movements, give of show Of dig
nity-would leave hints in his boot tracks,
that he belongs to monied aristocracy--
that no snobish blood courses in his vsna
cava. Watch him ut some foul crossing
so cool, 20 relentless, 50 indemitable in
his purpose, not to led down his dignity.
but really it is difficult, his straight line
becomes tortuous, his back bends, his eyes
are strained in pursuit of second foot
hold-He reels, he slips and founders
but he makes progress-not however
without numerous gyrations that charac-
terize a rope dancer. His balance pole,
by which he preserves his equipoise, con-
sists of strong hickory cane, and big
head that goes "bobing around bobing
around.' thus dividing his honors with
Tiplers and Mountebanks
We simply utter truism when we as
sert, that next to shelter from the pitt
less winds aud storms--neIt to a decent
wardrobe-next in short to our "bread
and cheese We need good and commodi-
Gus plank walks. They are sine qua
non in this utilitarian age. -,'
But says one, they are expensive We
meet the objec ton in the language of gen.
tlemsn Of this State, while urging his
darling project of contemplated line of
Rail Road. He was told that it would
not pay" "I care not a fig for that,
it will prove a great public convenience"
was the noble reply. stT
Much expense is incurred on eur side
walks yearly and still they are mud walks.
They are only miserable substitutes
sham--a spscisus eheat---a filthy delusion.
We must have reform in sentiment and
action. ..i'+ f
What is money good for we ask, but to
secure the comforts of life.
A plank walk properly constructed of
good materials will last with slight repairs
from 25 to 80 years. But suppose that it
lasts on an average only 20 years, We
argue that enough will be saved during
that period in Doctor Bills and good tenn
per to renew ii.
No inuignifcant argument might be
urged on the amount of time saved in
our necessary trips to the business centre
Of our village. whether for rs years we
can skip easily along over a good plank
walk, or nope it out through mud and
quick-sand. '
A good walk on one side Of each street
with frequent and permanent crossings,
would meet the wants of our citizens. Why
should we not have this great luxury ?
We are able and should be willing
If any man lifts the finger of objection,
lot him look out Of his window, in the
muddy season, and observe delicate fe-