Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-14

distressed Bufalonian, in the Commercial
Advertiser, thus describes his grievances:
"Sancho Panza--we think il was Sancho-
once invoked blessing upon the man who first
invented sleep; a blessing was pronounced upon
the frosty pow of old John Anderson, my 10, by
his better half In fact, blessings are good
things, and should be bestowed as often as pos
sibe, provided they are not wasted, as they
would ne upon great many.
FOR instance, there is the misguided and
neyer-to-be sufficiently eXecrated wretch who
originally invented and inflicted upon mankind
that modern abomination, the steam whistle
What possible good, we should like to know
would any amount of intercession be likely to
accomplish for such as he, even if there should
happen to be anybody sufficiently weak minded
to make an effort in his BEHALF We feel Just as
thoroughly satisfied that he will share the fate
of the shepherd who had never been at court, as
we do that he deserves nothing better.
"These monsters are everywhere, and are
never still and the amount of annoyance they
occasion, and profanity they incite, are fearful
TO think Of Take, for instance, the shrill
vicious little steamtug whistle; did any one
ever hear one of them-unesS it might be
from long distance-witbout wishing that
something might happen TO it? And then when
a gang of from dozen to twenty of them get
together, and all, without the slightest provoca-
ton, but out of pure and unadulterated cussed-
ness as it always seemed to us, ioiu In a series
it afford pious man the very liveliest kind of
satisfaction to know that they were on the verge
OF screeching themselves out of existence, and
that the whistles and those who were melting
them would soon be heard and seen no more
forever? If there happened to be the least earth
ly use for encumbering steam tug with one of
these devices there might be some excuse for
their ceaseleSs and discOrdant 'fooling," but as
there isn't we think double dose of eXecration
should be dealt out in these cases
"Then there is the great hoarse, believing
foundry or machine shop whistle, which might
well fright the city from its propriety, to say
nothing of the horses therein, a perfect demon
in its way is this particular whistle. It COM
mences, as rule, with a low, heavy, rumbing
roar, gradually increasing in volume until all
other sounds are swallowed up; it pervades all
space, and nothing else can be heard or thought
of for the time. The language of the brute is
not to be misunderstood, either, 1t bellows out
as plainly as possible to the stalwart, swarthy
men who hammer and pound and chisel and
punch out there the means of livelihood as
they are swallowing their breakfast at their
homes, or hurrying through the streets to the
scene of their daily toll, If you are not here
in just twenty minutes, my fine fellows, you'll
get locked OF a portion of your days wages
that's all; so you'd better hurry up, there!
R-O'o-o-O-arP Then, when the day is done its
voice is heard again, but with less heartness, to
mutter out, suppose you'll want to knock off
now; but look sharp tomorrow morning, I'll be
after you againP
"But the locomotive whistle! He's the bov
for the fair, and seems to enjoy himself better
than all the lest. Listen to him when in chase
Of, with good chance OF oyertaking, some hap
less horse or COW upon the TRACK; his exultant
foot! loot! toot! tootp az the prospect Of maxi
ing jerked beef of the poor beast is perfectly
devilish, and demonstrates his utter contempt
for all enactments for the prevention of cruelty
to ANIMALS. Hear him as he rattles over some
crossing, or darts through tunnel, screaming
out his shrill defiance and challenging every
thing and everybody. Come on if you darel
he says to the man in the wagon-'attempt TO
cross my path, and I'll scatter your brains and
grind your bonesP Get off this hrid re and out
Of this tunnelP shrieks he again, COR III tear
you limb from limb, that the mother who bore
you shall know you notP And so he goes
footing and screaming and shrlekng, day and
night stirring the sleepers in more senses than
one, and making himself universally disagree
able.
"All these, to say nothing of the smaller fry,
are ever, as we construe it, opening heir valves
in Judgment against the man who first endowed
them with the power of screech; and if he does
not get his deserts, it will not be for the reason
that his dement's are not sufficiently blown
abroad.
"The fact is, we never did like steam whistles;
and when we ref ,ct that men are getting to be-
lieye that yard of tape cannot be correctly
measured, or pint of milk properly doled out
or Orstle nicely attached 10 a waXed end, with
out the assistance Of one of these peace disturb
ers, we feel discouraged"