Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-08-11

less he takes anote. Notes are given as
a rule, and the time ON which they are
drawn beats the Government all hollow.
Coupons are not the order, but the hold
er can call on the signer as long as the
signer lives, or shove the main part up
as collateral for pump logs or lead pipe,
as he chooses.
The improvements made in the place
during the last half century are small
but in few instances there has been
quite an advance in the mode of doing
business. The Bank of Bellows Falls
now discounts at its own counter. Years
ago one wanting money on his own or
another's paper, was obliged TO visit the
foot of the canal, where, seated on a pine
log, the cashier of the bank, from pock-
ct equally filled with fish. hooks, fish
worms and bank bills, discounted the
farmers note. Although William Hen
ry, the cashier, was continually bobbing
for half pound pike with Indifferent sue.
cess, he eventually bobbed into Congress
with huge Vermont majority. If his
speeches were never reported and his
eloquence never appreciated, his charac-
ter as an honest man and an upright cit
,, izen is held in the highest esteem. There
are a great many of such men left here
to-day, but the wicked parts being all
| exposed, stranger or person long alb
sent is led to suppose that the men have
deteriorated, but such is not the fact
The rough portions are all shown, and
the rules of civilization as here defined
prohibits any chiseling. Divine Provi-
dence stepped in a few years ago and
tipped off portion of Table rock on Fall
Mountain. The cap-stone was injured,
and the inhabitants rallying their wits,
it was finally decided that it was pun
ishment for the wickedness and siniulness
of the Vermont Valley Railroad in tun-
nelling the main square of the village.
Bridgman, the great trout man, who has
made Bellows Falls better known than
any other, save perhaps, old Bellows, or
old Falls himself, was laughed at and
sneered at for tearing away a saw mill to
build trout pond. The old farmers
said he was lazy fellow and had better
work instead of seeking after fun. no.
tice that the toolishness evinced by
Bridgman is being copied by every old
chap who can by any means draw or
pump quarter inch stream.
To illustrate the oddities of the citi-
zens Of other portions of the town, have
only to add that at Saxtons River, pref
ty little village tucked in among the hills
four miles away, a respectable resident
was sadly impaired in his reputation and
credit at the grocery, by appearing in
clean shirt and with his boots blacked.
People seriously imagined that he had
been shaking props with success, or else
some one at the head of the village would
find the cash short in his money drawer.
Saxtons River is place where mans
talent and ability is gagged by his tact
in swapping off spawned horse as
sound one. There are good many liv-
ing there possessing high grade of tai
ent combined with great deal of tact.
1t is custom there to GUST any deacon
from his place in the church if that dea-
con offers any objection to the members
of the society playing three card monte,
or rafting in the vestry Of the meeting
house. AT all events the thing has hap
pened, and the peddlers have more to do
with running the gospel, as delivered by
St John at Saxtons River, then any be-
lever in immersion connected with the
various societies. Conversions are not
frequent.
After all the peculiarities of these
Vermonters, | am free to confess / ike
them. 1t was here that | first took in
the air which enables me to inhale it to-
night,-but l do dislike the pull-back no
tons in vogue. Imagine to yourself
hundred men pushing good idea ahead,
and you see something pleasant to look
upon; but change the scene to hun
bred pulling it back, and you have a
faint view of Bellows Falls-minus the
idea, HARRY's Boy.