Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-24

WATERBURY. That "whaing expedition " was
an announcement Of faith and not Of knowledge.
1t was a sort of forlorn hope devised to raise the
long embargo on light in this village. Pickett
had demonstrated his fitness to lead a forlorn
hope. A greenbacker, he had learned fortitude
when hope was exceedingly forlorn skilfull fish
erman, he knew more ways than one to capture
black bass,-and why not whale? The exped-
ton announced in spirit Of prophcey-the prophet
was under the influence OF no other sprit-set
sail in quest Of oil on Thursday. Skipper Pickett
wisely handed over the harpoon to the skillful
hands of Mrs. C. n. Arms. school Of whales
was encountered the first day out. Her unerring
harpoon speared the lot. Friday and Saturday
she resolutely held to the work and struck oil "
at every flight Of her harpoon. In other words,
through the energetic solicitation Of subscriptions
by Mrs. Arms, who interested herself in this mat
ter, nearly $50 had been subscribed by the citizens
up to Monday morning, which insures thelighting
Of the street lamps for year 1t is hoped the sum
will be increased to 800, which will admit of
procuring and lighting much needed additional
lamps. Mrs. Arms is fairly entitled to public
thanks for her enterprise and her very successful
efforts The field for enterprise and "internal
improvements is by no means exhausted. Those
unsightly fences, bad sidewalks and weedy cutters
on Main street between the chill +" and the hotel
still arrest the attention OF visitors and cause them
to wonder that the citizens Of so picturesque
town should be so needless Of its appearance.
The owners Of the vacant lots between the Car
penter place and village hall should send to John
Sherman and get his recipe for demoraized fences,
and no doubt almost any Of their thrifty neigh
bors will show them how to trim out the grass
and weeds and "tidy up" generally. This part
Of the village strangers invariably see and certain
portions OF it are the worst looking parts OF the
town. The debris of old carts around that car
rage shop is not ornamental Why not pick them
up and put them out of sight2 1t won't cost any
thing, and decent regard for the good fame OF
the village and the rights and feelings OF those
residents who take commendsble pride in hay
ing their premises look neat and attractive should
influence all delinquents to keep their property in
respectable order. The condition OF the ceme-
terry is the subject OF much sharp criticism. The
place seems more like rude unkept field than a
burial place for the dead. decent regard for
the memory OF loved ones buried there should
unite all citizens in request to the authorities to
have the place properly graded and kept with
greater care. Without this the labor and expense
of individuals on private lots are OF little avail
Waterbury is the third town in the county in point
OF wealth. It would be notifying to many cit-
zens who yearn for better things to fix her rank
In respect to local pride and public institutions
| but little well directed outlay and enterprise
with good deal OF healthy agitation, will change
all this. .. Mrs. Armstrong OF Chicago, nee Della
Royce is with her three children, visiting her sis
ter, Mrs. Luther Henry. Three exhibitions OF
night blooming cereus, at Mrs. Bishops, at VIII
Carpenters and at Mrs. Stebbins, have occurred
during the past week. In each case the flowers
were large and the display an attractive one.
| A train of travel-stained Chicago excursionists
stopped at this station In passing through Sun
day cheap rate eIcursonist Of an enquiring
| mind alghted from one Of the dirty cars and,
strutting along the platform with his hands In his
pockets encountered Bert Bishop, to whom he
stated with that difiidence that characterzes the
true Chicagoan, that 1t WAS conundrum which
he had been trying to answer, "IIow in the world
the people in this rough country could get liy-
ing?' To whom quoth Bert "Well, sir, they do
make living and when they travel they hire a
Pullman palace car and pay full farel" The
Congregational ladies' aid society had pleasant
picnic meeting at Nelson Germans in Cobyyile
last week. A fine supper, with tables laid out
ofdoors, and a large attendance by old folks and
young folks made the occasion very enjoyable
one. The sea-shore sojourners have returned
much benefited by their visit TO old ocean-ex-
cept Governor Moody who brings back the pallid
countenance and attenuated form he carried
away, Croquet is better for him than salt water
THE street lamps were relighted Monday
night and there was Joy again In Waterbury.