The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-05

Through valleys and past hills flanked
on each side by lofty mountains. l won
dered as we sped along at terrible rate,
if the Vermonters really appreciated the
glorious scenery lying in their midst; or
if being so accustomed to the sight they
gave it no thought, like the blessings we
appreciate only when they are taken
from us.
A ride of six hours landed me in st.
Johns, P. O., and transferred me to the
Canadian Pacific railroad. l soon found
to my regret that had not only changed
country but cars also, and in place of the
push and go-ahead of the Vermont Cen
trail l had left behind, was the leisurely
and easy going officials of the Canadian
Pacific railroad. 1t took one-third of
the time to make so miles that the flyer
occupied in making the distance between
North Bennington and st. Johns. Our
train dragged its slow length along, stop
ping not only at small stations, but in all
sorts of out of the way places, apparent
ly for no earthly reason, unless it was to
let the wheezy engine rest and the pas
sengers get tired.
On my return home found the Tories
greatly exercised over Gladstone's vic
tory in England, and President Harri-
sons retalitory measures in regard to
canal tolls on American freights, etc.
Just about this time great anxiety is
felt for the result of the coming Presi-
dental elections in the United States,
and there is not an English or Canadian
Tory who is not sincerely praying for
the success of Grover Cleveland. If he
is elected they imagine they will have
things about as they wish, Free Trade
included, with no discrimination against
England. Shrewd, conservative bust
ness men see that this is tine only chance
to stop the exodus to the United States,
and kill the desire for annexation. Ar
guing, and with reason, too, that with
Free Trade and reciprocity in all things
there would be inaugurated such an
era of prosperity in the Colonies that
there would be no desire for immigration.
How does this prospect strike you? hon
est Democrats? 1t seems to me that any
person of ordinary intelligence, who has
the welfare of the workingman and his
country at heart, can see in this fact
alone that both England and her North
American Colonies expect to profit at
the expense of the United States by a
change of administration at Washington.
Be honest, at any rate, and if you vote
for Cleveland say openly that you are in
leges you have have heretofore enjoyed
under Protection for by so doing you
are playing directly in her hands.
The province of Quebec has never had
direct tax, but they are in for it now,
and when it takes effect another year,
you will see a greater exodus than last
season. 1t does seem outrageous with
all the disadvantages under which the
farmers labor here, that they should also
be taxed to pay the debt of the Province
which was incurred by dishonesty and
boodling of government officials. Some
thing must be done, however, for the Prov
ince is on the verge of bankruptcy, and this
is the only way of saving it from ruin.
Under Free Trade this would result in
the United States, no doubt.-ED.
We have doctor here, who, besides
being an excellent physician, discounts
anything for eccentricity seldom met.
He has very heavy beard, and once in
three years he shaves it off, and the &C
cumulations he has been saving for the
purpose of making pillow to put under
his head when he is dead. He told me
a short time ago he would have to cut it
only a couple of times more, his pillow
would then be of satisfactory dimen-
sions, in the meantime he hoped to live
long enough to grow agOod crop before
being called hence. One would say i'm
mediately on hearing this, that he would
be very apt to have his coffin prepared
for the momentus event, and that is just
what he is doing. He has the lumber in
his attic seasoning, and will make it
himself. In rambling through the woods
one day he found the root of a cedar
tree that had grown in as eccentric a
way as himself. 1t was crooked and
twisted in such a way that it caught his
fancy at once. He took it home and has
worked on it, and polished it and paint
ed it in to as perfect an imitation of an
enormous adder as you can imagine.
This is one of his parlor ornaments. He
is also a good dentist, and has saved all
the teeth extracted by him for years.
He has had his portrait taken with eyes
closed, as if dead, and has this picture
framed with the aforesaid teeth glued
all around and on the frame, all the work
of his own hands. This chef de eGuUre
is also another parlor gem.
There are mineral springs here near by
us, and like everything else in Canada,
they lay idle, until few years ago,
when an enterprising American from
Boston saw there was money in it, and
bought the right from an old Habitan,
built nice hotel, had the waters anal
yzCd, which were found rich in medici-
nal qualities, and now his house is filled
with summer boarders and invalids.
This hotel is called the Abenikis
House, tribe of Indians by that name
being close by. This same tribe are the
descendants of the cruel warriors who
for several years harrassed the people
along the 200 miles of the borders of
New England, and, being exposed to
savage butchery, the Abenikis, urged by
the French in connection with the Caugh- !
nawagas, the raid was made upon Deer
field, Mass, in furtherance of the policy |
to make the Indians hostile to New Eng |
land. There are many interesting incl
dents told of this remnant of the red |
man, which l must leave for another |
letter.
Fine weather for haying, with a good |
prospect for all kinds of grain and po-
tatOes. NJ Alb,
WEATHER REPORT.
The weather during the past week has |