Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-10-17
THE MEDDPER.
~ tie coat ITS PIT II on"

People who are inclined to anathema-
tie the electric railroad nowadays be-
cause its cars do not always stop just
where they ought should familiarize
themselves with the golden rule and APP
ply il whenever possible. There is no
time in the whole year any more dreaded
by the motormen than these weeks of
falling leaves. \ storm of sleet is
nothing compared to a layer of dead
foliage on the tracks. There is just
enough sap left in the leaf stems to
form sticky, slippery paste which
adheres to the rails and reduces fric-
tion way below the useful point. So if
car carries you a few yards by the
crossing and you have to wade through
mud to reach the sidewalk don t curse
the motorman but take it out of the
street cleaning department.
Once again the Meddler feels that it
is up to him to cuSs about the insult
ferable condition of the local railroad
yard. In so doing he is not alone for
there is not a single person, however
orthodox. who does not feel like bring
ing down maledictions on the Central
Vermont railroad company whenever he
has occasion to traverse this muckhole
To those who have vainly tried to have
the place made passable ii has become
known as the slough of despond'
while others with less patience and
more temper know it as the c. Y. pig
pen. As a pigpen, however, it Is dis
nal failure, and if that's what the rail
road directors intend it for they could
have learned lesson from the swine
department of the Valley Fair. If
cleanliness is really next to Goodness
then the responsible parties are "A
mighty long way from the kingdom of
heaven.
Comparatively few people in town
are aware of the high standing of the
local orchestra among the different
companies which appear at the Audi
forum. The majority of theatre goers
are inclined to blame the musicians for
every hitch which occurs, and not in,
frequently persons are heard to eN-
patiate on the "rottenness' of the or
chestra when in reality there Is not the
slightest blame which can be laid on
them. As a matter of fact the position
of a theatre orchestra Is extremely diff
tcult. and Oftentimes the ability of
even the best musicians is taxed to the
utmost. The score is generally pen
and ink copy, many times almost un-
readable, and the players are some
times called upon to tranSpose at sight
and follow at the same time. Follow
ing" as the term is used unsteady, Is
extremely difficult, especially as many
actors learn their songs without regard
to the way in which the music Is writ
ten and expect the orchestra to render
the accompaniment accordingly II Il
compliment worth while, therefore.
when the Auditorium orchestra Is
called unusually good by every theat-
rical organization which appears here.
II
Letters to the Meddler are not I'M
common occurrences but it Is seldom
that they are of sufficient merit to get
into print \ recent communication,
however, deserves more than passing
notice. 1t was as follows;
Dear Meddler thinking that at
times you may be hard up for subjects
on which to comment, | take the lib
erty of bringing one to your notice.
For several months past the absolute
needlessness of ringing the church
bells Sunday morning has been grow
ing upon me. Why don't you advo-
cate the adjustment of this obsolete
custom: Everyone knows when it is
time to attend service, and the unmu-
steal changing of the bells Jars upon
the aesthetic feeling Hoping to see
this matter brought to public notice
in your column. | remain sincerely,
An Up-to- date Taxpayer.
The writer of this amusing epiStle is
certainly outspollen in his ideas but he
fails to appreciate the deeper signiti-
canoe of this time honored custom. In
his demand for "up-to- dateness he
overlooks the pleasures of the present
custom however antiquated it may be.
Think for one moment, Mr.. Taxpayer,
of what you wish taken from the man
who, awakened by the chimes of the
Sabbath tocsin, returns to sleep happy
in the thought that he need not get up
even if it is 9 O'Clock. Think of the
uueasiness of him who, as things are
now. can begin splitting kindling as
soon as the tolling stops, feeling as
sured that the blows of his Ratchet
Will not reach the ears of his God
fearing neghbors. And. last of all,
do not forget the scores of good old
ladies, sitting prim and rigid in their
connecting apparel. who
would wear out their best gloves in .
vain waiting for the summons to di-
vine worship.
The Meddler,