Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-09-25
.*BY THE WAYS

Summer visitors who flew away be-
cause Of few cold days and nights
have been sweltering in the cities ever
since, and no doubt they wish they
were back among the hills. They have
lost the very best bit of weather in all
the year. They will not get glimpse
of the autumnal tints, they will miss
the invigorating Indian summer, with
all it's suggestions and helpfulness in
mental and physical Improvement;
| they will take no part in Natures coro-
nation. The early fall brings the rich
ness and ripeness that goes to the
heart. Natures miracle has been per-
formed and fulfilled and the rest is left
to us.
Snakes are no fun, no matter which
way you look at 'em. Reports are COM
mon of the three or four-foot rattlers
from the mountain ledge that are killed
by school teachers on the other side of
the river, but here is a real snake story
that bears the trademark of truth:
Last Thursday, on the ]. NJ. Herrick
place in Centreville, a black snake was
killed which measured seven feet and
three inches. At it's middle it was big
ger than the wrist of an average man.
1t showed fight, or pursuit, and would
have given battle to the limit had it not
been that the destroyer was a strong
man armed with a scythe. c. N. Her
rick did the trick and did it well. When
the conflict ended there was seven feet
and more of snake and a man in a
dripping sweat. This particular snake
had been once before observed. Last
spring when the grape vines and other
things were burned from a long stone
wall on the Herrick place this snake
was driven from shelter by the heat.
An effort was made to head 1T off but
he got away. Folks in that vicinity
have been watching for him ever since.
Following the Reformer's agitation in
the cleaning of the village lockup,and it's
cleansing, there is now de-
a wholesome plan to build a
building for the town, for
the general public needs. This would
include offices for the bailiffs, the Sc
lectmen, the town court, the chief of
police and, naturally following, the viii
lage lookup. Then, when all this is
done, for gracious sake put in a |
telephone available for |
all. This will easily solve |
some of the problems and do away |
with much of the confusion and uncer-
-ainty of the present day, not to men,
ion the wear and tear experienced at
present in running about to 'see what
he other man says" The cost of
suitable building, including a lot, Is put
It about $4,000.
Much regret is expressed on all sides
through the main streets is not to be
eature of the proceedings this year.
.ast year it was abandoned because
was said to be too expensive to the
ssociation treasury. This year it was
oped that the fair managers might see
heir way clear to renew this very at
ractive feature of the two days festiv-
ties. But it seems not. The
fair Is still regarded as too cost .
:. So there is regret on all sides. :
ferchants feel that the attendance will
e decreased. claiming that people have (
eretofore been drawn from hundreds :
miles away simply by the spectacle
{ the parade and its environment. 1t
'as suggested this week. but too late :
, be put in operation, that the annual
leet of the Vermont Automobile club
lould be held here rather than at
yhite River Junction last Tuesday, as
,heduled. Nobody from here attended
lie meet and it is contended that If the
altering could have been planned for
next Thursday there would
I'VE been a great crowd of 'mobilists
ON many places. and parade OF big
achines which would have done much
adding to the attractions of the day. l
erhaps this suggestion may hold good -
r next year. =
1t may be once more repeated that .
e slaughter of the birds hereabouts .
disgraceful. The Springfield Re-
lblican heads II Bird Murders in !.
That's the size of it. -.
It it doesn't sound real well. How
err. it's the truth. Why not shoot at Ill
weathervane If one must fire at =
There were no trolley cars at work
Sunday. A strap slipped some
lere and the whole business was held
Superintendent Jones says that
thing but the powers above could
We foreseen the accident and conse-
ent delay, so we take his word for