The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-12-15

Mr.. Editor: There Ia always an ell
ment OF danger IN making comparisoa..
but though dangerous they are -otne-
times profitable. Among the atttsc y
streets Ia our beautiful village u -~0a-
hogan, there i one that stands D. t-.a
| IN some respects. According ~ IN,
word- Of one Of the more pr6minen
citizens residing On the street H. que.tiou
ut is the only street IN town". Thi.
gentleman IL accustomed To eon.ider
values carefully, ard such an opinion
from such source i therefore worthy
Of critical analysis. What are he ple-
ments that comtne to make this street
outrank others
First Of all, notwithstanding the IL
telligence and high moral character Of
those fortunate enough TO dwell on this
street, IL appears self evident that this
feature is not In Itself sufficient 10 Civ
any preeminence 10 the street. Happily
our citizens Of true worth are pretty
evenly distributed over the whole town
and no limited sections are specially
favored ia this respect. Neither can il
he claimed that the aforesaid street e.
JOYS any advantages by reaaon Of excep-
tionally elegant residences. We'll buiIt
houses, mostly Of the honest architecture
Of our fathers, give TO this street that ap-
pearance of sensible comfort that ia 30
thoroughly expressive Of the New Eng
lind home, yet other streets in town are
similarly blessed.
One other element remains 10 BE- cor
sidered and thai Is natural beauty. Even
superficial glance shows Us that herein
lies the true reason aud as We consider
the matter we begin to real Z. that this
prominence Is reality. The srching
branches OF the large elms. so character
istic OF this street, are sufficient 10 make
any avenue attractive, yet added to this
is the proximity OF the kennebec. The
river bank forms one side Of the street.
and here foreground and distant view
unite to present scene OF everchanging
charms. Such natural advantages should
be guarded well by those who can euj5y
beautiful surroundings. Yet, this twice
blest street possesses added beauty n the
presence of two picturesque rsvi1es
which CROSS it. Two brooks enter the
river here and the glimpse of their wind
Ing courses bordered by large and grace
full Willows have contributed largely to
the attractiveness of the street. NAV
the day be far distant when the second
OF these ravines loses its sylvan beauty.
When we consider the natural attrac-
tions OF our village we are brought face
to face with the problem of personal re
sponsibility. In the life of the commu-
nifty, individual rights must give place In
some degree to the rights of the many.
10 recognize this, one Is not obliged to
be communist or socialist, ne needs
only to be good neghbor. The deli
cate adjustment Of rights and privileges
necessary to the ideal town is not laid
down In the statutes. No amount OF
legal advice can beautify town. Each
of us can claim beyond question the legal
right to store lumber on the front lawn
or TO carry on logging operations in the
back yard, but have we civic right thus
to offend the eyes of our neighbors?
A chance visitor from another part OF
the country never fails to find much to
charm him in the streets of SkowhegaD.
This condition of things s not wholly
accidental. The natural advantages sug
gested above would have been lost years
ago had not wise men spared the tree
And moments reflection will convince
US further that we do not plant trees and
shrubs for our own enjoyment alone.
Is 1t not true that with most OF US, II Is
not the trees standing on our own land
that we have the fullest view of? We
enjoy the handsome exterior Of our
neighbours house and his well-trimmed