The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-10-06
old FRIENDS FROM
AFFAIR." IN TOWN
COL. AND MRS. A. w. SWAIN Wis
lTlNG oSkALooSA.
FORMER EDITOR OF HERALD
Many Happy Changes Noted After
Years Of Absence-compliments
For Home People and Flour
ishing Local institutions.

4 D
with grass and rich with flowers, with
squirrels and birds, and other evil
dences of an enlightened TASTE" said
Col. Swain this morning to the Her.
aid man at the Downing, "but you read
SO many things in this day of highly
romantic order, that took this with
some points of doubt; yet find it all
so,-and / am ad,-beyond words to
express. 1t is so comforting to find
these things being given thought to
| by the good men-and women in
whose hands the dear old town has
fallen as caretakers. 1t is an evidence
of real progress, and the more the old
town has of that sort, the happier we
shall always be-"
What do you think of the local i'm.
provements that you have had a
chance to look at?"
| "Of course / had read about them
in the letter from home we get,-the
Weekly Herald, but the actual thing
is most pleasant and gratifying sur
prise. The Y. M. G. A. building is in
deed monument to the helpfulness
Of considerate thought on the part of
the generous people Of the town, whose
money and faith it stands for. The
best wealth of this community, as Of
all communities, is found in the young
men and women, and all that conduces
to their better and higher life is an
| investment that pays never ending
| dividend The library comes in as
supplement to the other; well, just
put it down good and strong that good
| judgment has governed, and monu-
ments have been builded that will live
in usefulness long after the donors
shall have been called to their reward
It's good, $50 very, very good, the
whole Of it,
Mote any changes in the streets, ,--
paving, and so on?"
Say, am not blind, even though
may look it. The authorities and
people have given that good improve
ment continuing attention, and in
sensible way should continue to do
the same right along. Good streets
are necessity to decent local life.
wv "LOAO ~" JdhC my OdIlucdt VIC
have roads that were originally made
by the Romans, and they have been
kept up on the same grade ever since.
The English folk fully appreciate all
the good things of life from roads up,
and they see that they have them in
some sure way,-with but little
change, and that only for the better.
The makers of this town always have
had good sense always wanted to do
| something for the betterment of the
| place, and have known it these
fifty years. 1t does not seem that
long, but can not go back on the
years. Mine have all been busy, like.
wise | may incidentally add,-republi-
can"
| What about our new postofice?'
Just what you have needed for
long time; and When you keep active
men in the place where they order
such things at the cost of the public,
you get them. In the days when that
improvement was about the size of
!, mince-pie dream, had full faith that
it would come, for had just that sorI
of confidence in John Lacey's working
capacity. You see, / have been out
fishing with John; knew just how
everlastingly ne works at all things,
and so felt sure that in due time and
| in regular order the new postoffice
1 would come. An thar she isl 1t is
handsome affair, and all should feel
as proud of it as | do. You see all
these new things hit my view for the
first time, and consequently am hav-
ing a continuous treat,-lil1e a great
4 schooner of homemade lemonade,
cool, and just one big straw, taking
1t while the general circus moves on
What about your new post in
| Southampton ~
1T is one Of the most important in
England, and there is much consular
work on there at all times. 1t is the
| port for the great American line or
steamships, - 10000 ton ships and
we have them in consular charge
when in port. About 10000 seamen
pass through the books Of the Consul.
ate annually, and the work is all i'm.
Portant and full Of financial care since
the crews are all paid off by the Con-
sulate. 1t is a fine old town of 49,
600 people; one Of the very best ports
in the kingdom; and our stay has
been very pleasant and satisfying in
all ways. 1t has been town for a
thousand years; its surroundings are
lovely, and life moves along with a
steady eyenness that leaves no nerv-
BUSINESS, land where the girls have
the pinlSest Of cheeks and don't buy
them in cosmetic way. England is a
great land, in and out Of the books, and
In some ways we can learn decidedly
good lessons from her. Her nxnAri-