Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-17
Safer CROSSINGS Wanted.

Ssfer Crossings Wanted.
The railroad crossings on Main and
Pleasant streets are two pretty dangerous
places to be located right in the heart OF a
village, and that some body isn't killed on
one or the other OF them every day isn't
due to any safeguards provided by the
railroad company or to any excessive care
fulness on the part OF the public.
Neither crossing has gate or tiagman,
and only the sign, HLook Out for the En-
CINE" hints that caution needs to be exer-
cised in wandering over them.
All the children on the Highlands and
on Weston fiat five years old and upwards
have to risk their lives four times day in
going to school, and the last maternal in
junction morning and noon is, Now be
careful when you cross the track" The
youngsters all veil back cheerful assur-
anees OF great circumspectIon and race
down the hills TO dodge in front OF a
freight train and then stop short on the
other side to watch it 90 laundering by.
"Did you see me beat that old engine ~
shouts one jubilant kid TO another in high
glee. Immediately he dawdles along to
school with all the time there is at his dis
posal, and waits for another opportunity
to repeat the exploit. He forgets all about
being careful and has no idea that he
might sometime stub his toes and fall
right in the way OF the iron horse, whose
whose driver cannot rein il out to save the
PROSTATE little figure Fortunately the
mothers do not see these hairbreadth es-
capes of their venturesome offspring, or
there would be a regular epidemic OF ner-
vous prostrstion in the village.
The children, however, are not the only
ones who tempt fate by lodging IN front
OF trains. Their elders are quite as bad.
Hardly day passes that those busy indi-
vidusls, who know the timetable better
than any catechism and are always on the
depot plat form when train is due, do not
become a band OF bowling, gesticulating
mortals, striving with voice and waving
arms to keep some reckless teamster from
dashing into fast express. Not infre-
quently the horse is stopped so near to the
track that its nose is grazed by the flying
train and the animal is to be excused Tor
turning double back somersault to get
out OF the way.
Brick blocks, houses and standing
freight cars obstruct the view at the Main
street crossing, and on South Pleasant
street the outlook is equally limited. A
person slightly deaf and not knowing
that a tram is due, or perhaps overdue,
does not notice the rumble OF its approach
and drives calmly ahead until some heroic
reseuer seizes his horse by the bits or the
uproar at the station attracts his atten-
tion.
A petition is now being prepared and
will shortly be presented to the state rail-
road commission asking that there be an
inspection OF these crossings and recon-
mendations made for safer arrangements.
In line with the same subject is the plan,
which is thought to be feasible, OF tun-
neling under the track west OF the station
so that Dudley street can connect with
Franklin by means OF subway
through which teams, children and foot
passengers generally could get from one
side OF the track TO the other without inn
perilling either life or limb. such sub
way" with stone abutments would prob
ably cost 5000, which would not be an
extravagant outlay when the greater
safety OF the public, to say nothing OF its
convenience, is in consideration.