The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-10-20
THE HERMIT OF wooDroaD
Breezy Letter From Representative
stephen NJ. BoWles.

Breezy Letter From Representative
Stephen N. 5owles.
1t may amuse the readers of the
Banner to know how the nearly 200
members who didn't go home Friday
night passed Saturday. The weather
was SO pleasant it was hard to stay
indoors, and so nearly every one went
rambling somewhere, several saving
they took in great "draughts" Of
nature and | believe they did, for the
nature scenery hereabouts is beauti.
full with the single exception Just at
this time, and on account of the pro-
longed drouth, the Winooski river is
very low, and what little water there
is in it is black and sluggish.
A number Of the "men of wisdom"
went TO Barre, Waterbury and other
places. | didn't learn that any Of
them went over to Middlesex, for the
reason that that is license" town.
A score or more styed right here In
the city exchanging greetings with
new-made acquaintances, while prob
ably dozen visited the Apollo club,
a pleasant place for which every mem
Der of the house had found card of
invitation on his desk to do so at any
time during the session.
AS for myself | went to the State
House several times for my mail, then
came back to my room and attended
to affairs which will bear good fruit
later on.
Although of not much Importance
will say that lots Of us went to the
Blanchard opera house Friday even
ing to see the Devil show" The
same play was in Bennington a few
nights before we came up here, al
though the manager Of the troupe
told me they had not played in Ben
nington at all Either he lied, or else
this troupe is another giving the same
play in Vermont close upon dates.
am inclined TO believe that the
Devils manager told me a wrong
story, and for what purpose l cannot
say, unless he might have heard that
the report in Bennington was that
the show was bum" To give the
devil his due, however, | will say
that the play here gave general sat.
isfaction, and portrayed the evils and
unhappiness that will come to anyone
who does not keep In the paths of
truth and virtue.
The Montpelier trance medium has
| dreamed of hidden kettle OF gold
somewhere near the capital city. No
doubt he saw the great, bronze-gild-
ed dome on top of the capitol by sun.
light or moonlight and how could he
help but dream, and then style him.
self a medium.
Back in 1864 there was a secretary
of state named G.. w. Bailey. In 1905
( there is a G.. w. Bailey in the same
position Mr.. Bailey of war times
was an Gilmore boy.
Hereafter in the'House the roll will
be called Tuesdays and Fridays and
all members not present will have
their absences 'tabooed". That's
right Members who are sent here
by their townsmen should not expect
the state to pay them for full time II
they are at home or elsewhere one
half, or even one-quarter OF the time
Not TO boast, THE Hermit" has been
at his desk every moment the House
has been in session, same as he was
in 1894. Then his seat number was
23S. now IL is PSI. Woodford was the
second number pulled out OF the box
| by Clerk Plumley when the seats were
drawn. and OF course felt sorry"
for the 243 others who we're still
standing upl But this only happened
so.
The events Of ladies' week are now
in line. Every morning. afternoon
and evening Of this week is taken up
with receptions, meetings OF societies,
or something of a social nature. The
reception to be given on Thursday
evening by Mrs. Prouty, wife OF the
governor, in the governors room is of
a public nature, and in the receiving
line will be the wives OF past cover.
nors and lieutenant governors. Some
outsiders say what's all this for?"
My answer is:-To show the intelli.
gence for which genuine Vermonters
are noted. Business in the House
and Senate will 90 on just the same,
while the reserved seats and CALLER.
les will be crowded with spectators
who come to Montpelier at this time
10 see how the laws are made.
On Friday morning in Representa-,
lives hall stood talking this distin
guished trio namely, Congressman
elect Frank Plumley, Judge Alfred A
Hall of the Superior court, and DR.
John NJ. Thomas, President Of Middle
bury college.
This Monday morning Il looks like
rain. Let Il come. People here say
10 is the longest dry spell known in q
life time.
Some OF the members attended
church yesterday and some did not
BY special invitation | attended a
Christian Science service IN the morn
ing. In the evening there was a large
attendance at the Congregational
church.
stephen NJ. Bowles.