Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-19
AS YOU LIKE F.
Some Stray Leaves from Reporters
 Note Book.

Only q few days more remain in which to purchase your Christmas gifts. The buying began little earlier than usual perhaps this year, and the rush next week Is not likely to be as strenuous as fin past years. Some of the merchants report busi- ness good, while others say 1t is not up to the average. One was even heard to say last evening that 1t was rotten"
 A stenographer's view of the asi- tatlon going on concerning an in- crease in salary for the local teach CTS and the wages paid them in com parison with girls in other positions Tt is true that stenographer can receive S6 week or more after fin- ishing her short course. It Is also true that after week or two she is discharged without any ceremony If she Is not competent. But whoever heard tell of girl teacher in this city being forced to resign because of incompetency?"
 Although municipal affairs weigh heavily upon some men when serving the city, others take it less serious ly, although they are no doubt just as alert to watch out for the welfare of the city. Alderman Larkln, for instance. He says he enjoys the al- dermanic meetings thoroughly and looks forward to them with much anticipation. He admits that occa- sionally some disagreeable incident may come up, but as a rule he is in happy frame of mind when in the aldermanic chamber.
 The As You Like It man often wondered how some of the small stores in thinly populated districts ever gave their owners a living. He wondered more during the week when he heard the story of drum mer in regard to a little frut store in the north end. One day lass week the owner took in just cents in cash. He made few trust sales. but eight coppers were the extent oi real money that found it's way to the till. His expenses may be small; they would have to be very smal, if he wished to keep the door open.
 The As You Like It man thought it was trifle amusing, the stand the republican aldermen took on an auto chemical truck. The republicans as a rule are very particular in trying to please the business men. Of course the majority of business men undoubtedly wish to have the new auto, as their buildings would be eX. posed if the hose wagon had to be sent out on every alarm. Yet the republicans pretended they did noI want the new auto because they were so desirous of having Driggs school finished. In fact they almost con vinced themselves while as a matte: of fact it was simply one man who was looking after friend that caused the deadlock on Monday even. ing.
 An interesting example of concrete 1 work, tombstone or small monu- ment, recently erected near Kellar, in AccOmac county, Virginia, is in ! teresting from the fact that it was built by boy. sixteen years old and is a very creditable piece of work. The stone is five feet high and stands on 12-inch pedestal and contains including the founda- tion, about four yards of material Two slabs of marble, one on the top and the other in the front bear in- sCriptions. The marble is held III place by iron hooks and rods. The tombstone marks the grave of the Rev Griffin Callahan, minister of 1 the Methodist church. who conduct
 ed the first meeting of that denom-
 ination held north of the Ohio river. He was born ill 1759 and died in l 1893. and in order that the moral and religious influence of his char
 acter on the community might be
 properly commemorated, the monu-
 ment is so inscribed. It is the first
 example of concrete construction in ! the neighborhood and is an object
 of great interest to the community