The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
do NOT DRIVE IN THE RUTS."

do NOT DRIVE IN THE RUTS.'
The aboveinjunction appears tack
ed to trees and fences and posts as a
sign. along the new improved high
WAYS leading into Fredericksburg.
II is an excellent sign, and worthy
I. be read of all men, and women
too. for that matter. In its applca-
ton to the new road it implicitly
informs the public that it is inJurlouS
To the new road to drive IN the
ruts;" to the person driving 1t
means decreased speed and slower
progress; to the horses, heavier pulls
to get the vehicle up out of the ruts'
i. and tethe vehicle it means wear and
tear which can so easily be obvlated
by not getting into the ruts."
II could and should be applied to
the affairs and transactions OF man
and woman. So many of US are in the
ruts, and to be and remain there
means so much of personal loss to
ourselves and lack of uplft to oui
families and to our city and county
in short. to the whole community.
Our fences are down in places or
need little repair, and, like or
houses, need paint. Many of our side
walks lack proper surface materials
s,me are of the earth, earthly; at
times dusty. and Oftener muddy de
tracing from the general apl ear
ance of things and admitting Of dust
dirt and mud being carried into the
houses, multiplying the work OF the
good wife. Other sidewalks are pre-
historic-once laid Of brick, bu'
which now have worn and broken
and serve not TO aid the pedestrian,
but to collect and hold little lakes
of muddy water which add to the
discontinue.
That old Crouch against our neigh
borhoOd we always carry, tho per
chance we've forgotten the cause
if there ever was a cause.
That envy of our more prosperous
neighbor is always with US; that all
too-ready desire to speak bat
word, instead of a good one-to tear
down instead of to build up; that
hasty word spoken in a temper
which does no good. but on the con
trary does harm.
Grouchy at the family in the morn
ing-starting the day With too little
attention to our personal appearance
boiling the food to get to work in a
hurry. and returning at night to bolt
the supper. and then off to some
amusement by ourselves, in oui
selfshness, or up the stairs to bed
Juggling at the collar or coat before
reaching the bedroom.
These and the like are wrong, al
in the ruts. Brother man, fix things
I'D little for the community's sake;
fix yourself up little for your OWL
and your family's sake; keep clear
and therefore feel fresh and spright- |
ly; help your wife with the children,
and give the wife and family part /
of your time, and especially the
evenings. Get out of the ruts, and
have the wife and family share your
amusements; read and cultivate your
mind.
The woman can avoid the ruts
also; fix up the house little better,
keep little tidier, be more sociable
and less gossipy, keep the walk in
front of the house clean, and plant a
few flowers about the place; also,
and above all, stimulate the husband |
TO the practice Of those virtues which |
make for personal, domestic and
civic righteousness. So on this, our
new improved road, 1911, we tack
up the sign
do not drive in the ruts.
And not bad luck, but better
manners, to the first misguided one
who throws a stone at it in passing.