The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-08-28
FROM BILL" TO BOB"
Containing Complaints About Some Con-
ditions in Chelsea.

QllluUS III AhSASSas
Dear Bob After my pleasant trip OF
six weeks, Pm home, much rested and
refreshed ready to enter into business
and its cares once more. 1t did me
heaps of good seeing and visiting rela-
tiyes and old friends after so long an
absence. All seemed glad to see us and
inquired for "old Bob" Haven't for
gotten your old pranks, ] guess.
In this letter viii not go into partie-
ulars in regard to numerous places and
their people, but wish to write OF one
place in particular where we spent
week. That is the dear old home town,
where We spent our boyhood days, hunt
ing. fishing, etc-the beautiful little VII
lage nestled in the valley, surrounded
by the grand hills and, as our fathers
called it, "the butterbowl."
| found all the old families, who had
such love and yencration for their old
town had passed away. Seeing the old
place brought to mind 80 many pleasant
memories, also sad ones, Of the past. !
saw so many changes, not for the better,
and. do you know, Bob, | was dlsap,
pointed. The beautiful places were not
what | expected. You remember the
picturesque brooklet you see as you
stand on the bridge by the old tin shop,
with the natural waterfalls. Well, you
wouldn't recognize it now,as it Is used Tor
refuse. Don't know what didn't seei
what | did see was old stoyepipe, barrels,
crockery, packing boxes and, in tact,
everything under the sun.
When coming up from South Royal
ton, what change from the old days,
when we sat in the old rocking coach !
Didn't We enjoy that, though! The
long lash of the old whip, as it reached
over the ears OF the forward horses.
We had time then to see the beauties
by the roadside that nature had provid-
ed us. We go up the old stage road now
with modern conveyance, the auto. |
think the change a good one, as all the
picturesque places, so pleasing TO the
eve, are blurred by more OF the village
refuse.
Was pleased to see the town has a
new cemetery on the left as you 90
south. It commands a magnificent view.
There are many beautiful monuments
there. Many of the old veterans OF the
Civil war are at rest there-but few are
left. The Sons OF Veterans take their
places in keeping up the work. But here
they seem to lack interest and patriot
ism. | was told this was the first year
when flowers were not placed on their
comrades graves, but not for lack OF
flowers. but for lack of interest. The
flag was enough. Those were remem-
bered by flag and flowers who had fam
lilies and dear friends. There are many
shade trees in the cemetery, but are not
much use for shade as the pest, the
worm. had eaten every vestige of green
from their branches. The worms were
later seen covering the tombstones, play
ing "hide sndseek."
Don't yout think my letter interest
ingY You will wonder ! can write when
past memories are so dear to us both,
but YOU wished to know of our stop in
the dear old town, where there are so
many pleasant memories, and have
opened my heart to you. But can't but
saw. What is the matter with Chelsea
Perhaps someone can tell.
Will write again after hearing from
you. We are all well and wish TO be
remembered.
Yours,
Bill,