The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1921-01-29
PLEASANTv1LLE HAS
"HOMEY" ATMOSPHERE
Concluded from page 81

| 80 XVI VII 00'1o oa1 ~ 1
been necessary to practice economy it
has always been along other lines.
Naturally the residents, even the
younger set, have become Pleasant
vile boosters. Rare indeed is the &C.
casion when a citizen is heard to
knock the town and when that occurs
it is generally found that the critic is
suffering more from some imaginary
grievance than a real injustice. Posi-
bly, no community in the State is less
marked by factional fights, political or
otherwise, thar P1easantville. For
this harmony of spirit and purpose
there must be a reason, and it is
found in the general disposition to ac-
cept the town as about the best resi-
Dental community in South Jersey
and surrounding neighbors as friends.
The Pleasantville spirit manifests
itself at all turns. S~hopkeepers are
found lot only accommodating so far
as business calls are concerned, Blu
willing and ready to give any assist
ance the stranger may need. If infor-
nation is wanted which they do not
happen to possess they are never at
a loss to indicate where it can be
found. They will go so far even as TO
get the information and they perform
l Viz ~ - ~ ~ - 1
they find pleasure in it.
What is true of the shop people is
equally true of the local authorities
and the passers-by on the street: They
will go out of their way to direct the
stranger and do it in such a way as to
relieve the latter from feeling under
obligations. In other words, the resi-
dents live up to what is suggested by
the name of the town. 1t is a delight
full experience to drift in here and n
leaves with a feeling that some day
they will return when they can stay
longer.
Social students and workers say
that communities have their psychol-
ogy which reflects surroundings and
which ear be definitely described. 1t
would be interested to get the opinion
of one of those trained observers visit
ing here even for a few hours. They
would unquestionably insist that no
better illustration of the alchemy of
influence is to be found in the State
than right here in this quiet little
burg with it's diminutive shops, beauti-
full highways and optimistic attitude.
One visitor recently said the own
reminded her of a small but well
brought up child all dressed up and
DCllCttIs COilbClll0os IL oSSiiAo oRtAN
descriptive of the place, for on all
sides is seen an activity which strong
ly suggests that of the youthful energy
that has no time to lose in complain
ing, but an eternity to devote toward
the attainment of higher aims. In the
reorganization which has followed the
ending of the war and the return to
normal conditions taking place here
this spirit as much as anything else
explains what has been and is being
accomplished.
Some day ~Pleasantville may become
an industrial center. But that will be
generations hence, for as a matter of
fact it offers no particular advantages
appealing to manufacturers. But as a
residential town its future seems as
sured. 1t is a home town today. About
it there hangs the home atmosphere.
It's people reflect it. No one can visit
here for ever the briefest time without
becoming affected by it. Even the
transient visitor quickly discovers
there is something in the atmosphere
which bids him linger. Travelling
statesmen say P~leasantville is a town
they always like to make Why? Well
about the only reason they can assign
is that they do business here and al
ways get the right kind of a reception.
incidentally these same travelling
statesmen have become active boosters
for the town without being put on it's
payroll and are constantly chanting
its praise.
A shoe salesman coming down on
the train today said he sold smaller
bills here than in any town on his
route, but he never missed the town
for all that. Here was a man, al old
salesman by the way, who was willing
to carry his line into a town where he
knew he never did a big business, lay
over for one OF two trains, book the
order given, n go on to where he
knew big business was to be had on
arrival. No better eulogy could ave
been passed on the place than that of
the fat shoe salesman who just could
not pass it up.
Five years ago a man bought a home
here. He paid $500 for it. Then he
spent another thousand improving it.
That gave him an investment of $500
in cash. Here he has lived ever since.
A month ago he was offered 10000 in
cash for his home. He laughed. What
he wanted when he bought the proper
ty, he told the ~offerer, was a home.
He insisted it would be impossible to
buy another that suited him as well
for twice the amount offered. He but
reflected the attitude of practically the
entire population. 1t is the home life
which has made Pleasantville what it
is and which will continue to make it
the home town of this section of the
State. Here they are not looking for
transient visitors, summer boarders,
but home-makers. The transient bus
mess can take care of itself.
1t vas accompanied by a picture of
the Fire House and two of our pref
tiest girls, underneath which appeared
the following:
Popular as a residential city, Pleas
a~ntville is rapidly growing. While an
industrial development is taking place,
it is secondary in Importance to the
growth of the community as a town
of homes. The city is provided with
all modern improvements. In the pho