The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-06
SOUTH BRITAIN BRIEFS
By BILL GARRIGUs

UAONAANs 4VbAA hAbOW SAuSWy WAAC4A " cut chestnut to make the best whis- ties, and he was one of the best trap finishers Ira Hawkins ever employed He was pouplar with kids, women and dogs; men enjoyed his company and tomcats always purred extra loud when they heard Toms ap- preaching footsteps. He won his popularity with cats by a freak ot nature, and by being observing.
 One spring evening, when the
 pussywillOws were fat and fuzzy,
 and when every barnyard had at
 least one new, wide-legged calf,
 Tom Hennessey sniffed the sOuth-
 wind and allowed 1t was time to
 try for trout. He cut a white ash
 pole, dug 3 few worms and went
 over to where Pennsylvania Brook
 spills into the POmperaug. There,
 in . deep hole below the bridge,
 bull trout elbowed each other out
 of the way as they fought for
 chance to swim up the hollow to-
 ward Sam PierCe's place. Tom
 spent the evening snagging fish.
 He ate all he could, gave away
 bushel or two, and then started
 distributing the small, One-pound
 trout to the village cats. After
 that, folks said Tom Hennessey
 had a way with cats, and Irish
 luck.
 It will soon be time to go black snake hunting in Pierce Hollow Graveyard. The biggest and the most blacksnakes frequent that cen- etery. The best snakehole, last year, was in Ezra Pierce's grave.
 A Massachusetts, motOrist, speed ing over rough stretch of U. $. 6, lost control of his machine and ripped out several rods of barbed wire fencing. Passersby heard the man groaning, investigated, and found him practically hung in barbed wire. Until we get smoother highways. it's safer to drive with more caution through barbcd wire fence country. Fencing makes Q mighty poor collar, even for 8 speedster. Hospitals are crowded this time of year, too.
 Some people are just naturally ob- Downstreet, just the other day, a local rugged individualist was doing 8 little target shooting with 8 45-70 Ca gun with voice like the Moodus Noises), when one of the asked the reason for the "Oh, it's nuthin'," warned the marksinan. T was just gettin' ready for them snoopin' cen- sus-takers."
 When one of the local Oldsters Is asked what he believes to be the all-time high-spot of pleasures in this vale, he is pretty sure to mem ton the visit made here by the Mattatuck drum band. The calf skin pounders came to serenadc Ira Hawkins, beloved South Brit ain factory head, and they shat tered the peace as 1t has seldom been disturbed. Driving over from the Brass City, the Mattatucks dismOunted over on Flood Bridge road, made a few passes to warm up, and then settled down to busi- ness as they approached South Britain. MT. Hawkins heard them coming and ordered refreshments. Calfskin thunder chased away all care during the long summer day and far into the night. Folks over in SOuthbury were properly jealous and Newtown telephoned to ask where the war was. Charley Miller made 3 speech In response to Ira Hawkins address of welcome. but the drums did most of the real talking and they spoke with prop CT Yankee authority.
 Watermelon patches are not as plentiful as they once were. Years ago. when Hop Warner lived beside the graveyard, he planted water melons every year. He never sold any, seldom gave any away. and the swore that he planted them just for the pleasure of chas- Ing children out of the patch. Hop got more fun out of rescuing Q half. eaten watermelon than the Deacon got from . sale Of Nancy Gold Mine stock or . prayer meeting.
 One ef euF mere aeFleHs fellow. lewnsmen. ls worrying about s0to automobile ileense. It seems that he neglected ie nentlen the fact shat he bad started te change ths color es lhe wheels on his eaF and had enIy Fepalnte9 fhfee of lhsml. Ile Nhivefa eveFyilmle he paaaas a cen. "A. A. .A. Az A..