The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-08
SOUTH
BRITAIN
BRIEFS
DIX
BILL GARRTGUS

towns are at the mercy Of Prov
lers, but not South Britain. Here
we have lamps in the attic, can
dies on the mantle, and fireplaces
to light when the oil burner fails.
We've even plenty of ice to cool
the cider when the electrical
refrigerator sputters and dies. This
is the life, and no mistake.
Things would be decidedly diff
forent IL the power company had
ito way with the rural country
side. Only short years ago, folks
found a power company salesman
waiting on the doorstep when they
came out to do the chores. These
gentlemen had a good line, too
Sometimes they enthused simple
farmers to the point where the
rustics signd up for service and
forgot to read the fine print ON
the contract. Howls registered
after the poles were set never re-
duced q light bill or an extension
charge. The pioneer users OF cleo
trical service paid with interest,
through the nose. Gradually, some
OF the Villagers became dependent
ON the current. Others kept the
hand pump in good shape, the
woodpile ready for emergency,
and the lamps trimmed.
These days, when the lines go
dou,,, ar1d the service fails, hum
dreds of CHEEKY, yellow lights
flicker in villagel windows. Some
folks even stick to battery radio
sets and never miss program,
although a lot Of current radio
chatter might better be missed.
Except for the POotatuck coun-
try Britain enjoys fairly rea-
sonable and efficient electric SER
vice. Down along the Housatonic,
where a Fairfield County outfit
peddles Juice, it's not quite SO
satisfactory. There 1t is case OF
absentee ownership, and dicta-
torial attitude at the Danbury
office. POotatuck Is behind the
times ON service and pays accord
ingly. According to reports, the pu-
bic utility that is serving that
area is conscious Of its monopoly
and acts accordingly. One day
progressive outfit may take over.
the lines down there, or q federal
power setup may be created.
Bethuel Treat never worried about
electric power. He never evened
owned a flashlight, and Bethuel
was a good hunter and liked to
smear suckers in season. He lived
when the power company was just
a bad dream, long before the lines
reached Spraddle Brook. Mr..
Treat was moderate man and ne
would have enjoyed a good Az
watt bulb beside his bed, because
he suffered with asthma and
kerosene lantern is hard on
breathing, unless you are husky.
Toward the last, after Bethuef
gave up the job Of tax collector
and settled down to live on the
town, he sometimes used a can OF
asthma powder week. But before
the asthma got him down, Be-
thuel Treat was a man to reckon
with.
BethueEs mother kept an eye
ON him, until she passed ninety
and got weary Of the job. He de-
pended ON her for almost every
thing. When ne felt like driving
over TO Sandy Hook to get q
snort he always asked his mother
abOut the weather before he
hitched up. II she said, "The
sky's kinda up over the heavens"
BethueI knew 'twouId be o nice
day TO get drunk, 30 he proceeded
TO travel. II the old lady sort OF
had doubts, Treat stayed home
and let the Sandy Rockers treat
themselves. He was like that as
long Is the old woman lived; care.
full and cOnsideFate. On cold
nights, he always let his mother
unhaFness and bed Down the
horse, after he got home. and he
seldom complained II supper was
o tFifIe late.
MFR. Treat was Q fashionable
dresser; always wore kid gloves
and was polite about chewing 70"
bacco. Ills light harness horses
were tbs best In South Britain,
probably because the old lady
eroomed them. But when Bethuel
treat became an orphan, then
things vent downbill. The epFsd'
AIe Brock Farm was seid 70 4
New Haven man WHO had but
little sense. The fiFht season. the
owner cut down two cherry trees