Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, November 6, 1909, Page 12

e The Castle of 1f—The French Castle of this Name Not _ the Only One—Every Town has a Few— [0 the Snort- ers and Snivellers Must be Added the If-But-ers— . he Impediments of the Mind—The Castle of Biff the Source of Vim. (Written Specially for The Bulletin.) L suppose you've all of you heard or read of the Castle of If, near Mar- seilles, France. Only the Frenchmen call it the “Castle d'If,” which I un- derstand they have the indubitable right to, as they built it and it be- longs to them. If a man can’t call the thing he makes by the name he chooses what’s the good of the constitution and the Declaration of Independence, any- way? But, while I freely admit their right to =ay “Shattow deef,” if they want to, horses and oxen can't make me ¢all it anything but “the Castle of I It has been a notable prison, and many famous names, historical as well as Dumas-invented, are represented on the roster of its involintary guest- book. Standing on a rocky island, surrounded by the deep waters of the bay of Marseilles, it has always been considered a mighty hard place to get out of. People confined there could wander around the corridors or stand on the towers and gaze longingly tow- ards the vine-clad hills. of the lue shore, without much chance of getting away. They didn't wear shackles and chains,. didn’t have to be confined in burglar-proof cells. A visitor might hardly distinguish the prisoner from the guard by any outward mark. Yet around those picturesque roofs the un- scalable air and the unswimable gulf set barriers more impassable than triple walls of steel and concrete, But you don’t have to go to Mar- seilles to find another “Castle of If.” I've got a farmer neighbor who lives in one, not a mile from me. It doesn't look in the least little bit like a castle or a prison. It hasn’t any towers nor any thick walls with barred windows. Nor s there the slightest trace of a moat around it. It looks, for all the world, llke a common, everyday farm- house—a little time-worn, perhaps; out-at-the-heels, as one might say; a trifle discouraged, if such a word may be applied to a mere building. But it's not dilapidated nor really forbidding. There’s nothing about it to draw the special attention of the casual passer. Yet, if ever there was a “Castle of If,” 1t is this farmhouse. There’s an “If” standing guard forever at the front door, and another, even bigger, watching at the rear. One sits down to dinner with the family regularly, and one roosts on the headboard of the masters’ bed each night. There's an- other out at the barn sitting on the haymow and a little one lies alwa between the plow handles. It's here and “If” there. “If it would only ——: “If it only wouldn't"—— “If” it hadn’t been for the weather, he’d have plowed that back lot last spring and got a good erop of pota- toes. “If” the mowing machine hadn't ‘been broken, he'd have got that hay in from the east meadow without its having been soaked and spoiled by the rain. “If” he'd only known how high eggs weré going to be, he’d have saved those pullets that went into the pot last summer and hagd eggs to sell now. “If” he could only get some shingles 28 good as he used to buy fifty years g0, he'd shingle the barn and stop jts leaking. “If” he only had a thou- Jand dollars more, he would buy that joining lot, hire an extra man and 0 wonders next year. “If” the town would only straighten the road, fill in the swamp, bore a short tunnel through e hill the road now goes over, why, en he could draw bigger loads to qarket and perhaps make something. f” his neighbors would only keep g their line fences better, then he'd his, too. “If” somebody else would )nly do something different, then ev- rything would be lovely. Oh d if ¢ Iread: , yes, and if turnips grew alrea Yoiled ‘and buttered, he wouldn't havz o store 'em and have ‘em cooked. If pumpkin pifes hung on trees he could mhls lunch very easily. If the brooks milk he wouldn’'t have to keep Jows, and If little roast pigs roamed yround begging him to slice ’em up And eat 'em, he wouldn’t need a pig- en. If it rained automobiles and aero- lanes he could get to town regardless Pf roads—if he didn't blow up or Yreak his neck starting. If there vasn't any winter it would be summer M1 the year—or something else. If the world was only different, why, then, it ypould be a different world. Oh, Yhucks! Some poet once said that “In the bright lexicon of youth There's no such word as ‘fafl.’ * Perhaps not; I don’t know. I've got out of that “bright lexicon” into oume and lees certain in its definitions. Nev- ertheless 1 wish there wasn't such a word as “if” in, any lexicon, nor such a thing in llfenk geems to be implied by the word. I Wish there wasn't any “Castle of If,” with its big “Ifs” for jailers and its little “Ifs” for constant companions. But them. My neighbor isn't the only one who lives in that sort of prison. . Sim- ilar “If” houses stand in every country town and along every highway. The worst of it is that they won’t keep their “If” broods at home, but send them out to infect the whole country- side. Such places seem to radiate gloom and discontent, as more cheerful and sweeter tempered Nature radiates sunlight and warmth. To the two classes | talked about, last week, please add another—the “If- But”-ers. You know the formula: “If things were so and so, I'd win. But since they are otherwise, I lose. When people once get fairly settled in any old Castle of If, their daily life and conversation thenceforth becomes a succession of “Ifs” and “Buts.” Now—what—is the use? Of course if I were always 25, my old back and legs wouldn't get tired so quickly as they do at 55. If I were 11 feet high, with four arms and hands, and eyes in the back of my head as well as the front, I could do four times as much work as now—and about eight times as much as any of the doddering dab- sters I can hire. Just think, however, of the amount of pork, pie and potatoes it would-take to keep such a critfer! Anyway, I'm not 25 and | never shall o again. work, and I never shall be. We all are what we are, and we're in a world which is what it is. The old brand of pietists used to parrot forth the asser- tion that “Whatever is, is right” Which means—if it means anything— that everything is just as it should be. Now we all know better than that. Things are not just as they should be and people are not just as they should be. Our whole life is devoted, in so- ciety, in politics, in the church, to try— ing to improve things and folks and make ‘em better. Which would be just blithering idiocy if we really believed that all things and everybody were just as they should be. No, indeed; there's plenty of room for criticism and plenty of room for betterment, all ‘round. But, while it is our bounden duty to try to smooth up the old world, so far ag our sandpaper will reach, it is- also our bounden duty to make the best of that which we can’t change. Are you quite sure in your own mind that the world is a bad job? Then make the best of it! Grit your teeth, spit on your hands, take a fresh hold and just—everlastingly—pull, till some- thing starts! You probably won't be able to pull Lantern Hill off the face of the landscape, but you may, possi- bly, be able to pull a stook of corn- stalks into the barn, or a stick of cordwood home for a kitchen fire, or a loose rock out of the highway. “If” you were only rich, you'd do wonders. “If” you were only president, you'd re- form everything. But you're not rich, and you're not president, -and you aren’t asked to reform everything all in a minute, or do any other wonders. To few, indeed, ever come opportunties for doing great things. The most of us must be content with doing little things all our lives, doing them and then doing them over again. We're poor servants—worse than that. we're unworthy workmen, when we scant and | neglect our little duties because of their triviality. If it is not given to us to remove mountains, we can at least hoe corn. Moreover, when some pesky little “If” pops up beside the row we're find- ing it so hard to hoe, we can put a trifle more ginger into our work and hoe Mr. “If” under the first hill—to help fertilize it My neighbor, who has inspired these reflections, is really a pretty good sort, at bottom. Once in a while he gets out of bed feet foremost and starts into the morning with a genuine man’ look on his face. Those are the days when you can’t find an “If” around his place. The creatures know when they meet their master and hunt their holes instanter. Why can’t he keep up that spirit all the time? His “Chateau @'If” would soon change into a “Castle of Biff.,” suggestive of the way in which he met difficulties, and swatted them into quiescence. THE FARMER. LETTERS FROM TWO STATES, WASHINGTON COUNTY, R. 1. RICHMOND Social and Personal Items. The New Movement Bible class con- nected with the Shannock Sunday school served an oyster supper in the evstry Friday evening. Mrs. Albert Hoyle is the guest of friends in Peacdale. Miss Florence Milner spent Sunday with Miss Mertie Handell at Hope Valley. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Dawley, Archie Dawley, from Kenyon, Mr. and Mrs. . B. Moore and son, Andrew, and Miss Mabel Kirby from Westport, Mass., spent Monday evening with the Rev. Warren Dawley and family. Mrs. Lucy Dawley, who has been speding a, few d%s with her aunt, Mrs. hl‘ru:k Rice, in Westerly, has returned oma. Miss Edna Dawley sperit last weeck with friends in Wakefleld. Miss Mary L. Hoxie made a trip to Westerly Tuesday. The Philathea and Baraca and Bible DO IT NOW Check Hale’sfi&lioney of Horehound and Tar classes connected with the Shannock Sunday school met at the parsonage on Wednesday evening. Nathaniel Hendrick is employed in the express office in Providence, ROCKVILLE Silver Baking Dish Wedding Gift to Mr. and Mrs. Irish. About a dozen of the young people of this place called on Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Irish Wednesday evening. leaving them a beautiful silver baking dish as a wedd!n5 gift. Mr, and Mrs. Irish were recently married and have this week commenced keeping house. Mr, and Mrs. Henry Lanphear of Westerly were recent guests of rela- tives here. Emory C. Kenyon has been laid up a week through injuries caused by be- ing kicked by a horse. Clarence Kenyon of Providence was at his home here Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kenyon have been visiting friends at Westerly and New London. Mrs. Osmas Edwards and daughter Gladys and Mrs, Harold Crandall went to Westerly Monday. ARCADIA Rumored 8ale of Arcadia Mills. Willlam E. Briggs came home from Newport, R. .I, to use the privilege of elective franchise. John H. Gardiner, who lives near Four Corners church, has sold his farm to E. M. Tillinghast. Mrs. Henry Mayne and Miss Etta Woodmansee were guests of Mrs. O. P. Bates one day* recently. Edward C. Thornley is working on the highway that is being macadam- ized in Richmond, R. I Mrs. 1. M. Barber has been visit- ing relatives and friends in Providence during the past week. Rumor has it that ®. M. Tillinghast bas sold the Arcadia mills estate. Pinchot’s Fame, Mr. Pinchot seems to have earned the appelation of Noble White Man of the Forest.—Anaconda Standard. Some Glory. After All Anyhow, Peary and Cook had Col- onel Roosevelt stymie for a time.— Washington Post. there are lots- of; f'm not able to do four men's | Been Connected with Resves' Amer- ican Band and Other izations. John L. Miller, one of the prominent musicians of Providence, and for the past twenty-five years connected with Reeves' American band, died at the Rhode Island hospital Tuesday of Bright's diesase, He 10 in his 49th gear. ;dr. K lmh rn ln.‘PrJ:g; ence June e son of and Susan Millgr, and went to the public schools. only ten years old he was drummer boy in the old | Ni . Whe; ung man he that's a little more cloudy, at times, | Netional: hass gk the became a member of of noted Reeves American band and continued with that organization until the for- mation of Clarke’s band. He was a protege and a particular friend of the late bandmaster,” D; Wallis Reeves. Mr. Miller went with the new organ- ization as manager, but after a brief existence, Clarke’'s band disbanded and he went into Fay's Second Regi- ment band. When Edward M. Fay took over the Ameérican band, Mr. Miller continued with Mr, Fay and re- mained with him to the time of his death. A few years ago he started to manufacture drums and met with con- siderable success in that line. He was a member of ths Musicians’ union and the Theatrical Mechanics’ association. A]widow and children survive Mr. Miller. A Complaint from Mexico. It appears from the excited comment of some of the newspapers of Mexico that the president set an example of Jeffersonfan simplicity on the occa- sion of his recent meeting with Prges- ident Diaz for which he is to be cor- dially commendéd. The complaint «of the editor of El- Keskabel, published In Guadalajara, is almost as bitter as that of the Eng- lish emissary who was met by Presi- dent Jefferson clad in dressing gown and slippers run down at the heel: “Rémembering the excursion of the white squadron through all the seas, an excursion that cost millions of dollars, and was solely an extravagant osten- tation to acquant the world of the wealth of the Yankee, T had hoped that the executive Taft would bring to the frontier a regin.ent of soldiers splen- didly dressed, a good battery of artil- lery and a resplendent staff. But no, senors; there was indeed a sad con- trast. “While our president went adorned in his grand uniform of a general, made in Paris at a cost of 25000 francs, President Taft wore a suit that did not seem to be his own, due to Its loose- ness. His collar was wilted by per- spiration, and there was not the slight- est impression of elegance. He went in a coach (it might have been a pub- lic hire), while our preside rode In a splendid landau, and the soldiers, the Mexicans, were in gala dress, with well polished boots and well brushed clothes, Those of our neighbor were in leggins, yellow shoes, khaki clothes, d, what Is the worst of all, “under- “How shall this American negligee be iInterpreied? Was it to make evi- dent the freedom of the Yankee? Was it to contrast the simplicity of the opu- lent with the splendor of the poor? Or might it not have been to signify the little importance that they conced- ed to the ceremony ?” It may he admitted that there is an element of inconsistency in sending a fleet about the world at an expense that has never yet been fairly admitted to the tax paying public, merely for display, and then escorting the presi- dent of the United States in civilian's dress and with wilted collar to do the honors to a neighboring republic where the gold braid and tinsel is not ail given over to the army and navy. That a Mexican should not understand is not at all surprising. But the inconsistency will naqt be viewed on this side of the Mexican border as 1t is on the other, for on this side the president will not be discred- ited because of a wilted collar. He appeared as an American citizen, no more impervious to the rays of a Mexi- can summer sun than any other Amer- ican, to convey the good will of a plain people to their neighbors—a friendly serv’ best performed with democratic simplicity—Des Moines Register and Leader. Fermentation and Flatulence Prevented In the Stomach by Charcoal, the Great Absorbent, Anti-Fermentative, and Deodorant. Some years agé Dr. Belloc, a retired surgeon of the French army, turned his attention to charcoal as a remedy for dyspepsia, fermentation and flat- ulence, or gas in the stomach and in- testines. He was himself a sufferer from these symptoms, and thus had an opportunity of testing personally its therapeutic action. He decided after many tests that charcoal made of willow wood was by far the best. He found that charcoal made of other woods caused a disa- greeable taste in the mouth—even painful excoriations of the mucous memebrane, as well as thirst, and a pinching sensation in the stomach; but not one of these symptoms ever occurred when willow charcoal was employed. He was in the Habit of prescribing from two to six ten'zoonfuls for his patients, but he himself frequently took as much as 500 grammes, or more than fifteen ounces per day. There is really no such thing as taking too much charcoal. An excess cannot be taken, for the reason that the more you take the better it is for you, as it is entirely harmless, and through its use your system will be completely cleansed of all its impurities, the fer- mentation of food and the formation of gas in the stomach prevented and the absorption of toxic products or poisonous material into the bleod from the stomach and intestines estopped. When a regular physiclan took as much as fifteen ounces of charcoal daily, its harmlessness and beneficial effects as an absorbent, deodorant, germ-destroyer and dyspepsia cure should ba apparent to all, The Academic Nationale de Medicine of Paris reported very favorably on a memoir which Dr. Belloc published on the use of charcoal, and in France it soon became a favorite remedy. Its tion spread to this country and we find charcoal lozengers, exten=- sively sold, .prescribed and emovloye as dyspepsia remdiies. Dr. Belloc's charcoal was administered to his pa- tients in the form of powder stirred up in water, which was very disagree- able to the taste, and its efficacy was far less than in the form of a lozenge, Stuart’'s Charcoal Lozenges are a great and happy improvement upon this form of administering charcoal. They are made of the best willow charccal, freshly prepared, and ren- dered exceedingly palatable by the ad- dition of pure honey, which gives them a taste that is in strong contrast to that of ordinary powdered charcoal. Nothing could be more efficacious in its effects than charcoal given in this desirable form. Two or three of Stuart’s Charcoal Lozenges taken after meals are sufficient to give complete very academic practisioner from Pres e - ';::é Lowell down.—Chicago Evening P S P TR Dr. Cook’s “At Last.” ‘Whether it is sad or funny, we can- not easily determine. But a news- paper editor has dug out of Dr. Cook’s book about the ascent of Mt. McKin- ley this interesting paragraph: “At last! The soul-stirring task was crowned with victory. top of the continent was under our feet. Our hands clasped, but not a word was uttered. We felt like shouting, but we had not the breath to spare. The thing that impressed me first was the noble character of Edward Barrill, the bigness in heart and soul of the man who followed me without a word of complaint, through hopelessness to success.” Evidently Dr. Cook had not scaled all the cliffs and crags of human na- ture, even if he had reached the sum- mit of this lofty peak. As he stood there, clasping the hand of Edward Barrill, he had no premonition that the big-hearted guide would swear to a circumstantial denial of the whole ory, as it was already shaping itself his mind.—New Bedford Standard. A Mean Trick. Some of the automobilists who went through Connecticut on “Friday night and Saturday morning to the Vander- bilt race suffered from swollen eyes, lips and faces generally, the result, it is said, of red pepper thrown in ths streets of some of the towns passed through. This was a decidedly mean trick, and it would be well to know what towns harbored persons engaged in such . an outrage. Beveral of those who suffered from this cause went back from the race by rail and their faces showed plainly the results of their Iinjuries.—Bridgeport Stand- ard. Keen Competition. A member of the Roosevelt huntl{: expedition has undertaken the ascent of Mount Kenla, which thereby threatens to become the Mount Mc- kinley of Africa. — New Orleans Times-Democrat. In one year the number of taxicabs in London has more than doubled, and the horse-drawn cab will probably soon be extinct. s b iy Z38 28 H ’gs yacht designers.—N. Y. Tribune, A Hog Milt Proprecy. Prognostications of a hard and cold winter “don’t go” with Farmer C. F. Bennett :( We;.t g;:elh!re, this .u';e who pooh poo! e goosebone, e thick cornhusk, the chipmunk’'s thick fur, the caterpillar’s black stripes and all the other time-honored and weather beaten signs and symbols, and pins his faith to the “hog’s milt,” or spleen. In writing his annual hog milt prog- nostication to the World, Farmer Ben- nett says “My predictions are as follows: A late 1. I look for the month of No- vember to be warmer than October. I dont’ look for any winter weather until well up in December. I don't look for much snow or ice. I don't look for any ice until after the first of January. The milt indicates the cool weather we have had the last two weeks., I look for a reasonably early spring.” Farmer Bennett, with his hog’s miit, is in the minority, but it is to be hoped he's right—Hartford Post. Can’t Ignore Fowler. Congressman Fowler's challenge to Senator Aldrich for a joint debate on the central bank plan will not be formally accepted, it is safe to say. Informally it will be accpeted, as Con- gressman Fowler knows, and the re- sult will be to the alvantage of the country. The New Jersey student of the banking problem cannot be ig- nored, even by Uncle Joe Cannon. ‘What he has to say about the bank- ing and currency system will be worth hearing, and the members of the cur- rency commission who realize that there must be a reasonable approval and acceptance of any plan of reform that is to become successful will real- ize that what Congressman Fowler says will be worth answering and carefully considering. It is essential that there shall be an open debate on tlll; proposed legislation.—Boston Her- ald. ‘The Baptist temple in Brooklyn has invited Rev. Dr. Len C. Broughton of the Baptist Tabernacle in Atlanta, to become its pastor. 'FACTORY & P\ Rl §$“' $4.00—B0OSTONIANS—$5.00 2352 is a Wine Poplar last. No. 21,372 is a Russia Calf, But- ton, Johnnie Jon last. 22,401 is a Tan Poplar Blucher. with an extension top. made from willow calf. Just the right shade for a tan shoe. We guar- antee full value for your money. P. CUMMINGS, 53 Cemtral Avenue. oct30d W. COOPER —— UPHOLSTERER Special Bargain for 10 Days. I will make no charge for repairing or pol- ishing the wood work on any uphol- stering jobs you may bring to me. Drop postal and I will call. 259 West Main St novdd RYE Fancy New Rye for Seed —al A. R. MANNING'S, Telephone, Yantic, Conn. relief. Go to your druggist and buy a box, but insist on having Stuari's, as there are many worthless imitations on the market, not made of willow wood, but of polar, box-wood, dog- wood, etc., which are net good for the system. For sale everywhere, 25 cents per box. Sample box will be sent free by mail upon request. Address F. A. m;‘rt Co.; 200 Stuart Bldg., Marshall, OUR WORK meets the approval of the critical people, Rogers’ Domestic Laundry. Tel. 958. sepi2id Stock No. Bl full double soles, on the C. G. Rear 37 Franklin Street. FOR & &. @ A\ PO What and Where 1o Buy In Norwich SUPPLIES ROBERT BROWN ESTATE, ARTHUR M. BROWN, Manager 65, 57, 69 West Main Str Telephone 133. L. THAMESVILLE STORE Have got a Goods. The Best Progress Fiour, If you want a good article, there is no better, although we lhave cheaper grades if you choose to buy them. Joseph F. Smith, FLORIST 209 Main Street, Norwich. Iyid Polatoes 75¢ bush. 0. FERRY, Tel. 703, 336 Franklin St Free delivery to all parts f the city. novéd BR. JONES, Dentist, 35 SHETUCKET ST. Room 10 ’Phone 32.3 line of White Rose oct2fdaw Lee's Remedies THE ARE MAKING Most of the Manufacturers claim their Cough Syrup has fia equal. WE MAKE NO SUCH CLAIM. All the Thousands who have used LEE & 0SGOOD’S WhitePineand Tar make the same assertion for Lee & Osgood’s White Pine and Tar Syrup that the manufacturers, make for theirs. Who's opinion is most valuable ? When you have a cough or cold try a bottle and decide for yourself. Price 25 cents. The Lee & 0sgood Co. Manuafcturing Chemists. 131-133 Main Street, NORWICH, CONN. If your druggist does not keep It, will mail on receipt of 25 cents, nov2daw SPECIAL NOTICE TO THOSE WHO CONTEMPLATE MARRIAGE If you have any idea of getting mar- ried before 1910, please get your order for Invitations or Announcements in at once before the final rush. Even now, we are very busy, working niehts and shall continue to do so right up to January first. We are the people who furnish Wedding Invitations and Announcements, Card Plates, Mono- grams, Coats of Arms, Crests etc., and do Stamping and Printing in the yvery best manner at the lowest poassi- ble prices. Our weork is done by the best engravers in New York city, and no one, not even Tiffany, can furnish better work than we do. You will find our prices very much smaller than Tiffany prices. Please call and see samples of the latest styles and get our prices. Cranston & Co., 158 Main Street. novddaw JOSEPH BRADFORD, Book Binder. 8lank Books Nade and Ruled to Order, 108 BROADWAY, Telephone 252 Men’s Fur Coals at Half the regular prices. A good assortment and sizes. A Special 8ale on DUCK STABLE BLANKETS at '$1.60, worth $2.50 A limited number on hand. L L. CHAPMAN’S 18-20 Bath Street. octi0d Watch Repairing done at Friswell's speaks for itself, WM. FRISWELL, 25-27 Franklla jan22daw J Have You Noticed the Increased Travel? It's a sure sign of good weather anid fine roads. People like to out into the open air., We furnish the best method, if you'll take one of our teams you'll say the same, MAHONEY BROS., Falls marl7d Brown & Rogers Wish to announce to the public that they are all ready for the Fall Paint- ing and Paperhanging, in all of its branches at llyving ces, with Com- petent Men to do the work at short notice. oct2d Avenue. If you desire & clear complexion take Foley’s Orino Laxatitve for con- stipation and liver trouble as it will stimulate these organs and lhorw":& well, Iy cleanse your em, which is everyone needs in order to fell w