(This and the following communication are from a small paper,
printed and published by two Bethlehem boys.)
We, the editors, have been dragged along back alleys, across
open sewers, and through rank growths of weed and thistle to
view the Monocacy meadows to consider the possibility of their
use as a playground or park. We are not much impressed with
the proposal, the place is apparently hopeless, but the park
enthusiast could not be touched by argument. To our very
practical objection that the cost would be excessive, he made
the foolish reply that there is no cost but a saving in using
what has hitherto been wasted. To our expressed disgust for
the open sewers and filth he replied that that was beside the
question, for, as he said, we must sooner or later take care
of the filth anyway. But, we said, the creek is contaminated
above the town. Very well, he replied, we have the right
to prohibit such contamination. But worst of all, in double
meaning, was his instant agreement to our statement that we
had our cemeteries which, he said, were really better than any
Bethlehem park could be.