Our Man About Town

When the members of the board of health ara riding around the oity, they want to use their " emoliere" well, al though in aome parte of the oity, if the wind happens to be justright, without the least effort on their part, they will be greeted by mal-odorous emell. One day this week I heard some of the "boys " talking about the yeara gono by when they used to stand down on Hu ron . atreet near Fourth and use that old oak tree east of Collins & Polson's woodyard tor a target, and one man said that undaubtedly the old oak held a soore or more of ballets whioh would be found when the tree was felled, but whioh he hoped wonld never be during nis lifetime. I have heard a number of our residents who have beautiful homes and who heep : them in perfect order, say it is disoouraging to have neighbors near them who never do anything to make their homes attraotive, but are content to let the sumtaer pass with perhaps cutting the grass once, and perhaps not at all during the entire year. Why is it some people are so neglect and so are careless of the appearance their homes? I do not wonder the boarding house - keepers want to raise the price óf board , I was told this week that one woman who had boarded from 20 to 40 boarders all winter at the low rate of $2.25 per week, in reokoning up the profits of her year's work found she had cleared exac tly $2.00 and board for herself and two children tor nine months of hard work. They think it time something ought to be done to regúlate, and abolish these cheap rutes. The court yard lawn is a favorito resting place for tramps this warm weather. Iheie is harily a day but what there is trom one to several stretohed out upon the graas. These fellows ought to beput tó work or made to leave town as they are becoming nuisances in and around the oity. If the people of the town, one and all, would refuse to give them anything to eat, they would skip this city as sure as if she had a pestilence stalking in her midst. One week from next Wednesday, 4th of July, is to oome and go, I suppose without our city doing a single thing in the war of a celebration. A number of persons have asked "Are we not to have some doings on that day?" or " where is Jake Schuh, why does he not take hold of it and thcn something might be done?" "So let me say with the others, where ia Jake Schuh?" Let him set his wits to work and talk "alectle" and our celebration will be forthcomiug surel y July 4th It is hoped that those oflicera whose duty it is to see that the weeds and high grass in the streets are out down, will have it done before comniencement, as some of the streets look shamefully neglected with the graas so high as to alnioet meet aoross the sidewalk. It ought to be oompulsory for every property owner to keep the road in front of bis premisos neat and clean, and if our city fathers oould and would make a law to that effect and then see that it was enforced, what beautiful streets all over the oity we might have. This is the season for our residents to enjoy and appreciate our beautiful drives of which we have many, and for which Ann Arbor and the surrounding country is noted, ita excellent roads and fine Bcenery. Ko matter in what direction one wisbes to drive to reach some little hamlet for a few hours' pleasure, he can choose any road which leaves this city and in an hour two he can reach his destination. Of these roads there are three which lead to Ypsilanti, the middle one taking you "Over the hills to the poor house," and which one passes with a aigh of relief that his journey does not end there. The river road is decidedly the most picturesque, the scenery being very pretty along the entire drive. The south road is perhaps used the least, but it is a very pleasant one nevertheless. Then there is the road which leads to Geddes, and in the montu of June it is one of the prettiest out of Ann Arbor. There are pleasant drives to Saline, Deiter, Zukey Liake, Pleasant Lake, Whitmore Lake, and so many other lakes, together with their numerous attractions I am unable to dweil upon for want of space. I heard a good story on one of our master masons a few days ago. A f riond of his in passing through tbo city left him aboxof fine "Havanas" at the depot, as a preeent, and to be called for. Tbis gentleman negleoted for several days to go for liis ohoioe oigars, and wlien he did found tbe box empty, and waa told by some of the attaches of the depot that bis oigars had gone up in smoke and ashes, but that they were most excellent ones, and they would be glad if his friend would send him another box. Of course Mr. had to accept tbe joke gracefully, but he says another time hewill be on hand wben he expects a present, partiotilrly a box of cigars. I understand the buarding house keeper of tbis city are to hold a oonvention I his summer to dismiss the problem of liow to make money by keeping boarders It is a wonder this has not booo done before, and yet it seems to me that it ie going to be a difficult thing to do. If tbe landladies of to-day were lo be the landladies of next winter, such an arrangement migbt be made, but how can a few enter into a contract, wben strangers who understand nothing about taking boarders come here every fall and board for tbe small sums of $1.75, $2.00, or $2.60 per cent and who know nothing about a contract formed by the women of Ann Arbor, uniera tbis Byndicate appoints speoial oflicora to immediately interview such offenders, if such they be, and get t hem to join the majority.