I was reminded of this story the other night in New London, telling tales at the Old Meeting House, in particular, one about Ira Littlefield. I told how at the town meeting of 1959, a newcomer to town meeting (possibly an engineer) announced that he’d done the research and to his horror discovered there were no maps of the water and sewer system in New London. Where, he demanded, was this information to be had?
Ira Littlefield, who’d been commissioner of water and sewer in New London since 1904, went to the microphone. “I know where all the pipes are,” he said.
But what if, the newcomer said, you should retire, or -- God forbid -- die.
“Then,” Ira said, “it ain’t my problem.”
Just as I spoke the last words of the story, the door behind me opened, slowly, to the night air.
No doubt I wasn’t the only one in the room who thought: “Here’s Ira!”
But getting back to Musterfield Farm in Sutton in January: Carlton Bradford told this story. Musterfield Farm became a museum as stipulated by its last owner, Bob Bristol, a beloved and much-missed town character. Over the years a dedicated band of preservationists have worked to make it a fine museum and asset to the town. Homestead tours are included.
Though much of the furniture in the farm house was vintage, one ratty old comfy chair was prominent in the kitchen. Carlton and Jack Noon thought it best to remove the chair to the attic.
When Steve, the farm manager, came in, he immediately noticed its absence. “Oh no,” he said, “where’s Bob gonna sit?”
To which Carlton replied: “I hope on his heavenly throne.”
Ira Littlefield, who’d been commissioner of water and sewer in New London since 1904, went to the microphone. “I know where all the pipes are,” he said.
But what if, the newcomer said, you should retire, or -- God forbid -- die.
“Then,” Ira said, “it ain’t my problem.”
Just as I spoke the last words of the story, the door behind me opened, slowly, to the night air.
No doubt I wasn’t the only one in the room who thought: “Here’s Ira!”
But getting back to Musterfield Farm in Sutton in January: Carlton Bradford told this story. Musterfield Farm became a museum as stipulated by its last owner, Bob Bristol, a beloved and much-missed town character. Over the years a dedicated band of preservationists have worked to make it a fine museum and asset to the town. Homestead tours are included.
Though much of the furniture in the farm house was vintage, one ratty old comfy chair was prominent in the kitchen. Carlton and Jack Noon thought it best to remove the chair to the attic.
When Steve, the farm manager, came in, he immediately noticed its absence. “Oh no,” he said, “where’s Bob gonna sit?”
To which Carlton replied: “I hope on his heavenly throne.”
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