Page 6 - December 2023 Issue.indd

We Have Choices would recognize a narrow pathway ing the counter was all alone; we may

existed. have been the day’s first visitors. Aft er
to Make the usual introduction and pleasantries,
When the Native Americans arrived,
a conversation began. My companion
they found the route superior and
by Bryan Gadow had their choice of routes to take. Th is
enlarged it. One day, the fi rst man (or
is something like what I heard:
woman?) traveled it via horseback. In
In one small way, if only for a moment, time, the white man went through with Aloysius: It’s a shame this town has
I shall one-up Professor Dean (who you a wagon. Decades whizzed past. Stan- gone so far downhill.

shall, I’m sure, find elsewhere in this ley Steamers and Packards, wooden
periodical.) You see, I want to take you bridges, oyster shells, concrete, black- Gunther: Hmm.
back, not to any great American war, top. Your author’s point? I believe it true Aloysius: I mean, look how dead it is
not to the founding of our fair county, that, somewhere in this county, there’s down here.
not even to the landing of some fellow at least one stretch of highway that
name of Smith upon the shores of our could be traced back to some squirrel Gunther: Well…
peninsula. Way, way before all that... or opossum. Certainly, many of our Aloysius: Nobody knows your here!
before, indeed, any humans walked roadways are far removed from such a

our land at all. Imagine, if you can: thing. Only the most rabid of raccoon Gunther: That seems to be true…
only the four-legged mammals moving could come up with the traffi c pattern Aloysius: You bet it is! Why don’t THEY
to and fro on “our” land. One day, one at Walmart! Since on the topic of paths, do something about it?
particular day, a rabbit (or perhaps a I shall change the direction of the one
fox) took a certain route home. It found I am now on. Gunther: I know! Somebody should.
the path quite pleasing, and continued
at least daily. Others joined in. Were It was earlier this autumn that I accom- Bryan: I think...
you transported back those thousands panied a friend as they ran an errand in Aloysius: I guess it’s hopeless. Nobody

of years there would be no doubt, you downtown Denton. The person work- cares.

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