The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-01-24 00:00:00

WEST STAFFORD.

SCHOOL Tasty—Friday let Witt • red letter day for
the juveniles of this village, so ',winded by nature, bat
yet so well-known throughout the county on account of
the virtues of its excellent rector and his amiable wife.
The Rev. Reginald and Yrs. Smith had provided a treat
for the 'cholera of the day and Sunday schools, and the
occasion was looked forward to with the most intense
eagerness. Great satisfaction was felt and caromed
on all hands when the day turned out not to be one of
those drenching ones to which we have been so mash
accustomed, and the occasional dullness of the weather
served to give only a fresh zest to the joy in the
addition of &little fear. But, with kindly forethought.
Mr. end Mrs. Smith judged it would be best to have
such a treat ea even bed weather could not spoil, and
since the shades of evening close early, nn.l game. of
romps cannot be prolonged late, it was resolved to
supplement the heat with an exhibition of pictures la
the schoolroom, which the children would not have to
loam too early. So preparations were made for a grand
tesilindieake feast at the redo:it' r. sod the service+ of
Mr. W. T. Hallett, of Weymouth, were asked and Mr.
Hallett kindly agreed to bring his capita magic lantern
and display some beautiful view.. Early in the morning
the village was all alive, and there was great proviaion
of charchiroing clothes, in the best trimmings, or
mired resplendently white. At dinner, too, that day
sere of the children took care not to indulge too much
is their usual fare, but irrerved a "corner" for the
fuller .sejoynisat of Mrs. Smith's expected dainties.
The schoolroom was the meeting plain, and here the
little ore Whored soon slier dinner, and wondered
that 'two " so long yet° &before they were to march to
the rostery. At length (and early in the afternoon it
was then) the time tame for the start, and they were
soon in nies orderly prommion, going ito Mr. Smith'a.
In the winter time ,tian't advisable to take the trouble
gags; but the procession looked cheerful and pretty
eretogh as they wound along the road. There were
between 60 and 70 children, and, arrived at the rectory,
they were all seated in the dining hall, and regaled
with toe end rke, the amiable family of the Rector
seeing that their wants were supplied, and making every
one feel etenfortable, even more than "at home." A
darer treat that made the eyed; of the little ones
spackle, were ram firstrate appla-t„rta that um.
Smith's motherly heart had provided for the
rsi and this additional kindness made them
=ilia good lady has a heart that condescends
even to the little details that delight children. Many
good folks can and do give tea and oak., but appl,
tartl and all hot tool was in the eyes of the Stafford
children the point that capped all Mrs. Smith's kind
deeds. laving thoroughly enjoyed the good things,
the children looked oat for the distribution of " prises."
What a Meier& senestion, when it was found that like
bred lottery, there IMO all prises and DO blanks.
Mega IM yes_ able to "walk in silk attire," if it were
mai • Mwrief and the boys were equally well cared
for ;1~7 ow had a " prise," and in fast the diatribu-
lioS was really • capital opportunity of presenting all
With N. Year's gifts. la • state of high gl. e, the
little 01110 had MOM words spoken to them, and were
ODD allowed to go home sad exhibit their gains. They
nee& the village meal with their delight, and fan was
the order of an hour or two. About half-pest six they
were &gain aessiabled in the schoolroom and, in order
VIM eves the Inaket might not be fetched home to
bed. abed 20 or 30 of their mothers were also invited
to some with Mimi and re the show. Mr. W. T. maim
=bibbed by sew of the ozy-thisters light and an
wood magas loiters, a number of Sr pictures.
Timm were—the Overland Route to India, win,
bratiful photographs of architectural gems, lovely
Mem et Italy, Germany, ha, lots of manic slides,
mbieb rade the ehildree rose with laughter, effective
=es that ciatund greet wonder and delight,
of • Sea, sheep tick, spider's
grittieseerePliZaPhaseenes, seneindiat:ith • series
"The Tale of • Tub." eerie &dee
sewed peel tea, *ad the ilesselptios of the ethers by
gar Werner* reparter was pearl helped by the
o=lof the Rev. rill Mrs. Smith. who told tits
14deseal readleedeas of away of the seers,
leenthing went emelleatly well, and the *raw.' irsi
most Knottily spent. The Rev. R. Smith eipArid
the Masks of the company to Mr. Hallett and his ems-
pries, eae all retired • but halted outside, and gave
weal meet leer sheer; for Mt. and Mrs. Smith.