Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-01-08
THE ladies FESTIVAL.

The festival at Washington Hall, New
Years evening. to aid tho fund for the relief Of
sick and wounded soldiers. was very largely at
tended, and the receipts were all that the most
sauguine had expected.
The Hall was beautifully trimmed with ever
green and hung with pictures, aud brilliantly
lighted. On the stage at the further end there
was a table laden with fancy articles nearly all Of
which were purchased quite early in the evening,
aud the young ladies who presided there were
juhilant over their unparalleled success. In the
corner on the left Of the STAGE was q table loaded
with plate solid ware, and other expensive ar
tolos, for which rafting chances were sold for
twenty i've cents. Several had their hazards
crowned with brilliant luck, and the table paid
large profits, and added a handsome sum for the
soldiers.
There were three grab -bags-onc for FIVE, one
for ten, and the other for fifteen cents, which re-
cciNcd a liberal patronage, soon became empted
and yielded muni6ccnt proceeds
Suspended from one Of the chandeliers was a
Blind Mans Bank, which afforded handsome
sum, and created great deal of amusement dur
ing the whole evening. On either side of the
room long tables were set, bearing great varc-
ty Of food aud luxures from Bean Porridge up
10 lee Cream, and nearly all present partook of
the rcpast, at twenty-five tickets thereby
trlbuung a large amount
Ia the ante-room, was the greatest exhibition
yet. The room was hung around with the most
antique paintings that could be found in all the
families in town; overhead were suspended strips
ofpumpkin and an inflated hogs-bladder hung up
"a lry FiV tha for al "a
pcarance of an ancient farmers kitchen At the
door, after paying ten cents, you entered to be
greeted by General --- (name forgotten) and
his wife, dressed in the rich style of old days he
looking every inch militia soldier and she every
ell an accomplished, gay, and dashfng BRIDE Go
in still further, Qf you can get in through the
crowd,) and you will see the old folks, "SaHs
teeth, sans eyes, sans everything and YOU will
be deceived, their parts are well carried and
really think that they ''the real old folks ~
In one corner, sat lady, of the olden time, of
course, cardng tow. In another corner were two
more most busily engaged in spinning, while in
the center stood the strong housewife hard and
happy at work making butter in the old fashioned
upright chun. And yet nearer the door, the
stout young girl was sweeping with the old birch
en- broom That room becoming so crowded,
they at length came out into the hall and then
there was merriment indeed.
In addition to all this, and to the sale oftickets at
the door, the poem written for the occasion by
Mr.. Clarke, met with large sale, and yielded
handsome revenue.
The total receipts of the Fair amounted to
about four hundred and fifteen dollars Every
one seemed TO have gone there with the determn-
alton to spend money and to be happy. They
certainly did what they intended, and realized
what they expected. And when all was over, the
people withdrew at very seasonable hour; and
thus, in pleasant way, means have been raised
to do great deal of good for the brave but
suffering soldiers.