Connecticut western news., 1871-08-18

been used for that purpose, are in excellent condition, and series of most interesting, and it is hoped profitable, meetings are ex- pected. We understand that the Housa- tonic Railroad company will carry passen- gers on their road at half fare, as they have been wont to do in past years. Arrange ments are completed, such, it is hoped, as will insure good order.
 Cat1tolic Psc-nic.-Early in the day last Wednesday, we made arrangements for a special correspondent to report fully the Catholic Picnic, but when he disappointed us, and we had it talked up with Father OKeefe, who promised to aid us so far as he could find time to do, we thought our case would be properly attended to, but probably on account of so much else to occupy his time, or for some other suff1- ciently good reason, we have failed to re- ceive any account of their jubilee, except that there were great many there, and all passed off very nicely. The Catholics in this region usually make q success of what ever they undertake.
 School MeetSng.-At the meeting at the Grove school house last Monday evening for the election of officers for the district for the ensuing year, Mir. Wm. Conklin was chosen clerk; Mr. J. P. Walton com mittee; and Mir. James Selleck, Treas urer and Collector. How about the new school house; is the excitement on the school house question, entirely abated? Ii so, how suddenly It scarcely seems pos sible that all interest in the matter is lost. Let us consider the enthusiasm manifest a, one of the meetings Q few weeks since when the unanimous wish of the district was expressed in such unmistakable lan- guage, for Q school house that will seat al least POO scholars. No small affair would be entertained for 8 moment, and we ar, sure that we mistake not, when we say that the same desire for 8 first class schooi house still exists, but why are all so quiet about it ? Mir. George Coffing. who attended the meeting mentioned, expressed an ear- nest desire that the district would go about it and build school house, that would bt adequate to it's wants, and not only that, but one of which the district would not b. ashamed. Mir. Cofang is not only oul heaviest tax payer, but has the disposition and the means to do more than his legiti mate taxes, as he said plainly on that oc. casion, he would do. Our citizens yer, well know that MT. c. alUGys.does as mucL as he says he will do, in any pubic enter. prise, and many times does more; in fact he is very liable to do more. Someon, said recently in our hearing, that the plans for the new school house, which were originally drawn to seat 200 scholars, had dwindled down to one to contain one seat, and the unfortunate scholar who would be obliged to occupy it, would be dreadfully crowded tor want of room, but enough o1 such Buncomb talk as this, let us brush thu scales from our eyes, and be no longer blinded to our own interests. We have Ut disposition to advocate strongly an enter prise that is to burden you with taxes, ant would not do it, did you not SO plainly say. one and all, that it was your wish to builo a new, and large school house, one thai would seat at least 200 scholars. Our citi. zens have never said one thing when they meant another, let us not commence now. Pic-mics.
 The very word is pleasurably suggestive of huge baskets heavily laden, of cool and shady groves, of rustic tables covered witt, tempting delicaeies, of happy hearts anu cheerful faces, visions of which even now are fitting before me, for I have been ar ''eye witness" of several such gatherings have distinct recollection of smal picnic party which several years ago lief, their pleasant homes, and that picturesqu, village of Ore Hill behind them, for day + sojourn on the shores of those beautiful lakes known as ''Twins." That was a ''young folks" picnic, and a merry tim, they had. But alas! they are not SO youn. now. Life with it's cares and sorrows las become reality, clouds sometimes obscur, the sunshine of our hearts, and I thinh that some have already exclaimed with ou. own loved poet. Unto each life som, rain must fall" We are sad when we re. member that more than one of that ga, party has gone-'gone the way of all tn, earth"
 Not so many years ago another wid, awake party sailed from their quiet littl, city on the Waterman The day was balmy, the water sparkling and the heart. glad, Cat least when they started.) The, were to disembark at 8 point few miles down the river, and proceed to a grove d short distance from the right bank, bu, owing to low tide they were obliged to lan,. mile above, and to those who did no, avail themselves of the row boats. the re. mainder of the excursion was not SO roman tic. Over pebbles the size of mans head, through brambles and bushes, over small streams and bulrushes, at last they reacheu ''the grove" to find it a slope covered witt few pine trees, whose cast off foliage overspread the ground. To those wh, have ever trodden upon carpets of drieo pine leaves it will not be necessary for mt to tell, that "Pride must have fall" Ina committee of arrangements was voted a failure.
 A more recent and much more pleasant picnic have in remembrance. The Sab bath schools and friends which gathered in that most beautiful of groves, and looked out upon that charming Wononscopomoc (clear water) lake, last Wednesday found i, enjoyable in the extreme. The day was all that could be desired. The temptations in the way of eatables were unresistable. The music was harmonious. The addresses were good, some of them spicy, and feao were ineligible to children. Not least among the pleasures of the day was the greetings of friends. Here we met old