The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-01-25
ola Bashslor.' society.


Most Of the elderly people Of Peacham,
W., remember the existence OF the Old
Bachelors Society, which was formed IN
town In about 1920, when the late Col,
Blanchard, Asa skeels Bennett Gould,
ard their associates were young men.
The society was very popular with both
sexes, aud included nearly all the single
gentlemen In town old enough 10 walt
upon the ladies. The object Of tho as.
ISOLATION was to study galIantry, and to
enforce Il as rule Of conduct among all
the members. Monthly meetings wero
held with great regularity for many years
on which occasions subjects Of interest
70 the order were discussed, and especial
attention given to members who Ia the
slightest degree had been guilty Of any
neglect Of proper attention 10 the fair sex.
Fines were imposed, and many poor
cnlprit, for suffering girl TO 20 homo
alone, has been compelled 10 saw q cord
Of wood for poor widow woman IN or.
der to recover his regular standing IN the
fraternity. The rules we're uncomfort.
ably exacling. 40 member was permit
ted 10 allow any woman, young or old, TO
90 home alone afler certain hours. The
matter Of tasto was not regarded. No
member was allowed to withhold any as.
si-tance Or proper attention to any female
ueeding IL. The society has often turned
out en- massc to assist widow woman IN
moving ber effects or TO do any other
work size was especially IN need Of. No
uducky swain was allowed TO go homo
p0Utiag because a more fortunate mem.
ber had got ahead Of Him In escoting
The best looking girl lie was re.
quircd TO take tho next, Of the next and
II unfortunate enough TO be last, Il was
his duty 70 accept Or llobson's choice,
and offer his escort 10 the humeliest girl
In town, or the one who lived two milcs
out Of the village. II was not au indif.
fercnt Thing to be member Of the socIe.
O., for HEY were all eager TO discover Of.
fender. against The by.lawa, aid merci.
less ii The enforcement of peualties. Tie
pirl understood tli. feature Of The order
and would Gees. oually punish an IN.
.uspectiug south BY lrainping him into q
violation u tbe fnlers.
On one occasion Louisa Bradley, who
iisrd mlIe oui X ihe yiIIage, attended
sn evening meeting, and was being q.
.eorttd home by tlie la'o Heunelf Gould
llaYlug 4uuacle living in be lge the
village, .ho stopped at bic house, bidding
TO Innocent Bennett good night 1t tho
door. After le gyl out d sight sh0 pur.
sued her way hymeHard Aioue. On her
wa, .be mei smother member u tbe 70.
r.otY wh9 enquied low thi4 happened,
and was informed lbdl Gould had offered
fbi- services. bal leit heg 81 her ufele's
4 sgeelAme8iug Was called Aud aurran
ygliiu2 isis liie offender was adiudzrd
l w rJri ~ wpqd fYr = csrt4ia
uEtaW iH tia til.ase Tie cKsgniHu u
ne aaiF Na uisfled eut t9 he letter
Ihs hHt gHa 81 mBg similar insisBefs.
Fuu3a were 8iMBFs iu ne direction
ai gu3H works Dut qtiir ttagY iy b.
54Fi.e. Mdw saH1,px Ile soeieiy coH.
Uaurf lH lHe UaaHes iett feagiIab. IL
al5at 1855. NIeH aliff h4Flug a Aaa
meeting aad 4fe4l saFgrf c tllsso we'd
Dunag rs rKi.leuee, if eiBLraeed the bes
08Hg meB ia ths t5aa and e1sfis
great B9ae9eiti . fsi 1tsis,n-