Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-18
Letter from Mad River Valley.

Dear Farmer My pen has been idle Sc
long that we are getting almost strangers,
but | hope to get acquainted again, as the
winter brings me n lit lie leisure.
What splendid fall weather we have had,
extendng-with an occasional intervening
cold spell-even up to December! have
not had time to enjoy half its beauties, but
hope somebody has. If our farmers have
not all their fall work done, 1t must be that
they have too much work. or too little help.
As if dame Nature wished to show herself in
her most obiging humor, she sent us the
incest slsighiug for Thanksgiving, which did
not last long, however--something over a
week in all, and-now as write, December
8, evening, the thermometer is nearly at
zero, and the ground almost bare, not snow
enough for good sleighing..
1t has been an exceedingly dry fall in
this vicinity, and the thaws We have had of
late were much needed to help replenish the
low springs and brooks.
Social life in the valley joys on about
after its usual steady course. The Lodge Of
Good Templars meets on Friday evenings
and is having very interesting meetings just
now. They are steadily advancing, in spite
of great deal Of ill-lounded prejudice and
opposition. They celebrate their sixth an
niversary on the 10Th of December, with
literary exercises and social reunion
The grange is prosperous, and its members
well satisfied that financially as well as So
cially it is great benefit to the community.
Friday evening, December 4, Warren
Grange met, by invitation, with Waits6eld
Grange at tho NJ. L. Vestry, to celebrate
their anniversary, 1t was largely a social
gathering, and intended to be so. The lit
erary exercises occupied about an hour, and
consisted of singing an address of welcome
by Geo. o, Boyce, of Waitsfeld Grange,
and response by G.. b Newcomb, of Warren
Grange, a recitation by Miss Alice Wilder,
of Waitsield Grange, an original poem
read by Laura Brigham Boyce, of Waits
field Grange, and an address by A. A. Kne-
land, Waits6eld Grange. Then followed
supper, which all seemed to enjoy, after
which several toasts were given and respond.
ed to by various members Of the two grang-
es.
During the evening, Bro. Henry Skinner
got involved in discussion with several la
dies on the question Of woman suffrage, and
gave an impromptu entertainment, that all
those within ear-shot seemed to enjoy fully
as well as Bro. Skinner. Which got the
best of it your deponent saith not, but when
walk up to the ballet box to deposit my
vote las | expect to some day. it won't DO
for Bro. skinner.
The grange have sent off for -four and
other groceries as well as boots, much to tho
advantage Of their pockets, and all arti-
Giles received have been of good quality, re-
port to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Post Ainsworth No. 80, G.. A. r., favor
ed us with scamp fire" few weeks since,
which gave excellent satisfaction to those at
tending. The exercises consisted of two
very well acted dramas, music by the glee
club, recitations, &c. They give another at
Warren village this evening which we trust
may be well attended, for all the funds thus
raised are devoted to benevolent objects.
They propose to hold camp fires quite often
during the present winter.
Ihe new CohBrcBhtlonallFJ cnuTch pro-
crosses slowly, and will not probably be COM
pleted until warm weather. They expect to
be able to occupy the vestry about the first
Of January.
The church is being very tastofully built,
and adds much to the good looks Of the
village.
We trust the good feeling that has pre-
vailed between the churches as they have
worshipped in unison the past season, may
be continued after the congregationalists re-
move to their new house Of worship.
Rev. Henry Walbridgs, who has preached
for the Universalists for some time past,
goes to Barre the first OF January. We are
not informed who is to take his place, here.
More anon. l.. b. b.