Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-02-06

of the Center Congregational church. He
commenced life As ahsiters apprentice, and
came to Bratteboro in 1911, engaging first
in the manufacture Of hats in the firm Of
Philips & Skies, aud afterwards kept the
hotel now known as the American House
for several years. lie also, for time, kept
his late residence on Main ST. as a temper
auce hotel.
The funeral ceremonies were held at the
Congregational church on Monday after
noon.
THE OLD Folks CONCERTS.
Two entertainments Of this character,
held at the Congregational church on the
evenings of the 18th ami 10Th of last month,
received well deserved applause and com
mcndation. For this late qualification We
are indebted to the same combination Of
talent as, under the lead Of DR.. Chas. II.
Tenney, gave concerts in February aud
March, 1873 Mt the Con regatonal church
and at the town hall. The unique program
for this year was 50 generally circulated
that it is unnecessary to give an account Of
it farther than 10 say 1t was well carried
out, and even more was performed than the
public had reason TO expect. DR.. Horton,
in connection with his quartette, delighted
the audience with old Delight" Mrs.
Smith, with her clear tones and distinct
enunciation while Comm Thro' the Rye"
created a demand that could not be salts
fled until she appeared with "Blue Eyed
Mary, anu Is,-..,-iS D-s--" "Tl.s old
Story" as illustrated by the voice and ac-
ton or"Simon Scleck" aud SISTER Ruth, 8"
cannot, we think, be exceled. For all
practical purposes there is no need Of fur
therrehearslls. Lord Lowell, aflera journey
of twelve months on horseback, persuaded
"Experience Billings" to tell the good pc0-
pie Of Bratt!eboro how he suffered. John
Anderson" as sung by Miss Sprague, with
her poor trembling, iottering John, with
his newspaper and tallow candle at her
side, was truly pathetic, and the lesson
thereby conveyed is OF wide application.
4 violin solo by Miss Carrie Pettes, from
Canada, was given with fine effect and re.
ceived enthusiastic calls for repetition.
"David's Lamentaton," by fun choir,
sounded TO our ideal, as echoes from a
thousand years. The voice OF Rev. ].
Chandler was heard with much pleasure in
any Native Song" and several times in
quartette. "Old friends pet together" was
especially admired. False are the men Of
high degree" by full choir, has n strong
puritanic SAVIOR. We thereby see the pref
udice of the Puritan, versus the cavalier,
seasoned with the gospel, as then under
sfvvu. we arc wen aware II Is impossible
for us TO do full justice 10 each and every
member Of the choir in thsaccount, but.
with many other persons present upon the
former and latter occasions, we cannot
Withhold our thanks to those ladies aud
gentlemen, OF the instrumental as well as
the vocal departments, who so vividly re-
minded Us OF the beautiful in the long ST.
lent past aud brought, though tinged with
shadows.
THE Light OF other days around u.s.
No one enjoyed occasions like this more
than cur aged friend. Mr.. Urirl Skies.
whose peaceful, quiet life went out, as died
away in song those thrilling words to the
tune Of IAN Sainis:"
Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there"
Some three score years have passed since
Mr.. Skies commenced his services upon
his fsvorite instrument-the bass viol-for
he first choir, and at that time the only
choir, in the place. Nearly thirty years
said services were rendered without charge
or compensation. The old pieces, perform
ed at the late concert were new to him in
the far of time, and how cminently fitting
the closing hour, that the air receiving his
departing soul, was waving with the
sounds he loved so well!
He was present at the Old Folks Concert
less than year since, and though bending
under the load of almost ninety winters,
THE old man raised his face and smiled;
And hghtened up his faded eye
With all poets ecstAey!
The present scene, the future lot
His tolls, his wants, were all forgot
Cold difhdenee and ages frost
In the full tide Of song were lost"