Connecticut western news., 1875-11-26
Ashley Falls.

Two remarkable events took place in this quiet village last week. First, the telegraph office was opened and the first dispatch sent forth-a thing we have all anticipated for years; SO now if we do feel little proud and set up for time, just let us en- Joy our satisfaction......T second great event was our school exhibition, which was attended on Tuesday evening at the church. In spite of the rain and mu.l the house was well filled at an early hour. The exercises of the evening were begun by the principal, who came forward and welcomed the people with few words appropriate to the occasion, and then read the school re- port as follows:
 '"The fall term of this school has been of eleven weeks duration eight pupils have neither been absent nor tardy during the whole session; their Eames we gladly place upon the roll of honor, viz Hetty Heaton, Kitty Taft, Cora Chapin, Major Reel, Will lie Meacham, George Abbott, Frank Par melee and Watson Parmelee. Four other names might have been added had not sick ness prevented their attendance for two days only: For excellence Tn spelling we must award the highest honors to Robert Lee, Kitty Taft and Katy Heaton."
 After the reading of the report, tableau was exhibited portraying Country choir of fifty years ago. at the second showing of the picture this ch oir broke forth into singing Aud Lang Syne.' Then followed recltations from Mary Reel, Laura Fowler, Mary Van Deusen, Bertie Ashley and Allie Heaton, ,and all these little ones spoke clear ly and well. A song was then sung enti- tied Loved Ones at Home, by Misses Alb bolt, Hillyer and Lee. Little Katy Heaton rendered very naturally, The Boy who cried for the Moon,' amld much applause. A dialogue by Robert Lee and Edward Van Deusen told well the story of the Three Rings While gypsy scene was shown in tableau, voice behind the curtain sang the 'Gypsy's Warning; this was decidedly an attractive feature of the entertainment. The dialogue announced as the Way to Keep Secret,' was successful exposure of the gossips with whom we meet in every day life: the parts were well acted, and much credit is due to the young ladies who performed the parts of Mrs. Burke and Miss Walden. Miss Florence Hillyer recited beautifully the poem of 'Curfew Shall not Ring Tonight Mary Hillyer charmed the audience with her recitation of People Will Talk and was much encored. Grace Lee, dressed in ancient costume, recited in a very interesting manner. the el,known 'poem of Carleton's, The New Organ Florence New gave us Maud Muller All these were excellent and very interesting, but if was called upon to award prize for speaking, should decide in favor of Harry Brigham, lad of but thirteen years, who rendered so affectingly the story of "A Leap in the Dyke tale of Holland. This boy has remarkable talents as young ora tor, which we hope may be cultivated. Ar chic Taft gave US an amusing account of The Old Times and the New and per formed his part we'll. Three compositions were read as follows: Dress is Not the Man, by Grace Lee 'Oden Times, by Emma Abbott 'Trifles, by Hetty Heaton; and that these compositions were strictly original we are informed by good authori- ty, and certainly they speak well for the mental powers of these young ladies. I must not omit to mention the recitation of the Seasons by four little girls in costume, viz: Kitty Taft, Cora Chapin, Matte Ash ley and Ida White. The picture they made was indeed beautiful. The closing part of the entertainment was a pantomime-'The Influences of the Good and Evil Spirits showing how Satan tempts us to neglect our sacred duties to attend to the vanites of life; but his influence is countcrbal- anced by the guardian angels if we will but heed their warnings. This pantomime was well acted, and closed with a beautiful tab leau of Evening Prayer There are some no doubt who do not believe in perso sonal l devil, but we have seen him and know that he yet exists; it was not his first visit in Ashley Falls by any means; but those who saw him last Tuesday evening will not | soon forget his Yisage, and we should not