Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-27
Local ann State Mems.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

How the Day was Observed in this City.
Scenes and Incidsnts.-FestivaIs for
the Little Folks, &C,
Although q cold day, the thermometer Monday
morning skipping about from 100 to l50 below
zero, Christmas was nevertheless pleasant winter
day, the sky being clear. the sunshine bright and
the air free from any disagreeable gusts of wind.
The people svaled themselves of the various
methods of rational amusement, the principal Of
which was that Of sleigh-riding. Every man that
had team trotted 1t out, and stable-keepers who
had horses to let, and who had sat so long time
in sorrow, smiled again, for business was lively,
and every horse WAS out on duty. Sleighng was
not frst-class, however. Business as general
thing was suspended, people forgot their private
grievances for the time being. and gave them.
selves up to pleasure. There were happy circles
about many an hesrthstone, where children old
and young, gathered in glad reunions about the
old hearthstone. Traders have no reason to com.
plain Of their saes or that the cry of "hard times"
affected them seriously. Their sales were -
large, If not larger, than for any previous year.
Parents we're not nigyardly in their presents to
their children, % the heavily laden Christmas
trees in many homes could testify.
Among the pleasant incidents Of the day, was
the presentation Of an elegant gold watch to Rev.
Mr.. Ecob, pastor of the Granite church, by his
Pensioners. While seated in his comfortable
and attractive study, on State street. the door
quietly opened, and without any speech-making or
her demonstration, the watch was quietly slipped
into his hands. 1t was great and most crafty
ing surprise. The present is . waltham watch,
costipO QlS0 and evnrssses thopah Int In; ,tIv
the regard Of the people Of his extensive and in
huential field for their beloved pastor.
At the FIRST Baptist church, the lecture room
was crowded by old and young, the occasion be.
ing Christmas festival and tree for the young
folks in the Sunday School. Through the efforts
of the hard-working Superintendent, Mr.. c. C.
Hunt and others, tbs affair in every respect was
entirely successful. No child went away with
aching heart on account of not receiving o por-
ton of the fruitage Of the bending branches of
the Christmas tree. During the evening" while
the pastor, Rev. II. W. Tilden, was performing
piece on the piano, he was waited upon by sixteen
young ladies, each bearing volume Of Appeton's
New Cyclopedia which they deposited before him.
the last Of the train, Miss May Lincoln, in . neat
little speech. in behalf of mis- many friends in the
society. presented the entire set to Mr. Tden.
The pastor, although completely surprised, re-
sponded in fitting terms. The books are in the
best style Of binding and cost SIP. Mr.. Tilden
is held in the highest esteem by his people, this
spontaneous and valuable gift would seem to indi-
cate.
Christmas night was gala night at the Insane
Hospital, two Christmas trees being planted in the
new chapel, one not being found large enough to
hold the presents. The assembly of patients was
called to order BY the Superintendent, DR.. Har-
low, who announced the receipt of Q telegram
from Santa Claus, and that be would be present
during the evening, for the purpose of distributing
gifts. Soon the patron ssint appeared in the per-
son Of Mr.. Lakin, the steward and treasurer, who
was rugged out in the proverbiai costume of the
mythical saint. He distributed gifts to nearly
three hundred inmates, to the delight of all. The
supervisor, Mr.. A. B. Hodgk ns. received an ele-
CANT Knights Templsr seal, and the supervsoress,
Miss Ham, very beautiful autograph album.
Mr.. Hodgkins responded in an appropriate speech.
Every patient present had . Christmas gift, sew
eral Of them quite costly and useful ones from
their friends at home.
Our Methodist friends had Christmas tree in
their church and festival in their vestry. The
season was one of great enjoyment, and gifts, Or
namental and substantial, were presented in great
profusion.
The people on Cushnoc heights had Christmas
tree At the Christian church. There were tab.
leaux, recitations. and the distribution of gifts
At the Unitarian church the services on Sunday
were Of very interesting character. The pastor
preached sermon appropriate to the day, review
Ing the work Of Christ Is our teacher and guide.
Following the same was baptismal service, fouI
persons receiving the ordinance. The observance
of the Lords supper closed the services Of the
morning. In the evening there was Christmas
vesPer service. The singing, under the direction
Of Maj. j. d. Myrick, was very fine, and good
audience assembled to enjoy it. Mrs. Elias Mil
Hken was soprano.
Christmas evening merry party Of yonng Ia
dies and gentlemen of the Winthrop street Uni
versalist society, consisting Of eight or nine
couples, visited Gardiner in one of Pnkham's big
sleighs. The party took supper at the Evans
House, the repast being interlsrded with witty
speeches and toasts. After doing justice to the
excellent supper the party betook themselves to
the parlors where they made the welkin ring with
their merry songs, being sbundantly supplied with
some first class talent in that line. Some joined
in dance to the music ofthe piano, and altogether
1t was indeed right merry time. The party
turned the same evening much pleased with their
ride.
The two-story dwelling house of Mr.. Joseph
Ellis on Patterson street, the east side Of the
river in this city, was bu rned to the ground yes
terday morning, little past three o'clock. The
fire caught in the ELL but its origin is unknown.
A portion of the furniture was saved. The house
was occupied BY Mr.. Ellis and Mr.. Charles Mars
ton. Mr.. Marston loses about $500 worth Of rig
ging, which he used in his operations on the river,