Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-25
Tor the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
Letter from Mason.
MASON. Jan. 8. lC

hArON, Jan. - WV
We have had most remarkable winter
thus TAR, some of the most severe cold
weather followed in a few days by very
pleasant days. December. with the
exception of 4 low days, has been q
delightful winter month. We have had
bat very little good sleighing, as our
heaviest SHOWS were badly piled up by
the winds, and then in many places the
roads have been full OF pitch polls, so
that folks had 20 be very polite when out
upon sleigh rlde. The snow has not
been deep enough in the woods for
numbering, but it has been a nice time to
get up wood, and do light work. But
the fun is all up now, it is neither sleigh.
ing nor wheeling, our fields are truly
bare. and the roads would be were it
not for the ice on them.
There is but very little business DeiDg
done here. help is more plenty than
work. A state OF things which has
been very rare since the late war; As.
Bean is doing something at his steam
mill at West Bethel, which gives EN-.
ployment 10 few men and teams.
Small quantities OF birch and poplar
are being hauled from North Albany 10
K. Clough's mill, near Bethel Hill. A.
A. Grover is doing but very little in the
lumber business.
Stock is doing nicely this fue weather,
and hay is spending well, it is plenty
and very slow OF sale; the prices asked
averaging from eight TO sixteen dollars
a ton. Very little sold at the latter price,
OF any other.
Christmas has been a very pleasant
time Christmas festivals have been the
order of the day. There was one at
West Bethel, which was we'll attended,
and gave general satisfaction to all who
participated in it. Speaking, recitations.
declamations, and tableaux, added
much to the pleasures of the occasion,
and closed with the distribution oil the
gifts that hung from the boughs OF the
Christmas tree. There was cele-
bration OF that time honored day,in
Mason at the Methodist Chapel, on
Saturday evening Dec. 25th. Mr..
Insley A. Bean. the Superintendent of
our Sabbath School had the general
oversight OF the arrangements, and was
President of the evening. The house
was decorated in very tasteful style,
with evergreens, the notices were exe-
cuted in q very artistic manner. and
reflect great credit upon the young ladies
who took this part OF the work into their
own hands. The trees were two in
number, of hemlock, and two more
beautiful specimens OF that specie oi
tree, the forest does not afford they
were placed, one on each side OF the
desk, and their 1.-THE green branches
were hung with presents for old ana
young, in q manner so truly artislic,that
when the lamps were lighted, they
presented picture worthy OF the pencil
of the painter. The evening was all
that the most fastidious could wish. the
house was crowded to its fullest capacity,
without a jam. The exercises OF the
evening consisted OF few remarks by
Rev. Mr.. Gould, oil West Bethel, which
were highly appreciated by the children.
Some excellent singing by the members
of the choir connected with The church
in this place, accompanied by music
from the organ. which was gracefully
presided at by Miss Nellie Bean. There
was class of young girls, connected
with the Sabbath School, all dressed in
white, that recited, each one i'll turn a
a verse, and then sll Joined in chorus,
which presented fine appearance, aud
won great applause from The audience.
These girls did honor to themselves,
gave great pleasure to their parents and
friends, and reflect honor upon their
teacher. who had SO kindly assisted at
the reheaTsals, But Why attempt to
particularizef time and space would fail
to tell all OF the good things which the
programme presented. Those little