Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-04-07
SouTH IoNnoNnrnRy


" centennial entertainment last week
Thursday afternoon and evening at the
town house. We have had so much
snow and rain Of late it was almost inn
possible to get about, but the bad going
did not in the least cool the enthusiasm
of the people and keep them at home
AT an early hour in the afternoon, equip
ped for the occasion, they left their
homes of peace and plenty en- route for
the rendezvous as they travelled when in
wisdom our fathers conceived and in
blood laid the foundations of our glori-
Gus government. They came with OK
teams, horse back omen and women on
the same beast) sleds with single thill
drawn by one horse, in cutters of other
ages, and in other ways as they were ac-
customed to transport themselves before
our eyes ever saw the wonders of the
world The costumes, however, were
more attractive than the way in which
they came. Why you never saw such
hats and coats, bonnets and cloaks,
gowns and caps, collars and spectacles
and other antique articles that made up
the dress of our venerable friends. Dress
ed as they were, the aged people looked
older than we supposed one could look
in any style, and the young people APP
peared to be older than their parents,
though not so grave. We could but say,
Dress has a sight to do with ones
! looks Then there we're more relics
brought in than we supposed could be
found in the whole state of Vermont
They we're so numerous we cannot speak
Of them infinitely, and hence will only
mention few of them. There were le-
gal documents written before Vermont
was admitted into the Union books
printed one, two and three hundred
years ago; pictures that were all shades;
coins of various dates and nations con-
tinental, state and national bills; clocks
that for generations had not licked !;
crockery of all ages and styles; cutlery
of all kinds and shapes brush-brooms
such as our grandmothers swept with /;
bellows to blow the fire with; warming
pans, hetchels and so many other things
we cannot mention them 1t would have
paid one to have gone an hundred miles
to have seen the collection. The table,
however, was the charming feature of
the occasion. 1t was set as far as pos
sible with dishes used in other DAYS, and
lighted with tallow candles, the great H.
Elimination of other ages. Wooden
plates, salt dishes, sugar bowls and
spoons, pewter plates platters and mugs,
and glass and porcelain of all ages, were
the dishes that graced the table and re-
minded us of how our parents used to
eat. But what were the dishes COM
pared with the victuals Boiled vic
tuals, baked beans, bean porridge, hulled
corn, pumpkin pies and such other
things as people used to eat and grow
fat upon, were served up as in good old
times Table after table was waited
upon, and yet many were obliged to go
home supperless. The higher entertain
meuts of the evening, however, and
which enlivened the whole affair, were
the tableaux, songs and scenes which
were in perfect keeping with the spirit
of the gathering. It is estim ated that
there were at'least 500 people present.
4 The admittance fee was five cents and
supper fifteen cents. Over $50 were
taken. Now sir, we all feel that we have
very patriotic wives and sisters, and we
know that we had great and good time,
and really hope our praise will be in the
mouth of all the people in this section.
Now sir, if we are here one hundred
years hence you will hear from us again.
P. Sit is question with US just
now whether we shall go to Philadelphia
or not Haven't we seen about as much
as one ought to see in one centennial
year?
! South READING