Connecticut western news., 1877-07-06

Wednesday, doubtless prevented many from arriving early at the celebration in Lakeyille, but by noon the attendance was large. The proce ssioE formed at the academy, according to the order and plan of the day, and led by the LakeYlle Cornet Band, proceeded to the grove near the beautiful lake Wononscopomoc, and after music by the band and the Glee club, and prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hunt of Canaan, listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Ex Gov. A. H. Hol- ley. after which Judge Butts, of Monticello N. r., delivered an oration in the place of Judge Groo who was expected, but who was detained at his home by sickness in his family. The oration of Judge Butts was pronounced one of the finest oratorical eff forts ever heard in this region. We regret exceedingly that we are not able to publish it entire. Everybody was delighted with it, his eloquence entirely captivating his hearers.
 The dinner was next in order, and the long tables were quickly filled, and refilled repeatedly till the coffers of the Methodist people, who had this part of the proceed ings in charge, must have been we'll filled. The brief addresses in the afternoon by Thomas L Norton and others, were to the point and good. A letter was read from Governor Hubbard, announcing his inability to be present.
 The balloons were successfully launched and scared heavenward, to the delight of the spectators, and in the evening the fire works were discharged, which closed the days proceedings.
 Throughout the day good order was pre- served and every feature of the celebration was successfully carried out.
 THE RIFLE PRACTICE.
 At the Nutmeg Rifle Range we were able to spend but few moments. The sharp shooters were all at dinner except Capt. Palmer, who was standing guard at the ar mory. and for our amusement showed us how the club were in the habit of doing it, or at least it was the way he did it, and which was to put bullet in the bulls eye'' at nearly every shot. MT. Joseph Knight, who accompanied us. made several excuses about his inability to compete with the Irish team. but when he sent three shots at tue target, his score gave ev- idence that he was not an entire stranger to the practice.
 AT TWIN LAKES. ..
 Celebration-The united picnic of the Catholic people in the parish under the charge of Rev. Father Lynch of Llkeville, at the Twin Lakes picnic grounds on the Fourth was largely attended, large numbers beiDg added throughout all the earlier part of the day by the arrival of trains on the Conn. Western road, beside the many who came in their private convey ances. The pls tform for dancing was largely patrorized the boats, all that could be obtained, perhaps eight or ten !, were constantly occupied. In the after noon the people were addressed by the Rev. Father Harty, who succeeded, as the Rev. Father always does, in interesting his hearers, giving an address full of learning and fraught with good advice, and sound solid sense. It is to the credit of the efforts of the temperance people among the Catholics, that not one lndica- tioh was manifest that any person who
 
 llquor whatever; not only no drunkenness, but no signs of drunkenness visible anywhere, and altogether the entertain ment financially. and every other way. was success.
 Norfolk. k.-"Papa. Papa, I say2" leave my writing and turn about to see my little boy, his eyes sparkling and hls whole 4, r;, ha1 cltement. We'll, what is it? Where have you been "Oh, down to the drug store, and they have got just the awtullest lot of fireworks you ever did see. There's sky rockets, Roman candles, torpedoes, fire crackers and wheels-you stick pin through 'em just so, and touch match to lem, and tell you don't they go arouDd; and see here," openlng his hand and dis closing zigzag tlue paper tied with sssmall cord. George Johnson give me that; that a Nigger chaser, you just light it and I'll bet you twill run around-'twon't chase white folks, though, so George says-and oh, the best | most forgot of, he has got some pistols just like yours only they ain't sure enough pistols, just fire caps you know, only 10, l5 or forty cents, forgot which; and oh, Papa, you know what you said last year, you'd buy me one when got bigger. Pm big enough now; will you buy it?" ned assent, and away he goes, hap py as king. It seems but yesterday wher I was his age. One Independence day there was an old-fashioned celebration ir Norfolk, and general training combined Soldiers, or trainers as we called them those days, came from the adjacent towns
 Some 2oO or more formed on the Green
 clad in gorgeous array, blue red and yellow
 and armed and equipped as the law directs After marching and performing many evo
 lutions which elicited the plaudits of th'
 multitude, and which in my eyes looked
 simply marvellous, the entire crowd hur
 ried to the church to hear the orator of tn, , day. Of the oratlon recollect nothing } being busy trying to count the number 0 soldiers, both galleries being filled ant , particularly admiring the bass drummer, ,wht I remember was very small man with , very large drum, but which he beat with
 decided unction and vim, and to me he wa l the largest man of them. Even the drive
 of the six horse coach, who had been here tofore my beau ideal of all that was grea r and good, sunk into mere common place be 5 side him, aud l resolved when became t m m to be soldier toe, and bass drum r mer if possible. Alas, we have since learr t ed by hitter experience what it is to be = soldier in earnest, and to know that the Tiff . of sol fer, stripped of it's tinsel. is one 0 |. 1 hnnIrnr ihirst snfferino and death Wher