The Newtown bee., 1879-05-06

ing their line. Gilbert Brothers did tho work. Pulford < Wheeler have painted Captain Seeley's half and Keeler X Schoonmaker will paint Captain Beebe's part.
 The Butcher and Mrs. Judge" Watson movement has finally reached point where the friends of the of temperance can say there is an end of the attempt to practice fraud. The BEE is not much on the sing but it can hum some. It hand to get the facts, and knew to dot that what it said about the Butcher affair was 0. K. Oh He is darling; she is daisy. Sing. Brother White says that Pearce would go four miles to get item. "Kerrect." We walked to Danbury to interview Douglass Fairehild, and he interviewed nicely Tide report of Mrs. Butcher s letters ill Hartford Coarant
 A Genuine Surprise.-On Friday eyen- ing last several relatives of MT. Charles w. Stevens notably Mrs. Caroline Norris and daughter, Of Mill Plain; Mr. Barlow N. Stevens and wife, of Bridge port Edward Stevens, wife and son, of Monroe i; MT. John G. Hawley, wife and daughter and Miss Libbie E. Stevens, of fDanbuTy Deacon w. W. Sher man. wife and children, called upon MT. Stevens to congratulate him upon attaining his seyentieth year of age. The sudden and altogether unexpec- ted appearance of many friends WAS to MT. Steven genuine surprise. Mrs. Charles Steven, who of course had kept her own counsel and knew all about t,could give no response to Uncle Charles wonderment but he soon recovered himself and joined with his wife in extending hearty welcome and at the same time received the kndest conEratu lations of all present. The day was most pleas antly spent. MT. Stevens received several nice presents, one being handsome easy chair uphols-
 
 from Mir Alonzo A. Stevens La Crosse. Wis. express Ing his regret that he could not be present. In the afternoon the visitors sat down to fine repast and the good things were discussed with relish. When the hour came to separate, the friends took their departure, wishing Mir. Stevens many returns of the day made so bright and joyous by the min gling together of so many friends. MT. Barlow Stevens and wife remained at his brothers until saturday morning We had nearly forgotten to say that the gathering of the friends to visit Mir. Stevens took place at Deacon Sherman's.
 MT. Ransom Seeley, so we'll known to the citizens of Bethel is, considering the very rious circumstances connected with his history, one of the most remarkable men in this State. MT. Seeley is the youngest son of Nathan and Hannah Seeley both deceased, and is now Il years ot age. At the early age of 12 MT. Seeleys eyesight began to fail the age of IA he became totally blind. Speaking few evenings ago with us, he said: "l resolved to make my own way into the world and took for my motto, No man knows what he can do until he tres. had knife which cost me ten cents sold it for six; purchased with the six cents pint of molasses and got 1t made into candy, {, which sold at fourteen cents profit then bought a quart, which also sold a: profit; continued to sell afterward candy and small beer for four years. At the age of 19 I went into business with my brother George in the drygoods and grocery busi- ness. At Fl told George wanted to sell out. He asked what for. told him Iwanted to get another partner. He then asked what would take and l told him $1,OOO which amount received and with drew from the firm. I then married Miss Laura Hickok, daughter of Deniel Hckok; so this was the new 4rtner. Here MT. Seeley smiled, as if he en- joyed recalling the happy event. Resuming. he said: "I went into business for myself after mar riaae and have been conducting a grocery for fifty years. added coal to my stock. also kept livery stable have bought and sold real estate at various times and have been very successful especially in the latter transaction Within the past twenty five years have made S12,00O, from commissions alone on buying houses and lands for others" MT. Seeley recited many things decidedly interesting, showing what shrewd business man be is and has been He always looked after No l. and succeeded. Mir Seeley, when speaking of his deafness exhibited some feeling and regarded it a more serious irtip han pf 2in nps i'm menced to fail him about fifteen years ago but stil he does his business-buyng and selling waiting customers and making change We often tolt amusing incidents of his dealing with customers On one occasion in the dayt time. a customer called and as the article desired was in the cellar, MT Mir Seeley lighted candle, and invited the cus;o mer down. Tho latter wondered what blind mal wanted candle for and asked MT. Seeley the reason Ar. Seeey has met with many accidents, falling | running against objects. A few years ago he tray elled around tho neighborhood anywhere he wishe without attendant; but since his deafness an more particularly for the past year or two. he doe not venture out alone but seldom. Mir. Secley Wa | the father five children only one. Mrs. Franl w Smith. now living. In 1852, Mir Seeley lost son aged years by drowning ill the Plumtree mill pond. MT. Seeey accompanied by his lit | boy drove down to the mill day and whil waiting for some salt to be ground the little fello' went to where the horses stood the edge of tn | pond and gave them some hay. While dong thi he slipped and fell into the pond The acciden
 was witnessed by lady. but the little boy eaugI hold of the brush and got out. He fell in the SC, ond time Soon after this he called his son, wll
 never before went out of the sound of his voice received no answer. He then said to MT. Crofu
 the miller. My boy is in the pond.' Mir. Crofu
 was astonished but replied: q guess he is not"
 told him to look for his hat in the pond and he di | 50 and found it. then mounted one of the horse
 and rode tastAs could to Bethel and gave th
 alarm.' Mir Seeley spoke of this sad evont wit
 deep feeling while tears fell from his eyes, showin
 still deep attachment and love for his darln l child. ".