The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-01-22
Ncishborllood News.
BLUFE'TON.


From our own correspondent
Ihave been too busy holiday making to
look up any items Of interest to your readers
the last week or two. The settlers in this
town and north half Of Compton have, felt
the effects Of the improved price Of wheat
and have in consequence been inclined to be
more merry than aaual. Parties, dances.
and reunions have been the. order OF the
day and many pleasant and enjoyable gath
erings have taken place. .~-
Amongst the most noteworthy are the
gatherings that have been held every winter
since 1873 amongst the Scotch and English
settlers located west of W&dena. Being in
"a great measure deprived Of the social inter
course they were accustomed to in the old
country, they feel the necessity Of doing
something to ealiven the monotony of the
long winters in this sparselv settled country
The result was = series Of gathering at their
various homes At about weekly intervals,
whore after sitting own 81 dinner ofal.al-
IT. and dimensions th1t would oftsns do cred
it to french cook. The afternoon would
be spent in talking over old times and coun-
try, friends and acquaintanees; psrhaps dis
cu<sing their present and future prospects,
and plans for the following summer. with
now and then short speech and song or
two interspersed; after: supper that rivaled
the dinner, the long evening would be spent
in real old fashioned mirth, in games Of all
kinds, music, vocal and instrumental, reci-
.tations grave and humorous; the whole per-
;vaded by spirit Of good humor that was
simply irresistable;> shat made the young feel
still younger and the old feel they were
.'not yet old, and their locks not yet gray;'
= spirit that needed not the addition Of the
intoxicating cup. to lend zest to the entertain
ment. Such party with such an object
was gathered together 1t the residence Of
Mr.. Hurst on Christmas day. Another. at
the house ofMr Anderson, Of Compton, on
New Years day, when most enjoyable time
was spent with now and then flashes Of wit
and real scotch humor, with original songs
and recitations, and with youthful spirits
bubblipg up and boiling. over into a" real
snow ball match in. the afternoon and At
night into what might have been dance if
there had been fiddle May such gather
ings long continue to cheer the long winters
and to make our young folks better satisfied
With life on farm, and have less inclina-
ton to run away TO the crowded cities. II
such i contamination can be attained an i'm
port.nt problem in social economy will have
been solved. ...... >., ~H
lam sorry to hear that measles are still.
prevalent In our ncighborhood. Mr. VIII
fong's family have been the latest victims.
Mrs. Lowe is just recovering from IN attack
e. M. Baker, Of Alexandria, looking for a
location to commence business. II suited
here he. will build store and put in one Of
! the largest stock Of goods to be found in this
section of country. Mr.. 3, we understand,
i has IN extensive acquaintance with the cat
tle shipping hu iness and would no doabt
also engage in this branch and truly no
more suitabl. point could Be found : : cen.
tse from which to operate than this. ..., \
.G y. 5# z.5.s ! /. z .ss .S,"s$ll FACT. 5