The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-01

I,Miss Mary Barnes and Mr.. VIM. Dunavan,
land a Santa Claus piece by little Eddie Hess
followed, all delivered in good style. During
'Eddie's recitation Old Santa was heard in the
hall jingling his bells and in moment in he
came fairly setting the children wild with
laughter and excitement. Old Santa made
neat little speech to the children, telling them
all about Mary's little Dutch lamb &c, and
then the fun commenced. Oh, what lots OF
presents! Dollies, books sleds, vases pres
ents for the poor, for the young folks and for
the old folks, too. Every one was made hap
ny Grandma Green, who was present, found
that she, too, had been well remembered How
the little ones eyes glistened with pleasure as
each one was kindly remembered by the good
Old Santa!
"Christmas comes but once year.
And may 1t always bring good cheer"
A number of the young men formed ser
enading party after the Christmas exercises
were over and serenaded few OF our citizens.
Mr. John Green and Miss Ada Green are
spending the holidays at Wenona, Ill.
|, School Is closed for week during the holl-
days.
Miss Jennie Dunavan, Mr.. VIM Green and
Mr.. James Green, who have been attending
the Ottawa High School are at home during
the holiday vacation.
con tine Brink" a temperance drama, Is
being prepared by the Musical Union for an
entertainment to be given in few weeks.
Mr. William Thompson, formerly of this
place but now of Rockford, Ill., passed through
on the train last Monday on his way home at
ter spending his Christmas among friends ia
Ottawa
We have concluded, if the FREE TRADER
Is willing to keep a corner of that paper warm
with DAYTON items All news items Tor that
corper may be left at the store with Harry,
OCCASIONAL.
RUTLAND, H., Dec. 26-The annual festvi-
ties held on Christmas eve at the residence of
Jackson r. Shaver, Esq, were of more eclat
than most like occasions celebrated by Rut'
land people. As the shades of night deepened
the roll Of tire the creaklng of sleighs, the
merry peal of bells, and the hum OF voices
were heard along the highways. Lights flash
ing through the gathering gloom in the dis
lance betokened the destination toward which
all were hurrying. We climb the heights
and thrOng through the great door OF the man
sion that crowns Pleasant HILL and are well
coined by Mr.. and Mrs. Shaver with that
friendly greeting which carried conviction
of gadness to the assembled guests who had
responded many of them from distant points,
to the invitation to be present. There were
pioneers of 1880 present. whose frosted
locks had witnessed fourscOre years but their
ranks had been decimated by the ravages of
time Mlddleaged, young men and maldens,
and little boys and girls also helped to swell
the throng. The great house was bathed in
food of mellow light, which shone brightly
IN the remotest nook All seemed to have de
serted the tread.mill Of care, and all entered
heartily into the spirit of the occasion. The
Rutland String Band was in full force, and
bore cut their previous reputation by furnish
ing good music. The Misses Walbridge and
others presided at the piano with rare effect.
The tree standing in the great bay window of
the south parlor had at last received Its tlnlsE.
ing touch, when Prof Woodward, OF Ctlca,
mounted raised dals to begin the distribution.
Around him stood Gordon several lines deep|
of different ages, but of equal interest IN the
distribution. Never had an orator more at
teutiye audience till the close. The presents
were substantial, useful and beautiful aggre.
eating several hundred dollars in value, and
attesting as it were, to them uniticence OF the
donors. Supper came next and the little ones
take the post of honor by being its first par.
takers; then the aged the middle-aged and
those younger, till all had been served. The
ladies fairly outdld themselves as caterers,
Midnight came at last, and Merry Christ
mas" burst forth on all sides. The dancing
continued until late hour. 1t was an Occas
ion most complimentary to the courteous and
worthy occupants of Pleasant Hill, and round
their home will our brightest Christmas recol-
leCtiOns cluster. '.
FALL RIVER, Dec. 30.-The private thcatri-
Gals and Christmas entertainment given by
the people of west Fall River was fine sue
cess The people in that nelghborhood are
adepts in giving fine entertainments, and
whether it be a festival, grand ball, oyster sup
per or running Sunday school, they manage
TO make it a success in spite of all obstacles.
The last entertainment was no exception and
five hundred dollars worth of presents were
distributed. Among the notable ones were two
gold watches, valued at $3.50 each, for Mr.. and
Mrs Basore; silver table ware for Mrs. Rich
ardson, Moore Reed and Judd; jewclry,
Misses Basore, Moore Gentleman and Jor
dan; silver clock MIR. Gentleman, and a host
admirably given and beautifully costumed and
worthy of professionals. The entertainment
Will be long remembered.
Mr. and Mrs Clark Tryon, whose brilliant
wedding took place in Marsellles last week,
will make Fall River their future home. Mr..
and Mrs Tryon will be at home to their friends
at Mr.. Tryon's residence in east Fall River al
ter Jan. I.
Rumor says that Mr.. Jacob Wagner and
Miss Emeline Frutch, Chicago lady, are
soon to be married Mr.. Wagner will make
his future home IN Chicago after February
next.
Cal y. Basore has gone on pleasure trip
20 Iowa to visit jeff Trumbo and w. A. An
thony, who are students IN the Davenport
Business College.
Mr. and Mrs Jas. Richardson, Kentland,
Ind, are expected soon on a visit to MIR. John
p Wilson.
A swindIer selling patent sickle grinder
has been getting notes of some of our farmers,
Alex Richards, of this town, and Jake HeltCh
and Fred Busse, in Grand Rapids. He has
operated most extensively in Brookfield and
Allen.
Losr.--A pocket book near Hickory Point
N. Z. church containing some loose change
and naners A reward will be given any one