Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-05-31
MaterhnrY Items.


Decoration Day was very pleasantly observed,
and the beginning made Of new departure In
the observance OF the day which should become
perpetual annual service. Under the auspices
Of the pastors and Sabbath-schoos, flowers were
gathered by the children on Monday and ar
ranged In suitable form for the ceremony OF dec
Grafton. Tuesday morning, assembling In the
vestry OF the Congregational church, the children
bearing flowers, marched to the Methodist church,
where the formal services OF the day, under
the craftsmanship Of Curtis Wells, were held.
An anthem by the choir, scriptural reading and
prayer by Rev. s. II. Wheeler appropriate recita-
lions by Misses Jessie Ashley and Charlie Ropes,
songs by the children, "Tenting tonight" "My
country It's of thee, and an address to the chill
dren by Rev. W. j. Johnson, comprised the order
Of exercises. Mr.. johnson briefly reminded the
children that memorial days are not an iustitu-
tion peculiar to this land Away back as early
as the days Of the children Of Israel, memorial
DAYS were instituted, and every year as the Jews
celebrated the feast Of the Passover, they OH
served memorial OF the deverance out Of Egypt.
In England there are certain days that are OBJ
served as commemorative OF national events
happened long ago But the service of this day
Is peculiar. For what, said the speaker, do we
carry these fowers2 Not to decorate the graves
of kings and monarchs and titled men, but for
the browning Of the common people. the dwellers
in our own homes, the brothers and the fathers of
| our own parents. By this service we show our
patriotism; we honor the sacrifices that were
| made In the homes OF our land during the years
| OF the war; we revere the memory OF the men who
| fought and died for their land and ours we show
to ourselves the necessity OF avoiding everything
| that would lower the standard OF greatness
which our land has gained. As patriots, we
| must ever strive for the highest good OF our land
| The exercises at the church ended, the children
| marched to the village cemetery and with rever-
| ent hands placed their floral offerings upon the
graves which the national colors indicated as the
| repositories of the dust of those who had died
| for their country In this grateful service they
| were not unmindfu of the smaller mounds which
| marked the resting place Of their own comrades
who during the year had fallen In the battle OF
| life, and the elder people by similar tokens also
paid their tender tributes to their dead :. Thirty
| five people from this village attended the Kellogg
| concert at Burlington Little Freddie, a young
| son OF Rev. w. J. johnson had narrow escape
| last Friday afternoon. Dr. Morgans team was
standing In front OF his fathers house Winooski
street, and, chdike the little fellow climbed into
| the carriage. The horse Immediately started and
ran at furious rate through the village to Cove s
livery stable. The child chung tenaciously TO the
to the seat OF the carriage but as the horse en-
| tered the stable was bounced out upon the
| ground. Providentiay a slight bruise was the
only injury and the team escaped serious damage.
| Rev Mr.. Church of the center exchanged
| pulpits with Rev. Mr. Wheeler on Sunday. g.. o.
A. Seabury Of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Il spend
ing few days in town, The salubrious air and
| diet OF the old fishing port seem to keep "Tige
| in fair state OF health, mental and bodily.
| DR.. Hooker relieved a patient Mrs. Root on upper
Main street, OF twenty odd feet OF tape worm
| Sunday afternoon. The butter market was
| lively and well attended Monday, a good many
from out Of town being in with butter. The ruling
price for butter was twenty-one cents eggs fifteen
cents Shipments from five to six hundred
packages.