Connecticut western news., 1883-12-19

We are indebted to MT John NJ
 Brazee of Lakeville, for basket of very large eggs. He owns hens that lay eggs measuring Y by & inches.
 A postal card dated New Hartford
 December IT, reads: Mrs Adeline Beckley is improving slowly and we feel we'll assured of her recovery"
 MT Fred G. Hunt, formerly of this place and recently of New York, is now connected with the mercantile agency at 25O South 2nd street, Philadelphia, Pa.
 Christ church will be trimmed as usual with evergreens during the holi- days, but it has not yet been decided what evening to have the Christmas | tree.
 A number of brethren from neigh boring lodges attended the special com munication. of Housatonic lodge. No. 61, :, r. X. A. M., last Friday evening The l occasion was one of mutual congratula- tion and kind wishes and was enjoyed by all.
 The hydrants have been enclosed in wooden boxes to prevent freezing. These boxes are useful as well as orna- mental. If they are left on the hydrants during the summer, possibly next fall it will be discovered that stray swarms of bees have mistaken them for bee hives and filled them with honey.
 -Promptness and square dealing in settling losses are characteristic of M. Roraback's insurance agency. MT Hen " Brinton's barns and contents at South Canaan were burned December 8. They were insured by MT Roraback's agency and the smoke had scarcely died away ere the loss was adjusted and paid to the entire satisfaction of the assured.
 Frederick Lee and family live in one of Peirce, Lawrence < Co.'S. tenant houses They are away and the house is locked up. Three men who worked for James Reel, knowing Lees family were away, went to his house on Mon day evening, December 10, and gained entrance to the cellar through window. Rumor says they knew there was cider in the cellar and they wanted some of it, although they had been advised not to enter the cellar during MT Lees ab- sence. They were seen to enter the cellar and Officer Van Deusen was noti- fed, but before he could get out Wal rant for them, they departed and at this writing have not been found.
 All old residents of Canaan remem- bsr the square roofed school house, so called Everyone knew it's location, in fact we might say latitude and longti- tude was reckoned from the square roof ed school house, therefore in describing the location of any farm, mill, store or dwelling, it was only necessary to say such distance north, south, east Or west from the square roofed school house. Many an old time pedagogue held absolute sway there and ruled, if not with rod of iron, certainly with rod of birch. Many are the stories re- lated of those old school days. Although many have heard of this school house, we think comparatively few have heard of an institution or organization called the Schoolmates' Party. Our space is too limited to give the history of this organization, therefore we shall only briefly allude to it and any further in formation desired can be obtained by making enquiries of the members of this little society A number of the girls who attended that school about 50 years ago are yet living in Canaan. al- though we can hardly call them girls now, yet they are bound to be girls again on each others birthdays and on these occasions they meet as school mates and relate the incidents of their school days. The schoolmates' party was organized November 23, 1866, the first meeting being at Mrs Hannah Sew arts on that date There were 10 pres ent We give their names according to their ages, the oldest first Miss Julia Daboll, Mrs Leonard Lawrence, Mrs Amy l.. Andrews, Mrs Charles Morris, Miss Kate c. Lawrence, Mrs Hiram Briggs, Mrs Sabra Humphrey, Mrs Han nah J. Stewart, Mrs Henry J. Holt and Mrs Lyman Dunning Each one cele- brates her birthday by inviting the oth- CTS to her home, but it is understood that no invitation is required and if not convenient for all to meet on that date, they meet at the first opportunity. There are several other old schoolmates besides the original members who occa- sionally meet with them. It Is remark able that so many old schoolmates are yet living in the same town or vicinity and we think the girls will pardon us for merely mentioning that the oldest is ] upward of 70 years of age. Mrs Hiram Briggs birthday is February g, and they also celebrate Washington's birth day at Mrs Briggs home. The last meeting was held at Mrs Leonard Law rence's last Wednesday, December 12. Mrs Lawrence is 69 years of age and if all are living, the girls will soon celebrate in grand style Mrs Lawrence's golden wedding.