Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-01-04
NORTON MILLS.

MIR. EDITOR: Thinking that a short
account of the proceedings at the pre-
sentation of the Silver tea service to
Mr.. John Conway of this place, on the
evening of the 2Sth ult. would be of
interest to his numerous friends, nany
of whom are readers of your valuable
paper, l subjoin the following:
The hall was filled by large and
respectable audience, friends of Mr..
Conway, who waited patiently for the
opening of the coming events, in which
all were deeply interested. The CON-
mittee of management selected Mr.. R.
j. Carpenter as the speaker of the
evening, and the choice was a good
one. He and Mrs. Carpenter entered
the hall at about o'clock, accompan-
led by Mr.. and Mrs. Conway, and pro-
ceeded at once to the front, Mr. D. II.
Cameron occupying the chair. "a bet
ter choice for chairman could not have
been made) Mr.. Carpenter then ad-
dressed those present in the following
neat and appropriate speech:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Geulemeu-
l assure you that l feel somewhat
embarrassed in addressing you on this
occasion, for you are all aware that
am not a public speaker. My feelings
this evening remind me of a friend I
once met, who said to me "I'm glad
and I'm sorry-glad to meet you, and
sorry that am not able to entertain
you as we'll as would wish to-" SOL
ain glad to meet SO many of my friends
here this evening, and pleased that
they have seen fit to entrust me with
the pleasant and honorable task be.
fore me, and sorry that / am not bet
ter qualified to perform that task,
Mr.. Conway, the feelings that have
brought us here this evening are not
new to us; they have been impressed
upon us by years of friendlyintercourse
with you. Confidence is a plant of
slow growth, but day after day we
have witnessed your fair and honor.
able dealings, your kindness and court
esy-extended alike to rich and poor.
And, Sir, your conduct has made such
an impression on your numerous
friends, and the employees under your
charge, that when someone whispered
let US do something to express our
esteem and respect for our worthy su-
perintendent," every hand was stretch.
ed forth, and every heart was ready
and we resolved to present you with a
silver tea service as Il slight token of
our regard and esteem for you. now.
in the name Of your numerous friends
here, do present to you this service,
and know that l am only echoing
the wishes OF every one here present
when say may you have every sue
cess in your present position rs our
worthy superintendent, because, Sir,
we believe you to be the right man in
the right place. And allow us to say
to you, to Mrs. Conway, and your re-
spected family that we hope your
years with us may be many and that
they may be filed with peace and joy,
and love and happiness.
Mr.. Conway replied substantially as I
follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Geatlemeu-l
There are times when our feelings
are too strong for mere words When
look around me and see this large
and respectable assembly, and when l I
know the motive that has brought
you together, I feel, for tire first time
in my life, how insufficient words are
to express the feelings Of the heart.
That which affects me most is to think
that while was busying myself with
my daily occupation, you, my friends,
were quietly and unsefffshly undergo
ing some expense that you might cast
in your lot with the givers-that you
might show how you felt not only to-
wards me, but towards my family; to
remember them was surely an addi-
tional kindness. This tea service, Ia.
dies and gentleman, is beautiful, and
am wondering all the time what /
have done to deserve it. thank you
all, and you may be assured that l
shall always preserve many pleasant
of the kind-hearted
people of Norton. While renewing
the expression OF my sincere thanks,
permit me to wish you all a pleasant
evening at the dance, and to assure !
you that your kindness to myself and {
family can never be forgotten.
After Mr.. Conway's speech, which )
closed the proceedings pertaining to
the presentation ceremony, dancing
was next in order, Bigelow's orchestra !,
the music. Then com. a
tie sparkling polka, the gay