The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-04-07

OF the bridge was pressed from its founda-
ton and moved enough to break the
| gas-pipes and cause the Waterman to
spring q leak. The ice was piled up in
the road near the Berlin entrance to the
bridge some eight or ten feet and from
twenty to thirty feet above the usual level
OF the river. A part of the foundation of
tho brick building occupied by the Kimball
granite works was pressed in and some of
the sheds just east of this building were
twisted around, and in some instances
came very near being foated away The
lower story of house on the Heath
meadow was filed up with ice which came
crashing in through the easterly windows,
and great deal of damage was done to
household property in flooded sections.
The Montpelier Wells River and the Barre
railroad tracks were washed out this side of
Sabin's, and trains were unable to pass un-
was very high throughout the day Thurs
day, and cellars and easements on State
street were thoroughly drenched. Prob
ably the greatest sufferer was Captain I.
| Percival, whose greenhouse was mostly
under the ice-cold water for twenty hours.
Trouble was anticipated from a jam against
the " Sand-bottom " bridge, but the rapid
fall of the water Thursday night obviated
all danger in this direction. A road has
been cut through the jam on Berlin street,
and brief period of warm weather will
dispose of the great cakes of ice lodged in
yards, gardens and by roadsides in this vi
cinity.
MEssRs. G. A. OwLER AND e. NJ. SCOTT
have recently completed a mechanical castle
target, which is curiosity of itself and
shows great deal of ingenuity on the part
of the makers. The target itself is large
surface of plate-Steel nine feet high by eleven
feet wide, painted to represent a section of
the wall of a castle, including two towers.
On eithes tower is round target properly
ringed and over each is a large window.
| When the bulls-eye of either target is struck
comical figure, until then invisible, rises
to the window above it to proclaim the re-
suit of the shot. These are drawn back out
of sight by strings which lead to the counter
where the manager stands. On the plain
surface between the towers is another SINH
lar target and in the wall above and below
1t are cut numerous small windows, in which
various kinds of images appear. There are
the busts of funny little men, and " babies
in our block" and there are colored glass
balls which pass the windows of one story in
regular succession. Birds of gay plumage
| fly above the turrets and, disappearing be-
hind the wall of the castle, come in sight
again as they pass the windows below
| Along pathway which is built well up on
the side of the castle there passes con-
stantly train of animals, in which are rep
resentatives of many species. Far above
them and fastened to the outer wall are
candles, so adjusted by means of springs as
to rise in their sockets as they burn low. In
side windows in the towers appear the faces
of two old cronies with clay-pipes in their
mouths, facing each other, in the calm en-
joyment of the weed and the scene around
them. In front of the castle and between
the towers is miniature toboggan slide,
down which in rapid succession glide parties
OF coasters in the many-colored suits which
may be seen at winter carnival. At the
top OF the chute is snow-covered grove of
pine trees. Men, babies, glass balls, birds,
animals, candle-1ames, clay-pipes and to-
boggans are all objects for the marksman' s
skill and afford wonderful opportunity for
all kinds of rifle practice. All are operated
by one crank in the hands of person con-
cealed behind the target, and when objects
are Knocked over such as do not right
themselves before their next appearance they
may be instantly put in position by strings
arranged similar to those mentioned above.
Messrs. Owler and Scott have placed the tar
get in He old Armory rink, and near by it a
rack with little images which invite the at
tenton of all who desire TO become skill
..l;iI throwing the baseball. The proprie-
tors have been favored with large patron
age since the opening, Saturday afternoon.
When the enterprise has lost some of its
novelty to Montpelier people they will
open gallery at Barre, and after that they
will visit other towns in the vicinity 1t is
their intention to spend the summer at some
one of the great seaside resorts, and they
are likely to reap a rich financial harvest
before the season ends.
SEMINARY HILL,
SCHOOL has opened very pleasantly. Stu.
dents to the number of one hundred thirty
have registered, Many of the old ones have
returned.
FAST DAY will be observed as day of rest
THE students attended the Bible-readina
at Trinity church last Sunday evening.
PROFESSOR BISHOP spent part of his vaca
ton in visiting Wesleyan University and
New York and Boston.
Miss CLARK was called last week to at
tend the funeral of her father in Williston
She has the sympathy of all.
A BUSINESS meeting of the Young Peoples
) Christian Temperance Union was ,held Fri
day for the purpose of adopting constitu
ton and bylaws.
AN organ recital was given last week by
, Professor Hadley. 1t was fully up to the
professors previous efforts, which is all thai
need be said in commendation.
PROFESSOR TOWNSEND, who for nearly
two years has been teacher of elocution, has
: accepted a position in Providence, II. L.
and his place is filed by Professor w. f
Wentworth of Boston
AN organization of the lyceum was effected
/ Friday night. The following officers were
elected: President, Mr.. Clough; vice-presi
{ dent, Miss Little; secretary, Miss Pease
executive committee, Mr.. Eaton and Misse.
. Cooper and Mayo.