Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-07-13

Miss A. E. Newell of Boston, Mass,
will read her lecture on Trip around
the World, or an Evening in the Trop-
les, in the NJ. E. Church at Island
Pond, on Wednesday evening July IS,
at o'clock. Admission % cents. We
hope she will be favored with a good
audience.
Rumor says that one of Island
Ponds young physicians is soon to be
united to one of Norton's farest
daughters.
The Glorious Fourth at Norton.
The morning of the Fourth broke
bright and clear in the pretty town of
Norton. Preparations of more than
usual interest had been in progress.
The hotel had been decorated with the
red, white and blue, flags were swung
to the breeze, band stand had been
erected in the little triangle fronting
the hotel, and hints were. thrown out
that something was preparing entirely
new to this section. People began to
collect from all directions, so that by
8 o'clock the hotel was the center of
attraction. After the usual delays
the sound of music was heard in the
distance, and soon a motley procession
came in view. The young men of the
Norton Band, attired in grotesque COS
tune, led, followed by wagon in
which were others equally amusing,
with small cart attached containing
large wheel with upright saw, over
which a would be woman presided.
The driver of this peculiar equipage
was seated upon the horses back,
using the tail for reins Winter, in
buffalo robe, and Summer, in light
drapely, rode side by side; a young
Indian boy guided with successful
hand horse whose proportions were
rather a bove the average. After march
ing through the principal streets, they
returned to the hotel where all were
entertained with refreshments. The
mornings pleasures eliminated in jigs
and dances by the masqueraders, much
to the merrment of the lockers on.
At o'clock a log race on the pond
came off, for which prizes were award
ed, the first So, the second So Five
men entered, but as they were all adj
epts in the business the excitement
was not so intense had they been ALL
ateurs only one received bath
They guided their log boats with won.
derful skill, handling them AS easily
as a skipper his yacht, swung around
the stake and reached home without
disaster. The victors were Marcel
Corvette first and Joe Bourke second.
A tub race immediately followed, in
which three young men engaged ;
this, however, was not quite as sue
cessful as the leg race, the young men
not being so well accustomed to their
novel crafts. The winner of this was
Joe Felion. A base ball game came
next, on the open green in front of the
hotel, followed by a horse race on the
new course. Three horses were enter
ell w. G. Nelson drove for j. Shields,
Geo. Jersey for Frank Bats, and J. f.
Baldwin for himself. After several
unsatisfactory rounds the race was de-
cided in favor of Frank Bats. At $50
in the evening the windows of the little
station were made brilliant by candles
and in quick response the hotel re-
turned the compliment. This perhaps
was the most pleasing of the whole
days program, for the evening was
beautiful, the stars shone clear and
bright, the hotel flashing with lus-
trous light, the red, white and blue
suggesting the freedom of the grandest
country in the world, the smiling faces
of the people, all made an impression
upon at least one of the heh olders. At
8 o'clock the violin sounded for those
who cared to "trip the light fantastic
toe," and, though extremely warm,
the hall was full. By o'clock all had
returned to their homes, the hotel was
quiet, and the country's greatest holt
day ranked with the past. Nothing
occurred to mar the pleasures of the
day. We are happy to record that
there were no scenes of disturbance,
and we noticed only one man who
seemed to be under the Influence of
liquor. Rumors came to our ears of
its presence, but we congratulate the
people of Norton that it was foreign
product, and that they themselves
were not responsible. We think that
few towns, where celebration wac so
general, could boast of more order,
brightness and good nature.
AS the planning of the whole affair
originated entirely with Mrs. A. NJ.
Stetson, assisted by her friends, Mrs.
Charles p. Bent and Miss A. E. New
ell, we cannot but think they must
have felt amply repaid. Mr.. j. w.
Carpenter, the landlord of the Stetson
House, for his hospitality, also deserves
mention.
The inestimable value of Ayers Sar-