The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-05
Ft. Defiance Items.

Reported for lie VIRGIN1AN.l
The holiday season began in this neigh
lorhood with tie open session Of the JEFF
fersonisn Literay Society of tlie A. N. A.
on the evening of lie 22d inst. and as was
predicted in our last weeks items, the /
large audience enjoyed a rare treat. The /
orator of the occasion, Mr.. r. j. CARRIER, |
delivered a beaLtii uladdgess and discovered !
high degree of oratoIical talent. The de- |
chalmers. Messrs. J. &. Lanier, a. M,
Byrd, and Master Tomnie Roller, acquit-
ted themselves admirably, and Messrs, f.
B. Kennedy aad G. d. Faro' displaced
fine dramatic talent in ''Ing0mar, the Bar
barian.n The question, Resolved that
Columbus was Il greater Beuefactor Of
America than Washington, was ably de-
hated by Mr.. b. n. Bel, Affirmative, and
Mr.. Geo. D. Shrickhise, negative, followed
by Messrs. NJ. A. hsbby, affirmative, and
J. E. Laaief. negative. in humorous
speeches on lie same question. which
brought down the house in round after
round of applause. The Mock TRAP
was admirably conducted ty Aiessrs. j. +.
Williams, Judge: A. N, Byrd, cielk: A.
G. McChesney and 5. i. Seig, lawyers; W.
b. Stewart prisoner: VI. Ii. Loving, G.
H. Story, Dick Lapplngton and Z. w b.
Harris, witnesses.
We are sorry our time and space do not
admit such description as the manner in
which each ore of the participants cted
his part deserves. The exercises of the
evening were interspersed with most de-
lightful music rendered upon violins, Gui'
Tar and harps by members of the society.
After the literary exercises were closed AN
an hour or so was spent 10y the young folks
in social amusements. and The cid folks in
discussing with wonder the rapid improve
ment exhibited by The boys in the exercises
just closed.
The Christmas tree arranged for the
Sabbath School at tie Augusta Church ON
Christmas eve was the next grand attrac-
ton. and o say it was decided success. is
putting il i'll exceedingly mild terms. The
tree WAS taetefuliy aGd artistically ar
ranged The star Of Bethlehem shown
lustrously. reminding us that we were
celebrating the natal day of Him who
spake as never man spake, ~ and who COM
manded his deciples TO suffer little chill
dren to come unto Him; and beautiful
dove descending, represented the spirit of
the Father coming down upon The Son in
whom he was well pleased. Indeed it
would require an able pen than ours, with
-
draw a lifting picture Of the beautiful
scene. the children, a hundred or mere,
with countenances beamiDg with wonder
and delight all seated together in front OF
the tree. Alb 1t was indeed a panorama,
beautiful. grand, Instructive.
After the singing of Christmas anthems,
and prayers fer divine blessing. and an
explanatory address by the superintendent,
Mr.. MooTman, The children passed by
classes in front of tie tree and were loaded
with nice things. fruits, nuts. candies
cakes. &c. One OF the most enjoyable in
cidents OF the evening was the singing OF
several pieces by the two sweet little
daughters of MI c. Marsh Craa ford
Bessie aud Florence. aged four and five
years respectively, Upon inquiry We
learn that these little cherubs can sing
almost perfectly, any tune they have once
heard, and learn with astonishing rapldity
the words of any song or hymn. Their
talent is truly wonderful, and no pains
should be spared to cultivate it.
Dinings and sociables are the order of
the day. and everybody seems 10 be eni0y-
ing the holidays.
The Misses Turnbull of Florida, teacher
and pupil of the w F. l., Stanton. are
spending the holidays in this neighbor-
hood. the guests Of Miss Nellie Woods.
Prof. and Mrs. VIM. F. Lands, of Front
Royal, are also visiting Mrs LIS sister
Mrs. c. c. Thompson and other friends
and relatives in the neighborhood.
S. N. W.