The Press., 1888-03-01

church at Stafford Springs, WedneSda ' ] March 7th, next Devotional exercises i
 the morning at 10 30; sermon at Il. Is collation. ar noon. Topic 1.30 P. m 'Christian Fellowship, and Feliowhhi
 Meetings ; lst, '.Ohristia1 fellowship
 what is it ?'' 2d, tFellowship meetings
 lesson of the past, promise of the futare,
 to be followed by general discussion. Thi
 being the last meeting uf the series, to
 gether with the nature of the subject, sug
 gests that considerable time be given t
 rhe volunteer discussion, and it is hope'
 that there will be general participation
 i'll it. A cordial invitation to attend is ex
 tend" d to the public.
 The gold cane which was voted
 to Hon. Julius Converse at the G. A. R
 fair, and which brought $288 into tho
 memorial building fund, has been suitabl,
 inscribed, and was this week handed ove
 by Post Commander Parsons to its desig
 mated owner. Hence the following ac
 Acknowledgement
 Editor of The Press To avoid furth
 or questions, will you please insert tha
 the ''gold-headed G. A. R. cane" has beer
 presented without any comments being
 made pro or con. It IS han lsome cane
 and shall regard it as being necessary tt
 go oftener afoot now, in order to make
 practical use of the beautiful gift. l have
 always had more than 8 passing lnteres
 in the organization of the G. A. R came very near being a soldier myself.
 was once selected to shoulder musket ir defence of our country, but fate decided that 1 must not go. The circumstance dier were at first 8 great disappointment r F.1ll Of khnON md wanted to fight. In my dreams beheld Cali, saw the stars aud stripes wave in the breeze, and heard the eagle loudly scream had strong hatred f1r treason, and want ed 10 help hunt it out at the bayonet'a D point. But at that time, as at the present time, I was an aIdent believer in "honae protection" noticed that all the brave men, except myself, had already gone to battle. l began to ask who will protect the coast lines If go to the front? who will keep the northern fences up? who will look after the wives and the children, and the old men and young ladies if go to war? saw clearly that there would be nobody left to protect "home indus
 ries." My duty was plain T must re- main away from war. found 8 man who was net needed at home ss much as was needed, and induced him to go instead of me. admonished him to play aVeU his part, to be always found in the thick est of the fight, to be as brave as I wOulu have been. He promised me solemnlH that he would do so, charged me $4OO @houldered his knapsack, and went out to Dixie. I stayed at home. The rebels found out I was here, and they never dared o make rad on Connecticut, and 80 you see, Mir. Editor, how narrowly 1 missed being a member of the G. A. R. But, if I was once prevented from carrying s grand army musket, am now permitted to carry grand army cane. l will carry She cane as bravely as could have carried the musket, and shall hereafter feel that [ am a member in good standing of tn. Grand Army of the Republic.
 I sincerely hope that the time is not far distant when there shall be seen in Staf- ford Springs building which shall be an ornament to our town and fitting monu- nent to the heroism and memory of ouI brave soldiers. JULIUS CONVERSE.
 In the death of Mrs. ". J. Aborn ol. Saturday last this community loses most estimable lady, and the loss is par Icularly hard on the husband left t. mourn the same.
 Letters remaining in the office at Staf ord Springs, Conn, March l, 1888: CIV Avery, Henry Butler, w. l.. B. Baker, H Tcl4y, Barnard Mack, Lizzie May, Charlet Iupry, James Welsh.
 IMPROVEMENTS IN ORoNoco HALL.-A. J Eaton, proprietor Of Oronoco Hall, has work upon plan of improv- ng that r. om, which will result iu giving the village something much better han it has ever had. A space sixty feet IQuare is to be taken from the east end of he hall. The stage will be put on the forth side, is to be one foot higher than low st the front, and some six inches higher at the back than at the front From the center, including the space over he stage, the floor beams overhead are to 'e taken out and an arch finished to the oof. The stage will have curved front ircling out into the room, and the added leight of the stage floor from the hall floor, he increased height to the ceiling, and he circular front, each singly and in com ,ination, will enable the stage exercises to Oe better seen from all parts of the room. }eiling will be put upon the walls and The results will be improving, nd we hope may give us Q hall that for he present wllI be quite satisfying to the illage. The room as changed will be first coupled by Hi Henry's minstrels next tuesday evening, though it is not probable hat all the work will be then completed.
 Hon. Julius Converse of this village, nd Hon. H. R. Kibbe of Somers, with heir wives, leave next week on trip to Florida. They leave New York on the 2th inst. op train of Yestibule cars, and n their return will atop at Washington nd other points, reaching home about he middle of April.
 A roomful of people gathered at the chapel last Monday even- ng, to learn of "the moon." Rev. J. P 1awley read paper of mysterious origin, eadtd "An Unscientific Journey to the doOn." While astronomers may not ac. ept it as contribution to thelr stores of the opportunity was made the nost of to make good hits at prevailing ollies on this rlanet. The expl ,rer found he moon inhabited, and made an interest ng narrative of discoveries there, and of he customs of the country" 80 holding lp contrasts between their ways and ours 8 to make some of the earthly modes seem highly ridiculous.
 -Reuben Burley has obtained an in- rease of pension
 -Needham's horRes-4O of them thls morning, and are on sale at lis barn. There are fine animals iu the ot.
 --Sacraments of the Lords supper and baptism at the M E. church next Sunday 
 Important auetion aala a-See a1ver-