The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-10-24

Alfred e. Watson; Washington, Fred
r. Smith, Charles T. Sabin, Jabez w.
Ellis, Horatio n. Taplin Louis p. Gleason.
The assessment for the year ending August
/, 1888, was four and one-half per cent, or
one per cent less than the previous year.
The company, through its special agents,
is making careful examination of its
risks all over the state, with special
reference to values and the condition
of chimneys and stove. pipes which have
hitherto been a fruitful source of fire loss to
the company. When this work is finished
the officials confidently expect the good re-
suit will appear to the policy-hOlders in the
reduced cost of carrying their insurance.
To a result so desirable they ask the policy
holders themselves to contribute by the ex-
ercise of careful oversight of these very
fruitful sources of fre-loss--how fruitful
will appear when it is stated that fully fifty
per cent of farmer losses are traceabe to de-
fective pipes and chimneys. The Old Mu-
tual is officered by pushing. energetic
men, of the best business capacity and com
bining with enterprise salutary degree of
wise prudence. 1t has, and has fairly earned,
the fullest measure of public confidence.
At subsequent meeting of the directors,
officers were elected as follows: Fred E.
Smith, president; Charles T. Sabin, vice
president; James T. Sabin, secretary; ex-
ecutive committee, Fred f. Smith, Charles
7. Sabin, j. w. Ellis, Louis p. Gleason; au-
ditor, Jabez w. Ellis.
SEVERAL hundred people had can even
ing with Ben-Hur" at Blanchard opera
house Thursday, The entertainment was
made up, as the title implies, of representa-
tions from Lew Walaces famous story,
with illustrative readings by Miss Marion
Stearns of Springfield, Mass. Mrs. e. X.
Bradford, the director, first arranged the
tableaux for a church entertainment in
Washington, the city of her residence.
| 4
successful Repetitions have been made by
request in many cities of the country and
| the evening" has now acquired national
distinction. The characters are chosen from
the locality of the exhibition. When the
local cast is arranged Mrs. Bradford ap-
pears with the stage properties" assumes
the direction of affairs, and, without long
and tiresome rehearsals, an entertainment
! that is entirely unique is presented. In
| last nights presentation the cast was
| Ben-Hur, Harry Cutler; King Herod, II
! G.. Cotton; the Wise Men. Joseph Poland,
Fred E. Smith, j. Edward Wright
Simonides, Thomas Marvin Ilderim, John
V. Brooks Messala, Horace Marvin; guards
! w. w. Brock, Morris Atkins: Mother of Ben.
Hur, Mrs. Arthur Ropes; Tirzah, Miss Addit
r ,ndall; Amrah, Mrs. II. G. Cotton Iras
Mrs. G. w. Porter: Esther Miss Ella NJ
Bailey; Esther's children, Katie Fisher and
Ruth Roleau All the characters were ex
ceedingy well taken. Mr.. Cotton was
&" every inch king" and Mr.. Cutler made
an ideal Ben-Hur. Very striking was the
scene representing the wise men before
Herod, the oriental garb and venerable
bearing of the wise men giving dignity and
picturesqueness to the historic interv lew
while the sovereign on his provincial throne
sustained the pride and grandeur of Rome
The domestic scenes portrayed the life and
customs of the days of the Christian era and
made the story of Ben-Hur living reality
| Every one of the twenty-six scenes, made
intelligibe by the delightful readings OF
Miss Stearns, had its special and peculiar
charm. but the surprising beauty OF
the presentation of Ben-Hur and Iras
on the lake, supplemented by Mrs. Briggs
delightful singing, called forth the Ions
continued applause of the audience. Tirzah's
effort to beguile Judah from his griefs
interpreted by Miss Robinson's guitar
from behind the scenes, was full of in
terest but to 60 into the details o.
characterization would much exceed the
restrictions of time and space. In al
its parts the performance was entirely
fine. So true an elocutionst as Mis-.
Stearns is rarely heard. Very vivid was
her portrayal of the exciting scenes of the
chariot race. The staging of the tabeau1
reflects the highest degree of credit upor
the taste of Mrs. Bradford, while the sue
cess of the representations leaves no room
for the criticism of her management. Boil
were of the first quality.