The Press., 1889-06-20

banquet last Friday evening, ana very fortunate circle of friends, limited in num- Der only by the capacity of the room and tables, were invited to enjoy being with them. The gathering place was the M. B. church parlors, where as proper time a line of march was formed and entrance made into the vestry adjoiaing. Here was set long table running diaepnaliy through the room with two smaller Npes beside 1t. About 90 persons were seaAea at the tables, ". 0. Miner, president of hecircle, occu- pying 8 seat at one end of the larger table, and Rev. E. F. Clark, toast master, at the other. Due attention was first given to . luxurious banquet of dainties, beginning with substantial sandwiches and coffee, and continuing down the line of cake, fruit. nuts and ice cream. The grosser appetite satisfied the company settle back into their seats in anticipation of the good things that former years experience had assured them were to follow. A few remarks from President Miner introduced these and turned over the direction of subsequent ex- cises to the toast master. After piano duett had been given by Misses Newton and Symonds came responses to toasts read, those responding being E. 4. Oleave- land, s. F. Maine, Miss Amy Eaton, Mrs. E. w. Brooks, Miss Georgie Washburn, Mrs. E. K. Taft, Miss Mabel Ellis, M. M. Elliott, J. Fl. Reed, Rev. c. K. Dickinson, Dr. P. R. Watts, Dr. s. W. Clark and Miss Jennie T. Cunningham. The speeches abounded in repartee and hits at various circumstances well understood, and there fore fully enjoyed by the auditors. The banquet was provided by . committee of gentlemen, ell bachelors, but whose Sen. vironments" gre such as to give opportunity for innocent raillery. Mrs. Brooks, whose response was to toasting of the commit tee, drew humorous ssyision" of the com mittee in council. One member of the to respond to Q toast not on the program, at first seemed hoored by Che problem 'sis courtship failure?" but recovered suf- ficiently to give racy and enjoyable an- swer, giving his observations of effects up- on neighbors whom he supposed might be good subjects for illustration. All the speeches were enjoyable, and with the humorous was combined much of the sober. Every speaker felt and expressed the ben. efits of the circle as an educating medium and fraternal bond. Mr. Dickinson point ed out the good of the system, but cautioned against it's acceptance for Q fuller form of education by those who might have oppor- tunity for the latter. Interspersed in the exercises were instrumental music, also solos by Miss Mary I. Newton and MT. Miner. The hours flew quickly by, and it was nearly midnight when the circle was broken by home going. Those who at tended were better than ever impressed with the benefits of the circle. Its local benefits have, of course, been largely in the line of giving opportunities for acquiring knowledge to those whose opportunities have been otherwise limited, but there is no scholar SO finished as not to get benefits from the circle.
 A neat circular, accompanied by pho tograph, sets offthe attractions of Congdon's cottage at Fishers Island, opened for the season today, 20th. An ideal place for people who want to enjoy seaside outing at little cost, as many Stafford people well know. Address H. T. Congdon, Fishers Island, N. r.
 Henry Smith, who for over 20 years was dentist in this village, died at Palm CT, Mass, last Saturday. Deceased re- moved from Stafford last winter, i'll health having obliged him to give up business. He was native of Ellington. and about 60 years of age. He leaves widow. The re- mains were brought to Stafford Springs, and the burial service conducted by ma sonic brethren.
 Fred Leach, formerly with W. c. FL lis, was in town on Monday. He is now with Carr Bro's., the Springfield cracker men.
 During the thunder shower last Sat- urday lightning entered the kitchen of F. J. Chandler's residence, on School-st. A little girl was closing the open window, through which it is presumed the bolt 3Nou rnr NAmpk Of S&a Aankp0nNn vHnaro was found. The little child was partially benumbed for Q few minutes, but beyond this no occupant of the room was affected. Some articles in bex upon 6 shelf ovel the sink were set on fire, and the box wal thrown out of doors. A moment later Il was noticed that plastering was knocked of near the floor in Q corner, and an um. brella standing there burst into flames when moved. No other damage was done, but the family felt that they had had $ narrow escape, the little daughter especial ly.
 s. H. S.-CLAss '89.-The class motto is Ducit Amor Scientiae. The graduating exercises Cat the M. E. church) commence tomorrow Friday) evening at 8 o'clock. The full order of exercises is: Prayer
 piano duett by Carrie B. Comins an6 Mamie F. Lsihrop recitation-''Legen6 of Kalooka, Bertha R. Haskell; recitation E-''The Black Horse and his Rider" Den his J. Mccarthy recitation-'How Girll Study" Edith l.. Bissett; song-"Sigh Gentle Gales" quartette; recitation ''Archie Dean" Maude s. Ellis recitation -"Mona's Waters, Chella B. Cady; reef tstion - Farmer Stebbins at the Ses Shore," WillieH. Orcut violin and piccolt duett (Aower song)-Ffank J. Preston ani Charles B. Pinney essay-''The Value of Good Reading" Myrnie A. Washburn
 essay - '.The Penalties of Greatness, Charles B. Pinney essay-''Thoughts or America," Maggie 0. Sullivan; presenta
 tion of diploma to graduates.
 | When G. M. Ives came to Stafford
 there were not more than four houses ol
 East Main-st., and the Granite Mill Go owned much of the land upon that street
 It also purchased in the interest of the vii lage the Springs House and the large farm connected, which included much of tn, present Woodlawn farm. The company run the Springs House for some time, res cuing it from running down condition and finally selling. Mr. and Mrs. I've
 boarded at the hotel while their house wa
 building on East Main-st., to make room
 for which the one now standing next eas of it was removed some forty five years ago
 The entire site of the Rawitser's River mil property on Rver-st. was bought from tn Granite Mill Go. about 1865 by parties wh proceeded to erect loom factory on tn present shoddy mill site which was burne,