Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-03
IN HARRINGTON.

Another Joyous and Notable occasion
 in the old Town -A Prominently
 Successful Event - The Narrow Es.
 cape Of she Old Church from De-
 struction the Night Before.
 PENNINGTON, May 2.-One more of the winter festivities eliminated last night with an Old Folks concert in the Congregational church. Previous to this, however, at the final rehearsal the evening before, an inter- esting and somewhat exciting feature oo- cured, not included in tlte program. Extra lamps had been suspended back of the tem- porary stage and over the pulpit, secured by wire to pine stick. The chorus had just finished their first number when one of the lamps having ohawed of the end of the stick, fell, and the burning oil in an instant set the stage and pulpit on fire. The gentle men at once secured the cushions from the pews, and attempted to whip 1t out, and no doubt, although unsuccessful, checked 1t to some extent, but were soon forced to give it up by the intense heat, and all present con- clfded that this old church, built one hun dred and twenty years ago, was doomed. The nsighbors at this time began to arrive with pails of water
 
 mington was saved an irreparabls loss. About fifty people were on the stage at the time, the majority being ladies. All pre- served great presence of mind and left the building without accident or even Zone fainting spell," which is usually customary in any such sudden disaster. In about thirty minutes the church was cleared of smoke and people, when the rehearsal was contin- ued to the end. No doubt, however, this otsfo hod ho hat at the concert last evening. Still, the church was we'll filled and those that remained away lost an attractive entertainment and one of the best concerts that has been given here SO far. Dr. Meekin of Northampton was the conductor, Miss A. F. McKeen pianist, ford. Just before the "concert com- msnced" Rev. E. A. Smith of Hartford, who was formerly pastor of this church, and had come out for this occasion, made few sp- propriate remarks in reference to the acei- dent of the night before, and proposed in thsnkfulness that the dear old church had been ;spared the audience should rise and join the chorus in singing "Praise God, from whom all blessings how," after which the regular program was carried out from begin ming to end with undoubled success. Miss time and efforts she has unsparingly devoted to it and we'll merits the thanks of ell who enjoyed the pleasant entertainment. Emmons' orchestra ! rendered some fine selections, and MT. VII. liam A. Redfeld in his cornet solo, "The Avis," brought down the house. Miss Alice McKeen and Mrs. A. D. Vorce in . piano duet received unbounded applause and wer | were forced to repeat. Mrs. Henry Augustu Cowles sang g solo, which was we'll received
 The gem of the evening was the vocal due
 by Mrs. Cowles and MT. Will Porter, G, Piscstori," ," by Gabussi. The audience jus
 ontdid itself in it's appreciation of this effor
 and would not be satisfied without an encore
 For the costumes every old garret hai
 been ransacked, and the results wer, displayed among the artists. The riches
 dresses were worn by Mrs. A. D. Vorce, Mis-
 Maggie Gay and Miss Agnes Rice. All thu garments worn by the others were appropri
 ate to the event and undoubtedly would compare favorably with the costuming . any other entertainment ever given of thf nature. Old bonnets, shawls, bandboxes lanterns, foot warmers, wigs, powdered hair snuff boxes, combs. etc., in profusion wer' brought out and added no little to the gen. eral effect. Mir. Theodore Hannum of Hart
 ford came out and sang with the tenors il the chorus. MT. Edward H. Deming abl. looked after the general management ant
 financial part of the entertainment.