The Newtown bee., 1891-01-02
NEwTowN, JANUARY ., 1891.
STRATFORD.

SHElotAdS, we're u couple OF neCnanlCal
toys which attracted considerable atten-
ton. They were balancing machines run
by their own weight, consisting of an up
right standard, on the top of which was
placed bit of iron wire bent at three
right angles. Beyond this was another
wire, or series of wires, at the ends of
which were miniature ships, flags, etc.
These were largely the product Of Mr.
Dufour's own ingenuity.
A rafting game of polo, witnessed by
a majority of the Inhabitants of the viii
lage, was played on Judson's pond,
Christmas day, between the Alerts and
Eagles. The former scored one and yet
the latter won, too.
The johnson property, which adjoins
the Knowlton farm near Bridgeport, has
been sought by several for speculation;
but the owners wish to rent and do not
care to sell. Another project is on hand,
however,to open tract of land, between
here and East End and sell building lots
at $50 or less.
The Ready Earnest Workers of the
Methodist church distributed Christmas
cheer among many families in town.
Christ church has been decorated with
more than usual skill and care, this year,
and the effect impresses all beholders.
Evergreen banks the front of the CALLER
les, the border being of holly; in each
panel is an ecclesiastical design. At the
bottom of the chancel walls is thick
bank of evergreen, rising to Il height of
four feet, while similar solid band of
holly is placed at an additional height of
about five feet. The angles of the chan
green. The panels of the reredos are
covered with white cloth and outlined
with holly. Side walls and the tops OF
columns are also adorned with wreaths
and sprigs of green. Over the top of the
reredos, in letters of red and blue, appear
the words, "Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace, good will to men,"
There was goodly attendance at the
church service here at 10 30, Christmas
morning, when the choir rendered a diff
ficult musical program in an effective
manner. In the evening, the Christmas
festival of the Sunday school took place
in the lower town hall and the large room
was filled to overlooking. This also had
received careful attention from the dec
Grating committee and presented pleas
t.,rr unIl l.,
ed with blue cloth to represent blue sky,
with forest of evergreens on the stage.
The floor was thickly strewn with boughs
and tufts of cotton representing snow.
A large arm chair, over which couple
of rugs had been flung, was used as the
throne of Winter, while st. Nicholas
made his appearance, in due time, over
wall. The program was admirably
rendered. A carol, "Star of the East"
was given by two children, one, CARRIED
as a shepherds son, questioning the star,
whose dress was of dark blue spangled
with stars and whose position was at
the top of a green clad eminence; the
school joined in the chorus. Then came
nine children, representing as many flow
ers, quarreling to see who should be flow
er queen. TO settle the matter, they
called in Winter, who announced from
his throne that none but ST. Nicholas
could properly decide so momentous a
question. st. Nick, however, decreed a
flower republic and pacified all by gifts
to the various flowers and all the schol-
ars, first requesting that they sing ''The
wonderful tree" After the distribution
the closing carol, SIN the early MORN
ing" was sung.
Mrs G.. II. Austin of New York spent
Christmas day with j. w. Dufour. On
her return, Mrs Ida l.. Beardsley and
Clarice Dufour accompanied her.
Miss May Smith, who is spending the
Winter in Texas, is improving in health.
j. w. Dufour sold 80 pounds of Christ
mas candy in "a hours, last week.
Mrs A. Treat Curtis, whose death was
announced, last week, had been sick for
some time with troubles incident to old
age, her death being caused by heart dis
ease. Wednesday morning, she was
found dead in bed. She had passed her
s0th birthday and leaves husband, a
deacon in the Congregational church and
a granddaughte the child of her only
daughter, Helen, who married Mr. Gaines,
travelling salesman and who died some
years ago. Mrs Curtis was highly re-
spected member of the community and
had been a lifelong member of the Con-
gregational church. The funeral was at
Rev j. s. Ives officiating. The terrible
storm prevented more than small at
tendance. The bearers were Dea Wells,
Dea Curtis, F. j. Beardsley, Lewis Bur-
rift.
The annual meeting of the First Eccle-
siastical society Of Stratford will be held
in the church proper on Monday, Janu-
airy 5, at 80 p IN. The report Of the fl
nancial committee will show that the
debt has been somewhat reduced during
the past year and now approximates
$24OO.
Stevens, the fruit dealer, IS to retire
from business, next Spring.
John Hard and wife, Il. ..B. Hard and
wife, spent Christmas with John Hard's
daughter, Mrs Charles Munson.
James Leavitt of.Ncw York was here,
over Christmas.
Mrs g. "A. Leavitt Of New York was al
w. N. Ely's, last week.
The annual meeting Of the Stratford II
hrarx aaaociatinn will be held In the TOWI