St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-02-23
CROWDED HOUSE
And Big Time Generally at the Mar
tha Washington Reception-Splendid
Results for the Home for A eed Women.

tina Washington ReceptiOn-Splendid
Results for the Home for A eed Women.
George and Martha were there.
And so was nearly everybody else
tigura lively speaking. Some OF them
were "dressed to kill and some of
them were in more simple attire.
But scarcely anybody was missing.
The committee OF the Methodist So
ciety who had Tuesday nights affair
in charge could not have asked for
more general and generous response
to the invitation they gave through
newspaper, hand-bill and personal
channels. And this committee can
take unto themselves goodly
amount of credit for the success
achieved. The floor seats were full,
the galleries were full, about 800
people being present. Everybody
enjoyed it, both those in costume
and those who came only to eat and
then look on. Quite a number of
gentlemen and ladies appeared in
more or less antiquated regalia, and
some Of the costumes were partlcA-
larly striking and suggestive OF ye
olden times. Demure gowns, tar
back bonnets, be witching curls, low
combed hair, and certain dresses of
silk and other material that had not
been out ''in society" for many
year Joined with knickerbockers and
court wigs, pompadours, brass but
tons, silver buckles, rufties, etc, to
make picturesque group that was
favorably commented on by the
spectators.
AS for the supper-well, let these
comments settle it "Never ate such
elegant baked beans s'-"The brown
bread was delicious SO on
through the whole bill of fare, which
the hungry visitor disposed of with
a zest. Besides the old-fashioned
dishes, some more unsubstantial ar
ticles of diet were served up, includ-
ing ice cream and candies, which
proved an irresistible temptation to
the younger part of the audience.
After supper came the reception for
George and Martha Washington and
Nellie Custls. Willard |. Shattuck
impersonated the General, Mrs.
Josiah Gage appeared as Martha,
and Miss Eva S. Burke as Nellie Gus
It's. After the presentation by
gentlemanly ushers, came the con-
cert presided over by Josephus
Humphrey. The programme in
cluded two or three stirring selec-
tions by the St, Johnsbury band;
singing by the chorus of such "old
reliables" as "Sherburne,' Aud
Lang Syne, New jerusalem and
Jerusalem, my Glorious Home; )"
nicely given solos by Mrs. c. I. Ran
let and Miss Mabel Goodwin; a
quartette, Cousin Jedediah," by
Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs. Chas. E.
Peck, Thomas Shufelt and J. W.
Sault; humorous reading appro-
pirate to Washington's birthday, by
Prof J. M. Chapman, who was given
recall; and an "Old Piano med
lev by Mr.. and Mrs. Sault. Then
the band played for grand march
around the hall by those in costume,
after which the company slowly
broke up, voting the entire affair
success.
The committee in charge were
Mrs, David M. Puffer, S. d. Atwood,
Mrs. Leavitt. David M. Puffer, Miss
Kate Harvey, w. l. Shattuck, Miss
Kate Puffer, Carl Gray, Miss Mabel
Goodwin and Mrs. Josiah Gage.
E. c. Brooks had charge of the sup
per arrangements. 1t was no light
task to plan for the entertainment
of so large company, aud the COM
mittee did their work well. The
townspeople took hold also with a
will, and the Home for Aged Women,
in whose behalf the reception was
held gets about $125. The candy
table was neatly arranged, the re-
ceipts there being $40.
The hall was prettily and patri-
oticalv decorated with flags and
bunting, in fitting respect to that
distinguished patriot of by-gone
days whose devotion went so far in
making possible the existence Of the
Stars and Stripes,