The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-09-04
TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.
South Ryegate.

The friends OF Mr.. and Mrs. John David
son, to the number of 100, gathered at their
home in South Ryegate on Tuesday evening
Of last week, each provided with token Of
the esteem in which they are held, and gave
them a surprise in the shape Of reception.
We seldom have seen anything like it.
Each one appeared to enjoy to the fullest
extent the pleasures Of the evening, and to
do everything to have a fine social time.
The young couple seemed to be the hap
piest of all to see their friends, calling in
such numbers, to congratulate them and to
wish them happiness in their married life.
We noticed among the many presents a full
set of very nice dishes, a pyramid of tin
ware (thirty pieces, towels, table linen,
handkerchiefs, silverware, glassware and
a substantial sum Of money. After refresh
ments were served the company engaged in
dancing until the early morning, and every
one carried home the remembrance Of hav-
ing spent very pleasant evening. We
mention Miss Blanche McColl, Mr.. Orange
Morrison and his sister Hattie and Mr.. Nor
ris Brown, who originated and successfully
carried out the entertainment IN
Williamstown.
The seven-y ear. old grandson of former
resident has great love and admiration for
his mother, and is fond of telling her of it.
Not long ago, after having praised her for
her goodness, he was taken aback by the
counter statement that she was not very
good. The child thought it high time the
matter should be investigated, and, in his
solicitude, he asked her if she was not good
enough to go to heaven. The doubt in the
mothers mind on that point appeared in
her answer, and led the child to further re-
Election, as appeared in his evening prayer
that she might be made good, $50 she can
go to heaven with the rest Of usl'
The Congregational centennial called
forth some interesting "reminiscences from
former townsman, j. ID. White of Sonoma,
Alabama, (now in his eighty. first year,,
grandson Of the late Deacon White, one of
the earliest deacons of the church, who at
tanned the age of ninety-seven years. Mr..
White recalls the first efforts in the tenn
perance cause here, sixty or seventy years
ago. by temperance advocate from Massa-
chusetts. At that time, Mr.. White says,
there was not a member of the church, who
was able to do SO, that did not keep one or
more kinds Of intoxicants ON sideboard or
table at all times, and, when a neighbor,
friend or stranger called, the first thing in
order after the usual greeting was an invita-
ton to drink with the host. The extent Of
the platform of this Massachusetts reformer
was simply the stopping of the custom of
public and private " treating" of liquors.
One might keep or use them privately, but
could not offer them to others. Several
meetings were held, and, as a result, the
Congregational minister, Deacons White,
Smith, and few members of the church
signed pledge not to F" treat others.
After this entering wedge, about a year
later-in 1904 new " total abstinence 1"
pledge was introduced, and most of the
members of the church signed it. Deacon
White kept the pledge sacredly for over
twenty years, when illness led his physician
to prescribe stimulants, but he would not
consent to use them without consultation
with his minister and some fellow-members
of the church. Accordingly demijohn was
purchased, filled and carried home. A few
days afterward, a son asked him. D." Father,
how does it taste, after going without it 50
many years?" There are yet many old
Williamstownians who will recall the smile
replied teiI Won what it is if tasted
pesky MATERIAL!