The Press., 1895-12-19

l for the holidays.
 The attraction at the opera house Saturday and Monday evenings is the w
 w. Dayton combination. This company presents variety entertainment of g 1 very pleasing nature. Seats are now or sale at Abel's, at 90, 25 and 30 cents The following is from the Amherst Press "W. w. Dayton is much talked of mar in town to-day. He gave a most won. derful performance at the academy of music on Saturday evening, and holds forth this evening. Santasma, who did the wonderful Japanese juggling act will perform again tonight. The banjo play ing was fine and greatly enjoyed by those present. Chinquilla, bright little sou brette. entertained the audience in a most pleasing manner. Chinqui1la, now a highly educated maiden, once roamed the wild prairies. The hypnotism part Of the entertainment, by Prof. Dayton, Is very interesting and amusing feature. Some new features will be introduced this evening. The show is ffrst-class in every respect"
 At the Congregational church the Christmas Eve exercises will consist of the following program: Anthem-"Shout The Glad Tidings," Shnecker; male quar- tette-" Hosana In The Highest;" Christ mas carols, interspersed with recitations by the children, and the usual Christmas tree. A pleasant time is- expected, and a hearty invitation is extended to all.
 An alarm was rung in for fire in Michael Doyle's house, near the fair grounds, yesterday afternoon. The fire department responded and the firemen, assisted by the neighbors, but out the fire with snow and buckets of water. The fire was in the ell, and probably caught from the chimney. Much of the furniture was taken out and two sick children had to be removed to the barn. When the fremen left the fire was supposed to be all out, but it is evident that some sparks had got from the ell into the garret of the main part of the house, as the flames broke out again about 9 o'clock in the evening. Too much headway was gained the second time, before the fire was dis covered, to save the house, and the child ren and part of the furniture were has, tily removed for the second time. The house was valued at about s ,000, and was insured for $70O with the Harwood agency. The Doyle family have been the victims Of much misfortune. In March Mir. Doyle was injured on the railroad and has been unable to do any work since. Within short time two children have died of diphtheria. Two more are very ill at present, and it is feared that the ex- citement and exposure occasioned by the fire yesterday may make them worse. The house was heavily mOrtgaged, and the insurance money will just about re- imburse the mortgagee. It will thus be seen that the situation of the family is very critical. A subscription has been started for their relief, and contributions of money or any article of use may be left at The Press office or at the post office. This is the time of year for mak- ing gifts, and more worthy object can- not be found.
 The fair at Grace church closed last evening. The minstrels laid down their bones and tambourines and in few days time there will be no traces of their African complexions. It is the general verdict that the fair was success. The m1nstrels gave a good entertainment, and If the jokes were somewhat personal 1t is certain that no personality was meant. Alvin and May Smith, as little piccaninnies, made a decided hit. The music by Hollands orchestra was a pleasing factor in the general excellence of the performance. The booths were prettily decorated, and business was good at each. The hand-painted china from Mrs. $. F. Howe's was an attractive fea- ture. There was good attendance each evening, and the treasury of the society will receive substantial boost.
 Schools close to-day for the Christ mas vacation of about two weeks.
 It is evident this year that it will be unnecessary for people to go out of town to select their Christmas gifts. The local merchants have complete stocks displayed. If you have not yet made selection look over the ad- vertising columns of the Press and it may help you out.
 The annual meeting of Ionic lodge A. F. & A. M., will be held next Tues day evening. A regular convocation of Orient Chapter R. A. M, will be held next Wednesday afternoon at 4.3O. A full attendance at each of these meetings is earnestly requested.
 Stafford Hollow.
 (Correspondence)
 It is said that a bell for the new school house is to be provided by form CT Stafford citizen.
 Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Orcutt, of Bridgeport, have been visiting at Cyril Johnson's.
 Old fashions come around again. Panoramas were quite common when we were young. Now one is advertised to be in the Hollow on Friday evening.
 The Christmas arrangements at the Universalist church are the following: The observance of the festival will be on evening. A supper will be provided for the members of the Sunday school and congregation. Afterwards there will be Christmas service in the vestry. Then the vestry will be given up to the children for games and. the like. Presents will be distributed during the evening. All members of the congrega- tion and Sunday school are expected to be present, and all other persons, Wheth- 9r children or adults, who are not con- 1ected with any other church or Sunday school, are heartily invited to the pleas ures Of the evening.
 Hiram Vinton died last Saturday forenoon at his residence at Orcuttville.
  On Monday he had been chopping wood on his lot, and had started home. He had become wearied and sat down to rest at the side of the road, and was overcome by weariness and slight heart difficulty. It was quite little time before he was taken home. During Wednesday night he was taken worse, and never recovered. MT. Vinton for more than twenty-five years has been faithful and consistent member of the Universalist church in this place, and for many years one of it's 1eacons. He was generally to be found in his place in church, and thoroughly enjoyed his church privileges. The fu- 1eral services were held from his late on Monday afternoon, his pas or, Rev. T.,C. Druley. conducting the services. He found the lesson of his life o be fidelity. A large number of the friends and neighbors were present. Wolcott Lodge, F. & A. M., had charge )f the burial service.
 Stafford Grange, at their annual meeting Tuesday evening, elected the