The Press., 1897-02-25

| witness his conception or Don CtSSaI. The company consists of twenty well known professional actors. No expense is being spared to make the event suc- cess, and there should be large audi ence to greet MT. Sweet in his first pro- fessional appearance.
 The "Old Homestead,' so dear toathe hearts. of all New Englanders, has been the attraction for the past two nights at the opera house. Too much cannot be said for the manner in which this piece has been put on. The play itself, with it's quaint humor and it's homely pathos, contains the elements that appeal to all. When all there is in the piece is brought out the result cannot fail to be satisfac- tory. The local company have succeeded admirably in bringing out the strong points in this realistic picture of rural New England life. The opera house was well filled both evenings 10 see Uncle Josh and Aunt Matilda. Dr. Smith as the kindly, big hearted Swanzey farmer, has made decided hit each time that he has appeared in the character. It has been said that he does 1t as we'll as Den man Thompson, and no higher praise can be given. Cy Prime, Seth Perkins and Eb Ganzy were true to life. The part of Jack Hazard, the easy going tramp, was very creditably taken by MT. Converse. Miss Agnes Mcdonald, in the difficult role of Rickety Ann, distinguished her self Miss George J. Bailey made an ad- mirable Aunt Matilda, and M. O'Halloran, in the different parts that he assumed during the progress of the play, showed his versatility, and pleased the audience in each of the characters that he assumed. ! As matter of fact, there was not a weak character in the whole cast. The old fa- miliar songs, which are such a strong fea- ture of this production, were capably util- ized by the local company. "The Old Oaken Bucket was rendered by Messrs. Chandler, Gilmartin, Preston and Mullin. Messrs. Fitzgerald and Ellis and Misses Chambellin and Butterfield rendered "The Palms. in the third act. Miss But terfield sang the "Rock-a-bye'' song in l lD6 ldSl dCl, dIlu E6CSINSO bu 0IlCOIS. Stafford.
 Mir. and Mrs. Walter Ellis spent Sunday with friends in Springfield
 Miss Albina Foote, of Ware, Mass, is guest of Miss Della St. Marie.
 Mrs. Charles George has been quite ill for some time, but is now on the gain.
 Joseph Connors has rented the GerouId place, recently vacated by J. w. Witt.
 Claude Pinney, of Worcester Academy, was at his home over Washington's birth day.
 Mrs. Ephraim Squire returned Monday from a several days visit her daughters in Willimantic.
 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dimock attended the funeral of Mr. Dimock's aunt, in Pal mer, yesterday.
 Clarence Kingsbury, of Holyoke, was a guest over Sunday of his parents, MT. and Mrs. George Kingsbury.
 MT. and Mrs. George Chaffee, of New London, have been spending a few days with Mrs. Sarah Colburn.
 Mrs. Alba Perkins, of Willimantic, is visiting her sister. Mrs. Willis Winter, at Hydeville, for few days.
 The Bible class of the Baptist church will meet with Mrs. Annie Black next Friday evening at 7.30 o'clock.
 Bert Glover, of Providence, made a short visit to his parents, MT. and Mrs. I Jacob Glover, the first of the week. Mr oD1 Mrc Will -oF Poc ton, spent the Sabbath at the Baptist par sonage, with MT. Batchelder's parents, Subject for the Y. P. s. c. E. meeting tonight t-tOur little worries, and how to get rid of them" Conservation meeting All are invited.
 MT. and Mrs. Joseph La Junne, of 1 Brooklyn, N. Y, visited relatives here Sunday. Mrs. La Junne was formerly Miss Gertle Morse.
 Examination exercises of the grammar department of the Pinney Grammar school will be held Friday, March 9th, at 2p. m. The public are cordially invited to be [ present.
 ) Next Wednesday afternoon the stone
 
 ing to the stone crushing equipment, will f be sold at sheriffs sale. Sale to com- mence at o'clock.
 Mir. and Mrs. E. H. Pinney had for } guests the past week Mir. and Mrs. Ames, of Lowell; Mrs. Pinney's parents, MT. and Mrs. Reuben Burley, of Holyoke, and MT. and Mrs. Charles Kemeter, of Spring ) field.
 A party consisting of fourteen people from this village chartered Glover's 'bue ) and made party call on Selectman My. ron Leonard Saturday evening, where they spent several hours in pleasant and social manner.
 , The new cushions at the Baptist church, } given by the Ladies' Aid Society, add 3 greatly to the looks of the church and are . very much appreciated by the audience. , It is hoped the choir will remember the : words of Rev. MT. Mcleod, in regard to little harder than usual. ] By an unfortunate oversight in the re- port last week of the union meeting oi the Christian Endeavor societies of Staf- l ford, in the Baptist church, one of the most important features of the afternoon session was not even mentioned It was an essay on music" by Miss Nora Pat l ten, of West Stafford, and it is generally conceded by all present that it was one oi l the most instructive and enjoyable papers read at the meeting. Another pleasant f feature also was the welcome given at the l church door by Mrs. Black, Mrs. Hulett and Miss Nellie Connors.
 The grammar department of the Pinney f Grammar school celebrated Westinghouse 3 birthday in most unique and patriotic