St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-01-10
THE TOWNS AROUND.
WEST BURKE.


The Boston Evening Transcrip
describes Christmas tree service whic
will be read with interest by all on
readers:
OF all the Christmas trees in the LAM
not one was more appreciated than I
little one in Vermont farmhouse arounc
which the children of one OF the distric
schools in West Burke danced and sale
Long live Grace lie Baron" 1t was tht
very same school which Grace le Baron
MRS. Henry Upham) presented with a
fine childrens library about two years
ago. Since that time she has each
Christmas made an addition to the
books, until now the collection is a talr
representative of the poetic and prose
treasures of literature. As there are no
books tor children other than these Tor
miles and miles, it will be easily under
stood that this collection is worth Its
weight in gold.
On this Christmas Grace lie Baron sent
up besides the twenty new books a large
box of gifts that were not to be opened
until Christmas Day Previous to the
arrival OF the box there had been no
thought of Christmas festivities, but the
box became a nucleus for Christmas
thoughts, and older heads began to think
what thew could do to make the event a
memorable one for the little folks.
When, therefore, on Christmas morn
the twelve little children and their
teacher came from all directions and
gathered under the roof that sheltered |
the tree there was great excitement, sup |
pressed and rather subdued, tor not a
child had been allowed to peep into the
sitting room, where even the shades had
been drawn. So they sat in the kitchen,
all in a circle, and had nothing to say, as
the occasion was mOmentous, and their
eyes were eagerly turned toward that
sitting-room door. All the children but
three had arrived at nine O'Clock, and
everybody was anxiously looking down
the long road for these late ones. At last
no one could wait longer. so the sitting
room door was opened and the children,
circled around the tree and with ;
big eyes beheld everything.
The room had been made into a bower
Of greenery. Aromatic fir branches were
above the doors and windows, and from
window to window and door to door
hung strings of gayly colored japanese c
anterns. The curtains had been drawn,
shutting out the sunshine, and the lights l.
around the tree were reflected from the
many silver stars that hung from the .
branches ladened with Cranberries, and ,
estooued with popcorn. At the foot OF !,
he tree was heaped bushels of popcorn Il
ike driited snow, and the reddest apples p
rom the teachers orchard added a dash s.
If color. At the very top of the tree was a
photograph ofGrace lie Baron, the Lady
}ountituI. After briet talk on the il
igniicance of Christmas Day, the books
we're presented to the school, and then t,
ach child was made happy by a gift
which Grace lie Baron had herself selected !,
nd daintily wrapped and addressed It
COR the younger girls there were lovely ,
french dolls with golden hair; each one d
vas named after some character i'll Mrs.
iphams books. There was Little Miss G
'aith' and Queer Janet" and Rose
I'D" Choice boxes OF stationery were
n the older girls, ano the big boys had
retty silk neckties and scarf pins, while a
le smaller boys and girls had remem- Sc
RANGES that delighted their hearts.
ever were gifts more appreciated. W
When every treasure had been duly ad- n
III VI " N'tNi vi lIlN SlIluI gu III lul ~ liz
pples and corn were enjoyed, and then l..
lie sunshine was let in through the win ~
ows. When quiet began to reign three
tile ones were seen hurrying over the d
i'll, and upon being asked why they
'ere so lat ethe big boy painted, Father d.
roke his ankle last night when he was
lrown from the team and this morning p
lie horse had to go for the doctor-so
e came as soon as we could. Is the w.,
hristmas all gone ?" g
Again there was the furry OF excite
ent when their gifts were opened n,
inally the children had time to think,
nd they began to wish they could do
for Grace lie Baron. Then Ct
icy hurried to the sugar orchard and q,
altered evergreen and made two big q
'reaths, which now hang in Mrs. m
pham's windows. ~;
The Ladies Aid met with Mrs. Decker y,
ian Wednesday afternoon. There was ~
large attendance and all report a very a,
leasant afternoon and evening. r.
The following officers were installed at if
he D. OF R. Friday evening: Matte S.
Iilman, n. G.; Isabel Warren, Y. G.; AT
da Powers, secretary; Eva Holtham,
reasurer; Irene Cummings, warden;
.ngie Burns, conductor; Mvrtie Casweu,
haplain; Florence Burns, Rebecca; May
Iiltlllan, R. N, G.; Emma Way, l.. S. h,
!. o.; Addie Hoffman, X. S. V. G.; Mar. q
aret Porter, L, S. V, g.; Mabel Gaskell, v,
!. A. S.; Maria Glidden, l. G; Will &C
lothian, 0. g.; Lucy Mooney, P. G. Ct
he lodge has been invited to work the n
egree at the district meeting at St. c;
ohnsbury. d
The |. O. O. F. had their installation of b
,fficers Monday evening. n
Remember the lecture By !. H. Hoffman D
II St. Johnsbury Friday evening at the a