Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-28
NEWS IN TOWNS ABOUT.
SILVER LAKE,


Navigation has closed and all the boats
are in winter quarters. few nights age
finished the open places, giving the boys
and girls some good skating. flock OF
wild geese came from the north but lind
ing no water they passed on south aitei
| circling what was wanted-a resting
place. Next we shall look for ice racing
with horses, as there is still speed left IN
Barnard.
The fail terms OF the ten schools in Bar
nard are closed, expenses paid, vacations
through and winter terms commenced
with the same teachers. This looks as
Though they had given satisfaction. The
wages are about one dollar per day and
board two dollars a week There are four
male and six lady teachers. Not much
fault could be found with prices. Now we
are looking for the directors, superintend-
ent and teachers to give some time thus
| winter a town exhibition OF all the schools
on an elaborate scale. II is matter that
/ the state superintendent and board OF ed
/ ucati0n viii look into and advise to be
carried out. II will also interest the par
| ents and tax payers Of the town. Let
| them see whether this outlay OF more than
| two hundred dollars to district makes
the improvement argued.
WINDSOR COUNTY FUTURITY STAKES.
A large and enthusiastic meeting of
Windsor county horse breeders was held
Nov. I'D in Grand Army hall, Woodstock,
called by John 5. Eaton, secretary OF
Windsor County Agricultural society.
There was much interest shown and
some spirited speeches made. Stakes VIII
be opened for foals OF 1902 to be raced
when three years old. Some were for con-
filming it all to trotters, others to make
two classes, giving the PAGERS an equal
stake. Still others said let them mix. /
think it was finally left with committee
TO make the arrangement and then report.
1t appears that breeders in this section
are fully convinced that there is money in
breeding for speed.
REAL ESTATE.
VIM H. Edmunds OF Bethel is getting
good hold OF the timber land in Barnard.
His last purchase was from Waldo Perkins,
fifty acres OFF the east side OF the once
noted Elisha Perkins farm-all timber
Il is easy for me TO remember that this
farm was the very best place in that once
large and populOus school district No. 2,
and Mr.. Perkins known the town through
as a good farmer and breeder Of fine horses.
The house that now lies in q heap Of
ruins, oyergrown with thstles and weeds,
then doomed up and overshadoWed all 9TH
ers in the neighborhood Mr.. Perkins, be-
ing exceedingly popular with the young
people tiiking their society BEST, built
quite a large dance hall, adding this TO the
already commodious dwelling. Lishe's
balls were attractive. Young and old
from Barnard and Stockbridge used TO
gather here often during the winter months,
making that now quiet, peaceful burgh
ring with music and laughter. None en-
joyed il more than Lishe Perkins himself.
Although an old bachelor when he married,
yet at heart he was younger than any other
Perkins.
well recollect one Thanksgiving ball
many years ago this day week, when the
house was crowded with dancing people,
yards full OF carriages, barns overlooking
with horses, and joyous good time in
general kept up the night through, I'M
Gle Dan Angel, near neigbbor, was con-
ductor and floor manager His beard was
then white, while his tall, commanding
presence gave to us boys an authority
which curtailed any attempt at rowdyism.
Already then, more than a half century
since, dancers had begun TO shorten steps
in a mineing manner, acting as though
their toes were sore. This new form dis
gusted not a few of the old style, among
them the late Oramel Davis of Barnard.
He asked and got permission to lead
contra dance, showing how he was
brought up to trip the light toe. When
asked where he was from he said "Ver-
mont (hardly wishing il known that he
was attending this BALI Uncle Dan
order and said, Ladies' and gentlemen,
the next figure will be Money Musk, led
by Mr.. Davis from Vermont One of the
best Of partners was procured, the music
struck up in very fast time and the way
Oramel did shave il down will long be in
the memory OF Judge Howard and your
Silver Lake correspondent.
Right here let me say the Judge and ]
went there over the hills ON foot, getting
home the next day about noon, feeling
well paid for our entertainment. ! asked
the Judge how far he thought ii was
He said, "Coming home we travelled about
A miles. In those days the Judges
knees and back were straight and a tramp
OF this kind occurred quite often.
II it had been told me then that l
should live until nearly all of that merry
Thanksgiving ball were in their graves;
that the sites Of those farm houses should
be obliterated; the schoolhouse where
once was held the large school No. not
now known where It stood; those farm
lands formerly loaded with grass and
grain now grown to bushes and brakes;
and Judge Howard unsteady ON his pins
this great length OF time would have made
Methuselah seem like young man. But
think a great change is near at hand.
Mr.. Edmunds is not a man to sulk in his
tent or rust in his advancing age.
Although Uncle Dan and Lishe Perkins
have been dead too long TO be disturbed,
yet il is in the air that the forests of
Barnard are about done growing and the
whistling steam sawmills will soon arouse
Harve Blanchard and Hen Flint (the
only remaining residents of this once
populous neighborhood) from their morn
ing slumbers.