Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-08

IT WAS CELEBRATED IN NAPLES
LAST WEEK.
Exercises in Church, Outdoor Sports,
a Fireworks Display and Ball
Constituted the Program.


Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
JACKSON, N. H. September 8. 1902.
Naples, a beautiful little village of less
than a thousand people, is situated thirty
miles from Portland. the METROPOLIS Of
Maine, on the bay of Naples, and Is reached
by delightful sail on Sebago lake and the
Songo river, immortalized by Longfellow
as a stream of unusual crookedness.
The inhabitants of the little town, which
was Incorporated in 1884, are in keeping
with proverbial New Eng1anders, wide
awake, thrifty, prosperous and progressive.
The custom of setting apart some day or
week to be observed and celebrated as ''Old
Home day." or week" has in recent years
become very general in New England. and
the people of Naples this week inaugurated
and observed odd Home day for the first
time. The custom is happily inspired beau
tiful in conception, deservedly popular
proper and appropriate. 1t renews old &C
Qualntance, forms new, links the past with
the present, revives friendships, reviews
comrddeShip, reuniteS families and friends
separated in the long ago; it rekindles at
the altar of friendship the tender ties dim
med by the flight of years. and the we'll of
time Is rent by memory's magic touch
The program of the occasion
varied as it interesting. 1t was car
ried out without mar or hitch. and would
have reflected credit on a more pretentiouS
locality.
The sons and daughters of the vicinage
appear to have been widely separated, find
Ing their way into all parts and pursuing
all avocations. They returned on this oc-
caSion to plight anew their love, devotion
and fealty to that dearest Of all hallowed
plaCeS-"home.
Business men left their counting rooms
in the great commercial centers. and from
the legions of the industrial world came
the sons of Naples to pay tribute to the
place where they or their progenitors first
saw the light of day. Each WED with the
other. resident and prodigal, invited guest
and stranger, to make the day memorable
and to further SubStantiate. if possible, the
already general acquiescence in the beau
tiful truism, There's no place like home.
The Exercises.
The exercises began with devotional and
literary features in the Union Church Of
the village. These were at times pathetic
and solemn, gleeful, cheerful and Animal
ing; tender references to those who had
crossed into the great beyond dimmed the
eyes of those who remained" Twas
time for memory and for tears" Then
happy illusions to those of the living who
had wrought well in the worlds work. in
all spheres of human endeavor, elected
generous approval and hearty commenda-
ton. Perhaps, certainly to the writer, the
most touching feature of this part of the
program, was the singing of Aud Lang
Syne,' led by the old village chOirmaster
and singing teacher. aged eighty-four, who
led the singing fifty years ago. Other fea-
lures of the day were the parade from the
town hall, field sports, potato, sack and
three-legged races. Gashes, egg contest and,
of course, base ball. The fans were there
and never did a Washington rooter root
more heroic or strenuous root than these
Naples rOoters rOoted-but alas. that in
scruta bic fate which would place the Wash
ingtOn base ball team very near the foot
of the second division, instead of at the
top, where. it is said. there is always room
-decreed otherwise. The home club was
defeated, and in consequence thereof the
populace was sad, very sad. Boat races,
single and double cared, and tub
races, swimming matches and a creased
pig contest were all on the bill and carried
out.
The Pig Contest.
The pig contest was the most laughable
feature of the day. A highly polished and
creased pole about twenty feet in length
projected from the dock over the lake, be-
ing supported by upright pole, upon
which rested box containing real, live,
grunting pig. The specifications provided
that the gentleman who walked the greasy
pole, took the pig from the box and landed
him terra firma should have his goods
and chatteis increased to the extent of one
pig. II is needless to say that the feat was
difficult Numerous and ludicrous were the
attempts, and 1t may be judged from the
NUMBER Oh utChulSS the pig received WITH
his unsuccessful competitor he, the pig, was
happy when it was all over. A bright and
buoyant young fellow. radiant with signs
of push, pluck and pertinacity, after hay
ing made several unsuccessful attempts,
but undoubtedly imbued with those sterner
qualities which inspired him with faith in
the fact that in the lexicon of youth" to
the teller" made of the proper stuff,
there's no such word as fall he per-
formed the feat and captured his pigship.
to the great delectation of the assembled
multitude. The pig evinced his delight, the
throng was enthusiastic and the young man
became the hero of the hour.
In the evening the lake front was beauti-
fully decorated with Chinese lanterns
and vari-colored lights. The fireworks part
of the program was especially good.
generous rivalry existing between the
owners of water craft caused a display
unusually interesting and beautiful; prizes
had been offered for the most prettily deco
rated boat and canoe. They were all pretty
and the judges found it not little difficult
to determine the prize winner. A reception
and dress ball closed the celebration and
thus ended an eventful and ever-to-be re-
membered "Old Home day for Naples.
The spirit animating such an observation
and prompting such celebration is Of I'M
doubted benefit and advantage. to say moth
ing of the benefcent results emanating
therefrom the lessons 1t imparts and the
impressions that follow in it's wake.
Home Is the substra tum upon which the
social compact rests; 1t Is the vertebra of
our national anatomy the unit of our gov
ernmental organism, the foundation stone
of our political institutions-the family, the
village, the county or parish, the state, the
United States.
Its contributions to civilization have been
the church, the state and all Of those allied
Institutions which have been formulated for
the happiness. development benefit and ad-
vancement Of mankind to heights yet unat-
tanned in the progress of the world.
This is old story, but being whole
some. it bears repetition; 1t merits indul-
gence and bespeaks an ever fresh and kind
ly interest
Me-, acted wisely and well by inaugurating
and celebrating "Old Home day"
THEO. GREENE
The Chronic Cr11mh1e