The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-29
CHRISTMAS At MID
DLESEX.

v--~a
Everybody is congratulating the la
dies Of the two religious societies AZ
the village on tho great success of
their Union Christmas week exercises
at the church last Friday evening,
Nothing of the kind in town for years
has been so happily planned and skill.
fully executed. Even old Santa
Claus was so we'll pleased with the
work of his agents that he conde-
scended to be present personally and
superintend the distribution of the
gifts. A few weekgs ago the happy
thought occurred to some one of solio-
iting subscriptions to form a fund to
carry on an entertainment and pur-
chase presents for the less wealthy
children. This movement met with
such generous response that the com
mittee was able to remember every
body within radius of three or
four miles round about.
The exercises at the Union church
large Christmas trees reaching nearly
to the ceiling were arranged at either
end of the stage and loaded from top
to bottom with presents, more pres
ents were piled beneath the trees there
were included, best les those purchased
with the Christmas tree fund, presents
from parents to their children and
fiom others to their relatives and
friends. Strings of handkeIchiefs
reached from the trees to the walls Of
the church and from the end of every
bough hung candy and oranges. Ev-
cry child, far and near, in addition to
more substantial presents had bag Of
candy, an orange and a handkerchief.
Many young and old in adverse cir
cumstances we rememt cred with
gifts suited to their needs
tt is impossible to do justice to the
literary program furnished. 1t was
carefully arranged and went off with
out hitch. The choir sang some
beautiful selections, the Rev j. Ed
ward Wright offered prayer, the chill
Gren sang carols, marching and count
er marching, bearing banners with
Christmas greetings and each child
carrying aloit bough of spruce Of
hemlock Then followed declama.
tions, songs, dialogues, speaking and
marching exercises by squads anG col.
| lections OF the little ones, and larger
! ones Big classes and schools under the
direction of their teachers. 1t j:
rank injustice to make any distinction
in awarding praise, but che singing OF
the young prima donna of ten years Of
so, Blanch Griffith, was fine, also &
pAntomine by Miss Beatrice Herrick,
The Last Rose of Summer, the
words being sung by Miss Knapp be-
hind the scenes. with auto.harp &C
compartment. A Dialogue i'll which
Santa Claus appears in a somewhat
unruly school was much applauded,
Miss Ella Comstock appearing al
teacher aud Louis Kellogg as SAINTS
Claus, with a class of urchins that
took their parts with interest
Some little tots of five summers ant
less did themselves proud in speaking
In fact there was not a dull spot il
the program. Finally Santa Claus
himself appeared making lots of fur
as he distributed the presents with
the help of corps of young ladies.
Some local hits in the way of unique
presents with pointed inscriptions il
poetry and prose hit where they wert
intended TO and made much sport.
Finally, after a benediction by the
Rev. Mr.. Wright all went away laden
with presents and a lasting remem-
berance of most happy Christmas
time.
Much praise is due Miss Harriet B.
Knapp as general manager of the
whole affair, as we'll as the ladies hav-
ing charge of the auxiliary societies
of both the Methodist and Unitarian
churches, also the teachers IN the
public schools. Mr.. E. 4. Densmort
who had charge of this chorus chOii
did some good work and Mail Carrier
Comstock in the role of Santa Clau'
was simply perfect, All these as well
as others, which space alone forbids
us to mention, have worked early and
late for the success OF the affair and
individually and collectively are fully
entitled to the generous amount OF
credit they are receiving.
J. A. O.