The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-26
Barre Burns Club Observes
Anniversary Of Birth
OF THE SCOTTISH POET
All Except Four Of Fifty Members of
Club Gathered in Miles Hall Last
Night and Had Grand
Good Time.

II was f46 years ago yesterday that
there was born just south of Ayr in
Scotland, in a cottage near "Alloway's
auld haunted kirk and the @Auld Brig
of DOOM both Of which places were
I later immortalized by the child grown
TO manhood, Seotland's famous poet,
"Bobbie' Burns. To observe the ami
yersary of the event the Barre Burns
! Club held its annual celebration in
Miles hall last night. For fifteen years
this club has paid tribute to the mem
ory Of Burns, after whom it was named |;
ever since the inception Of the organiza-
\ tion in 1890 the members have not
failed to gather and sing his praises on
the twenty y-iifth day of January. Every
man who can claim membership in the
( Burns elub-and the list IS limited to
4 fifty finds it not his obligation, but
his pleasure and delight to attend these
1 gatherings. And Of the fifty members,
there were forty-six present, with their
wives, last evening. The other four were
either detained at home by sickness or
were out of town. That the observance
was an entire and unqualified success, the
ninety people present win bear witness.
There were toasts to the memory Of
Burns, to America, to Scotland; there
were songs and recitations, there was a
most bountifnl banquet, there was dane
ing, and finally there was grand good
time.
4 British and the United States flags
and the Gordon plaid were used effective
ly in the decorations Of the hall. The
walls were hidden by these, and scat
tered about were familiar pictures. At
the front OF the hall before 4 background
Of the Star Spangled Banner and the
Union Jack, and draped with the Gordon
plaid, was the portrait of Burns, while
the picture of Queen Elizabeth and presi-
dent Lincoln occupied prominent posi-.
ltions. The four tables We're decorated
with FERNS and potted plants, while from
various hooks and corners neeped out
miniature American flags. Some of the
people were favored with sprigs OF
heather and others wore carnations. On
1 the head table was the beautiful foot
ball trophy won by the Burns club.
The members who worked hard and sue
cessfully on these decorations, as well
as on the other arrangements, were Will
Is AleAhA NlIAA41bttf Bttinco HAdGkttff H. A1IiN
ton, }. X. Anderson, Jack Chesser, Alex.
I Bruce, George Patterson and Robert In
glis.
1t was shortly after eight o'clock chat
President Morrison Of the club raped
for order and extended cordial greet
Il ing 70 all, telling Of the pleasure that
these gatherings bring. The eclub's pop
1 ular quartette,7 as they were intro
duced, Robert Inglis, James Anderson,
| Mrs. George Stuart and Mrs. C. w.
Laing, with Mrs. William Russell as
accompanist, then brought out good
measure Of applause with "Rantin, Rovin
| Robin
With bowed heads and with everybody
rising, a silent toast was drunk to the
memory of Burns.
To City Clerk James Maeiay fell the
opportunity of speaking on Robert
4 Burns" a subject which be handled nd
mirably, saying that Burns had one Of
the finest traits Of character that a
man can have, ic, generosity, desire
( to devote his talents for the good of
others, not for self. Those are best who
strip themselves Of selfishness. Burns
success is known to everybody. He was
Scotland's chief poet, and more than
that he was the peoples poet. The
star Of Robert Burns shines brighter
today than ever, and there Is little fear
of its waning. Burns did not get credit
during his life; he was Judged BY his
weaknesses rather than by his virtues
Now he is judged by his virtues. Mr.
with applause, and be gained further APP
probation by reciting one Of Burns POI
ems at the finish Of his speech.
Two songs and two dances followed
on the programme. James Booth led
off with a Mans a Man For A That"
and had to respond with another, "The
Cottage Where Burns Was Born" the
whole company joining in the chorus.
Mrs. George Stuart sang Last May
Braw Wooer.a and later in the evening
again pleased the gathering with Sec
ond selection.
Then headed by Piper Edwards, Rob
iert lnglis marched in bearing the hag-
gis which be deposited at the head
table in front Of School Commits
sioner Alex. Smith, to whom always
falls the duty Of delivering "The Ad.
dress to the Haggis.p Mr. Smith fairly
outdid himself last evening, which -
praise enough for any man. He kept
the party convulsed.
The walters were welcome arrivals al
so, and they brought a most appetising
spread, with chicken and the usual ac-
compartments as the groundwork. The
banquet out of the way, William Alex
ander, president Of the Barre Granite
Manufacturers association, responded to
the toast America" being introduced
as a man thoroughly imbued with Amer
lean ideas. Mr.. Alexander proved that
be is a speaker as we'll as a successful
manufacturer. lie declared that the true
spirit Of manhood is the dominant note
Of American life, implanted BY the Pill
grims and bearing fruit now. National
nrihn ia iha roa1llf hArn nf f4no inaIilll.