New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-20
SU NJ NJ ERPAGEA NTRY
Picturesque Little Thefford
RcUie7cs Its History.

| The Pageant OF 1nctord, Nl'n va
celebrated last week In plcturcsau.
meadow on the Vermont si0e ~ the con.
recticut River. afforded the observer an
object lesson not only in how local history
may be transformed by the poetic touch
into visions Of beauty ard signifcan; mean
ing bit also in how summer colony may
identify Itself with the life OF the town.
For the Thetford pageant was not per-
formed by local talent alone IN d pubic
amusement park nor by summer talent
alone IN the grounds OF a country club. out
! BIZ the two extremes Of rural society meet.
ing on common ground by the waysde.
Thetford is fortunate in that 80 many o.
! its summer colony are nstiv" sons AMI
daughters who have won distinction IN
! the big xorld and who usually return %
! her 10 forge this distinction IN con'empla-
I ton Of her hills. This year they have nO
| forgotten e. but have used II for her bene-
/ nt ~ creating a pageant which shogle
! stir the dormant fires of local patriot
! ism and teach the old town how 70 adapt
! Itself to the outer world OF to-day
The leaders in this effort have been
daughters OF Thetford. Indeed merry
/ rivalry exists between two Of them as TO
/ which one il was who suggested the
I ps geant-Mrs. Charles y. Farnsvorth. who
| in tho winter time is social mentor for
the children Of Horace Mann School in
! Now York or Miss Margaret Fletcher. who
has been for years Al Hampton Institute
in Virginia Each draws the visitor into
corner and explains the circumstances
under which the other had the FIRST in
eniration. From the Farnsworth family
comes a large-sized link in the town hts
tory Way back in the early days
Farnsworth homestead was built on the
c-es, OF the hill and from il went forth
enc Of Thetfords eighteen missionaries %
foreign lands. Now. the Girl Pioneers
most modern OF modern movements. are
camping on the old site, IN the shade 0,
the great poplar tree which the missionary
PLANTED. II was natural. therefore that the
name Of Farnsworth should be prominent
~ associated with the pageant, whoever
supplied the original inspiration.
The plans were perfected in the little old
village school house. which has been trans
formed by the typewriter and white paint
and the long distance telephone 10 such an
extent that the barefoot boy Of old would
+ certainly not recognize It. From II the
+ pageant committee have sailed forth 10
/ charm tho Oldest inhabitants into telling
/ their stories and showing their atucs. Oh
dresses. old hats. the old stage coach
which ran before there were railroads or
automobiles in the district, old books the
old charter given to the Kings faithful
} subjects 10 years ago. all nave been
messed into service for the pageant
The coming OF the first settler. tsla
! from the tongues Of great-grandmoihers.
was reconstructed for the hrst seems
of the pageant "Old John Quail, with
the bird over his shoulder came padding
! up the Connecticut River and parleyed VITA
the Indians I'm the meadow. Then the lit
tie hamlet was invaded BY Burgoynes
/ men and its treasures saved by the "om'
en- folk The church was built on tho bar
rem hill in the exact centre OF the town,
and near it the academy was founded.
! All this took place last week IN fun sigh,
of the White Mountain express train thun-
dering UP the valley road, and all the sum
mer population from miles around lined
up in their automobiles. But what OK thsts
There was a burlesque OF the town fair,
and the tragic pictures OF the Civil War.
Machinery was introduced symbolically
and the rural problem presented by two
| farmers in a dialogue about the adyan'
tages OF going TO the city. Then came ths
! new agriculture and the new education
/ This last gave the young folks chane'
! to shine The Girl Pioneers built fire ana
/ prepared a meal. Then a signal was re-
/ ceived in Indian fashion by flashing lisnt
| from a distant hill to the effect that msl
/ was drowning in the river. The Boz
/ Scouts OF Thetford rescued and resuscitsi-
| ed him i'm the approved fashion, and tho
girls wrapped him up in hot blanket
Then they all danced around in an asthes-
| &c dance, for which they had been trained
by Miss Virginia Tanner. Of Boston, VINO
also was responsible for the symoonc
dances OF the Mature Spirits" and Hone
Spirits" which furnished entertainment
during the interlude.
Now that the pageant is over the sum
mer residents will go on with other plans
for Thetfords welfare. Both men and
women are joining in an effort 10 give Tue
old academy from which I'm the past
many fine men and women nave gone
forth. a new lease of NE There are 10 BE-
domestic science courses for the girls ana
agricultural studies for the boys. Govern
mcnt experts are lending their aid, ana
the town is teeming with interest in the
modern science OF farming. Tho farmers
wives. too, are being brought unde'
the new influences. for the summer women
are planning an exchange where the ror'
ner can find market FOR their delicious
old jams. jellies and pickles