The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-11-25
DARLINGTON IN 1871.

ARLINGTON in l791'
The people Of the North District are
, much pleased with the success of their
historical play, given on November 10
for the benefit of the school house.
The town hall was filled to its utmost
capacity and many were turned away
because there was literally not stand
ing room for one more. The intent
attention which was given to the his
torical part of the play, and the
hearty laughter and applause which
greeted the fun and lively elements Of
the 18th century family gathered on
the stage gave gratifying proof of the
approval of the big audience.
The accounts have not been entirely
completed, as all expenses cannot yet
be ascertained, but more than one hun
dred dollars were taken in from all
sources, and it is certain that more
than eighty dollars will be cleared.
The North District people think that
perhaps the public may be interested
to know that the play was produced
with no resources other than can be
readily found in any Vermont, rural
community. There were practically
no expenses for costumes, although
these were complete and elaborate.
They were manufactured at home out
of old materials already at hand, or
in very few cases, out of very mex
pensive materials purchased at the
local stores As an example, the cos
tune of one of the little girls, bouffant
panier skirt, brocade-effect bodice,
fichu, cap ruffles and all, was made
for the most part out of new material,
and cost 35 cents in cash and the ex-
penditure Of considerable Yankee in
genuity.va The wigs-all the men and
boys wore the bag-wigs of the period
were made at home: from discarded
false hair, or from ravelled rope. The
slabs which framed the very realistic
log cabin interior were contributed
from local mill, and the substantial
looking fire place was contrived in an
ordinary barn work shop. In getting
up the play one Of the purposes Of
the North District people was TO prove
that such an entertainment, elaborate
as to costume, with a numerous cast
of characters, can be arranged In an
ordinary Vermont farm community,
with little outlay of cash and with an
expenditure of time and thought
which is more than rewarded by the
interest and fun which ensue.
The North District people feel, how
ever, that they deserve credit for one
more element of success besides Yam
kee ingenuity, and that is hearty good
will in cooperation between neigh
bors. Nothing like the results could
have been produced if everyone in the
group of families involved had not
been glad and willing to do anything
and everything he could TO forward
the undertaking. To give a list Of
those whose services were essential to
the play would be to mention nearly
everyone in every house in the North
District. A considerable majority Of
.he people were actually in the play,
and those who we're not did invaluable
work as stage carpenters, scene-shift-
,rs, ticket sellers, ushers, etc. This
S a fact in which North District
,eople feel justifabe pride. They
llso wish to acknowledge their in
to DR.. and Mrs. Russell
Who took prominent parts in the play;
o Mrs. Gilchrist who sold a large
lumber Of tickets, to Mr.. Adams, Mr..
tito Bennett, Mr.. Kennedy, and Mrs.
. A. Garfield, who made contributions
0 the school house fund, and TO Miss
lartha Garfield who furnished con
derable amount of the stage furnish
lgs from the stores Of old-time arr
cles in her house.
The changes 10 be made in the
,hool-house have not yet been en-
rely settled upon; but some Of those
nder discussion are a rooted, open
r play porch with some simple gym
astic apparatus, a microscope for ma
ire study, new window shades, Vic
ola and some records, fenced in
hool garden, books, etc, etc.