The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-18
PYTHIANS READY
FOR NATIONS CALI
Declared Supreme Representative Frank
M. Beekford Of New Hampshire
Province in Addressing Barre
Pythians and Guests.

The 52d anniversary of the founding o
the order Of knights of Pythias was oh
served last evening by the local lodge
Vincitia lodge, No. 10, at its castle hal
in the Blanchard block As has become
customary ON such occasions, each knight
was accompanied by his lady and il
many cases by one or more friends. The
program was arranged in three distinct
sections, banquet held in the Masonic
rooms at o'clock, an address by Judge
Frank NJ Beckford, supreme representa-
tive of New Hampshire, held in the lodge
rooms, and a dance held afterward in the
Masonic hall.
A committee of officers had charge of
the banquet and arranged a repast which
suited the most critical connoisseur.
Three tables, each running the entire
length OF the hall were hardly sufficient
TO seat the guests and few of those
who aided in serving at the tables were
in turn served after the guests had left
the hall. One hundred and seventy COW
ers were laid and there was no lack of
food for the most ravenous appetite. Car
rolls orchestra of four pieces furnished
continuous performance during the BAN
quet and later the same quartet of musi-
clans played for the dancing.
At 9:l5 Toastmaster Paul ID. Leavitt
gave the signal and all guests and men,
bers of the order proceeded to the lodge
rooms below to listen to the address by
Judge Beckford. 1t was just before the
address that Chancellor Commander
Leavitt sprung his little surprise, for in
stead of one speaker, two were intro
duced. The other was Grand Chancellor
+. A. Whitaker of Bellows Falls, who
to be in this locality on busi
ness to-day and was persuaded to 60 out
Of his way few miles to attend the an
Mr.. Whitaker declined to
take up much OF the time which he said
rightfully belonged TO the other speaker,
but expressed his pleasure at being in
vited and told briefly of his work |
throughout the state.
At the close of Mr.. Whittaker's re-
marks Judge Beckford was introduced. /
His talk was primarily an effort to instIll |
nto the hearers some of the enthusiasm
or Pythianism which he himself feels
Ifter some twenty-five years of service
Is member and officer of the lodge. He
lwelt chiefly on the patriotic spirit which
hould fill every true knight. no matter
What your politics are" said the judge,
your duty now is to support President
Wilson and to do all in your power to
.eep this country from becoming em-
'roiled in war" If, however, war
hould become necessary to uphold the
onor of the country the speaker stated
hat the order was prepared to furnish
eyeral thousand men from the Uniform
ank who are trained in the tactics of
he United States government and are |
ound by oath to take their places at
he front if necessity demands. He also ]
Did of the spirit of friendship which it !
the object of the order to foster and ]
tied instances where the mere fact that I
man was a member of the order had r
scured him immediate aid in trouble or ,
lness and had kept his family from .
ant in case of his decease. A plea for 7
enthusiasm in securing new .
embers and in keeping up the interest y
the old ended fhis speech. /
Following the address those of the r
trty who had the inclination and the
lility to follow the rhythm of the mu
c with nimble feet betook themselves y
,ain to the hall upstairs, where dancing n
as enjoyed until midnight Old dances q
ere the rule and, encouraged by this,
uple after couple glided onto the floor
It'll the hall was almost too crowded for
e best individual efforts. For those
no did not care to dance, card tables ca
ere set ont. in the lodge rooms and Il
list and 500 were played. NJ
the courtesy of the Nincitia w
ID the club rooms on the third floor SC
re opened for the reception of the la da
IS and guests before the banquet and -
e smoking rooms were accessible to de
e gentlemen throughout the evening tn
e thanks of the officers are extended co
the young ladies' and gentlemen who 81.
ably assisted in the serving of the co
nquet. Encouraged by the marked ca
cess of the affair last night it is like an
that other informal ladies' nights will
held by the lodge during the present Gu
son, aside from smokers open to lodge ev
mbers only. Tn
in