Progressive Batavian Batavia, NY December 26-1879 # 4 Darien.-Christmas is coming and our town people are purchasing in neighboring larger places gifts which are brought home in a "big box, little box, band box, and bundle," and which the children are not allowed to investigate. Our enterprising merchant, Mr. ___let, in order to keep apace with the demand of the times and supply the wants of all, has placed on his counter a stock of five cent goods, which take well. The quarterly services of the M.E. Church were held at the Center last Sabbath. The sermon by the Presiding Elder, Rev. Mr. Huntington of Buffalo, was interesting, showing very plainly the contrast between a Christian and a worldling, or as he called it, "the old man and the new." His illustrations were happy and to the point. There is on exhibition at Mr. Mullett's store some very fine pieces of crayon work, which show that the artist, Miss Mullett, is one who thoroughly understands her profession. The Greenbackers of the town still live, and so does their "rag baby," the Darien Journal, which completed its first year with the last number. As it was a good, healthy, wide-awake boy (we can't call it a baby any longer), its parents have decided to nurse it tenderly for another year, allowing it to cry semimonthly as heretofore. Its cry is musical to all except when it crys[sic] for "rags! rags! rags!" There was a painful, and at the time thought to be serious, accident occurred at our school one day last week. Hiram, son of Lucius Getman, while playing, collided with one of the larger boys with such force as to knock him down, striking his right eye in such a manner as to cause it immediately to swell and turn black. He has now so far recovered as be able to see a little from it. submitted by Linda Web-Page Editor for Bethany BETHANY: Its Past and Present ~ Bethany Town Page http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/bluebird/TownOfBethany.shtml Contributor for the BUFFALO and Western NYS Website: www.buffalonian.com ~ History Through Newspapers