had a shop on the second floor of the Skinner block, where he repairs and sells shoes.

A. R. Fielders went into partnership with J. G. Ashley in the fall of 1900. When Mr. Ashley sold his interest to P. A. Blanchard, the firm became Fielders and Blanchard, tonsorial artists. Mr. Fielders bought out his partner in December, 1903, and continued the business alone until June, 1904, when he took as a partner E. H. Ashley. He sold his interest to Mr. Ashley in April, 1908, and bought out P. A. Jerd. He has a shop in the Skinner block, second floor. He came from Randolph, where he learned his trade. He is a Mason, an Oddfellow, and a Wood

man.

Frederick R. Seymour, born in Milton, came to South Royalton from Claremont, N. H., in September, 1907, and purchased the stock of goods belonging to the jewelry store of L. F. Terry in the Martin block. He is assisted by his wife, and both are persons with whom customers like to trade.

The connection of E. H. Ashley with A. R. Fielders in the barber business has been mentioned. After he bought out Mr. Fielders, he sold a half interest to A. L. Benedict, with whom he continued until March, 1910, when he bought out his partner, and has since run the business alone at the old stand next to the post-office, where his shop seems always to have a customer.

CHAPTER XLI.

MISCELLANEOUS.

VISITS OF NOTED MEN.

A town always feels honored when a noted man or woman accepts its hospitality as a guest. This was especially the case when traveling was not so rapid and easy as it is today, when Presidents dash from one shore of the country to the other, making hundreds of speeches in the course of transit. Then, fortunate indeed was the village or city that had the pleasure of entertaining a public functionary of national fame.

During Madison's administration the demands upon the time of the Chief Executive left him little time for rest, or opportunity for becoming acquainted with the people who had elected him. When President Monroe came to the White House, a period of peace had begun. James Monroe in preceding years had been much in the public eye, as agent to foreign Courts, and as Secretary of State, and had the happy faculty of winning the hearty support of all parties. To become still better acquainted with the needs of the nation over which he was placed, he visited portions of it, and so in the course of his travels he came to Royalton.

He en

He was the first chief magistrate to visit Vermont. tered the State at Norwich, July 22, 1817, dined in that village, and spent the night in Windsor. He followed the stage route from Windsor to Woodstock, then through Royalton to Montpelier. It is unfortunate that no record has been preserved of his entertainment in Royalton. He passed through the town July 23, and there is no doubt that he was given a royal welcome.

The true love of liberty implanted in every soul never confines itself to domestic, national, or racial lines. Wherever there is a down-trodden, oppressed people or person, it is sure to awaken heart-throbs of sympathy, and a desire to help, in the minds of those who live for the betterment of the world.

To this fact is due the debt of gratitude which this nation owes to the noble, self-sacrificing zeal and labor of the Marquis Lafayette. It was no mere spirit of adventure that drove him

from the sunny shores of lovely, fertile France to the bleak, forest-covered land of America. It was no mere desire for fame that made him strike hands with Washington, the leader without means, the commander of a small army of half-clad, almost wholly undisciplined soldiers. It was with no expectation of golden returns in the future, that prompted him to pour out his fortune like water, that America's sons and daughters might breathe the air of true freedom. It is not strange that every school boy and girl loves the name of Lafayette. With this spirit of gratitude and love he was welcomed, when he returned for a visit to the land, then and to the day of his death, dear to him.

When it was known that he would come to this country in 1825, though most of those who had stood by him in the great conflict, which threw off the shackles of England, had answered to the final call, the new generation in every state was eager to manifest its appreciation of his noble efforts in its behalf. Invitations from legislatures and governors were showered upon him, most of which he accepted. On the recommendation of Gov. Van Ness, the Legislature of Vermont in 1824 requested the Governor to invite Lafayette to visit Vermont in his tour through the country. The Governor extended the invitation in December, and it was accepted the January following.

Gen. Lafayette entered the state at Windsor, June 28, 1825. He was accompanied by his son, Col. George Washington Lafayette, and by his secretary, M. Le Vasseur. Gov. Van Ness and his suit met him at Windsor and escorted him to Montpelier. Lafayette went from Windsor to Woodstock, where he was given an ovation, and from thence he came by the old Royalton and Woodstock Turnpike road to Royalton.

Details had been carefully planned for his entertainment in Royalton. The committee of arrangements was composed of Moses Cutter, Daniel Rix, Dr. Jo A. Denison, John Francis, Franklin Hunter, and Jacob Collamer. No better account of the preparation made for the welcome of Lafayette can be given than that in Miss Ivah Dunklee's publication, "The Burning of Royalton," which account was based on an original paper by Mrs. Frances M. Joiner, read before the Woman's Club, Nov. 18, 1905.

"The town was brilliantly astir that morning. From Tunbridge came a full company of cavalry in new uniforms-blue trousers, white vests, bright red coats, and a peculiar shaped cap with stiff plumes of blue and white-no expense had been spared on these uniforms; even coat buttons had been ordered in Boston at the expense of $37 each.

Every building in town was dedicated this day to hospitality. Between the church and (present) academy, where now runs the railroad, was a long, one-story wooden building without windows, but with numerous openings provided with heavy wooden shutters. One end was partitioned off for a woodshed, kitchen, and store-room, and the