The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-01
CORRESPONDENCE.

CHICAGO, ILL.,. Oct. "a, 1898.
To the Editor of the Banner DEAR
SIR Wherever see the name OF my
native State it carries me back to more
than half-century ago, Its name and
all Of its associations are yet in my
memory, as but yesterday, and TO forget
them would not; is there any place on
Gods green earth more dear to one than
the place of his birth, let it be on the
mountains top or in the valley, what
my feelings were two years ago in
short visit made to my native town,
East Rupert) is not to be told by pen or
tongue. after an absence OF 30 years.
Its valleys were grown together, it's
mountains had seemingly grown in
greater height, more grand, more I'M
posing; the mountain back Of the Burr
Sem" in Manchester, where had spent
many months in studying the dead Ian
guages and endeavoring to fiji myself for
future usefulness in life, was one ]
could not keep my eyes from, as view
ed its towering height, and bringing to
memory the many pleasant associations
in the Burr Sem" and climbing upon
this beautiful mountains top; the great
eat satisfaction and the most enjoyable
OF all was to find the Rev. DIR. Wickham,
who was the principal 80 many years
ago, and his dear wife still living and IN
che enjoyment of good health. Never
shall forget his hospitality in taking me
up 10 the old Sem" and looking once
more into the room which / once occu-
pied ia drilling over my studies. Soon
after my leaving Vermont l learned he
celebrated his Goth birthday.
Great changes had taken place through
the valley during all these years, and l
found but few that | knew. | was
seemingly in a land of strangers.
called but once at the old homestead. 1t
was no home to me any more although
the occupants were those with whom
had enjoyed many pleasant associations
But oh how changed in and around this
beautiful spot, nestled as it is among so
many beautiful hills and mountains,
which once were terrible dread to me,
in mending fence, stopping up sheep
holes, and looking after sheep, etc.
Were / to renew this visit again las
expect toy, it will not be when the coun.
try is so loaded down with deep snow,
making the roads impossible. II would
have given ME great pleasure II my time
had not been limited, to have made Ben
niDgton a long visit, as there / also
formed many pleasant associations in
attending school at the Academy in
Bennington Centre, and also in the East
Village.
How many of the old acquaintance
in the Centre are living know not, but
many are the names that are yet famil-
lar. The names OF some are found with
the late Hon. Hiland Halls family, the
Robinsons, and more particularly is
VIM. Haswell and family, who passed
away many years ago,
One thing that prompted me to the
writing Of this letter was, called on
Mr.. John Hills of this city who had
made visit to his home in Bennington,
and upon iDquiring the name Of paper
printed there, he informed me that the
paper was the BANNER; and il l recol-
iect it was the same name when was
attending school at that place. II am
permitted to make another visit. hope
ii will be in Bennington, and hope &c
meet some that once knew, and in the
enjoyment of health and good old age.
This part of the political world il al
alive for Harrison and Morton and we
expect to place him in the President'c
Chair, next 4th of March, 1883.
W. Z S.