The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1891-09-18
THE b. II. s. ALUMNI.
One of the NJ st Interesting Meeting OF It's
History-Superb Address by Presi dent
Gates.

An unusually pleasant local event was eel.
ebrated last Tuesday evening, when the b
III. S. Alumni Association held their fifth an.
nual reception and banquet. There were in
cluding Invited guests about One.hundred and
twenty-five present. On the part OF
the executive committee, every effort was
made to have this reception the brightest and
parlors and dining room were used for this
purpose. Bouquets Of fragrant blossoms OF
every color were In the windows and adorned
the tables. At eight O'Clock the parlors were
well filled and for half an hour sociabiity
and renewal of old acquaintances were enjoy
ed. The assembly was then called 10 order
by the president, Col. }. j. Estey. and the an.
nual business meeting was held. The report
OF the secretary and election of officers for
the ensuing year, being followed by remaT ks
by Capt. u. w. Chiids, G. H. Thompson,
Cashier o. A. Marshall, Col. Fuller and
others, as to the subsequent reunions: =
Whether It be advisable to hold them annual
~ as heretofore or bi.annualy; whether the
yearly fee be changed from 50cts. to 25cts or
cost of banquet tickets from 81. TO 70 or5Oc.
The majority were ayerse to having the af-
lalr cheapened as no suitable banquet could
be provided for the prices named and TO re-
duee the fees would be ruin to the treasury
All were OF the opinion that something must
be done TO make 1t more general reunion
Strange as 1t may seem, the number OF pupils
from the classes OF 80, 'S4 and 'S6 was as
large, and In some cases larger than the num-
Der from the classes of 80 and '9l. There Is
20 good reason why this should be the case.
The members of the classes of $50, 80 and
VI are not so widely scattered. 1t Is simply
lack of interest In the affair. These re-
unions should be anticipated by every indi-
vidGal member of the alumni. Some make
the excuse that the meetings are too formal.
what makes them o?.The least possible effort
on your own part breaks the formally.
Those who attended the reception Tuesday
evening are OF the unted opinion that it was
the least formal, brightest and most epjoya-
BILE In the history of the association. A sug-
gestion was made that each member OF the
graduating class of next year be furnished
with ii free banquet ticket thus insuring
larger number from the younger classes.
This suggestion was amended and 1t was
voled that the alumni association receive and
entertain the graduating class of '92 at their
next annual reunion. The following officers
were elected for the ensuing year.
President, o. A. Marshall; vice presidents,
z. f. II. Jenne, Fred Crosby, Miss Nellie
Perry; corresponding sectary and treasurer
Chas. III. Thompson; recording secretary
Miss Lulu Elmer: executive committee, wal
ter E. Hubbard, Miss Helen Fletcher, Arthur
ID. Wyatt. Mrs. w. II. Brackett, Charles u.
staples, Miss Grace Emerson, Miss Minnie
Brazor, Louis Gregg, Miss Jennie Doolttle,
Edward J. Fenton.
The party then repaired to the dining
rooms. where an elegant supper was served,
grace being said by Rev. f. j. Parry, Leitz'
singers orchestra rendering some fiue selec.
tions during the evening. The banquet and
menu cards were models of neatness ana
taste. When ample justice had been done
sented Rev. Dr. Merrill e. Gates Of Amherst,
who delivered the annual address. Mr.. Gates
rs an eloquent speaker and throughout the
entire ADDRESS was vein OF humor, heartili
enjoyable. He dwelt upon memories of bis
own school days. relating some amusing IN.
cidents. He remarked that anniversary days
add harm to our lives. No matter how
tondy we may love a dear sister, the occur
ance Of her birthday makes us feel more the
pleasure In manifesting our fOndness, and no
matter how long and dearly one may have
cherished life companion, the anniversary
of the wedding day makes the tie seem still
dearer. SO With the anniversary OF our
school life. Each year makes the memories
more dear. But with these former anniver'
sares come the thoughts that with this add
ed year Is just one year less Of life. with the
of our school day there Is no
such pang, for by thus perpetuating the asso-
they become more precious. lie
spoke of the necessity of sustaining our uni.
versities.and not allowing them to deteriorate-
Also that the corps OF teachers, the apparatus
and All Things 1T eded for SCHOOL be Increased.
lie then looked into the history of universi-
lies. particularly Oxford, and those OF Italy,
which have been established for centuries,
and have helC their places despite the raw
ages OF time and Change. In school our Ideals |
are formed. Next TO the duties of mother, Is |
tbat OF the teacher. Grave responsibility in |
deed will 1t be 10 the community that allows
Its pubic schools to deteriorate. He eX-
pressed himself highly IN favor of free schools |
when he said "Unquestonably 1t belongs to |
= ho tata IN sto{n SCHOOLS
should be left without the privilege of educa-
lion. Character building takes form IN the
home and school. Truth and honor,the foun-
iations of which are laid In the home, are
W hat give character to youth and awe TO gray
hairs and wrinkles. He charged the parents
and former members to take an interest IN
The schools, offered his congratulations on the
bright history of the school, and
terminated with best wishes for future OF the
B. II. s. anG alumni association.
Mr.. Gates address was pronounced by his
auditors-and among them were many men
Df culture and discernment-tO De the nnest
ever heard on an educational subject. 1t was
Iucer, glowing with the enthusiasm Of bis
work, and delivered with the grace OF the
inest Oratory. BrattlebOreans can now un-
ierstand the hopeful pride with which Am.
lerst welcomed him TO her head. he Is brim.
'ul of new and progressive Ideas with regard
% eQucatlOns lie mas tue Wiuc anu COL ihese |
interest In the affairs Of the world that adapt
lin admirably to the work of the true col
eye of to-day. Under his guide and inspira.
ion 1t may reasonably be hoped that col
eye education may be one t0wards, rather
han away from, good citizenship, as has too
'rten been the case, and may stand for
ound, healthy, all-around American culture
The orchestra then rendered the overture
'Orpheus" which was heartily spplauded.
Dr.. Holtop was unable to attend and his
etter OF regret was read by Col. Estey.
The LADIES' Quartet gloried in new name
which appeared upon the programme for
se first time and won from DR.. Gates the
yords, ,.'the unpronounceabe name on the pro-
ramme, ,-and from Col Estey who announced
he selection, the question, "Am right?, But
what's In a name so long as the selection,
Night of JOY" was eycelIently rendered and
earthly encored. The ladies, however would
lot respond.
..Impromptu Words" appeared next on the
rogram, and the president presented the
lew principal. ]. ID. Horne. who expressed
is great pleasure in being able TO attend
eunion SO soon after his instalment In the
iigb school. He was also much grained
With the hearty welcome aud Inspiration
iven him by the parents and pupils. Mr.
iorne also spoke OF the bright record or our
chool. aud remarked that 50 long as ne wa,
mong us as a citizen and teacher, II would
e hi. aim to sustain the reputation, and u
cssible to make the future record OF the
!. ii. S. even brighter than the past. The
IMPRESSION which Mr.. Horn nade here as
Iell as In the school every day, was most
ayorable one. Ii looks as II no mistake was
iade when he was engaged.
Rev Mr.. Phalen, at the request OF the
resident. made a few remarks In hehaf OF !
be school board In his usual eloquent and ,
leasing manner. The Georgemaiinn quar- J
4 then rendered their second selection,
Good Night, after which the banquet wa>
osed. with music by the orchestra.
,cial hour was then PASSED while the dining {
,om was cleared for dancing, when q sociai
o,, aniaxea unsfi 10 o-claeE-