The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-05
TINE VENERABLE GUNNER CLUB
Celebrates Its FoIty-Sixth AnnIveT-
sary at Long Point Cottage.

1t was a fright merrie companle" that
drew up at the door Of Long Point Cottage
on Monday evening In Chase's coach and
four. 1t was the advance guard Of the Ven
erable Gunner Association and Propeller
Club. come to fitly observe their 46th annlver-
sary. The Gunner Club has come to be one
of the landmarks Of Portland in the way Of
organizations. Every year at the clubs cosy
home on Long Point gather about twenty as
congenlal spirits as can ever be seen to-
gether, aud for two days Long Point has the
honor Of being the scene Of the doings OF the
most unique organization In America. Bat
to return.
The advance guard proceeded at once to
take possession Of the cottage and found that
the club caterer, G. Dana Robinson. was al
ready on hand. having sailed into port with
full cargo Of provisions and groceries some
hours before.
One Of the chief accomplishments Of a full
hedged Gunner Is his ability to consume and
digest an ample quantity OF we'll cooked edI-
bles, and as the supper which was prepared
by Caterer Robinson was disposed OF In good
form and regular order Supper over, pipes
are lit and song. story and reminiscence rule
the hour. The scribe feels indeed that his
slot Is cast In pleasant places" as he looks
around and sees the jovlal, whole souled men
that make up that Gunner band.
A unique company 1t is, too. Where can
you find its duplicate? Here Is o man with
snow white hair and beard. 1t wasn't white
when, 40 years ago, he first went into camp
with the Gunner boys. Next him sits a
young man, attending almost his first ami
yersary. Far younger In years but not In
spirit. A Gunner, be he twenty or seventy,
is but a boy. Be the man austere and stern
in his every day life, let him but set mis- foot
on Gunner soil and sternness and trouble
vanish and he finds his lost youth again.
not lost, either, for a Gunner always has an
abundance Of youth and happiness In store
at Long Point-he has but to come and It Is
his.
John Shaw is here as usual. lie would
rather lose all he has than give up his a.
tendance at the Gunner outing. He isn't a
bit older than be was thirty years ago. "BllP'
Ross has come all the way from Philadelphia
to be present at the anniversary. He would
come much further rather than miss 1t. Full
Of talent and effervescing with wit and
brightness, he is ever the same "Blll Ross"
today and forever. Genial John Miller has
come from Boston. The boys miss his son
Henry, who is worthy son Of worthy sire.
Commlssary Clint Tewkesbury IS on hand,
looking after everybody's comfort. Vice
Commissary Colby ably seconds him. Secre-
tary Leach is indefatigable and bright as
button. Harvey Murray, Of course, takes
special charge Of the handsome upright piano
In tho and ~ A., in har
FeTnald has managed to divorce himself
from his m0lars (othar peoples mean long
enough to attend. b. A. Kinney. c. II. Toll
man, +; Il. Harrington. Q. N. Lang, James
up the advance guard. The first night party
seldom indulge In any levity or celebration,
preferring generally to reserve their strength
for the Joys OF the coming two days, and af-
ter short stroll ON the shore will retire for
good nights rest.
What magnificent prospect is presented
from the high land In front OF the cottage!
Away to the southeast are the Two Lights"
and beyond the broad expanse Of old ocean
In all It's grandeur; In the opposite direction
| Is Portland Head, with the Islands and the
harb0r beyond.
softly ow the light Of day
Fades upon our sight away"
Slowly the sun sinks below the horizon.
beautiful artist that 1t Is. painting, eOlOring,
and light to dark now the sky Is golden, ths
ocean blue, now the ocean Is golden, the sky
blue.
as the lights OF the sun grow DINNER the
lights from the lighthouses grow brighter,
until the CLEANS OF the Two Lights meet the
CLEANS from Portland Head, making a beau
tiIul path OF golden sheen across
a sea which tonight Is sea Of
glass. Is Il wonder that In snnh a plaeor-
among such scenes, men grOw.yOung again?
All that Is brightest and best In a mans ma
ture will be brought out by a stay In this
spot. IL Is made beautiful beyond measure
by God and nature; to the Gunner boys It's
hall0wed. Many are the sweet memories
that chase themselves through the minds Of
the boys tonight. Rsgretiully they leave
this beautiful scene In natures panorama,
regretfully they leave the fragrant pipe. the
circle Of pleasant Intercourse, and seek their
rooms to rest for the morrow, for time
passes, and soon the order will come, "llghts
out"
Tuesday Morning
dawns bright and fair, and the boys are astir
bright and early after an exceedingly quiet
and restful night. (?) Robinson Is astir
early, too. and 1t well becomes him. for ap-
petites are vastly sharpened by contact with
the salt air. The thoughts of this breakfast
have hurried the feet OF Cunners en- route
from town and by meal time the company
-. 49, Al. ~