Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-09-18
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION.
Annual Meeting of the Alumni,
Brilliant Address by President Gates
Of Amherst.
The Business Meeting, Officers Elected
and other Proceedings


The fifth annual reunion of the Brattle-
bOro High school alumni association called
together highly appreciative company to
enjoy the attractive program which had
been arranged. While the resident alumni
showed less interest in the occasion than
could have been desired, large number of
guests, including members of the various
/ professions, and other leading citizens
with their wives, accepted Invitations and
were interested participants in the exer-
cises.
The evening was made notable by the
presence of one of the most distinguished
and accomplished of the younger educators
of the country, Dr. Merrill Edwards Gates.
who came TO the presidency of Amherst
college a year ago, and who has already
made his strong and invigorating personal
ity felt in an active impulse toward the best
in that time-honored institution. which
holds intimate association with the higher
educational interests of Brattleboro. Pres
ident Gates's address was one long to be-
remembered. Fluent, graceful and brill
liant in style and delivery it was permeated
and filled with that best of all qualities in a
public address, an inspiring, uplifting. NOR
/ al sentiment which took every hearer away
from the petty things of daily life. renew
ed noble aspiration, and kindled high re-
solve for the future. 1t is well for any
community when such words are said i'm its
midst, and it is with unusual satisfaction
that we present, as the main part of this
report, the address Of President Gates with
substantial completeness.
The company assembled at eight o'clock
and for an hour the Brooks House parlor
and corridors presented an animated scene.
while cordial greetings were exchanged
and rpninisppnpac ralafaI .
ness meeting held at S:45 Col Estey. pres
ident of the association, presided. After
the reports of the secretary and treasurer
had been presented and accepted there was
an extended discussion as to the best meth
obs TO be used to sustain the interest of the
alumni in the association. Propositions
to reduce the membership fee and banquet
charges were voted down. The spirit of
the situation was doubtless voiced by those
who suggested that in every such under
taking, where the responsibility is widely
divided. II is work and method which ac-
complish the desired result. 1t was finally
voted to hold next years reunion in June,
at the time of the High school commence
ment, and, as a means of interesting the
younger alumni, to receive and entertain
the members of next years graduating
class as guests of the association. Prin-
cipal Horne of the High school. Sub-mas-
ter Howe and o. L. French were voted
honorary members of the association. F.
H. Barrows. L. II. Putnam and Miss Sher-
man, who had been appointed by the chair
man to prepare list of officers, presented
the following, who were chosen:
President, O. A. Marshall
Perry, Fred Crosby
. II. Thompson.
Recording secretary Miss Lulu Elmer.
Executive committee, Walter Z. Hubbard Miss
Helen Fletcher A. D. Wyatt. Mrs W H. Brack.
EFT, Charles Staples, Miss Grace Emerson Ed.
ward J. Fenton, Miss Minnie Brasor Lewis Gregg
Miss Jennie DoOlitte.
At the conclusion of the business meet
ing supper was announced and the COM
pany repaired to the dining hall where
Widespread tables awaited them. Rev. f.
j. Parry said grace, and while the meal
was in progress Leitsinger's orchestra dis
coursed music. When the meal was con-
cluded Col Estey raped the company to
order and said
Members Of the Alumni and friends of
7 me High school am very glad indeed
TO see so goodly a number of YOU present
tonight. | trust you have enioyed what
/ we nave already had of the feast, and it
/ gives me great pleasure, as your president.
10 introduce to you tonight one whom we
are very glad to welcome to New England.
not only because of the position which he
occupies, at the head of one of our best in
stltutlons of learning, but because we are
Slad TO have i'll New England such a repre-
sentative as our friend DR.. Gates, is of the
educators OF our country Without further
comment will present 10 you DIR. Gates,
: president of Amherst college"
The Address OF President Gates.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends of the
High school Very much depends upon
the frame of mind in which you undertake
10 do anything. One is certain that one
part OF the evening has been success, and
/, for one, count very largely upon your
cultivating that happy frame of mind that
led my genial friend, DR.. Talmage of
Brooklyn, to confront an ANNOYING visitor
on certain occasion, of which YOU will
see the bearing presently. Mr.. Talmage,
who has so lately returned with bottle of
the jordan water and section of Mt.
Zion in his pocket, was on one occasion
making lecture tour, and had shut him
sell up IN his room to prepare himself for
that evening, when fussy, self-important
little man appeared and, though repeatedly
refused, insisted on having the distinguish
eel divine brought down. Finally Mr.. Tai
mage appeared, and as he came along the
nan the little man said, SIS this Mr.. Tai
mage That is my nameY' "Wen. |
have been wanting to see you. There are
several matters that | wish to discuss with
you. | am a Darwinian, sir. | am an an
nihiationist l believe that when | die
that will be the end of me, body and soul"
DR.. TalmagedevOut replied, "Thank G od
for that, sir" So feel sure that YOU will
have one reason for thankfulness when
what is down as set address after dinner
is finished.
But these anniversary occasions are of
especial interest because they remind us of
those associations of early school days
which follow us through life, from which
we can never escape, and which sound out
IN our ears at times VIXEN we least expect
them.
am reminded of an instance in my own
experience that illustrates this point. l
was where many of you have benin the
dome of st. Paul's, London, in the whis-
pering gallery The guide led me to a place
before the blank wall and said, II see a
party near the other focus. If you whisper
! think they will answer" ''What shall |
say?" said l. Anything" he replied.
For moment was utterly at loss, as we
all inevitably are when brought face to face
with blank wall and requested to speak
to it. Then there flashed into my mind