The Monitor-register., 1896-04-10

A notably happy event tool place at
Muilica Hill on Saturday evening last,
in the Town Hall, when Henry w. Bldg.
way met, by appointment, his old pupils
here. Mr.. Ridgway was installed prin-
cipal of Union Academy in 1880 and held
the position for eleven years, during
which time the standard of the school
rapidly increased in excellence until it
stood second to nome in the county. The
idea of holding the reunion originated in
the minds of some of the pupils and met
with hearty response from all, and though
scattered far and wide, all who possibly
could were present to greet their esteemed
teacher and each other. The Committee
on Decorations transformed the hall into
a bower of beauty, with flags and bunt-
ing tastefully draped, and a p~rofusion of
lovely plants. At roll call one hundred
responded to their names. We give
below the delightful program that was
admirably carried out without a break:
Bible Reading, Mr.. Ridgway; The Lords
Prayer, by the school; Singing by the
school, "Happy Greetings" Remarks by
James Benezet, chairman of Board of
Trustees, fifteen years ago; Remarks by
George Borton. Secretary of Committee,
Address by Henry W. Ridgway. Singing
by the school, "Evening Bells;" Recita.
ton, "We Young Uns," by Mrs. Lille
Borton Butcher; Reading, "Babies,''
Carroll Lippincott; Music, Mrs. Lille
Dat; Roil-call; Reading of letters of
regret from absent pupils; Recitation,
Reunion" Bertha Croft; Vocal solo,
"Far Away" Sara M. Stratton; Recita.
ton, 'The Legend of the Organ Builder.
Sa.lie Peterson; Singing by the school,
1.-THE Old School Book" Defamation,
"How Kissing Cup Won the Race"
Richard Borton; Presentation, Richard
Borton; Singing by the school, "Laueh.
ing Glee." The presentation of a hand.
some banquet lamp to Mr.. Ridgway, by
George Borton, in behalf of his school
mates, was a very interesting feature in
the program. Mr.. Ridgway, much
moved by this testimonial of the esteem
of his pupils, with difficulty expressed
hiss appreciation of the beautiful and
valuable gift. 1t was suggested by some
of the pupils, that an Alumni Association
of Union Academy be organized, and
with the cordial approval of all present,
the following officers were elected:
President, George Borton; Vice Presi-
dent, Sara M. Stratton; Secretary, James
@. White; Treasurer, Edward Iredell;
Executive Committee, Miss Jennie Reece,
Mrs. Albert Parker, Miss May G.. Moore,
Miss Carrie Westcott, George Shea. A
very entertaining part of the program
was the introduction of husbands, wives
and little ones to Mr.. Ridgway by the
pupils. Among the number of those
who were present from a distance were:
Edward Stratton, Jr., Misses Lottie Boys,
Blanche Wilson, Verna DeGrofft, Nettie
Welsh; Harry French, Carroll Lippincott,
Mrs. DR.. Sharp, Mrs. Lille Dat, Mrs.
Lille Butcher and others. Letters of
regret from distant points were from
Frank French, San Francisco; William
Borton, Florida; George Hubbard,
Willetts Point. A number of letters
we're received too late for the occasion.
Mr.. Ridgway is to be congratulated upon
this beautiful and convincing proof of
the undated affection of his many
pupils. 1t proves to him and to all, that
the teacher who is true to his vocation
builds a lasting monument in the hearts
of the pupils entrusted to him, also that
no profession rivals that of a faithful
teacher.