St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-29
Mr.. GilfilIan's Letter.

Below we give the paper written by
Hon. John B. Gilfllan of Minneapolis at
the annual gathering of the Alumni Of
Caledonia County Grammar School of
Boston. Mr.. Gilflan lived in Peacham
on the old Thaddeus Stevens place, and
perhaps that fact may have been an in
spiration to him to represent his district
in congress:
To my associates Of the Alumni Associa.
ton of the Caledonia County Grammar
School, Boston.
DEAR FRIENDS OF LONG AGO :-Informa-
ton has come to me from time to time, of
the formation Of our Association, and of
the kind Partially of its promoters to-
ward myself, manifested by their honor
ing me with membership therein.
At the time of our annual meeting of
last year, which believe was our first,
it was my fortune to be in foreign lands,
and hence my inability to be present.
Now | am further advised, through the
kindness of one OF our members, that
the annual for the current year is to oc.
cur on the eighth inst, and / regret ex.
ceedingly to be obliged to say that Sec
ond disappointment to me is inevitable
1t would afford me great pleasure to be
present at the ensuing anniversary, but
it is one I must forego with such grace
and philosophy as 1 can command, in
dulging the hope for better fortune in the
future.
feel unwilling however to let this &C.
casion pass without sending you briet
note as friendly greeting to the choice
friends OF our school days who may have
the good fortune to be present. In doing
this it is somewhat difficult to know just
how to introduce myself after so long a
separation. Perhaps may be permitted
10 adopt the language of the Scottish
bard when he sang:
II long hae tho't, my youthful friends,
something to haze sent you,
Tho it should serve nae ither end,
Than just kind memento;
But how the subject theme may gang,
Let time and chance determine,
Perhaps 1t may turn out sang,
Perhaps turn out q sermon"
Another token of love and regard l
may perhaps be permitted to extend, in
lieu Of personal presence, namely, sec.
ondary evidence in the form of photo.
graphic copy OF the original, which is
sent accompanying this note, acceptance
of which for the Association is requested.
Nearly three and forty years have come
and passed into history since was one
of you at the dear old academy. 1t is a
long period to span, checkered with many
Ill r
prospect then was bright, rosy-hued and
full Of promise to us, for all were then
exuberant with the forces OF youth and
buoyant with hope. Life meant much
to us all, and we meant to make much
even the most of it. This was surely q
noble and inspiring ambition. But did
we really know what it meant? The
prospect nowis from different, chang.
ed standpoint, and we view it almost
with awe because we have come to know
better what the problem of life means.
But through all these years and the ex
periences they have brought to us, among
my fondest recollections are the scenes
and associations of my boyhood and
school days at the old academy. The
green hills OF our native state, and its
vstas OF forests and of farms, of it.
homes and villages, teeming with g
prosperous, happy, peace.loving ant
God.tearing people, present panorama
OF life pleasing to the eye and to memory
DEAR The omnipresent church spire wa.
seen everywhere pointing heavenward a,
If seeking if possible, still purer atmos
phere than that which played around tn,
everlasting hills, and pointing our aspi
rations to a higher plane. Like some ole
Etruscan town, the village wherein stood
the old academy, was located upon al
elevated hilltop as il to watch and ware
off the approach of all enemies Of life ant
health. The old academy, with its pleas
ing facade and Corinthian pillars-ala
now no more-was as dear to the ey
and to the heart, as "the old oakel
bucket which hung in the WE'LL" Ant
what could equal the music Of its bell ?