The Washington times., 1903-09-13

4 usually large gathering iOI 'HS
quiet park near the city limits. and
there were happy faces on every side.
And the happiest faces were those of
the middle aged or elderly people. 1t
was natural that this occasion-this
meeting of old friends. this recalling of
early days-a renewal of youth. in fact
should mean more 10 them than to the
younger alumni. To many of the latter
it was merely a picnic-a pleasant op-
portunity to greet acquaintances, with
none of the sentiment aroused by long
separation.
The little program of music and
speech making that had thrilled the
heart strings of the older members was
almost a bore to the younger set,
though they Joined heartily in the song,
written for the occasion, of "Old Rock
ford" But then they really didn't be-
, long to old Rockford, at all. 1t was
only the alumni of more than thirty
real "Old Rockford" the dear. shabby.
old-fashioned school building that
burned down and gave place to a more
modern structure.
They were a jolly set. those middle
| aged school children. How they
laughed at the recitation of "spartacus
to the Gladiators," by clever old boy,
a take-off on the times when 'speakin'
pieces" took the place of elocution. And
not one but appreciated the comic spec
! tacle of twelve staid matrons in pig
! tails and pinafores solemnly singing
and going through the evolutions of the
ancient march song, "Trip 1t Lightly"
just as they did on exhibition day forty
| years ago. There was more singing of
old-time songs. Cheer. Boys. Cheer. 4"
and Lightly Row" and Glory Halle
| lujah," then the audience scattered to
meet again in little groups. and there
was much hand shaking and exclaiming.
and good -natured banter.
Among those who fingered about the
pavilion was a cluster OF men and wo-
men wearing committee badges. They
were chatting pleasantly, evidently SO
far satisfied with the results of their
| labors, when they were Joined by a
portly citizen, undeeorated.
@'Hurrah for Rockford" cried the stout
man as be shook hands all around.
why not?" retorted a tall man OF
clerical appearance. You're the very
man that tried to discourage US. Said 1t
couldn't be done. That the older crowd
were too scattered. or too indifferent, or
too something. and that we wouldn't
know each other OF care to know each
other II we did meet. Now look around
you Why. left Rockford in the SOS.
but I've found seven OF my class already
| and all of 'em overjoyed to see me-
Sure" replied a specialized person
age who might have been either a pro-
fessor or a politician, they're delighted
to see the worst truant in the class
turned out a full-hedged orthodox
clergyman"
"Oh, I don't mind figuring as a fea-
ture Of the success" said the minister
when the laugh subsided. There are
stranger transformations than mine. But
| it's astonishing how much more the
men have changed than the women.
Here are some OF the teachers" look
ing CALAMITY about the little group.
school girls just the same as ever, with
only long dresses and chignons to mark
the progress OF time"
VERY nice, indeed" spoke up a lively
little woman who might well appropri-
ate the compliment. but think of the
penalty we women pay in attending re-
unions. One is asked at every turn TO
what class did you belong or when did
you graduate till we might as well have
our ages blazoned on our foreheads and
be done with it."
But we ought TO be used to that
Lucy" said another. mo teacher can
call her age her own. Everyone knows
just how long she's been teaching. and
If they don't it's considered perfectly
proper TO ask
But that's not so dreadful as dis
playing a handful OF children for them
to count by" exclaimed a happy-faced
matron- II have four here on the
| grounds"
As the talk went on two of the party
turned away and sauntered toward -he
nearby grove.
! Wen 20 wherever you say, Alice, ~
said the shorter and younger woman,
| but l know you are more anxious TO
escape the gaze OF those bold. black eyes
than 10 look for classmates. l noticed
him staring before you spoke, his gaze
directed squarcly at you. Who can he
| be?''
Certainly no one I've ever seen" was
the reply. The speaker. though verging
on middle age, was remarkably pretty
woman. Masses of lustrous brown hair
shaded her delicate features. while her
| figure, tall and slender. retained much
Of its girlIsh grace. 81 don't like his
looks. and shouldn't be surprised II he
didn't belong here at all. I'm sure his