The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-31
BACK TO OLD
SCHOOL DAYS
Reunion Of PaWtuxat Pupils From
Eight TO Eighty.
MANY OLD TEACHERS THERE
Bannsr Event Of Fourth Day Of Old Home
Week a Big Success Hundreds
Present Last Night
MANY OLD TEACHERS THERE


them were gathered together last night
and fraternlsed on the old sociable foot
ing OF common school days in Pawtuxet
Fathers OF families and mothers of other
families perched up on school desks and
recalled days when they used to pass
notes and whisper. and with bent pin and
water bottle create miniature hubbubs
that only the ferrule or the strap would
cure. The grandfathers were in the same
class, too. only the pranks they recalled
were wilder and wierder than any dreamed
OF by the more modern youngsters. TO
whom spit balls" not the baseball kind,
and whispering are the chief failngs.
From the SOUTH from all over New Eng
land, from New York state. and almost
from the entire stretch OF the continent
as far west as Colorado. came the former
pupils in person or sent letters. The re-
union OF the Pawtuxet schools was a sue
cess without doubt, and fully a dozen
old teachers held little receptions for their
old pupils in corners OF the buildings
where the meetings were held.
From 10 a reception was held In the
engine house, formerly the old district
schoolhouse OF one story, but now
elevated TO the second story OF the fire
station owned by the Volunteer Fire com
pany. No. /. and these gray-haired and
bearded men met former teachers and
talked with the girls they used 10 sit be-
side in school days
TEACHERS AND PUPILS, TOO.
Mrs. Thomas II. Rhodes. a former
teacher on the Cranston side OF the VIII
lage In the latter sos: Mrs. Frank l.. Shell
don. a former teacher on the Warwick
side; Miss Mary T. Sheldon, a Cranston
scholar. and Mrs. Sally Smith, as War
wick scholar. received. The ushers were
Arthur A. Rhodes and Howard l. Lee for
the Cranston school and Or. Frank III.
Fearney and Frank w. Rhodes for the
Warwick school Pawtuxet. many
know. is divided by the Pawtuxet river.
one bank being in Cranston and the other
In warwick. and in the counties OF Provi-
dence and Kent, respectively.
This reception was under the direction
OF Miss Huldah D. Sheldon, and tea and
light refreshments were served under d.
rection OF a committee composed OF Miss
Bertha Bloomer. Miss Jessie Shurtler and
Miss Blanche Johnson. assisted by other
young women OF both sides OF the bridge.
At quarter OF eight Daniel Williams
rung the first bell and at 1855 Israel A.
Smith. who used to attend the Pawtuxet
academy, where whalings and even tric-
ing up were modes OF punishment. rang
the last bell with all the enthusiasm OF
former days.
This bell did not call the pupils 10 the
old building. but 10 the new Commercial
street school whore very soon after the
doors were opened and the standing room
was filled up. too.
TOWN CRIER THERE
On the platform were seated Gen. Elisha
Rhodes, Or. Frank Fearney, William NJ.
Lee OF Pawtuxet. school committeeman
for the district; Superintendent Valentine
Almy OF the Cranston schools, Chairman
w. r. Dutemple Of the Cranston school
committee f. B. Durfee Of that commit
tee. George II. Sheldon, for many years
trustee Of school district No. 1. OF War
wick. the district on the Warwick side
Of the Pawtuxet Secretary Luther ID.
Burlingame OF the general committee and
President w. f. Longfellow, who was
chairman OF the committee which ar
ranged the reunion.
The latter called the meeting to order
about $50 and after piano medley OF old
songs played by Walter II Angel there
was an interesting diversion In the shape
OF Town Crier Bert G. Barstow, who en-
tered ringing a handbell vigorously and
carrying a perforated tin candle Ian
paisn.
He wore white stockings, cord knicker-
bockers, a long grey coat slashed with
gold lace a velvet waistcoat with ruffies
and a black velvet three -cornered hat.
The bell he carried was a relic OF the
wrecked Eagle Wing, burned OFF Pawtuxet
many years ago. He announced as fol-
lows:
Hear We, hear ye hear we all--all
young children under the age OF 81 who
shall be found on the high road after
the hour Of shall be put in the town
pound and pounded-hear ye. hear ye.
hear We all and be warned accordin',"
and then he went out unsmilingly and
uncompromisingly ringing the bill. He
will appear later in his official capacity.
Committeeman William Lee warmly
greeted teachers, pupils and friends and
spoke OF his early days at school, and
then Miss Blanche s. Johnson sang and
Dr. Frank II. Fearney spoke OF War
wick School Days"
BOYS OF THE FTFTIEs.
Thon several selections were played by
an old school orchestra Of banjos, guitars.
mandolin and piano played by Walter
II. Angel. James a. Mantley. Rufus n.
Morse Thomas Morse and Harold Cory.
Gen. Elisha Rhodes OF the board Of tax
OF the Fffties." giving "reminiscences Of
the old days I'm the academy" where
Police officer Ben Allen now lives. in an
old building the floor Of which was
patched with sugar box boards.
Miss Harriette ~. Bowen read In
School Days" Miss Edith Smith whistled
and then everyone sang Aud Lang
Syne." after School Committeeman Du-
temple had spoken Of memories and the
enthusiasm which this meeting had awak-
ened in his breast.
A chance for registration was given In
the lower rooms and an informal recep-
tion was held in the lower rooms. the
shower outside being a good factor TO
prevent too much thought Of the lateness
OF the hour
Mr.. and Mrs W G. Burlingame and
y W. Wing. former teachers in the
warwick school, were among those pres
ent. with Mrs. Gray. one OF the best liked
Of the teachers in the one-storv schooi