The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1906-07-13

,oln he acquired profound knowledge
If words and their use and in later
years could and did arrange them in a
best fitted to impress, concili-
ate or convince his hearers. He never
any Of the school rules, which
we're none too strict. it being evident
to the rest of US that he was of seri-
Gus nature and bent on making the
most of his opportunities. He was q
handsome fellow, having large dark
eyes and comely, though at that in
mature time rather ungainly, figure.
remember. now as seated at desk
directly behind him, envied him his
beautiful, black, glossy curls that
flowed down over his neck and shout
ders. AS writer of "compositions"
on different subjects given out by the
teacher, he was original, concise and
strong logical and argumenta-
tive than literary in his style and
treatment. His papers were always
successful and elected we'll deserved
praise.
At intermission when the boys with
gleeful shouts bulged out of doors,
there came the sliding down hill on
shoes and sleds, or the more exciting
rough and tumble contests in the snow.
OF course Orville was in the scrimmage.
Many a tumble has he given me though
he has got quite as many in return. In
these snow bouts there was plentiful
exercise and much fun.
''Mirth that wrinkled care derides
And laughter holding both his Sides"
Baseball was even then an interest
ing game, but not SO exacting and in
tricate as now. Orville was good
runner and catcher, but when it came
to hitting ball he lunged at it with
terrific force. II he hit the sphere it
scared skyward. But quite as likely
he missed and his long arms and legs
were so anonymously mixed up that
the bystander had to look sharp that
he didn't get knocked out. At such
critical moments most Of US gave him
the benefit of a respectful distance. In
football (though youth verging on
manhood but not there yet) Orville was
towering, dominating figure. Some
times he could be tripped or out
generated but once under way with the
ball in advance, he followed it up with
the tempestuous force of an avalanche.
II lone foot missed the other was landed.
If both feet kicked wide then his arms
and hands came into play. Like
Briareus he seemed to have hundred
arms, like an octupus as many project
feelers.
1 remember, lin our last game, at
tempting to oppose his mad career.
He was rushing the ball furiously to
the goal. managed to get before him
to check his advance and divert the
ball from its direct course. No use.
Orville sped on with the momentum of
of locomotive. His last kick hit the
the ball squarely sending it over to
GerShom Fenn's fence while with the
same impact his knee caught me be-
tween the legs hurting me over ditch
in the same direction. was dazed for
few moments and was all the more
discounted when I heard the merry
laugh of group Of pretty girls in Gen
Brinsmade's yard who were looking on
and rather enjoying my sorry plight.
Nor is it humlliating for me to recall
another defeat at his hands, or rather
feet, when we had reached the stature
of full-fledged youth. 1 rather prided
myself on my jumping pranks. With
some satisfaction l set the mark of
IL feet for standing jump. None of
the other fellows could beat that or
even approach it until Orville came
into the fracas and after coolly looking
over the situation, hraced himself,
threw his long legs into the air and
landed IL feet from the point of depart
ure. 1 was astounded, and like the
famous frog of Calaveras when loaded
with buckshot, declined to make an
other effort. Orville was always fair
and square ifall our boy games and If
he accidently kicked, stepped on or
rolled over anybody he was as sorry as
his limping or disabled competitor
could be.
MEMORIZINa AND OTHER TRAITS.
don't think Orville ever forgot a
word or circumstance he wished to re-
member, or what pleasantly or other
wise left an impress on his mind. One
evening, when boys) we we're at the
Brinsmade house for call. The ladies |
sang and played the piano. Itwiddled |
the guitar little then, as a beginner
and on request sang foolish little |
song that l have never thought of |
since. Judge my surprise when in
Senator Platt's rooms at the Arlington
the year before he died, he requested
NE to repeat the song 1 once rendered
IN his presence more than so years
previous. When said l had forgotten
The song and words referred to, he
began:
"Oh, Toms youth of talents rare,
You really ought to know him:
But be bushes so when people stare,
He seldom let's me show him."
and repeated the entire lot of verses