The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-03-15
A Great Mans Gratitude
BY LEVERETT BENTLEY.


out the meaning OF chalk marks on
freight cars and gathering mislaid
coupling-pins and flangss to trade for
the transportation privileges Of the
caboose. He noted that the order
rush" on the placard with the con-
signee's name worked as well with
the trainmen as the rule Walk your
horses on this bridge" did with the
farmers of that section.
The thoughtful Theo also observed
that man who talked about shipping
q herd OF sheep over the line could
get a pass TO any point, while the
station-master, who lived over the
ticket office with his family and who
had six fingers and thumb left after
twenty years in the roads service.
was a stranger to the general pas
senger agent.
ITO this town owe the success OF
my career" truthfully and eloquent
~ declared the Hon. Theophilus
Rockwell at the Old Home Week
banquet al Valley Village. "and
mean to show that | appreciate the
full value of the debt by doing some
thing worthy of this glorious village,
which | am so proud to call my ma
tive place" Three cheers for Rock
WE'LL" yelled the basketball team,
the members Of which had been act
Ing as walters. This brought the
assembly to it's feet and the athletes
suggestion was adopted, the women
Of the Social Science Club executing
the picturesque Chautauqua salute
with their handkerchiefs.
The demonstration was so great
that tile Hon. Theophilus Rockwell
decided that he had reached climax
and that 20 continue would lessen the
impressiveness of what he further in
tended to say. So he sat down and
received the congratulations of the
POSTMASTER and the other guests who
sat near him at the head table.
At the conclusion of the after-din-
ner speeches there was a reception
in the upper hall, where the Hon.
Theophilus Rockwell stood at the
head Of a receiving line and met the
men and women of Valley Village.
The Methodist minister was first.
81 was pleased to hear you say you
thought of remembering your native
place, Mr.. Rockwell" he said, "and
tomorrow l shall take the liberty of
calling on you at the hotel to see if
l can interest you in giving us a
building for the Boys Club"
Il shall be glad to see YOU" the
Hon. T. r. replied, and the preacher
passed along.
You're just the man we're look
ing for" exclaimed DR.. knight, the
towns Oldest practitioner, who was
next presented. I'VE want a Cot
tage Hospital, and I'd like to come
around tomorrow and talk it over
with you"
Come ahead. doctor" the self-con-
fessed benefactor responded, and the
doctor moved up.
"Oh, Mr.. Rockwell" exclaimed the
fluttering librarian at the Valley Viii
lage branch Of Carnegie Publicity Bu-
reau, "please don't forget we need a
reference room and juvenile depart.
ment."
I'll see" the Hon. Theophilus
Rockwell smiled, and with that
bowed onward the angel Of the book.
worms.
| Chairman Scragsby of the select.
| men was fourth in the procession
but he did not delay it, pausing only
| to whisper. Want to see you private.
ly about a new town hall building"
| Next in line was the Superintendent
| Of Schools. Il ought to say" he ven
| tured, as he was introduced, 'tnat
the towns greatest need is a new
high school"
Professor Hornby, president of the
board OF cemetery trustees, came VI
on an usher's arm and stopped before
the principal guest to say that a me-
mortal chapel would I'LL long-fel
| want.
The Hon. Theopnilus Rockwell
gazed at the advancing scores ant
the onrush. The crowd halted anC
the chattering ceased.
Ladies' and gentlemen" the good
Mr.. Rockwell began. there seems t
be some Misunderstanding here.
may be my fault: If so, am sorry.
said at our dinner that | wished {,
do something worthy of this town
and / mean to-"
Enthusiastic hand-clapping forced
en- interruption at this point, but il
moment he continued:
II mean that the greatest and cry
ing need OF Valley Village shall b,
well and promptly met"
Cries OF Good, good!" were hearC
In all parts of the hall.
And with your permission anC
under my direction ground will sooI
be broken for a new, beautiful ant
an artistic railway station and freigh
depot. Puck.