Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-07-13
Tho North Paris School Reunion.

Tho North Paris School Reunion.
A LARGE NUMBER GATHER TO ENJOY
ALL FEATURES OF THE DAY.
| The first annual reunion of the teach
ers and scholars OF the North Paris
school.
That's what It Is termed. And con-
sidering the success that was made of It
in every respect, there is certainly no
reason why 1t should not be spoken with
that "stress of voice" on the word first
which We learn is indicated by the use
of italics.
| A happy conception it was, the thought
OF this reunion, and its working ont
resulted in one of the most homelike,
social affairs that has been held in our
home-loving New England.
| To all former teachers and pupils. the
Invitations ran, and this, being interpret
ed, was understood to include all who
had ever ridden by the school house.
Wednesday, July Z, was the day set.
A kindly eye the weather clerk had for
the affair. Cool for the season, and com.
Portable, the gentle breeze and the sky
fiecked with beautiful clouds were 10
themselves enough to call upon everyone
who loves the outdoors. To be sure, a
few stray drops fell once or twice, and
dash Of shower cut the exercises little
short, but that was mere dust-laying
incident, and didn't interfere seriously
with the social part of the affair.
From far and near they came, some
from distance of three hundred miles,
and when the exercises of the day began,
not less than three hundred people,
| mainly old teachers and scholars, were
| assembled at the 'little red school
house"-which is now painted white.
There was no formal programme in
the forenoon, though there was music
by the Mackietonquor Band of North
Norway, which played throughout the
day. The hour preceding dinner was
given up to the meeting and greeting of
old friends. Many exchanged greetings
who had not met before in years, and
this, as in all such affairs, was one of the
best parts of the days programme.
Dinner was basket picnic" eaten
in groups in the shade about the school
house. Coffee, made at the house of Fl.
w. Durham, nearly opposite the school
house, was provided and served by the
members of the local committee.
After dinner the old teachers and
pupils we're massed south of the school
house, with the teachers in front, and
several photographs were taken by
Merrill of Norway.
The band played several selections, and
II. r. Durham of Waterville then asked
the people to gather on the seats which
had been arranged in the school house
yard and the adjoining field, and called
upon W. w. Andrews OF Portland to pre-
side.
Prayer was offered bv Rev. Seth Ben
son, veteran teacher in this and other
schools.
Chairman Andrews spoke briefly of
the success which this first reunion was
proving, and called upon G. L. Durham
of Brattleboro, Vt, to extend welcome
| to the guests.
Mr.. Durham said in opening that he
was glad the invitations read to the little
red school house, even though it had
changed its color, and modern furniture
had been substituted for the old.fashion-
ed desks. He spoke informally for
few minutes, devoting himself mainly to
"reminiscences, intimate and personal, of
the days when he attended school there
A selection was sung by a male quar-
tette, made up of Messrs. r. N. Stetson,
Will Durham of Lynn, Mass, C. Everett
Chase, and Fred A. Durham.
A letter of regret and good wishes for
hn frnr nd
Dow of Rochester, N. H., was read by
the chairman.
DR.. Z. II. Andrews of Brunswick ex-
pressed his pleasure at being present at
the occasion, and INDUCED in remi-
niscences of his school days here. While
| regarding all the teachers as good, he
spoke of Clara G. Bryant and II. II.
Bryant as being particularly effective.
Recollections of riding on Squire Ben
sons famous goat, sliding down the hill,
the "last days." and other never-to-be-
forgotten things, occupied the rest of his
| time.
James B. Packard of Monmouth, one
of the active promoters of the reunion,
spoke in praise of the common school as
| the groundwork of our educational
| system, and of the impress upon the
national life made by the pioneers of New
England.
1t was announced that A. j. Abbott
had prepared history of the school dis
trict. In doing this Mr.. Abbott search
ed all available records, and made his
history statistically as complete as pos
sible. On account of the length of the
paper, it was not read at the exercises,
but it's valuable facts will be preserved
by publication of it at a little later date.
The Oldest scholar present was called
upon in the person of Abner Bryant.
Mr.. Bryant, a resident of North Paris
and SO years of age, is still straight and
sturdy, in good vigor and with faculties
unimpaired. He spoke briefly of the
early settlers as be recalled them.
From the oldest scholar present the
| call went to the oldest teacher present,
Silas p. Maxim of South Paris, so years
of age. who taught this school in the
winter of 1859. Mr.. Maxim spoke of
the generation then living, almost every
one of whom have now passed away, and
related a number of incidents of that
time.
The next to be heard from was the
oldest pupil living. This is Cyprian
Benson, formerly of North Paris, who
now makes his home at G. n. Felt's in
Woodstock. He is 81 years of age, and
though in general good condition, did
not feel able to attend the reunion. A
letter written by him was read, 10 which
he recalled the days of his boyhood, and
contrasted the conditions of life with
those enjoyed by the people of the pres
eut generation. This letter was as fol-
lows:
A few lines from the oldest scholar,
Cyprian Benson.
BRYANT's POND, MAINE, July ), 1909.
Kind friends and neighbors:
Dear ones all,-After receiving your
card to come to the reunion of scholars
and teachers at North Paris, the old
bone where was born and first went to
school, with brothers and sisters and
neighbors, and where have always re-
sided until late or short time ago; /
would be pleased to be with you all to.
day, but fear my bodily health will not
permit, for boy like me must be very
careful how they expose themselves.
My thoughts will be with you on that
day, though absent in person. 1 thank
you all for. the kind invitation, for It is
sweet to be remembered, sad to forget.
Il a III N, T ooo oil tho post hoU manu- havo