Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-04-08
The STILES EXCURSION.
Visit Of Bethel High School Seniors
and Others TO Washington, .. c.

and Others TO Washington, o. c.
One hundred and two tourists from
Vermont started Friday, March rs. on 4
trip to Washington, ID. c., under the rer-
sonal guidance of Don G. Stiles of ST.
Johnsbury, whose fostering care Just
barely fell short of toting the crowd
around in perambulators. The party fol-
lowed the conductor with the unanimity
OF fiock OF sheep and rushed through
strange cities tight to his heels whenever
cnange OF cars had to be made. Before
and after every move a census was taken.
put not lamb ever lost sight OF the lead
er long enough to wink with both eyes at
once or ventrred to stray foot away into
any roaring wilderness of brick and NOR
TAR Street cars had to stop when the
pand started to cross the tracks; for il
was determined not to be separated even
oy incompatibility OF temper, and seemed
to have adopted for a motto-United
we're safe; divided we're lost.
rorty OF the number were the senior
class Of Whitcomb high school, Bethel,
escorted by Prin. and Mrs. James Walker
and accompanied by people from Bethel,
Pittsfeld and Randolph. Mr.. Walker
had special charge Of this detachment
who owe to him in great measure the
pleasure derived from the excursion.
Ihirty-three of the Springfield high
school, with ohaperons, we're most care
fully and devotedly conducted by Prin.
John Stetson, who never relaxed his vigil
lance q moment unless be knew his
charges we're all safely sound asleep. He
counted them every 10 minutes and kept
the stragglers in line without the aid of g
collie or a crook, which would have been
suitable adjuncts to such faithful shep.
herd as he proved. The rest Of the 102
were from st. Adams and Stowe, with q
few scattering ones from other towns.
The party stopped at Springfield,
Mass, for supper at the Russell House,
which presented them with souvenir
post cards, and the journey was then
continued to New York. As the flock
trooped into the Grand Central station on
reaching the metropolis it attracted az
much attention as a company OF Esqui-
maux in native costume. The blase New
Workers lifted their heavy eyelids and
surged around the party, read the tags on
the bags with the most open curiosity,
looked the crowd over individually as
though they had happily come across a
new edition of Mrs. Jarley's waxworks
and finally asked one or two where in the
world they we're all from. "From Yer.
MONT" was the answer, to which tbs
1 questioners vouchsafed the enigmatical
comment, "Might have known"
4 Crossing the Hudson on a ferry boat tc
Jersey City, the electrical effects of the
brightly lighted shores, the boats in the
I river, and the steamship lines were seer
I to advantage and afforded what could al
most be mistaken for a glimpse Of fairy.
/ land.
At Jersey City, came rush for tht
sleeping cars, falsely so-called; for no
body slept or dreamed Of doing so. The
berths had all been made up and wher
4 the 102 bad packed themselves into the
narrow aisles Of a couple of sleepers, with
suit cases and umbrellas, it was impossi
1 BILE to remove so much as a batpin with
out straining the framework of the
coaches and the party. Most of the
young people had had no previous expert
ence in sleeping cars and were by nc
means inclined to take them seriously
| With shrieks of merriment they climbed
into the upper berths without aid of por
tiers or ladders and, once there, wer,
equally helpless from laughter snC
cramped positions. There were sounds
of frantic strugglings and writings; ur
( gent appeals to pull this sleeve and that
curtains bulged frightfully; hairpins AnC