St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-06-23

tive flag drill by twelve girls, trained by
Marguerite Robinson. AS the curtain
descended, the girls were grouped before
the great flag, singing the "Star
Spangled Banner" and forming a
graceful and beautiful picture. The
success of the entertainment is largely
due to the faithful training and efficient
discipline of our corps of teachers, who
are doing good work and deserve the
appreciation of all.
Institute Commencement.
Friday, June IS, was Commencement
day at Lyndon Institute. The gradual
ing exercises were held as usual in Music
Hall, which was decorated with flow
ers and plants. The hall was fairly we'll
filled, though the innovation in the pro-
gram prevented the general interest and
the large crowds which usually assemble
to hear the children speak on this, their
great day. The program was carried
out as follows: Music by Aubin's orches-
ira; prayer by Rev. J. w. Rurgin; solo,
"The silent world is sleeping" Mrs. H.
M. Smith; address, by Rev. c. M. Mel
den, Phi. D., pastor of the Methodist
church at Newton Center, Mass. Mr..
Melden is a fine, polished and easy
speaker. His sentences were crisp and
keenly cut, and his words full of practical
wisdom and good sense. His subject
was True success, and its essentials"
1t was a most valuable talk and one
which was closely followed by the audi
ence. After the address Mrs. Goodwin
and Mrs. McVicar rendered beautiful
duet, "Cheerfulness." Mr.. Goodwin
presented the diplomas with a few ap-
pirate words, announced the honor stu
dents, and the benediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. ]. W. Burgin.
We understand that the custom of
substituting an address by an outside
speaker for the customary essays and
orations by the graduating class, is OBJ
tanning ground in many places, but that
the innovation is not pleasing to the
people here, is easily shown by the
diminished attendance and lack of inter-
est. The honor list for the year is as
follows: Senior class. valedictory, Paul
Cheney; salutatory, Martha Sias; Rose
mclaughlin receives honorable men
ton. The highest honors in the school
for the year go to Rodney Gray with an
average of 952s.
Alumni Banquet and Reunion.
About rs were present at the Dist an
nual banquet and reunion of the alumni
which took place at one O'Clock Friday
afternoon in the vestry of the Congrega.
tional church. The ladies of this society
served an excellent banquet which was
greatly enjoyed by all. At its conclusion
very interesting post-prandial exercises
served to revive old memories and estab-
lish old bonds of friendship. M. Arthur
| Simpson, '05, was the POSTMASTER.
First on the program was duet by
Alice Campbell and Ruth Butler Greet
ing to 90 was given wittily by George
Steele, '08. and the response by Paul
Cheney. Ruez Rice of IA gave most in
teresting "reminiscences of his distant
school days. Next was vocal solo by
Roy Gage, '03. The poem of the occa-
sion was written and read by Mrs.
Grace (Finney) White. 1t was a fine
production rejecting great credit upon
the author. Martin E. Daniels spoke
most interestingly upon "The Alumni
Ideal for the Institute" "Champlain"
was Rev. ]. K. Fuller's subject. I'M
promptu speeches were made by Rev. ].
w. Burgin, Rev. l. w. MacLaughlin and
Principal c. L. Goodwin. The exercises
closed with the Lyndon Institute chorus
sung with great spirit by all assembled,
and all adjourned feeling that the occa-
| sion was great success.
Eighty-Nine Years Young.
The seth birthday of Mrs. Betsy
Stearns Randall was observed at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Ida F.
Robinson, yesterday. Children, grand
children and great grandchildren were
present to pay homage to one of Lyn,
donviles most popular women. -Four
generations were represented, by Mrs
Randall, aged 80, Mrs. Robinson, AZ
Arthur Robinson, 81, and his only child
two-year-old Doris Robinson. Another
daughter, Mrs. Georgianna Wallace
was also present with her daughter
Mrs. Bessie Brown, and grandson
Wallace Brown. Mrs Randall was
born in St. Johnsbury, June %, 1920
the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Clark
Stearns, and on April II, 1889, married
James H. Randall at that place. After
their marriage they lived for 20 years at
Danville. From that place they came to
Lyndon Center, where for nine years
Mr.. Randall conducted a blacksmith
shop. Forty-one years ago they came to
this place and built the third house in
the village, now known as the Dennison
house on Main street They moved into
the house with neither doors nor win
dows and for some time their neighbors
kindly stored their valuables. The house
still stands. Mr.. Randall died 10 years
ago. Oil children born to them six
are now living. They are Loren Randall
of Wheelock, Sias Randall of Farnham,
P.O.. Mrs Georgianna Wallace, George
Randall and Mrs. Ida F. Robinson of
this place, and Mrs. Carrie B. Gordon OF
Springfield, Mass. All of them are
married, and all except George have
children and grandchildren, making in
all six children, 15 grandchildren, and
10 great grandchildren. Notwithstand-
ing her advanced age, Mrs: Randall is
active, entertaining, and above all IN
dustrious. She has never worn glasses,
has remarkably retentive memory, ana
though she has children whose hair is
qrav. her own still retains its youthful
! lustre. She is considered an expert
needle woman, and it is no unusual thing
to find her either reading or plying the
needle long after the rest OF the mouse
hold have retired. Nor has her work in
this line been in vain. for fancy articles
from her hands have brought and are
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