Putnam patriot., 1910-09-23

cred at its edge. and filling the cup as ii il had been sacramental wine.
 Near my fathers birthplace lived a family of the same name as those who dwelt there in his boyhood. descendants Ill the third or fourth generation from his old neiehbors remember among his papers some notes of singular malady with which some of them were afflicted. of which Il IS probable that traditions may remain in the family to this day l enjoyed brief conversation with the church dignitary which 1 found living on the old estate, and turned my enquiries to the village of Muddy-brook. in another part of the town of Wood stock
 Here l found an ancient citizen, bear ing one of the weil-known local names, sitting in the sunshine and engaged in the pleasing, useful, though not very lucrative office of removing the mortar from bricks which had formed part of some building. He confirmed the state ments of my other informants. but his memory. or his power of expression was at fault. He was conscious of his de- heiencies "I am not very fiippant" he said, upon hearing which statement smiled and left him 10 his architectural labors
 Revisiting the hill where the church and the battle-ground are situated, 1 met near his own door another old gentle man to whom introduced myself. and who informed me that he was a physi- clan. Daniel Lyman by name, eighty two years of age, son of the late ven erable Eliphalet Lyman. the minister of Woodstock in my fathers and my fathers fathers time. l shall never for get the kindly greeting l received from him and his daughter when they learned my name and errand. He asked me into his house and informed me of many in teresting details relating 10 my fathers family One incident which he men toned is not out of place here
 My fathers oldest brother Gen. David Holmes. was. he said man of forcible character, who. as he thought, would have distinguished himself II he had lived ia tunes like these We have been passing through N hen the steeple of the old Academy building was in the process of being raised. there was a dangerous hitch somewhere. as you may remember there was-to compare small things with great-when the obelisk was erected in front of St Peters. al Rome. In thls emergency, the daring and adroitness of David Holmes came into play, and the village engineers looked on with admiration while he by his skill and strength saved the rising structure from disaster.
 Many other interesting things good old Dr Lyman told me. and ended by telling me that he had several books which were once the property of my grandfather. Dr. David Holmes. So saying, he went up stairs and brought down and presented to me a copy of Swans Sydenhan an excellent edition of an admirable book. in which my grandfather had written his name. be- meath which 1 considered myself most fortunate and happy in being ahle to write my own. with an inscription. re- lstlng the memorable accidental circurn- stances winch brought 1t into my pos session
 l cannot say of myself what my old friend the cleaner of bricks, at Muddy Brook. said. no douht in modest sin ~ht ttasC al RFCil garrulous, If not 'fiippant.s You, my friends. were innocentiy betrayed into all this long suffering had something which. like the Ancient Mariner. must tell. even if stopped the wedding guest 10 make him listen. You asked me for trifie, you thought you were touching q match to the string of firecracker you have found out TOW that you were firing train that led to a magazine of "reminiscences all ready for explosion. Forgive me. Remember my uncle Da- ssd's services in raising the sseeple of the first Academy. and if have trifled with your patience, deal gently with the grandson of Moodstock. who sends ,o- day his warmest. wishes fer the welfare cf its teachers and its scholars, for the pr0scerity of all shzf dwell within the precincts of town ever dear to him as the birthplace os a father whom he loved and hoaored.
 OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
 Nahsnt. Aug. f.th. is73 |