Putnam patriot., 1912-08-16
NO 33

| ValC N ,tAtt bNAAtk ab FiOcNnt u4} t0 complete the circle of five generations. In spite of advanced years Mir. Baliord | is very we'll and active and he takes especial pleasurs in experimenting the work in his fine, large vegetable and flower gardens at his handsome home The Beeches.' Another clip ping from the same paper states that his daughter Elizabeth recently at 1 tended reunion of her class of Welles- ley college stopping on her way west to visit several of her college friends. If 'nations are gathered out of nurseries as Charles Kingsley has 1, said, we must certainly look to the same source for the material which is to perpetuate the Ballard history. Dur ing the year we have welcomed three little ones to our family.
 In shelton, Conn, Aug. 2S, a daugh- ter, Isabel Ramsey, to Mir. and Mrs. Calvin Ballard. In Dudley, Mass, Sept. To, son, Herbert Roger, to Mir. and Mrs. Her bert Alton.
 In Manuel, N. Y, June 20, son, Harold Frederic, to Rev. and Mrs. William Chase. l In Nov. Mrs. Martha Eddy amour eed the engagement of her daughter Elizabeth to Mir Allen V. Reynolds of Mt. Vernon, N \.
 Five times have we heard the peal of wedding bells within the last twelve 1 months:
 In East Woodstock, Conn, Sept. 18, Pearl NJ. Alton to Mr. Paul NJ. Clifford.
 In Worcester, Mass, Sept. 9, Alice Baflett to MT. Charles Converse. 1 In New Bedford, Mass, Dec. 30, Mrs. Edith Worcester Trefry to MT. Fred Eddy.
 In Oxford, June r, Efiie Maynard to MT. Robert Ballard.
 h., June 27, Mamie Donahue to MT. Carl Corey. Four of our number have left us to join that great multitude (which no man can numbeE
 In Rutland, Mass, Aug. IS, Mabel, aged IA years, daughter Of MT. and Mrs. Earl R. Willis. In Putnam, Conn.,, Jan. I5, William s. Converse, aged Il years, monthss l3 days.
 In Pomfret Landing, Conn.,, March 10, Albertus Bruce, aged 92 years. In North Gressenos4aie, Conn, March IT, Oscar Tourtellotte, aged 72 years, 6 months, 10 days.
 Although many of us did not know Mabel Willis intimately our hearts went out in sympathy to the bereaved parents in the loss of their only child. No words of ours can express the ! deep sorrow we all feel today because of Uncle Williams vacant place. Not one reunion in all these twenty-four years had he missed and flor many years he acted as our chairman. And Uncle Albertus' smiling face and kindly greetings are also sorely missed. He, too, had been present at all except one reunion since they were organized, notwithstanding his great age and feebleness. But '"no day Is SO long but has it's evening"
 Mir. Oscar Tourtellotte's genial dis position endeared him to all We can never forget his winning personality nor his long useful life. Among the many tributes paid to his memory was this statement made by one who knew h bst., ,,.tt af. Ia at the war after three years of service with heart and soul as pure as when he left" It is not our purpose to write the eulogies of these men but we may truly say that their lives were rich in those qualities that make for true manhood. They all outlived the three score years and ten and spent those years in active service for the betterment of the communities in which they lived and were earnest workers in their Masters vineyard. How can we better honor their mem ory than by emnlating their virtues. We are reminded of the lines that Uncle Albertus quoted at one of our reunions.
 "For ever near us though unseen,
 Their dear immortal spirits tread, For All the boundless universe is life.
 There Is no dead"
 As we return to our homes today let us go with the determination that so far as it lies within our power to make 1t so, the coming year shall be the best one of our lives.
 .Then give to the world the best you have
 And the best will come back to you. Give love, and love to your heart will flow,
 A strength in your utmost need; Have faith and score of hearts will show
 Their faith in your word and deed 7 CARRIE CLARK BALLARD, Historian.