The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-25
FORMER DAYS IN BENNINGTON
George 3. Sears Writes Entertaining
" Of Boyhood Scenes.

Oue lOIlHeI- iooulIlS tOHldl, WIG
has been accustomed to pass his va
cations for many years mid the
scenes of his boyhood is George b.
Sears OF New York. While in Ben
ming he has occasionally written of
his Impressions for the Banner
These communications have always
revealed the soul of man who has
passed middle life but who is able to
look back over the long road and ex-
press his recollections of former days
IN pleasing reminiscent vein. The
following letter written by Mr.. Sears
since the completion of his annual
visit will be read with interest by
many of the older residents:
White Plains, N. Y,
July %, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Patterson
226 Union St.,
Bennington, Vermont.
Dear Friends:
We have once more, left behind us,
the scenes of our childhood, and the
dear old friends of long ago. AS we
rounded the corner where once stood
the late George Benton's paper mill
gentleman once the owner and man.
ager of u thriving industry We re-
member this dark blue prince albert
suit, and silk hat always neat and
spotlessly clean. But above this, we
remember his universal courtesy to
children. The writer of this article
was, upon many occasions, the recipi
ent of his never TO be forgotten kind
and CHEEKY greeting, whenever We
visited his paper mill, then running
to its full capacity turning out writ
ing paper that has carried many a
loving epistle to dear ones, long
since gone to their reward.
AS we passed the pond manned af-
ter this friend. whom we feel sure is
now at rest in heaven), we call 10
mind the grand times. we enjoyed
skating at night upon the CLASSY sur
face with other boys and girls, most
of whom have passed to that shore,
where they wait TO give those whose
journey here will soon be ended, a
royal welcome to the eternal peace
reserved for those who have fought
the good fight, and won the victory.
Old Mt Anthony looms up grand
and immoyable on our right.
Thoughts of the long ago bring the.
tears to our eyes as we pass down
the valley beautiful, and through the
matchless scenery in Pownal. 70
our minds God never made more
beautiful spot ON this green earth,
and this is the universal YER
diet of many who have Travelled far
nd do In 10 at ha iun
With an elder brother, we have
visited the scenes of our birth and
childhood We have stood on the
spot where once was located the fav-
orite egg-plum and pear trees. We
called to mind the Virginia creeper
grape vine, whose lucious fruit reach
ed to the very top OF the old pound
royal apple tree.
We stood before the poplar the
horsechestnut trees. planted many
years ago by the writer. and his two
brothers. one of whom has gone 10
his reward in heaven.
We looked down and over the Wal
loomsac valley made historic by the
grand men and women of II, whose
characters were mounded amid these
grandeur. No wonder they were
grand men and women, for with
David OF old they could say u will lift
up mine eyes unto the hills from
whence cometh my help" We. their
descendants, are today enjoying the
fruits of their unselfish devotion to
duty amid obstacles that would now
seem to us unsurmountable. We can
never be grateful enough that their
blood flows in cur veins enabling us
in some small degree to emulate
their grand characteristics.
We have clasped hands with the
dear old friends whose warm and low.
ing hearts still beat true and stead
fast after the lapse of over half
century. AS one after another pass
on and over, we know that 1t will not
be long ere the broken threads will
be reunited, never again to be sew
cred
We We're royalty entertained by our
old friends Mr.. and Mrs E. b. Patter-
son. at their hospitable home. With a
party OF friends we were taken to
their cabin beside the Bickford,
whose song seems sweeter as the
years roll by. We ate our evening
meal on the piazza in sight of the
grand old mountains, and inhaling
the matchless odor of the fern, balsm
and pine. We have listened in won
der and admiration to the Star
Spangled Banner sung by Mr.. Patter-
son in his very best form. Our menu
consisted of boiled ham, fried pota-
toes, bread and butter. tea, red rasp-
berries, olives, huckleberry pie, frost
ed cake, string beans and anecdotes.
After the table was cleared and
dishes washed, and everything put to
rights, we sat in our asy-chars, and
enjoyed the beautiful setting of noun
tain evergreens and ferns. Soon the
shadows began to fall. We gathered
up our empty hampers, and with part
ing stabs from the mo see ems, and
u last look at 1T Suits U.s. wended
our way down the fern boardered
path to our automobile. The reluct-
ance of our machine to leave these
beautiful surroundings caused few
moments delay. After a little kindly
persuation, the large winkless eyes
were pointed down the mountain. We
were greeted on all sides by the
songs of the robins and orioles, ac,
companied by a pressing invitation to
come again.
We know the size and depth of
every depression between Woodford
and Bennington. Some one said, i'll