The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-11-20
CHILDHOOD DAYS IN ST.
JOHNSBURY. VERMONT
(By Mary A. Randi

that was a source of interest to. me
fpr | lived in a world of fancy anC
end all | read | pictured in my
mind and transferred to the scene
and the people | saw and knew
There was small lake, or pono
rather, and | think an artificial.
one, on the Governors grounds
where the young people of the
family with their friends, often en-
.joyed boat ride. Seeing them and
hearing their gay laughter and
.sil ging gave me the feeling that il
must be like sailing in the Condo
las in Venice.
These young ladies were my
! heroines, Miss Fanny Clapp was
also one Of my admirations.
do not know that | ever spoke to
her for was she not the ministers
daughter? | was not at all surpris-
ed when learned of the girls my
blC Their and Mr.. Stone were to
marry. / remember that George
took me into the garden to tell me
the news. We stood by the tomato
plants that | detested for then
odor, but as tomatoes were then
called Glove apples | thought, in
my romantic little-girl heart, how
appropriate.
The Governors daughters form
eli q ewing class for girls who met
regularly at THEN house. While
the girls sewed on work prepared
f0l them, one of the ladies read a
Story to US. We sewed patchwork
and made things for the mission
any boz, and had a sense of being
q part Of great and good enter
pr;scs.
The kindness, refinement and
goodness Of these young ladies
made a deep impression upon US.
We had a special pride in Mr..
lhaddeuS Fairbanks, who was the
inventor of the wonderful Fair
banks scalel The Governor was a
+ heroic figure, representing the gov
eminent of these United States and
with the added interest of being
or Governor.
Mr.. c. NJ. Stone, 1--WE called him
MarshalD was a member of our
family before his marriage, and he
GuJ my brother, George d. Rand
were wonderful beings in my eyes,
fen were they not editors and pub
laters of the CaledOnian? Any
thnG in the paper felt was Bible
truth. The faith and confidence
of child is not a small tribute to
any one, and | confess to a feeling
of loyalty still for the Caledonion.
And St. Johnsbury Academy! 1t
occupied the place in my thought
o. the most famous university of
learning.
Mr.. Colby, the teacher, was not
a mere man. He was the embodi-
nlent of all learning. A little plate
! have with the picture of the
Academy upon it, still brings these
feelings back to me.
Ii is not the fine buildings, or
the appliances and equipment of
the school that makes it lifting
power in the community, but the
ability, devotion and character of
the teacher that leaves its impress
upon the mind of the student.
An incident in my brothers
school-life comes to mind. He
early showed a gift for writing,
and when a prize was offered for
the best essay on a subject quite
above the ordinary youthful stu
don't, he competed, and his paper
was adjudged the best. When it |
was known that a lad Of fifteen
had written it, the judges thought |
it could not be his work. Hearing |
of the criticism George wrote let
ter in defense, telling how he had
written it and this letter won the
prize, for it was evident that any
ono who could write such a letter
could write the essay.
Another incident will show
something Of his character, when
youth. His great desire was al
ways to become an architect, but
there were reasons which prevent
el his leaving home for study. He
awaited himself of every means
within his reach to acquire the
he wanted One day in
Montpelier, he found in a book
Store, a copy of Downing's "Coun-
try Homes, and spent a long time
looking at it. He very much want
I'd the book, but on learning that
.be price was six dollars, he turned
way saying that he had only four
dollars in all. He was told to take
lie book at that price, and re-
olcing in his prize tludged all the
way home on foot. "That book
Ne used to say, made me an archi-
oct" Later he studied for time
n New York City, and after
'ome years of >self-training, gave
~ newspaper work to open an
office as an architect in Hartford,
'0rn. In g. short time. recognizing
he larger opportunity, he cstab-
il he'd himself in Boston.
His work was marked by great
wu.tic ~5ili'y and he became
.nCWn az one Of the best architects
Il New England. Many fine eX-
nples q his work are seen in
.>l iuus, hotels, public libraries
.d in fine and beautiful homes, in
Gliding which he especially excel
r.
His work was marked by great
Itl-tic ability and he became
.noWU a. one of the best architects
"a New England. Many fine eX-
NIPPLES Of his work are seen in