CLASS OF 1917
There are many who labor under the illusion that this is the funny column of the MAGAZINE, and stout as we may be in the denial of that fact, the first item of news this month won't do much to help the situation.
The Secretary needed a rest, so he went to Hanover for the week-end of Washington's birthday,---- (indicating a wait for the laughs),-- and the rest did him a world of good. You know, it's out of the question to stay in that town for more than half an hour without feeling more pleased with the world. In fact, taking the train at the North Station starts the blood to a quicker pulse. It is impossible to take the space for a complete report, and for that reason we will steal the thunder of Ward Morehouse of the New York Tribune and report the "Passing Show" as follows: "Things that caught our eye" Jack Bowler '16, fat as a butter-ball, headed back to Hanover after the hockey game with Harvard A member of the hockey team reading a book by Anatole France on the train (George Currier please note!)-- Smoke coming out of a cavity which had been Allen's drug store-- Ed Bridge playing sergeant-at-arms at the door of the Inn dining room-- Ladies smoking in the dining room of the Inn (shades of Mother Hubbard!)-- Jim Campion's new store with Jim's same old smile-- Our old friend, Buster Brown, selling sandwiches at the fraternity houses-- And last, but far from least, the missing sleeper which used to lie over in the June so that one might go to bed at ten- thirty and wake up (?) in Boston.
Rudie Miller had preceded the Secretary to Hanover, but they had all recovered from his oratorical outburst at Thayer School, which happened on the 11th.
Say, you birds, it's fast becoming a very serious situation for men like your Secretary and his associates in the famous old "Last Line of Defense." Please stand informed of the fact that we suffered three serious casualties during the past month. Each one was a seasoned veteran and men we could ill afford to lose. First off, there's Red Blackmur, who has announced his engagement to Louise Adams of Boston. Then, there's another ex-'17er, Skinney How by name, who forsakes us to marry Miss Janet Crawford of Westport, Conn. Last, and what might be considered as toughest to bear, is the announcement from Winslow, Ill., that Miss Marianne Karlen of that city is engaged to Payson Tucker Barber of Boston. Look that over, men, and rally round that we may hold fast against further capitulations. Remember the words of one of our own number, "Don't fall till you're sure that they can support you in the style that you've always enjoyed."
Errata !! Omission !! Curse !! We thought that we had announced another casualty in our March notes, but now that our little story above has been finished we find that it doesn't include our old friend, Emdon Fritz. Now, wouldn't that get your goat, too? The New York Times of February 1 carried the news that Mr. Emdon Fritz, Jr., of Manchester, N. H., had married Miss Irma Mainier on the previous day in New York city. Reluctantly, we wish them all the best of luck, and we promise not to present ourselves to these happy people unless we can control our feelings.
Don Aldrich has been in Boston for the last week conducting Lenten services at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. We didn't have a chance to say more than "Hello and goodby," but we can report that the church was full, that Hal Walker and Rog Stone were also there to hear him, that we know of, and that Don continues to be a very successful young clergyman.
Saw the Harvard-Dartmouth hockey game with Win Scudder, and it was a tough game to lose. Win nearly wore the floor out trying to edge the puck into the net, but it was futile. It was Harvard's game.
On a card dated February 26 Mr. and Mrs. Elliot B. Mudgett announce the birth of Doris Jean.
Sherm Smith has quit "gramming" for Reo, and has gone with the H. B. Humphrey Company in Boston. It's still advertising work, and maybe it's still "gramming," but anyhow it's all at a different address and under a new name, so there you are. Best of luck, Sherm.
We paid a visit to Haverhill, Mass., the other day, and while there called Doc Richardson and George Clark on the phone. Doc was out, but George was very much on the job. Had a chat about things in general, but that was all. (Oh, yes. The, Secretary travels a great deal!)
Which reminds us,—what good '17er will join the golf cruise to England on the 9th of May? Please, address replies to the Secretary.
The Nashua Telegram ran the following item with bold type and scare heads on the front page of their issue for February 2, and that's no joke:
"H. D. Stillman of Oakland [that's Hunk, of course—Sec.], manager of the San Francisco office of the Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company, will assume the office of manager of sales service for that company in this city, succeeding the late David S. Cutler. Mr. Stillman will arrive in Nashua with his family, February 22, and reside at 68 Concord St.
"Mr. Stillman was hired at 4 A.M. this morning [the redundancy is theirs, not ours— Sec.] Eastern Standard time, by telephone, by President Winthrop L. Carter of the company, in the first transcontinental conversation which Mr. Carter has ever participated in, and which proved, he told directors of the Second National Bank this morning, eminently satisfactory. They asked the cost, and he said charges were $4.30.
"Deciding that Mr. Stillman was the man wanted to assume the responsible office [that's a good one, Hunk. R. S.] Mr. Carter waited until night phone rates were effective here, then put in his call. He went to bed. At the tail end of the evening in Oakland, Mr. Stillman got the phone call at his home there.
"'Our conversation was as easy,' said Mr. Carter today, 'as I am talking to you in this room. I made the offer, it was attractive to Mr. Stillman, and he accepted. Other arrangements were completed quickly.'"
All we want to know, Hunk, is why the salary is not stated, and also why no reference is made to that glorious class of 1917 at Dartmouth College. Please check them up on that. Thank you!
It is with a great deal of regret that we announce our own shortcomings in connection with an item which appeared as far back as September, 1924. Day before yesterday, March 5, word was received from the college that on September 1, 1924, Paul Richard Foote had died in Providence, R. I. He was stricken with infantile paralysis, and fought his losing battle for only a few days. Our last world from Paul was dated January 15, 1923, and it was his questionnaire. Paul was a non-graduate, having been with the class during freshman year. As far as we know he did not attend any other college, and he was a member of our class in good standing. In November, 1917, he married Miss Evelyn Clark of Auburn, N. Y., where he was working and at the time of his questionnaire they had had two children, Thomas and Paul, Jr. We have written for further information, and if any can be obtained it will be sent on to you immediately.
Please keep the news coming to us—and incidental ??mit us to ask that you keep the money coming to George Gregory, Jr., at 1445 University Ave., New York city.
We want letters this month from every man whose last name begins with B, G, T, and W. Crash through, you buzzards, and the rest of you keep your eyes peeled for the lucky letters next month. Toodle-oo!
Secretary, 37 Arlington St., Cambridge, Mass.
