CLASS OF 1903
Scene, Rollins Chapel; time, September 81, 1899; cast of characters, Chuck Emerson and Chorus, the latter being represented by the newly enrolled freshman class.
Chuck: Now, gentlemen, we are here to assign your chapel seats for the year. You notice that freshmen are in the south aisle and transept. Chorus: (inaudible to audience).
Chuck: Now we are to have six men to a seat, beginning with the head of the alphabet; let's see, Baker: no, Avery. The first pew will be occupied by Avery, Badger, Baker, Batchelder, J. H., Batchelder, N. H., and Bates.
Chorus: (shows a visible and audible swelling of the torso at being for the first time addressed as "men").
Chuck: Only four men in this seat? Oh, yes, the Batchelder brothers are not here yet, but they wrote me that they are coming, so we will save seats for them. Now the second seat will hold the next six men. They will be, in order, Blaisdell, Bennett, Bergengren, Bradley, and Brown. Oh, there are six Browns in the class; this will be E. L. Brown, from our neighboring city of Lebanon. Tee-hee. The sixth seat goes to Brown, F. H.
Chorus: Tee-hee.
Note: The literature of potholeskeriana is so rare as to be almost priceless, as well as exceedingly obscure. After several months of study in this fascinating subject, your historian offers the above as the net result of his efforts. Further study of manuscripts and other evidence may give the world further light in the matter. It would seem that Rollins Chapel was the scene of much of the happy antics of this interesting and primitive people, the potholeskers. At any rate, it (the chapel) figures largely in their literature.
Classmate Haney wrote a learned article for the North American Review. In spite of this attempted disguise, your eagle-eyed Secretary spotted it almost immediately. The subject is "The Stock Superiority Complex;" it appeared in the August issue. For the benefit of those who may not have had time to read it, give a resume:
"The American people are now buying stocks in large quantities because they aren't buying bonds; whereas, formerly they bought bonds quite as generally, because they didn't buy stock. Bonds generally represent the return on capital investment; stock returns, the profit on capable management. People feel their chance to secure interest on capital invested is as good with stock as with bonds, and in addition they share in profits due to the other factor mentioned. This is a vain hope, or belief, for as many people get less than the interest return on their stock investment as get more, and in as large gross amounts. Where returns from stocks, are stable and assured, stocks appreciate to the point that returns approximate merely interest. Our author approves of stock investment in a conservatively capitalized company, where it is unlikely that tricks will be played. He does not approve of mere speculation, as this is gambling pure and simple." This is about all I got out of the article.
A news item of July 12 reports that Judge Stevens of Concord was injured by being struck by an automobile as he was leaving his office. This is the first chance for comment here, and may interest classmates who live at a distance, and don't, consequently, see such local items. There were no indications that the injuries were serious. Perhaps New Hampshire classmates can inform us on this point, or even the Judge himself, if he feels so inclined.
Another news item of June 29 reports that Miss Helen Jones, paired with her father in mixed doubles, won her match at a tournament at Swampscott. He is called Philip N. in the paper, but, of course, we know they mean Mushie. Mushie apparently has lost none of his cunning at the game since Hanover days.
The Secretary has been much pleased at receiving several letters the past summer from Bill MacLennan. Ole Bill, as you know, lives in Santa Barbara, Cal., and, naturally, can think of no other place on the planet fit for human habitation. He and Mrs. MacLennan are deep in community dramatics in the old Spanish style. Mrs. Mac is the artist of the team, and designs the costumes, programs, etc. He says that some day he will see Tute Worthen, and then will give him my regards. Doesn't see any other 'o3's, but wishes to be remembered to all of you; so there you are. I almost forgot to say that Bill is the playwright who pulls the strings at these affairs.
Mrs. Luella Burbeck, mother of Dr. Ned, recently resigned as matron of the New Hampshire Masonic Home at Manchester after more than 20 years in the position. She has been granted a pension by the board of trustees of the Home.
Harry Watson reports that the Watsons and the O. W. Smiths have just (September 5) returned from a two weeks' auto trip in Northern Ontario.
Pierpont and Charles Hall have sons in the freshman class at Hanover. Are there others? Your Sec. hopes to publish a complete list of undergraduate sons of the class a little later.
Other letters from classmates received recently are acknowledged from Kenerson, Schlatter, A. E. Smith, and Luce. There are several of you guys who have never written me a letter; now is your chance to come through.
Note changes of address: Charles E. Johnson, civil engineer, lives at 163 Davis St., West New Brighton, L. 1., N. Y. His business is City Hall, Sewer Department, Newark, N. J. Ralph W. Neal now lives at 5 Eopes St., Salem, Mass.
MB. AND MBS. JOHN CBOWELL ANNOUNCE THE MARRIAGE OP THEIR DAUGHTER MART CAROLINE
TO MR. ELMER CHAELES ANDERSON ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER THE TWENTY-FIRST, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Your class news will appear regularly in the Alumni Magazine. Have you renewed your subscription?
Secretary, 1033 North Shore Ave., Chicago
