Class of 1902
Really by all the detailed code of instructions we secretaries follow I ought not to do what I am about to do, but, in spite of editing, Tom Barnes' letter remains an ideal communication. I submit to you therefore an example of what each of you could do to comfort me in my declining years (I am declining to pay postage on letters which are of no avail).
"If any one had told me thirty-twoyears ago that I would ever have the courage to address a full-fledged professor as'Dear Herm' I would have called him aliar. But here goes.
"1 am the principal of a small elementary school of some five hundred-odd children, whose philosophy of life is that it'sbetter to produce a healthy, happy, laughing child than a scholar. Truly happy people are never bad, are they? lam glad I'mshort in stature. It doesn't take so long fora little chap to shin up my legs to put hisface against mine.
"Last year I was president of the StalePrincipals' Association, and got a greatkick racing around the state. I was prettyproud of being a Dartmouth man when Iwas able to produce as speakers at meetings Rollo Reynolds 'lO and our own dearRoy Hatch. They both thrilled the crowdswho came to hear them.
"But listeyi to this. / spoke at a highschool graduation and was feeling good,when a kind lady busted my bubble ofcontentment by saying, 'But last yearProfessor H. H. Home was our speaker.'I wanted to crawl into a hole. My ideal ofa thinker and speaker.
"Some fifteen years ago I phoned everyDartmouth man in the Oranges and suggested that we have a dinner meeting atthe 'Y.' Of course there was an enthusiastic response. My wife, Stella, bought thefood, and she and my daughter, Estelle,and some friends waited on table. We hada grand good time. That was the beginning of the Dartmouth Club of theOranges, now expanded into the Dartmouth Club of Northern New Jersey.
"Of course, like all the rest of you I'veplayed my part in the 'Selective Process.'I am getting a real kick out of Y. M. C. A.work as chairman of the boys' work committee. There never was a time when thecharacter-building agencies could so servethe people.
HEADS LEISURE TIME SURVEY
"The leisure time problem has becomesuch a hobby of mine that I have takenover the chairmanship of the Leisure TimeGroup of the Council of Social Agencies.We have just had completed a study of theleisure time activities and plans of all theOranges and Maplewood.
"Just now we are trying to raise $500,000 for our welfare work. Blessed be thatteacher of public speaking, Craven Laycock, who once accused me of walking onto the stage like a Bowery tough! I've addressed many and sundry. At the formalopening of the drive five of us, representing the five municipalities, appeared onthe stage dressed as town criers and reada proclamation.
"I balked at knee-breeches. (Yes, Tom,we know.) But they called me a quitter.So on I went. It was supposed to be animpressive occasion, but when the crowdgot an eyeful of our knock-knees and bowlegs and skinny shanks and stubby shanks,they howled. My first thought was thaithat most dreaded of all accidents had happened, but a gentleman down front relieved us of that fear by remarking in aloud, rich Hibernian voice, 'Faith, there'snot a decent leg on the five.' One womanfainted. Thank God, we live in a civilizedleg-covered age. That is, we of the modestsex.
"1 have the best wife in the world. Mydaughter is a comfort. But, boy, you oughtto know my grandson, Tom Barnes Clapp.
"Print what you like of this, or don'tuse any. At any rate slip somewhere intothe column 'Tom Barnes sends his dearlove to every 1902 man.'"
Well, Tom, we greet you in kind. Thanks for the message that runs between the lines. Many times have I heard people say of some matter of public importance, "Somebody ought to do something about it." At least one 190 a man is doing something about it.
By the way, Tom, have you read "Goodbye, Mr. Chips"? Roy Hatch got me to read that in return for my insistence that he . read Eddie Frost's "An Astronomer's Life." In fact I think practically every 1902 man would much enjoy at least "the latter.
And speaking of reading, did you see K. Banning's articles in the Boston Evening Transcript on "Town Meetings: Politicians' Paradise." For an outstanding bulwark of American liberty, Kendall seems to award the prize to some other feature of our civilization.
Baker Keniston has completed his effective service as chairman of the Metropolitan District Commission and has resumed his legal practise. In spite of the competition, Dartmouth men still add luster to public service in Massachusetts.
Percy Dorr reports a word from Bert Briggs. Bert was a victim of an acute appendix last spring and then developed water on the knee. The summer at Chatham did him much good, and now he is feeling fine. We are all glad to hear from Bert.
Denny Lyons, in commenting on some remark of mine about his son Billy, says,
"I suppose you heard what Dean Laycock said when he saw George Hoke's son.'Tell your father that I think the breedis improving.'"
Had not heard it, Denny, and I refuse to accept it as a generality anyway, not that f don't want the younger generation to be up and coming, but some of these 190 a men are giving the sons something to think about. I am more like the Scotchman who held off a peculiarly bland individual with the remark, "I II thank yefor no compliments at the expense of mycountrymen."
And now for the garden!
Secretary, 130 Woodbridge Place, Leonia, N. J
