Class of 1889
A certain modest classmate, retired, who, for the present, at least, must remain anonymous, has written a letter so full of general interest that the Secretary takes the responsibility of sharing parts of it with the writer's many friends. The letter came in response to congratulations on having passed his seventieth birthday.
"Although the old mare ain't what sheused to be, I have everything to be thankful for. I am somewhat deaf. My eyes havebothered me since I had measles in my 14thyear. But my teeth are still my own andserviceable, at that. My general health continues good, and my endurance is fair. Iputter at this and that all my waking hoursand enjoy it. I have never had a day in bednor have had any great grief. My childrenare satisfactory. Although I have neverdone anything notable, I have enjoyed lifeto the full. As I look back, I find little toregret and much to remember with pleasure. For a commonplace, rather impecunious cuss, I have somehow managed to getabout a bit and see a number of things thatI like to think about. My childhood was ahappy one. An only child brought up ona 200-acre farm on a back road, I madefriends with the birds, mammals, and otherwild things around me. I loved even thetrees. I was not fotid of school, but schooldid not bother me very much. &ome yearsmy school days were, included in eightweeks. Between the country school and theChandler School, were only five terms atAcademy My wife says I have anuneasy disposition. She is probably right.At all events, I have found myself tired ofa job on numerous occasions. At such times,I have not hesitated to move. Nor have Ifound moving difficult. My first job teasteaching, as "was my last job. I sometimeshear old-timers recounting the wonderswhich have come to pass since we wereboys, and expressing a wish that they mightbegin life now, so as to see the wondersthat may come during a lifetime from nowon. As for myself, I am quite satisfied with"what I have seen. The old days of simple,rather primitive, life were really good. Insome respects I think they were better thanthe present days. My view is probablybiased by my dislike for control. The manylaws and regulations that have come intouse since I was a boy are distraction. WhenI was a lad, I was often sent to the gristmill with corn or wheat to be ground.While the grinding was in progress, I usedto go to the bridge below the mill and fishfor shiners in the swift water. That cannot be done legally in these degeneratedays until a license has been purchased.The same is true for hunting and trapping.If a young robin falls out of the nest, youmay sit by while the cat catches it, but ypumust not take it into the house and keepII in a cage where the cat cannot reachit, and feed it. The law says so. The 70 years I have seen look better to me than theprospect of the next 70 Enough ofthis."
Judge Samuel R. Cutler (Sam to all his friends) spent his seventieth birthday, April 29' *936, in the Chelsea Memorial Hospital. The Secretary is certain of this because he, and many others, called on him that day. There was a delegation from the local bar association, another from the Chelsea court where Sam has presided so ably, so forcefully, and so picturesquely for 39 years (his appointment by the late Governor Roger Walcott was confirmed on his birthday in 1897), one from the bank which he has long served as president, and other "scattering" friends. Although he had been in bed several weeks, Sam was as cheerful and philosophical as ever. He said he suffers no pain and is glad to see and hear from his friends. They have taken him at his word, if one may judge from the profusion of flowers, fruit, books, and birthday cake which filled his room. Mention should be made also and particularly of the presence of his devoted wife, who spends most of the daylight hours at the hospital, which, fortunately, is not far from their home in Revere. Dr. Charles Cutler (younger brother) of Peterboro, N. H-, comes down frequently Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Frost returned to their home in Swampscott, Mass., early in April, after several weeks in Florida. They came back by way of Chicago, where they visited their daughter and their granddaughter Mr. and Mrs. William P. Hale spent the entire winter on their island kingdom in Lake Winnipesaukee, and have stated, in writing, that they were comfortable and happy through it all. No mention was made of fishing through the ice, but think of the delicious lake trout they must have feasted upon! .... "Owing to deep snowit was impossible to get choppers to cuttimbers as planned. Really government aidfor shirking and idleness had, I think, farmore effect as a deterrent than the weather,.. . "Recent icarm days" (this was written May 2) "have started our foliage andsome of our garden planting is up; we hadour first asparagus today." .... Mrs. Alfred A. Wheat died of pneumonia at her home in Washington, D. C., May 3, 1936, after a few days' illness. Funeral services were held at St. Thomas Episcopal church, May 5, and burial was in Rock Creek Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Wheat were married in New York City in 1912, and continued to live there for ten years. Since 1922 they have lived in Washington. Mrs. Wheat was present at our reunion in 1929 and again in 1934.
Secretary, 87 Milk St., Boston
