1905*

"October's bright blue weather" came early, however, on Sunday afternoon, September 28, when many of the comrades of '05 and their wives accepted the cordial invitation of Elsie and Mrs. Grover for a picnic at their attractive new log cabin, located on the beautiful sheet of water, Sportsman's Club Pond, in Athol, Massachusetts.

Thanks to Elsie's careful forethought in putting up signs to direct us, we had no difficulty in finding the Grovers' sylvan retreat, situated on a hill overlooking the Pond, and surrounded by a large pine grove.

After receiving a cordial welcome from our hosts and exchanging greetings with our classmates, their wives and other guests, we gathered around the huge outdoor fireT place and roasted corn, donated by the Grovers, hot dogs and hamburgers. The large rustic table groaned under the burden of the bountiful supply of food. All fell to with a zest. Not even the ladies were slenderizing on this Sunday. The trickle of tin reminded us of the generous donation of Ira Newick whose presence we missed. There graced the festive board, over which presided our hosts; Roy and Mrs. Parkinson, genial as ever, their eyes twinkling merrily at all; Midge and Mrs. Reid, the former no mean trencherman; Judge Jim and Mrs. Donnelly, both fairly brimming over with good cheer; Fred Chase, debonair and gay; Bob Harding, our former Secretary, taking a warm interest in all the guests; Sliver and Mrs. Hatch, the former radiating the glow of his beaming countenance; Cliff Pierce, whose engaging smile was a delight to behold; Major Mary Dillon, the sound of hammer and tool of iron forgot; Dick and Mrs. Tolman, the responsibilities of the United Shoe Machinery Company readily cast aside; Chesty and Mrs. McCabe, both unfatigued by the long trip from Providence, with Chesty giving every indication of complete recovery from his illness of last winter; Jake Smith, the same old Jake despite the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"; John Tuck, with the Mona Lisa smile, glowing with friendliness; George and Mrs. Agry, both interested as usual in all of us; Dr. Andy Macmillan and Mrs. Macmillan, the wise doctor and his understandingmate; Walter May, the chiel among us, making mental notes for the record.

We were very happy to have in our midst Mr. and Mrs. Carleton E. Nichols, the latter the attractive daughter of our hosts whose husband is Dartmouth '37, and Dr. Alexander with his wife and sparkling daughter, a senior in high school.

After feasting to repletion, we chatted pleasantly and, in the absence of the ladies who had withdrawn to the cool of the cabin or the lake, many a tall tale was told. Judge Jim regaled us with rich stories about the burden of proof and the right of altering the form of petitions as they come from lower to higher courts—illustrations of legal principles that are not so pungently recounted in the tomes of Thayer and Wigmore.

Mary Dillon related with biting sarcasm experiences with a traffic cop in his native city.

At times the conversation turned to politics. It did not need a Sherlock Holmes to infer that the boys were from north of Mason and Dixon's Line and not in sympathy with the Gallup Poll results.

In order to keep alive the spirit of rivalry among rugged individualists, Elsie had arranged a log-chopping contest. The only contestants, however, were Midge and our host, who entered to give Midge competition. Midge surprised us all by the vigor of his blows with the axe but his aim was not always unerring. Elsie manifested the skill of a born woodsman. His performance reminded us of the prowess of woodsmen from the North Country in similar contests at the Sportsmen's Show. The judges, after due deliberation, awarded the palm to Elsie.

Late in the afternoon, after giving an 'O5 cheer for our hosts and thanking them for their generous and abundant hospitality, we dispersed to the four corners of New England, carrying with us the most pleasant memories of one of our best outings.

The following sons of 'O5 men are in the Class of 1944 this fall: J. Gardner Chamberlain, son of William E. Chamberlain; James C. Donnelly, son of Judge James C. Donnelly; and John H. Furfey Jr., son of John H. Furfey.

The class extends congratulations to John C. Richardson '4l, of Dover, New Hampshire, who is on the Honor List published by the College this fall. John is the son of our Ed Richardson, scholarly member of Phi Beta Kappa.

"When comrades seek sweet country haunts By twos and twos together And count like misers, hour by hour October's bright blue weather." —Helen Hunt Jackson.

Secretary, 4 Holt St., Concord, N. H.