1895*

On the evening of June 23rd, Classmate James Thayer Gerould called at my home but unfortunately I was absent. He and Mrs. Gerould motored from Washington and spent a day or two with Gerry's brother and family at Hanover.

Gerry is one of four '95 men from a-far who called on me during midsummer. On a rare early-in-June day a gentleman, accompanied by a lady, came into my office at White River Junction. The gentleman squared off at me, looked at me quizzically a few seconds, and said, "You are Roland Stevens, aren't you?" I admitted this. He then said, "You don't know me, do you?" I looked at him desperately,—hating to admit I didn't recognize him. "Are you Henry Loud?" I inquired. "No, but you have the right initial of my name, try again." I was stymied, so to speak. Then up spoke Water Raleigh Lewis, Dartmouth '95. He introduced Mrs. Lewis and our three tongues started waggling.

I soon learned that the twain of them had motored East from their home in Trinidad, Colorado.

Walter and I had not even glanced at each other for forty-six years. I doubt if he would have known me even though he had answered a punch of the front door bell of his home in Trinidad, and found me—white haired as I am—on his front door steps. Of course he knew I was "Steveie" when he was told by my secre- tary, after he had seen my name on the office door, that Mr. Stevens was in. I could have turned the same trick on him at his Trinidad office.

He told me that, just before leaving Hanover in June, 1895, he and Rumery, and Dresser stood together on the edge of the campus, near "Davy's Corner," facing that group of ripe old buildings, of which Dartmouth Hall was the center-piece, saluted the venerable group, said good-bye, and immediately left Hanover. Of this leave-taking trio, Rumery and Lewis survive. Dresser died in 1901. Rumery returned for reunion at least twice, I believe. It was a pleasure to take Walter and Mrs. Lewis on a tour of review of Hanover. What a change in 46 years!

In the afternoon of the same day Walter and Mrs. Lewis called, Henry Loud telephoned me from Hanover that he and Mrs. Loud and Mrs. Hotchkiss, their daughter, were in Hanover. They had motored East from Los Angeles. Henry had not been in Hanover since his freshman year—fifty years ago. We spent a pleasant hour looking at Hanover, and enjoyed a country church supper together in Thetford Center, and had a busy evening at my home, just visiting in true New England manner.

"Dud" and Mrs. West called at my home in June while Dr. Roland and Mary and "Mr. Chips" (grandson of whom I have previously said enough) were vacationing at home. "Dud" is as proud a grandfather as can be found in the Middle West.

The last '95-er to call at my home was John Gault. I missed this call, I regret to say. John had been on a motor tour of Vermont and was en-route to his Manchester home.

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt. Treasurer, Hanover, N. H.