1895

"Tappan" Mason and "Sliver" Rice, being of retiring age, stepped down from their respective pedagogic rostra about mid-June, each with a bit of eclat illuminating his pathway to retirement. Prof. Mason's rotund likeness appeared in the Boston Herald of June 16 with two fellow teachers. The three represented 101 years of teaching. "Tappan" was for 35 years a member of the faculty of the High School of Commerce, Boston, and emerged as head of the department of science. The year book of the School was dedicated to Prof. Mason and his fellow retirers.

Prof. Rice taught in Boston more years than "Tappan" did. They both retire in excellent health. The senior year book of the Jamaica Plain High School was specifically dedicated to Prof. Rice. In the dedication, Headmaster J. B. Casey, a former pupil of "Sliver's" in the Latin School, has this to say: "In deciding to dedicate this book to Mr. Rice, you have chosen to honor one of the most beloved and talented teachers in the Boston School system. I hope that he has been as great an in- spiration to you as he has been to me, not only in my student days, but particularly since I became Headmaster of this school."

Here's a tid-bit: It seems that ex-Ambassador Joseph Kennedy was a one time pupil of our distinguished "Sliver" and in honor of his former teacher's retirement the former Ambassador to the Court of St. James wrote to "Sliver" in a highly complimentary vein. He impliedly stated that he might never have been admitted to Harvard if Prof. Rice had not inductively inoculated the would-be statesman with a sufficient knowledge of physics.

I'm sorry to report that Classmate Howard Rumery has been seriously ill with a recurrence of heart trouble. His physician thinks he will recover.

Just before our 45th Reunion Frank Austin hardly felt well enough to join us. He did come though. Now he is one of the stalwart men of '95, working and dreaming on his "Five Acres of Paradise" in Winter Park, Fla. His latest coup is enchaining a gopher and inducing him to root or tear up earth for a Victory Garden. The likeness of Austin's animal heads this column.

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.