1878

As the band of '78 men dwindled in the last few years, the bonds of friendship grew firmer. Almost up to his death the secretary, Mr. Parkinson, kept in close touch with the members of the class. Now each of the three surviving members sends an occasional word to the alumni editor.

Parkhurst, Bouton and Hayt are now fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the list of oldest living graduates. In June, Mr. Hayt, in penmanship which would put most younger writers to shame, wrote gaily of how much he continued to get out of life, working among his flowers, listening to the radio and taking an active interest in the political campaign. He referred to one of the "town kids" he used to know in Hanover seventy years ago. This particular "town kid," who went to school to Mr. Parkhurst, is now the 84-year-old neighbor of the alumni editor.

The rainy weather of May and June confined Mr. Parkhurst to his home where he was obliged to spend much time in bed, but he has been able to take occasional short rides.

In June Mr. Bouton was able to write that he had been very ill, with day and night nurses, but was improving and able to sit up nearly every day. In July his son wrote that, although his father was now too ill to write, he still was anxious for word of his classmates.

We hope, in this column, to be able to salute each of these three faithful readers of the MAGAZINE, when each celebrates his onehundredth birthday.