1902

This is a gorgeous, clear, sunshiny day. I am just in from working in the garden. Why do weeds grow so much faster than the flowering plants? I clear away the weeds and the next time I go out they are as bad as ever.

However, there is a certain joy in being able to work in the garden all through the winter. I make myself think of that mythical Greek creature that used to come down and touch the earth and return to the fight wholly renewed. Why don't you folks come on down to live in Florida? I can be tuckered out, then spend an hour in my garden and once more feel as fresh as ever.

You know that poem which I credited to Ben Riley in the March number of the MAGAZINE? Well, I have been informed that Ben is only responsible for the last two lines and that the rest of the credit goes to HermFarwell. Either someone else or I am utterly crazy, for I am sure that a letter from a classmate informed me that Ben was the author of the verses. In the February MAGAZINE I asked someone to send me a copy of the aforementioned poem. Thank you, Herm, for your prompt reply to my request. In the meantime I had found my original copy.

A nice letter came from Ben Riley this past month and one from Herm. They are among the few classmates who never fail to write me. Sometimes, their letters are just an expression of appreciation for my efforts. Not long since Percy wrote a similar letter. You cannot imagine how much such communications do for doubting spirits.

Sometimes I question whether or not you boys read my communications. Occasionally I put in a trap to try to discover whether or not you do. For instance, I purposely did not put in the address of the Korean boy in the hope that someone would write for it.

I imagine by this time you have heard of the death of Pete Fletcher 'oo at his winter home in Winter Park in January. I shall greatly miss him. When I was in the hospital last year he and his wife took in Stella that she might be near me.

Did you see in In Memoriam that Malcolm Halliday '28, son of Frank '01 and Helen Halliday, had passed on? I grieved with them in their great loss. Malcolm was a fine young man and an only child. They (Frank and Helen) have a home in Winter Park.

I think I wrote you that my grandson has completed his service in the Army. He and his wife are passing the winter in Italy. My daughter and her husband are probably now in Japan. In April they hope to complete a round-the-world tour which will combine a business and pleasure trip. We had a card mailed in Singapore from them.

This column seems composed mostly of personal news. Well, if you will not write me, what can you expect?

God bless you all and bring you to our 55th reunion. Not that I am by any means sure of the value of my blessing.

Secretary, 210 Columbus Ave., Coronado Station New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

Class Agent, 130 Woodbridge PL, Leonia, N. J.