1895

A letter from classmate Harley's daughter, Gertrude Lamb, in Madison, Wise., gives me the following detailed news:

"Dear Father Stevens and Robert:

"Thank you so very much for remembering father and the family with the beautiful basket of bronze 'mums and yellow pompoms. I .ordered them from Rentachler's Floral Company, as you requested, and they will bill you. I hope I got the message right, as I had a little difficulty in hearing you. Your voice did sound very natural, though.

"Mother and I are so grateful Father was never completely an invalid, nor did he suffer greatly. He didn't even complain of the sore throat, but Mother noticed he had great difficulty in swallowing and called the doctor. He was ill from about Thursday until Monday night. He was over the strep, but apparently the heart was affected, because Monday evening the doctor thought he should have oxygen. Mother went in the ambulance with him to the Winter Park Hospital (which is a dandy), but Father must have passed away almost as he entered his room.

"Mother's plans are still very indefinite. She is quite tired. Her sisters want her to visit them in California, which I hope she may be able to do, but probably later. I think she wants to go back to Florida first. We may drive her to Florida. I don't know as yet.

"Her neighbors in Winter Park and here have been wonderful. Eighteen neighbors in Winter Park signed a card with their names, and sent two red-and-white carnation pieces that were at each end of the coffin. So sweet of them.

"There was a service at the Cox-Parker Funeral Home on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and Mother and my brother Bill, who went to Florida to be with her, left at 3:00 in the afternoon. They didn't arrive here until about 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

"Our service was at the Frantschi Funeral Home here at two o'clock Saturday. The flowers were all so very beautiful. I had your flowers sent here, as that seemed better, and they added greatly. You know Father so dearly loved flowers. Afterwards they sent most of the flowers to the hospitals. The day was fortunately mild; about 30 degrees. This past week has been very cold, and I am grateful it wasn't the week before.

"Father looked wonderful; he even seemed to have a smile, and looked more as he did before he was so ill. His only brother Howard and his son came.

"Mother will be with us for awhile. Let us know when you go to Florida. Affectionately, Gertrude Lamb."

In the Valley News of February 8, page three, was a picture of a man and woman, happy and smiling. I have known them both for quite awhile. The groom is the son of Harry ClintonMorrison, of Old Town, Maine. He was valedictorian of our class. He had a long and distinguished career as an educator. So here is my sincere approval of the marriage of Charlotte Ford.

I don't happen to know Professor and Mrs. James F. Cusick. I am glad, however, that they loaned their home for the wedding. That is a privilege that I would have enjoyed.

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.

Treasurer, 10 Occom Ridge, Hanover, N.H.