Charles Edward Putney Part 4

He's just a BOY, a LIVELY BOY, Who notes no years, I ween; He might be six and seventy, or He might be "sweet sixteen."

He's done a marv'lous work, and still Is putting in his licks To prove the staying powers of A "Boy of Seventy-Six."

"His hair is white?" Of course it's white!

He's white, all through and through!

His soul is white, has always been; His heart is white and true.

But in Life's Battle has he shown Whiteness of feather? Nix!!

His whiteness adds new glory to The "Boys of Seventy-Six."

"What great things has he done?" Ah! if The querist only knew it, Greatness concerns not what we do, But, rather, how we do it.

And every deed well done is great; And that is just his fix!

Say! isn't that some record for A "Boy of Seventy-Six"?

"But doesn't he take time to play?"

Why, bless your anxious soul!

He's always played,--too hard to note How fast the seasons roll!

He's playing yet; but work and play In him so closely mix You don't know which to call him, Man Or "Boy of Seventy-Six."

"His favorite game?" No need to ask; That in which GOOD is rife; The game that tests all human worth,-- The glorious Game of Life.

He never "stacks the cards," and yet He takes his share of tricks; Compet.i.tors have nothing on This "Boy of Seventy-Six."

"But when does he intend to stop?

He's surely done his share; Give him some nook and let him play A game of solitaire."

Methinks I see you try it on!

There'd be some vigorous kicks; You'd feel them, too, though coming from A "Boy of Seventy-Six."

A "quitter," he? Not on your life!

He's built on different lines; He'll never be a quitter while The Sun of Priv'lege shines!

As long as he can serve the needs Of Harrys, Toms and d.i.c.ks Who look his way, he'll be "on call,"

This "Boy of Seventy-Six."

FREEMAN PUTNEY.

A BIRTHDAY REMINDER OF GALLANT SERVICE PERFORMED IN THE WAR

Charles E. Putney was happily surprised at the opening of the Sunday school of the College Street Church when the Rev. I. C. Smart, pastor of the church, in a most delightful manner, presented him with the insignia of the First Brigade, First Division (General Stannard's), Eighteenth Army Corps, the gift of his friends in the church.

The badge was pinned to the left breast of Mr. Putney's coat by his little granddaughter, Mary P. Lane, and Gen. Theodore S. Peck explained to the children the use of the Corps badge of the army. Although overcome with surprise, Mr. Putney responded most feelingly. The presentation was witnessed by a large number of members of the school and of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The medal bears the following inscription:

"Prof. C. E. Putney, from friends in the College Street Church, Burlington, Vermont, February 26, 1916, in remembrance of his gallant service in the war for the Union, as Sergeant, Co. C, Thirteenth New Hampshire, First Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps."

On the two gold bars from which the medal is suspended by a red, white and blue ribbon, are inscribed the eleven battles in which his regiment partic.i.p.ated: First Fredericksburg, siege of Suffolk, Port Walthal, Swift Creek, Kingsland Creek, Drewrys Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort McConhie, Fort Harrison and Richmond.

The badge was originally intended as a birthday gift to Mr. Putney, but its arrival was delayed so the presentation was made on the anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln. The badge was accompanied by a letter from Mr. Putney's friends stating that the gift was intended as a slight token of their esteem and affection and a birthday reminder of the gallant service performed by him as a soldier in the army of the Union, 1861-1865.--_National Tribune._

Sleep on, O brave-hearted, O wise man that kindled to flame-- To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name, To live in mankind, far, far more than to live in a name!

--NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY.

TRIBUTES FROM FRIENDS AT ST. JOHNSBURY ACADEMY

I take special pleasure in sending to Mr. Putney's memorial an appreciative testimony to the long tried friendship which we had for each other. I was with him as fellow teacher under Mr. Fuller's princ.i.p.alship and after that worked with and under him as princ.i.p.al until his resignation. Was with him a longer time than any other teacher, always with the kindest and most uniform relations both in educational and social respects, and more than all else in the higher spiritual relationships. In a letter from him a very short time before he pa.s.sed away he hoped he might still be in the work of teaching when he reached his eightieth birthday. I thought he was to be much rejoiced with that he came so near it and was called up higher while in the joy of his chosen life work.

It is very pleasant to remember also the close friendships between wives and daughters of our two families.

SOLOMON H. BRACKETT.

None of Mr. Putney's pupils were more devoted and loyal to him, none had more sincere love and affection for him, than the teachers who were privileged to work with him. Mr. Putney's great aim was to make true men and n.o.ble women and all those who were fortunate to be called his pupils will bear his mark with them in their accomplishments, in their graces, and in their power.

Many of his pupils will be inclined to virtue, holiness and peace, because the teacher was the embodiment of these qualities. In all things he had charity. Tolerance was of his nature. He respected in others the qualities he himself possessed, sincerity of conviction and frankness of expression.

His power over his pupils was marked and abiding because of his own example, his profound scholarship, his humility, his absolute justice, yet accompanied with sympathy and respect. His impulses were great, earnest, simple, unostentatious. His is the old story of devotion to duty, a religious sentiment and faith, serious determination, cheerfulness and untiring effort.

"For he was a faithful man and feared G.o.d above many."

A. L. HARDY.

When you speak of Mr. Putney you will find my loyalty as strong as ever.

We kept up our correspondence to the last. I am glad to express again my debt to him, and I certainly should not wish to be omitted from any group of Mr. Putney's friends.

When I went to St. Johnsbury Academy at Mr. Putney's invitation I was inexperienced and needed a good deal of friendly advice. He had a rare gift in that way. His own devotion, unselfishness and conscientiousness were contagious. He was a good teacher and still better trainer. But the moral effect of living and working with him was the best thing about the Academy. I believe all the excellent staff of teachers felt just as I did. So much so that our intimate a.s.sociation gave us more than the pupils could get. Some of us enjoyed too the fine, generous neighborliness of both Mr. and Mrs. Putney.

In administrative councils his judgment never lost sight of the central object--the cultivation of each pupil to the most effective Christian manhood and womanhood. What higher mark than that can be set by any of the theorists and innovators of the present day education? The typical "New England Academy"--and St. Johnsbury was the ideal among them--can bear comparison with the latest and best of schools in the highest object of education. Probably it needed its own environment which could not be duplicated elsewhere. All honor to it and to him who was its exponent during my own years so happily given to its service.

Sincerely yours, FRANKLIN A. DAKIN.