The Real Diary of a Real Boy


H. A. S.





DRAMATIS PERSONAE

A good many years ago, during my college days, it was my custom and that of my room-mate, Brown of Exeter, to make our room the gathering-place for Exeter boys, both "stewdcats" and homesick Exeter youths then filling positions in Boston. It happened that frequently undergraduates from other towns and cities came in at these Saturday evening gatherings and it was a matter of wonder to them that we had so much to talk about in relation to our native town; and it was their frequent remark that "either Exeter is a remarkable place, or you are a remarkably loyal set of fellows."

That Exeter is a remarkable place is an axiom, and no better evidence of the fact can be found (were evidence necessary to sustain an axiom) than in the loyalty that every citizen displays, and the sincere love that prompts every one who has ever come under the spell of our dear old town to revisit her at every opportunity.

Where else could a diary of this nature, dealing with actual persons and actual events, be published and be received with such absolute goodnature and even enthusiasm by the persons now living who are mentioned therein?

It is therefore with affection as well as amusement that I append the following brief biographical sketches of persons mentioned in the "Diary," preserving as nearly as possible the order of their appearance in the book. As many readers of the "Diary" have expressed a desire to know more of the subsequent histories and achievements of those therein mentioned, it is hoped this information will satisfy a curiosity and interest which, to a loyal son of Exeter, appear quite natural:—

1. Father. GEORGE S. SHUTE.

A native of Exeter. For twenty-six years a clerk in the Boston Naval Office. Still living in Exeter, an old man with a young tongue; in fact, the quickest man at repartee in Exeter.

2. Mother.

My mother died in the winter of 1896. No words can do justice to her qualities. "A sweeter woman ne'er drew breath."

3. "Gim" Melcher.

An old friend of my father's. Died in Maiden a few years ago.

4. Some of the men who were "wrighting fast" in the Custom House were the following:—

GEORGE DAVIS, of Lexington, who a year ago celebrated his fiftieth consecutive year of service in the Naval Office; COLONEL IVORY POPE, of Cambridge; BENJAMIN A. SIDWELL, of East Boston; JACOB A. HOWE, of Maiden; FRANK HARRIMAN, a brother of the late Governor Harriman of Concord, N. H. HIRAM BARRUS, of Reading, Mass. deceased; C. C. WHITTEMORE, of Portsmouth, N. H.; CHARLES MUDGE, of Maiden; MATTHEW F. WHITTIER, of Medford, a brother of the poet Whittier, and a newspaper-writer of considerable prominence, writing under the pen-name of "Ethan Spike"; and TRISTRAM TALBOT, of Newburyport, with others whom the writer does not now recall. A few years later the writer spent several of his college vacations as deputy clerk in the same Naval Office, and made pleasant acquaintances with all of the above-named men. He found them very competent clerks, courteous gentlemen, and the best story-tellers that he ever knew, and recollects those vacations as very pleasant periods in his school life. Some of them still hold positions in the Custom House.

5. Charles "Talor": CHARLES TAYLOR.

A great friend of the family. Died in Exeter about ten years ago.

6. "Beany": E. L. WATSON.

In business at Williamstown, Mass. Attained his boyhood ambition and married Lizzie "Tole," Ed's sister.

7. "Pewter": C. E. PURINGTON.

My near neighbor, a decorative painter, who early displayed talent in this direction.

8. "Skinny Bruce": WM. J. BRUCE.

A tinsmith of Exeter who still thinks he could have licked Frank Elliott.

9. Frank Elliott.

A successful mechanic in Boston, who is confident that he could have licked "Skinny" Bruce.

10. "Nipper": JOHN A. BROWN.

Exeter. Chairman of the School Board. Trustee of the Seminary. Trustee of the Library. My room-mate at Harvard.

11. "Micky" Gould.

I do not know what became of "Mickey." Wherever he is, there is a good-natured, jolly man.

12. Mr. Winsor.

Address not known. How he could throw a snowball.

18. "Ed" Towle.

Exeter, N. H. With a keen memory for old days.

14. "Dany" Wingate.

A very prominent man. The father of J. D. P. and C. E. L. Wingate of the Boston Journal. Died at Exeter many years ago.

15. "Whacker": COL. A. M. CHADWICK.

Lowell, Mass.

16. "Pozzy": AUSTIN K. CHADWICK.

Lowell, Mass.

Two of the best known and most respected citizens of Lowell. Dignified and sedate, but just touch on old Exeter days and watch their eyes twinkle and their tongues loosen.

17. "Pricilla": PROF. CHARLES A. HOBBS.

Boston. Has written some dreadful mathematical works, and revisits Exeter often, but not often enough.

18. "Pheby": CHARLES A. TAYLOR.

Has inherited the very qualities that made his father so good a friend.

19. "Lublin."

Address not known.

20. "Nigger" Bell.

So called because his hair was so very white. Professor of Chemistry in a Western University. Died recently in Maiden.

21. Tommy Thompson: R. G. THOMPSON.

New London, Conn.

22. "Dutchy": DR. WILLIAM A. SEAMANS.

New York City. Fullback on the Harvard '77 eleven. There are several ex-principals of the Exeter High School who will remember Thompson and Seamans in very clear and vivid colors.

28. "Chick" Chickering: PROF. JOHN J. CHECKERING.

Flushing, L. I. Commissioner of Public Education of New York State.

24. "Tody": TIMOTHY FINTON.

Exeter. An expert wood-worker with a leaning for politics.

25. "Gim" Wingate: JAMES D. P. WINGATE.

Winchester, Mass. The business manager of the Boston Journal.

26. "Skipy": H. C. MOSES.

Exeter. For many years in the wholesale wool business in Boston. One of the keenest sportsmen and best wing shots in New Hampshire.

27. "Pile": JOHN G. WOOD.

Chicago. Manager of the McKay Cordage Factory in Chicago. Promises to return to Exeter when he has made his "pile" ($100,000). From present indications, the prospect is favorable.

28. Billy Folsom: WM. H. FOLSOM.

Exeter. Member of the firm of E. Folsom & Co. Brass Works. One of Harvard's greatest pitchers.

29. "Hoppy" Gadd.

A very eccentric but sterling citizen, who could make cowhide boots which, like the panels in the "one-horse shay," "would last like iron for things like these." Died in Exeter a few years ago.

30. "Si" Smith.

The man with the "funny sine." Died in Exeter nearly thirty years ago.

31. "Gran" Miller and "Ben" Rundlet. Addresses not known.

32. Squire Lane.

Died in Lynn.

33. Charles Burley.

Died in Exeter. For many years Treasurer of Phillips Exeter Academy, and Superintendent of the "Unitarial" Sunday School.

34. "Keene": MY SISTER, MRS. C. E. BYINGTON.

Exeter. A very able and accomplished woman. The one to whom all members of the family go when in trouble.

35. Lucy Watson.

Mrs. Frank Conner of Lynn.

36. "Curley" Conner: MR. FRANK CONNER.

Lynn. Husband of the aforesaid.

37, "Jo" Parsons: MR. JOSEPH S. PARSONS.

Boston. An expert bookkeeper.

38. "Billy" Swett: MR. WM. SWETT.

Jamaica Plain. I remember him as one of the most polite and affable boys I ever met.

39. Mr. "Lovel," who said, "o hell": C. LOVELL, 2d.

One of the best amateur actors and jolliest men I ever knew. Died recently.

40. John Flanagan.

Exeter. A tinsmith and co-laborer with "Skinny" Bruce.

41. "Gimmy" Fitzgerald.

Died at Exeter thirty years ago.

42. "Old" Head: OREN HEAD.

Many students will affectionately remember him. Deceased.

43. "Bob" Carter.

The old janitor of the Town Hall. Gruff, but very kind-hearted. Deceased.

44. "Wats": IRVING M. WATSON.

Father of "Beany," and pleasantly like him.

45. John Getchell.

A liberal, free, and kind-hearted Exeter merchant. Deceased.

46. Eben Folsom.

Uncle of "Billy," and head of the firm of which Billy is a member.

47. "Charlie": DR. C. H. GERRISH.

48. "Doc" Prey: DR. J. E. S. PRAY.

Gentlemen both, of whom the writer can say everything good.

49. Alice "Gewett," who was "a dairy maid": Miss ALICE JEWELL

Instructor of singing in the schools of Exeter.

50. "Old Kize": PHILANDER KEYES.

A policeman of thirty years ago. Deceased.

51. "Bill" Hartnett.

Who used to make it lively for the last mentioned. A man of many good qualities notwithstanding. Deceased.

52. "Old" Swain.

A contemporary of "Old Kize," and a co-laborer in the same vineyard.

53. "Mister" Gordon: HON. NATHANIEL GORDON.

A retired lawyer of Exeter.

54. Dora Moses.

55. Mary "Loverin": MRS. MARY LETHBEIDGE.

Two beautiful girls and inseparable companions, whose deaths were untimely and irreparable.

56. "Cele": My sister, CELIA E. SHUTE.

Exeter. A stenographer, and a writer of short stories for magazines.

57. "Caxcaw" Harding: PROF. B. F. HARDING.

Boston. An early advocate of those methods of instruction that result in "mens sana in corpore sano."

58. "Doctor" Dearborn.

A most eccentric old apothecary. Died in Exeter a few years ago.

59. "Aunt Sarah": Miss SARAH F. SHUTE.

Exeter. The favorite aunt of a large family, all of whose geese are swans.

60. "Fatty" Melcher: F. A. MELCHER.

Boston. So named because he was not fat.

61. "Genny" Morrison: MRS. JOHN J. JOYCE.

Andover, Mass. By not appearing at our Grammar School Reunion "Genny" disappointed five hundred people.

62. J. Albert Clark.

Exeter. One of the proprietors of the Exeter Machine Works. He has always had a very kindly interest in "Beany" and "Plupy," in spite of the many annoyances he suffered at their boyish hands.

63. "Bill" Morrill: MR. WM. B. MORRILL.

For many years selectman of Exeter. Died in 1878.

64. "Dave" Quimby.

Every student will recollect him. Died at Exeter recently.

65. "Chitter"': JAMES ROBINSON.

A truckman in Boston.

66. "Boog" Chadwick.

A New York broker, whose "heart's in the highlands;" to wit, Exeter.

67. "Pop" Clark: WILL CLARK.

Roxbury, Mass. A born comedian and a delightfully entertaining man.

68. "Shinny" Thyng.

One of the few Exeter boys who continues his father's business at the old stand. If more did the same, the prosperity of country towns would be assured.

69. "Gim" Erly.

Lives somewhere in the West.

70. "Honey" Donovan: WILLIAM DONOVAN.

Providence.

71. "Mose" Gordon.

A Texas cattle-man.

72. Mr. Lamed.

Unitarian clergyman. Deceased.

73. "Gil" Steels.

A merchant in Denver.

74. "Mis Packer A": MRS. MARY PACKARD.

A famous local singer, now living in California.

75. "Gim Loverin": JAMES M. LOVERING.

A very shrewd politician. Deceased.

76. "Old Mister Stickney": JUDGE W. W. STICKNEY.

With whom I studied law. Deceased; not, however, because of that fact. Judge Stickney was a sound lawyer and an upright, kind-hearted man.

77. "Ed" Dearborn.

The old bell-ringer. Deceased.

78. John Quincy "Ann" Pollard: J. Q. A. POLLARD.

A very old man, upon whom the boys were wont to play tricks, but who had developed wonderful precision of aim with a knotted cane. Deceased.

79. Dan Ranlet; D. W. RANLET.

Boston Produce Exchange.

80. George M. Perkins

For many years an expressman between Boston and Exeter.

81. John E. Gibson.

Master of the Agassiz School, Boston. Residence, Jamaica Plain. I take the opportunity to notify him that the Exeter High School holds its quinquennial reunion June, 1903.

82. Isaac Shute.

A retired merchant of Exeter. Deceased.

83. Major Blake.

A famous Boniface, and for many years proprietor of the Squamscott. Deceased.

84. Charles D. Towle.

An equally famous livery-stable keeper, who periodically fought to a finish with Major Blake for passengers to Hampton Beach. Deceased.

85. Frank Haines.

A farmer. Residence, Exeter.

86. "The Baby": EDWARD A. SHUTE.

Exeter. Who can now handle his elder brother with ease.

87. "Frankie": FRANK F. SHUTE.

Who thinks he can do likewise, but cannot. A hotel-keeper at Lakewood, New Jersey.

88. "Annie": Miss ANNIE P. SHUTE.

Who, by virtue of a clerkship in my office, owns the entire establishment.

89. "Georgie"

Instructor in Latin and French in the Albany Academy, Albany, N. Y.

90. "Nibby."

A summer visitor named Hartwell. Deceased.

91. Hiram Mingo.

A colored boy. Address not known.

92. Joe Palmer.

A hackman with whom the boys used to ride. Address not known.

93. John E. Gardner.

A member of an old family of merchants in Exeter. Deceased. Brother of Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau, the artist.

94. General Marston.

A famous New Hampshire lawyer and veteran of the Civil War. Deceased.

95. Amos Tuck.

A famous lawyer, politician, financier, and Member of Congress. Deceased.

96. Mr. Gravel.

Address not known.

97. Elkins and Graves.

Famous auctioneers at that period. Deceased.

98. Scott "Briggam."

One of the boys then, one of the boys now. Exeter.

99. Charlie Woodbury.

Deceased.

100. "Potter" Gorham: ARTHUR GORHAM.

Killed by an accidental discharge of his gun nearly thirty years ago. A born naturalist.

101. "Old Francis."

For thirty-three years principal at the Grammar School at Exeter. On his resignation, a few years ago, a reunion was held which was attended by old pupils from every State in the Union, to do him honor. Still hale and hearty, and living in Exeter.

102. Doctor Perry.

An old family physician, who has ushered more children and children's children into the world than any man in the county, and who is beloved and revered by every one of them. Miss Jewett, in her "Country Doctor," based her delightful description upon Dr. William G. Perry, her uncle. Living in Exeter.

103. John Adams.

Who his trimmed enough carriages to set all New Hampshire awheel, and who still practises his trade in Exeter.

104. Nell Towle: MBS. GEORGE W. HOOPER.

Exeter. As rosy, good-natured, and musically inclined as she was in the good old days.

105. William Perry Moulton.

A prosperous real-estate and insurance man, who unfortunately for his peace of mind tried to raise Bartlett pears, Concord grapes, and Astrachan apples in the neighborhood that was infested by "Plupy" and his associates; who frequently tracked, chased, and caught them red-handed, but who was too kind-hearted even then to deprive them of their ill-gotten gains.

106. "Chris" Staples.

Who remembers the fight with Charlie Clark.

107. Charlie Clark.

Deceased. Just before he died he read the "Diary" and sent word to the author that he remembered the scene in which he figured and much enjoyed the book.

108. Mr. Ashman.

A veteran band-leader of Boston.

109. Frank Hervey.

A veteran restaurant-keeper in Exeter. New living in Concord, N. H.

110. "Rashe Belnap": WILLIAM H. BELKNAP.

A retired banker and real-estate man of Exeter. Town clerk of Exeter for twenty-five years.

111. Henry Simpson.

Periodical dealer in the late sixties. Living in Maine.

112. Luke Maniac.

Now living in Texas. As a boy he could curve a snowball round the corner, like T. B. Aldrich's "Binny Wallace."

113. "Bob Ridley": GEORGE ELLIOTT.

Exeter. A right good fellow.

114. Sam Dyer.

A rather eccentric blacksmith. Died in the West.

115. Horace Cobb.

A good-natured, short, and extremely fat man. A native of Exeter, and last of a very prominent family. Died several years ago.

116. Dennis Cokely.

Address not known. I have always felt badly "to think the fight was throwed away, and neither of them licked."

117. Johnnie Rogers.

A cousin of the Chadwicks. Deceased.

118. Cap. John W. Chadwick.

A retired sea-captain. Father of "Poz," "Boog," "Whack," and "Willie," "Whack's little brother." A most cultivated gentleman, whose heart was kind, but whose word was law. Deceased.

119. "Zee" Smith: FRANK SMITH.

Deceased in Lowell.

120. Miss Pratt.

A laundress much patronized by students. She accumulated much property by practising the gentle art of polishing shirts.

121. "Old Durgin": ME. EZRA DURGIN.

A rather quick-tempered but worthy policeman, contemporary with "Old Swain" and "Old Kize."

122. Various "stewdcats."

Who have played their parts and gone.

123. "Plupy," "Skinny," "Polelegs": THE AUTHOR.

De minimis non curat lex.





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