“AULD ACQUAINTANCE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 7

“AULD ACQUAINTANCE”

BOYHOOD FRIENDSHIP RESUMED TWO OLD SCOTSMEN REUNITED The story of a boyhood friendship which has been resumed after a break of over 60 years by two old men separated by half the world lies behind a recent interchange of letters between a Central Otago resident and another man now spending the evening of his life in Fifeshire. The former is Mr George Lindsay and the Fifeshire veteran is Mr John Forrester. After having lost all trace of each other during the years of their active manhood, they have now, in advanced old age, re-established touch. Though living 12,000 miles apart, they have commenced by correspondence an exchange of reminiscences of their boyhood days in Scotland. The old friendship was resumed following the appearance in a provincial Scottish newspaper of an interview with Mr Forrester. At his native town of Ceres the Fife foxhounds met recently for the’ first time in 50 years, and the incident recalled to Mr Forrester memories of his schooldays, when with another boy he played truant in order to follow the hounds. His reminiscences of Fifeshire life two generations ago were published in the Fife People’s Journal, a copy of which reached Mr Lindsay in his home at Wedderburn. He was the other boy who took unauthorised leave that day from school to see the fox run to earth. He wrote to Mr Forrester recalling their friendship and that particular exploit of theirs which resulted in a liberal application of the “ tawse,” ending with the plea, “ If you happen to be the same John Forrester, please send me a few lines for auld times sake.”

The old man in Ceres received with pleasure this intimation that hie former friend was still alive —a pleasure that was heightened by the fact that of their contemporaries they alone were living. And so an exchange of letters followed, in which there was the often recurring phrase, “Do you mind?” The retired farmer of Wedderburn briefly refers to his life during an absence of 60 years from Scotland, and in return the Ceres man tells of the changes that have taken place in the old home town. But though both are over 80 years of age they have the virility which is characteristic of the Scot. Each is fortunate in that he has the companionship still of his life’s partner. And so it happens that Mr Lindsay will next year celebrate his golden wedding, while in far off Fifeshire his friend is looking forward to his diamond wedding in 1938.