St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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And, indeed they had it mastered ! But instead of in the place Where such articles are gathered, They had massed it on their face. But at length my friend grew calmer ' Grimy Freshmen are forgot, To investigate that power Tamed and bridled by james YVatt. 7 'Twas the engine caught his notice, And at his request I tried To explain this hidden wonder XVhich our shop with power supplied. Then I told how james, poor laddie, In his fan1ily's humble fold, Saw the kettle's cover raising By a power uncontrolled: How this simple truth the Scotchman Did with zealous ardor seize 5 For he saw in captive vapor NVondrous possibilities : How he then applied his genius, And how mighty his success, For the principles unfolded Now connect both East and West. Is it possible, rejoined he, That a common thing like steam Could have wrought such striking marvels ? Or is this a fleeting dream P 'Tis a fact, quoth I, not fiction - But we could not tarry there Q So at once We make our exit, To the foot-ball field repair. It was just about the hour When the iirst line-up was made, And we saw the brawny players All in uniforms arrayed. Hark ! the starting whistle sounded g Now the pigskin whirls in air l Then those twenty-two trained athletes After it began to tear. 141 In a state of great excitement William scanned the foot-ball ground, And at length when Douglas, half-back, Having caught the ball, was downed. And when one and twenty others Fell o11 him, a screeching pile, And wh en downl he cried, said Pinkney Down, indeed ! Well, I should smile! But do tell me, what's this rumpus O'er that yellow leather egg? From their actions, one might venture That they just had oped a keg. Nay, said I, that's so-called foot-ball g H 'Tis a pseudonym, he said : Not a thing is done by foot-work, But by butting with the head. After that I grew discouraged, Trying to describe the game g So I showed him a bicycle Which into the grounds then came. , ' -V E I , :,,,,,, ,-.

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I am one, replied the stranger, Whom you know, perchance, by fame On the register you,ll ind me, William Pinkney is my name. Many suns have shed their radiance Over hill and moorland plain, Since from these old walls I issued, Never to return again. Life's great battles have engaged me, Fame has saved for me her part g Yet whatever Fortune tendered, Dear St. john's lay next my heart. Now I've come to pay a visit, And I really want to know What improvements have been rendered In this hundred years or so. Friend, said I, I crave your pardon For my lack of confidence g I'm delighted to have met you- Come, welll see the sights at once. Out we went across the campus g The battalion was in line ! Every eye fixed firmly forward 3 Bayonetsi and sabres shine. What, cried he, means all this splendor? Surely they can't soldiers bei! Whoe'er saw such pomp and glory As we now before us see? I once had my band of freemen, Whom in Freedom's cause I lead, When cruel warls harsh, direful thunder Rolled around our nation's head g When Great Britain seized our seamen, Forced them into British ships 5 When 'To Freedom, on to Freedom ' Was the cry upon our lips. But, said he, U how times have altered! Then each had an old fiint-lock, Taking fully forty mules to ' Draw the hammer to a cock. I4Q But, alas! there's no use sighing O'er discomforts now no more g So welll think of nothing farther On the military score. Then we left the green parade ground To the shop our way we led, From which issued noise sudicient To awake the very dead. When at length the door we opened- Who'll describe the sight we saw? My companion stared one moment, Then let forth a loud guifaw. It was not the forge and anvil, Nor the open furnace door, Nor the lathe in rapid motion, That had caused my friend to roar 3 It was just a class of Freshmen Clad in U jeans H and outing shirt Who were learning their first lesson- How to gather up the dirt.

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But by far the oddest vision Which my friend thus far had had,- Sitting on this shiny charger, Was a girl in bloomers clad. t Hey, What's that? he cried in terror, While my arm he firmly seized,- That thing there, that has a motion Like a streak oflightning greased ! That's a ' bike,' quoth I, in laughter, And the occupantis a girl g W Ah ! sighed he, H I comprehend not, For my brain is in a whirl. Once I loved Annapolis maidens: Thought them virtuous and fair, But, alas ! if this we judge by, Such have grown exceeding rare. Hence, to soothe his rufflled feelings, I escort him to the Hall, Where, as Winter was approaching, Old Jack Frost H had made a call. Then, to drive out the intruder, I reached down, and turned on heat: With a rush the steam ascended, Warming us from head to feet. Stared the stranger, burst out grinning' That is something queer, I Ween g Heat abundant in a moment, Nor can spark or flame be seen. Then I turned a rubber button. See, how dazzling to the sight! What's that, magic ? quoth the stranger g Answered I, electric light. Zounds I precisely at this moment, Ere another word was said, Some sly classmate, book upraising, Let it light upon my head. 'Twas a light entirely different From the incandescent sort, But my dream was not all fiction,- Please admit that, I exhort. 142 MQRAL. May our character unblemished Soar beyond earth's doubts and fears, That we, too, be not forgotten In the next one hundred years. So may we, in life's great conflict, Do well all we undertake 3 May our minds be stored with wisdom For our Alma MGf67,S sakeg Now, although dear W'illiam's vanished Still his memory lingers 11igh 5 So with all who have before us Set a standard great and high. 70