Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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' I he Mary Baldwin Seminary. 23 little lady. They never thought her too tired or sick to go to them, and always sent for her. Then there was her Sunday School class of girls. She loved those girls dearly, and never let an opportunity pass to say something for her Master. I am sure that many have been led to Him. either by her beautiful influence or by what .she had said. Yet with all this, she never neglected her own family, for there was never a prouder mother nor truer wife, than was Mrs William E. Baker, the wife of the forever beloved pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Staunton, Va. Do not all agree with me when I say that she was a model pa.stor ' s wife? It has been man}- years since she was our pastor ' s wife, yet the tender aflection which all felt for her, had not faded with the years, for when she returned to us last spring, she was received with as much love and affection, as if she had just been in our midst. Even those who were children when she left, and are grown now, remembered what she had been to them and wel- comed her for it. Nor had time blotted out her love for her friends. She received all whom she saw- in her same sweet, loving manner. She made only a short stay with us, and her departure was lamented by all. That her declining years may be blessed with as much love and happiness as she has given to others, is the wish and prayer of one of her children. Ev. Baker McCue, Staunton, Va. THOUGHTS OVER MY MUSIC PORTFOLIO. First of all there is Plaidy, that much abused volume. The leaves are torn and soiled, and the back entirely gone. The vituperations I have called down upon its innncent head ! After I learned my notes, it was given to me, and here on the eve of my graduation I must still practice from it daily those five finger exercises and scales.

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22 The Anmial of baby Kate to our city. A bright, pretty girl she was, and before long she had won the hearts of all her people. As time went on she grew more in their hearts, and soon was not only the mother of her family, but the mother of the church as well. Who was there among the ladies, who had any little trouble with which she did not wish to burden her pastor, for he had so much to bear, thai did not go to this dear little w oman for advice? She was never too tired or too busy to listen to these troubles, and was always ready to give her advice and assistance. She was never too much taken up with household duties to visit with her husband, for she felt that it was as much the duty of the pastor ' s wnfe to visit the poor and sick and stranger as that of the pastor himself. She was always ready with something dainty for all the sick and afilicted, and when she had nothing to take with her, she carried that gentle voice and beautiful smile, which were better to some than dainties, for they brought sunshine and comfort to all with whom the} ' came in contact. Then she was the poor ' s best friend. They were not too proud to tell her their suflfer- ing and need, because the}- knew that they would find in her a most ready helper. She sympathized with them in their need, and no one was too poor or lowly to be her friend. She was the children ' s best friend as well as that of the aged. Her house was always open to all the children, and her carpets were never too fine for their muddy shoes, nor her furniture too good to be converted into play things. They thought there was no place like her house for fun,- and no one like her to make fun for them. Her house was open to all, and any who might go there were received with open arms. She was known by her old horse Morgan and the little rockaway. It belonged to all the invalids of the church, and the children as well, for there was always room for one more in that carriage. But not only the carriage, but the owner of it belonged to the invalids also. Wherever there were any sick members of the congregation they thought there was no one who could nur.se them .so gently and well as this dear

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24 The Annual of And there is that little piece — the very first one I ever took. I shall never forget my pride when my teacher gave it to me. A real, sure enough piece ! No little musical study in my ex- ercise book, but a piece found all by itself! My Chopin album has the first place in my heart, and the Sonata op. 35 is my favorite of his compositions. The music is at fir.st wild and warlike. A victorious hero with his army is marching home, triumphant. His heart beats happily. The music now changes, and becomes soft and low. It is a melody of beautiful sweetness. Mixed with the hero ' s joy of victory, is a tenderer strain. She, his promised bride, awaits him, and his thoughts have turned to her. Again the wild, war music comes in. The army is nearing the city now, where expectant throngs will crown their brows. But suddenly, in the midst of all this jo3 the deep, sombre tones of a funeral march are heard, and the muffled tread of soldiers as they follow a body to the grave. It is our hero ' s bride. She, who was awaiting his coming. Again, that melody, low and .sweet, is repeated. Overwhelmed by his grief, his thoughts have flown back to the happy days of old. When young, and light of heart, confi- dent of victory, he had bidden her good bye. But, not long is he allowed this re.spite of forgetfulness, for once more the fun- eral march breaks in, recalling him to the present. We in our imagination, see a broken-hearted soldier, standing oyer the grave of his beloved. His heart torn by anguish almost un- bearable. And, as the last notes sob themse ves awa) ' , an- nouncing the end of the military obsequies, dazed, he leaves the grave, and goes forth, he knows not where. The bride represents Poland; the soldier hero, one of her sons. After their brave fighting, their cause was lost, and the Poles mourn- ed foi their countr} as a lover would for the death of his bride. It is a strange fact that the first time the funeral march was ever performed with a full orchestra was at Chopin ' s own fun- eral. The Presto of the Sonata is a low running movement. Ar- tists do not all agree in the significance of it. Some of them think that Chopin ' s idea was that after death, all is dust and