Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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Short Sketch of Mr. John Smyth, Commandant of the Corps of Night Watchman, with Rank of Brigadier General, Chief Superintendent of the Steam Heating Depart- ment, Head Horticulturist, etc., etc., of the Mary Baldwin Seminary. N attempting to treat a subject or ' so vast importance in the briel space allowed us, we wish to inform our readers that we can only place l efore them :i very superficial account of the life of this famous personage For a mote thorough study and philosophical consideration of his works and adventures. we refer them to Hon. Blarney O ' Shandy ' s Irish Heroes, ' ' Wilton Waggle- way ' s ' Men of the Day, Andy McDooley ' s Interesting Reminu Distinguished Individuals, also several recent articles in the leading maga- zines and periodicals ol the time. The land of Mr. Smyth ' s nativity is clearly revealed bj the sweet, musical mi dulatioii of his voice and its pleasing intonations, peculiar to the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle. He was horn near Granard, County Longford, Ire. land, in the year 1865. He passed the days ol boyhood and youth upon the paternal estate, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. His young mind was strongly impressed by soul-stirring legends of Bogies and Spooks, in which the county abounded. These legends worked upon his restless, adventurous spiiit. They made him j earn to leave the protection ol his father ' s Kof and seek his fortune in foreign land.-.. At the age of twenty-three, following the example of another illustrious weater of the same title— Captain John Smyth, of Pocahontas fame— he em barked for America. After a stormy voyage, fraught with many perils, John Slllvth at last bade Uncle Sam good morning and landed ill New York. A well known building contractor succeeded in securing hi:- services. In a short while, however. Mr. Smyth tired of this employment, and found more congenial work in a 1 ope- walk. When this occupation became, in turn, monot- onous, he applied for a position to the General Superintendent of the gigantic steamship line plying between New Ytrk and New Haven. He was imme- diately engaged as a deck hand. But some great force, some irresistible magnetism, was drawing John Sm th southward. He came to Staunton and enteltd the serviced the late

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Mr. M Erskine Miller The following yar he became an at- tendant at the Western State Hospital, being afterwards trans- ferred to the steam department as fireman and sttam-fitter. Then the Wesleyan Female Institute secured his services as engineer and plumber. He held this position for four years, when he left Staunton and remained two years at Rockbridge Alum Springs. But. again, the mighty cause of Education was calling him, and to its urgent appeal he nobly responded. Returning to Staunton, he became an employe of the Mary Baldwin Seminary, where he has since discharged theduties of night watchman. having the care of the steam and heating apparatus of the institution during the night watches. Mr Smyth ' s versatile talents have proved a great blessing to this institution; for he has served in the various capacities of engineer, steam fitter, painter, superintendent of the grounds, boy-terrifier, etc Soon after being taken into Miss Baldwin ' s employ, he re- turned to Ireland on a visit to his mother. While in the Child Counthry. he married, and on his return to America brought his wife with him, John Smyth seems to have found his life-work Though paths of tame are open to him in other directions, he has magnanimously resigned them all and will devote his time and talents to the Seminary. In the spring of ' 98, when the shrill scream of the American Eagle was heard over all the land, summoning her sons to war — John Smyth burned to go to the aid of his adopted country. His patriotism, his valor, his ambition were aroused — but then, he bethought him of the chaos he would leave behind. Who would care for the beloved palms in the warm- house? Who would apprehend the stray V. M. I. boy that strolled by the Sem. and gazed at the windows ? Who would fire blank-cartridges at the love-sick serenader, as he harmlessly warbled his amorous ditties to the sleeping maidens within ? John Smyth asked himself these questions. He trembled for the good of the Seminary, and, although the struggle was a hard one, gave up his ambition and remained with us A little anecdote, which we have heard related of him, will serve to show his enthusiasm on the war question. A troop of soldiers were passing through Staunton To the multitude ot people at the depot, suddenly appeared the apparition of John Smyth, approaching in mad haste He had no hat; the breeze was tossing his hair and flapping his coat-tails. There was a gasli under his eye. Some one asked him what was the matter. Faith, I heard the soldiers were coomin ' .an ' I didn ' t see the fince, an ' here it is. answered Mr. Smyth, pointing to the gash. We rejoice to say. however, that despite its many allure- ments, the war did not entice hint away, and we may still hear the familiar voice calling, Young loidies, plase close yer blinds! Kate Jonks.

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The Book Party. N lieu of its usual musical and literary program, the Mary Baldwin Literary Society, on the evening of Fehiuary twelfth, held a book party in the Gymnasium, to which all the members of the faculty were invited. These guests were entertained by the Reception Committee until time for the grand march. In the meantime, the other members of the Society, dressed in costume to represent some book or notable character in the same, assem- bled in a room across the hall. When all was ready, at a given signal, they marched into the Gymnasium to the inspiring strains of a march, played by one of the young ladies. The line was led by two young ladies, draned in red, white and blue, holding, crossed above them, two United States flags, to represent, Under Two Flags. After marching around the Gymnasium a number of times, to give the faculty a chance to guess what books or characters were represented refreshments were served, a feature of the evening especially enjoyed by every one. An informal dance followed, and altogether the evening Was a most pleasant one. Some of the books and characters represented were as follows : Night and Morning was especially striking. Night was attired in a gown of black, covered with silver stars, and wore a silver crown on her head; while Morning, n bed in pink, healing a golden crown on her head, truly resembled the blush of dawn. The Princess was well represented by one ol the young ladies, handsomely gowned, with hair braided and a crown of pearls resting upon her head Maude Muller appeared in gingham dress, with the sleeves rolled up, a large handkerchief around her neck and a sun-bonnet on her arm. She carried r. rake with a lonely twig of grass in it- Sairey Gamp, the nurse, wore an old-time dress and a large sun-bonnet and carried an old broken umbrella together with a great many bottles. In Darkest Africa was cleverly represented by one of the young ladies, who had so effectually smutted herself that it was hard to tell whether she was really a native of Africa or a student at the Mary Baldwin Seminary. A Lady of Quality was attired in handsome pink silk and was further adorned with appropriate ornaments. The role of Helen ' s Babies was taken by two of the younger girls, dressed in long white garments, wearing dainty white bonnets on their heads. Wee Wifie was attired in full bridal costume. Looking Backwards was most ludicrous. She wore a dress fastened up the back, a collar on backwards, her hair over her face, a mask on the back of her head, and a hat on back- wards also. She met with much applause. Miss America wore a costume of red, white and blue. • Quo Vadis was represented by one of the young ladies, dressed in full travelling suit, with a large interrogation point on the front of her frock. She carried a large valise. Many other interesting books and characters were also repre- sented, but it would take too much time and space to mention each one in detail. After a more or less exhaustive strain on our gray matter, in trying to determine what book or character each member present represented, we weie inclined to answer the question, What ' s in a name, by saying that the knowledge of even the titles of our great books up to date would be a possession of which any one might be most proud. Rosa F. Watkins.