Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

Page 32 text:

Now Ruth, last, but bj ' no means least, how wags the world with you ? Ninth witness : Your Honor, after leaving the vSeminary, I went West and lived with my father on a ranch, and was a true Western girl. Every day I rode my little broncho over the prairie, and had many exciting experiences. At full gallop, I rescued a man from being trampled to death by an infuriated herd of cattle, raced hundreds of miles to bring the tidings of the great prairie fire, and at last — ran away with a cowboy. Judge : Well done, ye worthy children of your Alma Mater. True have ye been to the White and Yellow ; and now, farewell. Mabei, Wharton IvEftwich.

Page 31 text:

from far and near. In our beautiful home, I teach them to be true men and women. This is my career. Judge : And a noble one it is. He looks into her sweet face and thinks of the days gone by when Evelyn was the comforter and sympathizer at M. B. S. What has happened to you, Louella Gilliam ? Fifth witness : Sir, I am on a visit to my old home after an absence of sev- eral years in Germany, where, after studying under Germany ' s most renowned master, I have been teaching in a young ladies ' seminary at Berlin. I .shall pass through Staunton on my way home, as I am anxious to see once more dear Pro- fessor Eisenberg. ' ' Judge : Stella, has the world treat -d you fairly, and have the promises of youth been fulfiled ? Sixth witness : Since Patti ' s death, her mantle has fallen upon me, and the world has received me with open arms. My high ' C ' captivates all hearts, and Nilsson and Melba turn green with envy at the mere mention of the world ' s new pr. ) a doiuia. Judge : Truly, you should feel .satisfied. How well he recalls the Glee Club at M. B. S., when Stella led the chorus in — White and Yellow, float forever, Ccilnrs l)ravest and the best, etc. Seventh witness, coming forward with a quick, lively .spring: Eet me tell my tale now, O judge. My life has been lived for the most part on the stage. I have been for a .short time the vocalist in Sousa ' s band, thrilling all hearts with my voice, but I shall give up all this now, as some one has begged me to sing for him alone. This I .shall do in the future. Judge: You have my sincere congratulations, Jo.sie, and I am not sur- prised that you, with your gyp,sy ways, have enthralled ore heart as you capti- vated all in that memorable role of ' Meg, the Gypsy. ' Jessie, what has been your lot since girlhood days? Has it fallen in pleas- ant places ? ' ' Eighth witness : I am the efficient teacher of vocal expression at our Alma Mater, your Honor. Have you never heard me recite since those days of old? Let me give you a specimen of my high dramatic powers, and catching up the judge ' s gavel she begins — Lift her up tenderly, Handle with care, Fashioned so slendei ' lv, etc. Judge : Yes, I see M. B. S. has a treasure in having you as one of the faculty.

Page 33 text:

THE BREATH OF A VIOLET. Tender and sweet are the thoughts That the brea ' h of a violet brings — Subtle, beguiling, and soft — Memories of lar-jway things. And I see her in beauty rare — Her whom my heart loved best — In her gown of shimmering white. With the violets on her breast. And again in the shadowed grove. With the moonlight overhead. The dreamy music is sighing To me, — and my love, long deai Again I hear her voice. And read in her wondrous eyes The secret of her true love. Though deep in their depths it lies. And I kiss her again on her brow. While low droop her lashes of jet, ' T is strange what a rapture thrills my soul With the breath of a violet. And she lays her white hand n mine. While up from the sleeping vale. In the gladdest of dulcet tones. Comes the voice of the nightingale. Then I stand with a breaking heart. Alone on the wooded hill. And I gaze on the violet-covered spot Where my love is sleeping still. But this fancy comes to me And banishes vain regrets. That you wait for me, darling, in paradise. Alone with the violets. Marie Clarke Brunson. 23