Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Bugle Yearbook (Blacksburg, VA)

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ambition is still 1,ll'1S?l'ElS1ClCCl. One thing yet he desires, and at last he obtains it, the chair of mechanical engineering at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Wlien this is obtained, his future is assured, and johnson will devote his time to explain- ing that the projection of the intersection is the intersection of the projection. Our electrical genius, Bro. jones, will, in time, equal, if not surpass, our wonderful Wizarcl. He will delve deep into the mysteries of electricity, and will make many valuable experiments. He will search for two things. Une, an elec- trical apparatus capable of doing a man's thinking, and some means by which electricity may be used for renewing youth. He will marry early in life, if possible, buthis wife will live in constant fear of death from some of the many electrical con- trivances which he will possess. Again, my vision shows to me two whose lives are closely connected. So necessary have they become to one another s happiness that their future would be nothing to them were they compelled to embark alone upon the sea of life. So, sharing each others joys and sorrows, McBryde and Cannon travel slowly down the river of time. It is plainly seen that McBryde,s one element is society. I see him the leader of the fashionable set in some-unknown city, and Cannon will be-led. He will be content to follow in the footsteps of his leader, knowing that through the intricate mazes of society's whirl he will be safely conducted. So be it. Now comes Culpeper's rival, McNiel. His life will be spent in Blacks- burg, where he will have charge of the sewerage system of the town. He will be sued for breach of promise by a maiden of uncertain age, who has bestowed upon him her youthful Q?j affections. But the reputation which he gained while at Virginia Polytechnic Institute will stand him in good stead. And when he has shuffled off this mortal coil, he will be refused admittance into the kingdom of His Satanic Majesty, because His Majesty knows that he, like Culpeper, will 4' lie himself nine times out of Hades, so it will be useless to let him in when he first makes application. One of our celebrities next passes in review. Dr. Mitchell, noted for his eccentricity and his good humor, will, the prophet fears, come to some bad end. But since he will have such a responsible position, it is to be hoped he will con- tinue sane, at least. In my vision he appears as engineer on that great road which will be laid between Blacksburg and Christiansburg. His train will never be behind time, and the mail will reach Blacksburg on the day which it was intended that it should. His passengers needlnot fear him to be a crazy engineer. Palmer will enter for a time upon his chosen profession, a mechanical engineer. His future reputation will rest upon the fact that he is an earnest follower of Izaak Vlfalton. Happiest will he be when sitting by some babbling stream with a trout line in his hands. He will be connected with some great 31

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his honors, satisfied in knowing that he has accomplished that which never mortal man has been able to do before. His income will be in keeping with the notoriety which his engine will bring him. Guerrant, poor fellow, has the warmest sympathy of the prophet. For him there seems to be no future, because he who is condemned to a life in Blacksburg can not be said to have a future, But this is what the vision tells. He will con- tinue to run the creamery, supplying the Faculty with rich, sweet milk and cream. There is one event in store for him, but the happiness connected with it is doubt- ful. The indications are that he will be mated to one of the rustic beauties of the mountains. The prophet wishes him all happiness, but can not predict for him that ideal happiness which such a union should bring. Qur man of the ifs, Haig, might have a successful future were it not for his ifs. Through all his future runs the same thing, everything is clouded with buts. Yet, as an engineer, running Graham's engine to the moon, he may reach something after all, even though it is only the moon. Perhaps, by the time he returns from there he may have succeeded in dropping his ifs and butsf, If he has, and wishes to know his future, he may do so by seeing the prophet. And now comes one of our distinguished men, Benjamin Harrison. Should his future be as brilliant and should he attain to such high honors as did he whose name he bears, there are some who would think he has nothing more to desire. But the aspirations of our Ben i' are not of a political nature. He will be content to follow the profession of a mechanical engineer, satisfied with the honors which this will bring him. Cf more importance to him than the honors are the finances. Should he continue to cultivate certain traits, he may have a fair share of this world's goods, yet the prophet will not vouch for it. The vision is not distinct at this point. I Another civil engineer, and what will the future bring to him P Sad it is that my vision does not bring me a brighter future for Paul. But for him the Fates have in store no rich treasures of honor and gold. His generosity will always be greater than his pocket-book. He, too, will assist in making the sur- vey for the Christiansburg and Blacksburg Railroad. This will be a beginning, and he will, probably, rise, but very slowly. Though not wealthy nor famous, save as a stamp-collector, he will be happy. He will experience for a time the delightful sensation of love in a cottage, but his better half will, one day, fall heiress to a small fortune, and then life will be easier. Another mechanical engineer, and one whose ambition runs high. For a number of years his name will be on the college pension list. He will become a fixture. Then, his ambition reaching higher, and desiring renown, he will take his knowledge of mechanical engineering into the world, causing it to stand in amazement and astonishment at the wonders which he shall invent. But his 30

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locomotive works in the far North, but will finally return to the Virginia Poly- technic Institute as assistant to Johnson. The good man of our Class is the next whom the vision shows me, another celebrity, too, Dr. Perry. What do I see for him ? His life will be spent in leading others in the straight and narrow path. He will not become rich in things of the world, 'because he is not worldly inclined, but his reward shall, nevertheless, be great. He will probably be a Prohibition candidate for Con- gress. A man of rural talents, who has had experience in taking care of Apple Seed's orchard and green-house, is Harvey Price. So well has he done this we may know the farm which he shall own will be a model one. He will grow peaches, plums and pears, for the bS11Ci:1iQ of the Class of '98, Throughout the State will he be recognized as authority on the San Jose scale. His life will be filled with the joys and cares of country life, and his friends will always be welcome to his farm on New River. Another chemist, and a Painter, too. If he combines the profession and the trade, his life will not be the most successful of his class. The indications are that he will be more successful at the latter, for chemistry does not appear to be his vocation. His future life will be spent in decorating the houses of the four hundred in the swell city of Blacksburg. But the gods have in store for him one gift that will render him famous forever. Behold in him one of the future mayors of that great city which he helped to beautify. Another chemist, but my vision does not see him in the chemical laboratory. Three years in one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute were sufficient for Reid, and he turned to other labors. His fondness for the sea asserts itself, and his highest aim is to be first mate on one of the large sea-going steamers hailing from Norfolk. This he will accomplish by the time he is fifty, and seven years after his ship will be blown up by a submarine mine. Until then, he will spend his time in seeking to discover some method by which he can live without work. Smith will not follow his intended profession of a mechanical engineer. The work connected with it is not congenial to him. But he need not fear, he has a future. His ferreting instincts will decide that, and his training at Blacksburg gave him good training for the private detective service. A rival of Pinkerton himself will be this member of '98, His fame will be due to his discovery of the man who committed the sole act of hazing at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the year 2000. This will be his greatest case. Taylor, D. M., will have a brilliant future, except that he will be disappointed in the one great aim of his life. Honor and wealth willbe his, but he will meet with a disappointment that will have its effect all through his after life, making his honors count for nothing. The fair maid whom he adores, the idol of his affections, will prove false to him, and hisnsuccessful rival will be a red-headed 32