Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-31
OBSERVATIONS OF A RETIRED
VETERAN.

mer. the exceptions were strongly suspec-
ted of being gentlemen, and in the latter
the exceptions we're suspiciousy looked
on as sinners. I take it that much uf the
superiority of the Normal School to eth
er body, as visitor, may be fairly attribu-
ted to the fact of the large proportion of
women in it. Say what you will; there
goes out from a refined and intelligent
woman an influence that man does not
possess, and that no amount of education
and training Can give him.
1 confess that look at the Normal girls
with respectful curiosity. To my mind a
woman that has the Independence to earn
her own living, the prudence to steer clear
Of the risk Of having to support man.
and who possesses those mental resources
which enable man or woman to pass
through life without having to depend on
another for happiness. Is to be envied. 1t
is an admirable quality of mind in man,
but to woman it must be invaluable. 1t
is the only true Philosophy. ALI others
are counterfeit.
" SEQ Oll bUlCCG0 ullCu UWlCO d Ody
with a long procession of pretty women
is something of itself; but to see process
sion of women who are not only pretty
but clever as well, is great prize for
Staunton to draw. Nevertheless their
presence has its drawbacks. Our eldest
girl has been subjected to sore tribula-
tiOns since they came. She spends hours
at che dictionary in preparation for going
at night into the parlor where our guests
do congregate, and reappears next morn
perior knowledge has bewildered. The
other night they threw her into a spasm
Of inquiry with the word 'siesta." To
Mrs. BOyzy and myself, who have been
the victims of this worthy young woman's
corrections as to our pronunciation and
our general ignorance, this state CT mind
On the part of our little girl comes in the
shape of just and long wished for retri-
button. AS for myself, say long live
these lovely avengers, and may their siestas
be as undisJurbed as that sleep Of the just
which is reported ON good authority to be
of the soundest character.
Some Vain regrets. however, fill my
frosted head as 1 gaze curiously on tie
RANKS of pretty school marms. Such is
the effect that Beauty has on Senilty, that
1 swear to you many of US old boys would
| gladly be little chaps again if it were only
to be ruled, aye, and tAr1'r -. 6v
| them. Whore ~vuIu vuey have been in our
.ay Why was it that instead Of recelv-
ing punishment from those lovely arms
| clad in their summer gauZe, l was horsed
around by the gray boards and tough
muscles of the ancient regime who were
prodigal of the pecagogic virtue, under
which SO much of cruelty was hidden called
'irmness. All, Brethren of the Old Boys
Brigade, we owe Fate many grudge, but
none greater than that we came into the
world at that glacial period of unsympa
thetc education when Barbarism and not
Beauty ruled in the schoolroon. The little
differences l could enumerate. now as
sumo the gigantic proportions Of historic
epochs. How different the scene with the
first chew Of tobacco! At the one period.
u ministerlng angel in white muslin ten
deFly minissering to the suffering boy; at
the other,a pair of angry and pitiless mas
culine eyes staring through steel spec
tacles. and masculine muscles dragging
tbs white faced victim fr0m thu woodhouse
to minister to his fraities with a
cat-o'-nine-t ais. And then quietly taking
his own quld out of his pocket and taking
a chew Do l throwsthis last satire in in
malice Perhaps so; but whether do or
not, the Inconsistency of the thing struck
me as forcibly forty years ago as it does
to- day. It was lapse of logic that, next
to the CATO -nine-t tails, made the profound
est impression On me.
And again, as look closely at these
pretty teachers recognize many of them
as old friends whom have seen before.
Take this one who sits nearest to me at
the table, and for whom l turn the music
book in the parlor at night. The One, of
whom Mrs. Boyzy hears my enthusiastic
praises with a icy GOODNESS, the depths
of which no thermometer can sound, and
oh USSOudo VI WAOLu, WlOa opchC VI uC1
exceedingly gentle and lady-like manner,
that estimable and we'll balanced woman
remarked that "We should not form an
opinion of strangers too quickly"-take,
say, this young girl, where have [ seen
her before? Have not seen her at the
annual commandments? Is it not she,
with but few years added, who l saw
float in on pillows of white muslin, amid
gas lights and the sweet smelling flowers
of June. to deliver her valedictory, from
which foated the traditional knot of blue
ribbon? Is not this the sweet voice that
l heard exhorting her sister graduates to
go forward over the rugged path in the
"battle Of lfe'' with the geographical
promise that after crossing over
the river into the Great Beyond, they
would assemble around the Great White
Throne and there engage in vocal music
as being the terminus of the route? Is not
this the lovely being that heard turn to
s'yOu, Dear Prlncipal'' and assure him
that in our heart of hearts we shall ever
carry through life the remembrance of |
your kindness and interest in US, aud that |
in that same heart of hearts spare room |
should be kept forever for you, dear |
teachers; you, dear chambermaid; and |
you, dear cook2 Was it not to this Sweet |
Singer of the Ssminalies that my eldest |
boy contributed SIS bouquet out of his I
fathers substance? Ali those royal !
nights have long since gone the ligats
are out, and the June flowers have long
ago faded and withered, and with them
the delicious dreams of girlhood. The
Dreamer has gone, but in her stead here
stands the Woman who has taken her
place amid the Mind-W orkers of the