Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-07-11
ADDRESS 70 THE STUDENTS
OF
CHARLOTTE HALL SCHOOL
By
WILLIAM KILKOUR, ESQ.

Mr.. President, YoRng Gentlemen oj
Charlotte Hall School, Ladies and
Gentlemen
When | reflect how many Ehere
are throughout the old Common
wealth Of Maryland who carry the
image Of this institution in a soft
corner of their hearts, who are more
entitled tothe honor of addressing
ko.l - 81 g eiss~.iIiz.sls~
ifest Interest. and whose ripe -ssxpe-
rience and varied accomplishments
better fit them for the more forcible
presentation of such subjects as
should claim and engage your con-
sideration, realize that the execu-
tion of the trust | have assumed is
not altogether free from embarrass-
ment. noreasy of approach. | am
reminded, however, that there are
periods in the life of every lndivid-
ual when he should endeavor to
meet every honorable emergency
which oyertakes him in the walks
of life, and particularly so when it
tends to the advancement of the
public welfare.
Encouraged by reflections of such
a character as we'll as the very fiat
tering request OF the Board of Trus-
tees, ! am with you to perform, as
best may be able, most pleasing
duty. And, sir, for the opportunity
thus afforded me Of gratifying a
cherished sentiment of my mind
and heart which throbs in sympa-
thy with the struggles of the grow
ing manhood of the ancient and
honored province Of Southern Mary
land, beg to tender through you
my acknowledgment.
Before passing to the considera-
ton of the subject-matter which l
desire to place particularly before
the students of this institution,
you will pardon a moments digres-
sion.
When, after q sleep of a genera
ton, Zip Van Wrinkle returned to
his old home, he was so changed
that no one knew him. During his
absence, one government had been
superseded BY another, and he wan
dered, it is true, through familiar
scenes, but among novel opinions
and unknown actors. This morn
ing, as | made my way along your
classic shades and unused for q mo-
ment beside the walls of that ven-
cradle building that stands hard by,
| was forcibly reminded that far
back in the purple light of the beau
tiful long ago, when the horizon of
youth was upholstered with crimson
and gold, when my heart was young
and glad, ere it shrined a tomb or
had planted a willow, it was my
pleasure as it was my honored priv
llege to be an humble member of
this collegiate household. Whilst
personally unknown to you all save
by very short acquaintance, re-
alIze with no little pleasure that l
am no stranger here. Many and
many time when the morning was
young and r,sy, or when the occi-
dent was brilliant with amber lights,
have / followed the banks OF yon-
der gushing stream, lost to every
thing save its untutored melody.
Then its waters mirrored the bloom
of youth as enly a few hours since
they caught The shadow of advanced
and advancing years. Many and
ofttimes when the day was warm
and bright, have / visited some IA
vorite piece of woodland where
song and shadow blend, and dream
ed away the noontide hours. |
knew the whereabouts of every wild
flower could tell the note of every
bird that sang in the forest every
winding path, every picturesque lit
tie ravine is a mocking memory of
some of the happiest hours of my
life. All, sunny were the hours
then, and | beg to assure you still
sunny are their memories The
golden days that rippled BY with q
gliding tread were half rest, half
dream. To-day, standing as it
were on their margin, in the un-
clouded possession of every faculty
of the mind and heart, with the
iife-blood coursing warmly and free
ly through every artery and vein,
and looking out upon the sunset of
life, the reminicences of that splen-
did gone-by come falling round me