New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-03

The next morning I asked Major NJ J.
Keller, who had been in the Battle of the
Marine and was a great favorite with Mary
Banks, if he would ask her to pose under
cher tree" so that the photographer could
take her picture. / also requested the Major
to tell Mary that she was to be written up in
the newspapers.
We left for Mary's rooms
Mary Oh, Mary!" called Major Keller.
From around the corner of a corridor hob
bled Mary. "Im comm, sir What can / do
fer you on such fine day."
We've come to take your picture for the
newspapers" explained the major.
'The newspapers" exclaimed Mary "Why
I've not been divorced or nothin', have I?'
The major placed an arm about the old,
motherly-looking woman and led her out to the
front of Cullum Hall
Listen, sir" said Mary on the way "If I'd
known what yer wanted I'd "a been hidin'
under the bed"
and I'd have been there to pull you out"
laughed Major Keller.
"But, major, I'd "a kicked my heels like an
army mule" replied Mary, her roguish, dark
eyes plainly showing she enjoyed the attention
she was receiving.
Out front Mary posed beneath ''her tree"
All officers who passed called CHEEKY welcome
to the old woman. The young wife of major
happened along. The girl was good looking, a
picture of youth and life Mary's wrinkled
face appeared above an old-fashioned black
dress. The girl stopped by the photographer.
do you know" she said, "you couldn't take
a better picture Of the spirit of West Point
than Mary Banks? We just love her"
Major Keller led Mary back to her quarters
and asked her to tell me about her trophies
which she had received from famous people.
l gazed about Mary's quarters. Her bed
room contained regular white enameed army
cot, small writing table, upon which was a
picture of crucifx, and one could easily i'm
agine this sweet old woman kneeIing before it
and praying, especially in war times. There
were a chiffonier, three rockers, two trunks, a
wardrobe, and Mary's was complete.
She told me she preferred to live army style,
g Cause that's always best
In talking about her presents Mary became
shy. She refused to open her trunk which |
was told contained numerous gifts from many
officers, but she showed me huge silver low
ing cup which had been presented to her
Ill 1909 by a group of officers. On the cup
were the names OF Major Bell and Major
Howes, both now generals. The cup is three
feet high and twenty inches in diameter
Zone evening" explained Mary. "A bunch
of those officers came a-sneakin' in here One
officer presented the cup and made fine
speech. En- then they cheered until had TO
put them out for fear they'd wake up some of
my officers who were tryin' to get in little
early evening sleep because they were goin'
somewheres which would take all night"
In talking to Mary about life in general
it was obvious that Mary Banks believes there
is nothing but good in this world
Il don't believe people are as bad as thu
papers say. When l left Ireland-it's years
back nowhere was no shootin' nor trouble.
believe, sir, the papers is liars. 1t can't be.
En- murders-why, if any one wus to come
here and say, Mary Banks, I'm goin to shoot
YOU" I'd laugh inter the gun, cause God
wouldn't let any one shoot me- leastways un-
less deserved it. And hope den'..'
After one has almost lived their whole life'
went on Mary, "this life on earth seems to be.
OF SO little consequence. Just think of all the
long, happy years after death. Why shouldn't
people try and be good, SOS God will keep them
forever and ever? But, sir, why do you want
ali this information? Sure no one is interested
IN the likes Of Mary Banks"
An officer who had entered the room an
swered the question
Mary, every army officer who sees your
picture IN the paper will cut it out and save it.
We all just love you, and You know it, too
Some women have to be divorced to get into the
newspapers, but you just have to be plain
Mary Banks"
The old woman looked off into the distance
through her side window. which overlooked the
Hudson River. She said softly:
i try to be good, sir, and I'm glad il people
thinks I've been"