them first of all and shook hands with each one very graciously as the Naturalist introduced her.

Paderewski was in Washington as soloist with the New York Symphony Orchestra, led by the youthful Frank Damrosch. This was a great treat for the girls and stimulated the musicians among them to renewed energy. They also heard Paderewski give a piano recital alone at Thomas Circle the next afternoon, where they got the full benefit of his powerful left hand and his expressive head.

The Washington trip was such a decided success that it was adopted as a regular part of the school program during the years that followed.

FAREWELL TO BOWLING GREEN

In the spring of 1893, the Naturalist received a letter from the President of the Wesleyan Female Institute, at taunton, Virginia, offering him a position there at a somewhat increased salary; and at the same time a communication from the President of Randolph-Macon urging him to accept. So he severed the ties that bound him to Bowling Green and established his home for several years in the far-famed Valley of Virginia.

He carried with him a handsome set of Shakespeare's works, a present from his Sunday School Class which he prized very much; as well as many happy, never-to-be-forgotten memories and a consciousness of having succeeded to some extent in his attempt to teach. There were many friends to bid him Goodbye, and not an enemy in sight, so far as he knew.

A

CHAPTER IV

GETTING SETTLED AT STAUNTON

STAUNTON, like Rome, is a city of several hills, and one of these was crowned with the conspicuous brick buildings of the Wesleyan Female Institute, surrounded by a spacious yard and garden and a high board fence. The class-rooms and large diningroom were on the ground floor, while the chapel, reception rooms, and living rooms were on the floors above. At the very extremity of the western wing, fenced off by the aged guardian of health and linen, dwelt the Naturalist.

His wants were small, and so was his room; but he had a little den adjoining where he kept his books, and anything more would have been superfluous. His classrooms consisted of a well-equipped lecture room, a chemical laboratory, and a large biological laboratory.

PRELIMINARY WORK

The President was new and he asked the Naturalist to spend part of the summer with him to assist in

selecting teachers, planning courses, and getting out announcements for the coming year. In return for this assistance, he was sent to Missouri and Arkansas in an effort to secure pupils, and permitted to visit the World's Fair at Chicago after his work was done. This was a wonderful opportunity and very much appreciated. Nothing could have given him a better insight into the best that the world offered than those busy days spent in the famous White City on the shore of Lake Michigan. Thomas was there at the time with an orchestra of over a hundred pieces and Maud Powell was just beginning her career as a violin soloist. During his visit, Virginia Day was celebrated, with the silver-tongued Daniel to sing the praises of the Old Dominion in the greatest speech of his life.

The story of America was given in the great Auditorium, while the world's progress in mechanical inventions, art, horticulture, and various other sciences and industries, was shown in immense buildings filled with wonderful exhibits. The Naturalist enjoyed an entire day at the Fair with the brother of the famous artist, Moran, whose paintings of the Grand Cañon are so well known; and he was accompanied by his daughters, Virginia and Anna, who made a charming addition to the party.

THE INSTITUTIONS IN STAUNTON

The Presbyterian school for girls, conducted by Miss Baldwin, was of high grade and justly famous. President Wilson was born there.

The widow of General "Jeb" Stuart, Lee's dashing cavalry leader, headed a school for Episcopal girls; and there were also Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist schools, the last being the Wesleyan Female Institute.

In addition to the High School, Captain Kable's Military Academy was available for the brothers and cousins of girls attending the various schools mentioned. There was also a military academy at Waynesboro, twelve miles away.

The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute was in the eastern edge of the town, opposite the splendid home of Henry St. George Tucker. The deaf-mutes were exceedingly fond of baseball; and made little noise, but all kinds of signs.

The institution with the largest attendance was the State Insane Asylum, located in the southern edge of town at the foot of Betsy Bell. Cooking was done

there on an enormous scale. Many patients required attendants, and these added to the numbers.