National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-04
ROMANCE OF WEST POINT.


O'Routkc. He had a strange, romantic history,
and his name is one Of the hallowod memories
| among the old professors Of the Point He was
born In this city, OF Irish parents and while little
| more than three years old lost his father His
| mother was in poor circumstances, though she
belonged TO formerly well to- do and respectable
fRmily in the old country. When about six or
seven years old little O'Rourke took up the occu.
patton Of newsboy, aud, being spry and active,
| did pretty well NJ the business. He was exceed
| ingly attentive 10 his mother brought her home
| all his smnll earnings, while at the same time he
entered into all the sports and pastimes Of his fell
| low newsboys, and was noted for his skill as a
| swimmer. One day when at the foot Of Pier No.
| 50, North River In the summer of the year, 1T
tie girl, two years old, the daughter Of Horace F.
| CLARK. son .in-law Of Commodore Vanderbilt was
| allowed by n careless nurse 10 stray along the
string piece ofhc pier, and itsuddcnly fell into the
water Young o Rourkc who had been bathing
| in the vicinity, plunged in after her and, making
n gallant struggle, brought her safely ashore.
When the father OF the child learned the facts Of
| the rescue he took immediate steps TO seek out
| the boy aud reward him lie found him bright
aud Intelligent, aud he determined to send him
! to school
THE Roy GOES TO wEsT POINT
AMER M experience of the common schools he
was sent to the Free Academy and made good
showing for himself When Mr. CLARK became n
VI NpHEItkh tic UAN IN III MS
gift TO West Point and there he sent o'Rourkc
who was now grown to be about nineteen years old
aud quite handsome and promising. In point of
morals and department he was the model boy Of
the post, though In his first year he subjected to
many taunts and humiliGtions Oh account Of bis
BIRTH circumstances, and religion, and especially
on account of saying his prayers faithfully morn
ing and night. lie was befriended by n room mate
named Mcconnell, one ofthe family oftho McCon-
upllg the lurpp iron Of Moi OunCllevilln
Pa twas then--as it is, believe, now-thc boy re-
putcd TO be Of poor parents who was unceremoni-
ousy treated by the plutocratio cadets but McCon-
nell had manly, generous spirit, and resented any
sights or insults offered to OROurke. Whenever
abused Mcconnell was ready to take his part and
avengc him ifhe suffered. Years aflerwRrd, when
he had made gallant record in the war and was
editor ofa Republican paper in Little Rock Ark, l
heard from Colonel Mcconnell the particulars of
oRourkcs history. Toward the end of his second
year West Point o'Rouke began to forge ahead in
his studies and to get name for excellence In
certain branches. Entering on the fourth and last
year he was noted for his skill and daring in cav.
airy riding and general proficiency in other mill.
tAry exercises. AT this time he contributed 10
different serial publications. translated from
French and Spanish, and was admitted on all
hands to be the foremost cadet at the Point In the
way of possessing variety Of accomplishments,
In his twenty third year he stood five feet eleven
inches, straight ms II poplar. with raven black
curly hair, regular features, and fine set of teeth.
On horseback he looked to particularly good ad
vantage, sitting his animal IT, like centRur, he
were part oft. O'Rourke was a great fayorie, as
with all his many attractions of mind and person,
lie was devoid of prctension. and modest and UNI |
assuming after manly fashion. Some Of the old |
teachers OF the academy, like Professor Kendrick,
remember him well md speak with admiration OF |
his several brilliant qualities.
THE GRADUATION TINE AT THE POINT
The commencement exercises at West Point !
usually begin about the opening Of the leafy !
month of June, when the scenery of the post Is set
off to advantage by the bright green foliage of the
trees-elm. sycamore, maple, cottonwood and
hickory. 1t is at this time the female friends .
relatives and acquaiutauccs of the cadets visit the
Point and gladden. the hearts Of the embryo war.
riors. And II was about this time in 1862 that
O'Rourke was preparing to graduate in class of
sixty seven members. The exercises are carried OH
In the library. where the staff Of professors attend
and the cadets enter by sections of from six to |
nine, and are examined in rotation in chemistry, |
minernlogy, engineering law philosophy, French, |
Spanish tactics, siege works, &c. There is also in
attendance board Of visitors, composed Of some |
Of the most prominent men in the country. To &C.
quit himself creditably before this assemblage o !
cadet needs to have his wits about him, and to be
us cool az a cucumber. A number of ladies are .
always OH hand, and take delight In admiring the .
dapper figures of the cadets. When o'Rourkc's ,
turn came for examination he made, l am in. !
formed, a more favorable impression than any .
other in the graduating class, his answers so
clear and unembarrassed, while the rule is Confu-
sion and hesitation.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Stopping AT the West Point Hotel during ex-
animation week was lady OF great beauty, Miss |
Clark from New York CITY, accompanied by |
another lady and gentleman. They had friends |
among the officers of the garrison and had avaied
of examination week to call n visit.
hop was given TO the first class cadets in the |
hotel, and at this ORourke attended. As usual |
the cadets monopolized all the beautiful girls the
officers being to a great extent neglected. Miss
Clark fell TO o Rourke his partner in the dance,
and IL is needless to say of love at first sight
at once occurred From that night on for some
days they met constantly, this being a season of .
leisure and relaxation for the members Of the |
graduating class Little did he dream that the |
lady with whom he was now madly in love was |
the little child of two years whom he rescued |
IRON wateTy grave years before AS for her |
Il was impossible that she could remember the oc-
Currence and, even II she did, pains were taken |
that she should never know who her resGuer was |
for certain obvious reasons.
HOW o'RouRKE WAS EUCHRED.
great ball at CoZzens' Hotel wound up the ex. |
ercises of the term but before 1t came on there was
an influence at work that BODIED III for ORourke
The gentleman who accompanied Miss Clark from !
New York was Mr.. Corlies, son Of a wealthy and
aristocrac father He was in love with Miss Clark |
and was bitterly jealous ofO ROurke Love and jeal.
ousy combined are potent factors in suggesting
means for their qualification, COres set himself
to work 70 secure a history Of OROurkes ante.
ccdents, of which he had some hints and these he
fully digcsted and presented to Miss Clark in the
most obnoxious light His representations caused
her to pause and reflect and when hesitation aud
reflection come in at the door the passion OF love
is apt To go out ut the window. Now" said
ORourkes rival TO the lady, how would you like
when you marry man of that sort to have his old
mother, who is e common Irish wRsheTwoman,
coming up to your house on Fifth
avenue of n Sunday, with a dirty dhudeen
in her mouth, dirty old cap on her
head, brogues on her feet and red shawl around
her waist. How would you like that2" he re.
pcated, IN bitter. sneeTing tone, and went on TO
draw over and overagain the picture of OROurke's
mother IN the worst light possible, O'Rourke
knew nothing Of this, and had made an appoint.
ment to meet Miss Clark AT the ball in COIzens
Hotel She was not there, He looked with eager
and searching eyes through all the groups OF
dancers, but no trace Of her could be found. lie |
started for the West Point Hotel and was told she
had LEFT for the city, leaving a note behind for |
him, He tore 1t nnN iousy open. Itcontained but |
two lines; miss Clark desires that Mr. oRourke !
will consider himself stranger 10 her in future"
SAD END OF THE CHATTER.
The blow was Il stunning one, He had lived
thousand years Of bliss in the past week, and now
TO find II all a Wild and hollow dream was too
much lie went straightway TO New York, and
FROM there to Harrisburg. Pa, where Governor
Curtin gave him commission in regiment OF