The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-02-18
A ROMANCE OF WEST POINT


A ROMANCE OF WEST POINT
Under the willows in the picturesque
little cemetery at West Point. nesting
in the shadow OF Stormy King Mountain
and overlooking the Hudson River, is a
monument erected by the comrades Of
his class of '6s TO Patrick Sars6eld
O'Rourke. He had 4 strange, romantic
history. and ms name is one of the hal
lowed memories among the old profes-
sors NJ 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 we'll
io-do and respectable family in the old
country. When about six or seven years
old little O'Rourke took up the occu-
patton OF 4 newsboy, and, being spry
and active, did pretty well az the bust
ness. He was exceedingly attentive TO
his mother. brough; her home all his
small earnings. while At the same time
he entered into all the sports and pas
times Of his fellow -ncwsboys. and was
noted for has skill as a swimmer. One
day when a; the foot OF Pier No 50,
North River, in the summer OF the year.
a little girl. two years old. the daughter
Of Horace +. Clark, son-in-law Of Com
modore Vanderbilt, vas allowed by a
careless nurse TO stray along the string
piece Of the pier, and il suddenly fell
into the water. Young O'Rourke. who
had been bathing in the vicinity. plung-
cd in after her, and, making a gallant
struggle, brought her safely ashore
When the father OF the child learned the
facts OF the rescue he took immediate
steps TO seekou, the boy and reward
him.
TIE BOY CoEs To wTsT FONT.
After an experience OF the common
schools he vas sent 20 the Free Academy
and made a good showing for himself.
When Mr. Clark became member OF
Congress he had an appointment in his
gift 10 West Point, and there he sent
O'Rourke. who was now grown 10 be
about nineteen years old and quite hand.
some and promising. In poin; Of morals
and department he was the model boy
OF the post. though in his first year lie
was subjected 10 many iaunis and hu-
Mutations on account of his birth, cir
oumSiances, and religion, and especially
on account Of saying his prayers faith
fully morning and night. He was be-
friended by roommate named McCon-
nell, one of the family of the McCon-
nells, the large iron masters of McCon-
nellsville, Pa. II was then-as IL is,
believe, now-the boy repu,ed 20 be of
poor parents who was unceremoniously
treated by the plutocra;ic cadets; but
Mcconnell had 4 manly, generous
spirit, and resented any sights OF insults
offered to O'Rourke. Whenever abused
Mcconnell was ready to take his par,
and avenge him il he suffered. Years
afterward, when he had made a gallant
record in the war aud was editor Of a
Republican paper in Little Rock, Ark. +,
! heard from Colonel Mcconnell the
particulars Of O'Rourk's history. To
ward the end Of his second year at West
Point O'Rouke began TO forge ahead in
his studies and to get n name for excel
lenoe in certain branches. Entering
on the fourth and last year he was noted
for his skill and daring in cavalry riding
and general proficiency in other military
exercises. Al this time he contributed
to different serial publications, transla-
ted from French and Spanish, and was
admitted on all hands to he the foremost
cadet at the Point in the way of possess
ing variety Of accomplishments. In
his twenty-third year he stood five feet
eleven inches, strait as n poplar, with
raven black curly hair, regular features,
and fine set Of teeth. On horseback
he looked 10 particularly good advan-
tage, sitting his animal as il, like GEN.
taur, he were part of it. O'Rourke was
great favorite, as with all his many at
fractions Of mind and person, he was
devoid Of pretcnsion, and modest and
unassuming after manly fashion. Some
Of the old teachers of the academy, like
Professor Kendrick, remember him we'll
and 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 advan-
tage by the bright green foliage Of the
trees-elm, sycamore, maple, cotton
wood, and hickory. ltisat this time the
female friends, relatives, and acquain-
tances Of the cadets visit the Point and
gladden. the hearts of the embryo war
riors. And II was about this time in
1869 that O'Rourke was preparing to
graduate in class of sixty-seven men,
bers. The exercises are carried on in
the library, where the staff of professors
attend, and the cadets enter by sections
Of from six 10 nine, and are examined