The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-14

him q great deal. and at length provoked
bevOund an patience the "plebe" started
deWn % the commandments tent 10 report
his prosecutors. They rushed after bim
and frightened or persuaded him 70 20
back. Indeed. one cadet said that II the
'plebep reported him he would XIII hlm,
and this threat be several times mado 10
the "plebe" himself in the most violent
manner and menacing tone.
The poor "pleben was desperate. eW
men have experienced, and few can real
iZe. such intense mental agony as he mnst
have suffered the rest of that week. lie
could not endure the strain. lie deserted
with no very clear notion OF where he
should GO and lie stopped at a little
village two miles from West Point, was
captured and brought back. A few days
later he offered his resignation. He left
West Point. went West and was tor q
long time dangerously i'll.
If he had died he would have been 3
man murdered by West Point hazing.
UNPBovoKEp CRUELTY.
If il was unpleasant 10 be punished for
violations OF the queer code 20 which fourth
classmen were supposed 20 conform, still
more disagree cable was il TO be tormented
without excuse Yet there was a great deal
OF punishment inflicted for the mere caprice
of the old cadets. For example. in one of
the companies was tent where ''plebes'
were made 70 do double step 10 make record
of the greatest number of double steps ever
done ia one tent. Double step, as military
men know is an exercise which stimulates
running without advancing, The soldier in
executing this movement raises his knees
alternately as in running. but does not
move 10 the front. One speedily becomes
fatigrsl by this kind Of motion, and when
one has 10 raise his legs five hundred or O
thousand times. bringing the knee each
time above the waist. he soon tires out COM
petely. Yet sometimes men, all weary
from the drills, had TO do i've thousand IN
a single evening.
At the particular tent spoken of record
was kept Of the double steps" done by
each man. The occupants two third class
men-would send out a Dlebe 10 the other
companies 10 collect other plebes and the
whole squad would do" double step for
fifteen or twenty minutes. In this way the
total rapidly mounted and il was designed
that 100000 double steps should be "done"
IN that one tent.
Other upper classmen delighted in crack
ing Jokes with captive piebes. Even from
the plebes'" point OF view this was not
always so dsagreeable but sometimes these
conversations were extremely obscene and
men were occasionally compelled 70 listen
20 foods OF nestiness which they would
probably have checked had not the dead
line Of plebedom kept them back
But nothing annoyed Us moro than the
visits. IN our own tents, of certain Grant
third classmen. These men would wander
from tent 10 tent, and whenever they
stopped by their harsh language insolent
bearing and logged determination 10 hu.
initiate and give pain, leave behind helpless
anger and shame. Fourth clAssmen would
fairy turn white when they heard one of
these persecutors coming down the COM
pany street. IL was one OF these fellows
who double stepped" young boy until he
tainted on his tent floor. "Plebes" used 10
swear many Oaths that the next visit should
be the iast that blow from rife butt
should stop the next upper classmean who
should enter bent on hazng. But the de-
termined mood would pass and the ''plebe"
would spring 10 attention at the sound OF
the dreaded fOotstep on the tent floor. al
subserylent and as cowed as ever.
HOW CADET OPP IRIS PERsEcUrR.
The long camp drew 10 a close. We
hailed with ioy the time when We would
not have to fin out and depress our toes Oh
keep rigIdly erect at table. We knew that
after the battalion got into barracks and
academic duties began we would not be re.
quired TO clean other mems equipments
But II we supposed that our privileges were
TO be considerable We were very much ms.
taken.
We marched to meals in column. with q
line of file closers. as at drill These men
kept up a continual olamor. calling out t.
plebes TO Get your shoulders backl'
Drag in your chin" A certain amount OF
this setting-up was good and necessary. bu,
here again military discipline was perverted
TO means OF groundless ANNOYANCE There
were some cadet lioutenants and sergeants
who abused nearly all fourth classmen con.
stantly while In ranks TO march down Ia
dinner before one OF these fellows was
enough to spoil ones appetite for the meal
% follow.
From CAB to DAB p. N guard of cadets
Is posted at the barracks. QUE man ia each
OF the nine entries or divisions. to prevent