The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-09-21

You r respectfully informed that you
are addressing Lieutenant Carlos Ger
aid, corps of cadets, United States
Military Academy. l am here by di
rection of tee President of the United
States TO receive candidates. What is
your name, sir!"
Hammond" I answered.
'In speaking to your superior off
GERS always say, Mr.. Hammond SIR
What's your name, sir7"
Mr.. Hammond, cir"
where are you from, M. Ham
monde"
Boston"
Boston, sir, if you please.
Boston, sir" 1 repeated.
THE Hub, eh9 Where is Boston9"
Not compromising the meaning Of
his question I hesitated. He asked
again:
"Where is Boston, Mr. Hammond"
81 don't know what you mean, sir. "
II mean exactly what l said. Where
is BoatonQ"
81 can't answer you question, sir"
"Doyou mean to tell me you don't
know where Boston is9 Boston is the
capital of Massachusetts, and Massa
chusetts is in the United States Of
America. Now do you know where
Boston isl"
Yes, cir, " I replied.
DO you think l came from Boston,
Mr.. Hammond Well, I did. Some
pretty good people from the Hub,
On what street do you reside2"
"Commonw wealth avenue, sir"
Commonwealth avenuel Ny spoon
lives on Common wealth evenve. Do
you know what a spoon is2 A spoon
is your best girl Are you acquainted
with my 'spoon9'"
81 don't know, sir. What's her
ngmeG"
Il didn't ask you to question me,
Mr.. Hammond. 1 asked if you knew
my 'spoon'9"
mo, sir, 1 do not"
"How do you know you do not7"
Another candidate put in ar appear
ance, and I was turned over to Corpo
! raj Benton, a member of the third class,
who, during all this time, had been
| reading s ne wspaper upside down.
Take Mr.. Hammond to barrack
No 2, left hand area ROOM" ordered
Lieutenant Gerald.
Corporal Benton ushered me into
my new apartments. To the right as
We entered were two alcoves, and in
each was en- iron bunk. The hunks,
table, washstand and two chairs con
stituted the furniture; otherwise the
room was bare. 1 was instructed in
the military art Of standing attention
when anybody with authority entered.
The corporal went out and slammed
the door after him. had scarcely got
comfortably seated in a chair when
with a knock the door f,w open and
he stepped in.
Don't take all day getting on your
feet, SIR" he said. BE quick about
it, like this" getting up from a chair
and standing at attention as only a
a West Point cadet knows how.
TRY again, sir"
After several attempts under the
immediate supervision Of my instruc
tor he left the room, saying:
When you hear the command,
| Cat didates, turn out promptly fall
in ranks in front Of the barracks
with the other candidates, and be
qpick about It'll Understand, siI7"
Yes, sir" 1 answered.
Ihad waited long before the com
mard, Candidates, turn out prompt
" p was given, The candidates rushed
down the iron fights of stairs and al.
most broke their necks trying to get
first into line. The smiles on the faces
OF the cadet officers showed that their
orders had been obeyed..
The day after my arrival, as I was
returning to my room from the hoepi-
tai after having successfully passed
my physical examination, l nearly
bumped into a cadet who p~urposely
stepped right in front OF me.
What do you mean by walking all
over me, SIRE he asked in 8 contemp-
tuous sort of manner. Showing his