The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-07
POINTERS ON WEST POINT.

My pTlnClpal ndNlnS ldlleu lO pass the February entrance examination for West Point, the Secretary of War di- rected me, as alternate to report June 18th at the Military Academy-either to follow in the footsteps of my predeces- sor or to don the uniform of cadet. In compliance with instructions I re- ported to the adjutant. After register ing my name, age, place of birth, etc., an orderly conducted me to a room in the barracks used for the reception of candidates by the cadet officers who had been detailed for that purpose. I knocked at the door.
 Come in!" yelled the senior officer in charge.
 Entering, I advanced to within a few feet of where he was sitting with his feet cooked up on table, and asked whether he was the person to whom candidates report. Person! Don't call me person! You are respectfully informed that you are addressing Lieutenant Carlos Ger aid, Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy. I am here by direc- tion of the President of the United States to receive candidates. What is your name, sir?' -. Hammond, " answered.
 ''In- speaking to your superior officers always say, MT. Hammond, sir Whats your name, sir?''
 ''Mr. Hammond, sir.
 "Where are you from, Mir. Ham mond?'
 Boston
 Boston, s-i-r! if you please"
 Boston, sir" I repeated.
 ''The Hub, eh? Where is Boston?" Not con1prehending the meaning of his question, hesitated. He asked again:
 Where is Boston, MT. Hammond?" q don't know what you mean, sir. T mean exactly what I said! Where is Boston?
 q can't answer your question, sir" e DO you mean to tell me you don't know where Boston is? Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and Massa- chusetts is in the United States of America. Now do you know where Boston 1s?'
 "Yes, sir,' replied
 Do you think I came from Boston, Mr. Hammond? We'll I did! Some pretty good people come from the Hub On what street do you reSde?'
 Commonwealth avenue, sir"
 Commonwealth avenuei My spoon lives on Commonwealth avenue. Do you know what a spoon is? spoon is your best girl Are you acquainted with my 'spoon?'"
 T don't know, sir. What's her name?"
 T didn't ask you to question me Mr. Hammond. I asked if you knew my 'spoon?"
 "No, sir; do not"
 s'How do you know you dont?"
 Another candidate put in an appear ance and was turned over to Corporal Benton, a member of the third class who, all during this time, had been reading a newspaper upside down.
 .Take Mr. Hammond to barrack No z. 1eft-hand area room,' ordered Lieu tenant Gerald.
 Corporal Benton ushered me into my new apartments. To the right as we entered were two alcoves, and in eacf was an iron bunk. The hunks, table washstand and two chairs constituted the furniture, otherwise the room was bare. I was instructed in the military art of standing at attention when any body with authority entered. The cor poral went out and slammed the dool after him. had scarcely got comfort ably seated in chair when, with { knock, the door flew open and h' stepped in,
 4"Don't take all day getting on you feet, sir,'' said he. Be quick about it like this,'' getting up from chair ant standing at attention as only Wes Point Cadet knows how.
 "Try again, sir"
 After several attempts under the i'm +o ell of m he left the room, saying:
 sWhen you hear the command, can didates, turn out promptly fall il ranks in front of the barracks with tn other candidates and be quick about it Understand sir?"
 "Yes, sr,' I answered.
 had not waited long before the com mand, Candidates, turn out prompt ay," was given. The candidates rushed down the iron flights of stairs, and al most broke their necks trying to ge first into line. The smiles on the face of the cadet officers showed that thei orders had been obeyed.
 The day after my arrival, as I was re turning to my room from the hospital after having successfully passed m. physical examination, l nearly bumpet into cadet who had purposely stepped right in front of me.
 ''What do you mean by walking al over me, sir?" asked he in contemptu ous sort of manner. Showing his fac np to mine so that the tips of our nose almost touched, he said:
 ''Take your eyes off me, sir! Don look at me in that tone of voice!"
 He passed, and I had proceeded onl, a few steps when another cadet iron one of the barracks windows called out
 Stop that grinning! What do yo mean by such levity, sir? Wipe tha smile off your face, MT. Candidate"
 While strolling along the walk i front of the barracks I was accosted b two cadets. The taller asked me if
 MR MEEIIE