The record-union., 1898-05-04
WINDING TIP a DAYS WORK

WINDING UP a DAYS WORK
Drill ends at $50, unless it is parade
day. In that case the cadets are out
again in ten minutes, having changed
to their dress uniforms in the mean
time The band appears, led by the
mighty drum major, and marches
across the field before the long line of
silent cadets, all standing at parade
rest, not the variation of a fraction OF
an inch in their position. The blare
of martial music, the long plumes of the
reviewing officers and the bright red
sashes of the officer cadets lend an ele-
ment of life and color to the dress pa
rade that makes it always an inspiring
sight
Then, as the sun sinks behind the
rugged barrier of the Hudson hills, the
boom of the sunset gun echoes across
the river, the starry flag comes drifting
slowly down from the tall fiagpole, and
the Star Spangled Banner softly
played by the band floats across the
field, while the gray line still stands
silently at parade rest, and the enlisted
men of the post, who are lOunging
about on the old cannon, remove their
caps in a reverent attitude of attention.
1t is a daily lesson of honor and respect
to the beloved emblem for which scores
of brave West Pointers have laid down
their lives in the past, a lesson that is
not lost on the young men in gray.
Now sharp spoken orders ring across
the field, the line stirs into motion once
more, and the men march back to bar
racks. brief breathing spell, the one
hour of the twenty-four the cadet can
call his own, follows before supper.
Half an hour after supper comes the
''call to quarters which means that
every man must return to his room and
to his study on the morrows lesson.
The sentries make their rounds of in
spection and quiet reigns until 9:15,
when tattoo warns the tired young
sters to prepare for bed Fifteen min
utes later the slow roll of taps"
sounds. the lights go out in the old
academic building, and sleep assumes
the command of the young guard of the
republic.
CONVERSATIONS.
There are no vacations at West Point
Except for few weeks at the close of
the third year the cadet is not allowed
a leave Of absence during the four
years course. But from the middle of
June to the end of AUGUST books are
laid aside and the boys go into camp in
the little grove at one side of the camp
US. Tent life is always welcome, but it
can scarcely be looked upon as a holi-
day. Reveille sounds at $50 in the
morning and every moment of the day
is occupied with some military duty.
There is troop parade every morning
after breakfast, after that the daily
guard mount, and then two hours of
infantry drill. Then the fourth-ciass
men, the plebes, tramp away to Wash
ingtOn Valley and spend an hour in re-
ceiving instruction in swimming, the
third class men have artillery drill, and
the first class, the seniors, have target
practice. The afternoon is filled with
more drill
In spite of the Spartan discipline
maintained and the unceasing round Of
drill and study, there is plenty of fun
for the cadets. To the boy of athletic
tastes the practice in swimming, fenc-
ing and riding comes under that head.
There are officers hops twice a week,
which bring pretty girls from all along
the river, and graduation week is a
VI 45llI OcolS III llle SedI, ludue say ny
small army of sisters, aunts and
cousins, who overflow the place
One pleasant feature of West Point
life is its democratic equality. If a
man is gentleman he stands as well
as any Of his fellows. Each cadet re-
ceives $540 per year from the Govern
ment. Out Of that he must buy his
clothing and rations from the commits
sary department. He is allowed to re-
ceiVe money from outside only in ex-
cases. There can be no differ
ence in dress or style of living, and
this spirit of equality enforced by the
rules is accepted by all the men.
West Point is no place for young
man who has not natural aptitude for
a military career. To others the stern
requirements of the studies, the strict
discipline which never relaxes will be-
come unbearable, and the pile of de-
merits that he can pick up for gazing
about in ranks" having an "odor of
cigarettes in his room," or appearing
at parade with sOiled gloves will soon
send him back home. Nearly half of
those who enter the academy fail for
one reason or another to complete the
course
West Point is a place where manly
men are made, and the only material
for that purpose is found in manly
boys. Uncle Sam has no use for any
other kind.-Cleveland Leader.