The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-10-08
PLEBES AT WEST POINT.


If the new fourth classmen, OF
"plebs," as they are most frequently
called, who entered the military aca-
deny at West Point a short time ago,
think that On account of the war with
Spain they will not be hazed,
their hopes are bound to be
rudely shattered. For weeks the
yearlings have been preparing a
warm reception for them. War
or NO war, the time-honored custom OF
double stepping and choo-chooing
"plebs" will be faithfully observed. A
cavalry recruit might just as well hope
to escape a blanket tossing as the new
"plebe" to miss the setting up exer-
cises, which Grant, Sherman and Sher-
ldan tried in vain to dodge. The "plebe"
who has successfully passed the en-
trance examinations first reports to the
adjutant, and, after registering, is sent
to the assembly room, where cadet Off
GERS are on hand to give him a warm
reception. "Knock!" is the advice Civ
en- by the tired looking orderly who
showed him the way, and the new re-
cru1t is left to his own thoughts. The
response to his timid tap is like the
roar of the reveille gun. Come I'M"
echoes from basement to roof. The tone
is like the lions roar. 1t strikes ter
ror deep down in the heart of the new
soldier, who instinctively r~ecoils, and
Tor the first time wishes himself at
hohe The door opens with a dozen
cadets who regard him with absolute
indifference. Nobody questions the
new arrival, and he is forced to intro
duce himself. 1t is then only his trou-
bles begin. He finds that in address,
ing or answering upper classmen he
must invariably use the word sir" He
also discovers that all questions, how
ever senseless or ridiculous, must be
answered. Here are a few samples:
Where are you from, Mr.. Dumbjohn "
Chicago" Say sir, Chicago, sir"
How do you know you are from Chi
cago, Mr.. Dumbjohn?" 81 don't know,
sir" well, you are a stupid product,
Mr.. Dumbjohn. Do you know any
thing?" Yes, sir" What do you
know, sir?" 1t is usually at this point
that Mr.. Dumbjohn willis and admits
he knows nothing. Then a corporal
takes the new arrival in charge and his
lot thenceforward for at least a year is
not a happy one. In camp the "plebe"
guard is usually tackled by ghosts on
dark, stormy nights and tossed into
Fort Clinton's moat. The new fourth
classmen are drilled continuously.
Whether walking through the company
Ctrnnfr 80. So I.4-s, - L - ~
"plebe" must be always at attention.
In his tent work will be found for him
by the 'yearlings." Cleaning guns.
making lemonade and doing general
police work leaves little time for home
sickness. Sitting on a bayonet or
chewing the side of a cot or double
stepping by the hour are some, of the
things a "plebe" must do to amuse up
per classmen. A new amusement was
invented last summer by a 'yearling'
who has since been discharged. He
named it the Sammy" race. Two
"plebes" are blindfolded, and each is
furnished with a jug of molasses and
a spoon. The command Feed" is then
given and n 'plebe" tries to feed the
other with the molasses. By the time
half the stuff is exhausted nearly all
the wasps and hornets in camp are
settled on the "plebes'" uniforms,
drinking in the surplus sugar deposited
there. The recruits are then released,
and no time is lost in trying to doff
the sweetened blouses. He is a for
tunaIe "plebe' who manages to escape
from this exercise without at least a
half dozen wasp stings. When q
'plebe" is ordered to laugh he usually
fins out" palms of his hands to the
front, and, with his bach against a tree,
smiles pleasantly for an hour. This
is regarded as great amusement by the
upper classmen. Fistic combats may
now be looked for between the "plebes''
and "yearlings,"-New York Press.