St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-08-20
The QUALITIES THAT WIN.
Are StrikinEly nlsstrated ~ An An
ecdote Of Lieut.. II. H. whitney
~ West Point.


In the last few days many stories
have been printed about Lieut.. ii. H.
Whitney, Fourth artillery, who recent
" returned from Puerto Rico with val
liable information for the war DEPART
ment. There is one incident of ni5 ca
reer that has not found its way fato
the newspapers. The story is cornect-
ed with his student days at West Point
and was told to a reporter of the SUN by
a person who knew all about it.
. Whitney is the son of n clergyman,
and the father intended that the SON
should be a clergyman. The son want
ed to be u soldier, and refused to study
for the ministry. When he was -eady
for college he asked his father to 'ry to
get him an appointment to West Point.
The elder Whitney refused. and the boy
went to a congressman from Pennsyl-
vania. in which state the Whitneys were
living, and secured an appointment
He passed an excellent entrance ex-
animation, and stood SO well in tactics
and discipline that in his senior year ne
was made captain in the corps OF cadets.
Just before graduation in the spring OF
1892 a young woman in whom the ca
det was interested arrived at the hotel
in West Point. One evening Whitney
wanted to call upon her. 1t is rule
that no cadet may pass the hedge which
surrounds the hotel without special
permission. Whitney couldn't get the
permission. The girl was going away
the next day, and it was absolutely nec-
e.sary that Whitney should say good
by.
There was only one thing for him to
do-run the hedge and take his chances
H. did SO, made his call, said everything
but what he intended to say, and started
to return to barracks. On the way ne
ran into the officer of the guard, who
asked questions which the young cadet
couldn't or wouldn't answer to the offi-
GERS satisfaction. He was court-maT-
tailed, and in the presence of the as
sembled corps was stripped of his shoul'
der straps and reduced to the ranks.
The boy was terribly cut up, and.
while still smarting under the humilia-
ton. wen. to the wife of one of the fac
ulty and told her the whole story. II
happened somehow that whenever a
cadet got into trouble he went to the
same quarter, and when he came away
he felt better for having gone. When
Whitney had told his story she merely
laughed at him. He couldn't understand
this, and, jumping up. he said he would
resign from the army Immediately after
graduation, as he could never live dowr
his disgrace. After the young man hac
given vent to his feelings the professors
wife said quietly:
"Sit down q moment, Mr. Whitney
and listen to me. 1t is the lot OF N
army officer to take many chances IN
active service. When he decides ht
must act quickly. and once his plan il
settled, he must not turn aside until
his purpose is accomplished. He who
pushes forward boldly, without salter
ing, is bound to succeed in the army
In running the hedge, after yon had
decided that that was the thing TO do
you showed the very characteristics
which will win you success in your
chosen profession. If you hadn't rur
that hedge. when you knew who was
waiting for you behind it, Ishould have
advised you to leave the army at once
Now I'm sure you'll make brilliant
record"
When Whitney walked out tn the
plain he felt heap better. and he con.
cluded to stick by the army. The cir
felt almost as badly as whitney did al
what had happened, and she. too, de
cided TO stick by the army II she got the
chance. She got the chance. and now
she is Mrs. Whitney. Both she and hel
husband think the wife o. the Yves,
Point professor is the wisest woman
that ever liyed.-N. Y. Sun.