Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-09-02
THE QUALITIES THAT WIN.
Anecdote of Lieut.. II. II. whifney When
He Ran the Hedge at West Point.

Anecdote of Licut. II. II. Nliifney When
He Ran the Hedge at West Point.
In the last few days many stories
have been printed about Lieut.. II. II.
Whitney, Fourth Artillery, who recent
ly returned from Porto Rico with valu-
able information for the War Depart.
ment. There Is one Incident OF his ca
reer that has not found Its way into
the newspapers. The story Is connect
cd with his student days at West Point.
and was told to a reporter Of the Sun
by a person who knew all about 1t,
whitney Is the son Of a clergyman,
and the father Intended that the son
should be a clergyman. The son want
ed to be a soldier, and refused to study
for the ministry. When he was ready
for college he asked his father TO try to
get him an appointment to West Point.
The elder Whitney refused, and the
boy went to Congressman from Penn
sylvanla, in which state the Whitneys
were living, and secured an appoint
ment.
He passed an excellent entrance ex-
animation. and stood so well in tactics
and discipline that In his senior year he
was made captain In the corps Of ca
diets. Just, before graduation in the
spring OF 1882 n young woman in
whom the cadet was interested arrived
at the hotel IN West Point. One even
Ing Whitney wanted TO call upon her.
1t Is rule that no cadet may pass the
hedge which surrounds the hotel with
out special permission. Whitney could
not get the permission. The girl was
going away the next day. and It was
absolutely necessary that Whitney
should say good-by.
There was only one thing for him to
d0-run the hedge and take his chances.
He did so. made his call. said every
thing but what he intended to say, and
started to return to the barracks. On
the way he ran into the officer Of the
guard. who asked questions which the
young cadet couldn't or wouldn't an
swer to the officers satisfaction He
was court-marilaled. and In the pres
enee of the assembled corps was strip
ped Of his shoulder-straps and reduced
to the ranks.
The boy was terribly cut up, and,
while still smarting under the humilia-
ton, went TO the wife of one of the fac
ulty and told her the whole story. 1t
happened somehow that whenever a
cadet got into trouble he went to the
same quarter. aud when he came away
he felt better for having gone. When
Whitney had told his story she merely
laughed at him. He couldn't under
stand this. and. jumping up, he said he
would resign from the army immedi-
ately after graduation. as he could new
er live down his disgrace. After the
young man had given vent to his feel
ings the professors wife said quietly;
''Sbt down a moment, Mr.. Whitney,
and listen to me. 1t is the lot of an
army officer TO take many chances in
active service. When he decides he
must act quickly. and once his plan Is
settled he must not turn aside until his
purpose is accomplished. lie who
pushes forward boldly, without falter-
ing, Is bound to succeed in the army.
In running the hedge, after you had
decided that that was the thing to do.
you showed the very characteristics
which will win you success In your
chosen profession. II you hadn't run
that hedge. when you knew who was
waiting for you behind It, l should
have advised you to leave the army at
once. Now I'm sure you'll make brill
liant record