The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-18
WEST POINT IS THE SAME,
YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER.
Innovations Not Permitted at the Military
Academy Clever Cadets Run Billiard
Room for an Entire Year.

still there. made II when I was D
cadet and lived in this ROOM
One OF the most interesting Of West
Points traditions is that relating TO the
billiard table shortly after the civil war
the cadets. always on the alert Tor some
new scheme for amusement, decided that
they would like TO have a billiard table.
anu accordingly organized a billiard club.
The authorities soon became aware that
there was a billiard table somewhere In
the barracks. for they could hear the balls
clicking together. bur thcy could not find
Il. The cadets continued TO enjoy tho
privileges OF the hillinrd club for more
than a year. Finally one night soon af-
ter midnight, as two officers were re-
turning from a convlviai evening at mess.
they saw two cadets. clad Ia their under
clothing and dressing gowns, emerge from
the north sailyport and disappear down
the steps to the areawsy in front OF the
barracks Instantly the thought OF the
billiard table flashed through the minds
of the two officers. and they started
quietly after the cadets on reaching tho
basement doorway of The sixth division
the two cadets entered and the officers
arriving a moment later saw them climb
over pile Of coal aud enter an open
door. through which came sounds oe
laughter and conversation and the click
ing OF balls while the air was laden
with fragrant tobacco smoke.
The officers paused for a moment and
held whispered consultation. Finally.
deciding mat they would tell the other
officers OF their discovery and have al: OF
them come down the following night and
ENJOY the fun OF q raid on the club. they
withdrew and went homo. Next day all
the officers OF the post were informed OF
the discovery. and II was arranged that
the raid should occur at midnight.
All might have gone well. and the on
GERS might have had their little fun. had
1t not been that there were three cadets
the previous night instead OF two. The
third had forgotten his pipe and had gone
back for a. while the other two went on
and We're discovered by the officers The
third. coming along a moment later. saw
the officers and quietly followed Thorn.
observing all their movements and listen
Ing to their whispered conversation. When
they withdrew he went TN and told Tho
members of the club all he had heard
and seen. The cadets az once realized
that II was all up with the club hut they
determined to have a laugh at the ex-
pense OF the officers. Accordingly all ar
rangements were made before the club
adjourned for the night.
The next night the officers met as ar
ranged and crept steaithilv down tina
areaway and into the sixth division. Hear
ing no sound OF clicking balls. some be-
came skepticai and concluded the whole
pushed on and climbed over the pile Of
coal. Opening the door. they were greet
ed with a glow of light. but still no
sound On entering they found the room
deserted. but there was the billiard ta-
BILE. an almost untouched keg OF beer.
several pounds OF tobacco some chairs
and lastly a note on the table. addressed
to the officers on duty All West Point.
The note was TO the effect that as tho
officers Of the post had been so kind M
10 permit the club to continue It's exist
ence for moro than a year, Il desired tn
present to them tthe ofiicers) the tabls
and all Its appurtenances. as It was deem
ed expedienf TO wind UP the clubs at
fairs. The note was signed. THE Exec
utive Committee"
The officers. OF course. were much cha
grined at being thus outwitted by tina
cadets. Nevertheless the table was re-
moved TO the officers mess. and. accord.
Ing 70 tradition, is stiii in use there