Evening star., 1900-12-22
HAZING THE HAZERS

The new ''pleb" at the West Point Mill
tary Academy was understood and unas-
suming looking. A shock of brown hair
protruded beneath his cadets cap. He had
a habit of smiling when addressed. and
showing his white teeth. This habit got
him into trouble with a first-class man."
cadet officer, the day after his arrival at
the academy. He was taking a walk
around the parade ground. He saluted the
| first-class man as the latter approached
and smiled cheerfully. The cadet officer
stopped and glowered at the 'pleb.''
Sir he said, in a deep. chesty tone,
what are you grinning at?'
who, me?" said the ''pleb' 'Oh any
OLD thing. What do you want to know
Because, SIR thundered the first-class
man" throwing out his chest like
pouter pigeon. your grin is insulting, sir!''
II is, hey?" replied the new ~pleb.' con-
tlruing to smile. Well. what are you go
ing 10 90 about 1t? Is there any rule
snile?"
The first-class man" was almost swept
OH MS pins by the audacity of the ''pleb's''
reply and the unheard-of .'impertiuence'
OF the ''pleb's'' manner
sirrah. said the first-class ''man," in a
tone that was meant to SINCE the grass on
lne parade ground. are you aware whom
Well, replied the "pleb" scratching
ms head with an easy gesture II don't
Know your name, but you seem to have
enough gall to permit of your staying part
OF the distance, anyhow
The hrst-class man was so amazed ct
the colossal mpudence" of this reply that
words almost failed him. A large some
Wnat aWkward-looking .'pleb," who lust
.lieji nal4pened to be passing by, helped the
mrs class man out of his predicament
e ONE here. sirrah," the cadet officer
comE landed the large, awkward looking
pep; and the latter, crlnging, APP
DO you object, sir, to the manner this
telo" mas of wearing his cap?" said the
hrst-class man., indicating the under
sa slzea pieo to the other. The latter
looking as If he stood in mortal fear of
his life; replied: u
Il do, sir
Yer! Very well, SIR" replied the irst-class
You are to thrash the fellow this even.
ing after taps, You" indicating the
pieb' with the shock of brown hair ARE
TO TO report at the corral after taps tonight
Good thing replied the understood
pie6;m Il don't know about the licking
but III be there, all right"
!. me unoerslzed "pleb' was at the corral
directly after taps" He arrived alone.
and he was chewing contentedly on a blade
OF grass when he found the group await
ing him. 1t consisted of eight cadets and
sadet s omcers' and the large 'pleb" who
mad been selected to thrash the undersized
pieo. The two 'plebs" quietly stripped
TO their trousers and undershirts The
large "pleb' looked as if he would tip the
oeam at about 10 and measure up to
pleb with the shock of brown hair
looked to weigh about 125 pounds and to
siano about five feet four in his goloshes
however. he looked rather unusually
bunchy as to chest and biceps under his
undershrt.
They went at it at the insulted first-cIass
mans signal The understood "pleb'
cooper around barrel Then he lowered
MS heae suddenly, ran in under the big
plebs' guard and planted right-hand
Wailop on the big ''pleb's" chin that broke
of mules hoof on one of the low notes
of xylophone. The big 'pleb'' went to
grass and he took no part in the subsequent
proceedings. The cadets standing around
one OF them, a third-class man." at the
mumblei instigation of the others, stepped
up to the victorious understood ''pleb.''
Sir. Sir. 1 said 1.-The the third-class man" to the
undersiZed 'pleb, you struck that man
after time had been called. Didn't you?'
Not on your life insurance!' quietly re-
piled the undersized "pleb.'' donning his
''Ha! then lie, eh?" exclaimed the third
class man
That. or thereabouts.' replied the
shock-headed ''pleb.' Fix it to suit your
self. But don't get gassy with me, or I'll
have to hand you a poke
The bunch of cadets stared open-mouthed
at the understood 'pleb' for his hardihood
In thus addressing a third-class man"
You'll have to fight me for that, SIR"
said the third-class man." endeavoring to
make his voice sound ferocious.
You're on" was the shock headed
plebs' reply. 1.-The more the merrier
When do you want yours?''
Now" said the third-class man." not
quite confidently. and in about two min
utes they had squared off at each other
The thrd-class man" was Of about the
same proportions as the large ''pleb" who
still lay dreaming the grass but he was
quicker on his feet However. that fact
didn't avail him two cents worth. The