Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-02-23

Oh mule . moor on one OF the low
notes of Nylophone. The big 'pleb"
went to grass and he took no part in
the subsequent proceedings. The
cadets standing around looked upon
the blow as chance one, for one of
them, third class "man," at the
mumbled instigation of the others,
stepped up to the victorious under
sized "pleb.'
''Sir," said the third class "man" to
the understood "pleb," "you struck
that man after time had been called.
Didn't you?''
"Not on your life insurance." quiet
ly replied the understood ''pleb," don
ming his blouse.
"Hal then lie, eh ?" exclaimed the
third class "man."
THAT, or thereabouts," replied the
| shock-headed "pleb." Elk it to suit
yourself. But don't get gassy with
me, or I'll have TO hand you a poke"
&he bunch Of cadets stared OPEN
moathed at the understood ''pleb'' for
his hardihood in thus addressing
third class "man."
you'll have to fight me for that,
! sir" said the third class ''man," en-
deavoring to make his voice sound
| ferocious.
| You're on" was the shoclx-headed
''pleb's" reply. THE more the mer-
rier. When do you want yours?''
'Now," said the third class "man,"
not quite so confidently. and in about
two minutes they had squared off at
each other. The third class ''man"
was of about the same proportions as
l1r Lob l.,
ing on the grass, but he was quicker
on his feet. However, that fact didn't
avail him two cents worth. The un-
oersized "pleb" pranced into him from
the drop OF the flag, and the rataplan
of jolts that he planted all over the
third class "man'' for a couple of
minutes, while the latter never got in
lick, was sure a caution to pythons.
It wasn't half as much a caution, how
ever, as the way the understood ''pleb"
suddenly drew back, when he ceased
to extract amusement from basting
the third class "man" all over the
latter's person above the waist line
and planted his left on the third class
mans" right ear. The third class
"man" toppled over like sack of
oats, while the party of amazed ca
diets rubbed their eyes and wondered
If it could all be true-for the Just
thrashed third class "man" was the
top-notch bully and fighter of West
Point.
The cadet oIricer who had been so
outrageously 'insulted" by the VIC
torious understood 'pleb" on the
parade ground was the first to re-
cover.
Seize him." he commanded his six
mates still on their feet.
wait a minute" put in the shock
headed "pleb," backing away q bit,
his blouse hanging over his arm.
What for this seizing?"
"Sirrah, .pleb,'" replied the cadet
officer with an attempt at impressive
ness. at Is the custom here to take
the conceit out of 'plebs.' You are
TO be 'braced' and exercised and
'spread-eagled' and 'bucked and
gagged and soaked under the pump,
and then you are to drink pint or
so OF tabaSco sauce with your tallow
candles and raw onions, and follow
that up with a few kerosene cocktails
and you are to announce that you like
these thingS--
"Oh, am, hey?- said the shock
headed "pleb," brushing a Nttle spot
OF dust from his blouse. "ThatIl be
nice. BY the way, who's going to
have all this fun with me?'
I'VE are" replied the cadet officer,
Advancing upon the understood "pleb,"
closely followed by the others.
The code OF ''honor" in vogue at the
West Point military academy among
the cadets forbade any of the latter
from mentioning what happened just
at this jupcture, but q plain soldier
OF engineers. VINO saw the whole per-
Torrance from behind q little knoll
a short distance away, has told about
1t. The cadet officer didn't get hold
OF the understood "pleb" at all.
Neither did any of the others. He
Knocked them down like nine-pins.
As soon as they scrambled to their
feet he knocked them down again.
after being knocked down the second
time. they all remained down, quite
Indifferent to what was going on
| around them. Then the understood
"pleb" strolled around the laid-out
ones. gave each OF them good swift
kick where kicks are customarily adj
ministered and strolled away. Nine
| cadets did hospital stunt on the
sick report Of the West Point military
academy for periods varying from ten
days to three weeks after that night.
| A large delegation Of Terry Mccoy
ern's friends met him when he
stepped OF the gangplank of the
West Point boat in New York on the
following night.
This hazing game" remarked Ter
ry-who had been designated cadet
by sporty" congressman just for
a lark, and to see what would hap
| pen to the featherweight-"th haz-
! ing game isn't such a much Of hard
/ proposition. IT'S eastern giving ex-
hibition' bouts any time. It's a bully
Hway to keep In training. at that. I'm
going to try now to get Mr.. Amos J.
Cummings to have me appointed to