The Washington times., 1901-10-27
JACKSON AT WEST POINT.
How the Great Confederate General
Got His Appointment.

| On a stormy November day, In the
| year lS4-, two notwithstanding young men
sat in the public sitting room OF the old
Bailey House, at Weston. in what is now
| Lewis county. w. Va.
You'll be the one. Tom" whispered
one to the other, as waiter entered bear
ing letter in his hand.
Il am afraid not, Glib was the reply.
from a serious-faced youth who was large
for his age, which was only seventeen
As the negro looked around Glib fairly
trembled with eagerness, while Toms
features settled into a sort of grim com
posure.
Mr. Gilbert Butcher" called the waiter.
Glib sprang forward seized and tore
open the envelope then waved 1t enthus-
iastically.
Its minel" he shouted. and was about
to follow the assertion up with an old
fashioned yell, when the sIgnt OF his conf
panion face checked him.
Il am sorry. Tom, on your account" he
had the grace TO add. BY George, l am
I | thought Mr. Hays would certainly have
chosen you.
But, by this time, Tom Jackson, recov-
ering from his disappointment, was able
to congratulate his fortunate rival
Il am glad you got II, Glib" said he:
seeing that | didn {. You are ahead of
me in mathematics, and they say that
counts at West Point But. now the ago
ny is over, l must serve these subpoenas.
or Uncle CumInins Will raise Ned, espe-
cially as / failed on that appointment.
He went sorrowfully out. and mounted
a jaded-looking grey mare. He was hall
ed from an upper window Of the hotel.
Sorry | could not appoint you both,
Tom, said an elderly, well-garbed Rep
resentative. But, as l have only one
West Point appointment falling to me this
term, / had TO let Glib have IL. He is
ahead OF you in his studies. you know
a1x had n Nnrkg 81 cd
Tom rather sadly. Glib could go to
school. But, If l should ever have anoth-
er chance, please don't forget me, Mr..
Hays"
AS Constable Thomas ]. Jackson rode
away. his earnest tone and manner i'm
pressed the Representative so deeply that
he remembered il later on, when Tom
second chance Unexpectedly came; Tor
Butcher, after a month OF two at West
Point suddenly returned home ono OF
the first to meet him was Jackson, still
riding as constable for Uncle Cummins.
who was a justice of the peace.
What brings you back?" asked Tom,
who was greatly surprised, when Glib con-
fessed that the haZing, discipline ana
military seventies were more than he
could stand.
II appeared that Glib had resigned. Tom
hurried to his uncle. resigned his consta-
bleship, borrowed SlJ from the squire.
packed his saddlebags and headed the
grey mare toward Washington, over go
miles away. In two weeks. he knew, the
power Of appointment would lapse into
the hands Of the Secretary Of war The
winter roads were terrible.
When the old mare gave out Tom sold
her. and managed to go on by stage
coach. though various delays nearly
drove him wild with fear of arriving too
late. He reached the Capital. cold hun
CRY. tired. and late at night. Mr. hays,
though surprised. greeted him kiEciy.
Il fear you are TOO late, Tom. SAID ne
THE appointment passed to the Secretary
this very day.
THE day isn't over until midnight"
said Jackson. 1T is hardly eleven o'clock
vet couldn't get here sooner.
Again impressed by Tom dogged car
nestness. the Congressman took him in
hack to the Secretsrys house. routed that
official from his bed and. as his best eX-
cuse for such strenuous proceedings,
placed Toms weary. homespun figure and
simple story before MIN. While the Con
gresham and the great war official talk
ed Tom fell asleep in his chair. The Sec
retary was reasonable man. As he gave
his ready assent he added:
This is the kind Of youngster West
Point needs-he don't quit easily
The following day the appointment was
duly made. and Mr.. Hays interested him
''Got any money. TOM" ne asked. with
q shrewd perception Of the young mans
Jackson confessed that his financial re-
sources were about exhausted. by eN-
planning that he had walked from Har-
come on by stage.
How viii you reach West Point from
here? Should you fail Ike Butcher. how
will you get back home?'
Il won't fail. like Glib. You have al
ways known me. Mr.. Hays. l lowed you
would loan me enough to get there-that
Is all / need.
Jacksons faith in himself and his pa
tron shone in every iineament Of his face
The Congressman constituents said that
their member had a good deal OF horse
sense" He then evinced ii by sending
Tom, rejoicing. 10 West Point. where h
passed and remained. and finally was
graduated with honor
Four years later when he returned to
Weston and his old home with lieuten-
ants epaulette on his shoulder. his first
task was to repay his uncle and the Con-
grrssman their loans. Both these gen
tlemen lived to realize. personally, from
what small beginnings great things often
flow" Before &. death Of either. the lad
who had ridden is old grey mare over
the Aneghanies and sold her to pay stage
fare, and finally walked when his means
gave out. passed into history from the IA
tai field of Charlottesville under the
name of "Stoncwall" Jackson.-Success.