The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

II HERE are n the United States
Army men whose parents be
long 10 almost every walk in
life: but I debut If there was ever
before an officer with Colts disad-
vantages in the way OF. aHUeceuen1s- His
father had been an Irish ,h9dcaTrier, and
his mother German baker; and as for
Colt himself, he had received his early
education on the streets Of San Fran
cisco. where he was known as a hood
Ium" by the newspapers and reform
ers. and as a little nude" by his asso-
GATES
As a boy OF twelve he found his way
into that school OF vicious learning, the
district messenger service; yet Il was
here that he took his first step up He
was left 10 walt In a gentleman
office one day. and with that utter dis
regard for district messenger boys which
we al feel, the men in the next room
went or with their conversation II was
2. confidential talk between two business
men relative TO a third. and in 1t Colt
learned that even in San Francisco men
could not buy everything with money
that there was a respect which some OF
the great millionaiTes on Mob Hin did
not command
month later a great general visited
San Francisco. and Colt learned his
story through the newspapers From
that moment he made up his mind to be
zoIdier-not common soldier, through
the recruiting Office. but q West Point
man. He was thirteen when this ambi-
ton took hold upon him. and as usual
he did no dreaming about it. He knew
where the recruiting Office was and he
paid the officer IN charge visit. calmly
stated his intention. and asked for the
necessary particulars
Upon the part OF the young man IN
charge there vas some inclination TO
guy Colt wasn't a handsome boy. He
had the Trshman's round head and keen
gray eyes. with something distictly Ger
man about he rest Of his face; but the
lieutenant discovered. IN a remark OF
Two. that he was being kept close TO the
subject under discussion, and he told
Colt all the necessary requirements for
entering the Point.
But he said, you must remember
that you will have TO be appointed. The
best thing for you would be to enlist
for promotion"
u need 10 go to the big school. s
man wants TO learn more thangs than
one. IN thinkin'-" Colt answered. and
vent out. leaving the lieutenant with an
incident 10 work into tale Of his ex-
periences in a recruiting Office.
Colt went 10 night school, and founA
q place as Office boy. When he was siz,
teen ne had managed TO obtain the CUES.
lions given az examinations at Wesl
Point. each year. and had satisfied him
self that he could answer them. Then
he made a visit 10 a San Francisco poll.
tIelan. Colt always went TO the point.
They say you are going 70 run rUl
Congress, sir" he said.
The would-be Congressman had q
bland sense or humor. and he politely
invited this boy OF the streets TO sit
down. Colt took the chair with self
possession. and then told his plans
He wanted 10 90 TO West Point he
had q good many friends in his ward
several Of them influential saloon
keepers. and II the appointment was
promised MIN he would attend 10 the
voting over there.
Now. IS Colt knew. the ward was a
shafIy one, and be had been making
Irionds there for two years. ever since
be had heard OF the necessity of At
appointment for The furtherance Of his
ambition The newspapers and Jhe