The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1903-05-22

Stonewall JaCkson's WAY.
New Orleans Times Democrat.
lyon can be whatever you re-
solve 10 be" was one of the max
inns that Thomas Jonathan Jack
son wrote in his diary when he was
cadet nj the United States Mill.
tary Academy. That the idea con.
tanned in these words ruled his life
from his early boyhood il iIlnstra
ted by story recently printed
and Tor the first time. We believe
i'm the magazine Success Jack
son had been an applicant for a
cadetship AT West Point but the
place had been given to another
boy whose greater opportunities
for study had made him more pro-
licient. Within two months, how
ever. this hoy repented of his bar
gain. resigned and went home. rs
soon az young jackson learned Of
his competitor return he set to
work more earnestly than ever be-
fore - win the appointment. Sue
cess thus tells the story Of how he
accomplished his purpose:
jackson. who had been filling
"a coustaDieship. resigned his posi-
ton. hurried to his uncle. borrow
ed ten dollars. packed his saddle
bags and headed the gray mare to-
wards Washington. over three hun
dred miles away. He knew that
Id two weeks the power Of appoint
meut would lapse into the hands ot
the Secretary of state.
The winter roads were terrible
The old mare gave ont. and Jack
son sold her and managed TO 20 on
by stngecoach. although various
delays nearly drove him wild with
the fear that he would arrive too
late. lie reached the Capital late
IA night. cold. hungry and tired
Mr.. Hays. his Congressman, az
though surprised, greeted him
Kindly
81 am afraid YOU are too late.
Tom. said he. The appointment
passed To the Secretary this very
day
The day isn't over until mid
night. said Jackson IL II hardly
eleven O'Clock yet l couIdn I get
here amy sooner.
Impressed hy the young mans
earn .~tuess. the Cougres sman took
him ia "a hack 10 tine Secretary :
house. routed that official from his
bed and. AZ au excuse for such
strenuous proceedings. placed
Jackson's weary. homespuu-clad
figure before him While they
were talking the lad fell asleep in
the chair. The Secretary was a
reasonable man. AZ he gave hi-
assent, he added: This i the kind
of youngster West Poiht needs; he
doesn't quit easily
ITO an inquiry the next day
Jackson confessed that his iiuan-
cinl resources were about exhaust
ed. explaining that he had walked
from IIarper's Ferry, leaving his
saddlehags 20 come 10y stage.
How viii you reach West
Point from heret Should you fall.
like Butcher. how would you get
back homer
II shan't fail Glib You have
always known me. Mr.. Hays ]
allowed you would lend me enough
tu get there That il all need.
~Jackson's faith in himself and
and his patron shone in every line
of his face. The Congressman sent
him 10 West Point rejoicing. where
he passed and remained and final
IN graduated with honor"
The boy who walked from Harp.
er'> Ferry to Washington. and
walked mp the Secretary OF War al
midnight in order 10 insure his APP
poiutment as cadet at the | nited
States military academy, bad in
him the stuff that great West
Pointers are made of. The Valley
campaign was mea>urahly won
when that uncouth Virginia boy
st out on "thc old gray mare
from his home. determined. as he
was. 10 reach Washington ''in
time The ride was an early H.
lustration Of Stonewall jackson !