The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-11-28

Pepper Read Before the ChautauQua Circle. 4
ATE in the summer of '94, or
ders were received from depart |
mentheadquartersdirectingt that
the companies stationed at
Governors Island, N. Y. HarDor, pro.
ceed to West Point, N. Y, for the pur-
pose of participating with the cadets in
their annual practice. march,, This.1
work which consisted of series of
problems or sham battles over the
country between the camp sites, proved
very valuable to the cadets and troops
engaged, in addition to being vaca-
tion good enough for every soldier in
the command.
The @. M. Steamer General Meigs
aeft Governors Island about six q. m.
one Monday in August for the sail up
the river. Passing mountains and val
aeys of unsurpassed beauty we arrived
at West Point about ten O'clock. We
were quartered in the gymnasium at
the corner of the quadrangle farthest
from the river, but distinguished for
ats shower baths and its swimming
pool. No man needed urging to use
them both. After we had washed up
we were assembled on the sidewalk in
front of our quarters to march to mess,
where many of us for the first time
saw the cadets.
Immaculate in white trousers and
gray coats that fitted better than their
skins, they passed us in lines straighter
than could have been laid out with
ruler and chalk. Looking to neither
aeft nor right, they did not see us, but
we knew why; they had to keep their
eyes to- the front, for ''turniDg the
head when marching to mess" is on the
dist of offenses for which cadet is
punished, along with such other Of
lenses as ''raising the hand without
permission in dancing formation" and
~ssmiling at guard mount" so wesfixed
our own faces to the front and followed
them to dinner. Ten men sat at ta'
ole, and woe to the sergeants who
drew end seats! The carving wasdOne
on the table, and for the inexperienced
1t was no slight task to keep so many
plates filed with roast beef and vege
tables.
AT the cadets tables nobody worries
about the carvers; they are only plebes
He is recruit, member of the new
ly-entered class, which is beinl
moulded into shape by its able and b.
no means induigent elders and betters
The ability to command is a necessit
TO every army officer, and the only wa
to get ability to command is to lear
TO obey. Therefore. the upper class
men are Invested with absolute author
aty over the newcomer, who is nc
recognized socially in the slightest d.
gree. He may not even look at a
upper classman in passing, but mus
keep his eyes on the ground, heedin
at the same time the sharp "pull ths
chin in there, sir!" or "get those shou
ders backr or the like.
"Who are you, ?" says the upp'
classman.
"Nobody, SIR" answers the pieb
"Wbat do you know, sir p
Nothing. sir"
So it goes; but there Is no brutali
ab0At it. 1t is 9 necessity, recognize
as such by the plebes themselye
There is nothing personal about
The cadets who were hardest on Il
beginners are the first to WELDON
them as upper classmen at the end
the year Of probation. The training
necessary for the academy, because
squeezes out the shiftless and inel
scient.
As tho plates were emptied we 6
our first impression OF the unintelliI
ble commands which the cadets obi
In q musical note, we'll prolongs
someone said something that sound
aike nothing and instantly some Of
boys got up and left without confusit
Then came new command and nj
ding, until the hall was empti'
But not q word could we understai
at was so all the month, not cnce (
We know what Q cadet MAS going to
until be did It, sSen tho Ne might ha
sbeard Al the orders. The commsr