Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1909-09-30
A WEST POINT HAz|NG
1t Knocked All the Egotism Out
of the New Cadet.
SINGING HIS OWN PRAISES.

Class Men--A Clipping From His
Home Paper Started the Trouble.
Hazing at the United States Military
academy. West Point. has In the past
ten years been. so frequently followed
by punishment aud otherwise dlscoun-
tenanccd that II has practically become
a thing OF the past. A third Of cen
tury ago the modes OF hazlng were
varied aud many OF them unique. A
certain graduate who hailed from
south OF Mason and Dixon's line and
from west OF the Allegheny noun
,ains told this story Of his own expc-
Renee
He was a tall. rawboned fellow
when he entered the academy rs n
'plebe" and had been assigned TO n
room with n bright little chap. with
whom he soon became very Friendly
and confidential Several weeks after
he had entered the academy he receiv-
ed n letter from his good mother. In
which she had inclosed a clipping from
their county newspaper.
The article mentioned the fact that
young Mr.. - had received an ap-
pointment TO West Point and had left
for that place several days before; that.
whereas they extended congratulations
10 the young man. the United States
government was 20 be much more
greatly congratulated upon obtaining
Ms one OF It's embryo soldiers man
from their community. the son OF such
noble sire. whose sire and great.sircs
had been equally noble. young man
above rcproach. Of great intellect and
bound 20 make his mark In any call
ing he might elect. etc.
This article inspired It's recipient
with pride and pleasure. He found u
impossible TO refrain from showing II
to his roommate and an hour after
having done so was accosted while
going downstairs by an upper class
man who had been drilling him and
had been very severe. At this meeting
the upper class man. who was about
half his size. looked AZ him solemnly.
removed his cap and said: "Mr. -.
humbly beg your pardon for having
been so stern with you. did not
know until few moments ago what .
distinguished aud intellectual young
man you were. You honor us by be
coming one OF us
The pleased "plebe." never for a
moment seeming mischief. grinnlngly
replied. That's all right, Mr.. -. |
forgive you"
That evening while the ''picbc" aud
his roommate were engaged In study
there was knock M their door and
there entered the upper class man who
had accosted aud apologizcd Ia the
"plcbc" on the stairs. be- being accom-
panied by dozen other upper class
men. He thus addressed the ''plcbc:"
"Mr ---. here are n number OF your
brother cadets who are DESTROYS OF
knowing what particularly distin-
gulshed man they have among them.
You will therefore kindly read what
your newspaper says OF you
The ''plcbe" was inclined 10 dcmur.
but the determined manner and stecly
eye OF the little upper class man com
PEELED obedience. Embarrassed. he
read the whole article. NJ
The conclusion OF which the little upper
class man stated that the reader had
IN parts. Ind failed 10 enun.
riate distinctly and required the poor
'plcbc" to read II again. This having
been done. all shook hands with him
IN an apparently most defercniial man
ner after which the little upper class
nan stated that they would call the
lext evening augmented by other ca
lets and that IN The meantime the
'plebc" would commit the article 20
memory and be in readiness 10 repeat
I when they called.
His manner provoked no disobedlencc
The call was matc the next evening.
he number ~ cadets being nearly
ioublc that of the previous evening.
md be- repeated the article. being
prompted bv the little upper class
nan. Before ihc departure Of his Wis
tors he WAS Informed that he would
be- visited the next evening by n still
greater number Of cadets. aud he was
,rdered 20 be prepared to declalm the
lrticle depicting his virtues.
The visit WIS made and the declama-
ion rendered lie was then Informed
lint he would be again visited the fol.
lowing evening and would prepare
himself so ms 10 he able 10 render the
article In song. This visit was made.
The room being fairly packed with On,
lets. and the poor ''plebe' was re-
quired to stand on a table and howl
The article from start 90 finish. for he
had not the fainiest understanding OF
how 10 sing or turn tune. In after
years he said that II he had ever had
any egotism IN his composition II was
knocked out Of him by hav-
Ing TO handle that article Ms he had 10
handle i'll. W Duncan In Lippin-