The sun., 1909-06-11

The postponed exercises Of the athletic
meet were run OF In the morning on the
wet parade ground. The class OF 1910
won the championship.
Battalion drill at O'Clock this evening
was omitted because Jupiter Pluvius
decided to mess up things with big rain.
dropa.
The boys again took advantage OF the
inclement weather condition to improve
the gloomy hour in low and prolonged
conversation with the dear young thin G.
Of the opposite sex who flock to West
Point for graduation. To-day was not
suitable for the display Of sumrnery
gowns. lnetead Edith and Margery and
laura and Katherine and all the rest put
on their waterproofs and goloshes. when
they ambled and rambled abroad with
their dapper escorts, who cared not how
many drops OF water dripped from nm,
brellas down their necks. Filtration Waih
was quite well patronized In the misty
morning. and thore were several couples
OF middle age seen there, former gradu-
ates and their wives. who went down tc
the old place to recall the days when
their tender romances began. When the
coming graduates weren't engaged in
these walks and talks they were busy
packing up their belongings preparatory
to departure. About the last thing, they
will pack tomorrow morning will be
their bedding. The graduates and " o
furlough boys were also busy to-day
Juggling big dictionaries and aliases back
to the library. Some Of the boys put their
books together, got wheelbarrows and
took turns In pushing them TO the library
They said they enjoyed the fun of it..
The rain ceased Just before O'Clock {,
the time for the graduation parade, The
uniform was white duck trousars and gray
swallowtails, with white shoulder belts
rOp, MOS wora formal nuickIy In front
of the barracks. The band marched out
on the parade ground and on signal tegan
to play the old English tuna 'Dashing
White Sergeant played for scores OF
years on this occasion: Cadet-Adjt: Pat
ton, accompanied by Cadet-Sergt, Major
Beard, marched across the field to mark
the alignments Of the six companies OF
the battalion.
After the lines we're dressed the order
parade rest was given. and then the
band marched in front Of the long line
playing medley OF Home, Sweet Home,
The Girl Left Behind Me- and Aud
Lang Syne.,' These tunes are always
played for the graduating parade and at
no other time; 1t was then ZEN ths. hat the ng SuRRs .Rs
teardrops began to fall from the eyes OF
mothers. sweethearts and sisters: After
| the band returned to its position the
evening gun was fired for colors and
every one stood at attention while The
Star Spangled Banner was played.
The battalion was then presented to
Col. Sibley, the commandant OF cadets
He ordered the coming graduates to the
front with the officers and file sloeers
Then Cadet Quartermaster Greble and
Adjutant Patton marched over TO- the
colors and led the graduate GLASS in front
| formation to Col. Sibley. Salutes were
made by uncovering. Col. Sibley made a
short address TO the first class men
congratulating them on finishing theii
| West Point careers and welcoming them
| to the army as officers. He told them to
stick to the Academy motto OF Duty
Honor and Country and all would be
we'll with them. Col. Sibley then ordered
the young men to take places In his rear
as staff officers and the rest Of the battalion
paraded past the first class IN review
| That finished the ceremonies. The exer'
cises corresponded in some measure tc
class day in other colleges.
Tonight the farewell hop is being
given in Cullum Hall. Any person who
knows by experience or car imagine the
bliss of young girl being whirled sbou,
in the arms Of one Of the best dancers
in the world. and that man in military
uniform, will realize what perfectly
heavenly time it is. Tomorrow morning
will be commencement proper. Gen
Horace Porter and Secretary OF Wal
Dickinson will make addresses and the
Secretary will distribute the diplomas