The Washington herald., 1910-07-03


Gen. A S. Webb. president emeritus,
OF the College OF the City Of New York,
IN his review OF 'sThree Rivers" by Gen.
J. P. Farley, q. S. A.. has this to say
respecting the Hudson River section OF
the book:
THE Hudson" This part of the book
Is the most attractive to the general read,
er. The authors heart was in the work,
since he speaks of his beloved alma ma
ter. the theme being West Point and Art
IN the Army (some of this chapter has
been published in the Military Service
Institution Journal One becomes en-
crossed in his recital of his experiences,
his graphic tribute to the men he knew
so we'll and lived with for a long time.
It is all gracefully and feelingly told. and
he draws the reader to him by his able
treatment OF a subject particularly his
own.
The writer has read this chapter twice
and feels Ike saying to Gen. Farley.
Your work is to be enjoyed by other
than West Point men, II is so full of
good feeling, so full OF loving apprecia-
ton OF the work OF others, in such good
taste" In this book the author touches
but lightly upon his experiences as
cadet, for the reason, as he says that
the story OF my cadet days being told
IN my book entitled, West Point in the
Early CO.'S" I cannot enter this field
again. Referring 10 a few chapters Of this
book, specially relating to the conditions
at the United States Military Academy
in the early eos, We find among other
things that, in the early SOS Of the past
century. all things were primitive in the
city OF Washington, with but one consta-
bic at the West End" and this one the
terror of the boys. There were in this
section Of the city two principal hand fire
engines, the Union" and the Franklin"
and the boys Of eight years. and upward
ran with the engine'-the "Gumballs."
with the Union; the ''EndeTs." with the
Franklin. Oh. We mothers, the perils
OF football Of the present days are as
naught 10 the briekbat contest of our day.
A skirmish Of this kind, in rear Of the
Presidents Mansion. resulted in the
death OF q "GumbalI." and this had a de-
ternlining influence in making at least
one more soldier After following this he
70 to the grave, the writer remarked TO
his father that he should ike to be buried
in that way that is with a brass band
and with all the pride, pomp. and cir
cumstance OF glorious war" well in
tldts my son. the IdAltT FtpittQs you
will have 70 go 10 West Point.
Suddenly you feel a PASSION rising in ycur soul.
A military passion which no one can control.
You hear Of West Point school, where they turn
great warriors out
stm you stop and hesitate on this Point there's
doubt.
When you doze IN bed that night. you mutter.
pate. and rTattle;
Think you hear uniform. drums. and wear
battle:
Dream Of bullet buttons. plurnes. Of ladies' smiles
Waking in The morning. you're OF to Washington.
CADET HORACE PORTER Qs5al
The precepts enunciated by Horace
Porter and expressed in verse here find
practical application.
Pierce Had Big Stick.
Whenever hear the term, big stick"
associated as II always is with the White
House. I wonder if 1t could possibly be
the same one delivered by me into the
hands of President Franklin Pierce. in
the month of March, of the year 1S5S-a
mission fruitful in benehcent results.
It may be safely said that upon that oc-
casion galloped into the presence Of the
Executive OF the nation mounted upon a
family hobby
ne cane ioF Sucn II was "a very
unique stick, was carved throughout its
knotty length in grotesque shapes, and
upon its silver head two names were IN
scribed. B. Pierce and j. Farley, both
captains of the old corps of artillery
OS12-zD, boon companions and lifelong
friends; the donor, the Presidents father.
and the receiver. the grandfather of the
youthful asprant for military honors.
The lad had in previous years been on
good terms with the White House stables
and enjoyed the privilege of exercising
"Old Whitley" Zachary TaylOrs war
horse), and had figured extensively on
the brocaded furniture Of the Presidents
Mansion on occasions where the two Pres
idents, Tyler and Polk. had entertained
the children Of the city. The old adage is
here reversed. pleasure first and business
afterward; since the visit of the latter
date was one strictly for business, and
the youth had been instructed when he
should meet the President 10 say: my
father desires me TO present you this
cane" and he was admonished to Law 1t
on good and strong. Days and nights
preceding this visit were largely given
over TO the welding of the stick and the
delivery of the presentation phrase
The supreme moment for action had at
last arrived. How the lad got to the
White House he never knew but he well
remembers that in the constant repetition
Of his lesson as he followed the curb he
narrowly escaped a cane presentation
10 the lackey OF the Executive Mansion.
He was ushered into the East Room.
second floor. filed with a horde Of Of
fee seekers, who always Infest the city
OF Washington at the outset OF a new
administration. and In this case it can
net be said that our young hero for milf
tery honors. should not be so classed.
Mental Vision Seen.
The time OF waiting dragged heavily
with the lad and as he stood before the
south window overlooking the fats and
marshes of the Potomac, there rose in
mental vision. from out the mist which
hung over the river. banner" extend
ing from bank TO bank. and bearing
this strange device MY Father Desires
Ne TO Present You This Cane"
Drifting aimlessly about the room for
what appeared an inteFminable age, re-
peating TO himself the phrase OF speech
now stereotyped In the gray matter of
his brain, chilled with apprehension, and
filed with -misgivipgs. the lad finally
brought up before an open fire where one
other, a probable aspirant for ONCE, had
taken refuge
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