New-York tribune., 1910-02-06
EGOTISM IS ROUTED,
Hest Pointer Had to Read and
Sing Oscn EuIogy.


Hazing at the United States Military
Academy, west Point, has in the last tef1
years been SO frequently followed by pun
ishulent and otherwise disceuntenancsd
that it has practically become thing OF
the past a third OF a century ago the
modes of hazing were varied, and many OF
them unique. A certain graduate, who
hailed from south OF the Mason and Dixon
line and from west OF the Allegheny
Mountains. told this story Of his own ex-
perience.
lie was tail, raw-boned fellow when he
entered the academy as q "nlebe," and
had been assigned to a room with a bright
little chap, with whom he soon became
very friendly and confidential Several
weeks after he had entered the academy
he received a letter from his good mother.
in which she inclosed clipping from their
county newspaper. The article mentioned
the fact that young Mr.. - had received
an appointment to West Point and had
left for that place several days before;
that whereas they extended congratula-
tons to the young man. the United States
government vas to be much more greatly
congratulated upon obtaining as one OF It's
embryo soldiers man from their COM
nlunity. the son of such noble sire,
whose sire and great-sires had been equal
L noble, young man above reproach, OF
great Intellect and bound to make his
mark IN any calling he might elect, etc
This article inspired its recipient with
pride and pleasure; he found it impossible
TO refrain from showing it to his room
mate, and al hour after having done so
was aceosted, while going downstairs, by
an upper class maj. who had been drilling
hiIn and had been very severe AZ this
meeting the upper class man, Who was
about half his size. looked at him soiernn-
iy, removed his cap. and said: Mr.. --.
I hunahly beg your pardon for having bean
so stern with you I did not know until q
few moments ago what q distinguished
and intellectual young man you were. You
honor Us By Becoming one OF Us.''
The pleased "piebe.- never for moment
scenting mischief. grinningly replied:
That's al right, Mr. -; I forgive YOU"
That evening, while the @-plebe'' and his
roommate were engaged in study, there was
q knock at their door. and there entered the
upper class man who had accosted and
apolog;zed 70 TIE ''plebe" on the stairs, he
being accompanied by a dozen other upper
class men. He thus addressed the ''plebe';
Mr.. -. here are q number Of your brother
cadets who are desirous OF knowing what
& particularly distinguished man they have
ameAg them You will therefore kindly
read what your newspaper says Of you"
The 1plebe' was inclined to deTuur, but
the determined manner and steely eye Of
the little upper class man compelled obedi-
ence; embarrassed, he stun,bltngly read the
whole article, at the conclusion Of which the
little upper class man stated that the<reader
had uluIubled in parts, had failed 10 enuncl-
ate distinctly. and required the poor "plebe''
To read II again. This having been done, all
shook hands with him IN an apparently
most deferert.aI manner, after which the
little upper class man stated that tllev
would call the next evening. augmented by
other cadets. and that in the mean time the
''pleee' would commit the article to mem
orr and be in readiness TO repeat Il when
they called.
His manner brooked no disobedienee: the
call was made the nezt evening the NUM-
ber Of cadets being nearly double that Of the
previous evening, and he repeated the art
Gle. being prompted by the little upper class
man. Before the departure OF his visitors
Le was informed that te would be visited
the next evening By e still greater number
Of cadets, and he was ordered to be pre-
pared to declain the article depicting hls
virtues.
The visit was made and the defamation
rendered He was then informed that ne
would be again visited the following even
ing, and would prepare himself SO a. to be
able 70 render the article IN song. This
visit was made the room being fairly
packed with cadets, and the poor 'p1ebe''
was required 10 stand on table and howl
the article from start TO finish for he had
not The faintest understanding OF how to
sing CT turn tune. In after years he said
that i ne had ever had any egotisrn in his
composition It was completely knocked out
OF him by having to handle that article as
he had to handle it. ". Duncan. IN lip
pincotts.