The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-13

INVEST POINT has been the dream w of '' my fife. ,..... dream. !. i. a reality-a stern reality.
 I used to picture myself in spick anu span uniform, surrounded by bunch or adoring girls-that was before l had been "plebe"
 know what West Point life is now My training-and the shattering or my dream-began the very minute l arrived Some first class men detailed as plepe in- structors bounced upon me. -
 "Who are evoG2'' "Go up those steps on a double time runi"
 Put your grips down, understand!
 .eTurn up your collar Button up your coat Take off that pin. Move your chm in. more yet. Move your shoulders back Get some life into you" | I obeyed all the orders-at least tired to-and found myself in a room in par | racks.
 | Lesson No. 2 began at once-how to sa- | lute. When my drillmasters were satis- fed-and they were not easily satished-l  was sent to report to the officer in charge 1 os new cadets. Then came new order' "Double time to the cadet store to draw my supplies. | They made quite a load-an armchalr' one mattress, two blankets, one comforter one pail. one mirror, one clothes bag hacked with smaller articles But that was only the beginning. My daily sched- ule will give an idea of how strenuous the life is:
 5.45 a. m.-The reveile gun. I have 50 minutes in which to get up and dress make my bed, clean my table, sweep the floor and dust the furniture. e.oo a. m.-The cadet in charge inspects my room.
 s.ao a. m.-I get to breakfast. Three oi us are detailed to each table. am "coffee corporal" having to cut all the meat and see that the supply of coffee and cocoa is sufficient. The milk cor noral" loks after the milk and water. The .gunner'' signals the walters to bring or inc food. We aren't allowed to talk-eS' cent necessary conversation-breau please;" "Butter, please" "conee nIease." And we're not allowed to look UT from the table, either.
 7:15 a. m.-Study in quarters | 7.56 a. m.-Recitations. Each of us has to recite each day in each study. il 40 a. m.-Study in quarters. | 12.10 D. m-Dinner.
 1.25 D. m.-More recitations.
 a.ao n. m.-Ten minutes to change mS uniform for drill, putting on leggings white cross belt breast plate, white l gloves. snatch up my rife and rush to the place where my company assemblies.
 3.4o D. m.--An hours drill, and it's some drill.
 4:4o D. m.-F1fteen minutes to change my uniform for dress parade.
 5:sO D. m.-If I'm lucky enough neither to march off or on guard l can rest til supper time.
 6;25 D. m.-Supper and permission tc walk around until 7:15.
 7:15 to 10 D. m.-Study in my room. Tn mot allowed to take down my bed before g. I must be in it about 10.
 Not much poetry or romance or many pretty adoring girls in this sort of life is there?
 But I'm learning-learning . lot. I've learned how to hold rife, aftel many sarcastic comments. Tv learned how to polish belt buckle I've spent seven hours day on one be fore my instructor was satisfied.
 Coast artillery drill sounded interest ing to me until I discovered that propec tiles weighing 90 pounds had to be throwI into the breach of the rifle every half min | ute.
 The most tantalizing drill l find IS tn practical military engineering, wnlci comes every third day from to F.
 The '.yearling camp is no snap, either Horseback riding begins there In th' riding hall I first encountered the joy of the one and two hours stretches Q horseback riding.
 stin it is not all work. Although W are not permitted officially to have an candy or cigarettes. yet in some mysterl