Year: 1874

The Near Approach OF the GOOdby Day
Settling Up Old scores-The Grndua tes
to Leave ON ednesday.


WEST POINT June IA, 1874


The beginning OF the end Is close at hand, and,
by wednesday next, che graduates who have
already passed their examination in all the
branches OF study but who are yet obliged to walk
In the military way that the discipline Of the post
enforces on every one here who wears uniform,
will have hidden their goodby to the Academy
many OF them, probably, an eternal farewell
During the past two weeks the time has certainly
dragged heavily with the graduates, and now that
all their anxleties as to the examination and its
probable results are at an end. the time from now
until they are relieved by special order from
duty will drag still more heavily. Wren
they were preparing Tor the examination they
had more than enough to occupy their minds Now
they are in the enjoyment OF many privileges
they were unable to avail themselves OF before,
and have so much time to spare between their
visits at the hotel and their rambles about the
'lovers' walk" and elsewhere. that wednesday
Will be q long time coming to most OF them. To
morrow they Will have one busy day OF it anyhow.
They nave yet their accounts to


SETTLE WITH THE TREASURER,


and IN settling them but few, doubtless, will ex
ert their mathematical knowledge to the full ten
sion to find out why on earth II Is that when
fellow draws against his account to the very last
cent during the four years OF his stay here, the
rule will always turn out the same that ten
know. gets $500 year during hls term
OF study, which he Is allowed not to draw in cash,
but to draw against to supply his wants in The mat
ter OF clothing, DC There Is a tradition that once
upon time an economical cadet. on settling his
accounts the day before graduating discovered that
he had coming to him the magnificent balance Of
eightyseven cents. That night, the tradition iur-
ther says the entire graduating class had elegant
collation. Of peanuts and canuy, the candy man
on the post beng benefited thereby to the extent
present class IN the economical line will be Is as
yet mystery, but there are those who contend
that the boys, during the last year especially, spent
so much IN "charty" that the general balance Will
not make up iund large enough to endow u pie be
with iuli set Of towels


THE LIGHT FANTASTIC


On Friday evening we had what was called the
first regular hop OF the season At the hotel. The
dining room was made use OF for the occasion and
few string pieces from the band answered for q
the graduates being on hand early and many OF
the officers joining In the dance. There was moth.
ing astonishing in the matter OF the ladies' toilets
IN TACT she great majority were quite plainly
dressed, apparently being more desirous OF enjoy.
ing the fun at their ease than OF showing of In
their silks and satns ana diamonds Probably the
real reason for this lies In the shrewdness Of the
feminine mind, which reyels in surprises for the
lords OF creation, and reServng their grand toe Is
for the cadet mop next Tuesday night, when every
body and her cousin Is expected to come out in the
ful ehulgence OF her millinery glory.


THE EXPECTATIONS.


The post has presented quite lively appearance
to-day, large number OF visitors having arrived
by the cars and boats yesterday, and the most OF
whom, being transient, took advantage OF the de-
lightful weather to-day to roam all over the
grounds, not even forgetting to scale the heights
OF old Fort Put. At the evening parade there was
a large concourse OF spectators. Tomorrow q
grand rush OF visitors Is expected who Will re-
the diplomas on Tuesday, and to see the graduates
on on Wednesday.