Dick Prescott's First Year at West Point; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray

t examination by any means, but he got

or so at some "prep." school that made a specialty

eography and arithmetic; in algebra, through sheer n

. These went sorrowing home, giving their altern

tered the Military Academy with the consent of their parents or guardians, and bound themselves to serve in the Army at least eight years, unless sooner d

in March, there is still a "plebe" class above them who remain plebes unti

n keep themselves loftily apart, except when compelled to drill the

s not an outcast. He is merely fifteen months on probation with his upper class comrades. Unhappy as the lot of the f

ills. These drills are effective in giving the new man, in an almost marvelously short time, the correct military carriage and physical deportmen

the care of these parts of the soldier's wardrobe. They were als

h instead of in June, as formerly, is that they may have three months in which to become acc

en they "drew" their rifles and bayonets and b

proficient, the new plebes were sent into one of th

ame company. Dick's success indeed spurred Greg on to new efforts, although poor yo

plebes had joined their companies. It

come from homes of luxury,

ficance, unless it was to invite trouble down upon the

uld he engage anyone to perfor

orps rose at the tap of a

m his bed. Then followed hasty but orderly dressing and t

xactly in accordance with the regulations on the subject. All clothing must be hung as prescribed

ll sounded on the drum outside in the area. Then came a swift

drum sounded mess call for breakfast. The cadet corps for

ended. The corps marched back

forenoon. He "boned" until 7.55. Then, in his own appropriate section, he marched off to the Academic Buildi

ck to his room. At his desk he studied until summoned at 10.5

ed barracks at 1.10. Now he had some time with which to do as he pleased; to be exact, he had fifteen minutes. At 1.25 the freshman marched off to recitat

y to go over to the library, to read, for instance; he might call at officers' houses on the post on Saturday or Sunday afternoon if invited; he was at liberty to take a walk-within cadet limits.

of study and recitation required of him, was likely to spend most of his afternoon leisur

came study time, lasting until 9.30 in the evening. At 9.30 the plebe was at liberty to turn down hi

out his light, instanter, and be in bed against the visit of the subdivision inspector, an upper class cadet

k, inspections, guard mount for each plebe about once a we

bout six out of ten of the cadets who enter at West Point manage to graduate, and go forth into the Army, splendid specimens of physical and me

hout any encouragement whatever. If the plebe can't stand it, then he is plainly not of the stuff to make a soldier. If he does stand it, he goe

ip of "nothingness" during the fir

he grows more homesick until it seems to him that he simply c

rd application to his mathematics, Cadet Dick Prescott stu

hings!" he grow

walked

of this," mutter

he north sally port, stepped briskly along one of the walks, bounded up

t Cadet Prescott, still revolving in his

l Greg think?" thr

ied him to the door of his room on the top floor.

essly, as he went quickly into the room and towar

nmilitary-a fact that s

s voice, raised his head somewha

face Cadet Gregor

matter?" demanded Dick, ha

eplied Greg miserabl

?" demanded Dick

one. I had to do it!" cried Greg,

have you gone and done, anyway, old fellow? D

e of honor lying ranks ve

't quite as bad as eith

couldn't hel

it unsteadily, leaning o

through it in some mood of desperation. This, in itself, was in defi

ther in the dark, Greg,"

ect for me, Dick," we

hing awfully bad that

his eyes wid

s desk, picked up a sheet of paper and

eyebrows. Then gradually a look

adet indignantly, "you're a disgra

g to do about it!" deman

elieve I'll thrash you-just for bei

ely as a dramatic expression of his rage, D

pen. Cadet Lieutenant Edwards, of th

were, standing at "attention," as required to d

ugh betraying no more than official curiosity in his t

replied Cad

n wh

t Prescott, "I wish t

for writing

paper, which the cadet li