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Show PLEBES at west point. Embryo Warrlori Aro Made to Amine the Yearlings at the Academy. If tho now fourth classmen, or "plebs," as they nro most frcquontly called, who entered tho military academy aca-demy at West Point a short tlmo ago, think thnt on account of tho war with Spain they will not bo hazed, tholr hopes aro bound to bo rudely shattered. For wcoks tho yearlings have boon preparing a warm reception for thom. War or no war? tho time-honored custom or doublo stepping and choo-choolng "plebs" will bo faithfully observod. A cavalry recruit might Just aa.woll hopo to escape a blanket tossing as tho now "plobo" to miss tho Bottlntr ud oxcr- clsos, which Grant, Sherman and Sheridan Sher-idan tried In vain to dodgo. The "plobo" who has successfully passed the entrance en-trance examinations first reportB to the adjutant, and, after registering, Is sont to tho nsscmbly room, whoro cadot otn-cers otn-cers nro on hand to glvo him a warm rccoptlon. "Knock!" Is tho advlco given giv-en by tho tired looking orderly who showed him tho way, and tho now recruit re-cruit Is loft to his own thoughts. Tho response to his timid tap Is Uko tho roar of tho rovelllo gun. "Como In!" cchoos from bnsemont to roof. Tho tono Is llko tho lion's roar. It strikes terror ter-ror deep down In tho heart of tho now soldier, who Instinctively recoils, and for tho first tlmo wishes hlmsolf at homo. Tho door opens with a dozen endots who rogard him with absolute indlffcronco. Nobody questions tho now arrival, and ho Is forced to lntro-duco lntro-duco himself. It Is then only his troubles trou-bles begin. Ho finds that in addressing address-ing or answering upper classmen ho must Invariably use tho word "sir." Ho also discovers that all questions, how-over how-over senseless or ridiculous, must bo answered. Here are a few samples: "Whore aro you from, Mr. Dumbjohn " "Chicago." "Say sir, Chicago, sir." "How do you know you nro from Chicago, Chi-cago, Mr. Dumbjohn?" "I don't know, sir." "Well, you nro a stupid product, Mr. Dumbjohn. Do you know anything?" any-thing?" "Yes, sir." "What do you know, sir?" It Is usually at this point that Mr. Dumbjohn wilts and admits be knows nothing. Then a corporal takes tho new arrival in charge and his lot thoncoforwnrd for at least a year Is not a happy one. Iu camp the "plobo" gurrd is usually tackled by ghosts on dark, stormy nights and tossod into Fort Clinton's moat. The new fourth classmen aro drilled continuously. Whothor walking through tho company streets, or "off duty" on tho plains, tho "plobo" must be always at attention. In his tont work will bo found for him by tho "yearllng3." Cleaning guns, making lemonado and doing general police work loaves Uttlo tlmo for homesickness. home-sickness. Sitting on a bayonot or chewing the side of a cot or double stepping by tho hour aro some of tho things a "plebo" must do to amuso upper up-per classmen. A new amusement was invented lost summer by a "yearling" who has since boon dlscbargod. He namod It tho "Sammy" race. Two "plobcB" nro blindfolded, nnd each Is furnished with a Jug of molasses and a spoon. Tho command "Food" Is then given and one "plebo" tries to feed tho other with tho molossos. By tho tlmo half the stuff Is oxhausted nearly all tho wasps and hornots in camp aro settled on tho "plobos " uniforms, drinking In tho surplus sugar deposited thore. Tho recruits aro then released, and no time Is lost in trying to doff the sweetened blouses. Ho la a fortunate for-tunate "plebo" who manages to escape from this exerclso without at least a halt dozen wasp stings. Whon a "plobo" is ordered to laugh ho usually "fins out," palms of his hands to the front, and, with his back against a tree, smiles pleasantly for on hour. This Is rogardod as great amusement by the upper clasBmen. Fistic combats may now be looked for between the "plobos" and "yearlings." New York Press, |