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* leased from arrest.,
— “—=. ot, be_enhanced’ b
« Mr. Burgess, I will recommend
mules aan dregyjations, That is all; you
ma,
std ‘fda, sir, for your leniency,”
said Ben, salutiag both of the officers,
and marching from sthe room.
Once in the outer air the sigh of huge
relief escaped
The terrible ordeal ‘ was over, and he
did not see how any new source of peril
could arise unless he himself was at
ault.
s he neared the parade-ground our
hero perceived that the fourth-class com-
pany was drilling. With a glad heart he
ran to his tent, returned with his gun
and other equipments, cand reported to
Cadet-Captain Hawk
am released trou arrest,
“Very well, Mr. Burgess, fall Th as No.
4 of the last fow
Ben saluted and went ic his post as
pula he?—that
- perhaps greater trials Were in store for
im. -
In Philip Parsons he had a most bitter
and active enemy. And one wolf can
always find other wolves to-help when
there is a nobler creature to tear down
_ and devo:
After the order “break ranks, march,”
had been given, and Ben was on his way
to his tent, Cadet Blount met Cadet
Bates. :
“Well,” said the former to the latter,
“I'am glad to see that Burgess is re-
Hullo, Mr. Parsons!
I have no Goubt that you are as glad as
the rest of us to know that your fellow-
eadet from Massachusetts has got out of
his scrape,
0 reason for being glad,”
torted Parsons, sullenly.
As the reader well knows, he was any~
thing puts
v ” demanded Blount. ,
“Because I think it would be a good
thing if that fellow. Burgess was “is
missed the service.
uu haye a reaso’
“Yes: I do not consider him a fit asso- .
Why, for one thing, his father ts a
mere carpenter, who works for day
wages. .
There was a dangerous glitter in
Blount’s eyes as he queried:
“And w at am I to infer from that
fact?
“Why, the fon of such a father can’t
be a gentlem
Blount drew: ‘himself up to his’ fullest
height, but he replied, calmly:
, Mr, Parsons, to have your
frank aatinate of a carpenter and his
son. While we are discussing the matter,
I beg to inform you that my father, also,
is a carpenter. Of course, in the future,
it is impossible that there should be any
cordiality or friendship between one of
such a distinguished family as yours and
a cadet of origin as low as you consider
mine e.
“Pa fons.” said: Bates, “my fat! ber is
worth between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000,
which may be in excess of even your
father’s wealth. Apropos of this, I can
assure you that I have learned one thing
t West Point,
That is, tha
class, and in discipline.
good as the son of a carpenter, or ofa
day laborer. Otherwise, the poor man’s
son will be, given the preference over,
ee you will ‘ana that the spirit at West
Point, and in the United States Army.
Holding a commission in Uncle, Sam’s
small but select army confers a ‘dignity’
and a position_of toes which can-
the greatest wealth,
or the mest distinguished patronage.”
The ¢olor that came to Philip Parsons’
face, as he slunk away, discomfited, ex-
ceeded the hue of the boiled lobster.
CHAPTER VIL. ©
THE TABLES DO NOT EXACTLY TURN—
PARSONS PULLS THEM DOWN UPON
HIMSELF,
HIE fair sex, during the summer en-
‘campment, is always numerously
_ represented at West Point.
cadets are thrown con-
stantly in the foclety of women and girls.
-From this, it must not be inferred that
a cadet’s summer life is one long dream
of flirtation. Neither must it be supposed
that West Point cadets are what is
known, in common parlance, as “mash-
rar fromit. -
The cadet is a gentleman, and this is
_the first fact which those in power at
West Point endeavor to impress upon the
scores of boys o go there every year
from all paris of the United States,
And,
you to diligently peruse your copy of the |
GOLDEN
Now, a gentleman must defer.to the
weaker sex—weaker only in a physical
sense.”
The modern army officer is the descen-
dant of the knight of old. The first es-
sential of a knight was chivalry.. This
remains unchanged to the present day.
The cadet who would become an officer
must first learn the lesson of chivalry
Hence the presence of women and girls |
at the “Point” is beneficial.
At times, cadets who are not gentlemen
succeed in getting through West Point.
his is the misfortune, not the
fault, of the officers who are charged
with the instruction of cadets,
Philip Parsons, though assuredly not a —
gentleman, was shrewd enough to suc-
ceed in making a very good impression
upon those over him.
Saturday came, The morning was spent
in drills and in other military duties.
In the afternoon came the ordeal for -
our hero,
According to the sentence of thé super-
ptongents he must do etxra duty from
to 5 m.
“Walking extras” is the name by which
tiis mode of punishment is known.
Back of the Cadet Barracks is an ex-
tensive yard of level ground.
In this yard cadets who have been sen-
tenced to extra.duty.are made to patrol
stated “posts.” During this time they
carry arms and full equipments.
Promptly at 2 p. m. our hero was on
hand.
»He was assigned to nis posts and com-
menced to “walk his
no means plone ‘in his hu-
millating occupation. At least a score of
cadets from the different classes under-
rent the same punishment at the same
t
“Philip Parsons left his tent at 2 p.
“TVll_ go and see the Burgess upstart
walk his. etxra,” he muttered. “He’ll be
en he sees that I am enjoying
his disgrace, and I shall enjoy his hu-
miliation,
Parsons had not gone a dozen steps on
this generous mission when he came face
to face with Cadet Bunker,-walking
tween the Misses Flossie Fuller and Lena
w Parsons had become desperately
smitten! with Miss Fuller.
ded to his infatuation, Miss Fuller
was the daughter of a senator-who pos-
States Army officer, so that astute young
gentleman reasoned, why, then, the in-
fluence of Senator Fuller might be potent
in securing him some choice and coveted
post in the army.
“HWullo, Parsons!” called Bunker. “We
are going to Trophy Hill. The young la-
dies are anxious to fee ibe battle relics.
Won't you come wit
Miss pur threw ‘an arch look at
Par:
The fatter hesitated—divided between
flirtation and revenge.
“I should be hap to,” he replied,
“put Iam making ra 2 point to go down
to, she barracks yard.”
What possible attraction can that
place have for you?” Miss Fuller asked.
“Unmannerly and unmanageable cadets
are punished there, you know, on Satur-
day afternoons, by being made to walk
extras. As I e never seen the spec-
tacle, I feel that I ae witness it and
profit by the warn!
As he said this, "Parsons “looked in a
self-deprecatory kind of way at Miss
Fuller, who murmured:
“I am sure, Mr. Parsons, that you can
have no need for such a.warning.”
“I beg to assure you of my gratitude
for your undeserved good opinion,” re-
sponded Parsons, with a gallant bow.
“All right,” broke in Bunker; “I'll take
the young ladies to Trophy Hill., After
that, if they would like to see our suffer-
ing comrades walking extras, it shall be
y and Bless sure to escort them
shall probably meet you
there, Parsons.
“IT sincerely hope so”"—with an admir-
ing glance at pretty Flossie Fuller.
Parsons went on with a rapidly beat-
ing heart. He felt certain that he was
making a conquest upon Miss Fuller, He
was almost tempted to turn about and
accompany her to Trophy Hill. But then
he felt that perhaps too marked atten-
tion to her would not be well. A soli-
tary stroll with her, along Flirtation
Walk, might produce better results,
He found Ben Burgess pacing his post
Ben Percelved his foe and the look, and
flushed
As our a passed, rarsons said, Ina
low but triumphant t
“So, Ben Burgess, you “upstart, you do
not seem to flourish in the society of
HOURS. *
gentlemen, You spring from such mean
stock that: yo uu are bound to find y
level anywhere.”
. Our hero turned first red, and then
white.
Such an insult was hard to bear calmly,
His disengaged hand clinched, and for
an instant he seemed tempted to resent
the insult with a
Just then, however, a third person came
on the sce
It was Licutenant- Colonel Ordway, the
commandant,of cadets.
That gentleman had been standing just
inside one of the doors of the barracks,
he had overheard what was said.
‘“Cadet Burgess, halt!” he commanded.~
Our hero came to a stop and saluted.
Parsons, frightened by this unexpected
denouement, saluted also, and then start-
ed, to walk away.
moment, wry Parsons,”
Colonel Ordway, stern];
arsons thereupon halted, and waited
in fear and trembling.
“Sir,” continued Colonel Ordway,
pened to overhear the ungentlemanly
way in which you taunted your fellow-
cadet. Do you not feel that it was an
act unworthy of you?
“It was,” said Parsons, quickly, veering
with the wind, because he felt himself in
danger. “I beg your pardon.”
. “It would be far more appropriate,”
was the quick reply, “to seek the pardon
of Mr. Burgess. It was he whom you in-
sulted.
Ths was a hard pill for Parsons to
allow.
Yet it was necessary to do this, that he
might not lose the good opinion of
Colonel Ordwa;
So he swallowed. a little. pride, and
stammered:
Mr. Burgess, I beg your pardon.”
“For the insult I offered you,” prompt-
ed the lieutenant-colonel,
For the insult I offered you,” repeated
Parsons.
“The apology is accepted,”
Ben, with as much grace as he
summon, .
“And now, sir, have I made ample
amends?” queried Parsons to Colonel
Or
said
responded
could
“Yes,” replied that officer; “so far as
your offence against your fellow-cadet is
concerned, . But your offence against
discipline and*good manners must. be
expiated.. You will go to your tent at
once, Mr, Parsons, Return with your
arms, and pace a post until Mr, Burgess
is released virom similar punishment.”
But, sir, I apologized.”
As I have explained, that makes no
difference,”
“But I—’
“Not wort Mr. Parsons.” !
“But,
“Silence! Obey my order.”
Parsons, crestfallen and humiliated,
went to his tent, and soon returned.
Colonel Ordway assigned him to a post |
which crossed our hero’s, so that the two
met every, two or three minutes.
f a sudden, Parsons felt as if he
wished to sink through the earth.
For Cadet Bunker wag approaching,
with the two young ladies walking upon
_either side.
vihis is the last straw,” groaned Par-
50:
. Miss Fuller saw him, and looked thor-
oughly puzzled, as well she might.
Horrors! The young ladies were com-
nearer and nearer.
cad aes Bunker was grinning broadly,
And Miss Faller, too, seemed to thor-
oughly enjoy the fun.
arsons was obliged to pass neal
gnoueh to them to hear Flossie Fuller
“Yana only: unmannerly and unmanage-
able cadets are punished in this fashion?
Dear, de:
Cadet Bunker, who with difficulty con-
quered the temptation to roar with laugh-
ter, was forced to leads the young ladies
ehilip Parsons, when he founa himself
, released from his unenyiable position at
five o'clock, crept into his tent, sullen
with mortification and rag
And Ben Burgess, the {anovent cause
of it all, sunk several degrees lower in
Parsons’ scale of hate. Parsons swore
revenge—that revenge of which only a
mean and despicable nature is capable,
As far as Miss Fuller was concerned,
her sense of the ridiculous was so keen
that her admirer never had a ghost of a
show with her after that,
CHAPTER VIII.
LIFE COUNTS FOR NAUGHT WHEN A
WOMAN IS IN DANGER.
RECT in saddle, with sabers flash-
ing and horses prancing, the sec-
ond class rode across the cavalry
sround.
All West Voint was out to see this
5
inspiring sight, that is to say, the cadets
f other classes and hundreds of visitors.
It was a splendid sight.
No troop in the world could have rid-
den in such straight, undeviating lines.
No cavalrymen could sit more erect, nor
carry themselves with greater grace and
firmnes:
For ha alt an hour the class, under the
instruction of a United States Army 0:
cer, had gone through all the sueceeding
cvomons of the “school of the com-
eNow these ardent young military stu-
dents crossed the ground at a walk, rid-
ng in double column of fow
Suddenly the instructor turned, rose’in
his stirrups and shoute: the command:
Right and left front into line, march!”
The evolution was performed with the
precision of machinery,
Company: halt!”
The centre fours came to a stop, and
on these the line was dressed.
It seemed as if done in an instant, "
A straight line of horses and cadets
Like automatons the cadets sprung
from their saddles, and stood erect and
soldier by their horses’ heads.
mur of admiration ran around
throveb “the crowd of spectators.
Then eame a: rattling round of ap-
plause.
A few cavalrymen of the Regular Army
had ridden with the cadets, to show them
practical work,
One of the cavalrymen rode a horse
that had come in with the last consign-
ment from the West.
t was a spirited and vicious brute,
and frequently distinguished itself
rearing and bolting; but the cavalryman
was at home in the saddle, and promptly
put a stop to these antics.
Ben Burgess, who bad been one of the
most deeply interested of the spectators,
stood in the front row of on-lookers.
Suddenly the cayalryman's horse bolted
‘or thd crowd.
His rider pulled on the bridle, but the
horse would have knocked three or four
people down had not our hero sprung
forward and seized the bridle.
The horse snorted and plunged, but,
between his rider and the boy before
Bim, foun himself unable to stir from
Tieutenant Ellerton, who had been in-
structing the second class, now rode up
and ¢
“Weil don ne, Mr. Burgess. You have the
presence of mind which befits a soldier.”
“I used to horses, sir,” Den an-
swered; “IT have often taken care of
them.
“Then, when it comes your turn to take
cavalry practice, you will find out how
little you really know about horses,”
laughed the leutenant.
“I suppose 5 Bir, but I always like to
be around
The cavalryman bad dismounted, and
stgod By his horse’s hea
think you cata ride a brute
like tnlat” asked ‘sleutenant Elierton.
n't a doubt of it,
watleston regarded our hero quizzically.
He wondered if the boy was only boast-
‘ou have my permission to try,” he
cate quietly.
Ben Burgess waited to hear no more.
* He sprang forward.
Like a flash he leaped into the saddle,
and seized the bridle from the soldier's
hi .
The horse was off almost before our
hero landed in the saddle.
He forged ahead for-fifty yards,
Then he stopped abruptly, planting his
forefect forcibly on the ground, and send-
ing his heels high into the air,
It was a genuine Western “buck,” such
as only a broncho is capable of doing.
It “caught” Ben Burge:
That is to say, the shock and the sud-
“den turning upside down sent him flying
over the horse’s hea
Our hero landed on (the ground, fully
five yards from the
Then the bronco stood, ‘still, and gazed
at him’ with the innocent look of a cow
at rilking time, as if to :
“Why, I really thought you could ride.”
A shout of good-natured laughter. went
up from the civilian portion of the crowd.
Ben Burgess heard it, and it made him
ad.
He gained his feet, and walked slowly
up to his equine foe.
The bronco stood calmly enough until
our bere seized him by the
the beast started of at a gallop.
tut nour hero, clinging to him, vaulted
through the air—and landed in the sad-
ot ardly were horse and rider pnder way
when the former again
But Ben Burgess. was pri cpared for it
this time, and held on like grim death.
J