Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
"Mister, it's a whole year yet before plebes can sing, laugh, or be happy," came the muttered warning, as one of the newly-made yearlings passed by the tent. Anstey became silent at once. He had been at West Point long enough to know his place as a plebe. "Say," whispered Anstey presently, his eyes brimming over with glee, "have you seen poor old Dodge to-day?"
The plebes at West Point are not ostracized by the upper class men. These new men are merely "kept in their places" with great severity, and without any encouragement whatever. If the plebe can't stand it, then he is plainly not of the stuff to make a soldier.
In the last days of August the furloughed new second class returned. The young men, after reporting at the adjutant's office at the required hour, formed and marched to camp, still in "cit." clothes. First and third class men rushed out to receive and congratulate the returned travelers, while the plebes stood shyly by. Their welcome was not wanted.
Day after day Barney Mulloy took a long pull at the rowing machine. Ned Gray spent his spare time on the horizontal bars or the trapeze, and Hans Dunnerwust tried his hand at everything, making sport for the spectators. Among the plebes there were two lads who seemed all-round athletes. They were Paul Rains and Frank Merriwell. Paul did not like Frank.
By-and-by the tent was so much and well to rights that, when Cadet Corporal Brodie, of the new yearling class, looked in, he could find no fault with its appearance. Dick sat down on his box. Greg did the same. Plebes are not allowed campstools in the summer encampment probably on the theory that so much luxury would be certain to demoralize them.
The motto of a famous sovereign is, 'I serve. Let our plebe class motto be, 'I grin and bear." This wasn't exactly what the plebes had been expecting from their new leader. For a few moments after Dick sat down there was silence. Then a half dozen began to applaud. The noise grew, until half the plebes were cheering. "Thank you, gentlemen," smiled the class president.
"Dalzell Sir!" thundered Dan's questioner. "Dalzell, sir," Dan responded meekly enough. "It is plain enough that both of you plebes need a good deal of practice in the use of the word, sir. Therefore, in your next answers, you will be careful to employ 'sir' after each word that you utter in your reply. Mister," to Dave, "what did you come to the Naval Academy for?"
They certainly cannot compare with the naïf and tender-hearted plebes of the Middle Ages. Tell us, Durtal, how the people acted when Gilles de Rais was conducted to the stake." "Yes, tell us," said Carhaix, his great eyes made watery by the smoke of his pipe. "Well, you know, as a consequence of unheard-of crimes, the Marshal de Rais was condemned to be hanged and burned alive.
At first, Frank had resolved to astonish his companions by attending to his own duties entirely by himself, and having no fag; but it was shortly after the new boys came to Fardale that he saw something that made him change his mind. Among the plebes was a rather timid-looking, red-cheeked lad, who seemed even further out of his element than did his awkward companions.
It was all ludicrously absurd, to see Dave and Dan bending to their tasks as seriously as though they were rowing real craft with actual oars. One of the visiting plebes was stupid enough to giggle. "Go over and stand by the window in arrest, mister," ordered Midshipman Hayes. "You shall be tried later!" Then the "boat race" continued.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking