Rocky Mountain College - Yellowstone / Poly Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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THE POLY his chums and class-mates-a little gossipy circle engaged in guesses on who will make the team or who gain the coveted commissions. These are usually settled according to their likes and dislikes but hardly are they ever concluded before Call to Quarters is sounded when each n1ust hurry to his room to prepare tomorrow's lessons. At 9 :30 Tattoo with its chattery, cheery notes calls the battalion to form in the armory. There each cadet answers to his name, is inspected by the commandant, important announcements are made and the demerit book read, after which each returns to his room to prepare for bed. A few minutes later the sweet, sad strains of Taps are heard through the still night. Then a last Good-night to Tom , Bill' or Jack and Lights-out -the soldier student's day of work and play is over. nfs n f S 1 LOWERING THE COLORS AT RETREAT GDI?-. WEDLVDVDI GFEIVVVIJ-EIF'l TAPS BugleB1ow, Sweet and low! Through the hall Hear the call- Goodnight, all Echo seems To recall Peaceful dreams.

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THE POLY with eagerness that he hastens when dismissed from the company formation to the mess squad. He marches to the dining hall, where a plain, simple, but healthful dinner greets him and may it be said of him that his hours of study and drill have given him an appetite to do it full justice. Dinner over, he returns to his quarters where for half an hour he is uninterrupted unless he is on the day's roster for guard duty. But guard duty comes to every cadet once in so many days depending upon the size of his company. If on duty, he immediately gives himself and his equipment the last few touches of perfection for it is a careful inspection the commander of the guard will make and it behooves our cadet to make the best possible showing. He falls in with his detail on the company parade ground where the Top sergeant gives it a most rigid inspection before turning it over to the ranking non-com, to be marched to the parade ground where with the detail from the other company goes through the thrilling military ceremony known as guard mount. He thus becomes a part of the police force of the garrison for the day and as such responsible for the perfect discipline for the battalion. What a splendid training it is that develops the boy along lines testing at once his responsibility, his resourcefulness and his integrity and moreover instilling into his very being that respect for law and order that will guide him throughout life! Guard mount over and the new officer of the day saluted and the old guard relieved of duty, the guard falls out and School Call again reminds him of the other phase of the day's work. He returns to his class room and recitations continue until 4:10. Then comes the hour, which, to our American boy, means the most. It is the period when he lays aside his natty uniform to don athletic togs and with the heart of one whose spirit has already been imprisoned in too narrow confines, he rushes to the football field or baseball diamond, there to try in friendly competition with chums and class- mates for a place on the team. For two hours, he puts into this work the full energy and devotion that only youth can spare-to win for himself that coveted honor of wearing the school's athletic emblem upon his sweater. Recall finally draws him from these endeavors and after a hasty shower bath, he again slips into his uniform as the bugle summons Fall in on the battalion line. This time to take his part in what will some day come to be the sweetest and dearest sentiment of his school days--to stand at attention as over the quiet of the closing day floats the clear sweet notes of Retreat as slowly from its airy staff The Stars and Stripes is lowered and the sun sinks to rest behind the western mountains now mellowed in their canopies of purple and gold. Following supper, the cadet has half an hour in which to chat with

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