Randolph Macon Academy - Sabre Yearbook (Bedford, VA)

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-ex I. 5a4f:::?sL-L X -:Puff 5- j f - H5534-, , -H-Ft-F18 fs' xt QA .A Q Af -4 Z 1 7 A-... fs. -S. S.. r, ' - , 0 . - V - I s.Q-2Q-fe s-'2-- '1 Q Y 6 'FW' 1' S' 5, ' Q, x -,, . 4 -,ad A , . x -4 I : .,.-4 - ..- ,,d.L:1 30.5 :ndurrf 32:55. - ...gs- -Ir -s 'N f waits- ass.-ag. - -:QS Inga looking man. who introduced himself as Colonel Phelps, the assistant principal. Upon returning from the bookstore, this same gentleman showed me to my room. I felt that I was going to like him very much as he was so kind and polite. e Hardly had I thrown off 1ny coat and looked about at my surroundings when I heard a voice yell. Rat, Rat. come here and make it snappy. Luckily I had heard of this term before and knowing what was best for me I obeyed quickly. The fellow was about my size, with a tine-looking face, which seemed to be hiding a smile, but at a closer glance I also could see that he meant what he said, so I followed him to his room. Once in his room he 'fired a quick volley of questions-where I had come from. what was my name, and gave me warning not to be anyways fresh, or I would soon be made to look like a stale piece of bread two years old. I replied courteously. It was not long before a crowd of other boys gathered in the room, cast- ing curious glances at me. The smoke became so thick from the cigarettes that I thought at that time it would have taken a sharp knife to have cut it. I pulled a package from my pocket, and, of course, kindly invited one or two to help themselves. To my surprise nearly a dozen gathered about me, and before I could realize what had happened all of my fags had gone and I had to bum one for myself. The meeting did not last long. because the bugle sounded and we went down to form for classes. As we entered the place called study hall I looked about, and, believe me, it looked far from its name. Colonel Smith came in and held chapel services, then in a deep voice said, Report to classes. At the end of the sixth period we were dismissed and the bugle blew for drill. I1Ve had to go out on a large Held, and as soon as we had reached there the other boys formed into two companies. I-Iowever. I was told to stand aside in a rough voice, which sent chills through me. The oflicer who com- manded 1ne to stand aside, as soon as the other companies marched off, turned to me and made me try right and left face until I was about ready to drop. Finally I was assigned to a company and the rest of the time followed the others in squad movements. IN e were then marched back to the school build- ing, as the bugle again sounded, and into mess hall for dinner. That afternoon we returned to classes until about four o'clock. As I came from my last classroom I heard another bugle call, and, having heard so L63

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9 -2- -1 X - 3 - - 5- ' :st-2-Sr?- - 'Z' Q:-a g . X64 ' E ala! u - .Y .,. Gd Ie , o P V . 1' I P' .2 1 'BBQ - . 1 s, I . 111311 ilhrai Eng at Qi.-EH. A. N a bright early morning I started from my old home town to go to gh parts unknown, to R.-M. situated under the lofty Peaks of Otter. Before retiring that night I asked the porter to wake me ml up in time before reaching Bedford. Wfhether he did or not, how- ever, I found mvself all surawled out in front of the railroad . - I 1 - 4 station, with a bunch of bovs in khaki all around me, askinff what I . s my name was, and where I had come from, and if I was fresh from the farm. They helped me gather my clothes, which had spread themselves all over the ground when my handbag had been thrown from the train. They took me to the Academy, going up and down hills until I was out of breath. just as I reached the Academy I glanced out on the field and could see a large number of men dressed in khaki, who seemed to be trying to do some fancy Hings and tlirts, but afterwards I found out that it was setting-up exercises. After washing up I heard a bugle give a toot, tootfi' I did not know what it meant, but I 'followed the crowd. ,Xfterwards I 'found out it was the call for breakfast. XVhen we reached the table all of the boys folded their arms and bowed their heads and I heard a deep voice from somewhere in the mess hall begin to say grace. A. bell was tapped and there was a merry clamor as the boys took their seats. and then began calling ducks on this and ducks on that. A fellow next to me took pity, thinking I must be hungry, and passed a dish of something to nie which, after an investigation, I found to be oatmeal. Another bell was tapped as soon as we had finished and the boys made a rush for the doorl After breakfast I was taken into the office and introduced to a well-built man of middle age who, in spite of his genial smile, looked so hard at me that I :felt sure lie saw clear through my body. It was Colonel E. Sumter Smith of whom I had heard-so much. Ile bade me have a seat, and, after asking me a few questions, gave me a slip of paper and told me to go to the bookstore and get my books. As I passed out of the door I bumped intova very hne- 162

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mga IM? 'S . :HP-at :figs-M' : 5 L - -5- a -H-,f,f-15-Q - 2 r sib le fm a sf -Q-se A- A- A A . . . .N . 1 f9'02', Y' : Ilegr Ig-vl x'1 15 3553, '2g,T.i Q'E ifglg Q '1 many during the day, I supposed it meant for me to fall into something if not into formation. So out I went, but to my surprise it was for the boys who had demerits that they had to walk off on the bull ring. I did not know what the bull ring was at that time, but in the remaining days at the Academy I learned that it was something to be avoided and dreadedg' it is a very miserable place for any man to spend his time. About six-thirty we formed for retreat and paid all due respects to the colors Then we marched into mess hall for the last meal of the day. After a little time for recreation we were ushered into study hall which lasted for two hours, and two long hours they were, too, believe me. There was a continual low murmuring of voices, and also the general coming and going to borrow a knife, a pencil, or a sheet of paper. After study hall the bugle sounded call to quarters, and in lifteen minutes it sounded again for taps, and the lights were switched off. Oh, boy! How good that bed looked to nie, all tired out and a little homesick! just as I was dozing off into dreamland, with the picture of the farm before me, and that of 1ny people, and last, but not least, the sweet face of my girl-oh, how I longed to put my arms about her and tell her all about my new home !-I believe I was about to do it when suddenly I awoke and found my bed upside down. with me under it, and some one hurrying from the room uttering a low laugh. It was the famous old trick that has been played upon rookies in schools for years in the past, the trick my dad used to tell me about when I sat on his knee. Thus passed my hrst day at R.-M. A. Soon I became adjusted to my surroundings and the days sped swiftly by. And now as I look back upon the year with all of its hardships and tasks, I must say there were always days of joy and happy times with the boys, on the gridiron, basket-ball court, and the ball field, also in the social life of the school. I enjoyed it, and the memories of dear old Randolph-llfilacon at Bedford, a little town in the mountains, will ever linger in my heart. AU REVOIR. 164