United States Military Academy Furlough - Furlough Book Yearbook (West Point, NY)

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it since Beasts' Barracks, it now became the all-important theme of thought. We waded into Math and French as a giant rejoicing to run his course until the Christmas writs, when we presented an appearance similar to the penitent prodigal. There seven men fell under the tenth-destroying rapid-fire guns of the Math Department, which was securely entrenched behind a breastworks of Descript and Calcule. In January we lost two men in a long but quiet battle with the Dis. detachment of the enemy, and in Febru- ary the Integral battery disintegrated us to the extent of two more. On the third of March we betook ourselves to the great city of Washington to insure the proper inaugu- ration of Mr. Taft. It was only another soiree, but as our lives are a continual stream of soirees, one so unusual was welcomed as a change. And now, with the approach of june, we go to the battery to sing our Furlough songs. On these balmy spring evenings as we mingle our voices in sweet songs of our furlough girl and furlough moon and all the happi- ness so soon to come, we can peer into that far-off blackness ahead of us and almost distinguish, in that land where dreams come true, the golden sheath-gown of that beautiful goddess we have worshipped so long-Fur- lough herself! We feel our hearts quicken with happiness as we watch the rapid approach of that day when we can reach forward with eager hands and part the curtains which have separated us so long from those thou- sands of joys that lie beyond. Furlough and Freedom, Summer and Sunshine, are standing there waiting to escort us to the four corners of this country and to remain with us while we realize the sweetest of our dreams, the fondest of our hopes. 1 4 ' 9

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Our Yearling Camp was a pretty dream of one whole week's duration. lVe showed to the proud satisfaction of all concerned that our First Class Camp would be above the average, and how much above is only a matter for time to prove. There never has been a better Practice March than that of last summer. Despite the fact that it rained nearly all the tiine, everyone was filled with the best spirits. We were all participants in the demolition of Cedar Cliff Inn and the stampede of Hill Crest Hall. Not one of us but enjoyed that week more than we had ever expected, but there was not one of us who was not glad to yell, at its close, Never again with a 1nusket! School started once more and we became the official Furlough Class. Although we had piped shall fulfill the trust imposed upon us history shall uncom- promisingly relate. Merrily we marched along till the joyful days of june, fearing always lest we exhibit unusual B. jfity for Fourth Classnien, but happy in the assurance that nothing is too B. bl. for a yearling. When we gathered round for the final celebration of our first year's exit, Pechols was in good trim, and we rose from the table to find six of our men lying prostrate beneath the festive Academic Board. ln camp our reputation was made. ln all the brew and boodle, hops and spooning, golf and tennis, boating and so forth Cinostly the lastl we were prominent. Never before has there been so much of all these, and never before have the yearlings displayed so much initiative. A cloud of gloom enveloped us during july because of the loss of seven of our best men. They were sent home for hazing the wooden plebes, but we soon rejoiced with them xi hen their punishment was made only one year's turn-baclc, with a year's suspension. 8

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