Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1895 — A WEST POINT HEROINE. [ARTICLE]

A WEST POINT HEROINE.

How She Saved a Cadet’s Commission. Hundreds of pretty girls particl pated in the graduating festivities at West Point military Academy. But the queen of them ail was a black-eyed young woman from Michigan, whose health will be drunk at every army post where the young officers of 1895 are stationed, and the story of whose ready wit and audacity will be a West Point legend for years to come. Four marks against a cadet rendef him liable to dismissal, or, as cadets call it, “found.” Despite the strict rules against smoking some of the youngsters run the chances of slyly puffing cigarettes, and, having no pockets, carry them inside the bands of their caps. The last day of the four-year course found one cadet with three marks against his record. His commission in the army was almost in sight, and he was hastening to the lost duty he would have to perform under the rigid discipline of the academy. On the walk in front of Officers’ Row he met the charming young woman from Michigan with the strictest of the tactical officers stationed at the point. After saluting as required tiie cadet raised his cap to the pretty girl and a cigarette fell to the ground at the tactical man’s feet. For a moment the cadet was almost paralyzed. A vision of the four black marks and a sense of the danger of being dismissed at the last hour came upon him. The officer did not see the cigarette fall from the cap, but his eye lighted uoon it at his feet. The cadet stopped and stood at attention while the officer looked at him for a moment and then sternly said : ‘‘l shall be obliged to report you for smoking, sir." The young woman saw the situation and before another word could be said stepped between the two men. “This is not his cigarette,” she exclaimed to the tactical officer, looking him unflinchingly in the face. There was a moment of strained silence. “Captain, you shall not report that cadet for smoking,” she went on hurriedly, a flush mounting to her cheeks. “The cigarette is not his, blit mine. I dropped it. I know it is shameful for me to confess that I do such a thing as to smoke, but lots of us girls do it,” and she forced a little laugh. “You will not tell on me, will you?” She went on with an appealing glance that penetrated the stern military breast. “I would not have it known.”

The Captain vowed promises. His honor as a gentleman compelled him to accept the young woman’s word but his eye was fixed upon the cadet. “Come on, Captain, or we will be late,” said the girl in triumph, and as she passed she gave the cadet a smile that stole his heart away. That night the old stone buildings resounded with joy, and the next day, when his diploma was handed to the cadet, she applauded him more than any on 9 else.