THE BATTALION. College Station, Texas.
“Well, Pa, couldn’t two companies be a half of a bat
talion ?”
“Do shut up.”
Brief silence for only a few minutes.”
“Say Pa, which one of the Cadets were you like ?”
“I was in the ‘file closers.’ ”
“What’s a ‘file closer ?’ ”
“They are officers who keep those in ranks straight.”
“What’s ranks ?”
“Ranks is the line of company.”
“I would be in ranks when I come here won’t I ?”
“Yes.”
“But I could go in the ‘file closers’ if I wanted to,
couldn’t I ?’”
“No.”
•“Why, Pa?”
“Because you w r ould have to be promoted first.”
“Are all those who are in the ‘file closers’ promoted ?”
“Yes.”
“I could be promoted if I wanted to, couldn’t I ?”
“Shut up and don’t ask so many foolish questions.”
“Did you used to ask foolish questions when you were a
boy ?”
“No, keep quiet; I want to hear what the band is playing.”
“What’s the band playing, Pa ?”
“Annie Rooney.”
“Does all the bands play Annie Rooney ?”
“No.”
“But they could if they wanted to, couldn’t thev.
“Yes.”
“Can this band play anything else?”
“Yes—do be quiet.”
“Pa, what’s those cadets coming this way for?”
“Those are graduates and are coming up to salute the com
manding officer.”
“Pa, what’s a gradute?”
“They are cadets who have completed their course.”
“Will I ever complete my course when I come here?”
“I hope so.”
“Then I will be a graduate, won’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Did you complete vour course?”
“Yes.”
“Then jou are a graduate, ain’t you, pa?”-
“Yes.”
“W r hat made them take off their caps just now?”
“That was a salute to the commanding officer.”
“Do they always salute when they take off their caps?”
No if you don’t shut up I won’t bring you out with me
again.”
But if I shut up you will bring me out again, won,t you.”
0S.
But, Pa, why don’t the graduates go back to their com
panies?”
They have graduated now and new ones have been ap
pointed in their stead.”
‘ Who is that cadet coming out there now?”
He’s Sergeant-Major, and is taking command of the bat-
tall ion.”
“Does he always do that way?”
“Yes.”
“It don’t hurt to be Sergeant-Major, does it?”
“No, it is a very nice office.”
“Were } r ou ever Sergeant-Major?”
“No.”
“Do you know his name?”
“No.”
“You would if I did, wouldn’t you?”
“Shut up and watch the review.” *
“What’s a review, Pa?”
“If you don’t shut up I will whip you when we get home.”
Silence until the companies were marched off of parade
grounds, when the youth broke in again.
“Pa, where are the cadets going?”
“They are going to their barracks to get ready for the ball.”
“What’s barracks, Pa?”
“That where the cadets sleep and study.”
“I will live in barracks when I get to be a cadet, won’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Did you live in one?”
“Yes.”
“Which one?”
Pfeuffer barracks.”
They are not all named Pfeuffer are they?”
“No. Shut up, I say.”
“Pa, are all the cadets going to the ball to-night?”
“I guess so.”
“Did you go when you were a cadet?” - —
“Yes.”
‘T can go when I am a cadet, can’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Are we going to-night?” r> ~ ~ ~
“No we are not.—You have bothered me enough for the T
day.—Come, hurry up, so we can catch the train,” and off he ‘
started, half dragging the inquisitive youth after him, who to
have the last word, blubbered out:
“W-w-w-which train, Pa?”
That boy equalled any girl I ever met, and I am glad he is
too young to be here during my stay. J E e Her.
Remember.
Remember boys, that in after life you will be often thought
of by your old College friends.
Remember that some day you may have occasion to need
the services of true and devoted friends.
Remembei that after you leave College the services of the
world will add greatly to your own necessary exertions to at
tain success in life.
Remember that in not many years to come, you may aspire
to some position among your fellow men.
Remember that your old College friends will be among those
who can materially aid you.
Romember that if you have gained their confidence and es
teem during your college days they will not forget it.
Remember that the acquaintances formed during college
life are never, never forgotten.
Remember that the time will come when you will wish
that you had given your old school mates just cause to form a
good opinion of yourself.
Boys, then why not grasp this grand opportunity to win
the favor of your associates here at the A. and M. College
those who are to be in a few years from now, the representa
tive people of Texas. What a source of pleasure it will indeed
be to you in after life, to look back to this very year—this day
this hour and be able to say “My time was well spent' my
acquaintances were made my friends and I am well pleased ”
Act accordingly. -