the General could not undertake, with any prospect of success, the work 

 of a drill sergeant and, when he tried to make us practise the goose step, 

 we thought he must have gone out of his mind. The problem was solved 

 by the volunteered services of' a classmate, "Nigger Jim" Denny, who 

 had been thoroughly trained in a military school and was an excellent 

 instructor. Zeal and intelligence made us very apt pupils and we picked 

 up the manual of arms, and such marching evolutions as could be car- 

 ried out by a platoon, with a quickness and precision that delighted our 

 teacher. Next came target practice and, in the early mornings, we 

 marched in column to Stony Brook and there, in the valley above the old 

 mill, we did our firing. 



All of this most superfluous and unnecessary training was due to 

 General Karge's belief that we might have to do more or less fighting 

 with Indians. When he went to Washington, to make arrangements 

 with the War Department, he was so proud of us and our proficiency 

 in the military art, that he said to General Sherman: "General, in a fight 

 with Indians, I would rather have my boys than your regulars." General 

 Sherman's only, but characteristic, reply was to put his thumb to his 

 nose, as Karge told us with great glee when he got home. 



All this varied and intense activity that seemed to absorb every 

 moment of my time, brought me with express speed to the "Senior 

 Finals" and in those examinations I kept my place at the head of the 

 class, but, for some time, the question of the first honour at graduation 

 remained undecided, because of my uncompleted Sophomore year. 

 Finally, the Faculty decided to divide the honour between McNeill, 

 who was afterwards professor of astronomy at Lake Forest, and myself. 

 The Latin Salutatory was awarded to McNeill and the English Saluta- 

 tory to me, thus giving him a shade the better of it. I also received the 

 Experimental Science Fellowship by default, for the income of that 

 foundation failed for several years and there was no competition for 

 the empty honour. 



When the problem of first place had been finally settled, I hurried 

 home and into the study and said: "Grandfather, you owe me a gold 

 watch." In great surprise, he asked: "What do you mean?" "Why! don't 

 you remember ? When I was six years old, you promised me a gold watch 

 if I graduated at the head of my class and I have just learned that I have 

 tied with another fellow for first place." The old gentleman laughed and 

 said: "No, I don't remember anything about it, but I must keep my 

 promises." He immediately wrote out a cheque and handed it to me 

 saying: "Go to New York and buy the watch yourself." 



n55: 



