candidates never knew we wore their clothes. We now began to talk of furlough, and as the time drew near we became the more anxious to see home folks again. Tailors visited the Point with samples of summer suitings, and the Commissary tailor also had samples to show. At last each yearling ordered the clothes he wanted to wear when he went on furlough as a swell second classman, and when the citizen suits were ready those who ordered at the Commissary could try them on, while the others had to wait for theirs until after the 1st of June. During the spring months we held several class meetings to decide upon a furlough cane, and at last we agreed upon one. It was a small malaca stick with an L-shaped ivory head, having the last two figures of the year we expected to graduate in cut into the free end of the L. Our folks when they saw us with the little canes called us dudes, and they were about right, too, but that was many years ago, when we were young and charming. A FURLOUGH DREAM.[49] Air:—Benny Havens, Oh! A few more days and June will come, And with her rosy hand Will open wide the gate that leads Unto the promised land, Where dwells the “Cit” in happy ease, Without the least regard, While he doth have the entire earth Enclosed in his front yard. He has no fear of any “Tac” When he off limits strays, No reveille disturbs his ear. Oh, joyful are his days; He has no fear of Mathy probs, Or French to masticate; No Spanish grip with outstretched arms Awaits to seal his fate. He has no bony nag to ride In Grant’s or Custer’s style, No other animals to fight That wear a goaty smile; And as the summer days roll by The wily hammock holds This happy, lazy, lounging “Cit” Within its sleepy folds. Oh, haste the day when we shall share In life’s sweet joys again; No hearts on earth will lighter beat Than those of furloughmen. ’Twill all seem like a happy dream, But, oh! how short and sweet, This oasis in our four years, When friends long parted meet. And then once more we will return To West Point battle ground, To fight again for two years more, That is, if we’re not “found;” So furloughmen just brace yourselves, And keep hopes’ fire ablaze, For we, too, shall be jolly “Cits” In just a few more days. [Illustration] [Illustration: CAMP BELKNAP. The Pleasure of your company is requested at the hops to be given by the Corps of Cadets every Monday Wednesday and Friday evening during the encampment _MANAGERS._ STANHOPE E BLUNT THOMAS C WOODBURY J W WILKINSON J LEW WILSON ALFRED REYNOLDS GEO T T PATTERSON ADDIS M HENRY HARRY C WYCANT CHARLES W ROWELL EDMUND K WEBSTER HENRY R LEMLY HARRY H LANDON LEVEN C ALLEN C E SCOTT WOOD WM L GEARY West Point 21st June 1871.] CHAPTER VII.