"It appears that there is a school for musics[#] at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., where boys between the ages of fifteen and seventeen are given training. They enlist to serve until majority, but often after they have served a short time as drummer or trumpeter they get permission to change their rank and become privates. This puts them in line for promotion to the rank of corporal and sergeant. I’ve been talking with Tommy’s uncle, and he was kind enough to have me meet an officer of Marines stationed at the Navy Yard back home, who recently came from recruiting duty. That officer, Lieutenant Stanton is his name, told me that the Corps is filled up just now, and all enlisting stopped, so that my only chance to get in right away would be in this school for musics. In two days more I’ll be too old to get in. I knew if I proposed the subject at home, Mother would offer such objections that I just couldn’t refuse to do as she wished. Therefore I’ve packed up and left home for good. Dad, you--you won’t stop me, will you? You’ll give me this chance? I’ve set my heart on it so much!" [#] In the Army and Marine Corps drummers and trumpeters are generally called "musics." On board ship the sailor man who blows the trumpet is called a "bugler." The school for Marine Corps musics is now located at Paris Island, S.C. (1919) Dick stopped talking. It was the longest extemporaneous speech he ever had made in his life, and as he watched his father’s face, he wondered if he had said too much or not enough! Once again a long silence ensued, while Mr. Comstock reviewed all the boy had said. What should he do? To deny Dick’s request might be the very worst step he possibly could take, for he knew the process of reasoning by which this purposeful, upright son of his arrived at his conclusions. He believed thoroughly in his son, and wanted to make no mistake in his decision. "Let us go in to luncheon, Dick, and give me a little time to think this over. It is a little sudden, you know, and should not be gone into unwisely." During the meal John Comstock questioned Dick closely regarding this subject uppermost in the minds of both. He saw that the lad was bent upon carrying out his project; that the boy had given it careful thought; that he had weighed its advantages and disadvantages with more acumen than most boys of his age. Richard was a good student, and not for a moment did the father doubt that his son if given the opportunity would win his commission. "Was it your idea to go to the New York recruiting station to-day on our arrival?" asked Mr. Comstock, when they resumed their seat in the day coach. "Yes, Dad, for if I enlist in New York the government sends me to Washington and pays my way there."