counselled me to resign and not go. He was convinced,
too, before we separated, that no change in my
determination was at all likely to occur. Next day,
in a short article, the fact of my appointment was
mentioned, and my age and degree of education. Some
days after this, while in the post-office, a gentleman
beckoned to me, and we withdrew from the crowd. He
mentioned this article, and after relating--indeed,
repeating, to my amusement, the many hardships to
which I should be subjected, and after telling me he
had a very promising son--candid, wasn't he?--whom he
desired to have educated at West Point, offered me
for my appointment the rather large sum of five
thousand dollars. This I refused instantly. I had
so set my mind on West Point that, having the
appointment, neither threats nor excessive bribes
could induce me to relinquish it, even if I had not
possessed sufficient strength of character to resist
them otherwise. However, as I was a minor, I referred
him to my father. I have no information that he ever
consulted him. If he had, my reply to him would have
been sustained. I afterward had reason to believe
the offer was made merely to test me, as I received
from strangers expressions of confidence in me and
in my doing faithfully all that might devolve upon
me from my appointment.



CHAPTER III.