President of the Republic

"If you'll let me past." "Nobody leaves the room," the colonel said grimly.

"I represent General Slocum, acting president of the Republic.

The College of Electors is acting now to ratify..." A burst of gunfire caught the colonel in the back.

He spun and fell with a single hoarse cry.

I wish the Republic to assume a warlike posture.

Yes, what is it?" A trembling messenger said, "Mr.

President, I have the honor to inform you that the College of Electors has elected you President of the Republic, unanimously." Cadet fourth classman Thomas Grayson lay on his bunk and sobbed in an agony of loneliness.

The letter from his mother was crumpled in his hand.

But the twelfth of June found the usual gay scene at the great institution overlooking the Hudson.

The President of the Republic, his Secretary of War, and many other distinguished guests were there to do honor to the occasion, together with friends, relatives, and admirers of the young men who were being sent out to the ultimate leadership of the nation's army.

The scene had all the usual charm of West Point graduations and the usual intoxicating atmosphere of military display.

There was, among the young graduating soldiers, one who seemed depressed and out of touch with the triumphant blare of militarism, for he alone of his fellow classmen had there no kith nor kin to bid him Godspeed in his new career.

Nobody leaves the room, the colonel said grimly.

I represent General Slocum, acting president of the republic.

The College of Electors is acting now to ratify.

A burst of gunfire caught the colonel in the back.

I wish the Republic to assume a warlike posture.

Yes, what is it? A trembling messenger said, Mr.

President, I have the honor to inform you that the College of Electors has elected you President of the Republic unanimously.

Cadet Fourth Classman Thomas Grayson lay on his bunk and sobbed in an agony of loneliness.

Nobody leaves the room, the colonel said grimly.

I represent General Slocum, acting president of the Republic.

The College of Electors is acting now to ratify.

A burst of gunfire caught the colonel in the back.

I wish the Republic to assume a warlike posture.

Yes? What is it?" A trembling messenger said, "Mr.

President, I have the honor to inform you that the College of Electors has elected you President of the Republic.

Unanimously." Cadet Fourth Classman Thomas Grayson lay on his bunk and sobbed in an agony of loneliness.