Brief description:
Arkie Benton was a stepson. His widowed mother remarried to Farmer Kent, but passed a way soon after. Arkie was an avid reader and educated himself with borrowed texts. The farmer treated Arkie as an indentured servant with no prospect of relief. Weary of the arduous life, Arkie fled the farm after reading how a farm boy in New York had taken a competitive exam for entrance into West Point and succeeded.
Adventures ensued. Arkie learned about the mean and dangerous life on the road as he worked his way East. He did befriend a couple of people who helped him along. He reaches New York City where he encounters a young lady, Emily de Frees, who is a grifter's decoy. Emily is depressed with her life and intent upon drowning herself. Arkie saves her and a bond is created. They are separated, however, with Arkie hoping to reunite with Emily.
Arkie is industrious, makes contacts, all the while hoping for a chance to take the West Point entrance exam. In a year or so, he does take the exam and is accepted into West Point. He does will rising to the rank of sergeant in the graduating class. It is then at a Spring hop, he spies a most lovely young woman being escorted by a lieutenant. It is Emily in very fine attire. Her surname is now Kempton after the well-to-do friend of her mother's that took her in after the suicide attempt. Her guardian wishes her to marry and Army officer.
Emilie is staying at a hotel in Fort Montgomery. Arkie, in civilian attire, manages to meet her there and the acquaintance renewed. He indicates that he is a "sergeant", but not that he within weeks of becoming a 2nd lieutenant. They part and later meet at an evening hop, with Arkie in his full dress gray. A courtship ensues.
Adventures ensued. Arkie learned about the mean and dangerous life on the road as he worked his way East. He did befriend a couple of people who helped him along. He reaches New York City where he encounters a young lady, Emily de Frees, who is a grifter's decoy. Emily is depressed with her life and intent upon drowning herself. Arkie saves her and a bond is created. They are separated, however, with Arkie hoping to reunite with Emily.
Arkie is industrious, makes contacts, all the while hoping for a chance to take the West Point entrance exam. In a year or so, he does take the exam and is accepted into West Point. He does will rising to the rank of sergeant in the graduating class. It is then at a Spring hop, he spies a most lovely young woman being escorted by a lieutenant. It is Emily in very fine attire. Her surname is now Kempton after the well-to-do friend of her mother's that took her in after the suicide attempt. Her guardian wishes her to marry and Army officer.
Emilie is staying at a hotel in Fort Montgomery. Arkie, in civilian attire, manages to meet her there and the acquaintance renewed. He indicates that he is a "sergeant", but not that he within weeks of becoming a 2nd lieutenant. They part and later meet at an evening hop, with Arkie in his full dress gray. A courtship ensues.
Publication
Ogilvie Publ.,(1895) 1st,Pbk,,,Fair