The Intimate Papers of Colonel House

My brother James, six years older than I, was the leader.... We all had guns and pistols.... there were no childish games excepting those connected with war. [House was nine at the time] In the evening, around the fireside, there were told tales of daring deeds, and it was the leader of such deeds that we strove to emulate.... I cannot remember the time when I began to ride and to shoot.... I had many narrow escapes. Twice I came near killing one of my playmates in the reckless use of firearms. They were our toys and, as a matter of fact, death was our play-mate. (p. 47)

I made up my mind at the second attempt to haze me that I would not permit it. I not only had a pistol but a large knife, and with these I held the larger, rougher boys at bay. There was no limit to the lengths they would go in hazing those who would allow it. One form I recall was that of going through the pretense of hanging. They would tie a boy’s hands behind him and string him up by the neck over a limb until he grew purple in the face.... None of it, however, fell to me. What was done to those who permitted it, is almost beyond belief (p. 48)

All this was educational in its way, but not the education I was placed in the Hopkins Grammar School to get, and it is no wonder that I lagged at the end of my class. I had no interest in my desk tasks, but I read much and was learning in a larger and more interesting school. (p. 53)