THE HESPERIAN
STROMAN HEARD FROM.
Omaha, Neb., May 5, lSOi.
Ed. Alumni Column of Hesperian: It
was in a moment of temporary mental aber
ration, induced by a remembrance of the
time when the editor-in-chief used to inform
me that "the printers are kicking and were
short on copy any way this issue," that I
promised to "write a letter for the Hes
perian ;" since which time I have had no
peace either of mind or body. The ghost
of that prospective letter has attended all
my goings and comings, has rendered life a
burden and reduced me to a mere shadow of
my former self. A letter from you the
other day recalled still more forcibly that
unguarded promise; so I have decided to
fulfill my contract, write that abominable
letter and once again be free.
One among the brainy things that the
class of '93 did was to enter into a solemn
compact, on the first day of May each year,
to write a "class letter." I have just
finished writing my "class letter" and now
propose to make it do duty a second time by
practically incorporating it into this letter to
Tnu Hesperian. Hoping this will partially
excuse the all too personal character of this
letter I proceed to incorporate; only adding
that I believe this fact will prove a partial
excuse to those at least who know me, for I
have never pretended to be built on the plan
of a man who writes two letters wher- one
can possibly be made to suffice. -
My career since we received our "sheep
skins," and parted last June, has been
rough, rocky and uuromantic. After being
two or three months at home, I thought I
began to perceive symptoms that my father
was getting tired of boarding me; so having
nothing else to do I took a school and for
seven long and weary months was engaged
in trying to develop the gray matter that
was popularly but erroneously supposed to
bo concealed somewhere in the craniums of
the "young idea" who were so unfortunate
as to attend my school. As school teaching
alone was hardly exciting enough, I took a
little hand in politics and made the race for
county superintendent of schools. Four
causes contributed to my defeat: First,
there was but one office while there were
three candidates; second, the present in
cumbent had filled the place very satisfac
torily for one previous term; third, the
county is naturally democratic while I am
naturally republican; and fourth, my well
known prohibition principles did not permit
me to use whisky to the best advantage in
my campaign. When the campaign was
over I had excitement and politics enough to
last me for some time.
After my school closed I decided that 1
could best promote ray own and the interests
of the community in which 1 lived by leav
ing it; so I came to Omaha. Here, after I
had loafed around the law office of Rich,
O'Neill & Sears for a couple of weeks, my
true worth began to be mildly appreciated,
and I was given charge of their city collec
tions. As this firm represent the Wilber
Mercantile agency in this city I have plenty
to do. At present I am studying law, run
ning down "dead-beats" and (as usual)
working like a horse. I will be found with
the above mentioned firm in the U. S.
National bank building at the corner of
Twelfth and Farnam streets, where I should
be very glad to see any of my old friends
who may be in .the city.
Very truly,
OnAs. F. Stroman.
"Now do your best," they told him,
"To the voice of duty hark,
And if you work, you cannot help
But succeed and make your mark."
But when he went to college,
About in life to embark,
Although 'twas he that labored
'Twas the Prof, who made the mark.
Prince Besolow, the young African prince
who is in the freshman class at Williams,
has been called back to Africa to take charge
of his kingdom. ;
y