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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1882)
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. - AS OTHERS SEE US. Our Charter Day Exercises as jfiven by the "State Democrat." Tliu Charter Day entertainment was held lust evening (Feb. 15th) in the Uni versity chapel, and in every particular was a grand success. The first tiling of inter est which attracted the visitor's eye was the comic programmes, printed on large sized valentines iiLtl decorated with appro )priatc wood cuts. Before the curtain rose Miss Fisher gave a line instrumental solo on the piano, in her accustomed pleasing and dashing style, after which the exercises were opened by a "Grand on-tray by the Uni versity br(ay)ass band," which consisted of six boys playing combs, and two man. ipulating a wash. board and bones. Many of the popular airs were executed in a very amusing and original manner, and iu some places the ell'ect was most charm ing. This was followed by an "exhibition drill by picked men from the University militia," and if there ever was a green awkward and demoralized set, this one would acquire the conlectionery. The drill was in keeping with the cadets and took immensely with the house. The "orchestrian solo" followed this, which consisted of a clothes wringer fastened to a tub and set on a table, through which was run a lot of music, similar to that required in an orguineite. "While the man was manipulating this machine tne cadet band behind the scenes ground out " Sweet Bye and Bye" with a very sooth ing effect. Oscar "Wilde next appeared, in the per son of C. C. Chase, dressed in Oscar's reg. ulation suit, viz.: knee breeches, black silk stockings, swallow tail, large white lie, flowing locks, white kids, and holding a large lily in his "too utter" fingers, while the stand for his manuscript was decorated witli huge sunflowers. His lec ture was delivered iu thai melting, far away style of Oscar's, aud the witty puns took well with the audience. The song "Tobias and Biancus" came next, aud was under the supervision of Mr. Don Clark, whose ability as a musi cian has made him quite noted. His class of eight boys followed their leader as best they could, and was quite a hit on Hob. inann's music class. The address of the evening was delivered by Prof. Aughcy iu the person of John Dryden, and his excellent make-up was fully appreciated In the audience. In fact, had the professor himself been there it would have been difllcultto have known himself from Mr. Dryden, as ho was an exact counterpart. His addreBs was full of witty lemarks, and his gestures brought down the house. The exercises were closed with a faculty meeting in which every professor was represented and made his speech. This was the hit of the evening 'tnd those inter ested in tiie faculty meetings and being acquainted with the professors, recognized in an instant every one's peculiarities. The vote or division of the faculty of live to four, was plainly shown and appreci atcd immediately by the audience. Atter transacting their business they concluded wi'h some tine college songs and wished the audience good night. Everybody was more than satislled with the entertainment aud sorry when it closed. The Hesperian Association realized about $45, and the members feel amply repaid for llieir work. OUR WEBSTER. Gen. Sherman Refuses a longer Detail. For the last three years the military department of tl.e University lias been an honor to It aud a profitable part of its work in the education of our young men. There) lias been no insubordination, no refusal to buy uniforms, no "kicking" against compulsory drill. On the con trary the battalion of cadets has filled up with handsomely uniformed, well-behaved boys, eager to learn what they could of the art of war under a commandant whom they almost worshipped, Lieutenant Isaac T. Webster, of the U. S. first artillery. Moreover, having made the military w pleasant instead of an incsome duty, the lieutenant went further and started a movement among the more enthusiastic cadets which culminated in the organiza tion of the Cadet Band. Through the aid of Lincoln's generous citizens gray uni forms were purchased, which arc now the property of the band. For the cadets a $90 silk Hag was purchased, and later, the battalion won a yet handsomer and larger ilng in prize drill from the best militia company in the state. Lieutenant Webster also took the boys out to target practice every Saturday and the interest in the best shots was very great, some good marksmanship being evinced. By all these means and by his ever firm and soldierlike bearing at drill, the commandant ever had the respect of his cadets, which lliey had proven more than once. At the time when the very sad death of Mrs. Webster occured, the cadets, to whom she was well known, did escort duty at 7 a.m. to the train, on one of the coldest of winter days. The grieved hus band was very much touched by this mark of respect. All these reasons coupled with his admi. rablo position in the Faculty led the Board of Regents, at their late session, to make an application to the Secretary of War for a renewal, for another three years, of Lieutenant Webster's detail. The answer was, much to the regret of all, a refusal, but couched in universally complimentary terms coming from Hie general of the army. The two letters received are appen (led : Wak Dkpahtmknt, Washington, D. C.,Feb. 15. '82. f J. Stuart Dales, Seo'y Board of Regents, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., Sir I liavo the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ult., in behalf of the extension of Lieutenant I. T. Webster, First Artillery, at the Uni versity of Nebraska, and in reply beg leave to invite your attention to the en closed copy of report from the general of the army, to whom your Inttcr was referred, and to slate that for the reasons therein set forth, the Department must decline to authorize the retention of Lieutenant Webster after the expiration of his term in June next. Very respect fully, your most obedient servant, Rojikiit Lincoln, Secret (try of War. The following is that portion of Gen. Sherman's report referred to by the See ntary of War: IlKADqUUTKUH OK THE AllMY, ( Wasuinoton, D. C, Fkh. 11, '82. ) Respectfully returned to the Honorable Secretary of War, earnestly requesting that Lieut. Webster bo remanded to his regiment, and If necessary be replaced by another detail. I admit it is a compli ment to Lieut. Webster and the army an honor to both that he has so fulfilled his work that the authorities of the Univer sity have applied for his further services. But the army has a first claim to his time, and he has been absent moro than six years out of nine and it is manifest that he should rejoin Ills regiment. (Signed) W. T. Sherman, General. Tliis is an examination. See how sad these Boys look. Look at that boy in the corner. He will pass. Ho has studied hard. He has his knowledge at his finger ends. See, lie puts his knowledge iu hi pocket because the Tutor is looking Como away Children. -Yale Record. 01K TO NHI11T. The evening for her bath of dew Is partially undrcBscd, The huh behind a bobtail Hush Ib Potting In the wcbL The planutH light the heavens with Tho flush of their cigars, The sky 1ms put his nightshirt ou And buttoned It with Btara. Ex. Freshman to his chum on tho morning of the Physics examination" Say, Nedi havo you got this down protty fine?" Reckless chum " Well, about as fine as I could get it, and still, have it legible," as he shook out a little piece of cardboard from ills coat sleeve. Ex.
