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.
