COMMUNICATIONS.
SOME OF THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SMALL.
BY A SHORTFELLOW
I have just finished reading an article in the "Review" entitled; "Some of the Disadvantages of Being Tall," in which a young lady tries to prove that tall people are the most ill-starred of all the race. The purpose of my article is to console the author and prove to her that she is not the only person whose life is being made a burden on account of stature. Being only five feet tall and of the male sex, I am prepared to say authoritatively that short young men experience as many disadvantages as* tall young ladies.
My life has been one continual struggle against an itching desire to whip the fellows who call one "Shorty." No one will ever know the mental agony I have undergone battling against this hankering to be revenged upon these persecutors. It may be said, and to my everlasting honor, that I have always conquered this desire.
Many of my friends—at least they are my friends in other matters—address me by this or some like nickname. This might be endured, but the street urchins become familiar, and notwithstanding my dignity, shout, "Look at that little man!" You have this consolation, then: you are never given nick-names.
When returning home after several months absence, my old acquaintances invariably greet me with: `Hello! M—`, why I don't believe you have grown a bit; I really believe you are growing smaller." This breaks me all up. It is not so much that I am offended by the reference to my size as it is that these greetings get to be so stale. It is like being asked a hundred times a day in July: `Is it hot enough for you?" My friends know that I have not grown any for the last three or four years and yet they seem surprised at my size every time they meet me.
The ladies cause me an incalculable amount of discomfiture. When I am introduced to a company of young ladies some of them are sure to whisper, "Isn't he cute?" Now I never can see wherein lies the cuteness. The tall girls among my old acquaintances take advantage of my size and occasionally chuckle me under the chin. This is on account of my cuteness, of course. I might bear this more resignedly if I could reach high enough to return the compliment.
In regard to school, the young lady does not know what humiliation is. How embarrassing it is for me when I go to the blackboard! I can not reach more than half way up the board, and everybody laughs at me. They would not have laughed at you, but would have wished they could *reach high up*" like you could.
I suppose the question of dress, like a democratic administration, does cause financial embarrassment, in these days when it takes so much of a bolt of cloth for the sleeves of a dress that you have to buy another bolt for the rest of it. Still it costs the small man as much for his clothes as it does the tall lady, for if he wants a fit, he must have everything made to order, but I can't say much on this subject for I know so little about ladies' dresses.
Your lady friends never tumble you around for their amusement. Of course, mine don't tumble me around either, but my gentlemen friends do. Every great big fellow considers himself at liberty to play all sorts of games on me. They do so because I can't defend myself. That this is so is shown by the fact that they never try to tumble
around those who are able to put them to sleep a la Corbett. For this there is no remedy. It is the nature of man; but when man has evolved a little more it is to be hoped that this vestige of the animal will disappear.
A tail person is hardly ever the subject of jest on account of his size; a small person often is. But we get used to it. Those who laugh forget their own faults.
"Why, what means this? Why do you look on me? I see no more in you than in the ordinary of Nature's sale-work."
It is best to take a philosophica view of this matter. We are placed here on earth to do good. One of the best ways of doing good is to make people happy, afford them amusement. If they can find amusement in my size they are welcome to it, and I am fullfilno my mission.
Notwithstanding all these disadvantages there is so much pleasure in life that we small people at least, cannot afford time to brood over the discrepency in our statures. Bemoaning our lot will not better it. If we who are small in stature can find a rose now and then in our path, you tall people should tread a walk through boundless fields of flowers. I pray you, therefore, cease to prate of suicide, and let the earth ring with your shouts of joy and laughter.
JOINT DEBATE.
It would be well for students interested in debate to take more than a passing glance at the editorial in last week's JOURNAL concerning a debate between the Adelphic Literary Society and the University Debating Club. Now is the time for the members of these societies to act on the suggestion
It is generally supposed that because of the lateness in the year it would be almost impossible to arrange an inter-collegiate debate for this term; yet the marked "success" of the Debating Club ought not to languish on this account. Nor should the statement that there is no real live literary society in the University, made by one never visiting the society, hence incompetent to judge of the work done there, deter anyone from the undertaking.
If each society were to choose one orator and two debaters to represent it in a contest to be held during Commencement week, and if each speaker were limited to fifteen minutes, with a closing speech for the affirmative debater of from three to five minutes, we should have a comparatively short program, and perhaps a little enthusiasm. At any rate, such a program would keep alive the interest shown in debates for the last few weeks, and when the test comes next year, our University might possibly be benefited thereby.
The members of the Debating Club will have the first chance to act upon the editorial suggestion. Lot us hear from the Club. If they have anything better to offer, let them bring it to light.
Is not quite sky high, but is just far enough up from the sea to have a bracing climate. New Mexico is meant. And it offers something for the wealth seeker as well as for the health-seeker. Beautiful apples, grapes and other fruits are grown in the lower Rio Grande valley, and in the Maxwell grant there are varied attractions for the general farmer. If you ask Nicholson, of the Santa Fe Route, Topeka, he will mail you a New Mexico folder, which tells most of the story.
THE LAND OF THE SKY
MEMBER OF ADELPHIC.
Miss Anna Schorer, having finished teaching her school for this school year, has re-entered the University.
A great deal of work was done in a short time in the museum of Snow Hall, in order that it might look presentable for the teachers' concession.
THE HALLS.
Messers Eames and Wehand began the ground work for the animals on the upper floor of Snow Hall this week.
Prof. Dyche spent last Wednesday at the lake.
The department of Entomology will make an exchange with German colleges for 1,000 specimens of foreign beetles.
The Natural History Seminary was postponed last Friday on account of the teachers' convention and will meet this afternoon in the lecture room of Snow Hall.
The oration taking second place at the local oratorical contest at Winfield college appears in the current Vox Studentium. The subject "Shall the Pope Rule America."
A man may be named plain, everyday George, but if he has hair the color of a ripe tomato everybody will call him Reddy.
The neighbors bull dog may teach a man to lead a chased life—Ex.
Miss Wellman has completed a drawing of the skeleton of the head of one of the pecanes found by Dr. Williston last week.
An outbreak of a new insect of economic importance has been reported from several parts of the state. It is a species of cut worm and was reported from Jewell county as destroying wheat. Mr.W.A.Snow has returned from a trip to that region where he found the caterpillar in great numbers working upon alfalfa and wheat. The farmers thought it was the army worm. A quantity of the worms are now being raised in the Entomological laboratory and their habits and life-history ascertained.
Mr. Galen W. Nichols of the law school is taking a course in quantifac analysis.
Since the teachers' banquet, Mr. McClung is making Caffenne, on a large scale.
DR. BUMSTEAD'S LECTURE
Dr. Bumstead, President of Atlanta University, delivered a lecture on "The Educational Progress of the Negro" last Monday afternoon in University Hall. The lecture was illustrated by very interesting stereoicon views showing the principal streets and business blocks of Atlanta, Georgia; the buildings of Atlanta University, and some of the principal schools of the south in which graduates of the Atlanta University are employed as teachers. President Bumstead said that we should estimate the progress of the negro not from the height to which he has arisen, but from the depth out of which he has come.
Atlanta University takes students from the primary work through the entire college course. It has a normal course in which students are fitted to become the best of teachers, and has sent out a number of teachers who are occupying important positions in the colored schools of the south. An Industrial Department is also attached to the University, in which the colored youth are taught carpentry, printing, etc. This school is surely doing a great work among the colored people of the South, and deserves the hearty sympathy and support of all who desire to see the solving of the negro problem.
Has the finest Hall and Dancing Floor in the State. For terms, call on ED. ROUSELL, Mgr., Under Salis.
Fraternal Aid Association.
A THENS COUNCIL, NO. 3
Custom Boot and Shoe Maker.
GEORGE FLINN.
Under Selig's.
DONNELLY BROTHERS.
Recruiting a specialty.
Repairing a specialty.
West St. Lawrence, Kan.
West Henry St., Lawrence, Kane
Livery, Feed and Sale Stable.
700 to 718 New Hampshire St.
Telephone 100. Lawrence
I. H. JOHNSON.
BAKERY.
Next to Central Hotel.
Invitations . . .
AND NOVELTIES IN GOLD,
SILVER AND PLATE.
Bend for finely illustrated Catalogue.
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Spring Styles
Soft and Stiff HATS, are on display by
W. Bromelsick,
THE HATTER
We Have an Elegant Line OF
Spring Clothing
Hats and Furnishing Goods
That we are selling very low. Come and see.
M. J. SKOFSTAD,
The American Clothier.
COAL!
Drop into the basement of
the Merchants National
Bank and give us an or-
Remember the place
Culbertson & Thoburn.
Winning Orations OF THE INTER-STATE CONTEST.
Compiled by Chas. N. Prather, of Meriden, Kan. Sant to any address upon receipt of $14.25.
W. H. BARKER,
Tonsorial Artist.
Students Trade Solicited AND Good Word Guaranteed.
JUNG SEUNG,
NG SEUNG.
Chinese Laundry.
West Warren Street.
REAL & GODDING,
Livery, Hack, Sale and Boarding Stable.
Opposite Lawrence House.
Telephone 139.
WHITNEY & SON;
Coffee, Oysters and Porter House Steak
Lunch and Short Order House.
730 Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kas.
Wilder Bros. Shirt Makers
AND
GENTS' FURNISHERS.
Students will do well to see our on
hand Shirts and Underwear, made for
parties and not taken. These goods are
standard and can be bought for one-third regular price.
Custom Laundry
Work called for and delivered.
TELEPHONE 67.
1300 Mass. Street. Telephone No. 40. WHEN IN NEED OF
GROCERIES.
Stationery.
Quiz Books, Etc.
STOP AT
JACOB'S WELL AND LOAD UP.
A. K. HOGE,
For Fit,
For Wear.
For Style.
The Student's Grocer.
BOUGHT OF
A. G. MENGER & CO.,
BOOTS AND SHOES
Cannot be excelled. Prices to meet the times. Everybody welcome. 742 Massachusetts street.
S. B. JACOBS,
HORSES BOUGHT AND SOLD.
LIVERY AND BOARDING STABLE.
Parties desiring to visit any part of the County where nigs are to be used cannot do better than by calling on me. Hacks to any part of the City day or night. Good Drummer's Wagons to go to any part of the county.
ESTABLISHED 25 YEARS.
131 Bridge St. Tel, No. 130.
TUDENTS' HEADQUARTERS
Fresh Candies. Oysters.
Fruits, Soda, Etc,
Wm. Wiedemann.
What is the use
Of buying Clothing made
out of town when you can
get them just as cheap at home and better made?
Suits $10. Pants in proportion, at O.P.LEONARD'S. Practical Tailor
Over Mark's Jewelry Store.
Jackson's Laundry,
Kansas City, Missouri.
Stanton Olinger and R. E. Blackman, Agen ts
Work called for MONDAYS and delivered FRIDAYS.
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