Kansas University Weekly.
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making its standard as high as the standard of its Eastern competitor. Such a result will not be reached by reducing appropriations. There is much food for thought in this, O Populist, who would degrade the East and elevate the West.
It is a pitiful comparison, that of our school with the University of California. Seven millions of dollars have recently come to that institution, thirty new buildings are to be erected,
and the state appropriation has been doubled. But thanks to a merciful Providence, we are still ahead of Missouri. Whoever can find solace in that thought is welcome to it, but it is paltry comfort.
The labors of the Legislature are done, and it has been gathered to its fathers. Of its work one thing is certain, "confusion's cure lives not in these confusions." W.
Elderaqy.
Wool Gathering.
TWO-STEP IS IRRETRIEVABLY LOST.
A gentle air of stillness pervaded Buzzard's Roost. Genius, which usually flashed so brilliantly in this famous company, seemed to be burning at a low ebb. Countless ideas, waiting in vain to be caressed, floated aimlessly about in the upper air of the room, and finally went out of the window and into the world beyond. The fire burned fitfully. The air became ominously oppressive as though to warn us of some impending doom.
The door opened and Two-Step entered. As he came forward into the light of the lamp every heart in Bohemia leaped and beat against the sides of its owner. Two-Step, the careless, unheeding Two-Step, stood before us in a new suit of clothes. His hair was parted in the middle and plastered down in what Chimmie Fadden calls a "varnish part," and his face still shone from a recent scrubbing. A large, red necktie, which was faultlessly tied about a painful "choker," partly concealed the shining brilliancy of his immaculate shirt front. His shoes were polished; and to top it all, he carried in his hand a new hat of grey felt. Here, indeed, was a dire misfortune.
Grubb stood up to get a better view, and said, or rather commanded, "Where have you been?"
"Oh, just making a short call," answered the luckless Two-Step, trying to appear unconcerned. Evidently he thought that had settled the whole question, for he settled himself in a convenient chair and gazed into the fire. After a moment of stillness, in which you could hear the tick of Daub's watch, Booth burst out in a tremulous voice, with, "What is the meaning of all this? Have you become a martyr to the wiles of some heartless maiden? Are you in love?"
Two-Step fidgeted in his chair several moments before he found his voice.
"Ye—es. I'm going to get married," he jerked out timidly.
Booth could hold in no longer. He advanced to the trembling Two-Step, and with a jesture of great circumference, began:
"Two-Step, despite your shallowness, we have always taken a warm interest in you; we have seen your many faults and have forgiven them; even when you tried to smoke and couldn't. We still hoped that some day you might make a man of yourself; but now you have degenerated into a consummate ass, and all over a woman. Bah! You sha'n't go unwarned, however. Sit down!"
Thus commanded, Two-Step seated himself and Booth went on more calmly:
"Do you know, sir, what you are getting into? Do you realize what you are giving up when you link yourself to this little angel of yours? You could hardly expect to continue your associations with these good fellows here