Kansas University Weekly.
363
The Would-be Tough.
If I were to enumerate all the various kinds of people I dislike, I would probably include in the list that class designated by the provincial term, tough. Yet I am not sure that I dislike this class as a whole. There are so many good-hearted, whole-souled fellows among them, whose honesty and fidelity we would never think of doubting. If a man is good natured, minds his own affairs, and treats me well, I am almost sure to like him, no matter what his morals may be.
But there is one class of people whom I thoroughly dislike; they are those who are coarse and rude merely because they like to be so. They go by various names—toughs, roughs, rowdies, or hoodlums; but the term, would-be tough, gives one the best idea of the class. They range in age from sixteen to twenty-five years.
The would-be tough likes to walk with a slouching, swaggering gait, not because it is nice or natural, but because he wants everybody to know that he "don't care for nothin'." He has a few peculiarities in dress. His hat must be white; for dress wear, a soft straight brimmed one; for work, a broad brimmed one, with a leather band. He keeps his coat collar turned up—it looks careless. If the weather will permit, a big muffler or silk handkerchief is worn around his neck. When at work he substitutes a bandana, which is fastened in front with a ring.
This young man, who, by the way, lives in the country, may be found at every public gathering in the neighborhood. During the winter time, if there is not a literary society or a spelling school, or a dance to attend, he goes to a revival; not that he is interested in any of them, unless it be the dance, but because he must go somewhere. "Been out every night this week" is one of his favorite expressions. He always sits in the back part of the room, chewing tobacco and making great pools of spit on the floor. It is useless to remonstrate with him for indulging in this filthy habit. Polite requests are useless, threats only anger him.
He pays little attention to what is going on except when a comic song is sung or a humorous recitation is given. Then he indicates his approbation by vigorously stamping on the floor, shrill whistles, and loud laughter.
As a rule the would-be tough is ignorant almost to the verge of illiteracy. But this misfortune does not trouble him. He even boasts of his indolence and worthlessness while in school. His lack of education is made up for by a bountiful supply of self-conceit. He is rude and overbearing to the weak, fawning and cringing to the strong. His conversation is mostly profanity. There is no culture or refinement about him; he is low, coarse and grovelling. C.C.W.
Rosabel Morrison in Carmen" at Bowersock's opera House, on Thursday, January 23.
No play of recent years has attracted as much universal interest as "Carmen." Its story is from the heart and its interest is intense. Its success is inter-national although but two actresses have been found thus far who could thoroughly realize the possibilities of the character. One of these is Rosabel Morrison, who has been known to American theatre-goers for her artistic performance of "Marguerite" in "Faust." Her "Carmen" is reported to even excell her "Marguerite." She has produced the new play without regard to cost, and has added the now famous Eidoloscope to the equipment, with which is produced the famous bull fight in the last act, which lasts continuously for fifteen minutes showing every phase of the savage Spanish pastime. This performance is of especial interest to the cultivated and refined. The story of "Carmen" by Prosper Merimee one of the "Immortals"of the French National Academy is a modern classic. The production is as interesting from a spectacular point of view as it is from a literary and histrionic standpoint. Seats on sale Wednesday morning.
Bishop Fowler is to lecture at the First M. E. Church in this city Friday Jan. 29.
Latin Notes.
The first number of the Latin Notes made its appearance this week. It is the only publication of its kind in existence and reflects great credit not only on the Latin department but also on the University. The WEEKLY wishes it a prosperous and successful future.