260
Kansas University Weekly.
ty into the wee hours of the night, just as long as the gathering does not dwindle into a small minority. The present late hour system could stand a radical reform. It seems to be beyond all reason and common sense to go to a party and remain until physically exhausted. There is no advantage benefit or any thing whatever that could bear the stamp of good to be derived from such a social feat.
THE TIME is comparatively short until the oratorical contest and each contestant should put forth his best efforts to fit himself mentally and physically for his public appearance. In order to acquit himself well one should be in a good mental condition. His mind should be clear and filled with good material. While each contestant has his oration already written no doubt, yet there should be no relaxation of gathering material along the line of his subject. Get full of your theme then you will feel what you have to say. It is necessary that you be in good physical condition, as the outward man helps you to give expression to your thoughts. You cannot afford to neglect any advantage that will make your expression more clear and impressive to your hearers. There is too much at stake. You have your own reputation as a thinker and speaker at stake; your friends in college and elsewhere are expecting much from you; and most of all Kansas University is to be benefited or to suffer injury by you. It is not a single but a triple responsibility. Let us prove oratory is not a lost art or withdraw from the State Association.
As the Christmas time draws near the student will turn his thoughts longingly towards his home. The faces of father and mother and the loved ones will be frequently before him and the last days before vacation will seem long, all too long. The joys and pleasures of retiring to a home where we know we shall be welcomed with gladness, are certainly among the sweetest of life. Happy moments are those when we reach the home and hear again familiar voices and look into those pleasant faces. One could almost wish that such
joys might last forever; but the swift moving cycles of time soon change. The dear hearts who have watched us from childhood's earliest hours pass on, the veil parts, we see them no more. But the memory of them has a sacred place in our hearts and their voices, though stilled, yet speak. Fellow students as you return to enjoy the Christmas pleasures let us think of the gratitude we owe our parents. Think of all they have been to us and to the sacrifice they have undergone for our sakes and their anxious solicitude for our present welfare. How proud they are of our achievements. What sorrow they feel for our defeat and what symyathy for us when discouraged. But there is a way by which we can repay a part of the debt of gratitude, and that is, by faithfulness. Faithful in our work, faithful to our manhood, then we shall be faithful to them and when we enter again beneath the home roof there will be a sweeter joy, a divine sense of pleasure to both parent and child.
LAST YEAR nothing was heard after the Thanksgiving game, but "Hector Cowan is a great man, Great is Hector Cowan, selah." He had won the day and everyone—great, big, small and little—joined in one sweet accord of praise. All realized how hard our coach had worked. We were cognizant of his superior skill in the game that brought us so much glory. The Kansas City World came out with glaring headlines and highly complimented the University of Kansas on having such an excellent coach. Many wanted the Regents to make a contract with Mr. Cowan for life fearing that he might leave us for foot-ball work in some other university. Thus ran enthusiasm when started by a few words in print or by the opinions of a few men who had the courage to speak. It led the multitude. That wavering throng which is always perched high upon the fence tumbled over itself in the merited praise of our coach. But this year we carried off the pennant, won every game except the Thanksgiving one which was lost for no other reason, as is now the consensus of opinion, than that Cowan's advice was not taken with reference to the line up. There