ALUMNI The Alumni takes this opportunity of extending to the students and faculty of the W. A. most hearty greetings for a very Happy New-Year. May this New Year be to you, Sweet as roses wet with dew, May it as a book unfold Richest blessings, joys untold, May happiest thoughts and virtues true, Guard you from evil and dangers, too, That deeds of grace might your days adorn, Bright as sunshine on a summer's morn. It was lately decided by Miss Ivy Cleghorn, director of dramatics, that instead of having two clubs as has been the custom previously, the Alumni members and the students now attending the Weber Academy will combine and form but one company. This action will bring about the most successful result possible, as the best talent in both will be chosen to form the cast each year. For this season Frances H. Burnett's and William H. Gillette's "Esmeralda," a very clever little comedy-drama in four acts, was selected. According to Miss Cleghorn's discretion, the following cast was chosen: Mr. Elbert Rogers, a North Carolina farmer Irvin Nelson Mrs. Lydia Ann Rogers, his wife Edith Barlow Miss Esmeralda Rogers, his daughter Minnie Brown Dave Hardy, a young North Carolinan Moroni Olsen Mr. Estabrook, a man of leisure Henry Anderson-Mr. Jack Desmond, American artist in Paris Clarence McCune Miss Nora Desmond, his sister Ida Palmer Miss Kate Desmond, his sister Myrle Anderson Marquis De Montessin, French adventurer Gilbert Ballantyne Geo. Drew, American speculator Lyman Gowans The company is already hard at work and expects to present the ACORN 21 play once before the holidays. If you have ever seen the heroine, Miss Minnie Brown, and the hero, Mr. Moroni Olsen, in other plays, there is no doubt but that you will be there to see them in "Esmeralda"' and you who have not, cannot afford to miss the treat. TAD (Continued) From Page 11 Tad did not realize that his father had bestowed untold blessings upon him, blessings that could be repaid only by conferring like ones on some one else. The morning air was sharp and clear, the sound of sleigh bells everywhere gladdened the ear. Children laughed and shouted as they showed each other their precious gifts and thanked Santa for his kindness to them. Even Tad seemed to have the spirit of Christmas as he came trodding along the road. The friend with whom he stayed during the night had given him some carnations and these he carried in his hand. While stopping to gaze at some children coasting down a hillside, a gentleman on horseback rode up to him and asked if he would sell the flowers. "Certainly," replied Tad, and he parted with all but one. "What a beautiful flower is the carnation! More appreciated probably because it comes to brighten the dreary moments of the winter months. What an example to man! Always cheering the world by giving away the best it has." The stranger paused for a moment and examined the flower, more closely, then continued, "The very likeness of order; each petalis in its place filling its respective niche; not one part is unneeded, the, presence of every seed in the ovary is necessary for the perfection of the plant. If man served his purpose as do the flowers, then it would be as pleasant to associate with him as it is to walk among the flowers of a hot-bed on a wintry day. My young man, are we in our place filling our niches as these petals? Are we helping to brighten this Christmas day as this beautiful carnation is?" The mounted horseman suddenly thought of his errand and hastened on. Tad stood as if in a trance. "Am I in my place?" thought he, "I mustn't go back or dad wall surely think I can not live anywhere else. Am I making Christmas bright for anyone? How chicken-hearted! I'll finish what I started." The carnation that he held in his hand was squeezed out of shape, he looked at it "Crushed, but still it bears its message. I'll return; there is plenty of opportunities for development at home. When I've learned the lesson this flower bears, I'll understand more clearly what God and man is." '12.