6 WEBER LITERARY JOURNAL Our Flag By Geneva Larkins. FROM East to West, from North to South Thy brilliant hues shine out. You always hear, from loyal hosts, Greetings of cheers and shouts. Flag that shall wave on land and sea, You're the Flag without a stain! But, oh! The cost of spotless hue, Our many heroes slain To keep thy colors, dear old Flag, The red, the white, the blue. Forever float thy standard high! Thy folds shall never fall! And ever keep thy aim in view, Of liberty for all. WEBER LITERARY JOURNAL 7 John Alexander and the Society Crook By Gwendolyn Nelson. JOHN ALEXANDER was bored. He knew naught and cared less whether any one noticed it. Several members of the congregation had made attempts to rouse him from this awful state of ennui, but they had failed to cross the first moat which surrounded his solitary sphere. How he longed to be away from this humming, buzzing crowd of people, who were the guests of Mrs. Henry Van Doon, and they were here celebrating in a very "fitting way," the birthday of the Father of our Country. But here he was and here he must stay until the guests should choose to depart. He had been brought here by force not muscular force but the more powerful force of his wife's masterful tongue. He was wishing with all his heart that he were somewhere else, perhaps at the club, chatting with the boys there, perhaps at a movie, or even at home with the kiddies. No doubt he would be bouncing plump little Mary Belle on his knee while Master Kieth would be tinkering with his "Overland Flyer," at his Daddy's feet. Perhaps he would be relating to them the story of George Washington's hatchet, or perhaps; he was suddenly brought to consciousness by a voice at his side: "John, do look at this young Italian violinist. Mrs. Doon tells me he is only twenty years of age. He is a perfect wonder, so I've heard, so do sit up and take notice." John Alexander managed to assume a more dignified posture and sat up in an attitude of intense interest, but instead of listening to the wonderful notes and quivers of the violin, he centered his "intense interest" on the personal appearance of "The Wonder." The hair of this youthful marvel wore the same characteristics as that of Paderewski, except that the color was that peculiar to his race. Yet withal, he looked polished and refined for his clothes were of good taste so thought John Alexander. By this time "The Wonder" had finished his selection and John Alexander was just about to draw the cloak of indifference about him when, chancing to look at the "Mrs." met her stern disapproving gaze. Once more he assumed an attitude of interest, and once more he focused his meaningless gaze on "The Wonder."