ELLWOOD CHAPPELL PERISHO 71 ORATOR OF THE FACULTY "The orator of the faculty." Not a bad cognomen, eh? Rather something to be proud of, especially when the "faculty" happens to be that of a state university. Distinction? We guess yes." And the "orator" - who is he? Listen! while we whisper to you, "Dean Perisho,"of our State University at Vermillion. Have you ever sat in an audience where this great overpower- ing personality was the speaker? And have you listened to him come to one of those soul-stirring climaxes - one of those mag- nificent perorations like the one he uses in closing his great economical temperance lecture? If you haven't, avail yourself of the very first opportunity. Hear him repeatedly ask, "What is the price of a boy?" and then as often reply, "I don't know; but this I know, etc." Here he launches out into a review of the response of a whole nation in seeking the return to their par- ents of various kidnapped children. It is one of the grandest things in all literature. Really, it would make the "Boy orator of the Platt" envious. Orator? Yes; a great thinker, a gifted speaker, and a man possessed of that great, grand, awe-inspiring something that no man can explain which we call personality. "With charity for all; with malice toward none;" - that's Per- isho every day in the week. He loves his fellowmen. His big manly heart fairly bubbles over with an exuberance of joy; it is a great perennial spring at which thousands may sip the sweet nectar of his friendship and still not impoverish its supply. It's a great geyser pumping out a flood of good cheer to those about him. From it radiates a radiant hope and an unflinching loyalty. Heart? Heart! Man alive! he's all heart. It vibrates from his crown to his toes. It shakes his huge physique like matted flax being run through a threshing machine. Perisho lives close to nature. It has been his life's study. The stone which the wicked farm-boy throws at the warbling lark, to Perisho becomes an emerald, an object for deepest study, a 72 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA manifestation of the handiwork of his Creator. Instead of throw- ing it away at a harmless bird, he cracks it open with the relish of a squirrel cracking open a nut. In it he sees the fossil - the dried-up, withered form of a little ichthyolite that has lain therein since God called the ancient planets to sing in hallowed unison their glad hozannas when this old world of ours was pro- nounced habitable for man! Ah! the difference in life. One man, with his horny hands and uncultered brain, becomes a stone-mason and spends his life in silent drudgery laying upon each other stone after stone. To him they are mere objects for domestic use. The other man, with a cultured brain and with keen powers of observation, sees in the furrowed lines of these same stone the finger prints of a God. One lives to drudge: the other lives to bless. One lives to him- self; the other to his friends. One lives to die; the other dies to live again. One is educated; the other is not. One is a Perisho; the other, a machine. Although a geologist by training and choice, Dean Perisho is equally at home among the flowers. He climbs the rugged moun- tain sides to chisel out for classification and study a new specimen of stone. High above the seas' level his observing eye catches a glimpse of a dainty flowret lifting its little face heavenward from a tiny crevice in the rock. He slips along the dangerous ledge to the flowret's side. With the same compassion and tenderness which would cause him to refrain from throwing a stone at a bird, he takes pity on his little blossoming friend, bends it toward him to inhale its fragrance, lets it remain on its stem, says to it. "Continue your worship." and he continues to climb. Oh! the soul of a man that sees God and worships all about him, Perisho would even take issue with that portion of Gray's Elegy wherein the pious poet said, "Fall many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air." To a great soul like Perisho's, that articulates with all na- ture about it, the little flowret struggling for existence through the stubborn crevice on yonder lonesome mountain side, may never have been beheld by the eye of man; but this does not prove to him that its existence has been in vain or that it has "blush[ed] unseen" and "waste[d] its sweetness on the desert air. " Oh! on; not to Perisho. He believes that during the long summer months, while it pushed its tiny rootlets deeper and deeper into the crevice, in its struggle for nourishment and for life, and while its baby petals were bathed with fragrant dews at night and gave off their perfume heavenward during the day, ELLWOOD CHAPPELL PERISHO 73 it was merely lifting its silent voice to God and paying homage to its Maker. Yes, ah! yes: give us God in the flowrets and in the rocks; and then stand beside us Dean Perisho, as our interpreter, and we will forever rejoice. HIS CAREER Dean Perisho came into life as a farmer's son in the old Hoosier state of Indiana. After attending country school for a number of years, he pre- pared for college at Carmel Academy. He spent f o u r years at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, receiving his Bachelor's Degree from that institution. After graduating fro- college Professor Perisho be- came a member of the faculty of Guilford College, N. C. [photo- ELLWOOD PERISHO] The first year he acted as Proc- tor and assisted in mathemat- ics and science. After that he was made a full professor, but be still held the position of proctor. He also acted as president during the latter's absence. He resigned at the end of five years to take post graduate work at the University of Chicago, where he specialized on ge- ology. In this institution he held both a scholarship and a fellow- ship. He was also Prof. T. C. Chamberlain's assistant in United States Geological survey work. After two years in Chicago he earned his Master's Degree, and then left to accept a position in the State Normal School at Plattville, Wisconsin. Here he taught and lectured. In 1903 Professor Perisho was elected to the head of the geological department in our State University at Vermillion; and shortly thereafter he was chosen State Geologist for South Dakota. Upon the death of Dean Young, of the State Univer- sity, he succeeded him to the deanship of the College of Arts and Sciences, which position he still holds. As ranking dean of the institution he assumes control during President Gault's absence. 74 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA LECTURER Dean Perisho began his career as a lecturer when he was still in North Carolina. While in Wisconsin he lectured repeat- edly on educational and scientific subjects. After reaching South Dakota, he continued to develop this side of himself, until today he is regarded as one of the "big" public speakers of the north- west. He has broadened out the scope of his addresses so that they now include social and other general subjects. Think of it! During the late spring and summer, this year, he gave the commencement addresses before one State Normal, six high schools, and six eighth grade classes. He also lectured in nine county institutes, and did.survey work for the state. He received twenty-nine invitations for lectures on the same evening. His lecture work is also receiving marked attention outside of the state. Thig fall, he has lectured in Indiana, in Ohio, and in Pennsylvania. These addresses were delivered before colleges, universities and big educational rallies. On October 24, he ap- peared before 1,500 teachers at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Here he was preceded on the program by Dr. Nathan Schaeffer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pennsylvania; by Dr. Chas. W. Kent (University of Virginia) and by Dr. Nathan Butler, (University of Chicago.) Pretty distinguished company! Tough competition! But South Dakota did not get a setback, and she never will when Dean Perisho goes out to represent her. We gather the following from the Wilkes-Barre Newspapers: Perhaps the most interesting speaker of the afternoon was Prof. Ellwood C. Perisho, Dean of the University of South Dakota.-The Evening Times. Prof. Ellwood C. Perisho, Dean of the University of South Dakota, was one of the surprises of the afternoon. Professor Perisho is a brilliant man who has an excellent delivery. - The Times Leader. Out of about thirty clippings colfected from South Dakota papers, and from those of adjoining states, attesting Dean Per- isho's success as a public man, we shall use but five. These are brief but characteriatic of the others: "His scholarly address was listened to with rapt attention by the exceptionally large crowd that came out to hear the speaker. " "Professor Perisho is one of the most polished speakers and one of the deepest thinkers, among the state's gifted educators." "The commencement address given by Dean Perisho in the opera house last night was not only scholarly and eloquent, but ELLWOOD CHAPPELL PERISHO 75 so full of practical and common sense ideas, that we doubt if a better one was ever heard in this city." "Prof. Perisho is an orator who delights an audience with his elegant diction and charming dramatic effect. His voice is strong, pleasant and captivating, and his every sentence denotes the love of education." - Canton Leader. "The arrival of Professor Perisho bas infused new spirit and enthusiasm into the institute. His inspiring talks are well worth hearing. This was made evident by the general stampede to his classes on Monday. " - Scotland Journal. In addition to his teaching and his lectures, Dean Perisho has given to the public five valuable documents from his - own pen. These are: "The Drainage history of Southwest Wisconsin." :'The Ores of Southwest Wisconsin." 'The Geology of the Rosebud Reservation." "The Bad Lands of South Dakota." and "The Work of a State Survey." Recent publication done: (associated with S. S. Visher in each case except last two.) "The Geography of South Dakota." Published 1912 by the Rand McNally Co. "The Geography and Geology of Mellette, Bennett, Wash- abaugh and Todd Counties, South Central South Dakota." Pub- lished 1912 in Bulletin 5, South Dakota Geological Survey. "The Geology of Harding County," published in Science, March, 1911. "The Geography and Geology of Harding and Perkins Coun- ties," Northwest South Dakota. Bulletin 7 South Dakota Geolog- ical Survey. A key to the names of common rock for the use of the non- specialist. "The Rock Formations of South Dakota," their physical and economic characteristics, thickness, age, etc. This and the pre- ceding published by the University. Facts about Bennett and Mellette Couty. Widely printed in newspapers. The Annual Report of the State Geologist 1909-1910; also 1911-1912, in the newspapers. Dean Perisho was honored recently as follows: Elected to fellowship in American Association for Advance- ment of Science. (Only three or four others in South Dakota.) Write-up in "Who's Who in America" 1912-13. (Only forty others in South Dakota.) 76 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA Write-up in "American Men of Science." (Only ten others in South Dakota.) Repeatedly urged to become candidate for governor, 1911-12. President of South Dakota Conservation Congress 1911; re- elected 1912. Secretary af Association of Deans of the State Universities of America. BACHELOR Among politicians, Thomas Jefferson was, and Senator Kit- tredge is a bachelor; in literature Irving and Whittier remained bachelors; while, Iocally, in educational affairs, Professor Kerr, of Brookings, and Dean Perisho, are bachelors. These men have all achieved distinction in their chosen lines, not because of their bachelorhood, but in spite of it. However, without growing too immodest, we should like to suggest to Dean Perisho that he hang out a sign containing Sam T. Clover's beautiful poetic adver- tisment. TO LET A vacant heart to let; inquire for key Of Master Cupid, just across the way; Terms easy to the tenant who'll agree To sign a lease forever and a day. * * * * Coy maiden, come! and in this bargain share; The offer's tempting by your own confession; You'll find the place in excellent repair- Accept the terms and enter into possession. RICHARD O. RICHARDS 77 A NORSK IN AMERICA Along the southeast coast of Norway, the "Land of the Mid- night Sun, " the land of countless fjords and resplendent cascades, the realm of good old King Oscar, is the little, aged, seaport town of Sandefjord. It was in this little Norwegian burg that the Hon. Richard 0. Richards. of Huron, S. D., came into being on January 2, 1866. Mr. Richards came from prominent old Norwegian and Danish maritime families. Very rugged, with light complexion, rosy cheeks and deep blue eyes, he is a typical Norskman and a splendid representative of that valiant race. Sandefjord is a ship yard. Mr. Richard's feither was a ship owner and ship builder, at the place. It was here that "Dick" as everybody calls him, spent his boyhood and secured his acad- emic education. After completing his course he clerked for a short time in a ship-chandler's store. Tired of his limitations, eager to seek a country where a man has a chance to become a leader on his own initiative with- out waiting for the rule of primogeniture, fired with ambition to try the New World, at the age of fifteen he struck out for America. Our Norwegian arrival went direct to Traverse City, Michigan, which he reached in May, 1881. In the fall of that year he moved to New York where for two years he acted as an interpreter at Castle Garden. After this, for about a year, he engaged in business as a ship broker in New York city. A STREET VAGRANT Finding that America was not proving to be the immediate Eldorado that he had anticipated, he struck west again in 1884 and settled in Dakota Territory. Rumor has it that he reached the city of Mitchell, which at that time was only a village, pen- niless; that he was set to work on the streets as a vagrant; but that his ability was soon detected by his friends who got him a job as bookkeeper in the Mitchell National bank. 78 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA "Fall! Fail? In the lexicon of youth Which Fate reserves for a bright manhood, There's no such word as fail." Does any man think that a fellow of young Richard's deter- mination might fail? Would he get home-sick, give up and go back to the little old ship-building, ship-laden seaport town of his youth? Not on your life! Our young viking had better blood in his veins than that. So close is glory to our dust, So near is Goid to man, When duty whispers low, 'Thou Must,' The youth replies, 'I can.' " "I can! I will!" said the determined youth who turned his face toward the line of greatest resistance, set his teeth, and buckled in. BECOMES WEALTHY Now, here we go! It is 1886. Young Richards is only twenty years of age. Most boys at this period in life still have mamma putting on their collar and ties for them, and are slipping around on the Q. T. asking dad for a little more spending nioney. Not so with Dick. Our adopted Norwegian youngster was making his own way. He had already demonstrated his ability as an organizer and had become manager of the American Investment Company for Dakota Territory. Then he became president of the National Land & Trust Company, the Consolidated Land & Irrigation Company and at present, the Richard's Trust Company. Think of it! A poor ship builder's boy, an immigrant, a hod-carrier. Today only forty-four years of age, and one of the richest men in the state and in the northwest; president of a great trust company, owner of several banks, of vast areas of land and of numerous other interests. How did he get it? By application and determination. Jame Lane Allen's new book, entitled "From Poverty to Power," in which he shows that suc- cess is in the man himself, is laid around just such a character as this flaxen-haired personification of the vikings of old, this de- termined son of a Norsk, this born organizer and leader of men, this uncrowned knight of a sister world, this man whose personal magnetism and whose foresight command the admiration and respect of his friends and foes alike - the Hon. R. 0. Richards. RICHARD O. RICHARDS 79 IN POLITICS Whatever may be said against Mr. Richard's polit- ical views no man who knows him has ever doubted his sin- cerity as a reformer. He be- lieves that railroad and other corporate domination of pol- itics should cease. He works to this end. It doesn't mat- ter to him what faction or what man or set of men he works with, all he asks is loy- alty to his cause. Richards is the father of the progressive reform move- ment in South Dakota. He began the fight in 1903 at Huron, over the postmaster- [photo - RICHARD 0. RICHARDS] ship at that place. He lost. In 1904, he brought out Coe I. Crawford as a candidate for governor on three reform is- sues; anti-pass law, primary law, and equitable railroad taxation. He lost. What next? Dis- couraged? Never! There is on the statute books of this state an initiative law which provides that the people themselves may pre- sent their own laws to the legialature, by petition. For the next few months Mr. Richards quietly went about the state during his spare time and secured 9,000 signatures to a petition to the legislature to enact a state-wide primary law. VVhat happened? The legislature turned down the monster petition, on the claim that it was invallid. Discouraged? No! He had our legislators so badly scared that in order to square themselves with the peo- ple they enacted "The Honest Caucus Law." Encouraged? Yes! The fight must never stop till victory came. In 1906, he again backed for governor, his chosen candidate, Coe I. Crawford. This time he won. Mr. Richards managed the primary campaign for the pro- gressive wing of the party in 1908 and succeeded in nominating Governor Crawford for United States senator. and Mr. Vessey for governor. They were elected. But these gentlemen failed to carry out Mr. Richard's views. He began to scold them. Last February a meeting of the progressive forces was held at Huron. 80 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA Mr. Richards, cognizant of his own strength, immediately an- nounced that he could either "sink their ship or float it." They knew it also. In,order to save themselves they made Mr. Rich- ards manager of their primary campaign. He saved all of their former strength, which did not include the two congressmen and the state treasurer, losing to them only one office-that of state auditor. So much for his leadership. But the end is not yet. Twenty progressive leaders signed at Huron last spring a compact drawn up by Mr. Richards him- self in which they agreed if he would save their new ship at the June primaries they could in turn write into the state republican platform such additional reform measure as Mr. Richards might desire. When the time came they either couldn't or wouldn't "deliver the goods." This set the political pot to boiling. There are some of the progressive leaders in the state who never can again secure Mr. Richard's support. It is now an open secret that irreconcilable differences have sprung up between them. Without his support in the future, some who won in the past can never win again. Verily, verily, he can "sink their ship or float it." Mr. Richards was married to Miss Grace May Durell, for- merly of Mitchell, S. D., on January 8, 1891. Six children have been born to them, of whom four are girls and two are boys. Mrs. Richards is a native of Laconla, New Hampshire, and comes from old Revolutionary-war ancestry. She is descended on her mother's side from the Sargent-Pierce families, and on her fath- er's side from the Hutchinson-Durell families, all very prominent in the history of New England, since the early days of that section. Few men in South Dakota have given public questions more or closer attention than has Mr. Richards. He possesses an ex- ceptionally analytical mind. He is quick to perceive selfish in- terests and evil causes, and able to suggest practical remedies. It is said of him that he posseses little or no diplomacy, and is not at all given to compromising on the principles he advocates. He has earned the reputation of being a good fighter for the public welfare, and ever faithful to the interesfs of friends. Nobody doubts the unselfish genuineness of his attitude on public quegtions, and because of his intelligence and ability and effort, we have today on the staute books of South Dakota laws like the primary, the anti-pass, the anti-divorce and other progres- sively restrictive measures. Mr. Richards has made himself a force to be seriously dealt with in the politics of South Dakota. His friends feel that he has already done much and is likely to do more. G. G. WENZLAFF 81 POET PHILOSOPHER He's "all wool and a yard wide." Who? Our poet phil- osopher, Who's he? Now, dont' get in a hurry; wait till we have had time to whisper to you in a deep undertone, Gustav G. Wenzlaff. Doesn't that sound philosophical? Yes, but not altogether Yankefied. Wenzlaff is president of the Springfield (S. D.) State Normal. He represents the old school of thought and the new. If You multiply the old school by the new, and then extract the square root of the product, You will have a mean proportional - you will have Wenzlaff-a man of poise and forbearance, of culture and reflnernent, of dignity and justice, of courage and faith, of hope and truth, of kindness and honor. What a renovation at the Springfield normal when he took charge, a few years since. How the cobwebs fairly tumbled from the walls. How the pigeonholes gave up their mildewed con- tents. How the loose ends of fluttering thought were tied to- gether in an organized whole and made into a cable of strength. With what unanimity the train of thought pulled in off the sid- ing onto the main track and started toward aild upward. How soon the school began to take its merited place among the edu- cational institutions of the state. Germany frequently lays claim to the fact that she is largely directing the educational tbought of America. Pointing to her native-born sons whom she is constantly sending to us, as teach- ers, and to our American-born lads whom we send over there to be educated, it is easy to prove her contentions. President Wenz- laff was born in Europe. True, he got his education mostly in this country, but we had to let him go back home to finish it. Very well! He got it just the same, and South Dakota is profiting by it. His early education was begun in the old country, and was received at the hands of his father who was a successful German teacher. Then he came to America and settled in Yankton 82 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA county, South Dakota. Here's his educational record in a nut- shell, but it's a good one: Graduated from Yankton high school, 1884. Graduated from Yankton college, 1888. Studied in Chicago, 1888-9. Instructor in Yankton college, 1889-92. Student, Berlin University and University of Leipzig, Ger- many, 1892. Professor of philosophy and German in Yankton college, 1893-on. Student University of Chicago 1897-8. Recuperating in California, 1899-1900. Superintendent Yankton county, 1905-8. President Springfield normal, 1908-to date. How's that? Go back and run it over again. "'Who's Who?" We guess Wenzlaff is. Here's a record as a stud- ent and as an educator that any man might well be proud of. (Later.-Since the above was written, Yankton College has honored him with his LL. D.) PHILOSOPHER But it is in the field of philosophical thought that Wenzlaff excels. The whole bent of his nature is toward Philosophy. He loves to rea- son - and he does it sponta- neously at times. When the ethical committee met in [photo - G. G. WENZLAFF] Mitchell few years since, the discussion over the advisabil- ity of making the ethical out- line for the schools of the state dove-tail into the Bible was grow- ing "warm" when Wenzfaff piped out: "Gentlemen, the Bible did not give us religion; religion gave us the Bible." This hard philosophical morsel, placed on the tongues of some of the the- ological members of the committee, took some time to melt. G. G. WENZLAFF 83 Here was a concept-clearly, positively, definitely formed. It stood. PROSE WRITER President Wenzlaff has acquired a style of English prose composition that is polished, smooth, clear and captivating. We regard his diction as the most perfect of any writer in the state. This is saying considerable for it, but we believe we are right. Think of it! He reads and writes prose and poetry in two dif- ferent languages, and he can read at least three of four more tongues. It is but natural that such an able linquist should be- come literary inclined. He is the author of one of the best psycholgies on the mar- ket. In addition to its exceptionally fine analysis of the mind and its operations. practically every critic who has commented on it has also referred to its charming diction. He is also the author of "Sketches and Legends of the West." Last year President Wenzlaff and a friend made a trip down to the old bistoric settlement of Bon Homme. Upon his return he wrote a sketch for publication in "The Normal Pulse," a paper issued monthly by the students of the Springfield Normal, which it has been our privilege to preserve, and which we should love to publish herein in full, did space permit. We regard it as one of the tastiest pieces of faultless English composition that we have ever read. We invite attention to only a few paragraphs of it which we cull out and sandwich together: "It was a fall day. No frost had yet blighted the vegeta- tion, but already the yellow corn showed through the wilting husks. A longing to get away from the humdrum of routine work and to dream a day-dream took us out toward old Bon Hornme on the Missouri. "Eight miles to the east of the dingy stone walls of the Springfield Normal we look down upon a fair plain dotted with farm buildings in the midst of clustering trees. To the east a white church spire catches our eye, and farther to the south a group of buildings rather too large te be a collection of farm buildings. A little cemetery, well kept after a fashion, enclosed by a weather-beaten fence, overlooks the Bon Homme valley and the wide stretches of the wild Missouri granite blocks and mar- ble shafts rise above the stubble of the prairie grass. Yes, we read some of the inscribed names and remember those who years ago responded to them. "A well-traveled road leads to where years ago stood the 84 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA fair little town of Bon Homme. At one place a few buildings are on either side of the road, once a street of the town, and a little farther on the little white school house, once the village school, the successor of the first school house in Dakota Territory. I have seen some of the pupils that were gathered in that first school house in Dakota - not as ruddy-faced youngsters, but as serious men and women past middle life. * * * * * * Yes, this settlement, like others of its kind and persuassion, possesses fields, and mills and barns and machinery and all that goes to make a model farm, and something else - some ancient manuscripts. The young teacher soon brought in several of them for inspection. They are books containing the doctrines of the founder of the Brotherhood, all written by some of the brothers in the days of old, in German 'print,' with the most pleasing exactness. The initial letters would do credit to a Medieval professional scribe. The paper used in these volumes is soft rag paper, such as one finds nowadays only in fancy-priced editions de luxe. The title pages show the dates 1509 and 1520. As we sat there waiting for a fall shower to pass by, our host expounded some features of the ancient, priceless volumes. "Before the day closed we were retracing our way, leaving behind old Bon Homme, but carrying back with us a feeling that we had peered into the past and heard voices of long ago." POET What peculiar strains of melody must be concealed in the intellect of a man who can write such ideal prose and who can, in the next instant, transfer himself into another mood and mould his thoughts into perfect rhythm. Only once in a great while - only now and then at great intervals - do you find a man who can burrow into the depths of philosophy and paint his conclusions in deep-colored prosaic images, and who can climb "Jacob's ladder" and sing beautiful lullabys to the stars. Wenz- laff can. He is an adept at it. Some poets hibernate in the fall and come back to in the spring to sing with the opening of the buds and the return of our winged warblers. Not so with Wenzlaff. He sings through the season. His heart is ever atune with nature. Springtime extracts the poetic nectar from his soul; summer awakens in him a melodious response; fall wells up his great heart until it bursts with joy; and winter's falling snow causes him to become en rapport with nature's God. G. G. WENZLAFF 85 We should like to publish the long list of his poems which we have at various times collected, but lack of space absolutely forbids. We shall use but a few of the shorter ones. To those who would possess themselves of more address to the Educator School Supply Company, Mitchell, S, D., a card asking for term, on the new volume of "Dakota Rhymes " compiled and partially written by President Wenzlaff. It is now completed. IN THE SPRING-TIME One name-when spring winds whisper softly- I hear amidst the green boughs' leaves; The creek's low song, the wild dove's crooning- That name to me all nature breathes. One face I see in every blossom, That meekly hides within the grass; The evening clouds in hues of sunset Reflect that face before they pass. One dream so vague, so dreamy, vivid, Like music of a sylvan stream, Like fragrance from the prairie roses-- My loved one is my constant dream. AUTUMN REVERY Cold are the winds that waft The faded leaves about; Chill are the days that laughed Once through the summer cloud. Far flies the, pinioned fowl To other cheerier lands Touched not by Winter's scowl Nor by his chilling hands. Ah me! Could I but rise And from chill moods retreat, Dwell would I, too, 'neath skies Where only warm hearts beat. THE MEADOW-LARK Before the last of winter's drift has thawed And run in rills to swell the creek, that glides 86 WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA Among the rushes drear and willows gray, The meadow-lark, the herald of the spring, Comes piping in the drowsy life that hides From grim, all-devastating frosts away. And when the first bold flower-the violet, Or 'tis th' anemone-wide opes its eyes Upon the quiet meads to greet the morn, The prairie's homely bird sings matin lays, That clear and sweet mount swelling to the skies And then on ether wings are softly borne. When twilight shades come o'er this prairie world In summer's garb, and thousand eyes then close Upon the waning splendor of the evening sky, The meadow-lark's clear roundelay resounds And lulls sun-sated life to cool repose-- Ne'er heard the flowers a sweeter lullaby! At last the fields, once gay, stand sad and sear, And silent is the cricket's chorus song. The weary blossom drooping on the stem, Now sleeps its long, long sleep, and weary looks The sun. The meadow-lark, of all the throng Of birds, remains to pipe the requiem. THE BLIND PIPER Good piper of the Spree, Why pipe so mournfully When brightly smiles the summer day, And sunbeams on the river's way Are dancing lightly to and fro And casting glances from below, Caressing warm the bridge's span, While zephrys cool your temples fan?- A mist is gath'ring in my eye,- Good piper, I must hasten by. Ah! piper of the Spree, Why pipe so merrily When lowering clouds are sailing fast, The swallow, too, is hastening past And scowling looks the rushing tide, Upon whose crest the foam doth ride, And whips the bridge's pillar-stays? How merrily sound your oaten lays! G. G. WENZLAFF 87 I can, thus drawn, not hasten by- But what! is blind my piper's eye? Many men can translate prose from various languages into our own with ease, but few have ever lived who could success- fully translate poetry and maintain the metre and rhythm. President Wenzlaff has done this repeatedly, and he has given over to us for culture and for pastime some musical translations of foreign ballads that still retain their original charm. Follow- ing is one translated from Uhland: THE CHAPLET Yonder stand: the mountain chaplet Looking quietly down the vale; There below by mead and brooklet Sings the shepherd boy so hale. Mournful tolls the bell from yonder, Awful sounds the funeral lay, Hushed is now the merry singer By the chanting far away. They are borne to graves up yonder Who enjoyed themselves below. Shepherd boy, ah! list young shepherd, 'Twill be sung for thee just so! Having revealed to the readers of the Argus-Leader, through our theme, the greatness of our SUBJECT, and having in a meas- ure proven our contentions that he is a true poet, a linguist, a translator, a philosopher, a teacher, a man - we are willing to let his case go to the jury - public opinon.