Dear Brother--It is the intention of Alpha Tau chapter to publish an alumni letter every two months, this being first.
   Alpha Tau chapter is pushing steadily to the front. We landed eighteen exceptionally strong Freshmen. That they are the strongest is admitted by every one, including our rivals.
   Alpha Tau has always been weak in athletics, but this year we hope to have more of our men represent the University. Some of the Freshmen are exceptionally good athletes, and next year when they will be eligible, we hope to have several men on the athletic teams. Warren Howard, '15, played on the Freshman Varsity football team. He and Ralph Doud are on the Freshman Varsity basketball squad, while C. B. Underwood, '12, is on the Varsity basketball squad. Lawrence Robinson and Kenneth S. Wherry will undoubtedly make the Varsity track team.
   Internally the chapter is in splendid shape. We are fortunate this year in having an eastern man in the chapter. Merle H. Howard, '13. has affiliated with us from Cornell. Brother Howard played on the freshman football team at Cornell last year, so we are banking on his making the Cornhusker Varsity next year.
   The day of the Nebraska-Michigan game was one long to be remembered. Many of the old alumni were back to see the bunch and to imbibe some of the Beta loyalty which we claim we have in abundance. We also entertained about twenty high school lads--prospective rushees--during the week-end, and they left declaring that the height of their ambition was to be a Beta.
   Yours in--kai--
      ALPHA TAU CHAPTER
              OF
         BETA THETA PI.
900 South Seventeenth St.
Auto Phone, B-1110.
   Do you know the present address of Burt E. Forbes? If you do kindly advise us.
L. ROBINSON.

   She comes; a veritable Cleopatra in all her loveliness and beauty. Her face, well dyed, is not unlike a cover of the Saturday Evening Ghost, and her gown combines rare cloths and colors in infinite variety. Her form is super-perfect (Redfern or Kabo) I should say, and she moves among us with such fetching grace as only queens are heir to.
   Behold how, from beneath the cover of the wonderful chapeau, masses of hair rich, ruddy, enticing, coil above the slender whiteness of her throat. And peering at us on the sly, those eyes, both modest and bold. Now dignity--now laughter--now frivolity play hide and seek in their azure depths. Beware, Good Friend, beware. She has come with all her charms, all her colors, all her beauty, ready and willing to work out the destiny of her sex--the conquest and confusion of all mankind.
   Fussers by the score fall before her. Bachelors and recluses are her victims. Sanest Senior and frabjous Freshmen alike throw themselves headlong into her meshes, and her telephone is "busy" eternally.
   Of books and studies she wots not. But Engberg knows her well, and how oft hath her winning smile staved off an attack of eye trouble.
   Presently she passeth from our midst, bearing her harvest of frat pins, which shall thereafter grace a pin cushion in some honest farmer's cottage, the while she washeth dishes and straineth the milk, and makes clean the clothing, at the same time answering the questions of a numerous progeny.
   Mark her well and let thine eyes feast upon her loveliness, for verily she is a "pippin"--while she lasteth.

The Fusser

   What is a fusser? Mr. N. Webster laconically refers to the term as "one inclined to a disorderly bustling about." This definition might be permitted to stand in part, but it can not be accepted in its entirety. and we are compelled to find one more applicable. But let us first refer to some of the authorities. Professor Barker says he has no classification in zoology unless it be under the head of unnatural and abnormal things. Professor Buck says that some reference may be found to it in English literature, and it might possibly represent a weak and adulterated imitation of Homer's Paris. Professor Wilson says it is known to the law under the general denomination of nuisances. Miss Harriet Wilson declares it is just a "thing." Miss Marie Douglass says they are the most delightful little dears known to this mortal world. Professor Engberg simply says they are undesirables. You readily see, as Lord Coke has pointed out, that upon this question there have arisen diverse diversities.
   Our view of a fusser is: One who, through the assiduous exercise of perseverance and persistence, succeeds in making himself not only agreeable but almost indispensable to members of the opposite sex. The fusser is distinctly a product of our most advanced civilization. Old grads of our father's day aver that the species was totally unknown in their time. Improved methods and facilities for the production and distribution of romantic thoughts are believed to be responsible for this phenomenon.
   Fussers may be divided into several classes. There is one which depends upon a perfectly powdered face and a red necktie to enchant the eyes of the unsuspecting co-eds. This is done in order to make up for mental deficiencies, and Clark Johnson certainly is a living model of this type. Another must depend upon cleverness to overcome a homely physiognomy. We have heard it said that Joseph Pomerene is the most talented of all these. Another class depends on neither worth nor words nor looks, but just ordinary nerve. It is the most successful in bringing the co-ed to realize its importance, a matter you will be thoroughly convinced of by observing Bob Ferguson for a half hour some warm day. A variety of Individuals which might come under the general classification of fussers are the gentlemen with a dazzling political career. Public opinion seems to be unanimous in placing Bob Hawley in this category.
   While the fusser may be worthless it is almost as equally certain that he is harmless. He keeps the girls from getting lonely, so let him live.

Lincoln, Nebraska, February 5, 1912.
   Dear Dad--I find that you are sending me more money than I can use. For the second semester you can just as well cut my monthly allowance in half. There are several reasons why I do not need so much money. I have found a job at an office building called the "Saratoga," which pays very well. The few books that I need are sold very cheaply at the Regents' Book Store. In most of my courses they are furnished free. The frat has decided to levy no dues nor assessments for the rest of the year, as enough has been saved from last semester. I get "comps" to all the dances because I am a Freshman. Freshmen are really well treated down here.
   I appreciate the sacrifice which you and mother are making to keep me in school. I hope you will use the extra money for some pleasure for yourselves.
   Give my love to Sis.
Affectionately,
BILL.