Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-14
CURBSTONE AND LOBBY.


 First avenue yesterday when a depositor came in with check and excitedly re- quested the payment at once in currency. It was evident that the cashier was eager to ask him question or two about the large amount of the check, but be refrained from saying anything. When the customer was gone the banker said: tI would judge from that mans manner that he is fixing to make quick deal.' was tempted to ask him what he wanted with so much money, but upon second thoughti decided that did not care to be, in any manner, implicated in quick deal, and then there would be no danger of my being imperson- ated In farce comedy on the stage.
 l was seated in a cafe with MT. Theo Beall, the talented artist, day or two ago, and in the course of cur conversation my companion told me of@the Birmingham art league, of which he is one of the pio- neer and most prominent members. He said: 'We have recently introduced a new and interesting feature into the league in the way of amusement for it's mem bers l can only give you an idea of what allude to iu conversation. We have set aside one day in each month for the member to meet as body in our studio on Nineteenth street, and each one attending is expected to bring specimen of his sketching on some particular subject given out at the previous meeting. These specimens are lined on the walls and are criticised from every point Of view by all the members of the league. After the criticisms are finished a table is spread with refreshments fur nished by the individual participants each member bringing with him whatever suits his own taste at feast-which of course guarantees to us variety of refresh- ments, as well as specimens of sketchings. We then proceed to two hours of solid en- joyment. Experiences are told, witticisms indulged in and comments on current topics of interest to artists. Ohi I'll tell you it's a gala occasion for the members of the Birmingham Art league.o The Stroller is going to find out the place aud time of the next event aud try to tell the public more about this interesting organization. If all it's members are as entertaining as MT. Beall table refreshments will be an unnecessary attachment.
 There is a man in Birmingham who has so much curiosty that he never allows even a dime museum to escape his most diligent Investigation. By the way, l would state that he has been very busily engaged with this class of pastime the past few weeks. He came out of one of the most heinous of these places day or two ago, and greeting friend who was pass ing he said, with a bland smile: '.'rhat thing is fake and should be suppressed. ' His friend replied: "Ob, DO; when the number of fakes in the world exceed in pro- portion the number of fools they will die natural death. It would be unjust and un- democratic to limit our amusements to the tastes of certain classes. He did not catch the full meaning of his friends re- marks, for just at this juncture he pro- ceeded across the street to where patent medicine vender had set up fendish cry in a maudlin, rusty voice.
 "Why did the AGE HERALD make such unjust reference to Congressman Holman today?" asked one of the Indianian's 8 ad- mirers. Said he: 'He was the best member of the Fifty-third congress, and country. He was ever watchful of the in- terests of the public and the great bulwark against extravaganza and waste of public funds. Would that the country had more HoImans.'
 In the lobby of the Morris hotel yester- day were seated several gentlemen who had under discussion a subject which we often hear in public places-a subject discussed by the publican and the sinner; the humor- sJ has worn his views of it into frazzles. Yet no two thinkers Cor even humorists) have ever exactly agreed, as far as my Knowledge extends, until on yesterday bright young philosopher of this city all gave assent. The question under dis cussion was 1.-the meanest man alive" The perpetra tor of various crimes, tue un. charitable, the slanderer, the horse thief and many other mean men were duly dis cussed and prosecuted, when finally the youngest and least loquacious of the party said that in his opinion the meanest man in the world is the man who entertains opinions on important questions-religi- ous, political, financial, governmental, social, economic or what-not, and main- tained by word or manner that other men have not the same right to entertain differ ent and conflicting opinions. I'll tell you, gentlemen, when you hnd man of this type put him down as the most narrow and disagreeble, the smallest in heart and action, in charity and equity that it has ever been your misfortune to meet. In word, he IS the meanest man alive. He possesses absolutely none of the virtues of mind or heart that are so indispensable in the character of great and good man.o
 The Stroller reflled his pipe and assumed an attitude of supreme comfort. When the party had vacated the lobby he regretted that he did not know this man, out of whose mouth had come such great truth.
 .sDid you ever know public spirited man who was not public beneiactor?'' asked a member of the city council of Birmingham lawyer yesterday.
 "Don't know that l have,o replied the lawyer, ''unless. he was withheld from beneficiary actions by limited circum- stances or something of the sort. should say he is a peculiar combination.
 "Weil, replied the other, 'sthere IS a man in Birmingham who is one of the most public spirited individuals you have ever known; yet no man has ever known him to take a step forward to suppress public evil or to advocate public cause, unless it has been on The matter of taxation. When- ever any institution in which he is per- sonaliy or indirectly interested is about to be taxed for any purpose whatsoever he raises the howl of fanatic and exhibits an interest in public matters far beyond the expectations of his friends. The mention of the taxation of any kind of an industry 1, never ials to bring out all of his patrior- ism.'' He concluded by saying: ..l would call this public spirited man who is not a public benefactor.o