The age-herald., 1898-02-09
A WOMAN SEES
 SIGHTS ABOUT TOWN

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 A recent acquisition to the duslky popula- tion of Birmingham is bit of femininity that answers to the name of "Phoeby' She was brought from a plantation over in Georgia not far from Augusta Phoeby's ancestral relations date far back. Phoeby, herself, is not an up-to-date exponent. She is inclined to be reticent. Her eyes. how ever, express volumes. Electric lights and electric bells are too rich for Phoeby's blood. She waits for hours below stairs for the electric buttons to be pressed. Phoehy does not rest. She is daily being initiated into the routine of city life If Phoeby is let alone she will stand for hours | in front of shop window. There is Q window in Twentieth street that has in- 1 duced Phoeby to send messages to her old home in Georgia. In this window there is a toy figure of little negro. It puts the ''Yellow Kid' to shame. From Phoebys l point of view it would take the prize in cake walk. It's tendency to wink the other eye and other signs of familiarity with the | passer-by are sources of infinite delight to Phoeby. The hand-organs and the peanut vendors cannot district her attention from | what is to Phoeby breath from out the past It would be a familiar figure to her l strange sight to her in a crowded street. | She was watching it's black and shining face the other day when she suddenly ex- claimed: "Lordy Dat nigger sho' do look | like mel'' The old fiddler sitting near by began drawling out "All Coons Look Alike | to Me"
 The members of the club were gradually | taking their departure. Three four of | the girls had settled down for a cozy chat. | They were discussing the doings of the | daughters of Eve:
 | "I don't mean to be irreveant" said the l girl who was making the tea, "but would | like to know exactly the meaning of the | term Jobs comforters.' ,"
 "Jobs Comforters," said one of the girls | by way of Illustration "is a friend that comes dropping in when you are in peck l of trouble, and seems relieved to know that you are getting it-well, where the | chicken got the axe.'
 ''These friends" explained the girl who N yer had any troubles of her own "who | positively assume congratu.atory air | when you are worn out and disappointed and everything goes wrong. just as if you went around hunting up trouble, are my ideas of Jobs comforters." | "Yes," another chimed in 'these people | who grow hilarious over your misfortunes, and seem to think the troubles s-never-come- singly-idea is a huge joke"
 l "Job's comforters," said the quiet girl. bibMcally "are those people who take it | upon themselves to tell you that you de- serve all your troubes.'
 The girl who had started the discussion shook her head. ',rhese versions" she said, ''may have been taught you years | ago. They are out of date now. The lat est phase of the question was developed at a tea a few days ago. I was bidding the hostess goodbye. Some one who had just preceded me was speaking of the beautiful success of the affair. The hostess, smiling her goodbye said cheerily in answer to her friends compliment, My dear, how nice of you! You are a regular Jobs comforter! 7" There is a fashionable auction going on at a down town jewellers It is a fascinat- ing place. It takes you away from the noise in the streets The auctioneer is an experienced one. He is a perfect analyzer of human nature. Yesterday he was in | his happiest mood.
 'Ladies and gentlemen" he would begin, "here is beautiful gold ring, with pearl
 
 beauty. It's not cheap. We dont'b have cheap things.' He brought the gavel down. 'Who will start the bid on this beautiful gold ring?" Some one in the crowd said '25 centsI The auctioneer laughed good-naturediy.
 "Madam" he cried out, you ought to go to the Klondike and you would appreciate gold"
 He picked out chocolate pot. "Here, '" he said lis the last thing of the kind that we have in stock. He kissed it fondly. Positively the last chocolate pot of such rare workmanship" There were not many that bid
 "You Birmingham people, he said "don't appreciate fine things. Down in Montgomery the people know good thing when they see it. They wouldn't let a thing like this go by. You simply don't know the value of things" He almost lost his temper.
 "Ladies and gentlemen, pardon me-" he continued with the utmost suavity. "An auctioneer's lot is not an easy one. He has to talk eight hours day. hope that you will not think intend any of my re- marks personally"
 He resumed his business-like mann.r. "Here," he said Ifs one of tine most beau-
 
 tiful clocks in the country. It has dia- monds set around it. You can take the diamonds out and reset them in your rings. Who will start the bd?" A lady said sweetly, six dollars.
 The auctioneer shrielsed. He was com pletely overcome What do you do with your money? Six dollars" he moaned. "I am going to sell this clock before I leave Birmingham. If you do not buy it, then there are others" He grew slangy.
 Ladies and gentlemen" he said pres ently, "there may be multi-mllionaires in this crowd. I don't know how rich you are. But do say there is not in this town so rare and exquisite piece of ware as this plate. It is royal Copenhagen ware Whoever gets this will own rare piece of China. Mrs. Potter Palmer has vase of royal Copenhagen ware for which she