The age-herald., 1898-05-17

commander of the San Jaciuto never knew of the escape until the United States cons sul at St. Pierre informed him of it.
 "So. if the commander of the Harvard has any of the pluck and cunning of Ad- n,iral semmes his chances of escape are greatly in his favor.
 The picric season of 1898 for Birmingham opened with great eclat last Saturday "ith a very brilliant specimen of this popular form of entertainment.
 The party of over thirty young ladies and gentlemen, with one ehaDerone and her husband. left the Dity at the early hour or 5 o'clock in a big tally-ho. The destination was one of the popular summer resorts, about six miles from town, and after the arrival there the picnic began in regulation style.
 The monotony of the day was varied by two or three very interesting incidents One of the young men fell in the lake, and had to be dried: the other young gentlemen wrung him out as best they could, and the young ladies set patiently to work and famed him until he was dry, By the time this was accomplished two other of the young gentlemen began having chills, and the young ladies had great fun piling them up with their jackets to keep them warm. One of the young ladies then sprallned her ankle very severely, and was taken in ex- elusive charge by the other young ladies and doctored.
 But all good thing must cease, and at sunset preparations were made for the drive home All went well and each couple was as happy as could be until the first hill was reached, when one of the horses laid down and refused to budge. The driver. however persuaded him to go on a little further but before the top of the hill was reached this obstreperous animal began to kick, fracturing the tongue of the tally-ho, and allowing the vehicle to start back down hill. The young fadies immediately grasped for the first thing at hand, which happened to be their escorts neck. Then the whole party began to jump out; two of the girls tainted, and those that were not crying were having mysteries.
 This was nothing, however, compared to the blow that was to follow. The driver announced that the break could not be re- paired, and that the party would have to walk into town, distance of five miles, The story from then on is without romance. There was no love-making indulged in; the whole party truged on in silence. Finally one of the young ladies said she couldn't go any further, but willing hands carried her on. Covered with dust, foot-sore and ready to faint with exhaustion, the party reached town and as they did so, the tally-ho, which had been repaired, passed them and went merrily on to the stable. The indignation of the picnicers was too great for expression.
 Home at last. at a late hour and after anxious mammas' fears had been quieted, the story goes that each of the party drop ped immediately into sleep of exhaustion
 They are all telling it now what a fine time they had, but the above facts are ob- tained from the most reliable source and are very nearly authentic.
 Its an ill wind that blows nobody good," said a prominent merchant of Birmingham, yesterday, "as the flag manufacturers of this country can testify. In the last two months I have heard of one concern that has made over sl0O,0OO off of American pat riotism in selling Old Glories.' Not only have the prices advanced to nearly twice their value. but now flags are not to be had, no matter what price is offered l have order after order for flags, but can't attempt to fill them.
 "Not only the flags themselves, but all kinds of red. white and blue buntings have gone up in price, and the demand has been so great that now it is even hard to get the material to make single Stars and Stripes All America has the flag fever"
 John B. Knox. former chairman of the static executive committee of the democratic party. is in the city, stopping at the Nor ris. MT. Knox says his visit to Birming- ham is not a political one. In fact, he de- clares he has quit politics and resumed the practice of law.