The age-herald., 1899-05-31
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE


 "An Irishman, by name Mcnamara, and an American, by name Houston, resided on adjoining lots" said John NJ. Caldwell the brilliant story teller of Anniston. Mcnamara was highly educated. Hous- ton was unlearned. Macnamara's chickens and turkeys greatly damaged Houstons garden. Houston complained, without ob- tainlng relief. He then wrote to his neigh bor long letter in hopelessly bad Eng fish. To this he received no reply. Several days afterwards he met the learned Irish man, and, after the ordinary greetings, | Houston asked:
 "'Did you get my letter, Mir. Macna- mara? ...
 Yes, got your letter. !. aHfTf
 "'But you didn't answer it.
 No, don't intend to answer 1t. My chickens and turkeys haven't disturbed you since you wrote that letter-they haven't been about your garden?' asked MT. Mcnamara.
 "'No;' Houston answered. I'm not troubled any more
 "'WelI, it was this way explained the Irishman. After received your letter I got my wife to mix up some dough and
 
 came running, and ate the food with ap- parent enjoyment. After they had finished eating, I read them your letter, to which they listened with patience "Now turkeys and chickens" says I, Eff any of you go into MT. Houston's garden again I shall read his letter over to you."'
 Work on the spacious building for the o1,if0 at oirp IoT iS progressing very rapidly. The frame work is nearly all completed, and the floor of the broad verandah extending around the entire building, has been put down. Judging by the work so far as it has pro- gressed, the building will be exceedingly attractive Posts have been put in tho ground ready for the wire fencing that will enclose the clubs land, which extends to several acres and most of which is wooded. The location is an ideal one for a Country club, and the club house will be all that the members could desire it to be.
 A number of very desirable improve ments have been made in the beautiful North Birmingham Park, chief of which is handsome rustic bandstand over the center or Ine ClTculdr sheet or WdleF III the vale. A wire screen fence has been placed around the water to preserve the grassy banks Pond lilies add greatly to the attractions of this charming bit of water. The stream that runs from the spring has been cleaned out and the banks improved; and the large tennis court has been placed in excellent order. Several tents have been pitched about the park to be used as playhouses for children. Altogether a great deal has been added to the attractions of this most attractive resort. The electric car service is per- feet.
 Robert Turner Ashurst, of Talassee, Elmore county, entered the State univer- sity siXty-eight years ago, and is there- fore believed by Professor Palmer, secre tary of the society of the alumni, to be the oldest alumus now living. He entered from Mt. Meigs, Montgomery county, in 1S31 but did not remain at the university longer than five or six months. He was director of the old State bank, was at one time a member of the legislature, and served as a private in the Creek war of 1S36 By occupation MT. Ashrust is said to be a farmer. One of the alumni said yesterday that there was good reason to hope that this venerable University boy" would be present at this years commence ment.
 General Charles M. Shelley left yesterday for Washington, whither he goes for the purpose of trying to expedite the final set clement of the accounts of his son, Captain James E. Shelley, of the Fifth United States infantry, which will be mustered out of serSice at Camp Meade, Pa, today or tomorrow. Captains in the service are held responsible for guns and other war like material, and two months pay is with held in each case until the accounts are finally passed. Frequently the delay in making these settlements at the war de- partment is prolonged and annoying.
 HON. JAS, D, RICHARDSON