The age-herald., 1899-01-22
IN HOTEL LOBBTES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Hon. Francis L. Pettus, who has been i'll in his apartments at the Morris for several days, spent a much better day yesterday, and last night Dr. Edward Morris his phy- sician, reported him to be very much better, a fact that will be pleasing to the friends of MT. Pettus throughout Alabama. The fact is, that the condition of MT. Pettus on Friday caused his friends much con- cern, but happily he is now well on the way to recovery.
 Yesterday was a great day in Birming- ham. The streets have not been so crowd ed on a Saturday before in years. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon fully 2,000 persons were standing about First avenue and Twentieth street, near where Schlatter, ..the heaIer," was pushing his voiceless vo- cation of healing afflicted humanity. Busf- ness was good in every branch of trade. and merchants were greatly pleased. They did better than on any other day since the holidays. It was pay day at the mines in the district and that fact itself prevented a great many people from coming to town. The men remained at home to receive their pay. But it was a good day, reminding one of the old busy times of the "boom. There is to be no boom" this time There is something better. It is rapid but steady growth and development. All signs point to that. and there is no mistaking the sign boards.
 "Birmingham has a greater number of handsome private turnouts than any town of its importance in the country said travelling man in the lobby. "The turnouts astonish visitors and create a favorable im- pression. There are many carriages ana traps of all sorts here which, with the horses that draw them, would grace Gen. tral Park. But Birmingham is away be- hind on good hacks. Most of the hacks for public hire are very commonplace, and the horses are no better. Montgomery, for ex- ample, is far in advance of Birmingham in hacks. They have handsome rubber-tired vehicles there, and they make fine show. The appearance of these latest improved hacks on the streets does the town good. They are in keeping with the handsomest passenger station south of Baltimore, and one of the most attractive in this country"
 Robinson CruS0e, or AnnlSton, IS SpendlnS a few days In Birmingham on business con- nected with the insurance company for which he is state agent. He bears name which in fiction is dear to every boy in the world. It seems quaintly odd and sends one back to Defoe's immortal creation.
 A group in the lobby were discussing cigars. q once had novel experience in respect to high and low-priced cigars" said a veteran. 1.-TWO of my friends made 1it- tie bet of 50-cent cigars on a certain propo- sition. The loser had to leave town, and he handed me the money to settle his bet. bought the costly cigars. and at the same time bought some that sold at three for a dime. I took the latter to the winner of the bet and told him that I had paid 50-cents apiece for them. He lit one and after puff ing it for time he declared that it was the best cigar that he had ever smoked. He simply raved about the treasure of really good cigar. Finally told him of my joke and gave him the real 5O-cent cigar He wouldn't believe me, and to this day he is convinced that the three-for-a-dime cigars cost a half dollar each"
 General Shelley has gone to Washington !. on private business. He is likely to be ab- sent two or three weeks.
 Representative John Mcqueen has re- turned from South Alabama
 State Senator Hall is in the city.
 Former Justice of the Supreme Court Thomas W. Coleman, of Greene was in town yesterday.