The age-herald., 1900-10-07
WhO They Are
 And the Why Of 1t

my personality are effective. I have been one of them, and perhaps, if my friends continue to urge me and insist upon 1t, l may become a candidate for the honorable Mayoralty of this prosperous and great city and set forth my claims upon the stump. No newspaper platforms in mine; no orations about the banquet board fre- quented by naval heroes without votes and staff officers from distant towns, but to the working people, one of whom l am, I shall set forth my claims. The sunlight of prosperity has driven it's way through the clouds of diversity, and stretching forth the hand of hope, is about to-
 "But boys, what do you think of it?
 '"rhe idea is fertile, but the soil needs further fertilization" remarked the cynic. Success depends upon faith, fiction and funds"
 Keep out of Birmingham politics. my boy interrupted the politieo-banker of Ensley. If you want to run for Mayor move to the city of mushroom growth and oaken substance that has grown almost in night but to live and thrive forever-move to Ensey and run for Mayor on the anti-hop jack platform. Bir- mingham has outgrown the orator1cal Mayor stage. Ensley is now looking for oratory in which to revel.' Don't make specific declaration on any issue" suggested the greatest and only 1 mill owner of Clay County. Let your plat form be like a ferry-boat so it will run either way"
 "Why waste time in chasing phantoms" remarked him of success in the trolley world. 'We have two bankers here-that is, they were bankers. l mention no names, but must tell you the story which led to the shattering of his pride in him. self and his profits In trade.
 "Bill Jones speculated bit in realty and the like. He was a happy-go-lucky fellow, o noSGaGead Of pond clothes and SOme- times of a handsome solitaire diamond ring valued at $350. Bill used the ring bit as collateral security with our friends s bank.
 "T want $50 for thirty days on this ring said Bill on his first trip to the bank
 "'We don't accept jewelry as collateral, responded the banker.
 ." T must have it. The ring is worth $500 Take it and see.'
 "The ring was sent to an expert jeweler for examination. T will give you $500 for the stone,' was his response after exami- nation.
 That settled it. The ring was hypothe- cated Bill signed a thirty-day note for $50, was given $40 in cash and went on his way rejoicing Thirty days rolled around. Bill prospered and Bill paid the note and got his ring. A few weeks later Bill and the ring returned, and there was another note made and the ring went back into the vault by day, and occasionally by night fiiclSered on the bankers finger In the front row of the theatre. Bill paid his note again and got his ring. Then Bill, who had been somewhat successful in his last deal, began to compute his interest account. He figured that in the ten or more loans he had secured upon it he had paid in interest account more than the principal of any one of the loans. Bill be- gan to think deeply. He purchased paste diamond for one dollar of the same caiibre of the genuine For an additional dollar convenient jeweler removed the genuine stone from the ring and replaced 1t with the paste stone. Bill returned to the bank, gave his note and the ring, got his money and went his way A month passed. Bill appeared as usual the day his note was due. You have my note for $50, due to- day, and my ring as security. That blanked ring will be the ruin of me yet. So long as l keep it borrower l shall De. Suppose you mark that note paid, give 1t to me and keep the ring. You say you can get S150 for it.
 Perhaps you can sell it for more than $l5O,' responded the banker.
 "T don't care about that. I want to get rid of the blanlked ring.
 "Al right; we'll do this for you Bill, and take our chances; but remember, you mustn't feel wronged if we sell it for better price than the face of the note
 That's all right replied Bill, laughing inwardly as the banker handed him his note marked paid.
 ."The next day the ring was presented to the jeweler who had first examined it. You can take this for $3OO,' said the banker.
 Same ring I examined? asked the jew eler as he reached for it.
 "'Yes.'
 "What is this?' remarked the jeweler in surprised tones. This is the same set ting, but this is no diamond. It's cuartz or glass 1 wouldn't give you five dollars for the thing
 "'Sold, by jingo, remarked the banker. and without recourse. Well, I'll De blanked.'
 "Gentlemen, that's true story. You may place it." concluded the generally silent trolley magnate.
 And 70 stories go about the table of jol- lity and wit by night frequented by the substantial young bachelors of Birming- ham-prosperous and energetic by day; sociable and jolly after the days "ork IS