The age-herald., 1901-11-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
wheeler to Stay in Mexico

Of the United States army which was to be located in Philadelphia" said MaJoF- General Joseph Wheeler to a washing ton correspondent of the Philadelphia Record a few days ago.
 An offer was made to me of the presi- dency at large salary of a company re- gently formed in Philadelphia, but did not feel that could afford to accept It.
 "Is 1t true, general. that you are con templating giving up your residence in Alabama and moving to Philadelphia or New York?" was asked him.
 ''No, 1t is not" he replied. T have no intention of leaving Alabama. The peo- pie of the State have been so good to me that I would rather live among them than anywhere else on earth. Since my retirement from the active list Of the army have received number of very fiattering propositions from corporations The salary attached to some of these offers was very tempting, but the duties were not to my liking. One company or ganized to build a railroad through Ala bama and other Southern states offered me the presidency with a salary of $l2,- coo per annum. Of course, for man in moderate circumstances this was a very flattering proposition. But l was expect ed to secure rights of way and the sale of bonds in the states through which the road would run. The proposition ap- peared to be a good investment, but could not afford to take the chances of having my friends in the South invest their money in an undertaking of which there was any doubt as to its success, The Southern people have already sus- tained large losses from investments in railroad and other bonds. I think the chances were very good that the invest ment would prove a success financially though there was an element of chance in 1t. -- rt
 If had recommended the purchase of railroad bonds by my friends in the South and the undertaking had proved a failure they would have always blamed me for their losses. l would rather have their good will than large salary dur ing the rest of my life.
 With a salary as a retired brigadier- general and the revenues I receive from my farm in Alabama I will be able to live comfortably though not extrava- gantly the rest of my life. I doubt the propriety of becoming identified with business concerns which depend largely upon the Federal government as pur- chaser of their products. It was mainly for this reason that declined the propo- sition to become connected with the com pany recently organized for the manu- facture of explosives and another for the manufacture of guns
 The Women's Exchange Lunch.
 T was invited to take lunch recently with a friend" remarked a gentleman who is a well known figure in the cafes, but having to catch a train in a short time I declined as I knew I would not have the time tb wait for lunch to cook.
 "I explained this to my friend.
 That does not matter, he replied, I will take you somewhere where you won't have to wait half hour on the | cook.
 "Visions of a quick lunch stand fitted like nightmares through my head, and only the confidence I felt in his judg- | ment caused me to accept.
 We darted around several corners and | finally wound up at a place which re- minded me of the 'Spotless town made | famous by Sapolio. It was clean to a degree and we had hardly given our order before it was served. Everything was dainty, the coffee excellent and the cooking was as good as that mother used to have.
 This is the Woman's Exchange re. marked my friend in answer to a querry | It is patronized by the best people in Birmingham, many of the young ladies in order to assist a deserving charity come here daily and lend charm to the place | by acting as walters. I have been com ing here for some time for lunch, as get tired of hotel cooking and like home 1 fare occasionally.
 That group of men over there he continued, is the banker crowd They usually come in about 2:3o That good | looking fellow at the end of the table is Webb Crawford and that's Will Porter with him.
 Miss Walters, under whose manage
 
 prosperous, gives everything her personal attention. She is virginian of the old | regime and knows how a dish should be | cooked.
 "As my meals are irregular I come l here at all hours and never fail to find l everything just right. The real estate men get hungry first. They usually | come to lunch about 12 o'clock. They work hard these days and are tehrefore given goodly portions.
 | After them come the doctors. They | don't get hungry quite as early as the real estate fellows. but like their fel- low citizens who make money out of Birmingham dirt they know where tc come when seized by the bangs of hun- ger. A good meal is the best medicine l they are they knew where to come for good pure medicine of this kind.
 "The Exchange. besides doing good to the inner man Is doing great good for many women. Those who need a little money can send here hand painted Christmas cards, embroidered work and those who are skilled in the art of liv- | ing send here cakes and cookies-all of which find a ready sale. It is really a noble charity and deserves the support ! of all.
 While am charitably disposed, l | don't come here simply for that purpose, but because get the best meal for