The age-herald., 1902-03-06

tom which has been the stock in trade of many joke artist. And here let me place salty tear for the old cry, Next" One of the most ridiculous occurrences l have heard of in a week was the get ting of job by "Reddy." It occurred some days ago in the office of manu- featuring company. the president of which had need for a private secretary
 "Reddy' is rather a unique kind of fel- low. Some years ago in his home town where first knew him he was considered one of the most promising young men in the insurance business. He was young not more than IT years of age. Always industrious. he was paid a good salary. But one day he fell in with bad company From very mild beginning he was soon miles deep in debt. One day he bought all he could and went to New York.
 In the American metropolis his career was wild and varied. He did everything from selling silks to jerking soda. He never remained in one establishment m ore than a week. He lived his class and became the leader of a set quite as fast as any with no money to be found n New York.
 Growing tired of the life of a New York sport, "Reddy'' went to Liverpool England. Having no money he worked for his passage They kept him peeling potatoes the greater part of the time. His story of the trip borders on the sub lime. He says he never supposed as
 
 on this trip.
 In England things went somewhat against the sport, and he returned to New York. Finally he returned to his home town and lived there for more than a year, doing everything in the sporting line from tipping on races to winning large sums at craps. Growing weary of life in his home, he came to Birmingham. The day he reached town on the bumpers he touched me for b cents for a supper. Ills search for em- poyment lasted several days. Then it happened.
 In the private office of the man for whom he now works he was told he could begin on a trial term. He asked the amount of salary he would obtain The reply was $15 per week. This shocked the boy, and he said:
 Mister, please don't say s15. Say S3 Break it to me lightly. That is more than I have made in year."
 Being assured that his services would be worth that if anything, he finally consented to begin his trial week, with an agreement that the money should be put in his hand, which should be ex- tended behind his back. He said he could not stand to look at so much at one time.
 The trial of the boy proved satisfactory and he Is now at work regularly. He has quit sporting and is model employe. Moral: It is never too late to begin again.
 The extent and means of advertising Is simply appalling. It has now reached the graveyard stage. My first observance of an "ad' for cemetery lots was yester- day afternoon when I went down to the Auditorium to see the woman with arms It shocked me so that lost the best joke told during the afternoon. The writer of this lad" evidently realized that begging for graveyard patronage was something of a new business and that the last thing man usually wanted to do was to think of such a place. So he put his little bid in the last block of the squared programme.
 The man was a genius in another way also. He recognized the fact that the novelty of his proposition was enough to attract attention. so he was not very am bilious as to promises. By the side of the graveyard lad" Is a laundry "ad' reading
 We want your trade"
 The graveyard man says:
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