The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-27
COMMENTS ON MEN AND !
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

pages. Unlike the family tree publica. tions and coat-of-arms manuals for peo pie who never had any to start with. il is not a catalogue of snobbery. even if it's title would lead one to think other wise. However, newspapers and press agents are so efficacious in America that there is really little difficulty in telling who's who at any and all places. If one does not know he will soon receive the de- sired information in such a manner that he will not soon forget
 The friends of James Lane Allen, the gentle story teller of Kentucky, are pleas ed at the news of his sudden good fortune in Texas If reports are to be believed Mir. Allen has become millionaire with out half trying Some time ago he pur- chased a tract of land in the southeas- tern part of the state which was thought to be of no value except for pasturage It was estimated that the property was not worth more than $5 per acre, if that much. But few weeks ago gusher was discovered at Batson Prairie, just one mile from Mir. Aliens land, where the widest excitement now prevails. Prospectors are fiocking in to get options on land and Mr. Allen can now sell his holdings for 5000 per acre, but is reported to be waiting for $5OO0 It is seldom that man of let ters plays in such good luck when 1t comes to a matter of dollars but MT. AL len is evidently an exception to the rule. Yet, the wealth of his imagination is far more valuable to his readers and to him. self also than any oil lands in Texas or anywhere else. So long as he can write such stories as "Old King Solomon of Kentucky or Two Gentlemen of Ken lucky he need have no fears of losing favor with the publishers or the public.
 It does credit to the intelligence of Lon don playgoers that '"The Birds of Aris- tophanes was recently revived there with much success. The famous comedy per mits of some spectacular staging which was appreciated by the management of this latest production of the play. A cri- ticism in The Times states that the play was performed with all the care which marked its presentation twenty years ago when IL nrSt appeared on the EhshSh stage. The gowns worn by the chorus were picturesque and from a spectacular viewpoint the entire production was most striking. If such an ambitious effort should be undertaken in America it is quite probable that 1t would pay for one season. at least. Although Yankees may not be able to enjoy Aristophanes with as much gusto as our friends across the waters, dontcher know. a great many peo- pie would go out of mere curiosity, and their dollars would ring just as true as those of Greek students.
 Miss Mae Wood, who achieved notoriety by threatening Senator Platt with a. breach of promise suit, has now resigned her position at $14O0 year in the post office department and is living opulently in a fashionable apartment house of Washington. Whether Miss Wood or the yellow journals were responsible for her sensation has never been satisfactorily determined but a disinterested public can-s not but wonder where she acquired her money In the meantime no ripple disturbs the serenity of the gallant old statesman and his bride. F. c.