The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-16
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

surprising to hear of his being a free man in the near future.
 An interesting book could be written on Criminals Who Become Rich" Amer jeans seem to lead in the art of amass- ing wealth by crooked methods, probably on account of the Yankees proverbial shrewdness. Even in crime he surpasses his slower brother of the old world Not all the men and women who have made fortunes by long careers of crime have faced the bar, and today there are many opulent Heading citizens wno could tell interesting stories of their past lives if they really cared to do so.
 It is reported that King Oscar of Swe- den and Norway is very i'll, and will have to undergo an operation which. it is feared will prove fatal on account of his advanced age. All the world regrets to hear of the kindly monarch's sick ness for he is one of the few real kings the old world now boasts. Both in pub lie and private life King Oscar has led an exemplary life, and when he does die his subjects will suffer a grievous loss 1 ful. happy and contenreo. The state moves easily along in pleasant channels, and the dual kingdoms of Norway and Sweden present an example to Servia of the advantages of having a monarch In fact as well as in name.
 No wonder Secretary Root is going to retire. After losing $2SS.000 and working laboriously four years in the service of his country he no doubt feels that he is entitled to a vacation. When appoint ed to the cabinet the law practice of MT. Root in New York was worth $S0O0 year. The position in the cabinet pays him just sS0OO a year Not only did he sustain heavy loss but 1t requires handsome sum to keep up an establishment in Washing ton befitting the dignity of cabinet off, cer and the secretary has, no doubt spent much more than the salary allowed him by the United States government.
 The hyenas are laughing in Central Park menaeerie over a joke recently perpetrat- ed on two of America's leading citizens by two innocent lion cubs The cubs were named Roosevelt and Miles by their keep CTS Tuesday Roosevelt passed to the great beyond, but Miles is one of the healthiest cubs the menagerie has seen in years It is hardly probable that the affair was arranged beforehand by the cubs and the keepers are inclined to look on the matter as a serious omen.
 Harry Lehr has been vanqulshed, and the victor is Lew Docstader the famous minstrel man, who is well known in Bir- mingham. The fun was started in a pa- rade at Newport when a member of the troupe appeared on stilts dressed as Uncle Sam" On his wrist dangled a small bag, according to the latest Harry Lehr style. At the evening performance MT. Lehr occupied a conspicuous place in front where the audience could delight their eyes with his pleasing person. Doc stader appeared in his airshp, which was supposed to be passing over Newport With telescope in hand he gazed down and 'spied" Harry Lehr The big min strel man then began a series of remarks concerning this ultra young man which were greeted with shouts of laughter and covered the victim with confusion. When the merriment had subsided MT Lehr left the theatre.
 few more experiences of this kind may teach Harry Lehr a lesson. but he seems beyond help. Another fearful "ex- ample" was given the other day by Count Somebody-or-Other who amused himself by taking snap shots of the ladies who struck his fancy. There was im- mense indignaAon but when it developed that .'count' was the offender he was wined. dined and feasted without stint. They say there is an exodus from New port F. Y.