The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
|. LONG with Pineapple in Alabama.
 A Podunk in Massachusetts has

l M LONG with Pineapple in Alabama, R Podunh in Massachusetts has
 risen to unexpected fame by what may be called a public calamity. Although the name "Podunkp is quite l familiar to all readers of funny. papers and other publications styling themselves dispensers of humor very few people knew there was such a town and those who did, had not the slightest notion of
 it's location. In fact Podunk was looked upon as something of a myth-a haunt of ignorant rustics who sometimes carne to town and of suburbanites who wished they had never come to the country.
 But all Is changed now, and in such romantic manner that PodunlSites have not yet determined whether they are dreaming a page from an historical novel or really have experienced what they saw. The Podunk stage was robbed few days ago by two bold highwaymen with all the appurtenances we have often read about. Just what was stolen is un- important, but when it is remembered that the Podunk stage is a local institu- ton that Is eighty years old and has been driven by one man fifty years, it can readily be seen what importance attaches to the robbery. MT Thomas Jenkins has had the honor of conducting the old stages journeys during all these years on,its semi-weeldy trips from Brookheld, Mass, to the town from whence it takes it's historic name. MT. Jenkins was so unfortunate as to be treated in a very undignified manner by the highwaymen, but he was permitted to escape with his life and the other damage done was not considerable. But the main feature of this antiquated robbery of an antiuuated coach was the fact that Podunk was es- tablished on the map.
 A certain doctor has taken advantage of the columns of the London Lancet 10 attack the historic English plum pudding and has thereby stirred up a hornets nest about his learned ears Although he may prove very scientifically that the plum pudding as eaten by John Bull lacks nutrient value, he is thereby offer ing an insult to a national institution and one that will survive in spite of his untimely attacks. No one attempts to deny that English pomp and royalty is all mere display-a show for the com mon people, but royal splendor will sur vive many more days before it is abol- ished. Likewise with plum pudding The nation has been brought up to revere it and to like 1t and no amount of scientific ranting will have any effect on the En- glish tar at Christmas time or any other loyal Briton, no matter what his station in life. It must be confessed that Force would make a ridiculous show against English plum pudding and what ever may be the activities of Sunny Jim his food will never supplant plum pudding in merrie England, even though the later is sadly lacking in nutritive qualities.
 The business of finding American heirs for mythical estates in England has been so risky here of late that 1t has been found advisable to transfer the field of operations to the continent, where a broader scope is afforded to swindlers, and they are more secure from prying of ficers. For many years businesslike ad- yertisements have appeared in certain cheap publications calling attention to