The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

the courts although he is already a mill lionaire. Leopold has always been noted for his cruelty to his family, and taking all things together the prospects are that he will not be called Leopold the Great when he finally takes his departure for Plutonc realms.
 Topical songs about the war are not al- lowed in London town, a state of affairs for which the English deserve congratu- laton If the ban were also placed on newspaper poetry regarding the struggle in the far east nothing more would re- main to be asked So far topical songs on the subject in this country have not become very numerous. but the poets have been very industrious It is easy to see why this is the case because songs about the Japs and Russians are apt to afford some difficult linguistic problems. while it is comparatively easy to write lines that no one can pronounce. For this reason 1t is hardly possible that the pub lie will be greatly wearied by war songs in the United States, and a bar is there fore unnecessary. although it would not be bad idea to silence a few poets.
 The passing of the duel in the United States cuts out much valuable material for romance Dueling in this country was more genuine than modern dueling in France and when two gentlemen agreed to settle an affair of honor some thing more than a pin-priek was neces- sary. As pistols were often used oppo- nents wer much more apt to be fatally wounded than when battle with swords was In order. The old duel commandsl certain kind of respect, but the new duel Is degenerate and nowhere is 1t nor so than in France Not long ago Pini. tn Italian fencing master, and Baron Ath9 di San Malate fought a duel at Neuil that was as spectacular as it was bloC less For two hours and fifty minu these doughty warriors thrust and par before a large audience of distinguish French swordsmen until the Baron gc blister in his hand The fencing ma deemed his honor vindicated so the fire eaters fell on each others shou and wept tears of pure joy. In the days there would have been a job for undertaken but people are more civil now.
 The train "butcher" is an individusy who is hard-worked and poorly paid Ap- parently the youth who goes through passenger coaches crying his wares and making frequent sales of fruit, books, candy, or cigars to travellers has an easy job compared to the young man who works with his hands. but 1t is a hard life and the "butehers' claim that it is very difficult to make living. Their stocks are supplied them by news agencies and they are held to strict account for a per centage on all sales. This percentage is so heavy that the butchers sell their wares for more than the news company in tends them to be sold in order to make an additional profit and that is why one pays two or three prices for fruit, candy and novelties bought on trains, although the 'butcher is forced to sell his news papers, books and periodicals at the regu- lar price.
 The "butchers'' have fixed runs between stations ranging from fifty to several hundred miles and on some western roads they often go for thousand miles or more. The profits are in that case much larger than on shorter runs. The boys are given a cap and uniform by the news companies employing them and make from $15 to $40 a month with the scale leanig toward the smaller figure. A night run is far from being a joy anG< under any conditions the work is neith profitable nor pleasant. but that strani fascination of railroad life attracts enous "butchers' to keep the ranks filled.