The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-15
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

accurate account of affairs in the Flu. pirates valley some coco years before Christ. It seems that the doctor has been scratching around in the Assyrian sands until he has become a word-famous au- thority on the subject of Assyrian anti quity, and while he will hardly be pres- ent when the history of those remote days will be given to the world in its en- tirety much of the credit for it's publica- ton will be due to his efforts. Science Is making rapid progress In unearthing data relative to early days in the Euphrates valley, but thus far we have no reason to regret that we were not born before automobiles and elevators became fash ionabe.
 Some remote individual has asked, Do mules kck' We have reason to believe that they do, but few persons can speak from actual experience As a matter of fact, very few people who are kicked by mules are able to speak after 1t Is all over Most of them are subjects for the undertaken, while others are never found. However the evidence seems to indicate that mules do. kick. What they kick de- bends largely on what Is in range of their heels. As to whether the Alabama mule kicks harder than the Georgia mule is hard to say. The chances are that no man ever kicked by a mule was of the opinion that he had any more coming to him.
 Frank Duncan seems to be the man of the hour in Birmingham. Not only is he the talk of the town, but his conversa- tions are heralded abroad over the land to be devoured by the small boy and the sensationalist If he continues his present 1 course Duncan will develop a reputation as wit and raconteur second only to his fame in police circles. While Duncan states modestly that he is not an edu- cated man, he has profited by his travels and his conversation is interesting. He seems to be the kind of man who would joke the scaffold. The interest being taken in Duncan's case extends to many states. and the fact that he is well known in Cincinnati has led the Cincinnati En- l quirer to give much attention to his case. | Certain reformers maintain that the in- i fuence of the stage Is anything but what
 it should be, In spite of the fac, that their protests are drowned by the warbling Of l the chorus, the noise of the "coon shout 1 err and the unctious voice of the musical comedy comedian. The individuals who | think that the stage needs elevating in a
 moral sense seem to be greatly outnum-
 bered by the individuals who think its dramatic status needs improvement.
 What the critics are shouting for is Lot
 so much good plays that are moral as good plays that are convincing.
 While speaking of things theatrical, one | is reminded that next week will be aus
 piclous at the Jefferson theatre, because
 Adams, who comes south for the first
 time in the seven years that she has been
 a star. The fact that this will be the first
 visit made to Birmingham by Miss Adams
 will add to the interest taken in her forth
 coming appearance. Even Mansfield him.
 self will be temporarily forgotten while
 the public basks in the smiles of Maud
 Adams. Out in Salt Lake City. near the
 great park laid off by order of Brigham Young, Is a dilapidated little house where | Miss Adams was born. How long ago it
 would be impolitic to say, but the house l Is little more than a cabin and shows | the ravages of time It Is an interesting
 relic however and is pointed out to the
 tourist as the place where Maud Adams
 was born. PC