The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-21

much of the future for Birmingham de- bends. He would make haste slowly in the matter of public expenditures, build ing and improving to meet demands and placing perfect safeguards against an un- wise distribution of public funds. He wants the best available men ;n office.
 Sunshine and Shadows.
 While Dr. Smiths life has been one of general peace and prosperity, 1t has not been an uneventful one. As Is the lot of all mortals, at times the shadows have gathered around him and drawn tears of sadness from his heart. Two companions have been taken from his side by the hand of death, and a number of children lie under the sod; but he has borne up manfully under the strokes, accounting 1t all as shadows which must befall the human pathway Withall he realizes that he has basked in sunshine more abund- antly bestowed upon his way than that afforded the average way-farer, and for this he is grateful
 Dr. Smith loves his books. He said to this writer: T have lain aside the theo- retical works of the master minds, the sophistry the isms and other like stuff which made me qualmish and now after reading my daily newspapers I turn to what the world calls trashy novels, and with the literature they afford dwell at times in a world of imagination and find myself in impossible positions and amid scenes not real but pleasing. Lately my greatest source of pleasure is the writings of Joal Chandler Harris"
 An Incident of the War.
 Dr. Smith refers to a pleasant incl dent of the latter days of the civil war, which occurred at the home where he now lives. In April, 1865. Wilson's raiders came through Elyton and there was some skirmish fighting here The doctor had hid quite lot of provisions. sewing up bacon in mattresses and concealing as best he could other supplies. One bright day while sitting on his veranda in con versation with General Wilson a negro servant came out and announced that the Yankee soldiers had found that meat and were about to take 1t away. General Will son thereupon called a young cavalry man and orderd him to go and stop that thing" The order was quickly obeyed, and the provisions were returned to the owner.
 Some time ago the postmaster here re- ceived a letter from the mayor of West Palm Beach, Fla, asking if there was a "Dr. Brown" still living at Elyton, near the "big spring" and describing pr. Smith. The letter was answered and Dr. Smith received communication from Wilman Whilden, mayor of West Palm Beach. recalling the incident on the front veranda, telling Dr. Smith that he was the cavalryman who carried out the or ders of General Wilson on that occasion, and inviting the doctor to come and sec hin1 Since that time Dr. Smith has spent several winters at Palm Beach, and he and Mayor Whilden are the staunchest of friends.
 General Characteristic.
 Dr. Smith Is not man who bears anil mostly toward his fellow man. While firm in his own convictions and bold in his expressions he yields to others the right to their own views. He is a stick Ter for peace and for obedience of the law He wants the guilty punished, the innocent defended He deprecates the spirit of the mob and declares the recent outrages committed against the dignity and majesty of the laws of our country are harmful to our political and social fabric and must receive the condemna- ton of every honorable and upright cit- lzen.