The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-18
COMMENTS ON MEN AND MATTERS OF THE WORLD

out of existence there ought to be some lively times along the Pike and in every corner of the spacious grounds, where there is so much to see. While prepara- lions are merrlly making for the Oregon expositlon. 1t will of course fall far short of the Louisiana Purchase exposition. and those who do not wish to miss the St. Louis fair will have to hurry. AL ready the Igorrotes are beginning to wend their way homeward and soon the most cosmopolitan spot in the whole world, perhaps, will be deserted, it's grandeur faded away, it's splendid build ings dismantled and it's glory departed. When the big show is over St. Louis will no doubt find it difficult at first to adapt herself to the changed conditions. The chances are that St. Louiaians will feel lonesome for a while, anyway.
 Senator Platt has sable fur overeoat that cost him the neat sum, of s25oo. Now it is not every man who can wear s250O garment whether 1t be overcoat, coat, hat or trousers, and there are few politicians who can afford to dress them selves SO expensively. The senator is getting older every day and he is also getting colder as the mercury drops down. so he has decided to keep warm at any cost. While they are members of the same political faith there is req son to suppose that "Uncle' Joe Cannon would view askance the sable fur over- coat of Senator Platt.
 It is rumored that the private hip flask is coming Into favor again, and the old times when gentleman drank with gentleman behind the apple tree or in the secluslon of some quiet. country lane may be revived The returning popularity of the pocket flask is said to be due to the agitation over the cneap brands ot whisky dealt over the counters of bar rooms Here of late the purity and im- ! purity of certain brands of whisky have been topics of more than passing import ance. A great cry has gone up over the land for reform, and the pocket flask seems to be the answer. When g. man car ries his own poison he may be reason- ably sure of it's quality. and another ad- vantage from the custom that will be noted In certain parts OA l1iO SOhAtAJ VIII 1 be the decrease in the number of con- ceaIed weapons. No gentleman" would care to burden himself with pistol and l a flask at the same time, and as the flask Is of more moment than the pistol he will discard the latter. Sartorial de- crees permitting very loose fitting gar ments for men, are also favorable to the pocket flask.
 The visit of ''Parson" Wagner to tho United States and the attention that has been paid him by persons prominent in this country have served to advertise his books widely. Before the parson came a great many people had heard of his the ories and had read his books, 'The Simple Life" in cursory way, but when the newspapers began to devote columns to exploiting the philosopher and his views were aired far and wide there was rush to the bookstores to buy the book that was creating so much talk. The re- suit has been that many people have read .sThe Simple Life" very recently who would have overlooked it altogether. As to practicing the creed laid down by Wagner, that is a different matter. It Is much easier to talk about leading simple life than to lead it, and the prophet of an even teNored way has prob- ably made more friends than converts.
 PC.