The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-02
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD
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of neglect broods over them weather
beaten and gray with age, they stand I'm.
certainly against the horizon, like feeble
old men, while their tottering chimneys
lend an attitude of detection. Rare sto.
RES can be told about some of thess
houses and 40 years ago they held bril-
liant gatherings, but now they have be-
come mere land marks which are ant
to be swept away by the first storm OF
WIND AS one passes along, viewing
these evidences of old Father Times
handiwork, crossing now and then brooke
that ripple leisurely over their pebbIsd
beds and at intervals passing country
cemeteries where the tombstones ar.
green with moss, he is struck with the
mutability of human fate. Men and wo-
men have lived here only to die ana
lie forgotten. What did they accoc,-
fish? What were their little Joys and
sorrows and what matter now the count
nss puny efforts that made up their
lives? With that sublime egotism of hui
mainly each was enrapt with his own
Importance, yet they are gone now. leav-
ing not a ripple on the shore of life. not
footprint on the sands of time.
ana as you progress by easy stages Won
will be RECALLED at sight of the crossroads
store Here groceries, drygoods, notions
millinery, hardware and drugs are for
sale. In fact there is a little of everv-
thing in judciously chosen quantities
You can buy anything from a bit of rib
Don 10 barrel of flour and IL you desire
lunch there are cheap cakes soda
crackers and canned goods at hand The
crossroads store is general rendezvous
TOT miles around which often serves a
double purpose of postoffice and informs-
ton bureau. Here the worthless gather
for a chat and a little trading. Seated On
the veranda Of the store in spllt-bottomed
chairs, they white, chew tobacco and
talk politics. 1t is sort of club. with the
genial proprietor of the store as president.
Here they sit and gossip, little needing
the flight of time or the great affairs OF
life Their own contrivings are sufficient
unto the day and tomorrow concerns
them not. Many a fat bank account has
been laid away by such rural storekeepers
who spent most of their lives seated on
the front porch of their establishments.
Perhaps after all there is something In
the saying that "All things come to him
who waits
The mountain man may leave his home
In the hills of the south and migrate to
the cities; he may become carpenter. a
mechanic. a fireman or plain day la
borer but he brings with him one char.
acteristic that will stick to him as long as
he lives. Ask him how far it is to q
certain point. Invariably he will answer
quarter half or ''three-quarters'
If the distance is less than a mile NJ
mountaineer ever says a quarter of a
mile and none ever will 1t might be
added that quarter" often appears in
terminable. The mountain man may not
intend to deceive you but his quarter
Is apt to be a full mile.
Governor Folk of Missouri believes that
the best way to kill booding is to hunt
the briber. Yet the "bribee" deserves
some attention. If the brber didn't think
the bribee would be willing he would not
be so active or so daring. Both the briber
and the bribee are bad lot, although it
Is star step toward reform when the
source of temptation is removed so that
weak men have less chance to fall
The squeeze is the latest thing In
baseball. 1t is old and popular in that
other game, which has inspired the poets
for ages past and is an important factor
In the little sum of life, Got woty
Some of the most striking novelties In
spring clothes for men are the dudes.
PAUL COOK.
HENPEck M ORDERS.
From the Chicago Journal.
When did the Rev. Mr. Henpeck tsxs
orders?'' s