The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-14
EVERY TOWN HAS
 ITS REGULARITY
Are As Different As Sc Many
 Human Beings
SOME OF THEIR TRAITS
The Casual Observer Travelling Over the State Cannot Fail To Be Impressed By the Char
 acteristcs.
BY WALTER HARPER.

a BY WALTER HARPER.
 Next to the study of mankind perhaps the most interesting is that of towns and communities.
 There is an individuality-a psycholog- ical unity-about every hamlet, village or town that is really remarkable and at- tracts the interest of every student of hu- man nature.
 Of course the character of commun- ity is formed by the character of it's people That these should vary in diff ferent communities is strange but 1t is true
 The character of town or illage is molded and determined by it's strongest citizens Sometimes in small places the character of the place is determined by one man or one woman. There is usually a leader in every community. In larger places groups of individuals or perhaps physical or artificial conditions determine the distinguishing traits of the people.
 There are more than 25OO towns in Ala bama of 30 inhabitants or more, and every one of them possesses some dis tinctive characteristic feature. They are as unlike as so many persons. The dis similarity is easily recognizable to the casual observer. For instance, there is no comparison whatever in the agricul- tural town and the industrial town. The fishing hamlet on the gulf is as unlike the mining camp in the mountains as the ditch digger is unlike the bank cashier.
 Between these extremes there are all degrees of character towns in the state of Alabama.
 Towns Have Gender.
 Towns do not only differ in character, but they also possess gender. The gender of town or community is determined by pronounced masculine or feminine traits.
 To illustrate the point I will analyze some of the most prominent towns of Ala bama as I see them. I think the reader will agree with my analyses. treat the towns as individuals.
 Birmingham Is business man of a lit- tie below middle age. He is hard and cold-blooded. He has a pleasant appear ance but is hard to approach except on business, and then you must be brief and tO lnC punt. II JOu nave d BOOQ pIOpO- sition and will back 1t yourself you can get a 1O-minutes' hearing. He is a good business friend, but you must show your goods before he will waste time with you. At times he tries to be sociable, but it is against his nature. Birming- ham is easily of the masculine gender. He Is strong and healthy, not addicted to pink teas and lemon cake.
 I- L. "a too, the grandmother of the family. Don't t you naturally think of her in this way ? She is petted and perhaps feigns just a little feebleness. The coziest corner at the fireside Is always reserved for her and a cushion Is always warmed for her back The fruit bowl must be passed to her first and every one grants her the choicest peach on the plate because she Is dear old grandmother. Her oranges are even peeled for her. Of course she is able to do these little things for herself, but we love 10 do them for her.
 Grand Old Man.
 Your first thought of Tuscaloosa is in the feminine mood. but you are wrong. By correspondence or telephone you are liable to make this mistake. Tuscaloosa. is masculine but has some feminine traits. He is the father of the family, great hearted and indulgent. He is one of those nice, refined old gentlemen who powders his hair and has long ago retired from the cares of business. When not out In re- fined society he spends his time in the nursery of his grandchildren or reading the classics in a musty but sacred old IT, brary. He also spends considerable time wiping specks of dust from his patent feathers with a lace handkerchief. He Is nice old gentleman, and dear, good friend and father
 Prosperous Business Man.
 Gadsden is a prosperous, well-fed and pompous business man. He is more a ma nof the world than his big brother, Birmingham. He Is more liberal in his views, but at times daring plunger. He is a sport. Mere baseball or politics does not satisfy his sporting blood. He is an autoist and sits at the wheel himself. He has no for chauffeur He is a safe business man, however, and will suc- ceed.
 Marion is a budding young woman-a belle of culture and beauty. She Is a little the rise of IS and accomplished in all those nice. beautiful things that make a woman attractive. but she can't cook, or at least I am told that she can't But what's the use? She doesn't have to eat. Choc- plates and ice cream are not manufac- tured on a stove.
 Selma, Retired Farmer.
 Selma is a middle aged. retired planter, with bursting barns and well-stocked smokehouse He has been prosperous and not only rejoices In the bounty of his crops. but takes pride in the equally good fortune of his tenants and neighbors. He Is the ideal landlord who has already feathered his nest and has retired to spend the remainder of his days attending the baseball game and guarding burglars from his cider cellar. He is generous and up- right with turn for politics. He is not himself a politician, but loves to watch the game.
 Mobile Is Kind.
 Mobile is a hospitable old southern housewife. Her hair is silvering just a