The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-03


 which every member was required to take part
 The leader and hostess had prepared many Imaginable surprises, as well as prizes for the most foolish performers.
 A game was also planned and Miss Emily Goodrich was awarded the prize for pinning, while blindfolded, cap on the fools head. The prizes and cards in the contest were beautifully painted by Miss Genea Bell. who is one of Birmingham talented young artists.
 There were so many clever responses that the judges could decide only by se- lecting four of the best and drawing for the prize. Mrs. Hulsey was the lucky winner.
 The four best responses came from Mrs. Richard Fell. Mrs, Hulsey, Miss Good rich and Mrs. Grassman. One of the brightest of the four, from the pen of a matron whose production of a clever paper is no new departure, Is reproduced here under the title, Tn Defense of Fools and Why l Am One"
 There are two kinds of fools, natural and artificial The first is an idiot, the seccnd a buffoon.
 am sure none of us wish to be listed with idiots.
 It should be our earnest endeavor to write lifes flowing melody in the key of B natural; one cannot be natural and artificial at the same time. If this melody in B natural is smooth and scientific five sharps must be employed in order that the steps and half-steps properly present themselves in the scale of life 8 that we may ascend and descend with balance and without discord and that fHa har I,z reached successfully and harmoniously These five sharps are the alert and well trained senses, by which one is enabled to acquire that quota of worldly wis dom which impartial nature generously spreads out before each of her children It is true that no wisdom is really wise but His wisdom, but an erring human being in the undisputed possession of his five keen senses, soidly fortified against every troublous experience which would hinder his progress is no idot Hence insist in the defense of a sane womans immunity from the black cloud of idiocy which depends from the variable skies characterzing this All-Fool's Day in her joyous return into the other festive days of 1910.
 Now as for artifciality. Some of us have no cunning in its strained and diff cult practice; but as the province of a. buffoon or artificial fool is the deleetable art of provoking laughter. "So that time shall not go duly with us" We should not be lacking in the spirit of the day Therefore, l will assume for the occasion that I am the biggest fool in all christen- dom, with the reassurance that fools touch in high places and sit next to kings. What pleasanter or more Chris tian vocation can one follow than the laudable profession of fun-malSing? Of lifting the burden of care out of the hearts that are stifed with sadness? "Verily, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and the truism, NO fool no fun" generally serves as d rule in the conduct of life.
 Fools are the straws which tickle the soul of mankind and there Is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard"
 In provoking the wholesome exercise of laughter a genuine happiness is distribu- ted. for few laugh when sad or alone.
 Of course, the person who always laughs is a willful and silly fool deal ing extravagantly and recklessly in his share of mirth; nevertheless. he has his niche in the world. he Is continually malS- ing a sorts, of ragtinle music by exciting merriment in others that carries with it an easy interpretation, a kindly feeling and a worthy desire to please every body
 Every pleasing dellnealion or human experience. painted by the limner of truth presents the agreeable 1ineaments of a genial fool which evenly balance the col lection of serious figures covering the larger portion of the picture.
 The great dramatist employs his fool for making the most singular points in the story. In comedy he is the central figure and his presence is indispensable, and there is no great literature without comedy
 A fool may be a preacher, and preach CT may be a fool, as for that matter, and wise sermon may emanate from the versatile capacity of either.
 A fool is a teacher if one will apply his philosophy.
 The following is a good lesson if thor oughly studied and adopted:
 Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest Lend less than thou owest,
 Learn more than thou trowest, And thou shalt have more
 Than two tens to a score"
 If, therefore. our worthy and indispensH- b,e subject is preacher. teacher and broth CT altogether entertaining what is the