The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-14
JACK CURRAN EXAMPLIFIES
THE ALLEGRO AND ADAGIO
BY c. HI. MANDY

sway back yonder' in the eighties
baseball player. He was from an eastern
state and though the Magic City was
Asst shedding her swaddling clothes, he
saw great possibilities in the embryo
city, and at the end of the season, hav-
ing won the hearts of the fans by con-
sistent playing, quit the game and be-
came a private citizen.
Since that time he has gained fame
If not fortune in the city of his adoption,
and holds a warm place in the hearts
of his numerous friends, who have shown
their loyalty on many occasions by polit-
icaI preference. The erstwhile ball play.
er is none other than Jack Curran, the
genial and popular custodian of the city
hall.
Like all Irishmen he loves the political
game, and has attended all the great
democratic conventions of late years. He
was doorkeeper at the convention in Chi
cago when w. ]. Bryan made his fam
Gus ''cross of gold speech that electrified
the country and brought the democratic
party to his feet. Jack has always been
a great storyteller and nothing delights
him more than good joke on his friends.
The following story is a sample:
One of the first jobs Jack got in Bir-
mingham was contract to paint the in
side of a church He took the job by
the day. The pastor then a young man,
who has since become prominent In his
church was overseer of the job. His name
Or sufficient reason is withheld.
Jack started to work Monday morning.
About 10 o'clock the preacher went to
the church to see what progress he was
making. As he approached the door he
was somewhat startled, and not a little
Mortified, to hear a rich baritone voice
singing with an unmistakable brogue:
"Shure it was down in that place Tip
perary,
Where they're so airy,
An contrary,
That they cut up the divirs figary
When they christened me beautiful boy
The tune had a rare, rolicking swing
TO it that made ordinary ragtime seem
like a funeral dirge.
The preacher looked in the church. Jack
was keeping time with his brush to the
music and the work was progressing as
rapidly as Messengers gait to first on
an infield hit. His reverence coughed.
Jack paused to say, Good morning,
your honor" and caroled forth his song
again. My good man." said the pastor,
''as this is a sacred edifce, don't you
think your song little out of place !?
Suppose you sing something appropriate"
appropriate, is it?" asked Jack, with a
merry CLEAN in his eye, "Surel'' Assum-
ing a solemn demeanor he started to sing
IN a drawing tone: Nearer My-God-
to-Thee." 1t was long metre all right.
Jack observed all retards, pauses and
stops His brush did likewise The move
ment was adgio. 1t was slower than a
case in court where both sides have
, money.
The preacher saw the difference in the
two movements. He figured out mentally
that at the rate Jack was going it would
take him three days to paint two square
Yards NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. shall-be p
Sang Jack. 1t actually took so long to
make stroke that the paint wouf be
dry at the beginning before the slFoke
was ended. After watching few min.
utes the preacher again stopped Jack.
"As we are having some trouble With
our finances" he began, hesitatirfgly.
Jack broke out in laugh. II urher-