The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-09
WONDERFUL DREAM INSPIRED
BY RECENT PUBLICITY DIET
BY RALPH n. SILVER

| But he had not taken but one step,
when prestoi There he was back in the
muddy street again and bound by the
thongs of goat skin. The street below
vas the same as before. The crowds of
people kept surging backward and for
ward, the wagons and street cars and au-
tomobiles rushed along, the great engines
still ground into a much the people at
the grade crossing.
And there right below him in the street
he saw a great negro walk up to a beau
tiful woman, snatch her pocket book and
slip away. The woman screamed and
tainted. There was no use Her friends
came and carried her home.
Scarcely had she gone when he noticed
a bad looking white man raise the win
dow of fine residence down the street,
go in and soon appear with bag fun of
iewelry. Then behind him lie heard a
scream And twisting his thongs he
looked back. There were two automobiles
racing with each other down the street,
and they had Just run over a crowd of
children who had been playing. And then
as the automobiles darted by him he saw
they We're full of gay men and women,
joy riders laughing and singing.
Great son of a swordfsh," he ex-
claimed, how this town does need po-
lice forcer'
And. then he heard banging. booming,
tin can music. And he looked and saw
brothel.
And then he heard a click, click and a
jingle of coins. And he looked and saw a
gambling den.
And then he heard wailing and faint
cries And he looked and saw a family
of starving children crying about the bed
side of a sick mother and a discouraged
father.
And then he heard loud laughing. And
he looked and saw crowd of drug store
corner molycoddles making eyes and
smutty remarks about every woman who
passed.
And he could contain himself M
longer He cried out loud and hit
bonds burst.
And as he cried there appeared before
him In raiment of fine linen and purple
cloth certain city officials. And he ap-
preached unto them and bowed before
them meekly.
Il want to sell you a police force"
he said.
Done" said the city officials. I'VE
will give you a fortune. We badly
need a police force"
But instead of much monies, the city
officials handed him a strange stick
And he touched the stick. and imme-
dia te1y he was again standing in the
muddy street and fastened by the
thongs of goats skin.
But strange things were going on
below him and he did not have time
to worry over his persistent bonds.
The street was full of the police force
he had sold to the city and their ac-
tions filled his breast with a fever
The same stealing, the same joy
riding, the same starving children, the
same everything that he had seen be-
fore were still there. lie looked closer.
All remained. The police force was
working, but not on such matters. Could
he believe his eyes.
They were arrestng women. There
was the woman who had touched his
hand and loosed him.. A great police
man was leading her to jail. The street
was filled with beautifully dressed wom-
en- who were running and crying, with
policeman after every one. Why did
the policemen he had sold this city ar
rest these women ana not notice all
these other things? All, it was ex-
planned. He saw again in the streets
below him the certain city officials and
on the back of each was a great plac-
ard:
''All women must wear underskirts
and heavy dress materials"
These words were printed on the
placards in great black letters.
He felt himself fainting. And he was
strong man. He grew weaker and
weaker.
20 Tempora! mores. he sighed
feebly.
His wife prodded him in the back.
John" she said, half asleep. what
in the world are you dreaming about?"
He was awake.
II thought 1 was in Birmingham"
he said.