The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-16

A ROUND the circle had run the cur
IA rent the themes of conversation
4 \ promoted by the reading of the
paper. The Presidents Inauguration, ana
his message had been diseussed-eacn
member had exchanged views on the best
way of planting a garden-the gossip OIL
the courthouse in reference to the Grano
Jurv. then in session, had been ex-
hausted, and after silence OF rev
minutes. the Old Judge sliced off a lib
eral mouthful of chewing tobacco. and
setting himself in his chair led off with
n reminiscent monologue on days gope
by
I'VE are losing many of the things that
those of Jus who are classed as Old
folks used to dote on" observed the Old
Judge. I'm my young days the spelling
bee, the log rollings, corn shucklngs'
outings, singing schools, turkey shoot-
tngs matches. and picnics. were the oc-
casions when social gatherings were in
order. and, with the exception of re-
lgious meetings, these were the only
times when young and old met in sociai
communion. All of these are now old
fashioned. These gatherings were eco
nomical-it cost nothing to attend one.
Now, the young people are not satsfied
unless their social meetings cost money.
I'm the days gone by 1t required about
800 of expense, and an arm full of hick-
ory sprouts to raise boy child to man
hood. Now It takes $1,000. and frater-
nty dues, football uniforms, baseball
IT, or l.
ton, to equip q son for the battle OF
life.
I'VE had fun without spending much
money, and nothing was more popular
with us than amateur theatricals. Forty
years since every other boy was stage
struck-the ambition of his life being to
go on the stage and make Booth look
like 30 cents. Our rehearsals, too, were
great fun.
I'VE usually INDUCED in about three re-
hearsals per week for two months be-
fore the play was acted-escorting the
Young ladies who took part in the drama
on each of the rehearsals to the house
where the amateurs were to meet, and
we managed 20 meet at different houses
each week.
.The evening previous to the produc-
ton of the drama there was always a
fun dress rehearsal wherein the quaint
costumes stored away in the attic were
brought to light-our grandfathers high
hat and snuff box, our grandmothers'
wedding dress and bonnet and much
stove polish. pomade and false whiskers
were used.
Invariably we selected play needing
a large number of characters, so that
almost every family in the community
had representative in the cast-thus
assuring an audience of kinfolks and
friends.
"As strange as it may seem to you now,
we opened the exercises with prayer,
and it must be said that the Rev. Mr..
Meeks never failed to offer pleasant
and courteous prayer in which he would
outline national policy for the LORD,
which we felt sure if closely pursued
would make a great hit-after which we
had a selection from the silver cornet
band. led by the principal Of the public
school.
There were >nine pieces in the band
one of its remarkable performances were
for those nine members to carry eleven
tunes at one and the same time. We
always knew when the band selection
was finished, as the professor closed the
. melody by upending his alto horn, ia
pour out about a teacup full of liquid
l)notes that he had left over from the last
tune. Rents were very low near the
spot where the band practiced
THE old city han, where the perform
ances were given, was big square room
with a stairway coming up in the centre
Of the room, the stage facing the head