Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-19
SHH-! MR.. IRWIN COBB
WEARS WRIST WATCH,
.CONFESSES DOING So!
"Sure, " Says Noted WRITER u
Wear 1t to Tell the Time of
Day By'-0ther Interesting
SideIightS of Veteran Reunion
BY ROGERS WINTER.
(JOurnal Staff Correspondent. }

BY ROGERS WINTER.
(JOurnal Staff Correspondent
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, May lit
was currently reported in this city
today that Irwin S. Cobb. Who ad-
dressed the United Confederate Vet
Grams Reunion here last night, was
wearing a wrist watch. They said
he was wearing it shamelessly-that
he would walk around the lobby of
the Tutwiler. hotel and stop every
once in a while and pull up his coat
sleeve and look the thing right in the
face.
The whole town was talking
about it. Some said it was the last
thing they'd believe about Mr..
Cobb, and they refused to put any
faith in the story. Others, getting
it so straight they were obliged to
believe it, excused Mr.. Cobb on the
ground that wrist watches are not
what they used to be-that regular
men are wearing them to tell the
time of day by.
One admirer spoke up and said:
why, even the Apache scouts for
General Pershing we're equipped
with wrist watches, and you know
there's nothing sissy about them
Indians"
The Journal correspondent, who
is a constant reader of Irwin s. Cobb
and very strong admirer of his
writings, heard the wrist watch
story along with the other folks in
town, and he preferred to find out
the true facts for himself before re-
peating the story or forming any
opinions.
So he wormed his way through the
solid mass of Confederate veterans
and sponsors in the Tutwiier lobby,
and got hold of Mr.. Cobb on the tel
ephone, and asked if he could come
up.
ct have on very little clothes, but if
you can stand it 1 reckon / can, so
come up" said Mr. Cobb.
The writer, humorist and lecturer was
sprawled on the bed in his room, his
figure draped in the folds of bath
robe that reminded me of the costumes
in Aida"
= cit is currently reported, Mr.. Cobb"
said The Journal correspondent, that
you have been wearing a wrist watch
around the lobby of this hotel today,
and I've come up here 10 find out the
truth. I didn't want to send my paper
any such report without being absolu-
tely certain about it, and if it was true
/ didn't want to print 1t without giving
your side of the matter"
at WEAR IT." SAYS COBB
ITO TELL TIME OF DAY BY"
you have been correctly informed
said Mr.. Cobb, lifting his left foot and
placing it on his right knee, where he
lay on the bed. Look over there on the
bureau and see for yourself"
Sure enough, there it was-a little
silver watch about the diameter of a
25-cent piece, except that it wasn't
round, but kind of bulged out in the
middle and tapering off toward the
ends.
81 wear it," explained Mr.. Cobb, ito
tell the time of day by. 1t is the most
useful watch that was ever invented. l
fully appreciate the fact that wrist
watches are still regarded with some
suspicion. at least when a man wears
one, but that's because they're associat-
ed with feminine Emery. My ideas con-
corning the wrist watch underwent a
change when saw the soldiers wearing
them in the trenches in Europe"
Which brought up the subject of Mr.
Cobb's war stories and his lecture tour
about which he told some interesting
yarns IN recent story entitled, I'm
accustomed AS 1 Am"
after giving my regular lecture,
would offer to answer questions" said
Mr.. Cobb. Some fellows would ask me
if really took a chance when 1 went UP
in the German observation balloon.
told him to look over carefully, observ-
ing my size and general heft, and say
whether he thought 1T was not the bal
loon that took the chance. Another one
asked me if L got seasick during the as
cent. l told him no, but l got powerful
homesick."
What do you think of the reunion 4"
Mr.. Cobb was asked.
'Oh, it's a great one, one of the
greatest l ever saw" he replied with
enthusiasm. And you can say for me
that L feel more highly honored in be-
ing invited to deliver an address here
tonight than by any other compliment
ever paid me. And these Boy Scouts
have you noticed 'em?"
VETERANS, SCOUTS AND
OH! THOSE PRETTY SPONSORS
1t wasn't necessary to ask whether
had seen the Boy Scouts. You see
three things in Birmingham during this
reunion-veterans, Boy Scouts and
pretty girl sponsors. And between the
three of 'em, fellow is certainly busy.
ne 6hAS Aeep MN pusy trying 10 LOOK
four different ways at once, so as not to
miss one; and the veterans keep him
busy cheering and wiping the tears
away, because they just keep coming
when the grand old heroes cheer in
answer to the bands playing Dixie"
and the Boy Scouts keep him busy
watching and admiring what splendid
service they are performing in the en-
tertainment of Birminghams beloved
and honored guests.
Some time Monday night it commenc-
ed to rain, and Tuesday it continued
to rain for the best part of the daY