The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-15
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

l I thought I knew every nook and cor
 ner in Alabama. for during the past 15
 years for three months in the year l
 have been running from one end of the
 state to the other attending Baptist asso- citations.
 had been all around and about Crop we'll but never in it. thought it was just the ordinary struggling country vil- lage but believe me, I got the surprise of my life when I set foot in it a few days back and took peep around at 1 the loveiy, up-to-date homes.
 I am sitting here in home that would be a credit to Glen Iris or Mountain Terrace. The light falls from modern fixtures, the bath with running water and sanitary connections makes me feel as though housed in big ciey And the charming home in which I am guest is but one among many. Frequently there Is one man in nearly every community who is able to. build for himself show place, but this is not the case here.
 Not only are the horfes. modern, but the lawns are kept like city lawns, and the flowers and the shrubbery and the. trees are well cared for A border Of crepe myrtles is aflame. I noticed one cedar, I think without doubt it is the finest specimen I have ever seen, and the water oaks are a continual source of joy. Just on the edge of the home where I am stopping there is a fringe of trees that makes the prettiest windbrake I ever saw.
 But with all of the city comforts sur rounding me, as I sit here alone digging out this column, feel just a bit creepy. for hoot owl at my window reminds me that I am in the country and out of sight of the white way or the care of policeman. I wish he would go away; he has got me going. I sigh for human company.
 The grandfather of my host came here from South Carolina in 1915 before Alabama was admitted to statehood.g It was just two years after the battle of Talladega, when the hostile Creeks com pletely surrounded the little village, when Jackson rushed to the relief of his be- sieged Friends, and 300 Indians were killed.
 Our children ought to be more familiar with Jackson's exploits in Alabama. It was near here that his volunteers began to mutiny, but the intrepid leader forced them back into service with the militia, and on one occasion rode around body of deserters and held them with the threat that he would kill the first man who dared to move forward
 
 The Coosa valley has long been famous for it's fertility. The river from which it takes it's name is now being used as 6 In Birmingham are transported to our work by the electricity generated by it's current and read by it's help. There be some who think 1t binds us politically, but as Kipling says. That Is another story and I may add political one that is likely to crop up more than once in this present campaign.
 sit and look in wonder at MT. Robert son, my host. He has lived here 70 years, and has been in the mercantile business at this point for 46 years. Just think Of the changes which he has seen take place during the more than twoscores years he has been selling goods. The OK cart has been superseded by the wagon, which in turn gave way for the buggy, which has been displaced by the automobile. He has witnessed these four epochs in transportation, including the coming O. the railroads.
 Take the question of game He remem- bers when deer were plentiful, and veni- son common article of diet when tur- keys were abundant. and all kinds of wild game could be found in the hills and 1 on the river banks. Near his home he has woods in which squirrels are pro- tected and he won't let anybody kill the | owls. Perhaps that is why the one perched near my window feels that he can make my flesh creep without being molested.
 with Mrs. Mathis about the attractive ness of farm life and how easy it ought | to be to keep boys on the land, but | every time get too close to nature for | any length of time I say to myself, yes it's mighty fine, but then I sigh for the | conveniences of the city. I wouldn't mind | living at Cropweli, for they have the | country at their very doors while having | all that makes the city comfortable in ! the way of home comforts.
 In spite of what I have set down in the 1 paragraph above like every city man, my ! dream is one day to have a country | place through which stream meanders, | with chickens on the lawn, cows in the | IAn nSt11 11rn n.,d ,aiers i.,t .1.t