The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-04
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

In rushing from one end of the state to the, other, in spite of the fact that have to catch early morning trains and often get in on late ones, am happy to be one of the men trying to "carry Q message to Garcia"
 Every now and then I have to miss a meal, but why complain since 1 have talked so much publicly about the neces- sity of conserving food? And, besides. if the truth be told, l am not shy on the matter of eats, for my trips take me ou, into the country, where from all appear ances they have not even so much as heard of MT. Hoover.
 But in spite of some of the pleasures of being out among the people, the more I travel the more my sympathy goes out to the travelling salesmen who are on the go most of the time putting up frequently with poor accommodations in the way of meals and beds, but ready to undergo any discomfort if they can make sale and show their loyalty to their house..
 | hear great deal now about loyalty to our country and it's the thing. l hear much about reporters loyalty to his paper, willing to take all kinds of risks if he can score beat. I hear no little concerning the devotion of doc tors to duty, going in all kinds of wealth CT. night and day, at the call of the sick and the suffering. I am aware of the sacrifice made by many pastors to serve under. breaking conditions to preach the gospel-but don't forget that the drummer also deserves halo for his dogged persistence to sell his wares.
 
 Some of the country and small town hotels are enough to drive a man to drink and I take off my hat to the com fact that they have to put in many weary hours in dreary hotel Hobbies, and put up with meals calculated to make dyspeptics, and sleep on beds that pro- yoke insomnia yet endure it all and keep sober and live clean. and smile and smile.
 I had some hard trips last week and fell into some pretty tough places so far as getting the comforts one craves; and yet they only brought home to me just how little sacrifice we are called upon to make in comparison with what our boys are putting un with at the front. If we have to sleep in a day coach we feel like heroes. and if we can't get bath before Saturday night we are mis- erable-yet in the trenches they are fre- auently compelled to stand and sleep in the mud. and water is too precious to use for bathing purposes.
 
 But sat down not to talk about hard ships or privations, but to bring to your ! attention two oases l found in my jour ney recently while speaking for the fourth Liberty Loan. l arrived at Pied mont after gruelling day and expected. ito get greasy meal poorly served by sleepy darkey. l had about made up l my mind to wait until I got to Birming- , ham before getting supper. although the 1 train was not due to arrive until nearly IL I was at the depot. Just across the l tracks I saw sign. Dixie Hotel"
 
 1 I went over and was shown into the dining room and got one of the surprises of my life. It looked more like a prl- vate home. The linen was scrupulously lwhite In the center of the table was 1 a iardinere with some fresh cut flow. ors, The linen and tableware were spot i less. The room itself was cozy and it | just seemed to be too good to be true | It wasn't case either of where every thing had gone into decorations and the meal was light
 Now, just to be accurate, I made a list of the good things which sat within reach in abundance. I give 1t so tha, you can check up on it and see if any hotel in Birmingham could beat it. Coun-