The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-08
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

How did you spend the Glorious Fourth? I put in a full day and was full before the day was over. as I went to a real, sure-enough old-fashioned Dal- las counry barbecue, prepared as only black belt artists know how to do it. It was at Orrville, the game little town out F miles from Selma, which is over flowing with patriotism and crazy about registered hogs and cattle. It was a barbecue and Red Cross. bull sale combined, for the local chapter bought Shortnorn bull through John Dun away.
 I had a number of invitations to de- liver patriotic addresses on Independ- ence day. One at a great celebration ir city where I was promised an audi ence of 1o,O0c people; but no crowd could have tempted me away from cue at Orrville, for I had got a taste Of Brunswick stew at the one given bac< in the winter to the Rotarians and l wanted more.
 W. T. Parker, the auctioneer, and were the orators of the occasion, and the Sorrell farm, where we found about 1900 people assembled. The cue was a little slow in getting ripe, so they put me up at 12:so to hold the crowd until l. made a trade with the audience by saying that the moment John Dunaway stepped on the platform, it made no difference as to what part of my speech had reached, they could consider them selves adjourned for dinner. I saw him coming before my hearers did, and I made quick getaway, as l wanted to be the first one at the table
 I have never seen a more beautiful spot for an outdoor affair. A platform had been erected for the speakers and the goods to be sold. The ice cream and lemonade booths were draped with flags, and monarch of the forest' q hope the city commission will take note) was wreathed ill red, white and blue. Seats had been p!aced in the grove; there was a negro band on hand from Selma and they had any jazz band" I have seemed to me there were at least 505 cars parked along the side of the road and only two or three buggies.
 went and watched the men guard ing the pits where 29 carcasses were slowly being roasted to a lovely brown. watcnad them swab the kid, lamb and great iron wash pots bubblng over with a stew fit for the gods. My mouth watered every time a. chicken wing or leg floatcd on the top. I could hardly contain myself as I saw pile of green shucks from which tender roasting ears had been plucked and strewn in the fiery cauldron. Coming and going were negro men and women, carrying great dshpans full of the heavenly brew or stew to the long rows of tables.
 I then stroiled over to watch 20 expert carvers as they cut up the carcasses as they were brought red-hot from the pits. 1t was a sight to see some of the old hands wield the long, sharp blades. Every now and then in pause, as the carvers kept ahead of the walters, would see one cut a tit-bit and eat it fat Jew slicing up dainty porker for the greedy Gentiles. I wish I could truthfully Say that I caught him eating a piece or it on the sly, but he didn't.
 
 I hear somebody say, But having a barbecue in war-times is a poor way to save meat" I grant it; but listen. at home, would have eaten meat, but they were raying 75 cents for the meat and 9 cents for the stew, and the Red Cross got out of it nearly thousand dollars, as the kids, the lambs and the pigs were all given. I have heard some people kick about the allied armies luncheons; but I have noted the ones who attend them are usually the ones who are giving their time and their money to help win the war They be- long to the tribe of kickers who com plained when the woman poured the precious ointment on the feet of tle Savior and got rebuke for their little ness of spirit.
 The real object of the gathering came after dinner. learned something at our Red Cross bull sale by seeing Gross and Jones work together, so when Par ker got up to start the sale I made up my mind to aid and abet him all could, and I am here to tell you that an au- tioneer earns his money. We stood on our feet three hours. Parker is one ot the best all-round autioneers I Have ever heard. and I have heard many, for l am an auction fiend.
 The crowd at Capitol park got a chance to see him work after the great experts had tired out. and the fact that he so.d a bull winch had been knocked off at $1250. but for some reason was put back under the hammer. for s26o0, shows that even as tuil seller he has some class.
 Looking to our rear it looked more like a country store that was to be sold than cattle. but the animals were put up first. The Red Cross bull brought 5000 to the Orrville chapter, and I want to. say that 1 consider it mighty pa- triotic of the F men who mt m S5o