The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-02
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

On d FeCeII tElp to SOutH AidOaAh0 was in shoe store and the proprietor showed me pair of shoes made out ot heavy osnaburg.
 l I have been used to the canvas shoes with leather and rubber soles, but the pair he showed me were put together entirely with cloth. They were unsightly and appeared to be home made thought it was a new, cheap kind of house shoe that some woman had cut out in bungling way and sewed up in hurry. The workmanship was both clumsy and amateurish.
 Seeing that my curiosity was aroused, he challenged me to tell him for what use they were made. I gave it up, and he nearly took my breath away when ne said that they were designed for farm work
 I thought he was joking, but he told mo that while they had been tried out only during the past year, that they had given better satisfaction than leather shoes, and that it was claimed that for the pur- pose of blowing they would outwear two pairs of brogans.
 It seemed to me incredible. but my in- formant had been in the shoe business for more than a quarter of century and had no interest whatever in market ing them, for he made better profit off the higher-priced leather ones.
 I was aware that a campaign had been waged for using cotton bagging, and that the people of the south were told that the best way to create home mar ket for the fleecy staple was to see to it that 1t Was used in as many different ways as possible, and this is why I was so greatly interested in the new venture which, it seems, originated at Enterprise, of making shoes altogether out of cotton products.
 It's funny how ones memories are stirred. The cotton shoes to be used in raising cotton, recalled one of the most exciting debates I ever heard at an association. It was staged down in south Alabama, and occupied nearly the whole session 60 the exclusion of other and weightier matters.
 Unfortunately, it was the country against tke city. It was years ago when town and country were at odds. scene such as I witnessed could not be pulled off now, for the city has learned it's de- country has learned to leah on the city.
 
 I count it a gain that the people have reached a Iont where politicians can no longer array the country against the cities, or use the latter to thwart the wishes of the former. There has been an idea growing that things divisive are costly, and that cooperation is the cheapest in the end for all concerned.
 
 The war is driving home the lesson in way that it will not be easily forgot ten. The sacrifices which all are called upon to make has shown how much we are dependent upon one another, and that making faces is not only bad man courtesy is not only pleasanter but more profitable.
 1 But back to my story. One of the deal old pioneer preachers, a man of rugged strength. and unquestionable piety, go it into his stubborn head that education was running the spirituality of the min soil and send him through college and ! seminary was to unfit him for any req sacrifice.
 | A born orator and master of men he was making short work of the city 1 preache er who was presenting the cause ol | ministerial education. He had the ad and consequently had the crowd witt him, both of which are mighty assets 1T a debate of any kind.
 I will never forget how he swept mt along with the story of the hardship: through which he had fought his way tt get a little learning and how he hae struggled to rear a family He almos had me in tears as he told of how, bare footed, even after grandchildren hat come to bless him, he had plowed 1T l the fields to make living for his family | Looking back over my life, which hat ! been so pleasant I was heartily ashame that I had never been called upon tc make any real sacrifice, but that, on tn. contrary my life had been smoothed fol me, and had walked at ease, while ht had trod the rough way footsore ant weary. The truth of the matter is, ht had me going good and strong, and wa. almost ready to take sides with hiir against making it too easy for young preachers to get an education.
 It was at this juncture, however, tha got T real surprise, for up rose dig nified and distinguished doctor of alvin Iity from neghboring city. I wondered that he had so little sense as to get 1T the way of the steam roller that wa: greased and getting under a full heat of steam to crush the life out of any city divine who get in it's pathway. I held my breath expecting to see the life crushed out of him.
 But not so. Friends" said he, "you al know me l was raised on a farm ano nr,ly lol ho