The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-31
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS


 I preached twice and got to speak good word for the Red Cross roll call but [ didn't put In the whole time preach ing or talking, for there was some mighty interesting pauses between the services in which I got chance at some mighty good eating.
 Jack woodall, who is neighbor to w. D. Smith, had telephoned to the hotel asking me. to dine with him, and l was mighty glad of the chance, for he acci- dentally let it drop that he had killed hogs the day before and that there was an abundance of hog meat waiting to be served, that is if city chap cared for, pork with all the trimmings.
 He came down to services at Spring vile and carried me home in his car I use the word nome" advisedly for that 1t what he has. It isn't a residence or a mansion, but sure enough house, witn" wide verandas, sloping roof and painted white, and set in a grove by the side of the road--the kind of place that must have inspired Sam Walter Foss to write his famous poem.
 - And then down in a little ravine Is the spring in full sight with it's bed Of water cress. A country home without a spring lacks something. But Jacks spring is more than ornamental for he has a hydraulic ram which sends pure spring water through the house and out into the yard for the stock. Running water is great thing on farm
 
 The ride up the valley was a bit chilly and out we got and into great big living room with wide open fire place on which big oak logs were piled high, as the flames leaped and the wood sang it's low song, which is about the best sleep producing lullaby in all the world. Furnace and steam heat may flt the city but give me wood fire for the country. I had rather my back would freeze while my face blistered and see the flames than to be comfortable all over warmed by an invisible heat.
 AII6r we SOL we'll tOdbtCd ""~ announced, and what a dinner! l have been warned by some of my readers that if I did not quit publishing the good things spread before me when si' down to table in the country that they are going to stick me for dinner at the Tutwiler. I believe I mentioned 1t was hog killing time, but not satisfied With all the good things to be made out or fresh pork, there was a turkey. VIII omit the other choice bits on the menu, fer I have a heart.
 Dinner having been served, Jack asked me if I cared to go out and get peep into the smoke house. I cared, and De- lieve me, the meat was piled around for four fine porkers had been Killed and were cut ready for salting or cur ing I was amused at the remark or dear little red-headed orphan boy, who is the pet of the household. He was busy cutting pork into bits and with a sigh, said: T sure am tired but saus- age is mighty good and he stuck to his task.
 
 went down to the hog pens which are modern in every way, being cementeo and covered I saw a bunch of pretty, little Duroc piggies and some fine speci- mems of the broken nose blacks I looked across the meadow lots where the Jerseys were grazing and saw quite drove of w. D. Smiths hogs busy root ing in the lush ground. It's great to be able to raise ones own meat and not be dependent on MT. Merchant or Mr. Butcher.
 I am not going to give Jack the credit for being so thrifty, but I must, to be truthful admit that for railroad mail clerk he isn't afraid to give hand in doing chores about the place when he is off duty. It's w. Winn and Mrs. Jack who are responsible for the evil dences of thrift on every site. saw well filled corn crib. passed over into a winter garden that was green with good things. I saw down into a cellar potatoes stored high. I got glimpse of all kinds of fruit and jellies stored away, and could hardly control myself as got sight of flock of about 100 Barred Rocks picking about the yard.
 A-
 l Jack Woodall leads the life that would like. He keeps in touch with two cities | and his run is past his own door, where he can wave to his loved ones His sal l ary helps him to do things he wants te, and yet his living springs out of the ! farm. He spends a part of his time at the end of his run in Chattanooga and Meridian, but has several days va cation when off duty to potter about his home. Can you imagine more satis- l factory way of living?
 Then there is fine, manly son at Auburn who is preparing himself for a useful life. He was home for the holi- days. A solid kind of chap. without much to say, but dependable. Some ! neighbors were in for dinner. The talk was about the farm. and the natural home-like things. Very refreshing to one who has to listen to so much worldly chatter, and who is called upon to indulge quite frequently in what Is known as flight and fanciful conversation" Il is good just to sit in with lot oi 1 straightforward honest, kindly people I who talk when the spirit moves and are -.-.x ...roX, tl,av fael like if I reatly