The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-24
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Not long ago it fell to my lot to make trip up the Louisville and Nashville. Now I have covered it time and again and know the towns and the scenery, and therefore I loaded my self with papers, magazines and books for what reading I do outside of what is done professionally, must be accom- plished on the trains.
 I know it is said that one ought not to read while the vehicle in which he sits is in motion, but yet there are some occulists who state that if the roadbed is good and one can get the proper, forcus without straining the eyes it is permissible. I admit the exceptions are hardly to be had on our southern railroads, but in spite of the prohibitions I put in much time in reading while travelling.
 Of course a paper, magazine, book are poor substitutes for pleas ant travelling companion. but when one gets tired of conversation with ToE Dick and Harry and the scenery paleS,
 
 and the happy habit of being able to close ones eyes apd fall asleep-which the gods give to some 'drummers"--is denied, then to kill time there is noth- ing better than good book, unless one excepts the diner, for of all the pleas ant ways devised to while away the moments, nothing has yet been found Fop uo1o to faE nIara of eating
 I will never forget reaching small hard drive. before the days of Fords and automobiles, to find bunch of commercial salesmen nearly frozen and unusually quiet. I sat and watched them. All the joy of life had left them. They were like candles snuffed out. Finally one, came out of the silent trance into which he and his compan- ions had fallen, and in a dreamy kind of way, and said: "Fellows. cheer up, our train carries a diner and T. am go- ing to order plank steak and half bushel of French friend potatoes Il acted like magic. The gloom was dis pelled, and each man began to take interest in life once more.
 . had talked to every one in the coach knew. I had made the mistake of putting dull book into my satchel. had read The Age-iierald and the butch" didn't have Saturday Even- Ing Post, or Collier, or Literary Digest. or anything which appealed to me; so dow watching the people in their homes along the route, doing their chores, or took in the loafers cluster ing under the shadow of the stations for it was a raw day.
 I heard a cheery laugh. and in came | two schoolgirls with ruddy cheeks and smiling faces, bringing breath or youth to invigorate my soul Soon at , more girls, but this time several boys with their books swung aboard mak- ing a racket as only boys can, and till ing the car with their good-natured joshing and happy laughter l had T ,new interest, and from Hanceville on | to CuIlman was busy watching the lads ] and lassies as they got on and filtered l in among the other passengers. 1 Every type was represented in the high school scholars who were filling 1 the train. There was the overdressed girl, the envy of her sisters in sim i pier gowns: but little did she dream 1 (and if she had known, little would she have cared. to know3 thaNa man out of l the big town in his own thoughts had set her down as far less attractive be- i, cause of her aping of city ways than her companions who were more mod estly gowned.
 Some of the girls wore hats. others
 had on knit caps. but the most attrac- tive one of alk.was one whose hair was
 the crown of her beauty. I do not sua-