The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-13
MEN. WOMEN
 AND THINGS

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 | I wrote a story in this column once about "Breel<' Musgrove, 'Hill Billy, but now it ia Monsieur Breckenridge Musgrove, the Parisian.
 | I am delighted that he is safe home again and my only wonderment is as to which made the greater impression or the other, the gentleman from Jasper or the city by the Seine.
 Now. I am willing to admit that, the stage was not properly set for their com ing together, for the gay capital of France was draped in mourning, while our American bon vivant was not only wearing the white ribbon in his lapel but was chaperoning a party of bishops But there will be another meeting in the days to come when Paris will be herself once more and 'Breck' will not Joe burdened with so many handicaps to keep him from tasting the joys which ithe Parisians know SO well how to spread
 before visiting Americans on pleasure bent.
 | I have a vivid imagination, but in my widest dreams I had never pictured the hour when my genial friend would be ! touring the continent astride of the water l wagon in the light of day and then go- ling quietly to bed at night with 8 half dozen or more bishops to keep sentinel while he slept.
 | In spirit of banter l once took a lib- erty with my friend, of whom it is said that he wishes to drape himself in the toga of senator and spoke of his cherubic face--for surely "Breck' in his innocent smile mirrors forth the inno. cency which we credit to angelic chill dren-but little did I hope to live to sec him cuddled under bishops wings. 1 Now, l know here is where I am going ! friends who, to be bit slangy, will | say that the astute campaigner was stringing me, or just pulling the wool 1 over my eyes, but, believe it or not, he seemed tremendously interested in the mission of the Methodist bishops which was to canvass the situation in order to arrive at a policy for meeting the new religious conditions.
 | If I had not lived abroad and spent some years in Paris, and then known him in the old days when I was just a man about town, I might be convinced that he was trying to give me the dou- ble cross; but he has never put me in the preacher class in his talks with me, but they have always been as man to man. and therefore credit him with be- | ing sincere in his wish as layman to ling worked out among the Protestants
 to enter into active work in France, Bel. gian and Italy.
 | Bishop Atkins, who was & member of the party was here the other night al a meeting of the centenary commission which met around the banquet board al \ what he had seen in his trip through
 some of the continental countries and o the wonderful opportunities now await ling the denominations of this country to get foothold in Europe, which they have never before had.
 | Now, far be it from me to make claim that "Breck Musgrove was entirely or a religious pilgrimage through territory which he was endeavoring to make dry, for he would deny it, and then I couldn't put it over if wished. He did take a serious and intelligent interest in the two burning questions, but he kept a weather eye open for some rest and recreation. and he got both. and brought back some good stories
 ! I am sorry the Parisians do not under stand English, for when "Breck'' Mus grove was in their midst. one of the best reconteurs I know had to be silent, for he does not "parlez-yous, and therefore had to keep bottled up some corking good yarns which he would have liked to explode in gay Farce. know it was only a difference in the language which kept the French capital from roaring with joy at the droll Americans humorous repertoire.
 Now, "Breck'' has always been a good spender, but in burst of confidence he told me that he had made his. expenses abroad by shining his own shoes, as he hand't seen a bootblack since he left l New York. 1 suppose he was afraid tc leave his boots outside of his door, as is the custom abroad. But come to think about it, he overlooked a good bet, for it would have given him chance to tip out softly past the sleeping bishops | ''Hill Billy" or "Parisian,' I welcome him home for wherever he is there is sunshine, and my wish is that he may never fall from the water wagon, but that as the days go by he may become a pillar in the Methodist syna gogue