The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-28
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

went up on the early morning trair
 and after the preaching service drove UT
 the valley six miles for dinner at the
 home of MT. and Mrs. T. N. Montgom-
 cry, one of the loveliest spots in St. Clair
 county, which is noted for it's picturesque
 farms.
 l got to see an old fashioned flower
 garden which was most refreshing after | the formal city gardens It was ablaze
 with color. I'll not take time to set down
 the various plants growing in it, for it
 would be but to enumerate most of those
 to be found in the south.
 l It was restful to a city man to sit out
 on the front porch and get a view oi I the well titled fields around the house | and sight of the hills beyond In the yard were some fine specimens of elms, and on one side kind of a dell shaded with great oaks and other virgin forest trees.
 In the side yard was fine specimen of quince. and I know it bears for one of the delicacies on the table was quince preserves. At the rear the apple trees were just giving evidence that the late frosts had not caught them all. but the peach trees had suffered quite pa from the cold weather
 l reckon it makes your mouth water for me to be continually telling about the good things get to eat on my trips out in the country, but if we had to forego talking about eating and the weather two of the most fruitful sources of converse. ton would be cut out There is a reason for discussing them both as they touch us all so closely
 A country dinner without a baked hen Tor piece de resistance is not la mode We had one Drowned and tender with the rarest gravy and the Iightest dressing. There was country ham. new potatoes beans, beets, tomatoes Then came what we classify under the name of trimmings and any one versed in the ways of country life know that it
 includes rare sweet pickles. jellies, pre- serves and other delicacies
 After the meal was over I asked to be carried down to the spring at the foot of the hill. It was worth visit for it is in a cave. It was just a trickle in a crevice which gave the hint that there was water beneath, and either by blasting or sledge hammer blows an open ing was made revealing bubbling pool of pure cold water. A peep in the spring house showed where the milk and butter were cooled
 MT. Montgomery then asked me if was at all interested in dipping vats, and replying in the affirmative, he took me out in the pasture to see one which has been blown up twice within the last few months. He wns one of the pioneers in advocating dipping and the one on his place was built before the law required the county to observe tick eradication. It Is not question in St. Clair at present
 I hated to hurry away from the hospi- table home but was billed to speak at on behalf of the Salvation Army drive and had to hurry back into town. We passed church that was packed to the doors and the yard running over with people. It was either a Sunday school convention or an all day singing, for the majority of those in attendance were children and young people.
 
 The road in front of St. Clair Springs was damned with automobiles for it is a favorite drive on Sunday for those liv- Ing as far away as Birmingham to the south and Gadsden to the north. I did not have time to get out for a drink. I do not think any one is at present oper- ating the springs as summer resort. al- though quite a few have cottages, among them being some of our well known Bir- mingham people
 I passed the lovely home of MT. and Mrs. W D. Smith. Cattle were grazing in his rich pasture, while he got late start in planting that he had been fortunate in getting good stands. The house is situated in mag grove, and on one edge is run hing stream of cold clear water It is an ideal summer place.
 After the Salvation Army talk I went down near the big spring to see if could get a way home in some car. Quite a few ] of my Birmingham friends passed but | were carrying their full quota. I began | to think. would have to wait for the | night train and get home late, but down the road came hatless young man in | n rattling Ford runabout It was my last i chance so I waved him down.
 Brother" said I, "can you take me | into the city?" Sure" he replied, If | you don't mind riding fast" In I got and the way we went. I never let on that was nervous or wanted to get out for it would have only made him go all the \ faster, but believe me, was one happy | man when he finally put me out and I , caught street car for Mountain Terrace. 1
 We went the upper road, speeding by | Pat Divers famous lake, passing under i, the hill of the renowned Louis Clark | home. now owned by the state and looked over by Mother Amigh; after a bit we sighted the Boys Industrial Home, and | then skirted the Roebuck golf grounds | which never looked more beautiful; then Il