The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-05
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

was In evidence by the large and en-
thus.astic crowd and the tenor of the
speeches.
1t looked like old times to- see Field
Marshal Rushton with Presbyterian
preacher seated on his right side and
Mrs. General W. D. Smith on the left
side 1t gave out the idea that the war
was still on, but we were not sure until
John Sparrow of the very light ar
tiilery was called out of his dugout
The sight of Johns bald head. eagle eye
and aquiIine nose brought tears to the
eyes of many, and it was really hard
to tell whether the army got more joy
out Of his quips or reminescing abouk the
times when he used to read his famous
orders of the day" The bunch even
laughed heartily at his oft repeated
threat that II women got the right to
vote heswas going run for congress
man at large. provided he was at large
at the time. - John deserves a crown
for his funmaking.
Now every soldier and officer of the al
lied army loves Frank and John, but
there is a limit to even the faith and
confidence which any one may be called
upon to put in those in high places;
and so when the field marshal stated
that the wit and repartee INDUCED in be-
tween him and his aide of the light ar
tiilery was spontaneous and unrehearsed,
there was much derision, for every one
knew that such scntillations could not be
inprovised->
For example, does any sensible per-
son believe for one moment that just on
the spur of the moment that John Spar
row could arise and say, "Mr. Field
Marshal, how is your Digestion" to
have 1t handed back to HIM by Frank
Rushton without the batting of an eye,
do you ask that for inside informa-
tion?" I am as credulous as the average
man, but am aware that Frank has
petty and ready wit, but even
George Bernard Shaw couldn't pull the
stunts pulled by our brilliant and spark
ling townsman without rehearsing
may be bit suspicious when
hear such neat interplay between two
public performers, for 1 am reminded
of noted couple in the social circles of
Atlanta, our sister city, who got ma
tional reputation for the brilliancy of
their conversation at their own and
others dinner parties But after many
years it was found out that husband and
wife had arranged set speeches before
hand, and that when either wished to
then 1t was dead easy.
If have seemed to throw a doubt upon
the effevescing humor of by good
friends, the field marshal and the gen
eral Of the light artillery, I am willing
to admit that there was one man present
whose fun just dubbed up like the laugh
ter of happy child. l speak of Dr.
John MCNEIL, that Scotchman who came
to us by way of Denver. He always re-
minds me of the man who after 3 season
In town returns home and when called
upon to speak gets up and says, II am
frcu the country" The information be-
ing superfiuous
Now when John Mcneil gets up and
says, Ladies and gentlemen, 1 am
Scotch 1t is almost like slap at the
Intelligence Of his hearers. for they
have OWNED long before he opened his
mouth. The good Lord stamped II in
delibly on his face before He ever gave
gave him the power of speech. He
Jrsf 10 h ~
Lauder dressed in kits and singing one
of his songs might as easily try to palm
himself off as a gentleman from the
Emerald ISLE
He ticklesN me in three different ways
The sight OF him puts me in a good
humor. The sound Of his voice keeps
me wide awake for you can't doze and
get onto what he is talking about. 1
have to keep my eyes on him and both
ears wide open. Then he has a nimble
fancy and overflows with genuine I'M
studied wit. l said he tickled me in
three different ways, but there Is a fourth
reason I like to sit under him, and that
is behind his laughter there is genuine
pathos and he knows how to pull at
the heartstrings without straining after
effects.
Could anything have been more nat
ural or deiciously funny than DR.. Nc
Neill's droll account of the difficulty he
had in getting a taxi driver to under
stand that he wished to be driven to see
his friend. Borden Burr who lived on
Chestnut Hill. the taxi man couldn't
get on to his Scotch delivery. If
seemed to cast dispersion on Frank Rush
toms ability to think quickly on his feet
beg to make amends for I am sure that
he had not framed up with his Presby-
terrain brother, for he said, Or. / think
the taxi driver was stupid. for if you
had handed me the Borden with such
B-u-r-r.' I admit this was neatly taken
off the bat.
Now I sympathized with Mrs. General
r. F. Wilkerson, who quantity remarked
that it was bit difficult for her to fol-
low such lot of top-notchers, for the
field marshal and the General of the Fight
artillery had gone through with their
set piece. there had been an act from
Loews Piiou in which the Mcmahon sis
tiers had been furiouslv encored The
solos of Mrs. T. l.. Bissell had greatly
delishted the crowd, and DIR. John Nc
Neiil had set them~on tp-toe, 1t was
bit hard, but she made good.
Handsome. modest Val Neshit the
county chairman. as usual made
straightforward and sensible talk Mrs
Enthusiastically. as was Mrs General II.
Snail Rptt, IF tbaSo no i,cr v,,o,,,