The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-21
M E N, w OM MEN
 A N D T H I N c s


 been book fiend from my youth up, my house is literally filtered with them I nave so many of them that it is almost ike the case of the ancient mariner, Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink I do not mean by this that ever got notice from an ex- press company (when it was possible to get a stated allowance of liquid re- freshmenD to "come and get my books as they were leaving"
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 l have hauled in this old joke to be able to refer to one of the funniest parts of Al G. Fields book, Watch Yourself Go Bly," in which he tells about Uncle Henry's Library chapter out of real Ife His uncle gained competence and enjoyed an enviable status in his home town. In reminiscent mood he said to Al; T sold whisky when I was in the I "noiesale grocery business. Everybody In my line sold it. You couldn't hold a nrst-class trade if you didn't sell it." Many of the older people will remember this was an almost universal custom" l TIC goes on to say: There was never a preacher came to me to talk religion or anything else while was selling whisky. But as soon as sold out the whisky busi- ness, they began running after me One of them kept a-comin' and a-com,n-. He Rep tellin' me how to live, how to spend the rest of my days. Get a library. A library was the greatest thing man could have. It kept your mind at rest; you could seek refuge in your library at any time when Tn trouble. I prom ised him to get a library. I had one built expressly"
 | really hate to go on with the story, Tor 1t has to do with the fall of a preacher, but I will relate it lust to show that my library aint Uncle Henry's Kind. Hear him: -T had two barrels orl Old Crow whisky that I kept when l sold the store. filled sufficient num- Der of quart bottles to fill the shelves l of the library, labeled the bottles. and waited for the next visit of the gentle man who induced me to invest in a u- brary. He congratulated me on taking his advice. I told him I never had any learning to speak of; when I should have oeen' at school l had to be at work; per- haps l should have consulted him about stocking the library" | All I have to say is that todav tba nprary would be considered rare and invaluable, and if a circulating one. would lay in the shade any ever wished on community by Andrew Carnegie. ,, for when the minister expressed a desire 1 to examine it, Uncle Henry threw open the doors, and when the rows of Old Crow came into sight, he never flnched. The man servant had been told if the parson< tainted to be ready to throw cold water on him, but he hever backed off. but put his glasses on his nose read the labels and lowed while the library was large, it was not greatly diversified" 1 wish I could end the narrative here. but lit would not be true to the account for Uncle Henry testified that thereafter the good man was more deeply interested in him than ever before
 
 At first he called but once a. day, but
 
 times day regularly. I'll close by giving Jim's version (the butler) Uncle Henry, lolling in the big chair sleepily. Enter the gentleman who recommended the li- 1 brary. Good morning, brother Hunt. 1 1 nope you are feeling well.' Uncle Henry, 1 with eyes half closed, never waited to l hear more, but motioning towards the | siceboard, closed his eyes and looked the | other way: Uncle Henrys idea of gen. tleman was one who turned his back | while you were pouring out your liquor" l But he isn't any politer than the men of | our time, for fellow takes out pint ! and hands 1t to you, and if you take | a swill and do not go blind, or drop dead 1 then he joins you.
 I have always been buyer of books l | just buy them and tote them home In | the hope that some day will need them | and get chance to read them. I've | enough on hand at present to furnish | me with reading material should I live l to be as old as Methusaleh, but for the ] life of me can't get by a book store l without making purchase. It's a habit | as hard to resist as in the days of old | for an old toper to pass bar room | without falling.
 I mean they just clutter up the home. l They fill the library overflow the living l room, ma thelr way into the dining | room, are slowed away in the breakfast | room. occupy niche in the buffers pam try, fill shelves in the closets, and even | are in the way in the bedrooms, and | would be stacked in the music room. but l notice was served that every one found | in it would be thrown out of the window,
 I have set all this down by way of ! apology to Al G. Field for waiting three | years to read Watch Yourself Go By" a book written by himself, and dedicated | to Court his favorte pointer, for the | following good reasons: Mot that he is [ the best and truest friend I have ever had but for the reason that should the book not be received with favor he will | respect me just the same. He will hunt for me, he will watch for me, he will | love me all the more devotedly serve | me all the more faithfully though the l book were discredted."
  It was during the fair. Ruth Law, Governor and Mrs. Henderson and had driven out to the fairgrounds, and Jim l. Dent had reserved box for us. when Buster Brown strolled in, bringing with him distinguished looking gentle man whom he introduced as Al c. Field Y We immediately recognized him as the famous minstrel, and soon he was chat ting gaily with the party. Learning that I was a member of The Age-Herald fam fly, he said, "Oh, have just been de- lightfully interviewed by Dolly Dimples' thereby giving new and pleasant twist to the we'll known and beloved name of sDollv Dalrymnle {" II