The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-08
M E N, w OM EN
 A ND T HIN c $

l nave sat in a theatre and fallen uD- der the hypnotic spell of some fanscus actor as he interpreted the play; l have been in great political gatherings and
 been swept off my feet by the mermeric power of the "spellbinder;" I have found myself in church and been lifted into the heayeniies as the preacher solemnized me with the witchery of his message.
 I confess that it is rather easy for an actor, political orator or preacher to weave hypnotic spell over me vixen I sit under them and see them face to greatest hypnotist know, for he actually has the power to put me under his influ-
 ence over the telephone. I'll admit it started as weakness, but grew into a habit. Frank Derby is the individual who can make me come when he calls me. Little did l think one day as I strolled into meeting at the Chamber of Com
 merce that l was going to hear and meet the man with the hypnotic gift so marvellously developed that hc not only is able to make the usual emotional types do his bidding, but actually has the power to transform the sensitive cool theaded business people into enthusiasts in seemingly absurd and fantastic schemes. Yet somehow Derby gets away with it.
 Was ever a more impracticaple and un- heard of plan brought to the attention of lawyers, doctors. merchants. manu- lecturers and bankers than his Red Cross bull sale? In my career as a lawyer in the early days of Birmingham. when it was the Mecca of every promoter in the land, thought that I had ran the gamut of every wildcat scheme that had originated in the fertile brain of men who went on the Shakespearean theory that "the world is my oyster and I'll open it."
 But Franks scheme made the tales of Munchausen seem ordinary and common place. He stood up with straight face and without batting his eye, told the as- sembled bunch of hard-headed business men that if they would stand behind him and pay the freight on the bulls he would agree to bring. without cost to Birming- ham; scores of the finest Short Horn bulls in America, and conduct an auction sale s10O 900. At the conclusion of his remark
 able offer there was an embarrassed hush. and I felt sorry for him. Yet he won them over and made good.
 Months rolled by and I got telegram from him to come to Demopolis. and l went, for I didn't know what was revolv- ing in that fertile mind of his, but one thing I knew-it was this, that whatever it was, it was out of the ordinary and worth making the trip to find out. It was at a dinner that he sprung ms famous rooster sale, the craziest idea that was ever matched in a human brain But what happened? Did any one apply for a writ of lunacy? Was he shipped to Tuscaloosa? Not by jug full. Before the dinner was through they were eating out of his hand and begging for more. If I live to be older than Methusaleh I'll meyer forget that chicken day in Demop- oils.
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 I have set all this down to show why on Friday morning when Frank Derby got me on the phone, I fell at once and was soon in line to do his bidding. l put on my overalls about [ and went out to work in the yard. and getting dirty but interested I side-stepped the breakfast bell and told them to put my plate in the warmer. I expected to finish in half hour but workd up to nearly 10 o'clock, when I quit, and had just stepped out of bath, when the telephone bell rang. The maid said was wanted, and l hur- ried to answer. Then things began to happen lively.
 Frank informed me that he had been delegated by the ladies of York to bring me with him on the Il o'clock train to conduct an auction sale for them, the proceeds to be used to build good road to connect the county highway from the outskirts into the heart of the town.
  him, as had only 10 minutes to get to tbe Terminal, and besides was down for a speech at a noon luncheon, and had an engagement on Saturday for the Ala bama-vanderbilt football game, and numerous other things on my calendar.
 Did it feaze him? Not as I could notice from his voice. for he hung up after say ling, as if it was all settled. "Tll have the tickets ready when you get here" l was completely hypnotized. the Derby srell was at work. and then, began a race to make tho train. It was too late to order a taxi. I went by my brothers. but there was no one at home who could drive me down. l raced for the Noun tain Terrace car and as usual it waS> at the wrong end. cut across the hill hy Ayondale park to catch 8 Tidewater car and missed it by block, which meant that had lost out.
 But the thought of not keeping faith with Frank gave me nerve enough to do anything. l saw a perfect stranger com ing down Spring street in his car. and standing in front of him I waved him down. He anticipated my request by saN~ ing I'm not going to town True you may not think you are, but brother, listen to me one minute" He did and as l poured out my tale of woe saw smile begin on his face, and knew he was An