The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-29
M E N, w O M E N
 A ND T HIN c $

scenery around it glorious.
 ran over there recently to speak at the Rotary club. It was the first chance which had come to me to ride over the city and out to the camp since the sol diers left It was a wonderful day. and I enjoyed every minute of it.
 
 Will Owen, a good Rotarian brother, another "Rote" and my cousin, Agnes, i WilFs wife, made up the party. Instead of talking about the hardships of be- ling preacher, l prefer to dwell on the joys of the ministry It was compen- sating in every way to know that it fell to my lot some II years ago to marry my host and hostess
 l If you have never ridden over Annis- ton in the fall you have missed an op- portunity to have your soul lifted up i by the sheer beauty of the surrounding | mountains All the while l was singing with the Psalmist of old, q will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" . am not surprised that the mountaia people are so virile. It's in the very atmosphere which breathes of strength
 1 We drove out to the Country club, which IS beautifully located at the foot of the mountains. The valleys seem to creep up the sides of the hills with out stretched arms. 1 have seen the grounds in their dress ct shimmering green and | haa II now they wers wearing their gown of russett It is easy in spring to think that it's the rrettiest time of the year; out when the leaves begin to turn there l is a doubt in one's mind as to whether fall does not deserve the palm for it's glorious cclors.
 ] Anniston is a city of beautiful homes. We passed through street after street lined with lovely residences. The thing which pleased me most was the number l of attractive cottages, such home nests perched on thA hills to get view of the valley below. Governor Kilbys mansion l is one of the show places. A fine Jersey 1 COW grazing contentedly on the lawn | that touch of home which made the pie ture perfect.
 l The Tyler home with it's large grounds | is a most inviting place, as is the old | Noble residences but the one which brought back to me the tenderest men- ories was the old McElroy house on the hill. All the time I was in the city there was in my subconsciousness the fact visit complete. l was thinking of Will McElroy, my old Eufaula schoolmate and lifelong friend. whose death was great blow to me.
 l Joe Willett, one of the first Annistonians with whom I got acquainted was pioneer and went out on the mountain- | side and built him a charming residence l with superb view. I recall going through the house with him when it was under way. Fred Blackmon is his near est neighbor and now there is a string of handsome homes inclosed in a great park-like area. Another striking modern mansion is the Stringfellow one with a commanding view.
 1 I was greatly interested in it, for behind it's erection there beats the loving heart ] of one of the loveliest characters ever reared in the Model City. Miss Parker, daughter of a worthy sire, in giving her hand and heart to MT. Stringfellow, be- fore her death began to build home which later was to be the nucleus Of a great hospital to be given to Annsston I looked at it with special pleasure, for l it is her monument which will live long in the minds of the sick and needy. | passed by the old Parker home with its group of home-like residences At one time they were the show places of the city. They are still most attractive, but Isome of the more pretentious mansions with larger grounds. while overshadow- ing them a bit, have not in any way lrohbed them of that something which will always give to the neighborhood an air of distinction. A man will have to travel far and wide to find more com fortable home than that of John Barnett Knox, my home when am Tn Anniston overnight. It's one of the spots I go to for mental stimulant and body comfort. I had started for Johns office when 1 met him on the street. but the day was so alluring that, arm in arm, we walked up the street and soon were deep in Iit- lerary talk. I never meet with him un- less some one has dared to treat his literary gods with disrespect. This time he had a grievance against some one in the Kansas City Star. who had spoken lslightinly of old Sam Johnson, and even made light of Macaulys style He was ready to break a lance with the daring critic, and I was with him heart and soul
 the Alabama hotel and got in two com fortablo rocking chairs and spent a pleasant while discussing the Earl of lBeaconsfelds Life and Letters, Disraeli lis one of Johns favorite English states men, and by the way he is as familiar with them as he is with those of Amer ica; and that is saying a good deal for few men have the intimate knowledge of the men who have made this coun- try what it is as has John Knox of Sn- niston. He is one of the greatest au- thorities on Andrew Jackson in the Limited States