The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-19
N EN w O M EN
 A ND T HIN G s


 out the temperament of a fellow just take trip with him and you'll be able to get a line on his character. Even Paul and Barnabas found that 1t was best after the sharp con- tention over Mark for them not to travel together in revisiting the cities where they had preached the word of the Lord to see how they were getting on.
 | The memory of this came to me in the days when my younger | brother, bearing the name of the apostle of old, was my travelling companion during the vacation days between our studies at Vienna and 1 Berlin. for whenever 1t looked as if we were about to disagree on the days schedule. we just parted, each one going in his own way, but to meet again at night
 An 800-mile trip in an automobile with the many stops at all kinds of ! hotels, and the variety of programme outlined for the party is apt to bring about friction In a bunch of half a dozen representing various businesses and professions, but | strange to say from start to finish, on my recent trip through Tennessee some weeks back, there wasn't the slightest outcropping of selfishness, or a disposition to criticise. or even che shadow of complaint.
 kept watching out for some light manifestation of impatience, but in- spite of the many little vexations and worries incident to the almost con- tinuous travel by night and day, there wasn't murmur about who should have the best rooms, the choice seats or shirk any of the things which had to be- done for the pleasure of the little party. I know 1t sounds "fishy" or like fairy story, but l am telling the plain truth.
 It was a mixed bunch. The car was owned by banker, and in it was judge of probate, a county commissioner, a man with many irons in the fire, a farmer mechanic and a newspaper man; but for the time be- ing every one was just simply a good fellow ready to bear his part and do what he could for the pleas ure of the others I was the only man who soldiered the least bit. and I only did it because somehow, in spite of all that ] could do, the oth- CTS insisted on treating me as guest. from the fact that l was the only outsider in the crowd.
 Charley Bell, the banker was the optimist of the party. Blow outs, punctures, engine trouble, taking the wrong road, rain or dust never wor~ ried him. Like MT. Micawber he was always waiting for "somethirg to turn up," and it did. If we were 10 miles from a city, and the last ex- tra tire gave out, and only faulty in ner tubes remained under the seat, and all the patches and the glue had been used up, even that awful sound of wind oozing out never feazed him. but out he jumped and started to taking off the wheel against the time when some automobilist would come along and play the Good Sa- maritan.
 
 Judge Coleman was the philosopher of the crowd; he smoked and smoked and thought and thought, for all the way he was studying conditions closely, as well he might, having something. over 5000 acres of land to farm or grace. County Commis- sioner Slaughter, one of the best farmers in his section, kept both eyes wide open, one at the growing crops. while the other was watching the roads. Friend Street, neither smoking nor chewing, constituted himself the fruit provider for the crowd, and was always able to bring forth grapes. peaches, plums and even wateEme1OnS. put Ihihh eNS most prized man of all was Farmer Mechanic Greene, who was always on the job when we had car trouols' which was practically from the tune we left Anniston until we got back
 
 The only disagreeable thing was called upon to do was to talk at the various dinners given us by the cities and towns en route, aud know ing how I hated to do 1t, the other five counted it in my favor and let me pass up a lot of the work or taking off tires and pumping up ln- ner tubes and "sich like" left them with the feeling that for week had companioned with five Of as choice spirits as Alabama can TUT nish. and from now on l vii ltninK of each one of them as friends. Here is wishing them every happiness tnat nan come to men of bonhomie ana character.
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