The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-25
M E N, w O M E N
 A ND T HIN c s

uays when he was shipping clerk at Louis Pizitz but now in the automobile game, came by for me in a handsome new Buick to remind me of dinner in- vitation
 Believe me, 1t was an easy matter for me to forget the Civil war and the his- tories and encyclopedias piled high around me at the call to a chicken and spaghetti dinner to be cooked and served by my old friend, Hester Garner, at the Oak Grove Inn, the name which he has given The Films, the beautiful country home built below West End by LlewelIyn Johns.
 For some months Hester had been kindly urging me to come out and spend the day with him, and I had told him that if he would send for me 1 would run out on Saturday for a dinner en famille, as I wanted to have the pleasure of meeting his dear old mother, both for his and her sake. I had known her sis ter, the mother of Tom Garner, the friend of every boy who has attended the University of Alabama for the last quarter of a century.
 It was my first trip out over the new improved streets in West End, and l could hardly realize that the car was gliding along smoothly instead of bump ing up and down over the holy road of bitter memory, for be it known at one time while supplying church in the West End I lived on Tuscaloosa avenue, and then and for years after it was bad enough to almost make a preacher cuss, provided he was that kind of a preacher.
 l never go through Elyton without thinking of her as the mother of Miss Birmingham. The old cemetery always causes me to wonder about the lives of the settlers who passed into the great beyond before a great cty was born at their very doors with~its noise and bus more adventurous spirits turn over in keir graves. It was a great settlement in it's palmy days. made up of some of the best families in Alabama.
 The old landmarks have been in many cases removed ,and just across from the main store, and the old hotel stands a modern school house. By the way, it was heartening to find that the building was properly tied to the grounds by artistic planting. I do not know who is re- sponsble for the transformation from the time I last saw it, from just new raw looking building into an institution with most home-like touch; but I daresay that if I made inquiry would learn that some good women were re- sponsible for the change. The school associations throughout the district are doing good work.
 But my greatest surprise was at the fairy-like metamorphosis of the district between the Elyton school and the beau tiful Hagood home with it's air of room mess and comfort. I knew that that great beautifier, R. S. Munger, was way ing his magic wand in converting the old Mudd homestead into a thing of beauty, but I never dreamed that in so doing he was carrying so extensive work as to change the sordid aspects of a one-time dreamy neighborhood into one of the. most attractive divisions in Greater Bir- mingham dotted with lovely homes and dominated by handsome church. I
 I Tuscaloosa avenue itself had changed almost beyond recognition in the number of it's handsome residences and large in QfitllfinnQ I fnr yv,np fIe in, the shadow of the Russell Booth home, which was converted into the Birming ham infirmary, but taken together, with the new buildings. makes a most impos- ing appearance The only thing which had not changed was large cherry tree that adorned the front yard of the near by cottage in which I lived. The great Catholic institution the Blessed Sacra- ment, with it's handsome buildings and extensive grounds, looms up big on the landscape, and the public library gives Fevidence of growing culture.
 I never pass through Powderly without thinking of Emil Lesser who for years made it his home. His tragic end and the sad story of enc of his daughters aI- ways bring grief to me, for while he and I moved along different lines, yet re- call him in business way as man of infinite poiteness, for he stood the acid test by paying me rent on the Turn verein club rooms always with prompt Eess and a smile. Few men pay rent with any Nmore grace than the majority dc when paying taxes.
 Just on the outskirts of Powderly stands back in a grove of oaks the lovely cottage home surrounded by 70 acres of fertile soil built by the late Col. I.lewel- l lyn Johns, man of warm heart, gener- ous nature, and a joy of life who de- 1 lighted in entertaining his many friends in the true spirit of the old-t Welch. guest told me that every winters night spent beneath his roof the sheets were warmed by an old-time warming pan. Another thing which always oc- casioned remarks was his clock spit for roasting geese.
 Hester Garner. my old friend whom l l first learned to know when he ran a l fish and game place in the former Bir- i mingham hotel, has leased the place and renamed it the Oak Grove Inn. Here l he and his wife and mother live, but being a born caterer. he has opened it to the public for the serving of a spe- ! cial chicken and spaghetti dinner l am I interested in the venture to this extent: want to see if such a place can live for he states that taxi parties are not wanted. and that the only people he will serve, are those who come simply to get a good meal and not for a frolic.
 
 l It's a strange thing to see man who has led the exciting life that he has lived settle down to one of quiet With wife and mother and home. Until this spring he had never planted seed, and { 1. iaSf a