The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-18
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have been going to plcnics. dinners on the ground" and barbe- cues from my childhood up, but l never went to anything like the great feast provided by J. II. Me- Giffert for his friends at Eutaw last week.
 had read and heard about "Joe's" famous home-cqmings in which he Just invited all the adjoining coun ties of Greene to come and be his guest. but in spite of invita- tions and an earnest desire to at tend somehow, I only got to his latest one.
 I tell people about it and the first thing they want to know Is, "wha. Is he running for?" and when I an swer nothing" they look nonplused and after getting their breath, in- quire, does he do it to help his business?" It seems absolutely be- yond comprehension that any sane man would go to the trouble and expense to feed thousands without any thought of office or gain.
 But this is because they do not know Zoe" McGiffert. I admit that in this twentieth century when life is lived at so fast a rate as to make 1t impossible to observe the old- time southern courtesy; that to find man given to hospitality" on such a generous scale is at once to seek for some ulterior motive. But with him there "ain't no sich thing" He does 1t because he gets more joy out of spending his money on his friends than he does In hoarding it or making 1t bear interest.
 It was no difficult thing for the Kiwanians of Tuscaloosa to per suade me to board their private car bound for Eutaw to be present at the great spread under the towering virginial oaks in the grove adjoin- ing the McGiffert home. It was a chance to ride with mighty live bunch of men and meet their charm ing wives. and listen to the music of the Tuscaloosa band. which was on its way to furnish music for the occasion. The coach was decorated in the Kiwanis colors, and bore suit able wording.
 There was Q little mite of lad with a long trombone sitting next the window looking pensively out of the window. I sat down by him and when he turned, he said: II know you, I heard you speak out at the Boys Industrial school on the morn ing of Gen. Leonard Woods visit, places in Birmingham, for I used to play in the band, but I am now back in the Tuscaloosa High school" It tickled me nightly to think he remembered me.
 Things began to happen from the time we left the train. Cars were bellum home of the McGifferts. It was pleasant to get a hearty wei come from the matrons in the re- ceiving line. The men stood around ready to greet friends and meet the visitors. The crowd had already gathered, and the seats beneath the trees were filled with an eager throng keyed up to hear the sing ing contest> and the oratory. The songs and the speaking were enjoy able.
 Then came the dancing on the large open air platform. Say what you please, the modern dances are not In 1t with the old-time Virginia reel and the stately quadrilles,. quick moving polkas and leisurely waltzes, when it comes to getting the feet of a crowd in motion. The glid- ing. prancing and slde-stepping dances may fit into a carabet, but out under the blue, somehow they seem selfish and out of place. It's every couple for itself.
 Then came the barbecue, which
 
 was served not at a long table, but in sections, where the people from the same county could come together and renew old-time friendships. There was a plenty of barbecue for all, and ice cream for those who liked it. and the only drawback from the standpoint of the host was that only 5000 people had come when he had hoped for at least 5000. It will be long time before l forget my aftexnoon in the black belt home. It gave evidence that there is at least one spot where the old-time southern hospitality has not perished from the face. of the earth.
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