The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-24

He wore an imitation Stetson of the southwestern style, soft white shirt, without a tie, grayish. brownish suit (which had never been pressed since 1t left the pile on the counter at Simmons Mercan- tile Emporlum) and tan shoes. AL though no one appeared to pay him the slightest deference, 1t was easy to see that he was the center of the group and dominated 1t.
 The Lyceum lecturer threw look of inquiry at the editor of Juniper Democrat. who answered: That's our preacher. Breaches here every other week. Lives at Redbone. Folks here some sore about 1t, cause he only gets here Saturdays and leaves Mondays. Here. Charley! shake hands with our lecturer for to- night Reckon if you go tC hear him. hell listen in on you tomor- row."
 The Rev. Charley Hawkins grab bed the extended hand cordially and looked straight into the face of it's owner, with his clear brown eyes. ''Moughty glad to meet you. sir It was just what fifty ether people had said to the Lyceum lecturer that day, by the Heading merchants" who kept the straggly string of un- kempt stores. which ran from the station of the "Santyfee" to the Palace hotel, by the "professor," who taught the high school by the towns two doctors. the ice man and the man whC kept the "Hiawatha Joint" but when Charley Hawkins said it, 1t had a different meaning.
 The Lyceum lecturer recognized a voice of a man who was used to speaking so that people understood what he meant Almost unconscious ly the two detached themselves from the group and wandered up Main street together, past the dusty win dew of the Juniper Democrat, past the Palace hotel, against the door step of which snuggled a once-white sow dining four little piggies. They wandered on toward the company saw mill, which dominated the town. But between the Palace hotel ana the saw mill stood the "Hiawatha Joint" Come in and have a drink. said Charley Hawkins. "I can't al ford 1t, but l need tC naVe "ofo with Zeke."
 The visible interior of tho Hi awatha" sales room was as dreary a place as one could wish to see. Ihe transverse partition crowded the short counter against the window. Upon the counter was a small sno" case of kiln dried cigars and behlnd 1t were some musty shelves bearing jars containing few highly -coloreu penny confections. In the middle ol the partition swung an OH ciotil covered door and even in the snort time the Lycem lecturer had been in
 arI 1af through that door, stronger potauons were Lbtainable than are legally salable.
 Presently appeared behind the counter a sandy-featured little man ".Mornin' Zeke. Let me introduce the lecturer. Make us couple or cold limeades. will yCu?"
 Met him before" said Zeke un- interestedly. "Nothin' but pop and Hiawatha. parson."
 "IlI try the Hiawatha." said the lecturer, "as my curiosity needs quenching more than my thirst"
 "Foams like beer. tastes like beer but hain't beer. Court says so." said zeke setting out an amber bottle and with & touch of defiance in his usually colorless voice. "Salt?" and he added salt-shaker.
 Hawkins made a show of critically selecting a cigar. saying. "Zeke, why don't you brighten your place up mite. Put In cigar-lighter and a few fresh Democrats on your shelves. Put couple of tables in the back and sell ice cream. You ought to open up that partition, tto. There's nothing invitin' about it. Looks like a man folding his arms and frowning instead of holding out his hands and saying Howdy. Course I don't know thing in the