davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
A Freak of Natnre.

The most wonderful piece of natural sculpture in the world may be seen by any visitor to the Cape Verde islands. This specimen of natural art work is without doubt the most colossal and marvellous freak known to the geologists and geog- raphers San Vicente is the principal town of the islands. AS the ship enters the harbor of the above named place one sees bold ridge of dark volcanic rocks lying in the distance. The crest of this ridge forms an exact likeness of Washing ton, the figure lying apparently face up- ward, as if in sleep. The large, bold fea- lures, the backward wave of the hair, the rotund form of the massive shoulders, and even the frills on his colonial shirt are reproduced on a scale of such magnitude and grandeur as to be absolutely startling. The fidelity of the outline is such that the frealkish forms assumed by the stalactites and stalagmites in the well known natural caverns are not suitable comparisons.
 This strange natural monument to the greatest of American heroes is the first ob- ject to meet the gaze of the observing sightseer as he approaches the Cape Verde islands. With the boundless ocean for it's background and the tropical sky overhang- ing it, it is no flight of the imagination when we say that tho freak forms a tab leau of overpowering magnifcence.-St. Louis Republic
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Unknown Macedonia.

Macedonia Is practically as unknown to the general public as the great Unshapen Land in which dwelt the three Gray sis ters who helped Perseus on his errand of death. Even the well informed politician who could comfortably pick his way through central Africa is very often un- able to tell the difference between a Pomak and Zinzar, Yooryk and an Arnaut or to say whether they are fruits, implements or peoples. Not only is the geography of the country highly complicated and un- satisfactory study seeing that nearly ev- cry district, river lake and town is known by at least two wholly different names, the one Turkish and the other Slovenian, Greek or Albanian, both of which are oo- casionally omitted from the few maps we possess, but the ethnography is more be- wildering than Chinese puzzle, and no man born of woman can ever hope to solve the problems it offers in way that will satisfy the peoples of eastern Europe. In spite of a railway net of about 600 miles, communications with the interior are not merely primitive and painful, but highly dangerous. It is practically impossible to visit any of tho outlying and many of the main districts without an escort of Turk ish zaptiehs, and sometimes even a few Ar naut cutthroats, as homeopathic precau- tion over and above. There are places in Macedonia, especially in the country be- tween the river Vardar, on the one side, and the Drin and Morava on the other, which have been untrodden by European feet since the days when warlike Samuel was king, about 900 years ago.-Contem, porary Review.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

or "gweed neebors," ]" as the fairies are call ed, have a craving for human milk, and during the first days of convalesoence 8 mother must be zealously guarded lest one of the "wee people" come and rob the shild of it's hourishinent. Sometimes they succeed in carrying of mother. Tradi- tion tells of the wife of farmer who was spirited to the palace of the fairies in a large cave on a remote part of the Caith- ness coast. Notwithstanding the kindness of the fair folk the woman pined for her home and offered as ransom the finest milk COW in her gweed mans byre. She WAS permitted to return to the homestead, and the COW was. led to the fairy hillock. It disappeared, but later returned eel and weak. On occasions, too, the child is stolen, for have not the fairies once in ev- cry seven years to pay ''the teind to hellP" They then endeavor to sacrifice a human babe rather than one of their own number.
 A north country fisher had a fine child. One evening beggar woman entered the hut and went up to the cradle to gaze into the eyes of the babe. From that time good health left it, strange look came into it's face and the mother was troubled. An old man begging for food passed that way. When he caught sight of the child he cried: "That'e nae balrn. It's an image, and the gweed folk has stoun his speerit Thereupon he set to work to recall the fishers bairn. A peat fire was heaped high on the hearth and a black hen held over it at such a distance that 1t was singed and not killed. After some strug- gling the hen escaped up the lum. few moments elapsed, and then the parents were gladdened by the sight of happy expression once more on the childs face. It throve from that day forward.-Scot. tish Review
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Caliber or Caiibre.

It is difficult to say what is the correct pronunciation of word which comes to us from the Arabic through the medium of the French. But is it certainty that Littre's suggestion that "calibre" is from the Arabic kalib, form, mold, is cor rect? Used in its technical senses the cus- tomary pronunciation is undoubtedly cal ibre. Employed in its fgurative meaning with regard to the compass of the mind, one still occasionally hears the French sound. The Imperial and the Encyclo- pedio dictionaries give only caliber. Walker, while accentuating the word in the same way, observes:
 "Mr. Sheridan accents this word on the second syllable and gives the i the sound of double e, like the French, but Johnson, Kenriok, Ash, Buchanan, Perry and Ep- tick consider the word as perfectly angli- cized and place the accent on the first syl- hble, as I have done "-Notes and Queries. A
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
The Beginning of the End.

It is a matter of common talk among the naval officers of the Boring sea fleet that sealing is practically at an end. The Japan herd was virtually annihilated last year. The Russian herd has been greatly reduced, and it is estimated that there are only about 100, 900 female seals remaining in tho herd which has its breeding ground on the Pribilof islands, and at the recent rate of slaughter, under the 'idiotio regu- lations' of the Paris tribunal, the fur bearing seal must follow the buffalo into practical extinction in very few years.-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Not Born Precisely There.

The precocious frankness and simplicity of a class of 6-year-olds has been forcibly impressed upon one of the teachers in the new Blaine school at Thirteenth and Nor ris streets during the past few days. Pre- paratory to opening the school the chill dren are being registered, and their an swers to the questions put to them are often quite ludicrous. One of the teachers asked youngster what was his fathers namo.
 Baxter, was the reply.
 "What is his full nameY"
 "Mr. Baxter said the boy
 "No, no," the teacher continued rather impatiently. "What is his first nameP"
 A gleam of comprehension frightened the lad s Sace, and he blurted out:
 Ma calls him Bill.'' ''
 In order to determine another little fell lows place of nativity he was asked:
 wv ere you born here?"
 With all seriousness he responded:
 "Nome. 1 was borned on Tyler street." Philadelphia Record.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Cultiyating Bacteria.

To the uninstruoted mind it may smack of absurdity to say that at no distant day the bacteria of butter and cheese will be cultivated as we now cultivate other com mercial products. A writer on this subject says: "The fermentation of cream and of cheese is already as much of an art as the fermentation of malt in the manufacture of beer. In the curing of tobacco the st ne activity is discovered, and the day is not faf Alstant when commerce in high bred tobacco bacteria will be an established fact. In short, we may look forward to the day when the bacteria active in agri- culture will be carefully cultivated and the bacterial herd book will be found along with those of the Jersey COW and the Norman horse" On par with this is the sterilization of products, which proc ess is necessary before the thoroughbred bacteria is introduced. New York Ledger.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

of narrow, irregular streets wandered up and along a low hillside and wero bordered by houses that were built mostly of stone. The inhabitants had need for thrift and industry if it were only because of the tax gatherers. for Herod Antipas was building palaces, fortresses and cities. He was liv- ing in magnifieence as were his many officers. All the people of his dominions paid taxes and bribes to him and them.
 While the consequences were often pain ful enough, there were no signs of actual poverty in the vicinity of the well. It stood several pacct in front of Q dwelling, two stories in height, which seemed some- what better than it's neighbors. The porch along its lower story was thickly clad with vines, and from under these the girl had come to bring her jar to the we'll. A Jew ish maiden of nearly 16 was accounted a full grown woman, and the slightness of her graceful figure did not interfere with an air of maturity which her present state , of mind much increased. Her simple dress, that became her so well, was of good materials.
 Ranged on either side of the well were six large, oumbrous looking water pots of stoneware, partly filled, for the conven- fence of any person wishing to perform the Iooo or nhnu aplublons required by the ex- acting ceremonial law of the Jews.
 The vine clad porch was a pleasant place. It was provided with wooden benches, and on one of these sat man who seemed to consider himself person of importance. Every movement, and even his attitude when sitting still, might be said to accord with a conviction that he, Rabbi Isaac Ben Nassur, was the wisest, the most learned man in Cana
 He was very tall as well as broad and heavy, and his thick, gray beard came down to the voluminous sash that was folded around his waist His eyebrows were black and projecting, his nose was prominent, his black eyes were piercing. He was dressed, as became a rabbi, or any other highly respectable Jew, in long linen tunic with sleeves, that was belted by the sash. Over this he wore 0 long, loosely flowing robe, called an "abba," also of linen. Around his shoulders, with ends falling in front, was a broad white woolen scarf, with narrow bars of red and purple and blue, and with blue tassels at the corners of each of its two ends. This was the "tallith" and was worn as a re- hinder that the wearer must remember all the commandments of the law and faithfully perform thom. Sword makers Sons," by William O. Stoddard, in St. Nicholas.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
YOU CAN ALWAYS KEEP WARM.
Inventors Have Patented Devices That
 Baffle the Cold.

Inventors Have Patented Devices That
 Baffle the Cold.
 New York Herald.
 What would you think of the proposi- tion to line your clothes with steam pipes and carry boiler around in your pock- ct? An ingenious yankee has recently procured a patent for such a system. He will make you a jacket, somewhat corset-lilxe guaranteed to fit the upper part of your body. This steam under wear Is usually worn over heavy flannel. It is of hollow steel tubes, fastened to- gether with ball and socket joints. The principal tube forms belt for the waist and smaller pipes branch from 1t. one running up the spinal column and others spreading over the chest like the bones of the thorax. In addition, a hood of heavy cloth covers the head and should CTS A valve in the belt allows the steam to enter from either general steam sys- tenn or a small portable boiler. He who suffers from cold feet need no longer wear fiannel-lined articles which cover the points of his shoes. He can purchase a foot-warmer which will not disfigure him in the least. It is strange contriv- ance, forming a long "Y," made of rub Der hose. Each of the forked branches runs down one leg of the trousers into the shoe. The single tube leads up through the collar. ending in mouth
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
A Flying Mouse.

George Zenker has sent from the Gamer oons a mammal of an entirely new species "a flying dormouse. The discoverer has been honorod in naming the contribution to zoology, the name of Idiurus zenkeri being attached to its label. It is an attract i've little animal, with an exceedingly long and hairy tail with hair arranged like the teeth of a comb. From the root of the tail to the brushlike tip project long upright hairs. It has been called the fly ing dormouse from its resemblance to AL foe in Wondesland's friend in the shape of its body, it's skull and It's teeth. In other respects it resembles certain species of squirrels, while it's skeleton shows oharac- teristics peculiar to the jerboa. ti Enuuirer.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
A Uniaue Salad.

"Mamma, have invented a lovely sal ad, exclaimed Margery aged 2.
 "Have you, darlingf" said her pleased mother. And how did you make itf''
 Why" answered the mite proudly and seriously amid the laughter of those pres ent, "I chopped up rose, some parsley and some cold potatoes and covered it with dressing"
 And where did you get the oil?" ex- claimed Mrs. A.
 "Oh, l used sewing machine oil, !" re- sponded the little monkey, who had, as she supposed, copied her mother methods with perfect success.-New York Adver- tiser
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
But He Wanted the Gun.

It is said there is voter living near Hagerstown known as "Old Uncle Feb. |" He does not decide who to vote for until he has met the representatives of each can didate and had conference A local Hurst politician met Old Uncle Feb the other day and said, Well, Uncle Feb, who are you going to vote for?" 1T dun no, I dunno" the old man replied. 1T need a double barreled shotgun mighty bad. oalc late to do lot of hunting this winter dunno who I'll vote fer. "--Bal- timore News
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Russians Are Economical.

The Russian workman spends very lit- tie for food, lodging and dress as compared with the foreign artisan. Coming from the village, ho is very modest in his de- mands. His food is very simple, but it is abundant and answers to his taste In Moscow, for example, tho board of work man amounts to not more than 10 shil- lings per month.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Her Dilemma.

Young Matron-Why so pensive dearP
 Angelina-1'm desperate Will adores me in pale pink while Max says I'm an angel in blue. can't have but one gown, so you see my whole future depends on the color select It is sending me crazy!- London Tit -Bits
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Just the Night.

Young Husband (who meets his wife in the street)-Jennie, dear Iknow you have been silently grieved and pained long time on account of my absence from home at the club every evening. I am going to turn over a new leaf, and I am going to begin tonight.
 Young Wife-Oh, Edwin, you don't know how happy you've made mel Broth CT Jack wants me to go to the theater with him tonight, and you can take care of the baby. So goodby.-Boston Courier
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
A MOpOcle.

MT. Hubly-I saw q man making a reg ular monocle of himself in the street just now.
 MT. Westby-A what?
 "A monocle."
 "Ha, hal You mean spectacle, don't you?"
 "No, sir, do not. There was not a pair of him, and therefore he was mon- ocle Thank goodness can speak the English language correctly. ."-Pearson' Weekly
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
Not So Brave.

"Dear me-" said Mrs. Wickwire, looking up from her paper, "but women arc get ting brave nowadays"
 "Bravep" echoed Mir. Wickwire.
 "Yes; here is story about 8 woman who shot mouse. She-pshaw, I read it wrongl It was only moose l-In- dianapolis Journal.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
FOR SALE.

The board of managers of the Charity hospital desire to sell all the red brick, furnace window weights, pipes, etc., to be seen on the grounds of the hospital at Smithfeld. Apply between the hours of
 11.11.tf
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

self of the belief that there turks In the proposition for the free coinage of silver, so strongly approved and so enthuslas- tieally advocated by a multitude or my countrymen, a serious menace to our prosperity and an insidious temptation or our people to wander from the allegiance they owe to public and private integ- rity. It is because I do not distrust the good faith and sincerity of those who press this scheme that have imperfectly but with zeal submitted my thoughts upon this momentous subject. l cannot refrain from begging them to re-examine their views and beliefs in the light of pa- triotic reason and familiar experience, and to weigh again and again the con- sequences of such legislation as their efforts have invited. Even the continued agitation of the subject adds greatly to the difficulties of dangerous financial situation already forced upon us
 In conclusion l especially entreat the peoples representatives in the congress who are charged with the resT onsibility Of inaugurating measures for the safety and prosperity of our common country to promptly and effectively consider the ills of our critical financial plight l have suggested a remedy which my Judg- ment approves. I desire, however, to as- sure the congress that I am prepared to cooperate with them in perfecting any other measure promising thorough and practical relief; that I will gladly labor with them in every patriotic endeavor to further the interests and guard the welfare of our countrymen. whom In our respective places of duty We have under taken to serve.
 GROVER CLEVELAND.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
THE VILLAGE OF CANA.

A Pen Picture of Life There During the
 Lifetime of Christ.
 Cana was thriving village on the great highway through the hills west of the sea of Galilse. From the main road a number
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
SCOTCH SURe.

Some of the Franks the Fairies Are Re-
 HeNed to Have Played.
 There still fingers a widespread belief in the north of Scotland that the flair folk, :"
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

AlWaysin season, always up with the procession, always accommodating and always give you the best in the mar ker at the Metropolitan bar.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

To reduce our stock of la- dies desks we will sell them at cost.
 SHOWERS I URNITURE CO.,, 18I6 and 1918 2d Avenue.
 11-2S-tf
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04
11-12-tf

General freight and passen- ger office of Southern Railway removed to No. 7 North 2Oth street. Telephone 846.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

Moulton Advertisers: We hear it stated by good authority that the Protest. now published at Cullman, will most likely be removed to Courtland at an early day. One of it's editors spent several days in this county last week, and was favorably impressed with the prospects. The Pro- test is anti-democratic, and opposed to the principles of that grand old party.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

Florence Times: On Sunday night last, the 24th. the farm belonging to MT. J. J. Carr, who lives eight miles north of Gravelly Springs, was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss upon MT Carr of about $250 The fire occurred early in the night, between and o'clock. and is believed to have been of incendiary origin. MT. Carr is a worthy man, who lost leg in the Confederate service, and his friends should contribute to his assistance.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

Jacksonville Republicans: J. D. Hardy of Calera, the chairman of the republi- can executive committee of the Fourth Congressional district, has been arrested on the charge of bribery, for the way in which he handled Aldrich's campaign money during the last congressional election in this district. His case was to have been tried in the Anniston city court last Monday but was continued until Friday, December 6, at the request of the defendants attorneys
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

Florence Times: On last Tuesday, the 26th instant, at MT. w. M. Holleman's. a few miles north of Florence his little 14-year-old granddaughter. Miss Seletia. with double-barreled shotgun, shot and killed at the distance of about 40 yards a large hawk that was after the young turkeys. It measured over 50 inches from tip to tip of wings. Three cheers for the pretty and brave little Alabamian!
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-10
A SUGGESTION.

The newspaper that published the slanderous editorial against the State military encampment should, after read ing the white-washing resolutions passed by the field, staff and line officers of the Second regiment. call a meeting of its own staff and resolve as follows:
 Resolved, That we appreciate the easy manner in which said officers 'ilet us down." knowing full well that it is their chivalric and charitable bearing that in duced them so to do.
 Resolved, That we are thankful in- deed that said officers patiently awaited the return of their colonel to act as chairman before resoluting. the said col onel being our own beloved vice-presi- dent.
 Resolved. That we are glad the officers of the Second regiment have promptly acted in the premises, and trust the privates are satisfied at said action, and will say no more about it.
 Resolved. That the Age-Herald ex- hibited very. bad taste in referring to the editorial and we trust the military will not hesitate to ever ignore the said Age-Herald.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-10
pHN WEST pIsanUNTI.E,D

The newspapers from the far west coming with eaustic comment on the lee- publican League Convention for refusing to indorse free silver furnish very inter- esting reading.
 The Salt Lake Herald says: "The Re publican silver leaders of the West have been untrue to their constituents. The only leaders of national prominence bat tling for the white metal have been Sen ators Dubois and Carter. The silver Republicans feared 2 declaration against silver and are glad nothing was said.
 The Salt Lake Tribune (Republican) is red-hot Ii is also about to despair of the success of the white metal Ii gives up the South. It says: "Of course Demo cratic papers in the West will make all the fuss they can over the conclusions of the Cleveland League Convention, be- cause there was not an open declaration for free silver. We had hoped that the South would be for free silver We be- lieve now the South cannot be relied on. and our belief is founded on the fact, first, that the men of the South will vote for nothing unless they can vote it on Democratic ticket. And second, because in all the South there is but one promi-
 
 of gold and silver. We look upon the workingmen's organizations as the prob able and natural force to which we can hopefully turn. At the same time we are perfectly frank to say that the cause is discouraging, because the other side has unlimited means and can throw $l000O- OOO without feeling it. into the campaign next year, and with that amount it could very nearly re-elect Grover Cleve- land President of the United States.
 The Denver Republican Rep) says "the Republican League of clubs might as well dsband. because 1t has shown a lamentable lack of courage at Cleve- land. The league is not a force of any consequence in the Republican party. It is composed mainly of young men who are ambitious to achieve political dis tinction at some future time, and there is also in it a sprinkling sof has beens.
 The Denver News Pop) is badly dis grnatied. It says: '"The silver fight at the convention ended in an overwhelm- ing victory for the gold men. To say nothing upon the subject is the same as to do nothing, and what the gold bugs want above everything else is that the coinage status shall not be changed. for it is precisely where they wish it. Judg- ing from reports the Colorado and Utah delegates made a splendid all round fight. They were seriously handicapped from the start through the inexcusablc ab- sence of all the prominent Republicans of Colorado. With Teller, Wolcott, Hill and Bowen away the impression was readily created that the mining States no longer take particular interest in the struggle and that they will be as well pleased without as with a free coinage declaration. It is pretty clear that all hope for silver through the Republican party has vanished'