davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-18

Pullman buffet sleepers between Birming- ham and Jacksonville. Solid trains through at Albany with the Plant system for all points in Southwest Georgia and Florida. No. makes close connection at Columbus fer Union Springs, Troy, Eufaula, Americus, Albany and all intermediate points. Connec- lions at Savannah with Ocean Steamship com pany's steamers for New York, Boston and the east.
 Sleeping cars on night trains. Macon to Savannah
 For further information relative to rates. schedules, etc. apply to
 L. A. CAMP, T. P. A., Columbus, Ga sOLON JACOBS, c. A., Birmingham, Ala A. II. STEVENS, Agent, Birmingham, Ala.
 JACK w. JOHNSON, U. T. A.
 Birmingham, Ala. W. F. SHELLMAN, Traffic Manager,
 savannah, Ga.
 J. c. HALLE, Gen. Pass. Agent.
 savannah, Ga.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-18

'Leave college.
 Train No. l, arrives lake II 45, and goes to thop.
 Train No. 2. arrives lake 12 80 and goesto shop. a14tf BIRMINGHAM, SHEFFIELD AND PENNIES.
 SEE RIVER RAILWAY.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-18

on, sleeping car reser- address
 w. A. TURK, G.P. A., Washington, D. 0. c. A. BENSCOTER,
 A. G. P. A.,
 Knoxville. Tenn,
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
Thieves Who Arc Welcome.

"What do you do with kleptomaniacs?" was tho question recently put to the pro- prietor of large shop.
 Two send them bills for what they take when we know them. If they are stran- gers, we act according to circumstances. A few days ago lady was in tho shop with her daughter-a beautiful little girl of 12 years. The girl was seen slipping a roll of costly ribbon into her satchel. We spoke to the mother, who became indig- nant She opened the satchel to convince us that we wero mistaken. when it was found to contain three lace handkerchiefs two pairs of gloves and the ribbon. All these articles had been appropriated.
 That was plain case of stealing. What did you doP"
 Well, we took the things back and said nothing. We can't afford to arrest wealthy people and injure our trade by making enemies among our rich customers.
 You were speaking of sending out bills for stolen goods. Are they ever paid?''
 Always where the person is klepto- maniac. We never have any trouble in that way. have known of shops which kept regular list of kloptomaniacs Whenever they lost anything. they sent bills to all of them. As they all settled for tho stolen goods, you can imagine that the business was a profitable one, can't you?'-London Tit-Bits.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
MT. Pullman's Compromise.

Tho architect of Pullman was W. w Beman. He was justly proud of his work and justiflably yanxious to be identified with it. in the memory of posterity. So one day, soon after the town was completed, he came to the proprietor and said:
 "Mr. Pullman, if you haven't decided on any name for the new town, what do you think of calling it Beman, from the man who designed itP'
 'Um-m,o said tho magnate. ''Fact is, had thought of calling the place Pull man, from the man who built it and paid for it.
 However" MT. Pullman added as he observed a look of disappointment on tho architects face however, I'm not par ticular. Now, what do you say to com promisea Suppose we take the first syl- Table of my namo, Pull, and the second syllable of your name, man. There we have it, Pull, '1nan'-' Pullman You see, that combines your idea with mine"
 MT. Pullman's suggestion prevailed, and the name, it seems, is a compromise. Chicago Tribune.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
The hIuIe Baked.

As we all know, horses became very scarce toward the end of the war, and as dismounted cavalrymen were sent to the infantry remount became serious ques- tion with many troopers. Jim - of tho Rockbridge troop had lost his horse, and, unable to get another, possessed himself of white mule named Simon. Jim be- came very proud of his mulc and was loud in his praises. ."He never gets tired, lives on nothing and has got more sense than tho general, asserted Jim. But one day a squad was enjoying dinner with sym pathetic farmer when a sudden alarm was given. Run, boys, runl The Yankees are comingl" There was mounting in hot haste, and some escaped by the front gato and some by the rear. Jim dashed at tho front gate, but Simon, displaying his mule nature for the first time, baked. Jim wheeled around and drove at the rear gate, but Simon baked again. Poor Jim looked over his shoulder, saw tho blue coats rapidly approaching, threw his arms around Simon's neck and called in ago nizcd tones, "Oh, Simon, for heaven's sake, go somewhere!'- Baltimore Sun.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
Bothersome Hotel Guests.

Ut is relief when some guests go to bed," remarked hotel clerk. "A man will come Into the house about o'clock in the evening and register He will go to his room after asking if there are any letters. An hour later he will appear in the corridor, with an air of one who has millions to burn, advance to the desk and say, Leave call for room IS at 0. m.' In few minutes the same individual will again inquire for mail. An hour before he intends to retire he will order ice water sent to his room, and later he will visit the clerk to ask the breakfast hour Then he will start for his room, and finding that he has forgotten his key will return for it. Yes, we havo them every day, and all of the questions must be answered polite ly, or we would be obliged to join the hoboes. Do you wonder that we breathe easier when these cranks have retired for the nightf"-Buffalo Courier.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09

naval officer recently. "The seoretary of the navy is tho man. His power over officers of the navy is autoerntio. He can, without the aid of court fine an officer all the way from $400 to S4, 900 year, &C., cording to his rank, and simply to suit the whim of the secretary. Unlike officers of tho army, officers in the navy are not paid Q uniform and fixed compensation. In tho army the salary of an officer Is fixed by law and no one, not even the president, can deduct cent from that pay without tho sentence of court martial. In the navy there arc three regular grades of pay. In the case of rear admiral which is the highest rank in the navy, the pay at sea is $6,000. On shore duty this is reduced to $5,000, while, if the officer is on leave of absence or on waiting orders, this is re- duccd to $4, 900.
 Now, suppose rear admiral Is ordered to tho command of tho feet in the north Atlantic They secretary of tho navy pro- poses to visit the feet He is received on board tho flagship with all tho honors due his station, and tho admiral does his best in the way of entertainment. Suppose again, when the secretary sits down to dino at tho admiral's table, ho finds that a cheap brand of American wine is served instead of his accustomed Chateau Yquem. Tho secretary determines to resent this in, dignity. He goes ashore and decides to relieve an admiral who knows nothing of tho first principles of hospitality. He is sues an order detaching tho admiral and placing him on waiting orders. Then on the following day he determines to punish him still further He calls in the chief of the bureau of navigation and directs that Admiral Bowline be given an indefinite furlough. That means that instead of drawing SO, 900 year, as he was ycster- day, the late admiral of tho north At lantic finds his income suddenly reduced to S2,000, and all because ho has offended tho ruler of tho navy in some slight mat ter
 Cannot tho admiral appoal2 Certain. ly not. Thero is no one to whom hocan cry out. Tho president has no power to review tho decisions of the secretary of the navy in matters of this kind. This is an extreme case, of course, but it would not Ito difficult to point out where licutenants have had their pay cut from $2, GOO to $900 by a secretary who had grudge. ''-New York Advertiser.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
Close Fisted.

"Mr. Putterby, my old time neighbor of 40 years. ago, was what we call in tho country close fisted," said the man from the rural districts. "He could drive tho closest bargain of any one ever met and could keep house with tho loast buying. One of our coins in those days was the old silver 1215 cent piece, variously called 'ninepence, York shilling and bit, nc cording to the part of the country you were in, and it was the existence of this coin that enabled him to make crowning triumph in the way of close trade.
 "A farm boy oaino along one day with q load of pumpkins which he was peddling Ibout the village at cent apiece Mir. Putterby, after examining them, thought he would invest, but half pumpkin wac nll that he cared to buy.
 ' But whole pumpkin is only a cent said the boy. How arc you going to pay mo for half onef'
 '''The easiest thing in the world, said MT. Putterby, and so pumpkin was cut, and ho took one of the halves under his arm and handed tho boy shilling. Now give mo the 12 cents change, and taking the 12 coppers from tho astonished boy ho walked away with his purchase "-New York Sun.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
DRAWBACKS or FREE LIBRARIES.
The Book You Wan. Is Always Out and the
 System of Fines Annoying.


 Here is ono mans experience of free circulating library: 'I gave my reference and took out my first book It was good to scan the library list and see tho amount of literature 1 could read free. Tho sec ond time Iwrote, according to rule, the list of cabalistic figures which index the book, and after nearly lsalf hours delay was told that tho ono 1 wanted was out Thcn put down fresh sets of figures and wasted more half hours, but they wero all out, until finally took, in dospcra- tion, book recommended mo by the young woman who disappears for such an age to make tho searches. sThis book proved so uDinterosting that brought it back next day and again went through tho figure list business and tho half hours of waiting until wound up by repeating my previ- ous experience and taking a book by rec ommcndation.
 II threw it aside on reaching home and forgot had it until postal warning mo of tho duo of 1 cent for every day over two weeks in which had it, had now set in turned up with it when cents were due, took out another l didn't want and forgot it until Il cents were due, kept up tho business of figure lists waitings books l didn't call for md fines afterward throughout year until might far better .havo bought straightout the books I wanted, but never got
 At last one timo, with book in my possession, left town. A siege of postals and Of visits from n mysterious looking man kopt my servant busy. Ihad forgot ten all about tho book, and my friends were indignant over the dunning of this individual On my return to town found that my reference had been called upon to pay for thu book which I was in tho posi- tion of having stolen from tho library, and that my reputation was in an unpleasant fix. I now pay for my books "-New York Herald
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
NO FOOD LIKE RArTLesNAkEs.
HIT. Howard of Kentucky Eats Them In
 Preference to Other Flesh.

Hr. Howard of Kentucky Eats Them In
 Preference to Other Flesh.
 John Henry Howard of Kentucky cats rattlesnakes. Ho says there is no finer lclicacy than juicy rattlcr, if well cooked. MT Howard, who lives on Spy Run creek, near Vanccburg, Ky, will therefore never go hungry as long as he retains his cum hing in capturing the reptiles and his rec ipc for doing them to a delicious brown.
 Mr. Howard has been eating rattle snakes for about 10 years. Possibly this accounts for his fine, robust appearance and general good health, and in a meas ure for tho fact that he weighs 220 pounds To correspondent who asked him to tell how hc acquired this strange liking for rattlesnakcs, he said:
 'tOne of my unclcs told mo he had heard of people eating rattlesnakes, so out of curiosity I thought 1 would try one. Tie woods in the section where I lived had alters been full of snakes. The next day after I had been told snakes was good I started out on a hunt for rattlcr. I wasn't long in nndin one. 1 hammered his head off, took him home, skinned him and soon had him in the fryin pan. My mother and sister wouldn't stay in the house while I was a-cookin of the thing, but I couldn't help that. Arter the sarpent was done, took him out, put him on plate, peppcred him over, sloshed Q lit tie vinegar on him ard went to work. My stomach kinder bumped up in protest at the first bite, but on tho second it quieted down and received the snake with evident satisfaction.
 ''The next day had another sarpent under my belt and tho day after that, and so on, until I formed perfect passion for snake fries There ain't no food on earth that's any better than fine, fat, well fried rattlesnakc."
 How do you catch them?"
 "With forked stick You sec, in cap- turin snakes for the table you must be very kccrful ter keep 'cm from bitin their selves. So take a fcrked stick about 5 feet long, and when find my prey, with a short, quick move I faston the fork across his neck about an inch from his head. I then hold him firmly with my left hand and with my right I stoop down and cut his head square off.
 During the summer season I lay by stores for winter. I kctch scores and scores of the sarpents, skin 'em and dry 'em and prepare 'cm for winter jest the samo as others would store away their winters bacon. Catch mo goin hungry in tho winter fer the want of snake. Not much I'm no grasshopper to dance through tho summer and starve when the winter time comes "-New York World.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
TRIALS OF A BOOKSELLER.
The Frequent Mistakes Made In Giving
 the Title of a Book.

the Title of a Book.
 ''To be n successful bookseller" said a dealer in books, "ono must almost be n mind reader People come in and ask for the most generally known novels by the most distorted names you can imagine. In fact, it is only novel or a book which has had great run that stands in fear of having its title mutilated. When book becomes popular, some one hears another person talking about it and perhaps only gets vague idea of the import of the title without remembering the exact words. Then they come with no sign that they are in tho least doubtful and ask the book dealer for it, who is supposed to know by intuition what is wanted. One of the most mutilated titles is that of The Heavenly Twins. You can expect to have this book called for under almost any name. If you are in doubt as to what person means, Tho Heavenly Twins usu- ally fills tho bill. For instance, it is com mon to have it called The Twin Angels Then another popular style of the title is The Heavenly Prodigals, or, again, The Blue Angels or The Heavenly Angels The other day man came in and asked for The Travelling Hebrew When told him I thought he meant The Wandering
 
 l was sure he was on tho go anyway 7.
 Not long ago lady camo in and quiet : ly asked if we had Two Boats Which Went By In the Dark She was not the least abashed when 1 handed her Ships That Pass In the Night, nor did she refer to her mistake Ono of the most common bulls in book store is that which people make-when they ask for a vest pocket edi tion of Webster's Unabridged, or tho Bi- bio with both the Old and New Testaments in it.
 'I had to retire to the office to have good laugh the other day when a young lady came tripping in and carelessly asked me as she handled some books, Have you the Mill on the Slushp''' She explained that she had made slip of the tongue when gave her tho Mill on the Floss. It is most common for people to ask for Lew Wallace, by Ben Hur.' Not long ago young man came in and asked for that horse book We named over a lot of treatlses on horses but he said, It wasn't them.' We were then compelled to confess our ignorance, when he explained, Well, my boss didn't exactly tell me it was a horse book, but he said to ask for ''The Horse With Seven Stables. "' We told him that we thought his boss meant Ine douse or tnc seven GaDleS ana gaVo him the book with the privilege of return ing it If it was not the right one. Tho book never came back. A gentleman who wanted set of the works of Shakespeare was very particular to got an authorized edition He said to us, Now, want you to give mo n copy revised by tho author himself But suppose VIC havo no moro trials than merchants in other lines have, and we should be thankful that we have customers, even if they do make bulls. By the way, you may not know that the book trade this season is larger than it has ever been before in the history of the business People arc becoming more literary in- clined, so books, especially good ones, arc in demand. ."-Pittsburg Dispatch.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
A GLIMPSE OF NOVA SCOTIA.
The Country Is Beautiful, People Arc Cour-
 teons, and Board Is Cheap.

The Country Is Beautiful, People Arc Cour-.
 teous, and Board Is Cheap.
 A gaod deal has been written and said about tho politeness with which travellers arc treated while journeying through cer- tain European countries. But it is not necessary to 10 so far from homo to meet with people who find time not only to treat strangers with politeness and affa- bility, but who observe the practice in their daily intercourse with one another A traveller through Nova Scotia and the provinces is impressed at the outset with the idea that the natives fully understand what is meant by hospitality, and what is moro to the point, know how to mako a happy uso of their knowledge Their po- liteness, to be sure, is not of tho polished French kind, but it is none the loss grace full because it is of tho good old fashioned sort The following is only ono illustra- iton of many others that could be told of them A party of Brooklynites while jog ging along country road was oyertaken by man who was driving his horse at a furious rate As hc turned out of tho road in order to pass ahead he pulled up his horse with some difficulty and apoiogized for passing, explaining that he was anx- ious to oycrtake a man who was quar-
 
 This may seem lttlo far fetched, but it is the parctice in Nova Scotia It may be remarked that in an extended journey this was the only person who was met that seemed to be in tho least bit of n hurry. The people there manifested q decided in- clination to take things easy. In a village of 500, at tho ringing of tho village bell at l2 o'clock, every store in town is closed for one hour, while the proprietors go home for dinner. Tho same thing occurs again at 6 o'clock, business everywhere being suspended for one hour They think that an hour for each meal is none too much. It may be only a coincidcnc5 that while many patent medicines were advcr- tised conspicuously no remedy for indlgcs- tion was brought to one $ attention. It is somewhat n matter of surprise to find in each small village Salvation Arrny in full force, bass drum, barracks and all. Ono is apt to wonder where they got their con- vorts for the churches are numerous and always woll attended
 Taking into consideration the good roads for driving, the beautiful scenery, tho first class coaches and good railroad service, journey through Nova Scotia is sure to bo satisfactory. There are four water routes-onc direct from Brooklyn ny uilc steitIilcrs EOflld auu iocrNlh Hc three other lines leave Boston and arc tho Canada, Atlantic and Plant, direct to Hali- fax, with two large iron steamers; tho Var mouth line, with two flno boats to Tar mouth, and the International Steamship company, with two well appointed side wheel steamers running to St. John.
 Tho expense of living in Nova Scotia is surprisingly cheap. The writer boarded at a country hotel for eight days at n total cost of S4. 50. Brooklyn Eagle.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
The Mace.

The mace wns originally potent weap- on of offense, originating doubtless in that earliest and most common weapon, the wooden club It was an essential part of knights accouterment, being useful at closo quarters. For ready convenience 1t was hung ut his saddle bow. Says an an Cient poom
 And with his heavy mase of stele
 Then he gave the lsying his dele.
 Tho besaguc and baston were varied forms of the mace The mace used on horseback was small weapon, usually of steel. That used on foot was much longer and commonly of wood, with head armed with iron rings and spikes. Itwas carried by the escort of magistrates and others as a ready protection against violence As society quietcd down and its original use fell into abeyance, the thing assumed the ornamental appearance it now has, it now being carried in mere honorary form Notes apd Queriea
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
Pintai1s.

The species of wild ducks known as pin tails have peculiar habit during the mating season, of descending from great altitude at an angle of about 45 degrees with the wings stifiy outspread and slight ly curved downward The bird is frequent ly so high that the noise produced by its passage through the air is heard for sev- eral seconds before the bird comes into sight It desccnds like meteor till within Q few feet of the ground, when slight change in the position of the wings sends the bird gliding away close to the ground severa, hundred yards without stroke of the wings The sound produced by this swift passage through the air can only be compared to the rushing of the wind through tree tops. At first it is like mur- mur. Then it rises to hiss, and as the bird sweeps by it is almost roar.-St Louis Globe Democrat.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
An eEx.o

It is somewhat hard to believe this story of Boston child of 8 years, but it is re- lated on good authority. The child, who is little girl named Dorothy, had been behaving very badly, as even Boston chill dren have been known to do, and her mother said to her ohidingly:
 Dorothy, really cannot be your man. ma any more!"
 The child made no reply, but gave her mother quick and very arch look. By and by, after half hour of silent and well behaved play, she came with her hat in her hand to her mother and said sober ly:
 My dear ex-mamma, do you think I've been good enough so could go out nowP" Youths Companion.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
STOCKHOLDERS MEETING

HIGHLAND AVENUE AND BELT RAILROAD
 COMPANY.
 A meeting of the stockholders of the Highland Avenue and Belt Railroad Com pany will be held at the office of the com papy in the city of Birmingham on Thurs day, February IA, 1895, for the transaction of such business as may come before the meeting.
 It is desirable that every stockholder be represented in person or by proxy. By order of the board ol directors. 29t F. M. BILLING, President.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09

A well known minister of kirk in Glasgow was one day passing along the High street, when he was aocosted by 2 crowd of street gamiph, ono of whop sAi9 nss ssn .D Das s's sss s''S%ns d The minister made no immediate response but on the whole crew tcitefating t4e crN "The de'il's deed, 'The de'il's deed" he turned, and, raising bis outstretched hands as If to pronounce blessing, repore. ed ..Ach, ye puir leetle fai.aless bairns" -.Eamily Herald.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
She Was No Politician.

''Did you sec all those dreadful charges the papers make against you?" said tho politicians wife.
 II did," was the reply What am I go- ing to do about it?"
 "Why," she answered, almost sobbing, "I-I'd make that horrid editor prove ev- cry word of them, so would"
 Prove 'eml Great gunsl That's ex- actly what I'm anxious to keep him from doing if canl"-Washingto Star.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09
Ostriches.

Ostriches, like all animals, exhibit in teresting qualities strikingly like those of humankind to those who observe their daily actions When they are setting, the cock takes his place on the nest at sun down, and at sunrise is relieved by his wife, who assumes her position for the day. At the end of the six weeks incubation both birds are miserably thin and weak.-Fam- fly Herald.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09

Free will is not the liberty to do what ever one likes, hnt the power of doing what ever che sees ought ss.,be done, even in the very face of otherwise overwhelming inn pulse. There lies freedom indeeo.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09

A Boston woman speaks of a dlr wagon as "real estate Conveyance, Yonksrs Statesman.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-09

s'There is one man in the United Stat Who has moro power than the preside ih& all tha {adaEal courts oombinad. 1" q