davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
CURRENT FUN.

In a Cigar .--Tobacconist-If you'll keep quiet about it, I'll tell you how man. age to make money out of cigars. When a man comes in and asks me for good cigar I invariably recommend that brand that costs me the least. It is a great scheme.
 Customer-That's so. What idiots they must all be! By the way, want you to recommend good cigar to me.
 Tobacconist-Well, confidentially. I ad- wise you to take one of these. Customer goes out. Only one more idiot that's all.- Boston Transcript.
 Courteous Request-Buried in a fur coat, with his hands deep in his pockets, a man passes on the boulevard a man dis tributing handbills. Very politely, but without taking his hands out, he says to the distributor:
 ''Thank you kindly, my friend. But will you have the kindness to throw it on the sidewalk ?"-Paris Figaro.
 Poor Grub.-He Cat dinner. to his young wife)-My dear, I'm afraid your cookbook must have some misprints in it!-F'liegende Blaetter.
 The Doubtful Point.-First Suburbanite (bitterly)--I'm blest if I think the average cook will ever get to heaven.
 Second Suburbante-Don't know; but it's very QueSt1OnaDle Wnetner sue II De Wiling to stay after she does get there.-Puck.
 At the Trial.-Attorney-Do you ever think?
 venirmena-I-think sometimes do.
 Attorney-Challenged for cause.-Cleve- land Leader.
 Dsgraced His Crowd.-They're agoin' to bounce Charlie Jags from the s'iety.
 Whats Charlie done?
 Slept that first cold night in soap fac tory.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 An Act of IIeroism.-It was at an after noon tea. and the crush was simply hor- rid. It seemed that nothing would save the few present, when one quick-witted woman exclaimed: Ladies, please remem- Der there are gentlemen in the crowd"
 It was all that preserved the poor things from a horrible fate.-Philadelphia North American.
 Fast.-"Fly," he cried, "with me-"
 The poster girl contemplated him calmly.
 "Well, certainly won't run, I tell you those," she replied
 In point of fact, the brand of ink of which she was constructed was ample guaranty of that.-Detroit Journal.
 A Bad Break.-"Smithers did pretty well during the first part of the temperance play at the church last night, but he spoil ed it later.'
 How"
 "Got up and went out between the third and fourth acts-as usual."-Cincinuati Commercial Tribune
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
Looking Forward.

The action of the city council the night before hast in taking up the question of possible municipal ownership of the gas ths electric light plants and the water works plant, is in keeping with the ten dency of the times. In many cities in England within the past ten years mu- nicipal ownership has become a fixed fact It has been demonstrated that lit is very practicable and has been a. great saving both to the city and to those who contribute to ths support of the munich pality. The question Is now being agi- taIted in all parts of the United States. In some American cities it has, as in England, proved a great benefit to all concerned. Birmingham Is young city. It is progressive, and has natural surroundings sufficient to make it one of the great inland cities of the republic.
 Municipal ownership must necessarily It Is a question that the city council should consider with great wisdom The advice of the best talent should be en- gagged. It is true municipal ownership is no longer a theory. Its success has ex- emphfied its usefulness. Birmingham should be made model city. Municipal ownership if measured by the experience in other cities, will be step in al1e right direction.
 This is purely an economic question and one to be considered by business men In business-like manner. There is no occasion for hostile feelings on either side. Those who control the various plants are entitled to fair considera- tion for them in the event the city should decide to purchase. Watsred and worth less stock should not figure in the proba- ble cost. This is a question in which every citizen should be intensely inter ested. If carried to successful conclus- ion, it will affect every household. If the municipality of Birmingham should be as successful with the ownership of her public plants as is the city of Bir- mingham, in England, then Birmingham, Alabama, will be a model city. indeed.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
HOW D0 YOU WALk2

No two people walk exactly alike and the student of character finds much to interest him in the way people walk as in any peculiarity they may have of feature. Quick steps denote agitation; slow steps, either long or short, suggest gentle or contemplative turn of mind.
 Turned-in toes generally characterize the absent-minded and a stoop the studious and deeply reflective, whose thoughts are anywhere rather than with themselves.
 Obstinacy Is indicated by the slow heavy and flat-footed style of walking, while miserliness may be suspected from short, nervous and anxious footsteps.
 Sly, cunning people walk with a noise less, even and stealthy tread, resembling that of a eat. A proud person generally takes even steps, holds the figure upright and the head little back and turns the toes well out.
 gay and volatile persons trips lightly and easily in sympathy with his or her nature. Character is shown by all sorts of oddities in gait, but for grace and elegance no civilians walk will bear comparison with that of the man who has received military training
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
THE FAMOUS DOVER CA TILE.
History of the Fortifcation Which Came Near
 Being Torn Down on Tte35ag

The Dover Castle in England, which suf- fered some damage Tuesday by a fire, which threatened for time to utterly de- moish all of the structure that was vul- nerable to flames, is the most impressive fertilization in England It looks more like a fortress than any other of the de- lenses of England. It surmounts chalk cliffs that rise abruptly from the sea to a height of 326 feet.
 The castle now covers about thirty-six acres. Julius Caesar Is credited with building the foundations and a part of the present structure, although recent anti quarians assert that it was built between A. D. 43 and 49, in the reign of Claudius The buildings present characteristics of Roman, Saxon and Norman architecture All that can be traced to the first is sur- rounded by deep ditch.
 ! The Saxon part of the building is sup posed to have been begun by Alfred the Great, and the foundation of the present keep is said to have originated with Sun dulph, bishop of Rochester, about 115S.
 After the conquest the castle was of great importance. It became one of the keys of England. In 1216 1t was able to resist siege by Louis of France, and thus, probably, saved England from a French dynasty.
 Of the numerous watch-towers once standing along the walls of the fortress, Constable's, Peverells, the Avranches and CdlIOn $ are LHe O1lly ones TeIldllluBs III addition to the keep The foundation walls of the latter are said to have been laid by Henry Fitz-Empress, afterward Henry II. Peverell's tower is so called after an ille- gitimate son of the Norman conquerer, who had command of the post. The square keep is three stories high, rising 100 feet above the ground The first floor is large hall; the second contains the chapel, and the third the state apartments
 There is famous well, 400 feet deep, in Peverells tower, but 1t has been arched over. Among the many features in the castle is a curious brass piece of ordnance, cast in Utrecht In 1854. It is twenty-four feet long and is known as Queen Eliza beths pocket pistol. The old Roman church, the Pharos or lighthouse, and Cockerow, or Cations Gate, always at tracts archaeologists and tourists.
 The castle has been completely remod- eled since 17s0 but it still bears every re- semblance to Norman castle, consisting of a keep, inner and outer courts, gates and watch towers. The excavations in the chalk cliff to provide light and air were not cut until after that date.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
SOCIAL MISTAKES.

Perhaps one of the greatest and most universal is that of talking about oneself and there is no personal pronoun of which the world gets so wearied as IT., spoken by the lips of others. This being the case, we should do well to recollect what bore 'I" is and to refrain from mentioning her as far possible.
 Another social folly is that of gushing which, in plain English, is often not mere insincerity, but actual falsehood The gusher may at first make herself very &C., ceptable to the infatuated ear of vanity but even the conceited of people gen. erally have a few grains of common sense in their composition, by the aid of which they soon come to estimate at their true value exaggerated politeness or admira- tion and pretended affection.
 There is a set of people who err as greatly as the gushers, but in quite an opposite direction. They assume a manner of indifference and want of interest in everything and everybody. They seem to consider it bad form to exhibit any pleas ure in life and the height of bad breeding to be guilty of enthusiasm. They would n~ohablv ar~''r tho same terms of eulogy to an act of heroism as they would to successful culinary effort of the presiding genius of the kitchen.
 Perhaps the most annoying and vulgar of common social mistakes is that of patron izing. Some people have a subtle, unde- finable way of doing this, but it is unmis- takable all the same. Now, if one is su- perior to ones neighbors, the way to show it is in ones taste and good breeding and certainly not in patronizing those one comes in contact with In fact, only snobs would either patronize or submit to be patronzed.
 In connection with this form of social error comes that of not introducing people who come to your receptions and "at homes." Of course, indiscriminate intro duction is to be condemned but it is ab- solutely rude to allow friends you have in vited to your house for their pleasure to sit unnoticed in corner or crushed against wall. That brings to mind the vulgarity of the style of entertainment described as a crush. It Is a simple insult to invite such a large number of guests that they are herded together in your rooms like sheep and are there nearly stifed, to say nothing of being bored al- most to extinction. The hostess may enjoy reading in the paper afterward on account of the numerous and influential gathering of people who enjoyed her hospitality, but. as a matter of fact there was not a grain of hospitality in the business, but only vulgar self-advertisement.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17

parties, and some Of them unfortunately get into office There are another class of men who hold office that are always boasting of their honesty and the honesty of ths party to which they belong. De- nouncing with great vehemence the dis honesty of men in all other political par ties. This seems to have been one of Gibson's greatest speclalties. MT. Glib son rollsd into office on the wave of populism. He was populist pure and simple, and even was disposed to incline toward the Pefferfan beard, although not being able to approach the distin- guished gentleman from Kansas in that direction. Gibson had all the other marks of gsnuine and true populist. He de- nounced democrats in the most abusive terms. He said all democrats were dis honest, that the democratic party was dishonest. but all honesty was to be found in the plopulist party.
 The exposure made by the official in- vestigation shows conclusively that the people of Lee county were very much mistaken when they elected w. B. Gib- son sheriff. It is not necessary to com ment to any extent upon MT. Gdbson's methods. They are shown very forcibly in the plain and simple statement of facts made ito the governor by the ex- aminer of public accounts. If Gibson had praeticed more honesty. and talked less about dishonesty, Examiner Purifoy would not have been compelled to nave written the report as printed in today's Age Herald. Gibson was a reformer of tha populist kind. lit will require the combined efforts of all the populists in the United States to reform Gibson. Gib- son has had his day. He was treasury looter from the headwa ters. He may be properly known in the future as "Feed Bill" Gibson snstead ef w. B. Gibson.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
Pig Iron at Lower Prices.

The American Manufacturer calls att tention to the concentration that is go- ing on among the blast furnaces of this country. There were 345 furnaces in blast in January, 1890; on November of the present year thsre were only 1S5-a one-half
 And yet the 1855 furnaces now in blast have a weekly capacity 25 per cent greater than the 345 furnaces of 1890 had. The figurss are surprising. The weekly capacity of the 345 furnaces of 1890 was 175,O02 tons of pig iron; from the 1855 fur naces of 1897, there is a weekly output of 219,63S tons. The average weekly ca pacity uf a furnace had been increased from 5O7 tons in 1890 to 1,1S7 tons in 1S97- an increase of more than 130 per cent. The fact is, the small furnaces, alike in the Birmingham district and elsewhere, are idle. They lack economy in produc- tion, and their big brothers hold the field.
 It is noticeable, too, that charcoal and anthracite furnaces are steadily failing behind both in the number of furnaces, and in the totals of productions. All these facts and figures have one ten dency-lessened cost of production. They have much to do with the lower prices of pig iron in this country, and therefore with the ability of American ironmasters to undersell other irons in the very coun- tries of production. The enterprise and resources of the country are nowhsre more admirably displayed than in the changes and Improvements constantly out pig iron.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
American Cotton Mills.

The Arkwright club of Boston and oth- CT organizations, and other people not included in the club world, are indulg ing just now in a sal of foolish talk over competition on the part of southern cot ton mills. There should be cooperation not unreasonable competition, among the mills of this country. There should be an equitable division of work, a frank understanding, between the mills of the north and the mills of the south.
 The job in hand ds an immense one, namely, the turning into goods of every bale of cotton grown in this country. To accomplish the task every spindle that the country contains or can procure will be needed during a full generation to come Thene is work enough for all work that will benefit, not only the mills, but the country also.
 The difficulty at present. is a proper and, just apportionment of the gigantic task. In a general way the spinning of cotuon and the weaving of coarse goods should be done amid the cotton fields, while the manufacture of fins goods should remain in the hands of the east ern mills. And all should cooperate In the work of increasing exports, and un- derselling the goods made in oth@r coun-
The age-herald., 1897-12-17


 tries. notably in England and Germany. The mills that are to be wiped out are not American mills. There is not an American mill that cannot find work to do if it will seek that branch of the work which it can best do.
 In this way the industry can be pro noted and maintained, and cuts in wages which do not nlow exceed on the average sS a week would not be necessary. For the good of adl, let there be common sense, instead of destructive rivalry. among American mills. The competi- taon that should bye met and antagonized at every point is the competition that would shut the products of American mills out of all foreign markets.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
"Feed Bill" Gibson.

As will be seen from the news columns of toay's issue, w. B. Gibson, farmer sheriff of Lee county is, according to the official report of Examiner Purifoy, a defaulter to the state in the sum of $1,78099. The examination extends over a period from August 1892 to August 1S96-four years. The examiners report Indicates that Sheriff Gibson was out for the stuff. Hs seemed to take everything he could get which might in any way be attached to the alleged emoluments of the office MT Gibson's art in charg- ing imaginary feed bills would do justice to the talent of Boss Tweed He Hke- wise showed great sk1ll in charging the state for feeding prisoners whom he had never had in his jail. Gibson had an- other faculty In charging for feeding prisoners for a long:r period than they were guests at his prison table.
 An official may be honest no matter to what party he may belong. There are honest men in all political parties. There are dishonest men in all political
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
The Southern Bankers.

The resolutions of the bankers who met in Atlanta on Wednesday of this week are chiefly remarkable for indefin- iteness and mistiness. For example, they propose the substitution of bank notes for greenbacks and the treasury notes of 1890, and yet they do not fur nish shadow of a plan for ths dotng of it. The mere expression of desire or an op.nlcn Is not of practical value, and the convention was made up, not of theorists but of actual live business men. It is therefore safe to assume that they did not themselves see how the proposed work could be accomplished.
 Then again they had a great deal to say in relation to state banks, and th= regulation of state banks by the federal government and the union of all banks, state or national, under federal admins traition and supervision, and more of like effect and meaning. If these expres- sions have any significance at all, they mean that state banks are to become to all intents and purposes national banks A state bank, conducted under federal administration and supervision, would ceasa to be a state bank. The fact is, the proposed mixture of state charter and federal control is absurd and i'm practicable. The powers and privileges granted by the state are not subject to federal administration and supervision, and congress to which the bankers at At lanta have carried their appeal, has no contrtol over them.
 How much plainer, simpler and better the plan embraced in a repeal of the 10 per cent tax upon the circulation of state banks Such a repeal would give the elastic currency that the bankers in Atlanta professed to desire; it would af- ford a currency that would circulate at least at home-another Atlanta desire and it would "give the producers of every kind and in every section ample currency and hold their crops and manufactures until they wish to dispose of them" It would enable the people of each state to estimate their own needs, and make pro- vision against them. It is the one bank currency remedy that will benefit the south and the west.
 But there was not a wiord in the lengthy wl1ereases and resolutions adopt ed touching a repeal of the tax. Not one. The chief declaration that the con vention indulged in related to the reduc- tion of the eight kinds of money now In use no specie and bank notes They demand in other words a monopoly in the issuance eff paper money. They want government rivalry abolished. As to this there is no mistinese, but in other respects they are up in the clouds of tteory beyond touch or even sight of solid ground, and practical recommenda- tions for currency reform.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
EXPLORED CENTRAL AFRICA.

Though the name of Sven Hedin is little known here, in his own country he is class ed with Nansen, Andree and others who have in the last few years done so much
 to enhance the reputation of the Scandf- navians in daring and enterprise He is but 32 and his long and perilous journey in Central Asia which he recently concluded is the third he has undertaken. His first was effected when he was but 20 years
 old. He saved $160 and spent it on a four months ride through Persia. One day he found himself without penny. He was in Kirmanshar and went to the principal citi- zen, the richest man in Persia-Aga-Mu- hammed-Hassan, who acts as English agent in Persia. Aga had never heard of such country as Sweden, but when he found that the young man was country man of the famous Charles XII, whose exploits are known throughout Islam, he placed his house at MT. Hedin's disposal and sent him away with a huge sack of silver. King Oscar took an interest in young Hedin and sent him to the Persian court in an official capacity, where he was great favorite. However, journey into Central Asia was Hedin's ambition. He wanted to climb Musta-atu, to study and map the glaciers of the Pamirs. to discover the old lake of Lop-Nor in the Gobi desert, to explore the plateau of Thibet, and gem erally to transverse Central Asia from
The age-herald., 1897-12-17
In Jackson County.

All the people do not wear long faces all the tsma. The Scottsboro Citizen has found one who does not, and it speaks Of him as a man who Is "aH right and a good democrat" It thus repcrts him; Bob Hargiss says that these are the best times he ever saw. He is close observer, and h+ says that all the farm CTS and their sons who worked thLs year are mostly out of debt, and have little money" Good for Jackson county
 Alabama needs men like MT. Harg-ss- men who work, and who do not think everything is going to the dogs-msn who have faith in the state, fn the coun- try, and in themselves-men who believe that heaven helps those who first help themselves. The state has an oyerpro- duction of politicians and pessimists, and she needs every one of her sons who is trying to develope her marvellous re- sources, and who also tries to see the bright side. elf every situation.
 If every man would go about among his nelghbors bea1dng messages of en- couragement and contentment, there would soon be change for the better Men would take hold of their respective tasks with increased courage and energy It would be meTal revolution at first leading up to physical revolution. The pessimists should be sent to the rear They are out of place In a stat+ as rich ly endowed by nature as Alabama Is. No state has a softer climate than the pine belt offers. No richer soil than that of the Black belt can anywhere be found. The hidden wealth of the mineral district of Alabama is simply inexhaustible. And the valleys of North Alabama but await the farmer "who works This is not the place for people to whom all times are hard. MT. Hargiss is all right as the Citizen says, and he is both a good democrat and a good citizen.
The age-herald., 1897-12-17

west to east. He called a meeting at Stock holm, which the king attended, and he read a paper explaining what he wanted to do and how he proposed to do it. The king was enthusiastic and Mir. Nobel was enthu- siastic, and between them they subscribed a sum of 5000 kroner to pay the expenses. Hedin earned 1000 kroner more by sending articles on the way to newspapers, so that the whole cost of the. journey came to about 5000 He had intended to be away only twelve months; in the result, his ex- petition lasted three years and seven months. It was eminently successful.
 Not only did he solve all the questions which he had proposed to solve, but he did much more. It is true that Mus-tag- times over to reach the top, he never got higher than 10000 feet, which is 5000 feet from the summit. Among Dr. Hedins most treasured possessions are several manu- scripts and a number of fragments of mu- ral paintings which he dug up out of the sand which enshrouds these dead forgot ten cities of the desert. It was in this des- ert, the Takla-M -Makhand, that the most perlous adventure of all that moving expe- dition befell the adventurer. The water supply failed him in the very heart of the waste of sand. and it was twelve days and nights before a drop of liquid of any kind passed his lips. In the day the sun was burning hot, at night the air was bitterly cold. Yet he managed to struggle on and out Some of the way, during the last hours, he was so weak that he could only crawl on all-fours Two of his attendants died of exhaustion. He lost four of his five camels and almost all of his instru- ments and baggage. Yet he proposes to revisit this desert again. pr. Hedin is at present writing a book describing this jour ney, illustrated with drawing by himself He is man of great energy and an inde- fatigable worker.