davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
Sundays Aqe-Herald.

The Christmas edition of This Age
Herald will be issued tomorrow morning.
1t will contain twenty-four pages. 1t
will be in an entirely new uniform. It's
advertising type. as well as its news
type, will be new 1t will make no effort
at color work. 1t will be- in plain black
and white. 1t win print the news from
every part of the globe. 1t will contain
special articles on various subjects by
good writers. Congressman Amos J..
Cummings will have a special letter from
Washington. Mr.. N. P. T. Finch, of The
among the best In this country, will have
an article on the needs of Birmingham.
in his own quaint and inimitable style,
and there are others-many others. But
lit Is useless to give all the special arti-
cles that will appear. 1t will be the
best newspaper evr printed In Alabama.
1t will contain many new features and
will be the best advertising MEDIUM the
merchants of Birmingham have ever had
the opportunity to take the benefit Of
In order to insure good positions adver-
Users should send their matter to thu.
business office at the earliest possible
time today.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
The Georuia Convict Bill.

The Georgia legislature wrestled with
the convict problem almost from start
to ending, and at last passed. compro
mise measure that leaves the larger por-
ton of the convicts untouched. 1t, how
ever, calls for reforms that will perhaps
put an end to the graver scandals con-
nectsd with the leasing of convicts in
that state. The convicts are to be looked
after by a commission of three. This
commission is to act as a board of par
dons. making recommendations to the
governor of the state.
Its chief duties consist, however, in the
establishment ef a convict farm where
al female conyicts, all boys under 10
years of age, and in the discretion of the
commissioners. all aged, infirm and disa-
bled conviots, shall b. confined. Proyis-
ion is made for the keeping apart of male
and female prisoners, of white and col
ored oonvicts, of youthful and adult pris-
oners. These humane provisions consti-
tute very definte departure from the
scandalous practices that have prevailed
in the lease system of the state ever since
the days of reconstruction. Tbs friends
of good read won a victory when the Sec
ton was adopted authorizing the COM
m.ssioners to turn prisoners over to any
county authorities that desire to utilize
their labor on the public reads. But
they can turn over short-term men
only.
The bill does not provide for the build
ing of a general penltentiary. Indeed, it
does not look to q termination of the sys-
tenn of leasing convdcts. The more CLAIR
ing and barbarous features of the system
are TO be reformed, but in the main the
plan of handling convicts will go ON as
can be done towards the education or ref
ormation of prisoners Stockades, aus q
rule, ars not places favorable to the in
culcation of great moral or religious
truths.
The cost of housing pG9sonres, and con-
Quoting penitentiaIaes, is the real obsta-
Gle ito prison reform In more than one
state. In Georgia the legislature refused
even Ito let the earnings of the leased con-
victs go towards the building of peni-
tentiary. On the convict farm stockadss
are to be built, and the cost Of the entire
plant. the land all improvements. is
limited to fifty thousand dollars.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

works Of the sciences. The children
should not be forgotten. but ths goody-
goody books of the old-time Sunday
school library need not be purchased.
The world is fun OF good reading, and a
list of fifty or one hundred BOOKS can be
readily made. Start with that number.
and be guided afterwards by the desires
of the people. The I9ttle library may at
the end of a year need to be replenished.
desirable and indispensable factor in the
life of the town. Try it.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

From the Chicago News.
An idle baker does not make loaf of
bread.
Newspaper tales should always have
proper heads.
be only mistaken.
The barber is the only man who does
head work with his hands.
The mercury never gets warm in its eff
forts to lower the record.
1t was originally intended to have sheet
music sung by the choir.
Some men act like hogs and there are
others who do not need to act.
The horSeleSS carriage is a novelty, but
the cowless milk wagon is a chestnut.
The longer a man is married the less he
lodges when his wife throws things at
him.
The most pitiful objects in this world
are girls who act like men and men who
act like girls.
Some married couples are so quarrelsome
that they dare not sit near the open win
dow for fear of falling out
The hotel clerk who puts on a brilliant
front is not the only pebble. A great many
newspaper men use paste, too.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
Books For All.

Some of Selma's patriotic citizens, says
tbs, Journal of that city, propose to es-
tablish a public library, using the 700
volumes of the Selma Library association
as neuclus. Let Selma, says the Jour-
nal, take the lead in this matter in Ala
bama.
There is really no reason why towns
much smaller than Selma should not
have public Embarrassment necessarily
free public libraries. but libraries in
which is applied the principle of co-opera-
tion. The basic idea may be said to be
the procurement of books at the lowest
possible COST The people of Selma are
perhaps looking to an endowment fund,
a fine building, and many thousands of
Volumes This is all very we'll, but the
lesser towns i'm thu state can not readily
accept and carry out such broad plans.
Nor need they, at least not at this outset
Take for example a town of fifty
houses, or about two hundred white peo-
pie If these people would subscribe $50,
or if the leading citizen would himself
subscribe that amount, or half of that
amount and other citizens the remainder,
the money would buy, at the rates upon
volumes of the best reading and also buy
perhaps ten of the more popular maya
zines. In the town some patriotic man or
woman could surely be found who will
IL tl,a OF ha lxa
are returned in accordance with the rules
of the association, and this fines for de-
lay in that respect or damages TO the
books paid.
This would be a library, and If the fifty
volumes and ten magazines were wisely
selected 1t would be a library that would
supply the fifty houses of the town with
years reading at least. In a word. 1t
is getting fifty dollars worth of htera-
ture at an average cost of one dollar
per house. The economic side is worthy
of attention. If town contains one hum
bred HOUSES, 1T could from a like con-
tribution command one hundred volumes
and twenty magazines. 1t should be re-
membered that books can be purchased
at prices from Is to 40 per cent. below
the prices named in catalogues or adj
refreshments
1T is not necessary to- dwell upon the
| educational advantages of books, or upon
the enjoyment that any good book af-
fords. No library should be selected
with view to supplying the wants of a
few. 1t should contain the best novels
as we'll as the best histories or the best
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
Lost the First Trick.

The republican party has been placed
squarely upon the defensive ON the Gu
ban question. When Mr.. Cleveland was
president, all the republicans In the
house and senate were yelping like
| coyotes demanding that the administra-
ton recognize at once the belligerency
of the insurgents. When Mr.. Mckinley
was candidate, the republicans pointed
with pride to the plank in the st. Louis
platform which proclaimed in no uncsr-
tain terms favoring Cuban liberty 1t
was heralded from one side of the nation
to the other that as soon as the man
from Ohio became the occupant of the
white house there would be a president
the recognition of the Cuban belligerents
would be a question of but an hour or
two, after he was installed in office.
President Mckinley has shown himself
to be no greater friend to the insurgents
than was his predecessor.
The democratic caucus which took
place few days ago pledged the party
upon the Issue. The party stands for
an early recognition of the insurgents.
Mr.. Mckinley is pledged not to recognize
them.
Speaker Reed has never been in favor
of Cuban liberty. Like Senator Hale, of
Maine, hs has all along been the friend
of Spain. There are a number of re-
publicans in the house who have not
changed their honest convictions ON the
Cuban question Notwithstanding the
change of administration. The republic
can party went before the people claim
ing to be the only genuine friends the
struggling Cubans had upon the Ameri-
can continent.
An attempt will be made l. force the
house TO carry out the declaration made
at st. Louis. Speaker Reed will prevent
the consideration of the resolution. The
democrats are in a position to make
splendid political capital out of it. Mr..
Mckinley, to prevent action, will hold
the power of patronage over the repub-
leans just as Mr.. Cleveland did ov+r the
democrats when he demanded the repeal
of the purchasing clause of the Sherman
act in the extraordinary session of 1898.
The republican party has lost one of the
best ricks, in the game.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
The Gar EXPANDING.

Speaker Reed is becoming more of a
speaker believes in charging his own
powers He is not only supreme in the
house, but he is going to make the at
tempt to be all powerful in the senate.
He has served notice upon the senate
that he will rule as out of order any and
all riders the senate may tack to the ap-
preparation BILL Speaker Reed is moth
ing if not positive. He believes in bling
vigorous, no matter what may be his
position.
For more than twelve years Mr..
Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, has been the
absolute autocrat of the republican
party in the house of representatives.
Before he became the speaker of the
F'ifty-first congress-, he was tbs I'M
crowned king of the republican side of
the house. During the Fifty-irst con-
gress. of which he was speaker, he nat
urally had more power and influence.
At this time ne was the absolute king
congresses, of which Mr.. Crisp was
speaker, Mr.. Reed was Still the czar of
the minority. In the last congress, as in
the present, he again wears the robes of
power. and has progressed to that point
where he believes it possible to pull the
rein over the senate.
Too much legislation Is oftentimes
more hurtful than no legislation at all.
Mr. Reed is doing most of the thinking
for the republican party. He is going to
try to run congress to suit himself. With
Reed as speaker, it lis a one man affair.
Mr.. Reed DOES not possess very high
regard Tor the occupant of the white
house. He does nnh fsal himself under
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The esteemed Evening Ledger has
added another laurel to it's brow in issu-
ing on yesterday it's twenty page pros
perity edition. The Ledger is forging to
THE frent until 1T will not be long before
1t occupies high front seat liz the red
wagon in the lead of the procession with
the head and tail erect, wearing the
trappings and spangles of appreciative
recognition. The Ledger is warm
member and its able editors and mama
gers are to be congratulated on the sue
cess they have achieved. May the
Ledger never grow smaller.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
IiFE's HAPPIEsT HOURS.

From the London Queen.
A sigh for those sad sweet summer days,
Sweet memories with pain of sad Fare
we'll
Oh Aftermath of all Life's happiers hoursI
A smile for gratitude; tear for truth,
One path quickest with thorns; one
strewn with flowers
"A sigh for Love too deep to be expressed
Thoughts dumb with weighted Truth de-
spoiled of words,
Too heavy laden with Desire to fly.
Sweetest of all sweet burdenst-this BEAR
Yet sigh that silent Love is passed by.
A sigh for WEAKNESS that mocks at rest.
For sickness at the Heart that knows no
cure,
Where Hope deferred is still too strong
to sleep.
One left to sigh. where Two had met to
smile.
And where Two Lovers kissed. one sits
to weep
A sigh for Hearts astray that find M
Home.
And oh! for Homes whose Hearts have
left them bare
That through the world are questing-all
oh. know'st Thou not. that all dear Love
can give
Is at thy feet; for II laid it therel
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
Useless Expenditures.

from the w dSHiHB IOSl.
The expenditures under the contingent
fund of the senate, which have just been
made known in a report of the secretary
of the senate contain some interesting
items. For instance, it is shown that Mr..
Benjamin Durfee who used to be the
clerk of the finance committee, made nu-
tiers, notably in connection with the COM
mittee which is investigating the use of
alcohol in the arts, and he rendered an
account of SIT for every time he Travelled
to New York and return. Mr.. Eugene
Davis, who went over to New York for an
other committee, contented himself with
buying a $40 round-trip ticket Mr.. Henry
Daily, Jr., a New York perfumer, seems
to have had two very delightful trips to
Europe for the alcohol committee, visiting
Liverpool, London, Paris, Amsterdam,
Brussels, Cologne, Berlin, Geneva, and
other charming cities, at government ex-
pense Mr. Charles G. Phelps accompanied
on one trip and together they spent over
81, 900. On Mr. Dalley's other excursion he
spent over 81, 000 Mr.. s. N. D. North drew
So day as t'statistician" for the senate
finance committee and all his expenses
while travelling, while James ]. voorhees,
got $500 for a bust of Vice-President Breck-
inridge. Mr.. Durfee also got from S206 to
$210 month for compiling a history of
while 1t cost $21S to feed with meals and
lunches" the Senators and attendants
while going to and returning from the
Grant memorial exercises in New York.
The other expenses of this excursion to
New York amounted to $7S2 1t cost a lit
tie over $500 to bury the late Senator Earle,
of South Carolina.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
The Fresh Dinlomat.
From the Washington Times.


Senator Cockrell was standing In the cor
ridor of the senate yesterday when he was
approached by one of the Presidents most
recent appointees as minister plenipoten-
tiary and envoy extraordinary. The new
fledged diplomat assumed seductive smile
and approaching the Missouri statesman,
cautiously, he extended his hand and intro
duced himself.
81 am Mr.. -, recently named by the
president minister to -" said he
"Ah, yes; pleased to meet you." replied
the senator, cordially, as he allowed his
eyes to roam over the man and formed
mental calculations as to his caliber.
my name is to come before the senate
for confirmation very soon,' said the
diplomat.
''Ah, yes; suppose So" commented the
senator.
"And If you can do anything for me"
Eyes; If I hear there is any trouble
will let you KNOW" interjected the SEN
ator, and he walked away, leaving the
would-be minister plenipotentiary and en-
voy extraordinary wondering what he had
said to offend the Missouri statesman.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

In 1895, at the instance of Senat tor Till
man and his friends constitutional con-
vention in South Carolina adopted this
clause:.
"Up to january 1, 1898, all male parsons
of voting age applying for registra-
ton who can read any section of this
constitution submitted to them by the
registration officer, or understand and
explain, when read to them by the regis
tration officer, shall be entitled to regis
ter and become electors"
The clause has not been questioned in
the courts, and under it's operation on y
10000 out of South Cardinals male adult
negroes have registered. The states
electorate is now made up of 10000 white
and $1,000 negro voters. One hundred
and twenty-eight Thousand negroes have
not been registered since the adoption of
the new constitution.
The clause in question has nearly run
it's course. After ths first of January an
educational and property test goes into
effect under the following provision of
the Tlllman constitution:
ANY person who shall apply for regis
tration after January l 1898, If other
wise qualified, shall be registersd; pro-
vided that he can both read and write
any section of TIL S constitution submitted
to him by the registration officer or can
show that he owns and has paid all taxes
collectable during the previous ysar on
property i'm this state assessed at $500 or
more.
1t is not believed THAT the addition of a
property test will materially increase the
registration of NJ gro voters. The state
Is now controlled by her white citizens,
groes will regain their former power
while they remain illfterate
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

on a sea voyage with his father, Mr.. Lock-
wood Kipling. the artist. Soon after the
vessel was under way Mr.. Lockwood Kip
ling went below, leaving the boy on deck.
overhead, and one of the ships officers
rushed down and banged at Mr.. Kiplings
door. ''Mr. Kipling," he cried, your boy
has crawled out on the yardarm, and II he
lets go he'll drown" Yes" said Mr.. Kip
ling, glad to know that nothing serious was
the matter; "but he won't let co.
HE won't let go" holds good as a char
aeteTistic of his literary work
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
Long Stems Are More Decorative.

From Gardening.
We lately saw a church altar decorated
with cosmos where the stems were not
over six to eight inches long, utterly spoil
ing the effect of this beautiful flower, and
saw the same error committed on a home
decorated dinner table at the house where
extensive grounds enabled the owner to
gather all the flowers desired and with as
long stems as nature attached to them.
Ignorance of how to use them so detracted
from their beauty and grace that the table
would have looked better without them.
All the cut flowers should have enough Of
their stems and foliage to allow them to be
placed loosely in the vases, and to furnish
their own green. Cosmos should be cut
with stems two and a half to three feet,
and with them, as with all flowers, the
foliage attached to that part of the stem
that is immersed in water should be re-
moved, as it fouls the water.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Now that Palmer and Mckinley demo-
cratic papers in the state have declared
in favor of the nomination of Judge Cole
man there need to be no necessity for
a state convention. These friends of the
wise judge usually settle all public and
private questions to their own satisfac-
ton.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

If Mr.. Aldrich is deposed ais the dis
penser of patronage In the Fourth dis
trfct what is the use of his being con-
testant for Mr.. Plowman's seat in con-
gress?
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The earnings of a great many railroads
would show marked falling off in pas
senger earnings were they to withdraw
their close relationship with the ticket
scalpers.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

From the desire of the merchants to
secure space IN tomoarow's Age-Herald
1T argues that the paper will be very
much in the hands of its friends.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

MIR. Mckenzie, of the Ticket Brokers'
association, was getting close to the truth
wh=n he said many railroads did business
direct with the scalpers.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

IF Secretary Gage hopes to have his
financial bill passed he may find it nec-
essary to become more liberal with pat
ronage among members of tha house.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

To bring about pleasant state of af-
fairs it may become a necessity to hang
a few of the members of the oldest and
best families in the state of Georgia.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Georgia led the van with two to her dis
credit
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

David Bennett He'll has served notice
upon Mr.. Croker that he holds no smaM
part of the political whip handle.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

In the unwarranted assassination of
Actor ferris it was then that the super
played the part of the villain.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The ticket brokers and railway mana
gers are playing the scalping act to per-
lection before congress.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The gas monopoly already has lit
stockings filled with the indignation o.
THE public,
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

1t may be necessary for some one to
place a muzzle on Mr.. Grosvernor.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The country win miss nothing by CON
gress taking two weeks vacation INSTEAD
of one during holidays.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

1t Is not expected the pension looters
will be satisfied short of everything in
the treasury.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

If musEc hath charms to soothe, the
chances are the piano war win soon
end.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

A Request Granted.-"Only give my
client time," pleaded the lawyer, land ]
am sure he will reform"
And the Judge gave him seven years.
Somerville Journal.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Not Fair.-A little boy was fishing, and,
drawing in his line, found that the bait
had been taken Off without result; where
upon he burst into tears and said: "It's
cheating! Dispatch.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

A Similitude.-'T know a man." said the
overdressed boarded "who believes in
spirit marriages-the idiot"
81 thought you had leaning toward a
belief of that kind yourself" said Asbury
Peppers. 81 never saw another man with
such liking for unearthly ties."-Cincin-
natl Enginer.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
A Story OIL KIpling,s Youth.

The London Academy tells a story of
Mr.. Kipling when he was a lad. He went
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Sympathy.-"Im really sorry for Plod
din" remarked young Mr.. Happigo.
"Why?" inquired the friend.
ST asked him to lend me $40, and he only
had 70 cents. 1 can't help feeling sorr,
for man who only has 70 cents. Wash
ington Star.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Yesterday was evidently hangman,s day,
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

His Favorite Brand.-Dismal Dawson
Which kind of whisky do you like the
best?
Everett Wrest-The large kind.--Indian-
apolis Journal.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
TELEPHONE CALLS.
TO SUBSCRIBERS.

business ONCE ....,........2s $50
Editorial Rooms ......... -. ...........z III
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18
CURRENT FUN.

Not So Swift.-A breath was enough
''Clovcsr' she cried, scornfully. Think
you to deceive me?'
He shrank away.
"You have been drinking wateri'' she
Missed, livid with rage.
He shrank. away, denying nothing.
And she, the bride of short week, left
alone with the consciousness that her hus-
band was by no means the high-rolling
cracker jack she had believed him.-Detroit
Journal.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

The travelling agents of The Age-Herald
are Messrs. c. S. johnson and Aubrey Har-
well.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-18

Remittances can be made by express,
postoffiee money order or drafts at current
rate of exchange. Address
THE AGE-HERALD;
Birmingham. Ala.