davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-12-31
-
Seriously Considered.

Mr.. Blykins had sat in disappearing
silence while his daughter sang a song
which had come in a pumpkin pie coiored
cover, with sunfioweFs all over it.
1t all goes to show he exclaimed,
that all you've got TO do is to keep ham
mering away at anything you set your
mind on and it'll come to pass. Time works
wonders, everything comes TO him who
waits, and if you don't succeed try, try
again.
Why, what in the world are you talking
about, p'pah?' she inquired wheeling
around the piano stool
He was somewhat disconnected. Until re-
Gently she had called him paw, and he
was not quite used to ''ppah.'
Nothing. Nothing in particular. l can't
help thinking how some old, familiar APP
peals have answered. OF course, all is not
roses and sunshine. The hearts desire of
few months since may be partially out OF
recollection by the wish of today, but he
added, in some slight confusion, its all
bound to come out right in the end
Are you ill?''
mo. I'm joyous. Do you remember how
a short time ago some poor girl was going
around from piano to piano asking you TO
just tell them that you saw her? L don't
know when my symDathies have been so
aroused, although L must say L admired
her ingenious way of advertising. When
she desired to have somebody told some
thing, she did not content herself with
putting a personal in the paper. saying
that a certain party would learn something
to his advantage by communicating with
x. Y. H., this Office. No, sir. She sat down
and sang it. She put it into the plano
wagons and had it announced from the
bargain counters in all music stores.
What's the result? Somebody's told 'em
that they saw her and now she's satisfied.
Nobodys heard a word from her for six
months. Then there was another one who
kept saying take back your gold She
persisted, until finally, i suppose, some one
took the gold back and set her mind easy.
Evening star., 1898-12-31

which he had punched against his breast
with both hands. Holding up an egg, he
exclaimed:
What do you think Of date"
You've been robbng nest. / suppose"
Madam he exclaimed impressiNrly. do
you believe in pr.destnation2
1T depends on how its explained"
We'll dis egg was perscutrd ro me 10y 4
considerate hen. who stole softly up i'm me
slumber an celebrated de glad holiday sea-
son by layin' dis humble Gift i'm me hat. |
S'pOSe she'd of put ii in me stockin, only
| had it on. ! tell ye. lady. I was touched,
an I says to myself 1T WAS predcstina,ed
dat I'm 10 have some holiday cheer Ef
dat pore. haTdworkin' hen kin do dat much
toward mo Christmas cEE-nogg, De kind
lady Of De house amt gon' to back out on
de rest O Ge proposition
Evening star., 1898-12-31
IDsinuatinR.

Lady" said Moandering Mike. Il want
to call Yer attention TO somethin that Jest
happened. But fust lemme please ask you
do you make mince pies?"
Certainly"
DO you make EN- good-that is to say.
do you use hard cider or grape Juice or
any such unhusinesslike articles as them
fur the stiffenin'?'
"Coriainly not. ] rely on the cooking to
drive the alcohol away when ] find 1t ncccs-
sary TO use spirituous beverages for flavor
ing"
Yes m. Only don't talk about driviu' ii
away. 1t makes me feel sorry fur b..
Lady" he proceeded. 81 want YOU to look
here"
He carefully unfoldcd portion Of his coat,
Evening star., 1898-12-31

request to take back gold was attended TO
with the utmost promptness. But there's
one thing that puzzles me" he went on.
IN spite OF the fact that the young woman
was strumming chords softly but fmpa-
uently, and that is this: What has hap-
pened to the moon out in Indiana2 Night
after night the moon used to he shining
fair along the Wabash. Now it appears TO
have silently slid from the sky. m glad
about the other two cases, but. as / indi-
Gated, there are always considerations
which arise to prevent our comfort from
being complete. | can't help being worried
about that Indiana moon"
Evening star., 1898-12-31
Heroic Treatment.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
How are you getting along with that
raw Swede girl you hired?'
''She is not raw now. My wifo's mother
has been roasting her three times a day
ever since she came"
Evening star., 1898-12-31
An Antique Weapon.
From the Chicago Tribune.

You are an iceberg" exclaimed her eId-
erly but well-preserved adorer pale with
anger and ncrtifcatioH. "A dozen Cupids
with hundred 5rrows each, could never
find a vulnerable place in your finty
heartn'
Not if they used an old beau to shoot
with, Mr., Wellup," cokiiy replied the young
and beautiful Miss Elygpe.
Evening star., 1898-12-31
In Doubt.
From Life.


My son seems anxious for literary
career
What are you going to do with him?"
Il don't know whether to put him in the
army or navy
Evening star., 1898-12-31
No Need to Guess.
From Judge

FROM Judge.
After Christmas, what" exclaimed Mrs.
Cawker, with a look into the future.
Economy" replied Mr.. Cawker senten-
tiously.
Evening star., 1898-12-31
He Thought Not.
From Puck.

Old Gentleman Suddenly entering parlor)
Young man, don't you think you have
been holding my daughter in your lap long
enough?'
Young Man-"N-No. sir! 1t isn't time to
go yet"
Evening star., 1898-12-31

II didn't take nearly so long as i'm the
iormer instance, which goes To show what
sordid world this Is. Just telling some
nooy that they saw her was a trihing favor
such as one might ask from a total
stranger. But there was no money in it,
ana 1t seemed TO be neglected, while a
Evening star., 1898-12-31
What Happened to Herr DiekerI

as he got between two electric ears going
in opposite directions.
From Fliesende Blatter.
Evening star., 1898-12-31

fhT recent tour of the President in the
south has increa sed the pension Office mail
very considerably already" volunteered a
pension bureau clerk to a Star reporter.
but il Is only a marker TO what We expect
later on The Introduction of the several
bills to pension the soldiers of the confed-
crate army, their widows and children.
The age-herald., 1898-01-16
THE NEEDLE INDUSTRY.
Germany is Rapidly Coming to the Front as
 Engands Rival.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
 The export trade of sewing needles forms a very important part of commerce in Ger many. Formerly England supplied that country with needles; this industry. accord- ing to the United States consul at Anna berg, has during the last few years devel< oped to such an extent that the Germans are able to meet their English competitors, not only in the markets of the world, but in the British colonies and in England as well. The principal seats of the industry are Aix-la- Chapelle, Burtscheid, Iserlohns Altona, Nuremburg and Schawalbach The factories of a-Chapelle alone produce 5O000,000 needles weekly. The following figures show to what extent the exports from Germany of these needles have de- veoped. During the eight years from 1880 to 1887 the German export of needles of all kinds-embroidery, knitting, darnings sewing and sewing machine needles amounted to Il 600,000 pounds, valued at SIP, 900. The following eight years made @ still better showing. During this period the quantity exported was 100000 pounds, valued at $15,000000 The enormous growth in the production of this article is due prip- cipally to the export trade to China, where Germany seems to entirely control the mar& ket. Other countries importing Gernan sewing needles British East Indiess France, the United States, Austria-Hun- gary, Italy and Turkey. In conclusion, the American consul says: kj
 Under the protection of their governA ment the Germans have built up a needle industry which commands the respect of the world At first they initiated the Eng fish methods of manufacture but their sue perior technical training soon enabled them to discover the defects of the English ma .,I tIzAxr a1o +A6 ora6 fr13t cHhhery, anu 'hey auoPeS" he" eiN 'hA proved devices and followed their own course of manufacture. The infant indus try of a few years ago has become ono of national importance The manufacture CTS go into the markets of the world, pre- ferably into new countries, and compet6 successfully everywhere"
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

This is an age of competition and the greatest achievements are those which are the result of combined effort or co-opera- tion. Our railroads, submarine cables, etc, could never have been brought into existence, but for the cooperation of many men. Birmingham has during the past year obtained a s5oO,OOO cotton mill and $i25000 steel plant by the cooperation of it's people. Enterprise might have given us two or three cotton mills or steel plants on too small scale to work as advantage ously as the existing plants are expected to do. The same principle must necessa- rily apply to municipal effort. It is not possible for the same projects to be sue cessfuly undertaken by the scattering mu- nicipalities Birmingham, Avondale, Wood lawn, or East Lake, as could be brought to a successful termination if predicated upon the combined intelligence, energy, and financial strength of the four commit mites.
 A glance at the sketch map will show the reasonable nature of incorporating into Greater Birmingham, Ensley Pratt City, Thomas, West End, Green Springs, Elyton, North Birmingham, Forest City, East Bir- mingham, Ayondale, Woodlawn, Gate City, Irondale, and East Lake. It is open to more doubt and to much consideration whether at the present time 1t would be
The age-herald., 1898-01-16
HE KINGS NAME INVOLVED Humbert Implicated in a Domes-
 tic Scandal. NAMED AS CORRESPONDENT Well-knOwn Intimacy Which Brought About Enmity of Empress Eugenie and ln-
 generation of the Duchess
 of lItta.
NAMED AS CORRESPONDENT

Cablegram to the St. Louis Globe-Demo- crat.
 Rome, Jan. A.-Rome is once more in the throes of a most sensational scandal, in which the name of no less a parsonage than King Humbert is implicated For many years the Duke of Litta, who is the head of the patrician houses of yisconti and
 Ares, has been endeavoring to secure a dissolution of the bonds uniting him to his wife, so as to be free to marry again. But inasmuch as divorce has no place in Italian Jurisprudence, all his efforts were fruitless. Some time ago young Count Menabrea, son of the celebrated Italian statesman,
 minister and general. who distinguished himself by arresting Garibaldi in 1867, find- ing that it was impossible to divorce in Ita- ly the English woman of questionable rep utation whom he had the misfortune to marry while attached to his fathers em- baSsy in London, secured naturalization as a Frenchman, and as such secured from the French courts the divorce which the Italian tribunals had been unable to grant him. He has since married again and re-
 turned here, and the legal question was raised to whether his French divorce would be regarded as valid here, or wheth- CT he would be prosecuted for bigamy. The issue has recently been settled in his favor
 and this has led the longsuffering Duke of Littasto take steps to secure divorce from his wife by the same means. That Is to say, he has abandoned his Italian nation altiy, become a French citizen, and has in- stituted in the French courts divorce pro- ceedings against. his duchess on statutory grounds, naming no less a parsonage than King Humbert as correspondent
 It is probable that the suit will be unde- tended, unless, indeed. the French courts question their own competence to summon a reigning sovereign to answer at the bar as correspondent, for the intimacy be- tween the king and the duchess is known from one end of Europe to the other. It existed for several months prior to his mar riage,. continuing afterward the indigna- ton felt by Queen Marguerite, who at that time bore the title of Princess of Piedmont, upon the subject being intensified by the fact that the duchess had? unanswered so as. to secure the position as one of her la dies in waiting, and thus formed part and parcel of her household. . Finally matters reached such a pass that the princess ap- pealed to her father-in-law, the late king Victdr Emmanuel, threatening to leave
The age-herald., 1898-01-16
FORCTBLE REASONS FOR
 A GREATER BIRMINGHAM
a.a.-----BY JAMES BowRoN-

sues of bonds would be commensurately greater and would be more worthy of the attention of the larger houses making a speciality of handling such securities. Of course, the large industrial enterprises which to some extent have been located outside of the present municipality of Bir- mingham for the sake of contiguity to ma terial, and to some extent to avoid city taxation, would object to their inclusion within the limits of Greater Birmingham unless on an equitable basis which should preserve to them the benefits they have already expended their money to secure. It should be difficult if the subject were approached dispassionately, to apprase what if any benefit would accrue to indus trial enterprises in any particular section, and to make agreement providing for the maintenance of certain maximum rate of taxation to apply to that section for term of years.
 There are no such large salaries paid at present either in Birmingham proper or it's suburban neighbors as to afford much room for economy by cutting off redundant officials. It is possible on the other hand that the combination of funds might per init in certain instances higher salaries to be paid with advantage, thus making the places more desirable and involving a class of applicants continually growing in strength and ability. It is clear, however,
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

bile bay. A fresh interest is given by the work to Mobile and the regions adjacent the green shores, the sandy beaches, the sombre forests, the converging streams, and the islands chain stretching westward to the mouth of the Mississippi.
 The work proper begins with the discov- cry of Mobile bay in the opening years of the sixteenth century and at period which antedates the founding of the Ameri- can republic, more than two and half centuries. So vividly presented are some of the scenes in the regions immediately surrounding Mobile, and indeed not a few in the far interior of Alabama, that one familiar with them recalls them with a feeling somewhat of sacredness. Names long familiar in different localities in southern Alabama are invested with fresh interest as the reader turns the pages of "Colonial Mobile.'
 Aside from the thorough acquaintance given of the region treated, there is much information which is incidentally derived concerning the nations represented by their adventurous colonies along the shores of the Mexican gulf.
 From the opening to the close, the work is characterized by an intelligent enthus- iasm and warm devotion to the native re- zion of the author. A comprehensive and scholarly research which is indicated by repeated references to old authors and official records, indicate the thoroughness with which the work has been prosecuted.
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

that in the administration of justice, the control and direction of police manage ment, and of the law department, there would be both economy and greater effi- ciency resulting from the concentration.
 The extension of one uniform fire depart ment would be great boon to the citizens of the suburban towns, and would neces- sarily lead to greater ability on the part of the department to concentrate engines from different localities upon any given fire, thus reducing the extent of fire losses and Tightening the insurance premiums now paid by the citizens.
 It is hard to estimate the value in dollars and cents of consolidation affecting the departments of streets and sewers; but clearly it would be of the greatest advan- tage to have these departments dealt with not piece-meal, but in pursuance of one general plan. If a street boulevard is to be laid out up and down the valley, it is desirable that 1t should follow one line and not swing a few degrees to the right or left as it passes out of one present mu- nicipality into the next one to suit the different views of the engineer who may be in charge there. In the same way it Is desirable that the streets should be laid off of the same width, with the same char acter of side walks, the same provisions for the planting of trees for the macadamizing or rOadWayS. IL IS emlnently desirable that the sewers In dealing with so large and narrow district, and which must therefore run in the same general direc- tiOn should be so planned as to capacity that the sewage and rainfall should be con- veyed away without obstruction. However, under the present system of numerous ur- ban governments we are liable to have the provision of part of the valley for the rapid conveyance of heavy railfall throt- tied at some point lower down by a smaller size of sewer It does not follow, of course, that any gigantic works should be under taken upon the inception of Greater Br- mingham; but that all public works laid out should be with reference to each other and executed as part of one ultimatum
The age-herald., 1898-01-16
HAMILTON'S "COLONIAL MOBILE"
By E. F. RILEY.

One of the indications of the possibility of our southern literature has just been afforded by the appearance of "Col- onial Mobile" from the able pen of Peter J. Hamilton, of the Gulf City. Materials rich and envied but scarcely touched, pre- vail throughout the south. awaiting the manipulation of southern writers. His tory, romance, legend, tradition. variety of character, struggle, and natural scenery afford a vast amount of matter for future writers. The superior work of MT. Ham, ilton only proves how much unworked ma- terial lies latently about us even in the single department of history.
 It is impossible, in so cursory a review as this, to do more than refer to Colonial Mobile" in a general way.
 Mechanically, the work is neatly and substantially bound, and beautifully print ed from the presses of Houghton, Mifiin & Co. No pains nor expense, either in its composition or publication, seem to have been spared on the part of the author. He is evidently fascinated by his story as he unfolds, in succession, the domination of the Indian, the Spaniard, the French and the English in the region drained by Mo
The age-herald., 1898-01-16
desirable to combine Bessemer, Bedding.

desirable to combine Bessemer, Bedding, Woodward, Oxmoor and Powdery.
 The question is continually asked, "How large is Birmingham?" There is a good deal of curiosity on the subject, for there is no town in the United States that has been more freely advertised during the past year. I have always felt justified in answering that the population was 100000. Strangers who look in almanacs, directo- ries commercial agency reports, etc., will giCe us credit for one-third or eS=-half ce tfis population, being restricted to the fig- ures representing the population within certain arbitrary limits known as muni- cipal boundaries. There may be different ways of defining the area of town or city; but insist that for all practical and com mon sense purposes, the area should be included which is tributary to the center of the town and brought into actual con- tact with 1t at stated periods throughout the day by the ordinary street car service. If this definition of area be adopted, then the whole of the territory from Gate City and East Lake down to Bessemer should be counted when answering the question, "How large is Birmingham?'
 The advantages that would most natur- ally follow a consolidation are:
 Greater financial strength.
 Greater economy of administration.
 Greater prestige and attractive force.
 It is evident that the bonds of a city of population of 100000 would sell to greater advantage than those of municipality of 5,000 or 1000; and whilst there would be ad- vantage to all, there would in this respect be greater advantage to the inhabitants of suburban towns than to the citizens of Birmingham proper. The bonds of Greater Birmingham ought to sell at par on 6 per cent basis. The work to be accom- plished being of larger dimensions, the is-
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

possible where the opportunities of ad- vancement are so limited as in the present small towns with their independent staffs.
 Last, but by no means least, the ques- tion of prestige is involved. Preparations are now being made for taking the census of 1900, and if any increase in the area of Birmingham is to be made prior to that time, it must be done pursuant to legisla- tion to be obtained at the next session of the general assembly, It seems emnently desirable that all the official publications of the census bureau and others of 1900 should go to the world advertising Bir- mingham as a city of 100000 people.
 Birmingham pig iron is now going into every state in the American union and to half the seaports of the world outside of America. It is exciting much curiosity concerning this place and its resources. Many man may argue with himself as to the desirabity of removing his business to place of such resources and ability as to export its iron all over the world but if he learns that it is town of 25O00 or 40,OOO people, he may say, Well, there would not be the conyeniences and com forts to which myself and family have been accustomed; we will have poor streets, sidewalks, fire department, schools, parks, the shops will be small, the merchants will not carry large stocks of goods to choose from. will not go.'' If he should be in- formed that 1t was a city of 100, 900 popula- tion, he would be apt to form very diff ferent opinion of the weight and import ance of the city and the superior educa- tional and other advantages incident there to. We know that tens of thousands of persons do conduct their businesses so as to reside at pleasure where their residence may afford the greatest amount of com fort and pleasure. Some are governed by the number and location of churches and schools, others in turn by the theaters, opera houses and the ability of place to support either May musical festival or a base ball team respectively. All these things increase in importance as factors of attraction commensurately with the size of the city
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

and executed as part of one ultimate whole, which should then be complete in it's design and in it's execution.
 If we believe that the coming "Age of Steel" in Birmingham will produce as rapid an imitation of population as mas been suggested, then it would be better that parks of suitable location and ade- uuate area should be provided and re- served in these days when land is cheap and when they may be easily acquired on the edges of the respective settlements. Manifestly if any such movement were made now the desire of each community would be to get the park as near the center as possible. This would result in greatly reducing the area that might be provided and increasing the cost.
 The citizens in the suburban towns would not only receive the benefit of greater la cilities in streets, sewers, police, fire de- pertinent, and parks, as above suggested but the extension of the present admir- able public school system of Birmingham would be material gain. It would also be a gain to the city schools themselves. At present there is necessarily, owing to the movement of workmen and their families from one part to another of this industrial hive, a corresponding transfer of their children from school to school The teach- CTS in each school are therefore being con- fronted weekly and monthly with pupils partially educated, who are familiar with different school books and different schol- astic regulations. It would facilitate the work of the children and the labors of the teachers if all this could be reduced to one uniform basis, and the children could take up their lessons next week in Ensley where they laid them down last week in Gate City or vice versa.
 Owing to the larger numerical force in the schools, fire, and police departments, there would be better opportunities for pro- motion than exist now in any one of the constituent members of the proposed great CT municipality; and the situations would thus become more attractive and draw a still higher class of applicants than is
The age-herald., 1898-01-16

Madame Blavatsky, she could only account for what she was pleased to call the "ex- traordinary phenomenon by reference to spiritual unions and astral bodies, which sorely puzzled her judges who, however, in the end, decided against her.