davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

employment to the young people. and that will attract others from the surrounding rural district. There is no other way fin these days of maintaining prosperity in a small town. These are emphatieally the days when the big fish eat the little fish. These are the days of the survival of the Attest, and the fittest in commercial and industrial warfare are the energetic and enterprising. Many small town in North Carolina has been placed by the building of factory or factories beyond the allure ments of the neighboring business centers The two hundred and ten cotton factories in that state have placed at least fifty small country towns in a strong and im- pregnable position. Let the small farming towns in Alabama take warning. The railroads and the modern factory system are their enemies unless they themselves employ and utilizes them as agents of pros perity.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
The Decline of the Small Town.

The Springfield (Mass.) Republican calls farming towns. and the corresponding growth of the larger centers and manufac- turing villages. The farming towns in it's section reached the hIgh-water mark in 1880, when agriculture was the chief occu- patton of the country. Then came the railroads and the mills. and the glory of the farming towns began at once to depart with the young men and women who hur- ried away to the city or mill town to get rich The Republican prints long tables, compiled from the census reports, going to show that the old-time farming towns have lost their young people except in those cases that had the foresight and en- ergy to establish factories. "The small farming town," says the Republican. "has had its day. The drift is plainly towards the cities and mill towns, where money can be made little faster and spent as fast"
 What is true of the Springfield section of New England-all New England, for that matter-is true of the south. The larger towns in these days of railroads and fac- tories. are eating up the small towns There is just one way that a small town can escape delay and eventual dissolution start a cotton mill or a novelty mill or some other kind of ,nir iiat vii, afford
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
PRAISES THE AGE-HERALD
Admires Its Course in Demanding Better
 Educational System of the State.

To bhe Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Dear Sir-It is with interest and with qualification that I ncte the courageous stand now taken by The Age-Herald on maItetrs pertaining to education.
 The Alabama Educational association has Daibored faithfully and hong; its commit tees are working today in the hope of bet tering the public school system of the state. The worst chill and check that have befallen us has been and is the lukewarm- ness of the supposed friends of education toward any progressive change.
 If the vigorous words uttered by you could reappear in every newspaper in the state, like the strong tones of central bell echoed and rechoed till the hum and the buzz and the din of education should force every ear to hear-Alabama would be star tied from her dream of rest, and rend the withes of ignorance and tradition.
 In behalf of the organized teachers of the state, beg to thank you for the bold position you have assumed. Very respect fully yours.
 J. B. CUNNINGHAM, President Alabama Educational Associa- tion, and Ex-Ofiicio Chairman of the Committee of Thirty three.
 Birmingham, February 3.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
CaIifornia's School Revenues.

Alabama can scarcely be compared with California;; the conditions of industrial and civic life are by no means parallel. A brief review of California's system of school revenues, however, cannot fail to prove instructive to those interested in the development of Alabama's school resources.
 In area California is three times as large as Alabama, while her population is less by 3Oo,000 than that of Alabama. The po- litical taxing units from which the school county and the school district, all cities being included under the latter. The en- tire state is embraced in 3,243 school dis tricts. The amount derived from the state is $3,O50,1 ,1s1 and consists of interest on a permanent school fund of s40OO,Ooo, which has been derived from the sale of school lands; poll tax of s2 levied on each male between the ages of twenty-one and sixty cent, and a state school tax which shall amount to not less than s7 for each census child. The total thus raised from the state averages ss.4S per census child.
 In addition to this, each county is re- quired to levy county school tax, which shall not exceed 50 cents on each $1OO of taxable property nor be less than s6 for each census child in the county. The min imum thus raised by state and county is s15.4s per census child.
 If this should not prove sufficient to main- tain the schools for the required time, each school district may, by vote of the people. levy a district school tax, the maximum being fixed at 30 cents on each s100 of tax able property; a school district may also, in any year, levy an additional tax of 70 cents per $100 for building purposes. All property is required by the constitution to be assessed at its full cash value. Each political unit, state, county and district, thus contributes to the maintenance of the schools.
 The disbursement of the school funds is made upon a three-fold basis; the number of census children, the number of teach CTS counting one teacher for every seventy census children, or a fraction of that num- ber and the average daily attendance of the proceeding year.
 The total amount expended upon the pub lie schools of the state yearly is about s6, ,G00,ooO. or $40 per capita of the popula- tion. This is about ten times the amount expended for school purposes in Alabama.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
WHY?

From the Chicago News.
 Why are servant girls seldom ob-ser want?
 Why does the last match invariably fail to ignite?
 Why should the laundress always be in need of washing?
 Why isn't man thief when he hooks his wifes dress?
 Why does the tallest man in a crowd al- ways get in front? is located elsewhere?
 Why isn't the relict of a man who dies of hay fever a grass widow?
 Why doesn't a passion for fancy drinks denote love for the beautiful?
 Why does the average man never realize that silence is golden until after his jaw begins to swell?
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
INFANTILE HUMOR.

Whats veal, Benny?" "Oh, it's the part of the COW we eat before she grows up."
 Mother-Now, Jamie, you know that Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden. Jamie-In a phaeton or a carriage, mamma?
 Visitor-And who are you, my littleman? Cuthbert (with conscious pride)-Im the baby's brother.
 Grandmamma-"What are you doing in the pantry Tommy" "Oh, I'm just putt ting a few things away, gran'ma."
 Little Jeanie, the 3-year-old pet, was play ing with her rag doll in the front room of her home not long since, when suddenly her quick eye rested upon one of those large, shiny, black bugs which occasionally fly indoors summer nights and was now slowly crawling along the carpet. The little observer came running out to tho kitchen with great excitement, exclaiming: Mamma, mamma, there's a prune in tho parlor! Come and see 1t walk"
 Say, grandpa asked little 5-year-old Minnie, 'does the good people all die young?" "So they say" replied the old gentleman. "Well, grandpa" continued the little lady, 'if that's true you must be an awful wicked man."
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

From the Chicago News.
 A strict mother often makes an indul- gent grandmother.
 Coal is high, but the workingman's wages is still hire.
 Love makes time fly, and time frequently makes love fly.
 In Greater New York the shillelah ia mightier than the sword.
 The poor relation often wonders if the rich one really has a poor memory.
 Some men talk more religion in ten minutes than they practice in ten years.
 Some of our girls do their sleighing in January and their staying in June.
 Ignatius Donnelly will, no doubt, instruct his bride in the art of ciphering.
 It is said that but few single men lead double lives. One of the kind is enough.
 Ice in winter and banana skins in sum. mer have much to do with the downfall of man.
 A girl has young man twisted around her finger when he circles it with an en- gagement ring.
 The poor child has just as much fun with her rag doll as the rich one does with her Paris importation.
 The older the scheme the more victfmG it entraps Matrimony Is one of the oldA est schemes on record.
 Two important events in a mans life are when he finds the hair coming on hid upper lip and when he discovers 1t is going from the top of his head
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
SALES OF THE BIBLE.
From Harper's Weekly.


 The circulation of the Bible In this coun- try is enormous, steady, and constantly in- creases. Of Bibles and Testaments the American Bible Society annually sells or gives away about a million and half the International Bible Agency sells about half a million, and other large concerns, of which there are four or five in New York alone, circulate great many more. With such distribution as that in constant operation, one would think the demand would presently be supplied, but that is not the experience of dealers. They say the demand increases all the time That must be because two or three million new citizens are born every year in the United States, and a large proportion of them presently get new Bibles. The idea of starting a new citizen in life with a sec- ond hand Bible is not popular. New hoy Cor new givD. new book is the rule. and tolerably fortunate children have a
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
OpIniONs OF A MAN.

Reasonable women are about as rare as peaches without fuzz.
 No man ought to get married till he is old enough to know better.
 One of the ideas girl cMngs to longest is that she can do anything with man with her eyes.
 The average woman can do more with a hairpin than a man can with a box of tools and less with box of tools than a man can with hairpin.
 Most men fall in love about dozen times when they are boys, three times while they are at college, and after that as often as they get & chance.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
STATE PRESS.
Various Subjects Discussed by the Able Rural
 Editors.

From the Eufaua Times.
 It would be bad idea to allow the school teachers to get together and name the state superintendent of education. Sev- eral times, in late years, the state con- vention has erred most egregiously in the officer selected for this important place. The teachers know each other It would not be bad idea for the teachers to rec ommend to the state convention the man they want. The superintendent of the pub lie schools should be man above re- proach. He should be such a man that the youthful mind might make a note of and grow in good deeds and good ways. Not only a good man, but brainy man, a decent man, mentally, morally and phy- sically. Suppose we say to the school teacher convention, Boys, you name him?'
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

ion or two-whether the chief officers of the road will be located in Memphis or in Chattanooga-whether, in fact. it will be- come part of a through line from the Mis- sissippi to the sea, or will be permitted to become merely a local road. All of these questions are very interesting to the peo- pie along the ancient roadbed.
 Unlike her siser states Tennessee in 1897 had many fires, some of them involving heavy losses. The insurance department of the state estimates the total insurance loss during the year at $2.000,000 and the gross premiums received by the companies in the state did not exceed that sum. Tho fire insurance companies doing business in Tennessee last year must have had to draw upon their consciousness of duty per- formed so far as any reward for their labor and risks are concerned.
 The eleventh annual convention of the public school officers association was re- gently held in Nashville In the course of his welcoming speech, Governor Taylor de- scribed the old field school that he attend ed. "The old teacher" he said. used to take a seat in the center of the room, with a pile of dog-wood and sycamore switches by his side. waiting and watching for some one to whip. I had baker and immateri- ality' whipped into me-" In the course of his reply President Henderson called att tention to the rate of ilIteracy in the state, 26.6. "Such a statement" he said, should i.l the state with awe. While so much il- lteracy exists how can we hope for purity in elections, safety from political dema- gogy, lawlessness and crime?"
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

fair collection before they are grown up. A moderate allowance of the sacred writ ings for one American citizen includes one family Bible that belonged to parents; one family Bible for ones own family; one Testament in large print used in child hood; one convenient Bible. presented by mother: one Bible in flexible covers, sub- sequently obtained; at least one obsolete Bible, containing the Apocrypha one Tes- lament, revised version; the Book Of Psalms, separate, few Bibles to be kept in church; an office Bible, and perhaps others.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
That Quarantine Convention.

From the Mobile Register.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald condemns the quarantine convention that is to be held in Mobile next month on the score that there are many speeches to be de- livered and many papers read. It forgets that in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom. Besides, would it not be in better taste to wait until the convention work is done before pronouncing 1t a fail- ure. Condemnation in advance has the appearance of being the product of prej- udice
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
The Birmingham Amendment.

From the Huntsville Mercury.
 When the next election occurs the people of Alabama should vote for the Birmng- ham amendment to the constitution. The people of that progressive city merely ask that they be given authority to tax them selves to pay their city debt, and, good ness knows, they should be allowed that privilege It is unfortunate that city with such illimitable resources should be so hampered by the constitution that its debts cannot be paid.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
has his mother, the queen. to thank fos

has his mother, the queen, to thank fos his socks
 The woman who guides one of thS largest ships of sItate dn the world finds tmt to knit, with her own hands, the foot COWS. erihgs that are worn by her eldest ohild, These socks are not the fantastic ones that bring joys to the hearts of the patrons oe Broadway dealers, but are pladn heavy and ufpcommonly home made"
 The prince finds them most comfortable when tramping over the moors on a alsoot4 ing expedition The picture Is the latest portrait of thS queen, and shows her per, forming aer sweet, nlotherly task. A good tempered as she is even her favorits grandchild does not venture to speak to her when that important period known as Turning the heel' is reacfetf
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
Just Think of It.
From the Mobile Item.

From the Mobile Item.
 Great Scott! Only eight days until the quarantine convention meets. Then will commence the ostentatious opening with bouquets and perfunctory palaver. Then the discussion of thirty-seven topics. Only thirty-seven; just think of it! Then will come the briclIbats and things, and finally a blow out at Klosky's, and, after little more soft nonsense, an adjournment sine die. We regard the sine die as the most interesting and delectable morsel in the bill of fare.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

The Burglars Syndicate knows a thing or two. The members don't believe in work ing one territory overtime, and they are now operating in Decatur until further mo- tice. They made their initial bow in a clean cut robbery of a jewelry store be- tween ' and o'clock last night. A story similar to that so often heard here-no arrests-is the only information that can be gained from the police
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
ADVERTISING, RATES.

Advertising rates, daily and Sunday is- suep, one dollar per inch, first insertloh' 10 cents per inch each insertion thereafter Monthly contracts for display advertislng 2 or inches or more daily, 60 cents per men each Insertion. Regular large display au- given the minimum rate of 50 cents per Inch for each insertion. Reading notlces' 2o cents per line, nonpareil.
 Weekly issue-One dollar per inch eacn Insertion. Reading notices. 25 cents per line.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
VICTORIA KNITs HIS SOCKS.

A splendid example to society mothera who neglect their Mttle ones. leaving them to the care of nurses, is England's queen. Other mothers may leave the furnishing of the wardrolbes of their tots to the govern< ess. but the prince of Wales. who has Q corps of valets and an army of attendants,
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
Send Instructed Legislators.

From the Talladega Mountain Home.
 Our next general assembly should be made up of representatives of the states best, most sterling material, and every county should send its legislators instruct ed to vote for constitutional conven- tion.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
The Country Is Growing.

From the Uniontown Herald.
 The farmers are building large numbers of new cabins on their places. A person who views the country from some elevated point is surprised at the number of new buildings in view .
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

It is perfectly natural that John Sherman should have forgotten having hugged the colored chambermaid Eliza Pinkston. It must be remembered that Mir Sherman is charged with showing disposition to for get great many things.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

Birmingham has an "up-to-date mint of new expressions,' as well as a strutting cock which gobbles out words spelled in an entirely modern and distinct way
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

It was thoughtful in the city council in at the beginning of the season. The city fathers are noted for their kindness to the people.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
A BACKLOG FANCY.

By R. K. Munl1ittndck. The room Is dim, the logs burn low,
 But in the fitful flash I see Upon the wall the sunbeams glow
 Through the green branches of the trsee The backlog sputters, and hear
 The forests leafy summer note. And an tho waves of smoke appear
 The blue pool of the wood remote' Then like a spirit wdtching. gay,
 Ascends a tnlrobbng. golden sparn- A fre-hy drifting on dts way
 Across the lonely mar1sh dark.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
ENCOURAGING HER.
From the Chicago News.

\ lif6 OffICd5O IVoWS'
 Myrtle-"Oh deari I wish I could think of some new way to say mo- I've had to refuse so many men lately that I am positively becoming weary of the old way of declining"
 Alice-'I wouldn't worry about that. dear. The fellows probably enjoy the joke just as much as if you said something original each time."
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

Tom Reed is still the czar of the house. republican slaves to defeat the Teller reso- luton will land many of them in the Siber- ian prison of politics next November.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

It was wrong in the city council to per sonally witness the couchee-couchee dance. It should have sent a representative with full instructions to act.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

In addition to his many other accom- plisihments, Secretary Gage can write a padded treasury report calculated to fool the people with neatness and dispatch
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

Perhaps Senator Quay played the wrong card when he made Penrose instead of Wanamaker his colleague.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

Perhaps it is the apple of the eye of Germany's emperor that has aroused the hostility toward American fruit entering the kaiser's domain.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
Building Up Alabama.

From the Talladega Mountain Home.
 The corn and wheat cure, accompanied by liberal doses of the three P's, pigs, peas and potatoes, is the Sheffield Reaper's formula for recuperating Alabama just now.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

MT. Wanamaker believes he can make better race for governor of Pennsyva- mia than did that illustrious national honor' supporter, William M. Singerly, in 1894
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

There is no telling but that Decatur po- licemen are ambitious. They may be shap- ing their record in order to get on the Bir- mingham force
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

No doubt Senator Quay is inclined to the belief that the opposition to him is managed by the hog combine.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

headline says White opposes annexa- tion," and so do some of the blacks, nota- bly, Queen LII.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

Remittances can be made by express, postoff1ce money order drafts at current rate of exchange. Address
 THE AGE-HERALD,
 Birmingham, Ala.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

adds the Huntsville Mercury; they are given out to the world in good faith, and our people stand ready to live up to them every day in the week. ifty-two weeks in year. The three cotton mills we now have are prosperous; they are paying good dividends, and are earning more than is paid out. The men who own and man. age them are progressive citizens, and they stand ready at all times to substan- tiate the nature of the good things offered by the people of Huntsville to the spinners of the eastern states"
 The eastern people generally know a good thing when they see it. and The Age Herald will be disappointed if the offers of the Huntsville people are not accepted by many who desire to get away from the strikes and legislation and other embar- rassments of their native states.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
WASTED LOVE.

There's tender look in her true. blue eyes,
 And she speaks with a gentle coo, But it's just an ugly dog which lies
 In her lap that she's talking to.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

David Bennett Hill may lay his scheme to capture the next presidential nomina- tion enItinely too deep for practical pur- poses.
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.

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The age-herald., 1898-02-04

There appears to be several thousand niggers in the Hawaiian annexation wood nile
The age-herald., 1898-02-04
TELEPHONE CALLS.

Business Office.. .23O Editorial Rooms... ... ... ... ... ... ...231
The age-herald., 1898-02-04

One of these curious agitations that are characteristic of rural communities has sprung up in the little town of Newmarket, Jefferson county. It is all over the opening of the postoff1ce for an hour on Sunday. The Christian Endeavor people presented a petition that is said to have reached from the river to the depot. asking that the postof1ice be closed tighter than drum all through the Sundays of the year. And petitions for and against have been filed in the postoffice department nearly every day since. The government officials at Washington are to umpire the case. Per- sonal liberty and freedom of conscience are queerly considered in some communities
 If the office at Newmarket Is opened an hour on Sundays, no one whose conscience will not permit him to receive a paper or letter on that day need go near 1t. He need not walk on that side of the street.
 The Memphis and Charleston sale, which is to take place on the 26th of this month, at Memphis, Is attracting no little atten- tion in Tennessee. It Is generally conceded that the Southern railroad company will buy 1t, but no one knows how they will manage it-whether there will be one divis-