davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
MYSTERY TEAS

From the London M.' A. P.
 Givers of parties have devised new en- tertainment this winter which has such a lot of mystery about it, calls for so much guessing, and is altogether such "fun.' that the young people have voted it the best thing done this year. It is called mystery tea" and the mystery lies in the items on the menu card which is given ito each guest, who must order dishes from it. Getting up this card requires much in- genuity on the part of the hostess. Eyery- day, commonplace dishes must be so mys- teriously named as to be entirely mislead- ing to the guest. When these dishes are served the fun commences, for many guests find they have indeed ordered light refreshments. 'An after-dinner delicaoy" turns out to be toothpick. Russian revels" proves to be cup of tea. "A pro- duct of the desert'' Is found to mean only plain, ordinary sandwich, and an Oriental square, Japanese paper napkin. Guests at mystery teas" are asked ito appear in character in fiction. which adds another element of mystery and guessing to the affair.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

The man set up that this was mot fair measure of value, as he would have ridden a great deal more with the pass in his pos session In fact, he swore that he would have ridden to the amount of $z a day. or s7SO a year, and he asked something like $9.O0O for the four years during which he had been deprived. /
 Judge Thomson held that he could re- cover only for the cost of the rides that he actually had taken, and this amounfed to very little, as the man, a farmer, had trav- eled only few times. The case was ap- pealed to the supreme court, and will be heard next month> If the judgment of Judge Thomson is sustained the man will have recourse gadnst the company for ev- cry year in the future It was held by the court that as Inc pass was 10 be Issued an- nually, he could not sue for supposed dam ages In the future, but cnly for those in- cured in the past. Therefore, the man may travel every day next year, paying his fare. and at the end of the year he will have cause against the company for every dollar 50 expended. But the interesting fact after all is the assurance given by lae attorneys that they can find Do authorities bearing on the case at issue. It certainly might have been supposed that the courts long ago had fixed the value and the status of a railroad pass.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA.
Neglected Issues.

The bitter and overwrought senatorial oversights than the, filling of the guberna- torial office involves The local offices are overlooked by many, and the very impor- tant questions connected with the educa- tion, and therefore the welfare, of the children of the state are not receiving the attention they otherwise would. It is im- possible to recall the minds of the people ito the pending educational questions while the senatorial storm is raging. The Age sHerald is glad to see that such questions as county superintendence of schools are not, however, wholly overlooked. Says the Oakman News:
 It has been in the past that almost any man who would run for this office could be elected and questions were asked as to whether or not he was qualified. It Is omen for good that some rays of light have begun to tinge the educational hori- zon in Walker as well other counties of our state. The people are beginning to wake up to the fact of the great impor- tance of placing in this responsible position men who are not only possessed of good common horse sense and good moral char acter but men who are qualified from an educational standpoint Any man who of- fers for the office should hold, or be able to, first grade certificate. The man who is to direct the old ship of knowledge in her progressing and triumphant march, should be one who is skilled in the art, and able to guide the vessel safely over the breakers of ignorance and superstition. Since the state through her legislative body, has made certain requirements of the teachers in order that the standard of education be raised to a higher plane, the teachers should see to it that the next general assembly pass an act requiring as a requisite to candidacy for this office that the person offering shall hold first grade certificate. For some little superintendent holding third grade certificate to visit some public schools in this and other coun- ties in the state where the teachers are graduates hold first grade licenses, and there endeavor to instruct the teachers as to how they should conduct their schools is, to say the least of it, ridiculous.
 All of which is very true. But the whole truth is not stated for some counties have superintendents who could not gain a fly ing glimpse of even a third class certifi- cate. and such incapables are generally good politicians and jobbers. and they really secure reelection through deals with candidates for other offices, county or state.
 Russell and Winston counties can on Saturday next bring all such questions to the front by declaring for themselves, and really for the rest of the state. that Ala bama's great senator, confessedly the greatest in all her history. the champion of property of the state depends, shall be re- elected to succeed himself This would end the prevailing factonal warfare, bring peace and harmony to the democratic partly, and permit all to study questions that pertain to the welfare of every fam dly,
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
MORGAN AND JOHNSTON

From the Nashville Banner.
 It now appears that Senator Morgan will have an easy victory in Alabama The re- cent county primaries evinced O surprising turn of popular sentiment in his favor. Governor Johnstons chances have probably been damaged to some extent by his con nection with the unsavory university land deal, but beyond this there is an important political significance in Senator Morgans continued, and, 1t appears, enhanced popu- larity.
 The senator is a very pronounced advo- cate of expansion, and has taken pains to explain to the people of Alabama the ad- vantage they are to expect from the con- summation of the policy, while Governor Johnston has taken the opposite position.
 Governor Johnston has sought to win, too, by, as Senator Morgan has said, swinging on to the coat tails of Billy Bryan" Sen ator Morgan himself was free silver man before Bryan was known to. the American public, and when Governor Johnston, as president of the Alabama National bank of Birmingham, had not made known his extreme views on. the currency question. But Senator Morgan does not deem a per- sonal allegiance to Bryan and a ready en- dorsement of everything Bryan says neces- sary to sustain his position as a democrat.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
UNDIILY AI.ARA,En

From the New York Mail and Express.
 It may be doubted if any state in the union has, in recent years, offered so striking study of anomalous conditions as does Alabama to-day. Flourishing be- yond the rosiest dreams of a generation ago, she yet totters upon the verge of sur render to a Bourbonism that is most an- tagonistic to progress. She offers to every sister state in the south the eloquent warning of evil example.
 The industrial revival of Alabama under the general policy of the present admins tration has been remarkable. Her manu- featuring particularly Birmingham are increasing steadily in population and capital A building boom naturally follows. Taxable values in the centers of population have doubled, and in many cases trebled. As Hon. J. J. Wilett, of Anniston said re- gently while in this city: "It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that every viii lage which a few years ago depended en- tirely upon agriculture for it's life has now . its manufacturing plant of some kind.'
 Not only this. but within two years a trivial cotton milling interest has grown to one that is important skilled labor is equal to any in the south, and millions of dollars are pouring into the state to aid domestic capital.
 The anomaly lies in this-that Bourbon ism appears to have so seized upon the politics of Alabama that indications now point to retirement of John T. Morgan from the United States senate next year in favor of Gov. Johnston. A fight that should be settled upon the broadest plane is threatened with settlement upon the narrowest. Neighborhood issues and fac- tional divisions seem to promise the elm- ination of the most distinguished and use ful southern figure in the senate; man of marked industry and perspicacity of ripe experience, and indefatigable in aggressive leadership along those lines which promise to establish the south, but especially Ala bama, as a formidable factor in the stu pend0us new commerce of the orient
 A more singular contradiction of condi- tions 1t wouldl be difficult to find, Ala bama, fortunately, has now been placed by nature and art beyond the power of self destruction. But should the country as a whole adopt her seeming policy it couldl not be long ere the fire in her furnaces were made ashes.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
woMEN MAKE THE CARS LATE

From the Portland Telegram.
 ''In nine cases out of ten,'' remarked the motorman, tits the women that make the cars late I have been off the track sev- eral times in one day, held up by the Nor rison street draw several tines more, and still been able to recover the lost time pro- yiding have not had to contend with too many women. The average woman. gets as mad as a March hare if the car ds a few minutes behind time, and yet she never stops to think of her participation in the cause. tfa
 "A woman waits for car to come to a dead standstill Then she will pick up her skirt. if she has nothing else to weigh her down, and turn back several times to make sure that she has left nothing on her seat. Then you will hear something like this:
 Gaood-by. Oh, yes, will be there. You will be there. won't you? Yes, I have my lovely new dress ready. Eight o'clock did you say? Yes, yes. to be sure. Tell charlie and don't forget to come Yes, will now; you be sure. Well good-by.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
THE GRAY INN

Clinton Scollard in Atlantic Monthly. And at the last he came to a gray inn. About which all was gray Fen to the sky that overhung the day. And though in time long lapsed it might
 have been Bedecked with tavern galfds, naught now tt
 bore Above the shambling door Saving a creaky sign, "hereon the storm mad blurred each
 limned line. The portal hung a-cringe, Belike to fall from off its one bruised hinge. And on the deep-set easements leaded
 panes The spiders wove their geometric sleins. Hot weaTSness was on 11inl-he must rest; And though he deemed to find no other
 guest, No cornTadeshfp, within The ghostly grayness of that somber inn, Lo, as he crossed the nntel he beheld In the packed gloom Of the low-raftered room, One from whose eyes the mysteries of cid Shone in black-luster wise, And oh, the unfathomaible strangeness of
 those eyes! From boot to dropping plume Gray garmented was he, and his still face Was Nike the wan sea when the. banked Above it through the winters iron skies. One lean hand held a box of shaken dice. And in a trice This grim and gray one cried "Come
 throw with mel Long have waited thee" And he late-entered answered, "Naught
 have To wager!" And the gray one made reply. ''Thou hast thy soul, and shouldst thou cast
 and win, To. all the hoarded treasure of this innp' They grfpped and cast, but ere he saw
 which won, The sleeper stirred and woke-the dream
 was done. within his breast there tfrobbed a stab.
 bing sting; That day, for wealth, and what it's trap-
 pings bring, He knew his hand would do an evil thing.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
SHORT STORIES
 OF THE DAY
narnato Could Not s,esIst

In the land that bears his name, Cecil Rhodes receives the homage of a monarch, writes Allen sangree. in AinsIees maga- zine, He stands for. the countrys rise or fall He is the source of good and evil; praised for completing railroad, and blamed for a continued drought Among white men he Is subject of hero worship To black men he)represents the whole An glo-Saxon race They call him Separator of Bulls" "Son of the Great White Queen" and 'sThe man who eats a country for his breakfast" To them he is Destiny itself.
 The first thing you notice about Mr Rhodes is an absence of affeetation. He receives alike the day laborer and the for eign minister. In voice, manner and con duct he is ever the same. Nothing is studied. Unlike most human beings, he is not an actor. There is nothing mysterious about him. He makes use of no subterfuge, bui ccmes straight to the point. In con- versGtion he meets your eye squarely and impresses you with his sincerity.
 e "I could not stand out against him. walled Barney Barnato when berated by a friend for merging his diamond interests with the De Beers syndicate. "He just roped me in-roped me in because I knew he spoke the truth"
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
VALUE OF AN ANNUAL PASS

From the Kansas City (Mo.) Journal.
 , The lawyers call attention to the fact that never yet has a judicial decision been made as to the value of an annual railroad pass. When the Missouri Pacific was tbuilding from Topeka Ito Fort Scott, Colo mel Everest, then the chief attorney, agreed ito give an Osage county man an annual pass every year until he should die. tine pass being tn consideration of the man's s work and influence in procuring some miles of right of way. In time the company re- pudiated the contract. holding that Colonel Everest had no authority to make it. and the man brought suit for damages, the case being tried before Judge Thomson, of Osage county. The judge held that the company was bound by Colonel Everest's contract. and then the question reverted to the amount of damages he was entitled to receive. The company set up that he was entitled Ito receive just the amount of money he had paid out for railroad fare to points reached by the Missouri Pacific lJnr- ing the time when the pass was wfthhtS1.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
Attempted Assassination of MT. GOebeI

Fractional and partisan strife beyond the unpts of reason arSd decency has brought upon Kentucky a crime that has shocked the entire country. To a limited extent AL albama is suffering today from like excess of factional strife. In Kentucky a fac tional and also a partisan war have peen going on many months and attempted as- sassfnation is the result. The shooting down of man almost at tae door of the state house who is, if alive, a conte@.aht for the executive offce Is a scandal ana a disgrace to American institutions. To Kentucky it will always be a reproach and a stigma that time will not efface. The assassin was harboro1 in the state house itself, very near, or at least near, the of- flee of the occupant of the executive of flee and of other high officials of the staHe At this writing the would-foe assassin mas not been detected, but 1t is difficult to avctd the conclusion that the crime is connected with the overheated politics of the state, and in this light the event is a reflection upon American methods and American par ty government.
 The trouble in Kentucky was begun in the democratic state convention, and ever since the day of its holding the bitterness growing out of tt has increased A fac tional fight was followed or accompanied by the most intense partisan struggle and the history of this country shows that ex- treme bitterness in politics is apt to bring to the surface a crank assassin who pro- ceeis to express his sentiments with re- vover. In this way the assassinations of Lincoln and Garfield can alone be account ed for, and numberless other crimes can be traced to a like source. We have in this country too much politics to the acre. At times we abandon reason and accept in its stead passion; and the attempted assassi- nation of the brilliant Kentucky leader is a warning to all to keep within the bounds of right reason, and to fight back the pas sions that sweep men off their feet.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
A Change of Front.

Instead of prophecies. cries of fraud now go up in court circles. It is an old famil- far cry, and is always heard when votes are counted, and 1t is a singular fact that a winner never indulgcs in it. It seems to be an appeal or consolation purse available only to the loser.
 The esteemed court journal is inclined to lay the blame to ''the indecent mission of MT. Bowie in Clarke county MT. Bow.e's mission in Clarke county was, it seems, so go and Crenshaw also. Just how this could take place is not explained, because the counties are widely separated. great
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
LIN, t,-f.A PRECEDENT

From the Baltimore Sun.
 Representative De Armond, of Missouri, in his admirable speech against the exclusion of MT. Roberts, of Utah, from the house without permitting him to take the oath, said: ''The argument of the majority. that the method of turning MT. Roberts out of the house matters not, is 'dhe argument of Judge Lynch" The vote on the exclusion of MT. Roberts shows that three-fourths of the members of the house recorded them- selves as in favor of 'JuGge yLnch'' meth ods. The democrats who voted with the majority may have cause some day to re- gret that they assisted in establishing a precedent based upon lynch law.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
Details Are Lefs to 9th PTS

You need not talk with MT. Rhodes five minutes to learn that he is a thinker. pr. Jameson and other lieutenants who have achieved more or less distinction seem but as moths flying about arc light. They think in pennywelghts; Rhodes in tons. He never bothers with details; they take care of themselves. Half the time he does not even have pocket money. Traveling on a street car in Cape Town one day he found himself without the necessary "ticky' (threepence), and accepted a loan.
 "Rhodes" exclaimed the American con ductor in writhing sarcasm. Dusty Roads, I guess.
 Indeed, 'the Colossus looked rather dusty, having been on a ;ramp along 'the docks. Tho detail of dress, however, is one to wGst ch he is especially indifferent. His fa- vorite garb is a white flannei shirt with a polkadot tie, soft felt hat and modest gray CT black .clothes. He weans no diamonds. In this costume I saw him call upon Sir Alfred Miner. at the executive, mansion. The 1unky at the door, nevertheless, cracked hds spine in making an obeisance
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
MORGAN IN WASHINGTON
He Expresses Gratitude to Those Who
 Have Helped His Cause

Washington, January 3o.-(Special)- Senator Morgan arrived here this morning entirely satisfied with the situation in Ala bama and confident of his reelection, which he never doubted. He expresses gratitude to his friends who helped his cause.
 The fact that no river and harbor bill will be framed this session is not an in- terference of the hearing of MT. Van Hose and the Warrior river improvement dele gations. The hearing will give the conn mittee data upon which to act next ses- sion, enabling an early report of the bill then.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
REFLEc rIONs OF A BACHELoK.
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 If you don't get married you get yourself into trouble, and if you do you get the poor girl into trouble.
 Every woman over 30 goes through life believing that she has a grief in her heart that lies too deep for tears.
 Most men start out dn life by thinking they have more fun before marriage than they do after, and end up by being mighty sure of it.
 As soon as an unmarried minister goes to new town all the married women in the church begin to work overtime trying to pick him out wife.
 You will always find that the men who advise you most strongly to marry for money are the same ones thar once thought ;lhey were marrying for love.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
DEALT WITu SUCHCAsEs

From the Indianapolis Journal
 The Rev. Mir Sheldon. it is said, will not publish any police court reports in his Topeka Christian daily. Mr. Sheldon ap- plies the text to all news, What would Jesus do with t?" but he can hardly have forgotten that Jesus had dealings with police court eases
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
Opera house Burned

Jackson, Miss, January 30.-The. Robin son opera house was partially destroyed by fire last night The fire originated in the scenery. and the entire interior of the structure gubted before the fire company could get it under control The damage te the opera house is estimated at s25,O0o; and the grocery store of Jones Bros. & Co.,, on the ground floor. was damaged to tho extent of $10.000. sa.,
 The scenery of a dramatic company was teing lifted to the stage when the fire broka out.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
Believes All should Start Poor

In the genus millionaire Cecil Rhodes is unique. On the face of the earth today there is probably no other rich man who would use his private fortune to build. a railroad in savage country or defray the. expenses of a war, not knowing whether there shall be reimbursement. It is sac- rifiee of this unusual sort, in an age when money is king, that commands the admi- ration of statesman and mechanic alike; while capitalists from very wonderment are constrained to give aid.
 This explains why, through the length and breadth of South Africa, you cannot find a man that envies Rhodes his fortune, since he neither spends money on himself nor does he hoard it for posterity.
 ''If I had son he would get no legacy from me-" says this world-unique million aire. "I like to see young man begin poor. It will bring out the best that is in him."
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

Unfortunately Editor Kohlssat and Edi- tor Sheldon cannot meet and compare notes; for while the former is in the twenti- eth century, the latter is at least in the twenty first,
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
ONE WILL DO FOR AWHILE

From the Gadsden Times News.
 Alabama, in years to come, will not want nor desire another business governor. The doings of the present ono will lap over g. considerable space of time
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

Timothy L. Woodruff is said to be in the running-mate nomination, and all he need do is to bring down his stock of waistcoats and trousers, and hand them out
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
THE FLYING soUADRON's woRR

From the Pratt City Herald.
 That handful of remaining populite coun- ties doesn't look nearly so formidable since Clarke has been heard from. A little missionary work of the right sort is all that is needed to put them right.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

Tim Woodruff is trenchng upon the Hon. Mark Hanna's options when he seeks negro delegates in this section of the coun- try. Mark bought them in 1896, and he in- tends they shall stay bought, or he will know the reason why.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
Will Go to New OrIeaus

Cincinnati, January 30-President Brush today wired. Manager Bancroft that the Cincinnati base ball club would go to New Orleans March l for practice at that city. and afterward for exhibition games with southern clubs.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

With Puissant Macrum going in the one direction and the powerful Web. Davis in the other, the world does not know what to think.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

The Wheeler case wil take the place of the Roberts outbreak, and Quay will suc- ceed Clark in the senate. Four famous contested-seat cases are quite enough.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

It is believed that President Hadley would waive for the moment the ostracsm doctrine if Standard Oil Rockefeller should offer Yale a million or two.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31
British Steamer Went Ashore

Norfolk, Va, January 30-The British steamer Marston Moor, Captain Grant, from Naples, via Genoa to New Orleans, went ashore at midnight Sunday off New Inlet, on the North Carolina coast.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

PhiladelpGnia's $1OO,0O0 check had, 1t seems, string tied to it, and. there is danger in the seesawing the check will be reduced in size.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

Editor aheldou should first learn to curb his feelings and also his tongue when he sees how his unworidly thoughts are pre- scented by his proof readers.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

If Utah elects Roberts governor 1t will simply endorse polygamy. which it claims to gnave rejected.
The age-herald., 1900-01-31

Subsidy Steve of West Virginia would be after all logical candidate.