davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Hnfel Orchestra.

"The travelling public must lament the burning of the Hotel Jefferson at Rich- mond," said L. F. Routt of New York, registered for a few days at the Florence. "It was a magnificent building, and was run ia frst-claes metropolitan style. It was the only hotel in the United States where one could listen to a symphony con- cert every evening during the fall, winter and spring season--seven evenings in the week These concerts were free to the public, and were delightful attractions. The orchestra was not as large as Theo- dore Thomas, but 1t was composed of ex- cellent artists, and only the best of music was played.
 "The late Lewis Ginter, who built the hotel was a devotee of music, and paid out $20.0O0 or more a year in order to pro- vide for the concerts, and in his will he left large sum for the purpose of en- dcwing the orchestra.
 .In New York many of the large hotels employ bands to play for the delectation of their guests during the o'clock din- ner, but the musicians are of the cheap class, and produce nothing but two-steps and rag-time stuff. By the way, rag-time music, or so-called music, Is fast playing out large percentage of the diners at the New York hotels are complaining be- cause they hear so much of it, and pe- tition Is almost sure to be started next season protesting against free concerts unless good music can be played. The Hotel Jefferson orchestra set the pace that New York should follow"
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Senatorial Representation.

The Huntsville Mercury seems to be unaware of the fact that representa- tion in the upper House of the Legis- lature is, in all but four or five States, based on population, and there is no reason why Alabama should be one of the four or five exceptional State, any more than there is any reason why Alabama and Arkansas should alone remain the victims of the book trust. Alabama should get in line with the other States in the matter of just representation as well as in the prices. of school books.
 What ails the Mercury, anyway? Why is it championing Mobiles double representation in the State Senate? Mobile is big enough to take care of itself, and so far as The Age-Herald knows the Mercury has not been called upon to come to the rescue.
 The parallel that the Mercury at tempts to draw between sovereign States and un-sovereign counties is one that does not parallel There is no reason in the world why gross in justice should be done the people of Jefferson County because they are nu- merous and prosperous. As the Mer- cury has established affairs, Alabama would put penalty upon property by rendering it inferior politically. But the Mercury does not speak for Ala bama, although it thinks 1t does. Jus tice will be done by the constitutional ! convention, and no penalty will be visited upon property. A constitution that may last throughout a century should include just and equal repre- sentation The present representation in both the House and Senate does injustice to Jefferson County. Counties that have 100000 people should be given three Senators, and those that have over 100000 people two Senators. This would not greatly increase the size of the Senate in lifetime.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Conscience Money.

Some months ago Manager Woodruff of the Southern Bell Telephone Company received remarkable letter in a womans hand writing. so remarkable, indeed, that he has had 1t framed and hung in his main office, where it has attracted much attention.
 The letter Is not signed, and there is no possible way to trace her identity, but that she Is an honest woman can not be questioned.
 The writer enclosed $2 as payment for the use of a telephone, although she was not herself a subscriber, and states that after having used the phone for some time, she noticed the companys rule that non-subscribors were not allowed the use of the instruments. Feeling conscience stricken. she enclosed the amount stated in payment for the service she had re- ceived. and hoped that the same would be satisfactory to the company.
 Manager Woodruff says that 1t is the first instance in his long career as the manager of the local office that he has received revenue from any such source.
 A somewhat similar instance occurred to Superintendent McClary of the Bir minham Railway, Light and Power Com pany. who received a letter containing s5 from a well known man, who wrote that he had kept account of the number of times the conductor had failed to col- lect fare, and feeling that he had gotten his moneys worth" he enclosed check for payment
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
"Come Home at Once."

A well known commercial traveller tells a good story on a fellow knight of the grip who travels for a large Eastern house, who, on a recent trip, received a telegram from his wife urging him to re- turn home. The story is as follows;
 MT. L-'s first stop was Cincinnati. He He hadn't been there but an hour or two when a telegram reached him. It was marked collect This is what it con tained: Come home at once
 His wife's name was signed to it. This was matter of some relief to the star tied husband. If something awful had happened, 1t evidently hadn't affected his better half. Perhaps, though, somebody had sent the dispatch in her name and they were merclfully keeping the truth from him until his return. But he was inclined to believe that the house had burned down.
 "Of course, after he recovered from his first scare he telegraphed back in the briefest space possible, All he said was: Whats the matter?
 Then he stayed around in a highly nervous condition and waited for a re- ply. Finally it came. It was marked collect. Mir. L. set his teeth hard and then hastily ripped off the envelope. Here is the message it inclosed, word for word: !:
 '' The dog has been gone since o'clock. It is now and he hasn't returned yet
 MT. r. didn't go home, nor did he send another telegram.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02

of the session. All information either on the floor of the House or in the press was carefully suppressed. and a genuine surprise was Columbianas portion.
 Columbiana is now up in arms, and the passage of the bill is to be carried into the courts with view of ascer- taining what steps were really taken in the course of It's passage. If this matter could be sifted from top to bot tom before the meeting of the consti- tutional convention much good might result from 1t.
 After all, legislative rottenness springs from ballot box corruption, and until the latter is eliminated the former cannot be. The constitutional convention will tackle the latter, and this may result in the downfall of the formeK. If Columblana can aid in this reform, all the better for all Of us, but really the source of the disease must first be eradicaJed.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02

The wrong done Japan by the com bine that Russia formed at the end of the Chinese-Japanese war is to be ex- plated in Korea, a country that ad- joins Russia and dominates Port Ar thur. Russian intrigue and Russian gold have long been prevalent in Ko- req, and Japan is fully awake to the situation. She proposes to assert in Korea her long standing rights, and Russia must either fight or back out.
 The chances are very good that Rus sia will at present back out. This Is her general plan. She backs out when victory Is not readily within her grasp, but consistently goes to work to gain what she wants at a morefayorable op- portunity. But when Japan is en- trenched in Korea, supported by strong fleets, it will not be an easy task to dislodge her. At any rate she proposes, it is plain, to seize and oc- cupy Korea, no matter at what cost or at what risk.
 Once entrenched in Korea Japan will be ready to seek allies on the mainland, for all nations are in China to stay in one form or another. An independent China is a myth, an i'm endure well into, If not through, the century, and Japan in Korea will be fayorably placed to take hand in it..
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
SWEET CHILDHOOD LULLABY.

Eugene Field. Fair is the castle up on the hill-
 Hushaby, sweet my own. The night is fair and the waves are. still, And the wind Is singing to you and me Tn this slow home beside the sea
 Hushaby, sweet my own! On wonder hill is store of wealth.
 Hushaby, sweet my own! And revelers drink to little one s health; But you and ] bide night and day For the other love that has sailed away
 Hushaby, sweet my own! See not, dear eyes. the forms that creep
 Ghostlike, o my own! Out of the Inists of the murmuring deep; Oh, see them not and make no cry Till the angels of death have passed us by
 Hushaby, sweet my own!
 , An, little they reck of you and me
 Hushaby, sweet my own. In our lonely home beside the sea: They seek the castle up on the hill, And there they will do their ghostly will
 Hushaby, sweet my own! Here by the sea, a mother croons
 Hushaby, sweet my own! In wonder castle a mother swoons While the angels go down to the misty deep, Bearing little one fast asleep {.
 Hushaby, sweet my own!
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Postmaster Hughes.

The term of the present Birming- ham postmaster expires within the next few weeks Postmasters are ap- pointed for four years. Therefore, President Mckinley must make some other appointment of postmaster for Birmingham. It is we'll to keep good men in office. Dr. J. W. Hughes has been postmaster of Birmingham for four years. he has made an ex- cellent record, conducting the busi- ness of the postoffice upon strictly business principles. There have been few complaints, because both Dr. Hughes and his office force have at tended to business.
 The Age-Herald takes no part in Re- publican politics. It knows, however, that Republican must be postmaster at Birmingham It believes that there is none better than Dr. Hughes for the proper conduct of the local postoffice. President Mckinley and Postmaster General Smith will make no mistake in reappointing3 Postmaster Hughes.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02

CROP CONDITIONS.
Summary Issued By the Weather
 Bureau.

Washington, April 1.-The Weather Bu- reau has issued the following summary of crop conditions:
 From the central Mississippi valley eastward to the middle Atlantic coast the weather conditions of March were gen. erally favorable for farm work, but in the states of the Missouri valley and ihe upper lake region they were not so en- couraging. Complaints of drought are re- ceived from central and western Texas, while heavy rains in the south Atlantic and east gulf states during the latter part of the month interfered with farm work and caused injury by washing pre- pared land. Preparations for planting corn are in progress as far north as Kan sas, Missouri Kentucky and Virginia, some having been planted in the southern portions of the first two named states. Farther south larger part of the crop has been planted.
 Some cotton has been planted in Ala bama and southern Texas, and prepara- tions for planting in other portions of the cotton belt are well advanced.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
To Good To Leave.

Business has been exceptionally active in Birmingham in the past two weeks, ' said B. Steiner yesterday.
 "Prosperity-real prosperity-has never been more in evidence perhaps than 1t is right now. Certain it is that with the banking house of Steiner Brothers con- ditions were never more satisfactory than they have been sine the middle of March,
 Mir. Steiner then went on to say that owing to the present activity in the bank ing line here 1t looked as if 1t would be next fall at least before Steiner Brothers would be able to swap Birmingham for New York as headquarters. They simply can't leave Birmingham at this time be- cause of the press of local business. They had limited option on a splendid office suite in Exchange place, New York, but have secured an extension. Sig. Steiner left for New York on Sunday, but will return again in a week or ten days.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02

The cause of civilization and progress will lose nothing by this step of Ja- pan, for Japanese civilization Is pref. erable to Russian civilization. It moves faster, and there Is more hope. more progress, in 1t.
 The sympathies of this country will support Japanese extension over Ko- req. The little yellow men of Japan know how to fight in a roadless coun- try, and Russia probably has taken their measure, ana will keep out of their way. Let us hope for the worlds good that Japan will occupy Korea speedily, and will fully annex and hold it.
 Korea, as all will see by glancing at the map, Is a peninsula adjoining Siberia, Manchuria, and the Liao Tung peninsula that Russia bullied China out of, including Port Arthur. Japan intended to seize the Liao Tung penin- sula at the end of the war with China. but she was compelled by Russia, France and Germany to drop it, and Russia took it. To right this wrong Japan demands Korea, and she, let us hope, will utilize the present situa- tion to obtain it. Her claims to it are older and better than those of any other country, and besides Korea is not more than a hundred miles from Japan itself.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 You can never drown sorrow; 1t can swim longer than your head can.
 A man can generally gauge his religion at any certain time by the way things taste to him.
 The average woman's mouth is too large because she stretches it smiling at women she dislikes.
 In every love affair there Is one woman that man is trying to get and another that he is trying to get away from.
 When a girl refuses man she gener- ally goes to the window when he leaves expecting to see him fall up against the nearest tree and sob.
 A woman that talks politics is about as attractive as man who knows the names of all the different crochet stitches.
 A man can always get on with the wo- men if he can make his voice tremble whenever he wants to.
 A woman who loves too much some- times loses, but woman who loves too little never gains anything worth losing.
 A man judges woman's heart by her face; woman judges mans face by his heart.
 The microbes had mothers meeting the other day and voted that the short walking skirt was 'irafnnral.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Ballot Box Corruption Did H.

Tt is" says the Montgomery Adver- tiser, "a matter of common gossip in Montgomery that all sorts of constitu- tional irregularities were winked at by officers of the Assembly every day. There is little doubt that scores of bills, particularly local ones, were passed without being read to one or the other House, without being voted upon at complete roll call and with out quorum being present. The lax ness in these matters has been grow ing evil for long time, and it has reached fearful proportions in the last two or three Assemblies. It is very likely that large majority of the To- cal bills on the statute books during the last few years were not passed constitutionally, and that in many in- stances abundant evidence to this eff. feet could be furnished by members tuSmocifcS, dS "ch dS Dy OuISluerS.
 Here Is a pretty how-de-do that arose over the surreptitious and as yet unexplained passage of the bill to change the capital of Shelby County from Columbiana to Calera. The bill in question was put through the House so secretly that no one in Columbiapa knew what was going on until it ap- peared in the Senate on the last day
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Russia's ExpIanations.

The sum and substance of Russia s caught in the act, and is compelled under the circumstances to back out the partition of China, or does not wish at present to fight Japan, or both, which is more likely, it is plain that she is not to seize Manchuria at pres ent, whatever she may do later.
 The interests of this country in Manchuria were considerable and were very promising before the troubles in China arose. In 1899 we sold in New-Chang alone cotton goods, four and kerosene oil to the value of $4,600,000, as against s20,00O sold by hussia. American imports in that year were 31 per cent. of the total i'm ports of that port.
 The Russian invasion reduced the imports of cotton goods from 14S,022 pieces in 1899 to 620 pieces in 1900. It reduced the imports of kerosene oil from 65S,000 gallons to 25.000. In the first seven months of last year-the latest statistics that have been pub- lished--our exports to China were S8,677,27O, and to all Russia we sold but $3,190,604, and a large share of our. Chinese trade was to the province of Manchuria. The commercial inter- est of this country in that province is very important, and if it could be opened to trade without reserve the development of our trade would be felt In every State, and especially in the cotton growing and cotton manufactur- Ing States The Manchurian problem may be said therefore to be a cotton States problem, for it relates to the growth of cotton milling in these States
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Local Taxation for Schools.

The Coosa Argus says local taxa tion for school purposes is "out of the question and impracticable." It is not out of the question in forty States of the union. It is not out of the ques- tion in States that desire to promote public education. It is out of the ques- tion in backward States only.
 It is not out of the question in Louis jana, which recently adopted a new constitution. In that State any school county may levy a local tax for school purposes. It Is not required to levy such tax, but if it desire to levy such a tax authority is given in section of the new constitution.
 The pledge not to increase taxation, made by the Democratic party, does not apply to such an authorization, for it is neither general nor compul sorry. Only those communities that de- sire to levy local tax for school pur- poses would do so, and what each com munity desires in such matter should be readily and gladly conceded. It is a matter that concerns the community in question. Such a tax may not be desired at all in some counties; in other counties district here or there may desire it. Why should the author ity to levy such tax be withheld? Does any one know?
 The Argus plainly does not, for it dodges behind a general phrase, "out Of the question" How, when and where is it out of the question? The cities of the State have power to levy local taxes for school purposes. What is good for the cities is good for the country, so far as they desire to apply it. There is not a possible objection to a voluntary local tax for school pur poses-not one; and The Age-Herald defies the Argus to name one.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
THE END IN SIGHT.

From the Washington Times.
 The collapse of the Tagal insurrection seems to be rapidly following upon the heels of General Funston's capture of Aguinaldo. The moral effect of the dar- ing achievement appears to be great among the rebels, and two of their prin- cipal military leaders already have come in and surrendered They argue that they have no chance against an army that contains men like Funston. For the first time since the meddling and mud ding Otis took command in the Philip pines, we are satisfied that the end of the rebellion Is In sight, and that it will only require wisdom. justice and firm and order and to start the archipelago eand order and to start the archipelago on a new career of development and prosperity
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
THE CANCER GERM.
,om the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
 pr. Gaylord of Buffalo announces that he has discovered the organism or germ of cancer, and Is now to set about dis covering a remedy to cure the disease. This follows the usual course of bacteri- ology. which works from effect to cause and thence to cure The cancer germ has been among the most stubborn of all the bacterial roots of disease Announcements of its discovery have been made from time to time for several years. but without be- ing followed by sufficient proof to war rant a general belief. The present decla- ration from Buffalo may meet the fate of its predecessors, although 1t Is made with conservatism of statement and an abundance of references to warrant its provisional acceptance. There is less need for caution in such a case than though the alleged discovery were of the long sought cure. which would demand the most exact proofs to lead the often fooled public to accept 1t as truth.
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
Stories Ahout Mr. carueo\e.

MT. Carnegie will go away all day to play golf. which he jokingly declares to be the only "serious business of life," says II. w Lanier in the Worlds Work. correspondent once went to Cumber- land Island, his sisters home, on the Georgia coast, to interview him on some event of tremendous importance In the world of steel. He found him on the golf links, and fired at him, point blank, a long list of carefully prepared questions concerning this matter. MT. Carnegie listened with patience till the newspaper man had finished; then he broke out:
 "Oh! I don't know anything about all that; but yesterday I broke my record. I just went around this course in five strokes less than ever before"
 MT Carnegie is fond of telling how he was once asked by the editor of a popular magazine for an article on "Organiza- tion in Business" ]"
 Well" said he, T think I could write that article. But I'm afraid the price I'd have to ask you would be too high.
 "Oh, nol'' said the delighted editor. with
 
 early number; "Tm sure we could ar range that satisfactorily. Name your own figure"
 We'll replied MT. Carnegie, T could hardly afford to do 1t for less than five million dollars He smiled little at sight of the editors face, and then went on: "No I must withdraw that. What should put into it has cost me much more than that, and. of course you would not expect me to sell 1t to you at less than cost
 As tho diplomatist puts it, "The nego- tiations fell through"
 An old friend of Mir. Carnegie's, who kept his fast trotters and held the rec ord, was beaten in a brush by a young man. The old gentleman disappeared for some time. He had gone to Kentucky <~<<<%<%<<%%<%
The age-herald., 1901-04-02
DIR. TALMA MAGE
Discusses the Proposed Revision of
 Presbyterian Creed.

Knoxville, Tenn, April 1.-Rev. T. De- Witt Talmage, who is here today, was asked his opinion as to the proposed re- vision of the Presbyterian creed. He said: My own firm belief is that the work will not be done by a committee. When the time is ripe some one of our great men a man of heart and brain-will step for ward and revise the simple article of what we now believe. When it comes 1t will fire the hearts of men like a flame, and will be adopted instantly. l hardly think things will be ripe enough for this at the next General Assembly. There are a number of our great men who are as fully competent to promulgate creed as was John Calvin.
 Amy creed that leaves in doubt the sal- vation of infants or prescribes them for damnatiou is defective. There is one clause In our creed which cannot quote verbatim, but which is to the effect that the destiny of every member of the hu- man race was settled ages ago, and that no matter of belief and works on tho part of this or that individual can change 1t as regards himself Such a creed is too deep"
The age-herald., 1901-04-02

 his friends were there also. and as the train was pulling out they told him it was only an April food joke; that there were no tourists in New Orleans to the Pacific coast He did not make the trip to the Crescent City.
 A pretty young stenographer was walk Ing up Second avenue, and a little boy, running up to her, asked if she had dropped that. pointing backward She turned quickly. and the little fellow yell cd April fooll" She blushed and hurried on.
 Josh Mtares, cashier at the freight de- pot of the Central of Georgia railroad, went into one of the banks, and was hand ed a delicious looking piece of candy. All unmindful of the day. he placed it in his mouth and began to chew. He managed to swallow it, but made horrible faces as he did so. What looked like good piece of candy was nothing but a ball of soap coated with flour and sugar. Numerous other pranks were played upon unsus- peeting persons during the day, but all took 1t good naturedly