davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

'There was a young officer of artillery in garrison at Strasbourg, named Rouget de Lisle. He was born in the Jura. that country of reverie and energy. as noun tain countries always are. He loved war like a soldier-the revolution like a thinker. Much in request from his tal- ents as musician and poet, he visited the house of Dietrick, an Alsatian pA- triot, on intimate terms. Dietrick s wife and young daughters shared in his patriotic feelings, for the revolution was advancing toward the frontiers. They were partial to the young officer, and in spired his heart, his poetry and his mu- sic. It was in the winter of 1792, and
 there was a scarcity in Strasbourg. The house of Dietrick was poor, and the ta- ble humble, but there was always a well come. One day there was only course bread and slices of meat on the table, Dietrick, looking with calm sadness at De Lisle, said to him, Plenty Is not seen at our feasts; but what matter if enthusiasm is not wanting at our civic fetes. and courage in our soldier hearts. l still have a bottle of wine left in my cellar. Bring it, he said to his daugh- ter "and we will drink to liberty and our country. Strasbourg is shortly to have a patriotic ceremony, and De Iisle must be inspired by the last drops to produce one of those hymns which convey to the soul of the people the enthusiasm which suggests it' The young girls fetched the wine and filled the glasses until it was exhausted. It was midnight, and very cold. De Lisle's heart was moved and his head heated, and he went stag gering to his lonely chamber, endeavor- ing by degrees to find inspiration in the palpitations of his citizens heart; and on his small clavicord, now composing the air before the words, and now the words before the air. combined them so inti- mately in his mind that he could never tell which was first produced, the air or the words, so impossible did he find 1t to separate the poetry from the music, and the feeling from the inspiration. He sung everything-wrote nothing. Over come by this divine inspiration, his head fer sleeping on his instrument, and he did not awake until daylight. The song returned to his memory with difficulty, like a dream. He wrote 1t down, and ran to Dietrick. Dietrick aroused his wife
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
ALLleAToRs HUNTED TO DEATH.
The Florida Reptiles Are Fast Becom- Ing Extinct-WhoIesale Slaughter.

Persons who visited Florida few years ago and saw the rivers, swamps and bayous literally teeming with countless thousands of aligators will be surprised to learn that these large reptiles are fast becoming extinct. The constant and wholesale warfare that has been waged against them has thinned them out so completely that, unless halt is soon called, their total extermination is only a matter of time. While they were for merly numerous as far north as Georgia, they have gradually become extinct until now they are found In great numbers only along the coast line of the extreme southern states. In Florida they are practically extinct. with the exception of Manatee, Lee, DeSoto and Dade coun- ties.
 It was not until the hide of the saurian became factor of commerce that its ex- termination began in earnest The skins when tanned make excellent leather for the manufacture of such articles as trunks, travelling Dags. purses, pocket books and all kinds of leather novelties. Books are also bound with It. and 1t is even utilized for upholstering chairs. Dade county, on the east coast of Florida, sends to market about 10000 skins annual ly, while the number from the counties on the west coast reaches fully 1250 900 each year. There is one firm in New Or leans that handles over 100000 skins an- nually.
 In addition to the wholesale slaughter of large alligators for commercial pur- poses a feature of recent development is the preparation of young ones for the summer trade. Dealers pay s15 a hun dred for the little reptiles while they are from to 10 inches in length. They are disemboweled, pickled in a preserving so- lution, stiffened by the insertion of wires into their bodies, stuffed with sawdust and then vanished. They are mounted on pincushions, pin and jewelry trays, paper weights etc., and retailed at an average price of 50 cents each. One firm in Florida sells every winter thousands of these little stuffed "'gators'' to tour ists, and as many more thousands every summer at Asbury Park and other north ern resorts.
 Since the skins of the alligator have be- come such a valuable article of commerce all countries where they thrive are be- ing secured for them. A New York firm recently sent band of Seminole Indians to India to hunt them. Most of the skins used in the United States come from Mexico, while nearly all of the product of this country goes to Euro1e Florida formerly produced more >xins than any other portion of the United States, but now furnishes less than any other section where the reptiles are to be found at all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Gambling at Saratoua.

'"The wealthiest and most notorious of the proprietors of faro banks at Long Branch have taken flight to Saratoga" said New Yorker at the Hillman.
 "A conscientious and determined judge of the supreme court of New Jersey drove them away from the summer resort in Monmouth county. Why Is it that they are permitted to do as they like at the springs, when they are ban:sheG from Long Branch? Why are not the laws en- forced as impartially at Saratoga as at Long Branch? Why are professional gamblers encouraged to defy the statutes in che state and not in the other? These are questions that the law-abidiRg peo. pie of New York are asking"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Judge feagin's Noble Action.

Judge Feagin is keeping his word. and his backbone is in fine condition. He said he would send the pistol toter to the chain gang, and he is showing he meant what he said. He can be trusted to apply the penalty of im- prisonment to the rich as well as to the poor, to whites as well as blacks. He is no respecter of persons, and the more impartiality he shows the more public sentiment will proceed to get behind him.
 But there is a sad defect in the law. The mayor may commute or min ify Judge Feagln's penalties. This should be changed when the legisla-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
SO ENGLISH, YOU KNOW.
Springfield Republican.

From the Springfield Republican.
 One of the amusing incidents of the sporting world Is the entrance of Mrs. harry Payne Whitney and Mrs Her mann B. Duryea into horse racing un- der the name of MT. Roslyn." These two women lave set up stable and own three horses already, although they hao not thought of such th-.g until Satur- uay at breakfast Their horses are the two-year-o1d Alsono, the lilly Seaweed, and the two-year-old Meddler, and they propose to increase their stable and en- ter horses wherever their husbands do making it their especial joke to beat the other side of the house. Thus the new American aristocracy approaches with sincere sympathy to the traditions of dear old England.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Erasing the Evidence.

From thu Chicago Tribune.
 Deep In the bark of the old beech tree that stood on the river bank the young man carved the initials of her name.
 Then he called her attention to them.
 But your initials just above lnine." she said, Took as if they had been cut there a year or more ago."
 They were, dear" he replied
 And mine" she continued, looking at them little closer, seem to have been worked over from others already there..'
 Yes, dear" he replied with noble can dor. T have to change them every year. That is one of the penalties of these sun mer resort engagements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Greatest Gold camns.

For a town of 10000 inhabitants Colo ado Springs is a pretty tidy place." said a mine owner of that community.
 ''We nave three banks, with an aggre- gate of s1O,OOO,cOO in deposits. and not a few men of very large fortunes make their homes with us. Though Cripple Creek mining stocks have suffered much depression, my own opinion Is that they have touched bed rock. The production of gold in that camp is as great as ever, and 1t is apt to remain the greatest gold camp in America and second greatest in the world"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

and daughters, called together some friends capable of executing De Lisle's deathless composition. The oldest daughter accompanied them. Rouget sang. At the first verse all countenances turned pale. at the second verse. tears flowed, at the last, enthusiasm burst forth.
 "The hymn of freedom was found. Alas: it was also destined to be the hymn of terror. The unfortunate Dietrick went, a few months afterwards, to the scaffold to the sound of the notes pro- duced at his own fireside, from the heart of his friend, and the voices of hls daugh- ters
 'The new song, executed some days afterwards at Strasbourg, flew from city to city, in every public orchestra and band. Marseilles adopted it to be sung at the opening and closing of the sittings of the political clubs. The Marseillais (people of Marseilles) spread it all over France by singing it everywhere on their journeys. Whence the name of Marseill- aise. De Lisle's old mother, a royalisr and very religious. alarmed at the eff. feet oe her sons voice, wrote to him: What Is this revolutionary hymn, sung by bands and brigands, who are travers- ing France, and with which our name is mingler?" De Lisle himself prescribed as a royalist, heard it and shuddered, as it sounded in his ears, whilst escaping by some wild passes of the Alps. 'What do they call that hymn?" he inquired of his guide. "'The Marseillaise," replied the peasant. It was thus he learnt the name of his own work. The arm turned against the hano which, forged the mighty song. The revolution, insane now, no longer recognized its own voice."
 Did you ever hear "The Marseillaise' sung in French? Then you know not the mighty waves and thrills of unaccounta- ble passions which the inspiration of the true genius Is capable of sending through the humna framework. The French rev olution was the Titan of its class but of a kind, we see it's weeker images in the mammoth strikes which are constantly occurring, the assassination of rulers, the lynching of human brutes-all con- trary to law, yet presag ging for the fu- ture the horrors of the pasr when hu- man nature becomes reft of reason by putting on its shoulders more than 1t can bear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Big Payrolls.

lowing to the cessation of mining op- erations in July the August pay rolls in this district were comparatively light, but industrial activity this month has been marked and the September pay rolls will be larger than usual" said a bank officer yesterday.
 'I think am safe in saying that next months pay roll will be the largest in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
UP IN PULLMAN,
From the cullman Democrat.

From the Cullman Democrat.
 As this is the last issue before the pri- mary The Democrat might suggest its opinion as to the results of the primary election. Keep these figures and see how Its prediction turns out. For governor; Jelks, two to one over Johnson For ieutenant-governor: Cunningham, three to one over Walker. For representative of Cullmsn county: Parker, three to one over Hewlett
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 All the world laughs at a lover.
 Women play whist as sldlfully as men do tattlng gracefully.
 Vulgarity Is doing before people what you always do whcn nobody is around except that of self-made nartyrdom.
 It is the feline strain in woman that makes her invite a friend to a dinner party because she knows she has nothing fit to wear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
WILL DO THEIR OWN FLYING.

From the Salt Lake Herald
 Santos-Dumont has left this country in disgust because New Workers would not pay $25.0Oo to see him fly around their city. New York people fly high some times, but $25,oOo T fly Is just a little bit too elevated for them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD.

From the Ozark Southern Star.
 Revolutions do not go backward, and the people of the state are not ready to turn down the new constitution which Is the only safeguard for honest elections in the state
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

The American Girl is willing to be a sister to the Grown Prince of Ger many, but nothing more. The Amer ican Girl is not asleep. and she knows a chump when she sees him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

the history of Birmingham. And the chances are the October pay rolls will be even larger than Septembers. This will be a record-breaking year in the business of the Birmingham district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

President Jim Hill is talking down an isthmian canal and talking up all sorts of interior jobs. but Jim has cards up his sleeves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
WHERE JOHNSTON IS STRONG.

From the Moulton Advertiser.
 Johnston will not carry more than a half dozen counties in the state and they are strongly populistic
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Charity gets a very small dividend out of the wills of dead millionaires this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

The farmers will soon be told bv the harvester trust what trust taxa tion is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

D. Benjamin Andrews is beginning to crowd Oscar Triggs in his speciality as notoriety artists.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Schwab should not think he can give his nerve centers rest at Monte Carlo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Vindicate the primary tomorrow. and let all personal vindication take care of itself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

The nerves of Russell Sage are in good working order, and he is S6 years old. He needs no vacation ana no Monte Carlo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

There are no entries in Chairman Weakleys list "D." There should be none.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Dom Paul need not go to the trouble of resigning his job, for the job itself has disappeared.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

The Shah of Persia is in England, and the authorities are considering the feasibility of disinfecting the en- tire island.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Every Jefferson county democrat will give Oscar w. Underwood a cross mark tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

pr. Cunningham name will not be overlooked tomorrow. He is Jeffer- sons favorite son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Alger, Addicks and Triggs are the republican statesmen most in evil dence these days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
Democracy.

From the New Orleans Picayune
 Democracy as it has been hitherto un- derstood in this country has never meant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Young Willie K. Vanderbilt has re- formed and has actually sold his out of-date automobile scorchers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

get the upper hand of this great in dustry as against the rest of the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Crossmark tomorrow the names of seven legislative aspirants who be- lieve in Jeffersons high destiny.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

The Milwaukee Wisconsin says the Boer generals have captured Holland at any rate. The Dutch will get there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

New Yorks fiat dwellers in this hot weather are not nearly so happy as the cave dwellers of a past age were.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Stand by the supporters of grand old Jefferson-those who are known to be opposed to a division of the county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Secretary Shaw, in raiding the play ing of poker by his clerks, Is striking at great American institution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

When Alger, Addicks and Triggs each and all, reach the senate, repub- licanism will bear its logical fruit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

Pat and May will next turn up in Buenos Ayres, where they should be made to walk as well as talk Spanish.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

B. Benjamin Andrews is assisting Bishop Potter and Chauncey Depew in keeping this world going straight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

get the upper hand of this great in- dustry as against the rest of the world.
 The American Girl is willing to be a sister to the Crown Prince of Ger many but nothing more. The Amer ican Girl is not asleep. and she knows chump when she sees him.
 
 President Jim Hill is talking down an isthmian canal and talking up all sorts of interior jobs. but Jim has cards up his sleeves.
 
 The nerves of Russell Sage are in good working order, and he is Ss years old He needs no vacation ana no Monte Carlo.
 The Shah of Persia is in England and the authorities are considering the feasibility of disinfecting the en- tire island
 Stand by the supporters of grand old Jefferson-those who are known to be opposed to a division of the county.
 New York's fiat dwellers in this hot weather are not nearly so happy as the cave dwellers of a past age were. The Milwaukee Wisconsin says the Boer generals have captured Holland at any rate. The Dutch will get there.
 
 Pat and May will next turn up in Buenos Ayres, where they should be made to walk as well as talk Spanish.
 
 B. Benjamin Andrews is assisting Bishop Potter and Chauncey Depew in keeping this world going straight.
 
 When Alger, Addicks and Triggs each and all, reach the senate, repub- licanism will bear its logical fruit.
  Secretary Shaw, in raiding the play ing of poker by his clerks, is striking at great American institution. Crossmark tomorrow the names of seven legislative aspirants who be- lieye in Jefferson's high destiny.
 --s-
 Young Willie K. Vanderbilt has re. formed and has actually sold his out of-date automobile scorchers. D. Benjamin Andrews is beginning to crowd Oscar Triggs in his speciality as notoriety artists.
 -.-- Dr. Cunningham's name will not be overlooked tomorrow. He is Jeffer- sons favorite son.
 
 Alger, Addicks and Triggs are the republican statesmen most in evi- dence these days.
 Dom Paul need not go to the trouble of resigning his job, for the job itself has disappeared.
 Every Jefferson county democrat will give Oscar w. Underwood a cross mark tomorrow. l
 Vindicate the primary tomorrow. and let all personal yindication take care of itself.
 Charity gets a very small dividend out of the wills of dead millionaires this year.
 The farmers will soon be told bv the harvester trust what trust taxa tion is.
 Schwab should not think he can give his nerve centers rest at Monte Carlo.
 There are no entries in Chairman | Weakley'S list "D." There should ha
The Washington times., 1902-03-24
THE BLESSINGS OF SCARCITY.


while" of
nowadays especially middle
i sense in it.
everybody
the
sudden change
should in blanket
dian nobody would feel that there
bellies
only occasions would
1t all a
other peoples opinions
something comfortable
denying After the
feeling that
The all valuable
of
he
philosophy
after all he
has. good
may not.
The Washington times., 1902-03-24
THE CARE OF IMMIGRANTS.

The impending
Roosevelt shameful
be of dexist
other
York Office nothing
the in
the controlled
fault That
afforded officials
immigrants
the public startled with
that. the of immigration officials
high lease.
der which foreigners emirate be made
them considerable hospitade official
10 in
and
The Washington times., 1902-03-24
SEVERAL POUNDS OF PREVENTION.

Health Woodward
his efforts spread
have
constituted large the of
entitled
While treatment of
equally simple
Woodward
is
against ndu
which, appears
which Dr. Woodward of
and
by
o n matter of sana
of and
he recon
The Washington times., 1902-03-24
Seventeen Years a Judge.

noted Georgian sojourning at the
Shoreham is Judge Emory Speer, who has
| been Federal judge for seventeen years.
| having received his appointment from
President Arthur.
In his early manhood he was looked
upon as possessed Of uncommon intellect
ual gifts to which was added oratorica1
talents of the highest order. A great
political future seemed in store for him,
and no doubt had he stayed in the Demo-
cratic party all the predictions Of his
friends would have been realized. AS /:
was Judge Speer soon demonstrated his
independence and contempt of party ma
chinery. He ran for Congress in 1873
against the regular Democratic nominee,
was successful, and was reelected two
years later.
I've always been an independent"
said the Judge to a Times man, who re-
ferred TO the exciting epoch when his
candidacy stirred Georgia from the noun
tains to the sea. Il have my convictions
on national affairs, but beg to be excused
from saying anything; it isn't seemly for
a judge to talk for publication
Judge Speer would have presided in the
trial of Greene and the Gaynors had they
not been missing. 1t was their absence
which allowed him the vacation he is now
taking from his usual duties.
The Washington times., 1902-03-24
A BETTER COMPULSORY
EDUCATION LAW NEEDED.


According to the report of the Commissioner of
Education for 1S979s thirty States, Territory
the District of Columbia have laws making attendance
at school obligatory in prescribed conditions law
compelling the attendance of children school be-
tween the ages of eight and fourteen for least
twelve weeks in every year has been the statute
books of the District of Columbia for many years.
but has never been enforced. Why ii not
forced at the time Immediately following its enact
ment do not know-presumably because attend
officer provided by law carry out its pro-
Visions
This is the law:
Every person in the District of Columbia having
under control any child between the ages of eight
fourteen years shall annually during the continuance
of such control send such child public
in that part of the District in which he shall the
time reside least twelve weeks six of which shall
party offending shall forfeit the of school
of that portion of the District in which he resides
a not exceeding twenty dollars, be recovered
before any justice of the peace of the District.
"lf upon the hearing of any provided for in
the preceding section it shall be made to appear to
the justice that the party offending able
for any to send such child to school, that
the child has been attending any other school for
like period of time, that the child by of
bodily mental infrmity not fit to attend such
school, the penalty shall not be enforced.
"The trustees school board having charge of
public schools in the District may make such arrange
children within the ages prescribed by law
The Washington times., 1902-03-24

tending the public schools they shall deem best
for the purpose of enforcing the attendance of such
children upon said schools, under the provisions of
the two preceding sections"
While the school board the time of it's
they shall deem best for the purpose of enforcing the
attendance of such children there is record that
the board at any time provided with truant Of
fcer. This fact alone sufficient to make the law
imperative. Former superintendent and boards of
school trustees have III annual reports, recommended
the enactment of suitable law the amendment
of the old to make it fit existing cond
lions, but legislation has been obtained yet.
Three things essential to the effective operation
of a compulsory education law:
First-Auhorzed agents attendance officers
buildings for the increased number of children who
would be brought into the schools by such law.
Thrd-A penalty rigorous enough to compel the
respect of parents whose Indifference cupidity
inspires them to rob their children of the chance for
getting education.
Compulsory education laws in many States
greatly aided in their enforcement by kindred laws
forbddng child-abor under certain age in factories
in mercantile establishments. Washington has
probably relatively few children of this class and yet
the large enrolment in night schools during the
past winter would indicate that here there
many children of school age engaged in business in
way another during the day.
In view of the defects in the existing law we
should have legislation based the best experience
of other cities where compulsory education laws
in successful operation.