davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
ATE A FouR-FOOT MINCE PIE.

From the New York Jouanl.
 Point Pleasant N. J.-The third Christ mas dinner and celebration of the Penn sylvania railroads crew of train ''27S' was held here yesterday. Three years ago the crew found that the holiday schedule sent them out of Jersey City early in the morning and compelled them to lay over in Point Pleasant until late in the even ing. thus depriving of Christmas dinner at home. The regular riders on the road heard of the state of affairs and at almost every station turkey, pie. pudding, celery and other Christmas luxuries were brought to the baggage car and citizens and their wives at Point Pleasant assist ed in serving the feast in the baggage car. Today's dinner was a bigger success than ever. It was attended by Mayor Stevenson of Point Pleasant. The principal feature of the dinner was a mince pie four feet in diameter and slx inches thick
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
TakIna Mora Interest.

Every Englishman of intelligence takes lively interest in the United States but it was not always so," said man who spent some time in London year ago.
 T remember having heard Chaupcey Depew tell a story in 1889, to show how indifferent the best people of Great Bri- tain were to American affairs; how little they knew about our great men of the past and present. Tn a London drawing room,' said Depew, one will scracely find a man or woman who is at all familiar with our celebrities. In fact they never heard of them The only American names that the average Englishman can call are George Washington, Abraham Iin- coin, U. s. Grant and Grover Cleveland. He knows about Washington as tho gem eral who led the colonies to victory and became the first President of the United States. He knows about Lincoln and Grant as the great characters on the winning side in the civil war and he knows Grover Cleveland as a Democratic re- former of free trade ideas,
 This account of London society's ig- norance and indifference was given by MT. Depew before a private gathering at New York dinner table. Some one asked if it was possible that the English people did not know of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis; of the Van derbilts and the Goulds.
 'Yes, 1t is true that they are ignorant of these names. Military men study Lee and Stonewall Jackson and the stock market people are familiar with the names of Vanderbilt and Gould. But so- ciety is, as have told you, ignorant and indifferent.
 This was said twelve years ago. There has been a remarkable change since then. One finds Englishmen greatly beholden to Americans and reading all they can about them. The average Britisher can certainly call the names of all our distinguished men, including Senator Depew.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Poll Tax Payments.

A goodly number of poll tax receipts have been issued, but fully as many more should be issued before Febru- ary 1. The fear that only elderly or old men would qualify as electors un- ter the new constitution has been dis pelled, and it is now known that a very considerable number will yolun- tarily pay poll taxes in order to re- tain their electoral privileges at the coming elections. The receipts for poll taxes should not fall below 100,- 900 in the State, and when the returns are compiled in the first days of next month much interest will be taken in the result. An issue of 100000 re- ceipts by the various collectors would be considered a vindication of the new constitution, whereas any less number would be a reflection upon the new plan.
 It should be kept in mind that a man who has not paid a poll tax assessed against him has no moral or legal right to enter either at pri- mary or at the ballot box. He stands disfranchised by his own act. and the memory of every one should be logged several times this month. for the man who does not pay by or be- fore February ceases to be an cleo tor of the State He may recover lost ground next year, but he cannot par ticipate in the important elections of next fall.
 State pride and friendliness to- wards the new constitution should in duce men to pay assessed poll taxes this year, whatever they may do after this year. But the truth is. no man should hesitate to pay $1.50 each and every year towards the betterment of the States schools. Every good citi- zen should be glad or an opportunity to better the schools while he retains his electoral privileges, thus killing two birds with one stone, and small stone at that, all things considered.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
TAKES A TURN.
Business Situation in Germany Un'
 dergoes a Change.

Berlin, January 1.-President Koch of the Reichsbank is of the opinion that the business situation in Germany has really taken a turn for the better and believe the new year opens with some what better prospects. In an interview he says:
 "The worst appears to be past. This is not merely my personal impression The statement is based on reports I have received from the various parts of Ger many where an improvement of the situa- tion has begun. I must admit that coal and iron do not show improvement. In Silesia the Rhineland and Westphalia it appears that business can not improve. The overproduction has been doubtless too great. When the times promised so much the works hastened to secure ma terial and went too far. have read of some failures; but these don't compare in numbers or importance with those of last summer"
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
FRANCES NEW YEAR.
Holiday Was Observed Throughout
 the RepubIIo-Weather Muggy.

Paris, January 1.-New Years day was observed throughout France as a public holiday. In Paris the weather was un- ceasingly muggy.
 President Loubet received the usual visits from the cabinet ministers and the presidents and vice presidents of the Sen ate and Chamber of Deputies. Mounted republican guards. drawn up in the court yard of the Elysee palace. rendered the customary honors to the visitors
 Later the President, escorted by a de- tachment of cuissares, returned the visits. He was warmly received by the people,
 Practically the entire American colony thronged the tastefully decorated salons of the United States embassy this after noon. General Horace Porter and Mrs. Porter had issued an open invitation to all Americans to attend their New Years reception.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
DIAz RECEIVES CALLERS.
Thousands Wished the Mexican Pres
 ldent Happy New Year.

Mexico City, January 1.-President Diaz received thousands of callers today, in- cluding the diplomatic corps the Pan- American delegates who take rank as di- plomats. members of congress-, army and navy officers. etc. He is Tn fine health and was especially cordial to the Pan- Americans.
 In the name of the diplomatic corps United States ambassador Clayton of- fered the President new year congratula- tions.
 President Raigosa spoke on behalf of the Pan-Americans.
 Ambassador Andrew Clayton held a large reception at the United States em- bassy this afternoon at which all the Pan-Americans were present.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Steel Rail Situation.

In 1900 the rail mills turned out 2,3S5,6S2 tons, and 1t is believed the product of 1901 will foot up 2,600,O0 tons. The new mill at Ensley will soon be in operation, and another rail mill is to be ready for actual produc- tion during the present year in Pitts burg. These additions lead to the be- lief that the rail production of the present year will be carried to 3,000,- 900 tons.
 The actual engagements of the rail mills for delivery this year aggregate 1,900,000 tons, and 1t is said they do not consider it prudent to extend their contracts at present. The plac- ing of heavy orders for rails by the 'shrewdest buyers in this country and the refusal of the mills to accept more orders are certainly good indications that iron and steel prices are to be firmly maintained throughout the present year.
 The railmakers are holding the price of rails firmly at $2S.- which af- lords good margin of profit. They are not asked to accept a lower price, because the demand is very heavy and pressing, but they are showing great wisdom and prudence in refus- ing to accept advances. They decline to start boom, believing that the golden mean has been found. and it is said to be the intention of the rail- makers to refuse any higher price. The price named is satisfactory to both buyer and seller, and 1t is doubt less the best compromise that could be agreed upon. This price will go a long ways towards maintaining other iron and steel prices, and what the railmakers lose in one direction they will be apt to gain in other ways.
 Altogether the entire iron situation is very promising. Prices will be maintained beyond reasonable doubt to the end of the year, and that is about all the assurance that this dis trict craves
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Wy heart accordeth with my tongue.
 -2 King Henry W.
nangings and lynchinqs.

Vdu9hu9o ubu GIneutnYSs
 The Chicago Tribune comes for ward as usual with an annual list of iangings and lynchings. Such lists ierve a useful purpose, for they show R-ich way We are drifting. They are aneomplimentary in many respects. put 1t is always best to see and know I--e whole truth. The Tribunes statis- lies are correct, approximately, and 10 sectional bias has been permitted to warp or alter them.
 In the year just ended there were l1S legal executions, or one less than occurred in the previous year. Sev- snty-one of the victims of the law were negroes and forty-seven whites. Thirteen more negroes and thirteen lever whites were hanged in 1901 than in 1900-a singular use of the number that superstition so freely attacks. Eighty-two of the executions took place in the South and only thirty-six in the more populous North. This fact goes to show that the law is not altogether ignored in this section of the country. Murder led to 107 of these executions, crimi- nal assault to 10 and train robbery to l-total 118.
 The lynehings of 1901 number 135, as against 115 in the previous year. All but IA of the lynchings occurred fin the South. The lynchings in the North were confined to California, Idaho, Montana, Kansas and Indiana. All of the lynched were negroes ex- cept 2s-1o7 negroes, 2e whites, 1 h.
 an and 1 Chinaman. Thirty-nine were lynched on account of murder, i9 for criminal assault and IT for a vide variety of alleged offenses.
 hV iOadihS 6talSb III lllS respect 1901 were as follows: Mississippi 16, Louisiana i5. Alabama 15, Georgia IA, Tennesse 12 and Texas Il. There were fewer lynchings as compared with those of the year 1900 in Missis- Bippi, Louisiana and Georgia, but there were in 1901 more by in Ala bama, more by in Tennessee and 2 more in Texas. The bad record of Alabama was made in the first half of the year just ended, and there was a marked improvement in the last half of the year. No case, in fact, oc- cured in the last three months of the year, and none will be apt to occur this year. The State has Governor who intends to put an end to the cowardly attacks of mobs, and unless all signs fail Alabama will present an enviable record next New Years day.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Germany and Venezuela.

The bullying of the weak by the strong is an old scheme in this world It has been tried repeatedly in all historic times, and presumably in those that preceded historic records, and it is to be tried again, it seems. in Venezuela. The debt that Germany proposes to collect by seizing custom houses in Venezuela is a claim pre- sented by a Berlin bank known as the Disconto Gesellschaft. For some req son this banks claim has not been explained by the German government. Its history is a governmental mys- tery, the facts connected with it be- ing withheld from the public. But La Republica. the mouthpiece of Presi- dent Castro at Caracas, thus explains the claim:
 "Nothing is now, nor can at any time be. owed to the Disconto. since that in 0Iltutfon IS nothing pul d pay oiiice iOT the Venezuelan government when the lat ter deposits funds to be paid out
 "The Venezuelan government is indebt- ed to the Barquisimeto, Petare, German, Guanta- and Merida railroads, among whom the loan was subscribed, but 1t owes nothing to the Disconto.
 The transaction of the loan is, fur thermore, subject to revision, because. owing to an error. an arrangement was accepted which was detrimental to the Venezuelan government and creditors. and favorable to the Disconto. which risked nothing and bound itself to noth- ing
 ssrhe Disconto has neither sent a cent to venezuela nor paid a cent for the Venezuelan government
 ssThe Disconto only undertook to sign the scrip of the debt which was issued by the Venezuelan government and set out on the scrip that it did not bind it. self to anything.
 ssThe fact that 1t did not bind itself to the performance of anything proves that for the Disconto the contract was eminently hazardous. and cannot there fore be made the basis of . serious re- clamation.
 ,aA >EaasiA. ha nn,atl lanakAas thina 4
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Poker Game Joke.


 We had a. quiet little game down in Mississippi the other night" caid a com mercial traveller at the Hillman last night. "and thing so amusing hap pened that my sides and head still ache from laughter. It was one of /those games composed of all good fellows, where the limit is small but the play fast about midnight, by a few shrewd plays and better luck, had enough of the red white and blue to buy his wife a cut glass punch bowl, and it was necessary to keep hot bricks to his feet. After awhile this man with the cut glass punch bowl prospects became reticent, non- communicative. and even unpardonably indifferent to the game. Then his head slowly sank on his immaculate shirt front and his eyes closed in peaceful re- pose. Now this same fellow had been complaining for some time of his failing eyesight, and had made numerous visits to specialists. He had made one or two bad plays that night which he attributed to his faulty vision.
 We let him slumber until the sound of his snoring was liable to attract atten- tion from the street, when a fiendish joke that had been slowly developing in the devilish mind of one of the players was unfolded to us and was immediate ly perpetrated. i.-e lights were turned out. some one hit the sleeper in the side to awaken him. and the game to the startled victim was apparently still in full blast. He heard Jones raise Brown in the usual way, and Smith remark that he would stay with them and let Thomp- son and Johnson pass. He heard the rat tie of chips. the call for cards and the disgusted exclamations from the play CTS who failed to make
 "All about was Egyptian darkness but to the man just aroused from his sleep, 1t was all real. The old fears of loss of sight that had worried him so much came into his mind. There was but one explanation-he had been stricken. He pitiful way; said he felt the stroke that blinded him and knew he would never see again; asked that the terrible calam- ity be gently broken to his family. and requested some one to lead him to his room and telephone for doctor. We jollied him for a few minutes and told him it wasn't near so bad as he imagin- ed, that he would be all right after awhile; that while his case was serious, still he should compose himself and &C., cept the inevitable. The more we talked the more he bewailed his fate. until fear ing he would really suffer from our joke. some one turned on the lights. He seem- ed dazed for sometime. and then with a yell as he saw the joke he made dash for us. and we escaped from hts fury through doors and windows and 1t is said one man jumped through the tran som. We saw him again in the buffet later and all was forgiven"
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

ed in having the Lord on our side in the protection of the lives of the worlkmen. One of the men engaged in the building fell distance of hundred feet and was not seriously hurt.
 By the way, the advance in Blrming- hams real estate values Is well illustrat- ed in the city hall site. That ground was purchased by the city in 1873 for $1oOO Many tax payers kicked because in their opinion the price was too high. A conser- vative valuation of the site today would be between sixty and seventy thousand dollars.''
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Fortunes ln Timber.

Large fortunes have been made in tim- Der lands and larger fortunes will yet be made,' said successful business man.
 Timber is rapidly disappearing and the demand will continue to increase. Timber lands in Alabama that were bought a few years ago for a dollar or two an acre are worth today from five to seven. A syndicate that acquired a H.25 an acre five years ago refused s an acre cash for 10000 acres of its track last week.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
WILL OPPOSE DAVIS.
Two-Term Precedent May Be Broken
 In Arkansas.

Little Rock January 1.--Hon. B. W.
 Rector of Hot Springs today announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomi- nation for Governor in opposition to Gov ernor Jeff Davis, who Is seeking sec ond term. This is the first time in forty years that Democratic governor of Ar kansas has been announced Tor renomina- tion for a second term. Primary elections will be held throughout the state on
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
TOGETHER.

Dedicated with warmest sympathy to the American people by Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate of England. Who say we cherish far-off feud.
 Still nurse the ancient grudgesf Show me the title of this brood
 Of self-appointed judges; Their name. their race. their nation. clan, And we will teach them whether We do not, as none other can,
 Feel. think and work together! Both speak the tongue that Milton spoke. Shakespeare and Chatham wielded. And Washington and all his folk
 When their just claim was yielded In it both lisp, both learn. both pray, Dirge death. and thus the tether Grows tighter, rendered. every day,
 That binds the two together. Our ways are one. and one our aim, And one will be our story Who fight for Freedom, not for fame. From Duty. not for glory; Both stock of the old Home, where blow Shamrock, and rose, and heather, And every year link arms and go
 Through it's loved haunts together Should envious aliens plan and plot 'Gainst one, and now the other They swift would learn how strong the
 knot
 Binds brother unto brother How quickly they would change their
 tack
 And show the recreant feather. Should Star r-and-Stripe. and Union Jack- But float mast-high together Now let us give one hearty grip. As by true men is given, And vow fraternal fellowship
 That never shall be riven; And with our peaceful flags unfurled, Be fair or foul the weather, Should need arise. face all the work And stand or fall together Kent. EnRlsnd- 1i.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Free from Scandal.

Birmingham is one of the few cities of any size that has built a large city hall without scandal" remarked an old citizen who lived in Virginia.
 T have never seen 9. building so large and massive and as beautiful from an ar. chitectural point of view as our city hall that cost so little money. At a glance I would say it was ai three hundred and fifty thousand dollar istructure. when the fact is it will cost anly s2Oo,0O0 including furniture.
 The other day heard Mayor Dren- nen say that Birmingham was fortunate not only in having a hfw city hall that pleased the public but tfht we were hless-
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
WeII-Known Engineers.

Mir. John Ramsay formerly assistant mining engineer of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company of Blocton and MT. A. J. Reilly who held a similar position with the company at Pratt City have formed a. partnership under the firm name of the Ramsay Reilly Engineer ing and Construction Company. They have opened an office on First avenue.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Senator Berry Better.

Little Rock, January 1.-Reports from Bentonville today state that United States Senator James H. Berry's condition has improved materially and that he expects to leave tomorrow for Washington.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Leslie Stephen now rises up to show by the cipher method that Shakespeare wrote not only plays and sonnets, but also the works here tofore accredited to Bacon. Poor Donelly is dead and no reply is ex- pected to this raid.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

There cannot be two masters in the Republican party. It must be either Iowa or Ohio, and the latter may as well go back and sit down.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Cuba is about to elect her first set of officers, and there are spirited contests for all places except the Presidency. Palma has walkoyer for that alice.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Chauncey M. Depew is now consid- cred married man, and another cere- mony on this side of the sea will not be necessary to hold him down.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Topeka. Kansas, boasts new American whose name is Tszeschka Gizzela Wyagagorich. When his son or grandson runs for President then indeed there will be deal of ortho- graphic fun.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

When New York's fifty-four story building is completed Birmingham will feel ashamed Of her ten-story houses. Space is cheap towards the stars.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

It is feared the New York censor ship law will be operated to fill ''the provinces" with second-rate actors and doubtful plays.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Uncle Sam should swear off from naval cliques and machine politics, and keep it.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Dual Ordeal.
From Tit-Bits.

From Tit-Bits.
 Dumbleigh-It was an awful trial for me to make that speech tonight. Mildmay-Don't mention 1t. old boy; Just think what the rest of us suffered.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Single-syilabled cabinet officers are holding their own thus far. We have Payne instead of Smith and Shaw in stead of Gage.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Maude Adams has decided to play Juliet in French, but not in France.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

The cold storage warehouses of Chicago are overwhelmed with rab- bits-all dead.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Mrs. Shaw will show Washington a thing or two gathered in her Iowa ex- perience.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Web. Davis has been heard from, and perhaps his s1SO,O00 book will be.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

The five-day Atlantic steamer is en- deavoring to head off the dirigible air. ships.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Governor Shaw lacks only wings, according to some accounts of him.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Actual returns show that Ben Hur" has outsold any other modern novel.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Secretary Long is no longer under fire, and his resignation is now fully due.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

The Ohio man is now eclipsed by the Iowa man, and he does not like 1t.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02
Te ereak conseIldatIon.

Jackson. Miss. January 1.-Attorney r--A--i hen"~- Ia onntanniatinz tha
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Congress will now proceed to wipe out the treasury surplus disgrace.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

There should be limit to the crea- dnn- of cahinet nlaces.
The age-herald., 1902-01-02

Miss Stone is still where the mis- sionary magnates placed her.