davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
TAINE's ADVICE TO HIS SISTERS.

From the Life and Letters of Tame Re-
viewed in London Atheaeum.
When Taine was a professor at Movers
he ended letter to his mother with the
following few words" to his sisters:
do not concern yourself about your
unacquaintance with all kinds of techni-
cal details and with some technicalities
In geography, physics etc, which are
repeated by the accomplished parrots in
boarding schools. Merely learn the ORTIZ
ography. the arithmetic the essential
part of geography. Depend for the rest
upon your reading, conversation and re-
Election. The end of education is to open;
the mind. To acquire ideas and to accus-
tom ones self to search for them. Studies
are but the means. A woman has not
to pass an examination before coming
out; she is net questioned at party
about a date or a chemical solution.
Provided that she has ideas about things
in general, that she can follow a CONVEX
sation on any subject, that her Judgment
is sufficiently free and wide to hold her
own on questions of morality, of conduct
and religion which are discussed in her
presence, she knows quite enough and
the wisest man can enjoy conversing
with her A conversation which is an
exchange of dates and facts is merely
a dialogue between tiresome pedants. A
conversation which is an exchange of
ideas pointedly expressed is. perhaps. the
greatest pleasure which can be enjoyed
and from the time we began to think
we ran have n without much ir,etruottop
The only examination woman must
pass concerns dress. department, dancing
and music, and 1 see that you will sue
coed in it satisfactorily"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04

ianta and West Point and the Western Of
Alabama railroad is in the city. He Is
one Of the. most popular railroad officials
IN the south and is always cordially
greeted when he comes to Birmingham.
at one time his home. Mr.. Wiekersham
will leave for Selma this morning. He
is accompanied by his wife.
E. NJ Hopkins of Georgia is at the
Morris.
W. E. Brooks of North Carolina Is
at the Morris.
c. E. Baton of Atlanta is at the Nor
ris.
Charles N. Holmes of Detroit is at the
Morris.
J. M. Sheets of Springfield. O., is at the
Morris.
S. NJ Riggs Of st. Louis is at the
Morris.
George N. Duncan of Auburn is at the
Morris.
F. ]. Fox of New York is at the Nor
rls.
]. F. sturdivant of Gadsden is at the
Norris.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
NOW A LITERARY LAUNDRY.

From the Kansas City World.
Every little while Prof Oscar Lowell
Triggs, WHO seems to be the original
fount of wisdom in Chicago, makes
funny break. He wants to reduce the art
of writing books to a system. 1t gives
him pain when he realizes that haphaz-
ard method of some of the great brains
Of the world. He would chase the liter
airy microbe to its liar and cultivate it.
He would have school for the manu-
featuring of authors, and law regulat-
ing the practice of literature.
Glory be! How does that man suppose
books are written? Would he unionize
the craft and put a curse on Rudyard
Kipling for working extra hours? Would
he blacklist Conan Doyle for setting
pace too hot for Laura Jean Libbey to
folloy?
OF course, there are books on the mar
ket that never should have been written.
Some of them are so bad that hanging
would seemingly be about right for the
authors. But Triggs' scheme wouldn't
supply brains. 1t wouldn't put gray mat
ter into the heads of the people who are
still grinding out limping rhymes about
Cuban war. You couldn't stop the poets
with cannon, let alone a regulating
statute.
The writing of book doesn't mean sit
ting down at a typewriter and humping
the keys. 1t calls for genius-something
that abides in the human brain. and
sings best and sweetest when untram-
meled and uncurbed.
Education may supply easy sentences
and comprehensive adjectives. but not
the human INTEREST,". not the heart
touches, for they are as wild and free
as the note of a thrush. and as natural
as the purling of a brook.
God meant that some people should
write books for the good OF the world
and they have set a mark for literature.
and left their impress on humanity.
The world needs more great authors
and none of the machine writer's from
Oscar Twiggs literature factory.
The professor Is jokel
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
HARD TIMES IN GERMANY.

Cor. of London Daily Chronicle.
With the setting in Of piercing cold
weather the condition of large section of
the German working classes becomes crit
ical. The iron ana coal industries in
Westphalia and Silesia are far from be-
ing prosperous. Workmen continue to be
dismissed, apparently with the object of
keeping up high prices. Complaints are
heard on all sides Of coal owners and
ironmasters supplying foreign markets at
prices less than the home consumer is
obliged to pay. According to the Vorwarts
want Of work in many branches has
reached SO calamitous a state that the
measures taken to meet 1t are altogether
inadequate. In Cologne, for example,
where a communal insurance institution
has started a bank to insure against lack
of employment, the bank has had to be
closed owing to the drain against its re-
sources The Vorwarts calls on the state
to take instant measures to relieve the
distress by starting public works. by
shortening the hours OF labor and by or
ganizng the labor market.
In Berlin matters are no better than In
the provinces. Hundreds of applicants,
young and old, compete for every vacant
post The refugees for the destitute are
overlooking. The worst of it is there are
no signs that the condition Of affairs will
speedily improve. The depression will GER
tainly continue for some time longer.
Probably one of the best Illustrations OF
the general stagnation may be drawn
from the iron trade. In the year 1900 1131
Kilograms of iron were either used or ex-
ported for every inhabitant. In 1901 the
production had sunk to 50 Kilograms. This
year it will not be more than 66 Another
illustration is found in the fact that the
number of marriages in most of the large
cities throughout the empire is decreas-
ing Notwithstanding the advance in popu-
lation. In Berlin. for example, In 1900.
twenty-five per 1000 of the population were
married; in 1901 not quite twenty-one. and
this year the number will probably not
reach twenty per 1000.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
MARK TWAlN'S FRIENDS
CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY

! Well In order OF motion after Mr. Har.
vey came William Dean Howells with az
alleged sonnet about Mark Twain.
was fine thing. and on that account
was reserved from publication. Follow.
ing Mr.. Howels was Thomas 3. Reed.
who told more than the truth, and az
points far less than the truth, about that
voyage, for health which he and Twain
and Laurence Hutton and one or two
more took in southern sens. last March
and April. with Henry H. Rogers on
Henry H. Rogers, yacht.
And after Thomas B. Reed followed
Chauncey NJ. Depew, who discoursed
upon Mark Twain's experience, of royal
ties in governments and In literature
Hamilton w. Mable followed him in the
Harvey announced role of a defender OF
missionaries whom Mark Twain had been
suspected Of eating and dsliking-a role
Mr.. Mable promptly repudiated.
John Kendrick Bangs then read
rhymed obituary of Mark Twain from the
timo of Adam to the period of George
Harvey.
Wayne Macveagh followed with q
knife up his sleeve for all who had pre-
coded him, yet with sunshine in his heart
and honey in his words for the guest Of
the evening.
Henry Van Dyke at this point read =
poeticaI salutation to Mark Twain as
dainty, debonair and divining as could
be predicted either of the poet or hia
subject.
And then George Harvey let Mark
Twain loose, and Mark Twain let him.
self loose for about thirty-fve minutes.
He was never brighter, he was never
more sardonic, he was never sweeter, he
never more successfully brought humor
and pathos into closer or finer relation
ship in all his life. He simply reveled
in "Reminiscences, characterization and
gratitude. Hardly a suggestion can DO
made of an address of which the full
report would be Impossible, simply be-
cause the best stenographer would be SO
carried away by the words as to throw
down his pencil, throw back his head
and take it all mentally In.
This is one of the indicretions he
charges on Tom Reed: He said that Reed
had declared that while we could not
proving our opportunities, become biga-
mists.'
And this much foreshortened, is what
he said about John Hay: More than
fifty years ago both of us were bare
footed boys, getting stone bruises, and
not breaking the Sabbath more than
once a week, out west And now look
at us. He has been poet, author, soldier,
diplomat, orator. historian, and is now
secretary of state. And II am gentle
man. 1t is given to every American to
become what he is fit for"
And this he also, said There are "a
men here. OF them 80 are my dear per-
sonal friends. OF the remaining Is I am
confident that can borrow money"
And he said very much more, closing
with a splendid tribute to his wife as
the best Of consorts, the truest of friends,
the kindest of critics and adding: Her
heart, my heart, our single heart you
will find full of love and memory for
you all. My birthday will be Sunday, and
hers, God bless her, was Thursday"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
off Year in Music.

'Last year marked Birminghams high
est level in musical attractions" said a
musician, but this season will be remem-
bered for its lack of great musical events.
Besides the festival. the Grau Opera
company and the French Opera company,
we had no less than half dozen famous
piano soloists and many excellent concert
troupes.
1--WE will have no festival this season
and very few. if amy, virtuosos. Crea-
torres band is one of the few musical at
fractions booked. 1t viii be at the JEFF
ferson in January and again in February.
This is an off season in music throughout
the country. Next season may see re-
yiyal"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Electric Carriages.

"Edisons storage battery, which has
been so much written about and discussed
in electric engineering circles, is at last
ready for the market" said an electrical
engineer last night 'and Birmingham
will be supplied with the latest within
the next few weeks.
Il regard this work of Mr. Edison as
most important achievement in electric
science from a commercial point Of view
the most important IN recent years, l
might say. that has been demonstrated
to be a practical sucesis
1.-THE chief point about tie Edison bat
terry is its indestruetible character. It
is not affected by vibration or jolting
The old storage battery was light enough.
1t is as light as for that matter, as the
Edison. But it was not a success, COM
mercially considered, because 1t could
not resist vibration. 1t was too much
like an eggshe1l. The new storage battery
has double the radius action OF the old
device; has radius action of 100 miles,
which is sufficient for all practical pur-
poses. Gasoline carriages will continue to
be used, but the Edison battery assures
absolutely the commercial permanence OF
the electric automobile.
Now. as to speed, all automobiles, gas
oline or electric, are fast enough, but
there is great exaggeration about the
speed that amateurs make. When one is
going at the rate of twenty miles AN hour
it seems like thirty or forty. Even fifteen
miles is good speed When It comes to a
speed of sixty miles an hour, few persons
are able to keep their breath. The sixty
mile chaffeurs are rare indeed. 1t was
said that the Fairs were running at the
rate of sixty miles when they met with
their fatal accident, but I have my doubts
about it."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
THE BRAVE AT HOME.

By Thomas Buchanan Read.
The maid who binds her warriors sash
With smile that well her pain dissem-
bles,
The while beneath her dropping lash
One starry tear-drop hangs and trem-
bles;
Though heaven alone records the tear,
And Fame shall never know her story
Her heart has shed a drop as dear
AS e'er believed the field of glory!
4
The wife who girds her husbands swor
Mid little ones who weep or wonder,
And bravely speaks the cheering word
What though her heart be rent asundey
Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear
The bolts of death around him rattle,
Has shed as sacred blood as e'er
Was poured upon the field of battlel
The mother who conceals her grief
While to her breast her son she presses.
Then breathes few brave words and
BRIEF
Kissing the patriot brow she blesses.
With no one but her secret God
To know the pain that weighs upon her.
Sheds holy blood as e'er the sod
Received on Freedoms field Of honorl
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
MESSAGE PLEAsEs MEXICO.
RooseveIts Document Printed In Full
Across the Border.

Mexico City, December 3.-President
Roosevelt's message, printed here In full
today, excited much favorable comment.
It is regarded as an especially strong and
frank document. The Mexican Herald
says the message is unusual. and that
much Of 1t will be quoted In after years,
for Roosevelts do not happen along
every half century"
It is considered a typical American
message, and that Mexican papers say
that no ruler in the old world could have
f1ttingly used such words Of confident
forcefulness except the German Emperor,
or a man of like temperament. The mes
sage is said to be remarkable for its
virile sentiments. and its rich literary
grace and pleasing form.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
Convict Labor at the Mines.

The Tennessee company is hereafter
to pay 70 cents ton for coal mined
and delivered by the state in cars for
shipment, and the Sloss-S Sheffield com
pany is to pay 43 cents ton for coal
mined and delivered at the mouth of
the mine room. The difference in the
two prices represents the expenses of
opening up and maintaining the mine
outside of its rooms. This settlement
disposes of the state convict question
for three years at least.
There are many advantages in the
plan devised by Governor Jelks and
his advisors. 1t will put more money
into the treasury. At present the
state receives less than Is cents ton
for coal mined by conviets, and as
each convict is expected to dig out
four tons day it is plain the new
terms will more than double the
states income from convicts, after all
expenses OF feeding and lodging and
caring for the prisoners are deducted.
The chances are that 100000 will be
the income from that source in 1904,
as against 100000 this year. Much.
however, depends upon the men Sc
lected by the state to conduct the two
bodies of convicts.
The humanity side is, however, the
chief one to be considered, and in the
selection of the new agents of the
state this should not be lost sight of.
After January l the state will handle
all its convicts at the mines, and the
state alone will be responsible for the
merciful care of them-their health,
their morals, and their reform even.
The death rate among them must be
lowered, or the state will stand dis
graced. At present it is said to be
nearly 10 per cent. This must be
brought down to normal, The duty
of the state in this respect is impera-
tive.
Another gain to flow from the new
system will not be overlooked in this
district, where conyicts and free labor
meet. Hereafter the two chief COM
panies will pay free-labor rates for
convict labor. The difference, if any,
is inconsiderable, and there is some
difference of opinion as to which way
the advantage lies. Rates are nearly
equal at any rate. Nor will the con-
tracing companies hereafter hold any
advantages over the non-contracting
companies, for convict coal will not
be produced at lower cost than free
labor coal All will stand on level
hereafter, and free labor thus gains a
point.
All in all the new system promises
to be efficient, sanitary and satisfac-
tory to all concerned, including the
state treasury. Much, however, de-
ponds upon the execution of the plan
Upon the humanity and capacity OF
the men to whom the care of the con
victs at the two mines will be- en-
trusted. If they are men of sense
executive talent and kindness OF
heart all will be well. The plan is
well conceived, ana the hand and
heart of Governor Jelks should be and
doubtless will be seen in the details
of its execution.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
a Good Cause.

'T am glad to learn that movement Is
about to be started to raise a fund for
Dan Emmett, the man who composed
Dixie" said a benevolent man yester-
day. 81 understand that Harry English
and Walter Blackman are at work on a
plan by which small contributions win
be collected, and while it is not on the
endless chain order, 1t will probably prove
as effective.
Emmett is old and infirm, and he
would doubtless be most grateful for a
substantial token from the southern peo-
pie. He is an Elk, and the Elks will be
liberal contributors to any fund that is
started for his benefit.
"Of all the popular songs written In
this country, not one has the hold on
southern people that Dixie has"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
SANITARY REPORTS HEARD.
Yesterdays Session Of Convention De
voted to Hearing From Delegates.

Washington, December 3.-The sanitary
conference of the American republics de-
voted today's session to reports from
delegates. These described sanitary con-
ditions and made numerous suggestions.
DIR. Juan Guiteras of Havana declared
that there had not been a case of yell
low fever originating in Cuba during the
past fourteen months.
DR.. Moore Of Chill invited the confer
ence to meet next year in Santiago de
Chill, and a similar invitation was re-
ceived from the City of Mexico DR..
Ulloa of Costa Rica protested against the
restrictions imposed at the port of New
Orleans on Costa Rican products as I'M
just. He said that Costa RIGA was quite
free from contagious disease
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04

St Clair McKe1way IN Brooklyn Eagle.
Samuel c. Clements ('Mark Twain'')
will be 81 years old tomorrow Sunday.
An occasion IN celebration of that event
a little anticipated It on Friday night.
In the Metropolitan club. on the invita-
ton of George Harvey. the executive
head of the Harper firm. with all its pub
locations. and of the North American Re-
view, So other friends Of Mark Twain
gathered around one of the great oval Ia
bles In one of the large dinner-rooms.
The gathering was remarkable in sew
eral instances for the representative
character of the men. John Hay, Will
liam Dean Howels. Henry II. Rogers.
Joseph II. Twitchell. Thomas B. Read
and Wayne Macveaugh were, perhaps,
the most intimate friends of Mark Twain,
and they we're all there.
Among his associates in literary rela-
lions with the Harpers were also to be
seen Robert W. Chambers, John Ken
drick Bangs. George W Gable. Richard
lie Gallienne. Thomas A. Janvier, VIII
Carleton, T. T. Leigh, Frederick A. Du-
neka, Booth Harrington. Henry NJ. Alden
and E. Thompson Seton.
There were also present among editors
Samuel Bowles, Horace White. Adolph
S. ochs. Hamilton W. Mable. William
NJ Laffan, Henry l. stoddard and st.
Clair McKelway.
Among fnanclers besides Henry H.
Rovers were Thomas F. Ryan, Daniel
O'Day, william B. Leeds and August
Belmont
Others whose presence graced the &C.
casion, and whose positions In the realms
of higher work In the world are self
defined, were Charles Frohman, George
w. Young, e. w. Townsend, VIII N.
Harden, DR.. c. C. Rice, John w. Alex
ander, Brander Matthews. Henry Van
Dyke Howard Pyle, James Lane Allen,
Hamblen Sears, Hamlin Garland. Adrian
H. Jo1ine. f. TIopkinson Smith, Williams
A. Nash, ]. Henry Harper, Roy Rolf Gill
Henry S. Harper, Van Tassel Sutphen
and Chauncey NJ Depew.
1t was explicitly announced that there
would be no speeches, therefore large
number were made.
George Harvey presided and did so with
uncommon and effective coolness-that is
to say. while the GOODNESS was common
to him, It was so much greater than the
GOODNESS of other men that it was uncom-
mon to them.
He made each man upon whom he
called In turn propose the health of Mark
Twain, and every time Mark Twain arose
to respond he made Mark Twain sit
down. And then, in the interludes be-
tween speeches, sacrificing the preceding
speaker and roasting the next one, George
Harvey would constitute himself the un-
authorized interpreter Of what Mark
Twain called, or what he called, Mark
Twain's mind. The obJurgations and the
thanks which George Harvey attributed
to Mark Twain to be appreciated should
have been heard or should be readily
others than those to whom they were adj
dressed. The method was strictly innov-
atory, but 1t will become universal by
contagious inspiration II American din
ner-givers are not more oblivious to the
''last-best" than they are supposed to be.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
MEXICO ASKED TO PAY UP.
Secretary of the Treasury Asks Con
gress for 81 ,42o,6s2.

Laredo, Tex, December "a Mexico
City special says: Secretary of the Treas
ury Limantour has asked congress to au-
thorize the payment of s1.42O,6S2 Mexican
currency to the United States, together
with $4,000 interest thereon. in accordance
with the award of The Hague arbitration
in the matter of the Plus fund.
Secretary LiTnantour informs congress
that the expenses incurred in the pro-
ceedings, amounting to about $4,000, has
already been paid, as required by the
national honor and decorum.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
cHAFFEE's ATTITUDE.

From the Omaha Bee.
General Chaffee is right about the sui
tan of Jolo. 1t is nonsense to be treating
with that fellow as if he were an indie
pendent sovereign. The thing to do is
TO send out and bring him in the same as
If he were a blanket Indian who had got
off his reservation.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
The Southern Society.

1.-THE Southern Society of New York has
long been a popular institution of the
great metropolis said a prominent Ala
bamian who frequently visits the east.
but 1t is now much stronger numerically
and stronger as a social factor than it
was even few years ago. Three hun
dred members have been added to the
rolls this year.
''The annual banquet of the Southern
society is a brilliant event The last
banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria has sell
dom been surpassed in New York, and
the smokers which are given four times
a year, sometimes at Delmonico's and
sometimes at Sherry's, are events o!
rare enjoyment.
Among the members of the Southern
society are many men prominent In the
social and business life of Gotham. 1t is
gratifying TO all southern people to find
how quickly a southern man gets foot
ing in New York Southern lawyers
doctors, bankers and financiers of energy
and talents do not have to be there long
before they are recognized"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
NO OBJECTION.

From the Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer-Sun.
If Booker Washington will continue to
recommend good democrats for appoint
ment to office there will be no serious
objection to him as the Presidents south
ern political advisor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
from the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
A plump girl makes a fat wife.
No memory is short enough even to for
get fancied wrong.
The ambitious woman always speaks of
her allowance as her income.
When a woman begins to wear a switch
she begins TO suspect that her best friend S
figure is not natural -
Any woman would rather have her hus-
band be wrong in an argument with her
than to be President.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
VERY STILL.

From the Brooklyn Times.
Mr.. Littlefeld of Maine insists that he
is still in the spealxership fight. OF course
he ought to know. but his statement
does not appear to be backed by any
very tangible corroborating details.