davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
How the Year is CIosinu.

All experts in finance agree that the year is closing much better than it opened At the beginning of the year we owed vast sums in Europe and as one banker puts it there was the panic of continual apprehension" Our foreign indebtedness has been paid, and the panic mentioned no longer hangs over the money market.
 Shipments of gold are coming to us, and will continue to come until Feb ruary, simply because our exports heavily exceed our imports There can be no great stringency in money when we can draw on Europe against a heavy balance oI trade.
 The railroads are crowded with busi- ness, and they are pushing on improve ments and betterments in undiminished volume. Recently they have placed large orders for cars and motive power, and the belief is that their orders of this nature in 1904 will exceed those of the present year. Their earnings jus tify such expeditures.
 The farmers of the south and west are experiencing the best year they have perhaps ever known. They will be freer from debt when the crops in hand are marketed than they have ever been. Accumulated debts will be paid off, and money will remain on hand for increased plantings and numerous i'm provements. They will buy more arti- cles, and this in turn will lead to activ- ity in many lines of trade When the farmer prospers all parts of the coun- try become prosperous, and this is just what we will witness before seedtime comes again. The good effects of great crops and good prices are beginning to be felt, and it is this that is making the closing of the year much better than it's opening
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
ONE-LEGGED MAN ACTIVE.
Jumps From Train and Leads Sheriff a
 Lively Chase.

Talladega, December 15-(Special)- Sheriff Edwards had quite a chase after a young white man named Reed Tarpley, who has but one leg and uses a crutch in walking Notwithstanding this defect in his anatomy Tarpley is a noted crimi- nal here having once been confined In the penitentiary for burglary, and being often charged with various other crimes.
 Tarpley Is light in frame, smooth-faced and boyish looking. The sheriff was with the prisoner on the incoming passenger train of the Birmingham and Atlantic railroad, and just after crossing the Coosa river last evening Tarpley went into the water closet, raised the window and jumped from the train while it was going at speed of about twenty miles an hour. As soon as the escape was discovered Sheriff Edwards stopped the train, and set out alone in the darkness to overtake Tarpley. Edwards Is a one-armed man, but is determined. He overhauled Tar pley after a short chase and safely landed him in jail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
No Emntv stocklnns.

There will be no empty stockings in Birmingham this Christmas If diIigent Inquiry patient investigation, labor and money are of any avall," remarked a leading spirit in charity work yesterday
 "We know" this woman continued, that there are many poor children in cur midst. some fatherless and mother less; but Providence has graeiously smiled upon Birmingham during the year just closed and a grateful people are always stimulated to charitable deeds by pros perity, and good hearts and full pocket books will respond literally this season to the appeal of charity.
 'The churches, Sunday schools. wo- mems clubs and associations and all de- partments of the public service will make a diligent search for the poor children of this city, and direct Santa Claus to their places of abode. We are going to make a general crusade against the empty stocking and make this indeed be a happy Christmas for the poor as well as for those who give money and time in aid of this good work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

the certain death of the cane industry of this country"
 The facts do not sustain Senator Eos ter's gloomy predictions Cuba rarely makes a million tons of sugar a year. In one year only did she make more. As rule she can supply but one-third of our needs beyond our own product. Last year. partly out of accumulated stocks, she did send us a million tons, and We imported nearly a million tons from Continental Europe, largely from Hamburg Until Cuba can grow two million tons a year-no light task-she cannot supplant other foreign sugars in this country, and cannot therefore trench upon the native and more costly product.
 The reciprocity treaty comes to an end in five years by it's own terms, and it is not possible that Cuba can in that time supplant German sugars in this country. While she cannot do so Ham, burg will make the price. and our na- tive sugars will escape without any re. duction in price on account of Cuban sugar Under the reciprocity bill our native sugars would still have the ad- vantage of duty of 1.35 cents a pound, and that is certainly protection enough A sugar maker who cannot get along when protected by a duty of 1-3 cents does not deserve to thrive at all He should grow some other product. The present duty is 168 cents a pound for sugar at 96 test The reciprocity bill would reduce the duty on Cuban sugar to 1.35 cents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
Development of Canada.

Perhaps the chief movement of the present year relates to the develop ment of the Canadian northwest. Wheat is a cold-cImate plant, and it has been ascertained that there is a vast extent of country in the Winnipeg country in which wheat can be profit ably grown. The soil is very fertile, and the season long enough to mature wheat, as well as oats, barley and Irish potatoes.
 No fewer than 45,O0O American farm CTS moved across the line into the Canadian northwest in the year ended June 30 last, not to mention immigra- ton from the British Isles, and from nearly every country in Continental Europe. Railroads are in course of construction, and cities are springing up throughout the empire whose ad- yantages have suddenly become known and appreciated.
 England fondly believes she can grow her own bread in the new Canada, and no doubt her dreams have a sound l foundation. The soil is equal to the l task, and there is enough of it, and as 1 soon as a sufficient number of farm CTS are in there is no reason why Eng land cannot become independent in the respect of bread.
 The filling up of the Canadian north west will open up new tariff questions It will readily double the population of Canada in the course of ten years, giving the Dominion ten millions of people, whereas now it has but five millions. Whether we can then afford to tax their wheat, herds and hides as we do now, will become a pressing problem If we do we must expect to see Canadian railroads and ports pros per exceedingly, for our Chinese wall will not permit any Canadian products to be marketed in this country. The situation in the northwest is in it's in- fancy. but all careful observers recog- niz the fact that great possibilities exist there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
The Passinq Thronq.

Christmas travel has already com meneed in earnest" remarked a railroad man last night, and our union passenger station is hourly the scene of a passing throng more numerous than ever before at this season of the year. Besides the visitors coming in and going out of Bir mngham the annual exodus to Texas Is, perhaps, of greater proportions than was ever known in any one season. Today about four cars of these emigrants were transferred at this station, two of these car loads from along the Central of Geor- gia and two from the Southern. None seem to be going from the immediate Birmingham district
 T think it fair to estimate that in the Texas-bornd crowd today there were 1000 children. This is certainly a depopula- tion of some communities of Alabama, but others will come to take their piaces here In fact 1t is a general rule that 50 per cent or more of these emigrants to Texas generally find their way back to Alabama. The boll- weevil of Texas seems to be no hlndrance to this desire to go to the prairie lands of that state.
 ''By the way, I am of the opinion that the inviting policy of the Texas railroads has much to do with this movement. They pay great attention to the work of in- ereasing population and cultivation of the farming sections through which they rim
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
Everareens for Christmas.

Tt may not be generally known" re- marked a man who is a keen observer of industrial development, that the ship ment of evergreens from South Alabama to the north and east has become com mercial industry of large proportions, and quite remunerative at this particular sea- son of the year. Almost every day the Louisville and Nashville railroad carries through Birmingham from one to three car loads of palms ferns, magnolias, ce- dars, mistletoe. moss, holly, bamboo, and other such growth; and 1t all finds ready sale in the Christmas markets of the northern cities. The industry is newly de- veloped, and promises to grow with each recurring season.
 How wonderful are the natural re- sources of this great state of Alabamal Year by year we find something of value in our fields and forests which had not be- fore been appreciated commercially"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
Scholarships in Music,

The National Conservatory of Music in New York has received three new scholar ships to be awarded at the nineteenth will be held at No. 12s East Seventeenth street on January 4. One of them is for voice, one for the piano and the third for the violin They will be given to stu dents who have no means, but whose tal- ent promises distinction as artists. One of the most eminent singers now before the publio-Lillian Blauvelt-was. a holder of one of these scholarships
 This conservatory was founded by Mrs. Jeanette M. Thurber in 1885 and was chartered by congress in 1891.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
ENGLISH REPRODUCTION
 OF FAMOUS GREEK PLAY

which is the scene of the rest of the play: the imitation of the upper regions was triump of staging. Two heralds are dis patched to gods and men to announce the foundation of the new republic, which is now inaugurated with mock prayer and sacrifice to the bird deities. The intelli- gence spreads over the earth, and crowds of adventurers flock to Cloudcuckoo- town but they are ignominously and un- tremendously dismissed. Iris. the mes senger of the gods, is captured. Then comes Prometheus, the friend of man and hater of gods, hiding from zeus under an enormous sunshade. He tells Persua- sive to what a plight the heavenly ones are reduced since their supplies have been cut off; the barbarian gods, starv- ing. threaten to fight the Greek gods, whom they accuse of closing the door to free imports, and he advises him how to turn the situation to account. Prome- theus is scarcely gone when there ar- rives an embassy from above to sue for peace. It consists of the decorous Posei- don with trident in hand, the jolly Her. akles in his lions skin, and a gaudy bar barian god in orange trousers and neck lace of tusks, who talks broken Greek tempered by unintelligible gibberish. They find the willy Persuasive cooking the plucked bodies of some fellow-citizens who had just been convicted of high treason. The seductive smell of the mess, more than the clever Athenians eloquence, prevails upon the famished en- voys to accept all the terms proposed- namely, that the sceptre of the world should be restored to the birds, and the fair Queen of the Skies, who yields the thunderbolts of Zeus, given to Persua- sive himself in marriage. So. as Persua- sive says, the food which they found him cooking Twill come In useful as a we'd ding breakfast"
 Is this masterpiece of laughter a satire on Athenian imperialism-ridiculi the unfortunate attempt at expansion toward Sicily, (Cloudcuckootown), or is it mere free flight of poetical fancy?' Many hold the first view. Prof, Jebb the sec. ond. A third authority, Dr. verrall, the other day startled us with theory ac- cording to which the play is nothing less than an elaborate caricature of Pales- tinian religious symbolism; the Cloud cuckootown being the kingdom of heaven, the fair bride the Queen of Heaven, and the birds our traditional angels! This brilliant stroke of paradoxical ingenuity certainly detracted nothing, if it added nothing, to our enjoyment of the per formance. Like all great works of art, The Birds can afford to dispense with allegorical explanation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

is exceedingly scarce fin this age when 1t is necessary to fill up so much boiler plate every venture into untrodden fields is of interest. Although some of the modifca- tions of humor are not entirely original they have at least an appearance of fresh- ness and people don't live always. The jokes that tiekled Nero sound very well when brought out again and furbished up to the modern standard. Lowell Otus Reed has made a new departure in Les He's Weekly that Is being widely copied by the newspapers. He styles his compo- sitions Ancient Tayles." AS their title indicates, they are written in Chaucer style. The combinations of quaint Eng fish with up to date slang is very amusing and the fables that are related carry a point, withal. Although Mir. Reed does not claim to be rival of Chaucer in gen. tie satire, he is very good for these days when real humorists are scarce. When 1t is remembered that he makes a great deal more money than his predecessor the mere matter of fame is trivial
 Some timely remarks have recently been made concerning the encore fend. This species of animal usually dead beats' his way into a theatre and proceeds to raise a disturbance for the purpose of getting his moneys worth" Of course all players are gratified with applause and the more there is the better pleased they are but when it is prolonged until the victim is forced to come out again and again and do the same trick over in order that the performance may proceed, 1t becomes too much like drudgery. The smile and the bow may appear very real istic to the audience but they would be surprised could they know how many times the comedian is inwardly cursing for having to come out and repeat his choice jokes half a dozen times. When he has run out of material the situation is especially embarrassing. People in theatre never seem to realize that repeti- tion renders good turn flat. The im- pression would be much more favorable and lasting if they would be content with one encore. In vaudeville encores are very annoying when prolonged for each performer or team of performers is al- lotted certain time, and too many en- cores intrude on the time allowed those who follow
 The Windy City secured the next repub- lican convention by easily "squelching' St. Louis. Chicago is great convention city. Lincoln was nominated there in 1860; Grant in 1868; Garfield in 1880; Blaine in 1884, and Harrison in 1888 The demo- crats there nominated Mcclellan in 1864; Cleveland in 1884 and in 1892 and Bryan in 1896. Other parties have also named their candidates In the Windy town, but they never amounted to very much in the long run. But for both democrats and republ- cans it has been a favorite place of meet ing, although more so for the republicans. Inasmuch as the only democratic candi- date the party has nominated and elected in a long time was chosen in Chicago the next convention of the party is almost sure to be held there. P. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
THE ALABAMA PRESS.

Montgomery Journal: Alabama Is going to have more politics to the square inch next year than any state in the union, and as new leaders and new politics have come forward, it will be an unusually in- teresting year in politics.
 Bessemer Workman: One of our es- teemed contemporaries rejoicing in the name of Living Truth does not draw the line upon ads which are prima facia mot the truth" Truth, like poverty, makes strange bedfellows.
 Vernon Courier: The price of mules and farming utensils have not been so high as at present for a great many years. Cotton cannot be grown for less than ten cents at profit when tools, mules and provisions are as high as at present.
 Gadsden Times-News: Frank Simmons, United States marshal at Mobile, has sent a red hot, rib roasting letter to President Roosevelt, in which he rendered his resig nation as marshal. Simmons says he will not subscribe to the Presidents negro policy and will not ask for negro endorse ment to hold his job. He also roasts the Presidents Alabama referees, all of which Is deserved.
 South Alabamian: The following is taken from the Guntown Hot Times of last week:
 
 An editor died and slowly wended his way down to where he supposed a warm reception awaited him. The Devil met him and said:
 For many years thou hast borne the blame for the bad spelling that the prin- ter got off in the paper. The paper has gone for one dollar, and, alas! the dollar has failed to come in! The printer has be-devied thee for wages when thou hadn't a fathing to thy name. People have taken thy paper without paying thee for it. and cursed thee for not getting out a better sheet. All these wrongs thou hast born in silence. Thou shalt not enter here.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
THE STRANGER ON THE SILL.
Buchanan Read.

Thomas Buchanan Read. Bewteen broad fields of wheat and corn Is the lowly home where I was born; The peach three leans against the wall And the woodbne wanders over all; There is the shadowed doorway still, But a strangers foot has crossed the sill There Is a barn-and, as of yore, l can smell the hay from the open door And see the busy swallows throng. And hear the peewees mournful song; But the stranger comes-O, painful proof His sheaves are piled to the heated roof There Is the orchard-the very trees Where my childhood knew long hours of
 ease, And watched the shadowy moments run Till my life imbibed more shade than sun: The swing from the bough still sweeps the
 air,
 But the strangers children are swinging
 there There bubbles the shady spring below, With its bullrush brook where the hazels
 grow; Twas there I found the calamus root And watched the minnows boise and
 shoot, And heard the robin lave his wing, R. o, ye who daily cross the sill, Step lightly, for I love 1t still; And when you crowd the old barn caves Then think what countless harvest
 sheaves Have passed within that scented door To gladden. eyes that are no more. Deal kindly with these orchard trees; And when your children crowd their
 knees Their sweetest fruit they shall impart, As if old memories stirred their heart; To youthful sport still leave the swing, And in sweet reverence hold the spring The barn, the rees, the brook. the birds. The meadows with their lowing herds, The woodbine on the cottage wall My heart still fingers with them all Ye strangers on my native sill. Step lightly, for I love 1t still.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
Recinrncity in inc Senate

Today the senate will vote upon the Cuban reciprocity bill, as it agreed to do during the life of the special session, and the bill will no doubt be passed, and will speedily become law.
 It gives Cuba 20 per cent preference in the matter of sugar, which is the chief product of the island, and Sena- tor Foster of Louisiana says such a preference will mean the slow but sure death of the beet industry, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Jealousy grows without feeding on any thing
 Men wouldn't mind being bald-headed If only 1t didn't hurt so much to brush the hair they haven't got
 Little boys would pilfer castor oil from the pantry if they got whipped for it the way they do for taking jam.
 The thing that makes man want to kiss a girl is that it is something he wouldn't want to do if they were mar ried.
 It's terrible clever the way women, when they start to get on a street car, can act as if they were going to show something interesting and then not do it..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
The Difference. :
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

From the PhlIadeIphIa Ledger
 Jokeey-Heres a conundrum for you Tn what way am I like a monkey on 6 stick?
 Miss Pert-But you're really not like . monkey on a stick. you know.
 Jokeley-So good of you to say so, but
 Miss Pert-But you're not. The monkey on the stick doesn't make a monkey of himself, you know.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Despite the corruption in the post office department a two-cent stamp is as powerful as it ever has been in the history of the government
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

ing up as a barrier against other con- cerns which might come in and become factors in the commercial and industrial life of the place.
 ''The average jury is prone to consider only the plaintiff and defendant in a case, losing sight of the public altogether. This is entirely wrong. The jury is, in measure, a county commission or board of revenue, passing upon the proposition Shall or shall not the public be required to pay in this case? Let this fact be fully understood and the evil will become less formidable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Colombia begins to feel that she gets the experience while Panama gets the money, and she does not like the divi- sion of the spoils.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
About Persons.

About Persons.
 Col A. H. Stevens, agent for the Central of Georgia railway, has been granted a vacation of several weeks and will leave for the west tonight. He has been Ill for some time and goes away in search of health He has been suffering from an attack of la grippe. Colonel Stevens will go from here to Galveston, then to San Antonio, the City of Mexico and other places before returning home. He has been connected with the Central of Georgia railroad here for the past eleven years, and the vacation comes as aawell merited recognition of his long and faith ful services. During his absence J. W. Meares, his cashier will act as agent.
 
 Dr. George A. Hill and daughter of wynette, Talladega county, are registered at the Florence.
 Gayle Haughton of Russellville is stop ping at the Morris.
  w. N. Cox of Montgomery was regis tered at the Metropolitan last night. J. K. Scott or Pa1nt ROCK IS stopping aI the Hillman.
 w. B. Dowell of Brilliant is registered at the Morris.
 c. J. Frank of Dothan was at the Met ropolitan yesterday
 J. D. Wyker of Decatur is at the Hill- man.
 A. s. Vandegraff, wife and child of Tuscaloosa are registered at the Morris. W. B. Kavanaugh of Paris, Tex, is at the Metropolitan.
 President Don II. Bacon of the Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad company and Mrs. Bacon registered at the Hillman yesterday. They will soon occupy Mir. Mayberry's house, and will remain here all winter.
 A. S. Boyd of Florence is at the Met ropolitan. a J. s. Utley of Montgomery is registered at the Hillman.
 L. A. o'Gaboney of Brookwood Is at the Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Chicago's new fad is opposition to bathing. Even the annual bath of New Jersey farmers is barred, because an Esquimaux took bath and straight way died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Elijah Is working hard to regain his tongue, but thus far he is mildness itself. He abuses no one, and he is settling with his creditors by giving them longtime notes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Wos Gil and Jeminez are putting on" a very good comic opera just south of us, but no one is enterprising enough to furnish the libretto and put the pro duction on the American stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

President Roosevelt is often com. mended for his energetic way of doing things, especially in South America Opinion is very capricous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16
unnoticed.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
 You say you saw my sister at recent wedding?'
 Yes. It wasn't very long ago."
 But I don't remember that she mem toned seeing you Very likely. I was only the groom"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

The great quartet of scientists have crossed the dark river and the mystery of life is known to them. Darwin, Hux. ley, Tyndall and Spencer-four great thinkers of the Victorian age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-16

Rockefeller's Sunday school class is considering what kind of Christmas present to give their beloved million aire teacher. A nice $2 book would be so appropriate.