davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
rrom the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
 To marry, or not to marry, that is the question And a mighty solemn question 1t is, too. Now, if I marry, l shall have wife and she will have to have dresses, jewelry. servants and things. I shall have to foot the bill. Confound 1t all. why do women come so high?
 And yet woman Is an exceedingly pleasant being to have around, with her soft caressing ways. her daintiness. And then to come home-to your own home, mind you-and have a sweet little woman waiting to greet you with kiss. How soft woman's cheeks arei And her lipsl
 Well, she might paint; and paint has never yet been made that tastes good to masculine lips; and she might be cross, and she might keep a nasty little poodle dog, and she might kiss the dog, and then want to kiss me.
 But. then, there really Is something delightfully."- charming, something that appeals to the noblest and the best in fellow, in a home with loving woman to preside over 1t, says Everett McNeil In the Ledger Monthly. How exauisitely dainty she looks as she pours out the teal How her smile, as she passes the steam ing cup, appears to give an added deli cacy to the fragrant beverage! And. when the meal Is over, how very pleasant, how restful after a hard day at the office' 10 sit with her soft, warm hand in yours and listen to her sympathetic words and
 Alas, she might talk scandal, or tell of her petty quarrels with the servants or neighbors, or talk vapid nonsense about the latest styles in dresses or hats. Or we might quarrel, ana say mean things, and get mad and wlsh we had never met; and then she would cry' and her face would get into those hor- rid wrinkles, and the tears would rain down. and she would wiring her hands, and call me mean thing and speak Of going to her mothers; and IL
 Well. well, I am comfortable now; and this is a pleasant room, and l can do as I please in 1t. with no one to in terrupt, and if I don't want to talk l needn't and when I feel lonely there Is the club, and there are women who are always glad to see me, who are always pleasant with me. and who never ask me where I was last night, nor why did not get home earlier, but who just do their best to make things pleasant for me.
 And when I am tired of talking with them. or of looking at them. why. can bid them pleasant good-day and go; and I needn't go back again unless l wish to, and if I tire of the company of one woman and seek that of another. it is my business and all right There is no string tied to me. and I am free to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
BACHELOR HAS VIEWS
 ABOUT MARRIED LIFE

seek pastures new whenever and wherever fancy
 Still, I don't know. There is something missing in my life, a longing that is never satisfied, yearning for a closer more sacred companionship with woman; and I do feel lonely, very lonely, some- times, when I enter my room with no one there to greet me, to welcome mel and then my books won't satisfy me. and the club is inane, and other women-well. just can't help but sit down sometimes and think, and think, and think how ought to have a wife, and little children who would climb upon my knees, and put their arms around my neck, and call me papa and tell me how much they loved me
 An, but children sometimes have nasty tempers, and dirty faces and hands, and are no respecters of persons or of clothes, and are sure to want to climb all over a fellow the moment he puts on his dress suit, and to pull his hair and moustache, and to look at his watch to see the wheels go around and to keep all the house in an uproar just when one wishes to be quiet--
 We'll, well. I don't know; I am sure I don't know; but still If I could find the right kind of a woman-ay, there's the rubi-I had rather hang than get the wrong kind. Yes, if I could get the right woman-I think I would try to get my friend Tom to marry her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
LOOK OUT FOR COMETS.

From the New York Herald:
 If the calculations of astronomers ars correct the year 1903 will be unusually fertile in comets. About September the comet discovered by Faye in 1s43 should appear for the ninth time. and that 1t will appear is practically certain, since 1t is a model of regularity and has never failed to show itself when due. In De- cember the Vinecke comet, which has already been observed seven times, will probably be seen. and during the same month astronomers will look for the Brooks comet, which hitherto has only been observed twice. In January 1904 the Arrest comet will arrive at it's peri helion, and a glimpse may be obtained of 1t as early as November or December 1903
 During this year the Perrine, Giaeobini and Spitaier comets will also appear. Of these the Giacobini comet is of unusual interest. since 1t was only added to the list last January. the fortunate discoverer being M. Giacobini. astronomer at the ob- servatory of Marseilles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
The Rev. pr. Stafford.
Said a prominent citizen

Said prominent citizen:
 Not many lecturers are successful in drawing crowds, but no one who appre- ciates eloquence of high order and the power of analysis can afford to miss the Rev. D. J. Stafford D. D., the brilliant priest-orator of Washington, who will ap- pear at the Jefferson theatre Wednesday of next week. pr. Stafford is one of the foremost Shakespeare scholars of the world. I heard him deliver his lecture on Hamlet twice and would never tire of 1t were to hear 1t dozen times.
 His theme here will be, believe, the eloquence in Shapespeares I have read fiattering reports of this lecture but never heard It. Anything that Stafford says on Shakespeare, however, Is of real value in a literary way and charms alY cultured men and women. But after all Dr. Staff ford's strongest point Is his histrionlc ability. He Is a natural born actor and being man of handsome appearance can easily look the part of Hamlet He does not simply recite passages from Shake speare. He acts them; acts the quiet soliloqules and the tragic passion. No tragedian since Edwin Booth is so near the ideal in Hamlet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
conoernIna Rooks.

ITO stimulate the love of books may be a very good thing, if the books chosen be in themselves worth reading" said a reader of books. But lovers of the best In literature can hardly have much sym pathy with proposals to make books that sell a hundred thousand copies sell three times as many by improving the ma chinery of distribution.
 What sounds like arrant nonsense on this subject is put forth by an editor who Is also publisher and ought to know better. Make bookstores as plentiful as grocery stores, he says. and then people will buy books more freely. Unfortunate ly there is one important fact that is overlooked in this ingenious proposition. Groceries supply the necessaries of life and books do not. One might as well look for parity of meat markets and art shops. That better conditions in the book trade would result In the establishment Of well-supplied bookstores In many com munities now without them may be taken for granted; but dealers In luxuries as booksellers are, cannot expect to find an endless extension of trade"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
From Birmingham to Ruenos Ayres

Charles M. Pepper has sailed away charged by this country to consult as special commissioner of the United States the governments of Mexico, Cen tral America, Peru, Bolivia, Chili Bra zi. and Argentina as to what each will do to further the building of the Inter continental railroad. MT. Pepper speaks Spanish fluently He was member of the Pan-Ameriean congress held in Mexico last year, and at that congress a permanent Pan-American railway commission was appointed, of which ex-Senator Henry c. Davis of West Virginia is chairman, and Andrew Car negie is a member.
 The distance from New York to Bue- nos Ayres, over tho proposed line, is 10,471 miles, and just about one-half of this distance is covered by rails. There Is, however, a wide gap between the Mexican lines and the Argentine lines to be filled, and the cost of filling this gap will be very considerable, and the investment Is not attractive to capitalists. and the guarantee of none of the republics south of Mexico is very trustworthy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
SMALL SALARIES Or MINISTERS.

From the Christian Intelllgencer.
 The Watchman an influential organ or the Baptist church. has lately furnished afsym oosium in which a number of Bap- tist pastors gave reasons why they de- sired tc charge their pastorates. In one particuIar they all agreed, namely, that 1t is very diffiC1It to feed and clothe and properly educase family on existing sal arIes--thc average salary of three-fourths of the Baptist pastors In three New Eng land states is reported to be only $500. Per- haps the showing would be quite similar in other denominations. In our own church the average is slightly more.
 Small salaries unsettle more ministers than any other one thing. Expenses in- crease with the increase of their families and the growth of their children and 1t is but natural that they should desire a change of pastorates for the improvement of their finances.
 Fifty years ago, although salaries were as small as now, ministers were much better supported. Not only was the pur- chasing power of dollar greater, and the demands on the purse lower, but con gregations found pleasure in sharing their good things and their prosperity with the pastor and his family. So many provis- Ions found their way to the dominie's lar der and so abundant a supply, of fuel to the woodshed, and so much hay and oats to the barn, that 1t was not alto- gether untrue what was said of certain church by a retiring pastor: 'The salary may not seem large. but 1t means so much money and a living" Anniversar- les, holidays and other occasions. besides weddings and funerals were marked by gifts All this has changed. The min ister is expected to provide everything out of a salary. which is not only fixed. but small, and very often irregularly paid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
THE COST OF BUGS.
Iha Atehison Globe.

From the Atchison Globe.
 We keep an army of e5,oOO men and have 25l ships of war. We are ready to fight any nation on earth. and yet the little potato bugs laugh us to scorn. Ever hear of the big United States suf- fering with the grasshopper? Are we not poweriess before the gipsy moth? The bug family taxes this great country s5oo, ,0eo,o ,o0O a year. but in the unequal fight between the nation and the bugs the latter ever remain unconquered. The worms that at- tack the cotton plant assess the farmer $6o 900 a year. The potato bugs eat sS.- Oo0,O worth annually out of our gardens. The chinch bug costs us 100000 900. the Hessian fly $50. .OO0, 900 and the grasshopper S90. 0.o0O.o00. The big United States hasn't enough money or men to win any war with an insect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Joe Jeffsrson TaIks of RIrmInaham.

Joe jeIIefSon alkS or blfmlnanams
 Joseph Jefferson received a number of visitors at his private car in the union station yesterday afternoon and talked about Birmingham and the interest he felt in the city with great enthusiasm. He said 1t was true that he had taken a liberal amount of stock in the new At Birmingham Insurance company.
 of course I know almost nothing about business affairs" said MT. Jefferson, but I cannot help feeling that money invested in southern enterprises is safe. have watched the growth of this city with much interest. Forty-hve years ago when I used to come through here there was nothing In sight but cotton fields and my observation of Blrmlnghams growth from year to year has been a matter of de- cided interest.
 So, I don't look to be "A years oldl Well, that Is my age, and seventy-three of them have been spent on the stage l can't say just when I will leave the stage, but I assure you that my audien- ces will not have to tell me to quit When l see my ability waning in the least on account of increasing years I shall re- tire.
 T don't like to show my vanity. but the happiest moments of my life are in contemplation of the warm esteem which people throughout the whole country seem to have for me-"
 During the afternoon MT. Jefferson was driven over the Highlands by a com mittee of ladies from the Kindergarten association. and he was enthusiastic in his praise of the beautiful homes
 Birmingham Is beautiful" he said. T never dreamed that your Highlands were so we'll filled with fine residences. l should like to come some time and stay a week"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
coLoREp PHOTOGRAPHY.

Uexington. Va. Telegram to the Balti-
 more Herald)
 Henry Miley, of the firm of M Mlley & Son. photographers here, is in New York making arrangements for the manufac- ture of material which is used in the newly patented process invented by M, Miley for color photography, and which gives natures colors exactly as they are. A company has been incorporated un- der the laws of New York for the pur- pose Of putting color photography be- fore the public. known as the Miley Photograph company. and MT. Miley will attend a meeting of the directors of the company Friday in New York city. The process is one of the most wonderful in- ventions of this century, and was only obtained after years of hard work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
RUSSIAN PRIESTS HOLD
 THEIR EASTER SERVICES

Christ's body, passed through the dimly lighted church to the rectory.
 Soon the procession passed to the street. and halted in the vestibule of the church. Inside. the worshipers, all holding light ed candles, stood until at the stroke of midnight the procession re-entered the church chanting, Christ Is Risen."
 At the entrance of the priests a new chrystal chandelier was lighted for tho first time. Special chants were sung. Then the bishop gave to Father Alexan- der and other priests the kiss of peace.' the notable worshipers stepped to the altar and received the rite.
 Throughout the church relatives and friends exchanged the greeting, kissing three times and chanting Christ ia Risen"
 Parts of the Bible were read in three languages and the bishop administered communion to the Countess Cassini, a woman who accompanied her, and the daughter of the consul general They alone received 1t with the exception of a little baby, carried to the altar in it's mothers arms.
 The bishop then blessed large basket of colored eggs which had been placed on the altar and the priests distributed them to the people.
 After the service came a banquet for rich and poor. This breaks a long and severe fast In a long hall in the base ment of the church the bishop blessed the food of the poor, They brought it for that rite and took it away with them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

Cardinal Gibbons in the New York
 American.
 The Christian religion Is all pervading.
 It influences the master and the ser- want, the rich and the poor It admon- ishes the master to be kind and humane toward his servant by reminding him that he. also. has a master in heaven who has no respect to persons.
 It admonishes the servant to be docile and obedent to his master; mot serving to the eye, as 1t were pleasing men, but. as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart''
 It charges the rich not to be high minded. not to trust in uncertain riches, but In the living God, who "giveth us abundantly all things to enJoy.''
 It counsels the poor to bear their pri- vations with resignation by setting be- fore them the life of him who, in the words of the Apostle, ''being rich" be- came poor for your sake. that through his poverty you might be ricn-
 In word. religion is anterior to socie- ty and more enduring than government; it is the focus of all social virtues. the basis of public morals. the most power full instrument in the hands of legisla- tors; 1t is stronger than self-interest. more awe-inspiring than civil threats. more universal than honor, more active than love of countryside surest guaran- tee that rulers can have of the fidelity of their subjects. and that subjects can have of the justice of their rulers; 1t Is the curb of the mighty, the defence of the weak, the consolidation of the af- fiicted the covenant of God with man; and, in the language of Homer, it is the golden chain which suspends the earth from the throne of the eternal"
 Every philosopher and statesman who has discussed the subject of human gov ernments has acknowledged that there can be no stable society without justice. no justice without morality. no morality without religion, no religion without God.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
BUY TREES FOR WHITE HOUSE.

Washington Cor. in New York Times.
 For a week past heavily loaded wagons, bearing queer-looking packages somewhat resembling huge feather clusters wrapped in burlaps. have been going in a daily procession from one of the Washington freight stations to the White House. The big bundles swayed back and forth, and the wagon wheels ereaked and groaned with their load. Each wagon was ac- companled by three or four stout negroes, who struggled with the burlap bundles when the wagons reached their destina- ton. Today a New Jersey nurseryman has been placing the bundles around the White House and the long, low wings that are familiarly called "the Presidents s chicken houses'' The contents of the burlaps are green bay trees There are sixty-six of them. and they were import ed from Holland, where they are produced by the skilled gardeners of that country in great perfection. Besides the bay trees there are seventy-two box trees, also im- ported. All are in heavy tubs. and 1t re- quires no inconsiderable care to handle them Four bay trees have been placed on the main portico of the White House. and the rest are stationed on pedestals along the two white wings or terraces Of the mansion. The effect is quite soldierly and decorative. The idea Is Mir Me- K s, and is an essential feature of his interpretation of a proper and artistic restoration of the venerable mansion as originally planned by Washington more than a century ago. The green bay trees cost upward of $2OOo and paid a duty Of 25 per cent ad valorem. There are scores of nurserymen who produce bay trees in this county, and there is some surprise at the idea of importing them. In the im- portation of these trees the United States has annexed about ten tons of the good black soil of steady going old Holland.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 @ ASTER was celebrated ip the new Gn0 Russian church on Ninety W Seventh street near Madison avenue with service which began at midnight On Saturday and lasted for nearly four hours. A difference in the method of computing time makes the Easter of the Russian church fall week later than that of the Roman Cath ollie and Protestant churches.
 The services were led by Bishop Tikon, who came here from San Francisco to of fciate. Father Alexander Hotovitsky, priest of the church, assisted.
 There was a big crowd at the church when the service began on Saturday night. The Countess Cassini and the daughter of Consul-General Ladiginsky were present. and with them were the consul general himself, Military Attache Raspupoff, Naval Attache Butakoff and vice-Consul Baron schilling of New York. The men in the party were in uniform and the women in evening dress. Countess Cassini and the attaches came from Washington especially to attend the ser vice. Count Cassini was unable to be present because of III health.
 The bishop was robed by the assisting priests amid Gregorian chants by the choir and the chanting by the priests, which continued almost increasingly throughout the service. Then a chanting procession composed of the bishop, priests and deacons followed by the consul gen. eral and the attaches descended from the altar and. typifying the search for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
GREAT VALUE OF MILK
 IN CURING CONSUMPTION

Olive oil Is a perfect nerve feeder for the millions of nerve folicles of the stomach and intestines, which in this disease seem to be irritated and starv- ing for lack of proper nourishment
 Tn this treatment the patient should take not less than a gallon of milk every day. gradually increasing to about two gallons a day, taken fairly hot or at least lukewarm, and divided into six feed ings. The most practical plan Is to take a pint and a half of milk at about T. 10, 1. 8. and o'clock digest 1t and prevent il lying heavily on the stomach.
 "Diastase Is simply an official pre- paration of the digestive principle Of malt, and a standard formula such as the Forbes Is perhaps the best as being free from admixture. A strong stomach should digest the milk in this large volume with out diastase. after becoming accustomed to It. The olive oil should be taken in two-ounce doses morning and evening. This should be pure, sweet and of greenish hue.
 "The patient need not falter at the sug- gestion of a gallon or two of milk day; for even a frail woman can take it. if given under the conditions above suggested The idea that milk does not agree with one must be abandoned. for it should. and will, if taken properly. Best results are had by drinking slowly; with clothing loosened, nibbling a crack CT or ether light food.
 One will generally find that little other food is desired or required, as this is complete food in itself. The patient will soon find that f gallon of milk. with cjastase and cive oii, is taken every day, perfect assimilation will be established, flesh will be addod and strength gained u build up the system faster than the rlvages of the tubercule baeilli can waste 1t, and this process should lead to ulti- mate recnyery. If taken in good time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-22
THE YELLOW VIOLET.

By William Cullen Bryant. When beechen buds begin to swell And woods the blue birds warble
 know,
 The yellow violet's modest bell
 Peeps from the last years leaves be-
 low.
 Ere russet fields their green resume, Sweet flower, love, in forest bare. To meet thee. when thy faint perfume Alone is in the virgin air Of all her train, the hands of spring First plant thee in the watery mold, And I have seen thee blossoming Beside the snow banks edges cold. Thy parent sun. who bade thee view Pale skies, and chilling moisture sip. Has bathed thee in his own bright hue, And streaked with jet thy glowing lip. Yet slight thy form,-and low thy seat. And earthward bent thy gentle eye, Unapt the passing view to meet,
 When loftier flowers are Haunting
 nigh.
 Oft, In the sunless April day,
 Thy early smile has staid my walk But midst the gorgeous bloom of May passed thee on thy humble stalk. So they, who climb to wealth, forget Tho friends in darker fortunes tried copied them-but I regret
 That I should ape the ways of pride. And when again the genial hour
 Awakes the painted tribes of light. I'll not o'erlool the modest flower
 That made the woods of Anril hrishs