davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
Russia and Iapan.

Russia wants peace, but she also wants Manehuria. Japan does not de- sire to be dominated by Russia, espe- cially in Korea. Russia could whip Japan on land, and Japan is an over- match for Russia at sea, even when England does not come to her aid. Russian aggression in Korea is what Japan anticipates, and this would mean a great loss to Japanese independence and rank.
 The entire situation Is full of prob lens. Will Russia leave Manchuria in September as she has repeatedly agreed to do? If she does not, will Japan assail her. as she has frequently said she would? Will England come to her assistance under the terms of the new treaty? All of these are diffi- cult questions. No one can say what the situation will be in October. All can, however, guess.
 Count Ito is not the head of the Japanese government. He is as intel ligent and conservative as he Is brave in war and devoted to his country. Russia has many capable men in her service, notably M. Witte, who is her finance minister. Is 1t not reasonable to conclude that such men will find a way to avoid an armed conflict, which neither desires? Russia may covet Korea, but she would perhaps be glad to hand Korea over to Japan If she can thereby gain freedom of action in Manchuria, and peace while she is de- veloping her resources.
 Russia's promises as to an open door In Manchuria are not worth the paper they are written on. Their worth1essness is shown in the fact that the Chinese. government has al- ready repudiated them, but the man. ner in which Russia will proceed to repudiate them remains to be seen. This lends an additional interest to the struggle, and altogether the Far East is again the exposure of all eyes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
OIL PAINTING OF BURNS
 HIGHLAND MARY" FOUND
From the Denver Post.

From the Denver Post.
 HRoF. JAMES NAMES has an oil V painting of Highland Mary"
 the love of Robert Burns MT. Names received the picture about fifty years ago from his great aunt in Ayr, Scotland, the home of Burns.
 Mir Names is now 7S years of age, and several years since, when in affluant cir cumstances in New York city, refused an offer of s4OoO for the painting, but he feels that at the present time it is his duty to part with that which he has treasured for so many years, and which he would not now dispose of it, but for his present necessities. The painting of Mary Campbell, the immortalized "TIlgh- land Mary" has been sent to New York. Burns poem. "The Highland Lassie," was written in early life. It Is given In the second volume of Johnsonss museum adapted to an old reel tune called Mac Lauchlin's Scots Measure" but it is also sung to the tune of "Gren Grow the Rushes." The poet says:
 "The Highland Lassie was a warm hearted, charming young creature as ever blessed a man with generous love. After a pretty long trial of the most ardent reciprocal attachment we met
 by appointment, on the second Sunday of May, in sequestered spot on the banks of Ayr, where we spent the day In taking a farewell, before she should embark for the West Highlands to ar range matters among her friends for our projected change of life"
 At the close of autumn she crossed the sea to meet her lover-poer and had scarcely landed when she was seized with a malignant fever. which hurried her to her grave, before her illness became
 known to her lover. Cromek says of the last interview:
 'It was performed with all those sim pie and striking ceremonials which rus tic sentiment has devised to prolong ten der emotions and to inspire awe. The lovers stood on each side of a purlng brook. they laved their hands in the
 limpid stream and. holding Bible be- tween them, they pronounced their vows
 to be faithful to each other. They parted never to meat again."
 A good many years ago pocket Bible | in two volumes was found in the pos session of the sister of Mary Campbell at
 Arorossan, Scotland, presented by Burns I to Mary Campbell This Bible found it's
 way to Canada. to which place the fam l fly had removed. and having excited the
 interest of some Scotsmen at Montreal | they purchased it from the family. who
 were in reduced circumstances, and had | 1t conveyed back to Scotland, with a view of placing 1t in monument at Ayr. | On its arrival at Glasgow it was placed I on exhibition by Queen street stationer for few days. and was inspected by thousands, many of the ladies crying on behoIding an object which appealed SC largely to female sympathies. In the year | 1sA the Bible was inclosed in an oaker glass case and permanently deposited l among other relics in the monument al
 Ayr. On the boards of one Of the vol
 umes is inscribed in Burns handwriting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
THE MILLER OF THE DEE.

By Bickerstah. There dwelt a miller hale and bold Besides the river Dee: He worked and sang from morn till night No lark more blithe than he. And this the burden of his song Forever used to be- s'I envy nobody, no, not I,
 And nobody envies mer' "Thou 'rt wrong, my friend" said old
 King Hal,
 Thou Tt wrong as wrong can be; For could my heart be light as thine. I'd gladly change with thee. And tell me now, what makes thee sing With voice so loud and free, While am sad. though I am king, Beside the river Deer The miller smiled. and doffed his cap. 'I earn my bread" quoth he, 1T love my wife, love my friend, I love my children three; I owe no penny I cannot pay;
 I thank the river Dee, That turns the mill and grinds the corn To feed my babes and me-" Good friend" said Hal, and sighed the
 while,
 Farewell. and happy be; But say no more, if thou dst be true, That no man envies thee; Thy mealy cap is worth my crown, Thy mill my kingdoms fee; Such men as thou are England's boast. O miller of the Deei''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
The Rarbsr's Sign.

Seeing that man over there painting a barber pole reminds me of the origin of the well known sign used by tonsorial artists" said a well informed man yester- day.
 In the old days before regular physi- clans and surgeons were known. many surgical operations were performed by barbers. This was partly because all the surgery that was attempted consisted Of a few minor operations. The chief thing the mediaeval chirurgeon or barber had to do was to bleed his patients. different dis eases requiring that different quantities of blood be taken from the body at certain intervals.
 This work fell to the lot of the barber and was especially common in France and Spain. Of course when an operation was performed bandages were necessary with which to dress the incisions. Barbers, just as do surgeons today, kept these bandages on hand, and instead of all being white they were of various colors.
 Tt became the custom to keep these bandages wrapped on a short pole to keep them straight and in order. The pole with these colored bandages wrapped around it was usually kept in prominent part of the shop and as years went on it was gradually recognized as the symbol of the barber or chirurgeon. When the barbers finally began to give up the prac- tice of surgery, the pole continued to be their sign, except that instead of having the cloths wrapped around 1t, 1t was painted to represent the various colors. The custom has continued down to the present day. 80 that a striped pole is rec ognized as the sign of a barber shop in every country in the world"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
THE SCIENTISTS AND HEALTH.
las 1t Come to the Point That There
 Is Nothing Left to Chew But Rag7

From the Washington Post.
 All intelligent persons are ready, in this enlightened day, to admit that the scien- lists, through their endless experiments and limitless research, are equipping the reading public with much valuable in- formation for guidance in manner and method of eating and living. The experts ih the colleges and in the government de- partments have performed a genuine ser vice in teaching the housewife the values of different foodstuffs, and pointing the road to health through the selection of materials and ingredients that furnish sustenance without too heavy drain up- on the digestive equipment of man. But 1t does really seem that the process of elimination is being carried too far. We have received from the experts of the Department of Agriculture books and pamphlets enough to stock a library devoted to comparative worth and ills of articles food which have entered into the diet of the race since the beginning of time. The weak points in each, as a life-nourisher and sustainer, have been pointed out by the experts. until the wonder grows that the human race has not become extinct through the ravages of dyspepsia, disease or starvation. The process of elimination still goes on, until there Is practically nothing left to sus- tain us but the information contained in these treatises, which makes 1t clear that food is farce and eating a folly Break fast, according to these authorities, Is a burden to the system; lunch is a pos tive menace and dinner is certain death, unless the menu is selected by foodolo- gist and served by physician. Milk is the incubator of germs. bread overtaxes the alimentary canal meat is bad for the temper and the temperature, fresh fruits have too much acid, and cooked fruits are without nourishment; veg etables do not return sufficient profit on the gastric investment. and pie, iced tea and cooling beverage are inventions of the devil. There seems to be nothing left to chew but the rag,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
Amerlea,s Influence.

More interest is taken by non-catholie Americans in the papal election now pending than was the case in 1878 when vacancy was created in the pontifical office by the death of Plus K. said a churchman. "All intelligent people re- alize the powerful influence of the papaey and all good men of what ever creed are hoping that a lofty. broad minded cardi- nal will be chosen as Leo XIIrs. sue7 eessor.
 "I have heard many persons here In Birmingham, Catholic as well as Protest ants, say that the newspapers were ex- aggerating the importance of Cardinal Gibbons in the conclave. They say that he will not be listened to by the Italian cardinals. But persons who are better informed and who understand the situ- ation know that the American member of the sacred college will have weight Aside from his personality, which in It. self Is strong enough to be felt, Cardi- nal Gibbons will command attention be- cause he comes from America and IS a conspicuous exponent of American ideas. and who fails to know the fact that America is today the greatest of all nations?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
MIR. ROOSEVELT AND MIR. BLAINE.

From the Boston Herald
 An anecdote Is going the rounds, in which the late James G. Blaine, com menting upon the then young Theodore Roosevelt. characterized him as spoiled boy" and prophesied that he would never succeed in politics. This Is not quite fair to either party. MT. Roosevelt as Mir Blaine knew him, did not succeed, and if Mir. Blaine had foreseen the change that was to take place in Mir. Roosevelt, or, what is perhaps more In point, had an- ticipated the changed condition in public affairs that would have afforded MT. Roosevelt his opportunity. he might have been more wary in his judgment. MT. Roosevelt rather tended to provoke Mir. Blaine by the freedom of his attack upon him at the time this unfavorable estimate of himself was made. He was an impul- sive young gentleman then, and he hasn't fully recovered from his impulsive ten- dencies at present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
o shame, where Is thy blush7
 Hamlet.
Illinois Central and Frisco.

The New York Herald announces that the Illinois Central and Frisco railroads have come to an agreement by which the one gains access to New Orleans and the other to Birmingham. The contract has been drawn up and fully agreed upon. There are really three parties to 1t, for the Frisco Is to use under a trackage agreement the Gould system from Memphis to Baton Rouge, and from Baton Rouge south ward to New Orleans 1t Is to have the benefit of the Illinois Centrals fine lines, thus giving the Frisco an outlet at New Orleans without building an other mile of track.
 Tn return the Frisco gives the Illi- nois Central freedom to use it's line to Birmingham. The Herald does not give the details of the new contract, and it is not known whether the Illi- nois Central will come to Birmingham via Aberdeen, or via Holly Springs, which Is on its main line, or both. Probably trains will come to us from both Aberdeen and Holly Springs, as the Frisco has an Aberdeen branch, and the main lines of both cross at Holly Springs,
 This admirav.e harmony plan brings tho Illinois Central into this district almost immediately, and 1t brings 1t here under the most favorable cir cumstances. Its passenger trains will be welcome in the union station, and there will remain but the building of a yard and shop at this terminal in o.oer to give the Illinois Central as good a grip upon heavy tonnange of this district as any road possesses.
 The acquisition of the Illinois Cen tral and the Seaboard will leave noth- ing more to be desired in the way of railroads, except the Gould system and the Santa Fe and other Pacific sys- tems. There are no more eastern sys- tems to be baggeo, and our railroad eye must now be turned westward across the Father of Waters. Beyond reasonable doubt tho Gould system will seek entrance here, for 1t has already crossed the great river ar Natchez.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
lNsrlrurloNALIsM.
From the New York World.

From the New York World
 helping word to the growing move ment against "institutionaism" in the care of children who become public or association wards is that contributed by Superintendent R. R. Reeder of the New York Orphan asylum. MT. Reeder has just been addressing a summer school conducted by the Charity Organization society He speaks for a system of edu- cation based on the conscious, intelli- gent cooperation of the child" as against that resting upon the assump- tion that children are ignorant little anil mals. incapable of intelligent participa- ton in the training process"
 Mir. Readers plea is, in brief, for the recognition of child individuality and re- sponsibility. He sees, as do other ad- vancer workers of the day, that drill uniformity and the thrusting forward of the compulsory element are the bane of many a miscalled nome" or asylum for boys and girls. Often through no more than a tactless economy the embryo men and women are dressed in garments all alike. So by institutional processes. their minds become clothed in the thinking vestments of system. They perform like wheels In a machine, without indi- vidual volition or independence.
 If men had always thought alike no one would ever have evolved new truth. If there had never been a reaching-out except by the congregated mass of men, no new lands would ever have been ex- plored By the force of diversified per- sonalities acting under individual im- pulses the world has been brought to it's present stage of development. We can hardly expect those to assist in the further processes of evolution whom we bring up in the idea that life is thing to be lived by rules ''cut out of the
 whole piece"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
Billiard Championship.

Speaking of modern bllliardists," said Jack Hyronimus. the expert keeper of the Hniman hotel billiard room. "calls to my mind the fact that no man, excepting, perhaps, Jacob Schaefer, has ever been able to hold a billiard championship for more than one or two years, and if he lost 1t, he, as a general thing, drifted back into the handicap or shortstop class. Schaefer, however. has always bobbed up serenely after losing, and soon had the championship emblem again in his keep ing. It was nearly twenty-five years ago that the Wizard won his first champion ship battle. beating George Slosson at Cooper Union in a straight-rail, three-ball game He made an average of 3Ss 1-S by running out the game of one thousand points in three innings.
 'When Schaefer broke his cue wrist in New York In 1889 it was predicted that he would never play winning billiards again, but in December of the next year he won the fourteen-inch baik-line cham pionship He is now as lively as a cricket and is still the best all-round billiardist in the world.
 "One thing is notable among billiardists, and that is the fact that, excepting Schaefer. no man has ever been actively in the championship class for any great length of time, and lived. They either gave up trying to be champion or some thing happend. Cyrille Dion was killed in a railroad accident; Joe Dion became Insane and died in an asylum: John Me- Dewitt perished in the Chicago fire; Ru- dolph died in Paris; Frank Parker died in Chicago; old Comanche' Sexton died in New York, and Frank Ives died in Michiaan Only a few of us are left"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28

6 HE battleship Kearsarge has Just kCD completed her rsace across the
 the Atlantic against time and has demonstrated that our modern war ves- seis are not the clumsy floating fortresses some persons would have us believe. The ship left the Needles at 1:2O D. m. Friday, July r. and passed Mount Desert Rock off the Maine coast at 12:30 D. m Sun day, having covered the distance of 200 miles in nine days, four and one-half hours. The average speed across was l3.16 miles an hour. The Kearsarge left New York B days ago and in that time has visited Germany. Denmark and has steamed a distance of s200 miles without being the victim of a single accident. When she arrived off Bar Harbor she was in perfect trim after her long cruise and ready for instant battle.
 This record compares favorably with the remarkable run made by the Oregon during the spanish-American war. Thir- very high rate of speed when compared to that of an express train but there is so much more to a battleship and great speed is not so essential on the sea as on the land. when 1t Is a question of war. The visits of our navy to Ports mouth and Kiel did much to raise Uncle Sans fleet in the estimation of two for eign governments at least, and 1t is said that the stately Kearsarge called forth more admiration than any other of the ships of the squadron.
 
 Lord Kelvin the great English scientist and one of the greatest of living philoso- phers. has entered his eightieth year with the vigor of his mind and body unimpaired. Many degrees have been bestowed upon the eminent scholar, the last of which was that of doctor of sci ence conferred by the London university.
 Just at present public favor has turn ed aside from the historical novel and is abroad In new fields in search of intel lectual amusements It Is wisely pointed out that however much the historical novel may be villified by modern critics the romance of history will always pos sess an interest for all readers of books. In the palmy days of the great Sir Wal
 
 writing historical novels was one that few men were able to master. In the past few years there has been an unfor- tunate avalanche of lurld historic traves- ties called historical novels" that were not only very poor reading but actually perverted history in many cases for the purpose of strengthening out the plot. This freedom which modern authors have taken with the facts of history has done much to throw the books they write in- to discredit. Perhaps the failing interest of the public in this class of books will serve to curtail their production. It is to be hoped so anyway, and when the real historical novel comes back again there will be many lovers of good liter ature to accord 1t a hearty welcome.
 The stars of the stage are now making their preparations for the season which will soon begin. So far the announce ments of new plays to be put on have not awakened very much interest, prob ably because the playwrights have not turned out anything worthy of special attention. There will be number of good minstrel troups on the road during the winter, including Lew Dockstadter's ag-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
THE AeE.HERALD.

From the Birmingham News.
 The Sixth Anniversary edition of The Age-Herald was issued yesterday of which the editor and his associates may well feel proud. There was not dull page In it. The magazine section of twenty-four pages was a marvel of ty- geographical skill and intelligent conden- sation. The story of Birminghams 8 progress was most attractively and strilSingly told.
 The edition cannot fail to be of much service in advertising Birmingham's marvellous resources to the world. The News congratulates The Age-Herald up- on so notable a celebration of It's sixth anniversary and wishes for 1t and the men who make it long life, peace and prosperity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
United States Steel.

Last year the common stock of the steel trust was worth SAT a share; now it Is worth about $22. Preferred stock of the trust was then worth $98; now 1t is selling au $70 share, all though it's holders must receive per cent dividends out of the first net earnings of the trust after fixed charges and running expenses are met. Thus far the preferred stock has earned 2 per cent, and the common stock per cent. Why then are they selling at such low prices?
 The enormous capitalization of the trust, three-fourths of which is water, is no doubt answerable for the present depreciation in the public estimate of its securities. The shrinkage in the shares is something enormous, aggre- gating in all S42,000 ,O00. Sixty thous- and shareholders have suffered losses, because, as the New York Times says, "the underwriting scheme was mon- strous abuse of the function of bank ing. The syndicate profits were wholly disproportionate to any legitimate service rendered by those composing it, and a great volume of stock was impounded behind very insecure dams, liable at any time to yield to the press ure behind them and inundate the market" This tells the whole story. In the inundation were caught many operatives who were induced to take preferred stock at $S2.50 per share, or apout twelve dollars more per share than the stuff is now worth on the market.
 The shrinkage occurs although the trust Is earning and distributing about eighteen per cent on it's common stock, using current prices as a basis in 1oSSA taihlh6 bhS dSIuui uifluVhu ldtC. Earnings are going on at the rate of about twelve million dollars a month above repairs, renewals and mainte- nance of plants, interest on bonds and fixed charges of the subsidiary com panies. Prices are somewhat lower, but there are no indications that earn ings will fall below the per cent dividend point on the common stock. The remarkable decline takes place in the face of a great business and great profits. It takes place because in- vestors lack confidence in water espe- cially when it comes in a Niagara Falls volume A reasonable capitali- zation, especially of the weaker plants, would not have left the whole concern naked in the present storm. The de- clines in the trust securities in nowise show want of confidence in iron or iron production in this country. They relate strictly to water in torrential proportions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28

between corporate interests and public interests, and the former is a free dis trioutor of thousand-dollar bills. and the latter is passive until the enraged voter rises in his might and then the thousand-dollar bills become inopera- tive. Possibly Georgia has not enough enraged voters at present, but she will get them presently if her legislature does not 5ass an uniform textbook bill.