davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
IN. HOTEL LoBBIEs
Good Roads h the South.

Georgia leads. in good roads all other states in the south, through which I travel" said Tom Baine, special agent for the southern division of the rural route mail delivery service. The terri tory of MT. Baine extends in seven states. His headquarters are in Nashville.
 My work compels me to ride through the rural districts and l find that Georgia has made wonderful progress in good road building. Especially is this so in the northern portion of the state.
 'The roads in Alabama are being im- proved steadily and it will only be a few years. in my opinion, before this state can boast of as good roads as any other southern state. You would be surprised at the condition of the roads in Tennes- see This state claims to have the very best of roads or bikes but when you get several miles out of the cities you will find the roads in bad condition.
 "Taladega county. I think leads all other counties in Alabama for good roads. Recently the authorities in that county have been using a large sum of money in improving the roads, and in building bridges"
 Mir. Baine left last night for Nashville, after having spent the holidays in Bir- mingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
1904 PROSPECTS.
The Financiers Look For Prosperous
 Year.
From the New York Commercial.


 Frem the New York Commercial
 Notwithstanding the depression in stock market prices that has extended over a period of about year, Wall street takes a hopeful view of the business situation. Prominent financiers take the stand that while there will be no boom during the year 1904, the course of security values
 will be along even lines, as compared with the wild fluctuations, all at the expense
 of values, that have recently been wit messed.
 For the time being, at least, the move
 ment toward the concentration of indus trial interests. and the issuance of new
 securities by existing corporations is
 oyer. This is the most encouraging feature
 of the situation, as it will give Wall street
 an opportunity to digest the great bulk of new securities. Had promoters been allowed to continue their work of merg ing corporations, Wall street would be suffering more severely than has been the case. The banks and trust companies have been able to weed out millions of doubtful. securities and naturally are in much stronger position than at any time since the consolidated movement be- gan As a result of the shrinkage in values from 30 to 50 per cent less money
 is required to carry stocks and bonds than
 when people were paying top notch prices for their Investments
 The steel stocks have been the heaviest sufferers in the way of decreased values. However, iron and steel men say that the worst has been witnessed. While the production of steel next year will show a falling off as compared with the current year, it is expected that the average out
 put will be considerably in excess of what 1t has been during the last six months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
EEL GAMING REAL"

(The Kings Highway) John s. McGroarty in the Los Angeles Times All in the golden weather, forth let us
 ride today, You and I together, on the Kings High
 way, The blue skies above us, and below the
 shining sea. There's many road to travel, but it's
 this road for me. It's a long road, and sunny. and the fair
 est in the world There are peaks that rise above it in
 their snowy mantles curled, And it leads from the mountains through
 a hedge of chaparral Down to the waters where the sea gulls
 call. It's long road. and sunny, it's a long
 road and old, And the brown padres made it for the
 fiocks of the fold They made it for the sandals of the sim
 ner folk that trod From the fields in the open to the shelter
 house of God They made 1t for the sandals of the sim
 ner folk of old; Now the iocks they are scattered and
 death keeps the fold; But you and I together we will take the
 road today With the breath in our nostrils on the
 Kings Highway. We'll take the road together through the
 mornings golden glow, And we'll dream of those who trod 1t in
 the mellowed long ago. We will stop at the missions where the
 sleeping padres lay, And we'll bend a knee above them for their souls sake to pray. We'll ride through the valleys where the blossoms on the tree, Through the orchards and the meadows with the bird and the bee, And we'll take the rising hills where the manzanitas grow Past the gray tails of waterfalls where blue violets blow. | Old conquistadores. o brown priests, and all, | Give us your ghosts for company when night begins to fall: There's many a road to travel, but IL this road today. With the breath of God about us on the Kings Highway.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
Wives may be merry, and yet honest, too.
 Merry Wives of Windsor.
War at the Isfhmus.

Our minister at Bogota has with drawn Himself He is now at Colon, and will soon sail away to New York. President-elect Reyes and Minister Herran are packing up, and will soon leave Washington, thus severing diplo- matic relations with the United States. Colombian troops are confessedly as- sembling at Tituniati, on the border of Panama, and we are hurrying ships and marines to Colon and Panama.
 Is this peace? If so, it is queer brand of it. The truth is, we have been at war with Colombia ever since November 5, the date of our rapid-fire
 ognition of the republic of Panama.
 any rate we have been at war with
 lombia ever since we negotiated a
 aty with Panama providing for a
 ssion of ten-mile strip of territory
 aimed by Colombia
 It may not be a big war, but it is war nevertheless, and it is a war in which yellow fever will play a bigger part than bullets. It is to be a long, drawn-out war if Colombia can so con- trive 1t, and she thinks she can.
 When Brigadier General Elliott ar rives at the isthmus will he confine his marines to the ten-mie strip? Or will he mass them on the frontier, especi- ally near Tituniati? The nature of the war must, in other words, soon be de- termined. This war was not declared by congress, but was forced on the country by the acts of the administra- ton, and it's expense alike in lives and In money must be shouldered by the administration alone. The impetuous, strenuous pohcy ha5 driven us into war, and it is to be no child's play chiefly because the climate at the isth- mus is deadly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
GLORY OF "PARSlFAL."
1t Introduced the Prime Feast of the
 Christian Year.

From the New York Sun December 2o
 The production of the musical drama "Parsifal" at the Metropolitan Opera House last night, sacrilegious as such theatrical performance has seemed to so many of our correspondents, must have stirred deeply religious emotions in many of those who witnessed It. Looked at in that sense ''Parsifar' may be said to have introduced fitly the prime feast of the Christian year.
 This is a period when criticism, even in schools of theology and from Chris tian pulpits, is attacking the fundamental dogmas of Christianity, is relegating 10 the domain of mere legend even the event celebrated today by the Christian world. professor of theology in Yale University this very week discusses coldly and critically 'the Gospel stories of the Virgin birth and though he comes to the conclusion that "it is too soon to say that collapse" has befallen them, he substantially sets them aside Moreover, this theologian, the Rev. Dr. Bacon. is of an old Puritain stock, is himself Congregational minister and occupies at Yale the chair Of New Testa- ment criticism and exegesis.
 Meanwhile, in spite of such theological assaults, the sentiment which gives dis tinction to Christmas as the prme feast of the Christian year was never stronger than it is now.
 correspondent writes to us today be- wailing the loss of actual faith in the New Testament narratives which he thinks he observes, and. in truth. is indi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
Southern Business Thriving.

"I heard before leaving New York sev- eral months ago that hard times had struck the south" said David Warfield the character actor, who was at the Jeff ferson theatre Monday night, but I have found it unusually prosperous.
 "All the theatrical companies were dreading their season, fearing that they would have poor crowds on account of hard times. All of the managers I have met who have been in the south have re- ported an uncommonly good season.
 Personally I have found this an ex- celent season and from observation would think that the south was In a more pros- porous condition than any other part of the country. The theatrical business suf- fers quicker from hard times than any other business, and 1 have found that all companies In the south are thriving"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
superintendents and Principals.

It is a good to see the superin- tendents and principals of city and
 town public schools in this state get ting together and perfecting an organi- zation through which or by which they can be assisted in their important work. The school system of this state is grow ing better year by year, but it can never be satisfactory until the right of unlimited local taxation is granted. By and by, if the schools keep on improv- ing, the reactionists and mossbacks will relent, and Alabama will secure what the more progressive states, edu- Icationally speaking, secured long ago. | Another valuable step will be taken
 when the rural school districts are
 practically taken out of the hands of uplitical county superintendents, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
REV. DR. COLYER TELLS OF
 CHANGES FOR THE BETTER

evil of divorce are two of the greatest menaces.
 When the labor unions and employers of labor come together, as they surely must and will and settle their differences of opinion by arbitration instead of at- tempting to force each other into line by strikes, which cost the working man so much money, a great step in advance will have been taken. Divorce, the other great threat against society, perpetually undermines the sanctity of the home and we shall have to meet the situation and handle it without gloves. How we are to do this I do not know. One thing I do know-the ministers must be more care ful. That is what I am trying to be. l do not refuse to marry all people who have been divorced. I do, however look very carefully over their papers and find out all I can. If the explanations given to me seem good marry the couple. If not refuse I hold the option. think have that right.
 with the exception of the two great evils mentioned, therefore l think we are much better in every way than we were half a century ago, and we shall improve
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
TUSCALOOSA HAS A FIRE.
Barn Is Destroyed and Twelve Mules
 Are Burned to Death.

Tuscaloosa, December 29.-(Special)- Yesterday afternoon at o'clock Tusca- loosa was visited by fire, which broke out in the big barn of John S. Hanly on Sixth street between Twenty-second and Twenty-third avenues. This is the same block on which Occurred the big fire in Oc- tober and for while yesterday afternoon it looked as if the entire block would be destroyed. In the Hanly barn about fifty or sixty mules were confined and it was with the greatest danger that they were liberated. Twelve perished in the flames, and several others are missing.
 There were several bales of hay burned on the street. The office and marble yard of T. H. Wildman adjoining was the next to go up in the flames, then another stable and last a cabinet shop in which was stored the household furniture of George A Searcey, which was saved though bad ly damaged. This is the third fire that the furniture has been in since September, when the Searcy residence was burned.
 The principal loser was John S. Hanly, who owned the barn and he and w. F. Pitts owned the stock. T. H. Wildman also suffered considerable loss and the other losers were Henry McCalley and Messrs, Foster, Oliver and Mayfield. There was very little insurance
 The business at the postoffice this Christmas broke all former records, as it was the busiest season ever known here.
 A delightful house party is being en- tertained at the elegant colonial residence of the Rev. J. G. Snedecor. The hostesses are Misses Elizabeth, Hattie and lone Snedecor, while the guests are Miss Annie Lizzie Hobson of Birmingham, former Tuscaloosa girl, Miss Judson Fitzpatrick of Anniston, Messrs. George Snedecor' Jack P. Montgomery of Starkville, Miss.' Robert H. Burnham of Boston. N. w. Sharp B. H. Somerville and Henry M. Andnrsnn of Rirni n pharn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30

That Is the day when the little folks reign, and one must be surrounded by them to be happy: and children and ho- tels do not go together.
 That Is the day when we would sacri- flee our stomachs to our sentiment. Bet. ter a dinner of herbs in the home circle than a stalled OK at the Waldorf-Astoria,
 Of course there are some trying things about Christmas day at home. It is os- peeially severe on the man of the house because he is not so inured to suffering as his wife The children usually arise about a. m, and begin untying parcels wrapped in paper of a stiffness sufficient to rouse the dead. Father is then forced to get up, and in his bare feet wind up locomotives, adjust skates and manipulate jumping jacks. By breakfast time the house is six inches deep with excelsior, the children are filled with candy almost to the bursting point, father is worn to a frazzle. and mother is bordering on ner vous prostration. After breakfast father balances himself on the top of a step lad der and balls up things on the Christmas tree, and later on dons a red paper muslin suit and cotton batting whiskers and does the Santa Claus act; and his disguise is instantly detected and he retires covered with modification and candle grease.
 By this time he is so exhausted that he retires to the club for the balance of the day, leaving mother to struggle alone with the children.
 And then comes the dinner, which may be good, bad or indifferent and father at the head of the table struggles manfully to dismember that great American fake, the indigestble, unnutritious, tasteless turkey and all hands are joyous, and ev- erything is lovely except the food And all the children wish Christmas came every week, and all the adults rejoice to think it comes but once year.
 And the next night father and mother sneak off to a good hotel and get square meal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
NOTED HOTEL MAN WRITES
 OF THE CHRISTMAS DINNER

Simeon Ford in the New York World. HAVE been asked to free my mind
 on the subject of ''the despised, the summed and the abused hotel Christ mas dinner"
 Never having eaten a Christmas dinner in a hotel I suppose I am competent to speak thereof knowingly.
 But I have eaten a great many home dinners on Christmas day which, from a social and sentimental standpoint were delightful, but from a culinary stand point were extremely bum. l am not one of those who wax enthusiastic over nome cooking" In the old days, when our women folks did their own cooking, it was doubtless we'll done, but it's ab surd to claim that a Hibernian cook lady of recent importation and seant experi- ence can excel chef trained 10 the art from childhood. Nor can the household CT get the same choice of food as the ho- tel man. Hotels and restaurants pay more for food than private houses. buy in larger quantities and get the first pick. This may sound queer, but 1t is a fact.
 There are lots of places worse than ho- tels where Christmas dinner may be eaten For example. it might happen through stress of circumstances that one be compelled to eat Christmas dinner on board of one of George Daniels dining cars. Fancy the car gaily bedecked with canned holly and canned mistletoe and the Christmas cheer from canned oysters to canned demi-tassei Awful thought but within the range of possibility
 I admit that a hotel dining room on Christmas day is far, far from gay, but that is not the fault of the landlord Man is gregarious crtter, and he loves to feed in focks rather than herd by him. self.
 There are times when one hankers for solitude and to be far from the madding crowd, but the 18th of December is not such a time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
THE "ScRAPPLE."

From the Philadelphia Record.
 The Philadelphia scrapple season is now at its height and in the three or four big scrapple factories of the city about 50,000 pounds of the delectable compound are produced weekly. Each factory brides itself on the peculiar flavor of its scrap pie, just as breweries pride themselves on the flavor of their beer. There are, indeed scrapple connoisseurs in this city-men who, when a dish of scrapple is served to them, can say unerringly: This is Browns" or This is Smiths, or This Is Jones' scrapple." Many Pennsylvania farmers, too, make their own brand and take a pride in it, and have a host of followers who declare there is no scrap pie like Farmer Alburger's, or Farmer Schultz, or Farmer Diffenderfer's, as the case may be- Scrapple is shipped in re- frigerator cars to many distant states, and in many different cities philadelphia scrapple" is favorite dish upon the breakfast menu.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30

tor on the seaboard Air Line. is register ed at the Metropolitan.
 W. s. Mabry of San Antonio, is regis tered at the Hotel Hillman.
 J. ". Abercrombie of Tuscaloosa, Is registered at the Morris.
 F. R. Ballan of Atlanta, was one of the late arrivals at the Hotel HIllman last night = G. ". Feagin of Brookside, is staying at the Morris.
 Mrs. Huffman and daughter of Gadsden, are registered at the Metropolitan. ". P. Kennedy of Bon Air, Tenn, was a late arrival at the Morris yesterday.
 
 Miss Flora shahan of Attalla, is regis tered at the Metropolitan
 c. B. Alverson of Coal City. is registered at the Norris
 D. Henderson of Guntersville, is one of the visitors at the Metropolitan ". c. Smith of Selma, is registered at the Metropolitan.
 James Metcalfe of Louisville, Ky, is stopping at the Metropolitan Dr. Sterling Bragg of Montgomery, is registered at the Metropolitan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
TECNIQUE IN OLD MUSIC.

From the New York Tribune.
 Concert goers who are accustomed to associate old music with simplicity will be somewhat surprised when they learn that the contemplated performance of a work about two hundred years old was almost called off for want of a player with suff- cient technique to master it. Sam Franko announced the production of a concerto by Bach for violin, three oboes, two horns, bassoon, with string orchestra, at his first concert of old music at the New Lyceum theatre on January 12, and then discovered that it was impossible to se- cure the services of a horn player who could give the satisfactory rendering of the part. In despair, MT. Franko was about to substitute another number when the one man who can play anything on a horn, Xaver Reiter, stepped into the breach, in spite of his arduous duties at the opera. So the public will hear part which, if written by Richard Strauss would be pronounced unplayable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
Upward Tendency of Iron.

The esteemed republican organs are optimistic as to prospects in 1904 re- 1 gardless of circumstances. They want good times in 1901, so that they can go on the stump and say they did it. As a matter of fact reasonably good times seem to be coming in spite of their extravaganza, and restrictions upon foreign trade and gratis and sec tional agitations. They do not deserve good luck, but good times seem to be coming.
 This is best foreshadowed by the iron market. In this district the price of iron is unmistakably hardening, and No. foundry is now firmly held at SIC Some was sold last month as low as S9. Experienced observers say that much construction work will be undertaken next year which had been postponed because of the abnormal prices of ma terials. For example, iron at $22.50! Iron is now sold at a price above the cost of production--a price that affords proft-small it is true, but neverthe- less a proft-to the producer, and yet does not overtax the consumer or limit consumption.
 The great sales of pig iron in this district since November 1 again show that the price of foundry iron is made here, and not in Pittsburg, as once was the case. It will continue to be made here. and so will good supply of iron. The output of this district is rising year by year, and when all the furnaces planned and in course of. construction are in blast this district alone will be good for two million tons year
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
From the New York Sun.

EHE age of fable still exists in the (CU sacred closes of the Chicago
 University and the Northwest ern University. Mythe and myth-mak- CTS abound there; and it is sad to de- tect at times among the western breth- ren a purpose to bite the credulity of the ingenious east. Still. it is constitu- tional comity to give full faith and cred 1t to esteemed Chicago contemporaries; and there is no look of rough upon the face of their newest story of the mar vels of the "co-ed" world at Northwest ern. If that tale be true, the young women editors of a college periodical have bulldozed their conservative but helpless trousered colleagues and taboed love stories.
 The girls have highly resolved that no sentimental rubbish shall litter up their magazine. They have no patience with the eternal strumming of the love- lorn Tyre. What does Cupid with his bow and arrows in these days of high explosives? This cruel love is sorrow in all lands" and weariness in short stories Other and higher themes invite the pen of the "co-ed." Municipal re- form, domestic and culinary art star eyed science, the all-enfolding arm of sociology-a whole twentieth century practical universe is to be seriously re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
PINEAPPLE's MOB.
rIlirar-Slln

From the Columbus Enguirer-Sun.
 That lynching from Pineapple, Ala, is one of the most disgraceful affairs that has been reported in a long time. The methods employed by the mob show to what danger the people are subjected in any country where lynching is resorted to 'as punishment for crime. Many inno- cent persons suffered because of the mad ness of the mob. To hide their crime the mob set fire to the jail in which their victim was confined. The fire spread to other buildings and a number of houses were consumed before the flames could be controlled. Mob law will not do; it is practice too dangerous to be tolerated by a civilized people The Pines ~nle mob should be dealth with to the of the law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30

placed by the new law in the hands of local trustees chosen by school patrons. This step will be taken some day, and to a great extent the county superin- tendents will then be eliminated When the state is divided into convenient and appropriate districts by the new law, and local trustees are placed in charge of them, receiving the money due them directly from the state superintendent of education, they, too, should form an organization, and prepare for work along the lines adopted by the city and town superintendents. The state would then be well organized in an eduea- tional respect, and the agitation in favor of local taxation would be taken up in earnest.
 The present basis of school support in this state is wholly erroneous. The weight of support should be thrown upon the patrons of a school thereby securing for the school the interest of patrons, and the active support of homo people This rule is in force in the leading states. We have reversed that rule n Alabama, and the policy adopted is wrong, leading away from, instead of towards, the best possible results.