davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
pemocratIc Crowned Heads.

'The crowned heads of Europe are for less stiff and formal now than they were a quarter of a century ago." said an ob- servant man. "and I believe the influence of the United States has had much to do with bringing about the change. Twenty-Five years ago no king or Emperor would have been free and cordial with untitled naval officers. as Emperor Will liam and King Edward have been in en- tertaining our officers recently. It will not be long before foreign rules will be as democratic as men in high office in this country. This change is in the line of progress. of course, but this progress to- ward democratic etiquette would not be as marked as 1t is perhaps, had the United States not come to the front as great world power"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
How to Care For an Umbrella.

From Hampers Bazaar
 It is not economy, though 1t may seem so, to combine the use of a rain umbrella apd a sunshade in one article. manu- ufacturer of umbrellas points out that 1t is the oil in the silk which continues to wear. When that is dried out the mater ial cracks and is useless. The suns heat, obviously, therefore is not desirable and should be kept from a good umbrella. A cheap pongee or silk and linen parasol may better be bought as it will mean per- haps a year more wear for the more ex- pensive rain shield. A further caution in the care of good umbrellas Is possibly known, but may be repeated in this con- nection. This is that one should always stand wet umbrellas handle down, open if possible, that they may drain at the points rather than where the ribs meet the stick, the latter process rapidly rotting the silk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Warm Street Discussion.

T have just been listening to some red hot arguments" said man last night. Several German citizens began discuss ing politics down on Twentieth street ear ly In the evening and kept 1t up to my certain knowledge for three hours. The thing that struck me most forcibly was the large number of auditors they had. In the heat of the discussion the takers would move up and down the block and the crowd followed them all evening
 'The topics peing discussed covered a wide range. The negro question was gone over in all It's phases; the Standard oil company was classified as being un- der the domination of his satanic majesty himself: President Roosevelt could have gotton some valuable pointers on how to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
LEo's LAST PRAYER.

Leo. now sets thy sun; pale in it's dying
 ray; Black night succeeds the day. Black night for thee; wasted thy frame;
 lfe's food sustains No more the shrunken veins. Death casts his fatal dart; robed for the
 grave thy bones Lie under the cold stones. But thy freed soul escapes her chains and
 longs in flight To reach the realms of light. That is the goal she seeks; thither her
 journey fares; Grant, Lord. my anxious prayers. That with the citizens of Heaven, God's
 face and light May ever thrill my sight; That I may see Thy face, Heavens queen
 whose mother love Has brought me home anove. To Thee, saved through the tangles of a
 perilous way. I lift my grateful lay. This was his last poetical composition
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
About Parsena.

The Right Rev. Benedict Menges, O.. S. B.. abbot of St. Bernard Monastery, who has been dangerously i'll of pneu- manic at St. vineents hospital, was much better yesterday and it is now be- lieved that he will recover.
 T. J. DuBose and wife of Selma are at the Metropolitan.
 w. c. Eden of Clanton is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 c. F. Cameron of Montgomery Is at the Metropolitan.
 John Hunter of Attalla is staying at the Metropolitan.
 J. B. shobert of Rollins is registered at the Metropolitan.
 R.R. Robinson and wife of springville are at the Morris.
 w. A. Glover of Talladega Is stopping at the Morris.
 William scears of Eutaw is registered at the Morris.
 J. T. Cannon of Opelika Is staying at the Morris.
 J. P. Kendall and wife of Montgomery are at the Morris.
 T. F. Davis of Nashville is stopping at the Hillman.
 c. NJ. Ramspeck of Atlanta Is at the Hillman. as
 D. M. Livingston of Jacksonville. Fla. is at the Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Cardinal elbbons and the Pope.

'Ten years ago when Pope Leo was supposed to be in feeble health the ques- tion of his successor was fully discussed in Europe" remarked an old lawyer. land two or three influential journals one in Rome and one in Paris-pointed out the reasons why Cardinal Gibbons would make a strong candidate. No one took the articles seriously, but Ameri- cans nevertheless appreciated the fact that the discussicn of the popular pre- late was a distinct compliment
 "The holy father improved in health and showed such remarkable vitality that all talk of his successor subsided until he had passed his 9Oth year. Then the name of Cardinal Gibbons was seldom mentioned. The Asservatore Romano said the other day. however, that Cardinal Gibbons might have been regarded as possibility before the Spanish-American war.
 Our American cardinal would make an ideal pope. He is a statesman as well as man of profound piety. He Is firm yet gentle and has great tact and in sight. But 1t will be long time before any of the Italian members of the Sa- cred College will vote for an American. But, as the Asservatore Romano, which by the way is the vatican organ, remark ed, Cardinal Gibbons will have power which will be exerted with wisdom, when he sits in conclave.
 T don't think there will be conclave in the near future. I not only pray that the holy father's life will he snared but I confidently believe that it will be, It will not surprise me if his holiness cele- brates mass in St.. Peter's before the end of the present month. His vitality is simply miraculous"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE COAL. MINERS
 AND OPERATORS, AND AFFAIRS IN GENERAL.

to the 1S,000 miners of the Birmingham district for their exceedingly exemplary conduct during the past two weeks. They must be good, honest, industrious men. Their behavior would certainly so lndi- cate.
 
 Senator Chauncey Depew has recently given ont an interview in Paris in which he speaks of President Roosevelts ap- polntments of negroes to office in the south as "a marvellous political move; the one thing that more than any other will secure him the nomination and election" Senator Depew points to the fact that there are 56OOO negro voters in New York all of whom will vote for the election of President Roosevelt
 It rs noticeable. however. that President Roosevelt has not selected any of these 56.00O negro voters of New York to fill any of the federal offices in that state The Depew announcement would indicate that the President is much of politician and somewhat of a ward politician as well.
 The Steel Trust apparently continues to prosper regardless of the fact that it's stock is yet quoted at very low prices. The last quarterly statement of this great corporation announces that while the net earnings are s1. .162. 5sO less than for the corresponding quarter of last year. they still amount to $se, 4s9.528, leaving a sur plus of sl4.2ss,s34 after paying all fixed charges and dividends
 The steel corporation at this rate Is making a clear profit of s15OOOO.OO0 an nually, and the announcement is made that 1t has orders for practically all it can make up to the first of next June.
 < % -%
 The Tobacco Trust has almost as good a thing as the Steel Trust. The figures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
Hon. charIes E. McLean.

The Hon. Charles E. Mclean, the TO- tund and jovial mayor of Mobile, was in the city for few hours yesterday. on his way home from a visit to eioudland, on the summit of Rome Mountain, North Carolina.
 The mayor added one more to the many proofs already existing, of his good judg- ment and diseernment, by spending most of his time while here in visiting the many points of interest in Birmingham and its suburbs" ]"
 He said: "I do not come to Birming- ham very frequently. and every time do come I am astounded at the many im- provements that are being made, and the wonderful growth of the city. In fifteen or twenty years Birmingham will be the biggest city in the south. Mobile is making many improvements and has just completed a two hundred thousand dollar steet and storm sewer system, and expects soon to duplicate. Ala bama has at least two cities to be proud ae
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Too Great a Shock.

From Judge.
 The guest at the fashionable mountain hotel asked for his bill. '"Let me sec" said the clerk. You have been here three weeks. have you not?"
 $ .'Yes, sir" said the guest, wondering if they would insist on keeping his trunks as security. taf
 "Ah, here 1t ls," murmured the clerk. "rhree weeks at s2 a week. That will be s6. And then you missed ten meals and were away one night, for which we will allow a reduction of $25o, making the balance due us $S5O"
 With a gurgling groan the guest top pied over and fell heavily upon the office floor
 The bump woke him up, as if 1t had been the bang of giant firecracker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Pleasant By comnarlson.

'If the Birmingham people complain of hot weather can tell them that this city Is a pleasant summer resort compared with New York and Boston," said W. B. Clements. travelling passenger agent of the seaboard Air Line yesterday, 'I was In Boston a week ago and suffered from the heat, and as for New York where I spent Thursday, every newspaper reader knows about the unusual number of deaths and prostrations from the effects of the sun. On my way south I found excessive heat until I struck this part of the county"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR,

Frcm the New York Press.
 Nobody ever saw a girl buggy-riding with a one-armed man.
 It makes a woman almost as mad to find a long hair on her husbands coat as 1t does him to find one in the butter.
 The queer things q woman wears don't puzzle a man as much as why she does 1t.
 On the bathing in the daytime and in the ballroom in the evening the summer girl comes pretty near to giving away, in one day, about all the secrets there are about a woman's makeup.
 When mother approves a man who Is interested in her daughter it is slgn she would like to pad the gate where they say good night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

just issued are to the effect that the United States is consuming annually 100000 cigars, 1O 100000 cigarettes and 2sO.0OO. 900 pounds of manufactured tobacco. The one item of smoking and chewing tobacco alone represents a value of more than $500, COG. 900. Next to the United States England is the greatest cousumer of cigar cites, using 600o O0O0 GOO annually Japan consumes 2o00. 0,000 and China 1.50o, O00 GOO, practically all of which is furnished by the United States. The sale of cigarettes alone on the part of the tobacco trust amounts to more than s4,0Oo,OOO annually.
 The Grover Cleveland Literary Bureau continues in great activity and hundreds of thousands of democrats in this country are possessed of the fixed opinion that MT Cleveland desires another nomlna- tion.
 The Alton B. Parker bureau is likewise at work and much comment is made upon the favorable impression the distinguished New York jurist made upon his recent trip to Atlanta. The Georgia Bar asso- ciation enthused over Judge Parker. But the lawyers of Georgia are an enthuslas- tic lot. They don't always vote as they applaud however,.
 The German boom is quiet, since the distinguished Maryland senator left for Europe. His congressional friends con- tinue talking about him and for him on all occasions, and he is getting stronger each day.
 I am still of the opinion that German is the most available man for the demo- crats to nominate and I am strongly Of the opinion that he is the man they will nominate.
 0
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
New York's Aristocratlc Cock Fighters.

From Leslie's Weekly.
 It Is to be regretted that the detectives "arrived too late" to capture those young scions of certain wealthy and fashiona- ble families in New York who had ar ranged midnight cooking main in barn belonging to one of the number. Young men with all the opportunities which riches and high culture can afford for decent and legitimate amusement have no excuse for indulging in the cruel and barbarous business of cock fighting and a vigorous dose of discipline in a po- lice court might teach them a salutary lesson. It Is from the conduct of such specimens of the idle and pampered prog eny of our so called upper classes that the spirit of anarchy. the social unrest and turbulent tendencies of the industrial or ders. now so prevalent. find not a little of their stimulus as well as a measure of justification.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Nine Months Schools,

Schools kept open nine months In the year would be great blessing to the people of this country, as well as to the school teachers who are now poorly paid. And this can be done without increasing the rate of taxation, or without injury to anyone.
 The manner of doing it is simply this: Pay afisour county officers who now receive fees for services, salaries. Not present officers, but the next lot, and pay them, too good salaries. Let the present legislature pass general laws providing that tho officials next to be elected shall be paid salaries good, bouncing salarles-and that all the fees now collected shall be paid into the education fund of Jefferson and other counties.
 Pay, for example, the probate judge $3500 a year, or $500 more than the circuit judge receives. Let the clerks in his office be paid from the fund de- rived from fees received, and let the balance be turned over to the county education fund. This alone, If current reports be true, would give the bare foot boys and girls of the county s20,- l 900 a year. Can not law to do this be framed2 This question is up to the members of the legislature-and Mr London has made plain his views-and to the members of the bar, and the people desire an answer.
 Could not similar law be draftei providing that fees collected by tho sheriff be paid into the county's educa tion fund, after paying the next sherii $2500 a year net, and all his deputies and assistants? It is officially knowr that tho sheriff received last year S18.551 on account of the feeding oi prisoners at 30 cents day. Prisoners are as well fed in the city jail at the rate of 10 cents a day. In this one item there would be a saving to the barefoot boys and girls of about $12,00O year, and the turnkey and other fees of the sheriff's office would greatly
 
 swell the amount.
 Let, too, the clerk of the county Criminal court, the clerk of the City court, the register of the Chancery court and of the Circuit court be given eacn a good fat salary, and the fees each receives be turned into the coun tvs education fund Let all assistants be paid from the fees received, and lei each of the clerks named be given a salary of s25O0. Is not this enough?
 The offices belong to the people, who select their own officials. Could any aspirant be elected who openly as serted he was unwilling to accept the salaries named, letting the surplus fees go to the benefit of the little boys and girls whose parents are unable to keep them in school nine months in the year? If good man, capable in every way, were to announce for any of the offices named, at the salary named, offering to pay the surplus fees into ths county's education fund, could a candidate running on the fee system
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
FIFE miners of the Birmingham dis trict continue in idleness owing
 tn the failure. to date. of the

IHE miners of the Birmingham dis (CD triet continue In idleness owing to the failure. to date. of the operators and miners to agree up- on scale. No strike has yet, however, been declared, and am informed that there will be none. Both the miners and the operators are now anxious to get together, and l be- lleve that the feeling Is such that the mines of the district will be in full opera ton within a week from tomorrow.
 One of the operators made the remark yesterday that the iron situation was about as quiet as the miners.
 It seems that the cut in the price of pig iron to SIS ton had no effect yesterday whatever I am told that not a single order was received. It rather strikes me that the high prices for the past two years have caused such an increased pro- duction that 1t has overlapped consump- tion I would not be surprised to see Birmingham iron selling for sl0 before the first of October.
 Speaking about the miners of the Bir- mingham district I have heard much talk about how they drank and spent thelr money in riotous living Yet their conduct since the stoppaoge of work on July 1 indicates no such state of affairs. Not one single arrest of a miner in mining town in the Birmingham dis- trct has occurred since the stoppage of work so far as I am able to ascertain. The merchants and lawyers and doctors of the district could not have been better behaved than have been the miners. There has been no more excitement and no more bad behavior since the stoppage of work than when everybody was at work. Too high praise cannot be accorded s@-==s=@-=-@@@ S- . improve his methods of government The discussions were interesting, however, if for no other reason than that they showed how foreigners look at the ques- tions that confront the American peo- pie today"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

T IS amusing how foreign rulers, and
 especially the King of England. at tempt to get around the ominous Monroe doctrine in the most graceful manner possible. In Merrie England 1t Is good form for the diplomats to fetch hearty laugh and consider the whole thing a joke, but nevertheless a bit of humor that can prove eminently practical when occasion offers. During the recent ban quets rendered the American naval off, cers in London the famous American policy of "hands off" was handled in airy style by the speakers. From the ap- pearance of things England is trying to outdo the hospitality of the kaiser. The nice things said about Admiral Cotton and the officers with him are enough to turn the heads of these distinguished sailors. In fact since the squadron reached Ports mouth 1t has been a veritable love feast.
 The disinterested observer can well af- ford to laugh at the antics of royalty to conciliate- tihs country. Emperor William outdid himself in giving the officers good time and now King Edward is hav-- ing a turn. Of the two King Edward is probably more anxious to obtain the good will of touchy Uncle Sam, but any of the powers would be glad to stand in his good favor
 In speaking of the Monroe doctrine 1t may be well to observe that England has come dangerously near tampering with this dictum several times, but still she cherishes a profound admiration'' for it and is charged with having a little Mon roe doctrine of her own.
 Yesterday the papers of the country told the story of Enoch Arden in real life but the tale was even more tragic than the one related in Tennyson's beau poem. A woman who had been wan derer over the world for twenty-one years returned to find h,- children grown wife. The details of the story are indeed stranger than fiction. It seems that Mrs olser was injured in a railroad wreck and when she was finally released from the hospital her reason was affected so that she had no recollection of home or family. During her incarceration another woman died and was buried under the name of Mrs. Olser. She drifted to France and during all the years that elapsed it seems that her past life re- mained a blank until memory recently returned.
 The story serves to illustrate the va- garies of human destiny and is a stril1- ing illustration of Enoch Arden's fate More tragic than che original. two wives had successfully usurped the wanderers place, and it is not related that 1t was a happy home she found Mrs. Olsen will not have the melancholy pleasure of stealing silently away to live and die unknown by her former family. An ami cable arrangement has already been reached whereby she will take the chill dren and the rights of the new wife will be respected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
Queer.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 Flannagan-'Tis quare summer weather we're havin', Finnegan.
 Finnegan-Aye! Shure, the summer ain't begun yet, an here it is nearly half over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

New York is said to have 1920 mil lionaires, but the assessors lists do not show half that number. Either the reputed number should be reduced or the assessors lists revised.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

Dingleyism in Germany produces the usual effects--trusts and monopolies that bleed homo consumers unmerci- fully in order to sell surpluses cheaply abroad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
2,e3soeq,.
ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

more than human and would not be at all surprised if some miracle should restore him to health. It is reported that they are going quietly about their affairs now and have ceased to worry about the dying prelate.
 Rome Is the center of the worlds in- terest just now and the facile pencil of the correspondent finds many themes for good ''stories." The latest and perhaps the best one is that of Pope Leos faithful valet, Pic Centra, who stands guard con stantly by his couch. No persuaslons can induce him to leave the patient in charge of another, although he has been greatly fatigued by the long, anxious vigil. A remarkable affection exists be- tween the two men. Words are unneces- sary to express their emotions. 1ney understand each other perfectly. When Leo dies there will be no grief deeper than that of Centra and even the aged Ram polla says his human life will end with that of the pope.
 Over twenty thousand mine workers recently did honor to their great leader. John Mitchell, in Pittsburg. There is no man before the public eye today who pos sesses more interesting personality than the distinguished champion of labor and no man more generally respected for his qualities of intellect and prudent fore sight. His great mind is constantly direct ing the affairs of the army of coal miners in the United States and though not al- ways in evidence his calm judgment has averted many troubles that seemed in- evitable. We read that the miners of a certain district are much wrought up. Threats of a strike and even violence are heard and a clash is momentariiy ex- pected. John Mitchell appears quietly and confers with the leaders. Then the oper- ators are consulted and the next day news of an amicable settlement is given out. This has happened over and over again.
 F. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

Between climbing to the top of Bunker Hill monument and avoiding split infnitiyes the teachers in Boston are kept very busy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

defeat him? Would the voters vote money out or their own pocket for the benefit of man asking more than a reasonable amount for his services?
 A few laws would accomplish all this. Cannot this be done to take effect as to incoming officials? If not, why not? It is question, vital to all. It is vital to our great corporations who are interested in having the county's educational fund increased without an increase in the rate of taxation. It is vital to the public school teachers. It is vital to every person who has the good of the children at heart and who oesires to elevate the citizenship of the county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

Governor Durbin of Indiana proposes to eradicate the lynching habit root and branch. Governor Jelks is work ing along the same line.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

Gen. Cassius M. Clay is 9S years old. but his mind has become obseured and a court has taken from him the con trol of his property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12

The defence of the Evansville jail was a repetition of the famous defence in this town. The motive of the attack was, however. different in detail.