davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
GREAT BIRD
 WILL SOON BE EXTINCT

From the London Globe.
 Referring to the recent conviction for killing a great bustard in Norfolk. "H. B. F." writing in Country Sport, remarks that the bird formerly occupied far more important position in the British game list than, unfortunately, 1t can be said to do at the present time. During the Georgian epoch the bustard roaped at large over certain wild tracts in England, notably those elevated lands known as the Yorkshire Wolds, and the downs of Wilt shire, Dorsetshire and perhaps also of other southern counties; other favorite abodes of the bustard being part of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. But there. as elsewhere throughout the coun- try, the commencement of the Victorian era marked the total extingushment of this native race of bustards
 Formerly bustards must have been toll erably plentiful in many places through out the country, and even beyond the confines of England, for. according to one of the early writers, Hector Boethius. they were resident upon the flat lands be- tween the Lammermuirs and the Tweed in the year 1526. The bustards proneness to forsake it's eggs had attracted atten- tion in those times. for Boethius re- marked. in the quaint language of the period: Such also is their qualtie that if they perceive their egges to have bene touched in theyr absence by mans hand (which lie commonly on the bare earth) they forsaIs those nestes and lay In other places" As far back as 1534 1t was found advisable to afford the bustard some protection, and by the passing of an 'Act for the Protection of Wild Fowle" (25th Henry vIID the taking of the eggs of this bird was prohibited, the maximum penalty attached to such misdemeanor be- ing 2Od for every egg. But, of course 1t is one thing to pass acts of the sort and quite another thing to enforce them. Had it been possible to have compelled thor ough obedience to the provisions of this early protective measure the sportsmen of today might not now be regretting the Inssing away of the bustard
 This act of Henry VIII, if not at first dead letter, probably soon afterward
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
Educational Conference.

On January 2S and 29, at Montgom- |. cry, a conference, will be held, when the agents and officers of the General Education Board of Washington, D. C., and of the Southern Education Board will meet the county superintendents of education in this state, and will dis cuss with them educational matters of common interest Similar meetings have been held in North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, and in Georgia 31 out of 1S6 county superintendents Intended the conference. It Is hoped o secure the attendance and co-opera. lion of every county superintendent in |his state
 n The legislature will be ir session, and If the county superintendents will rise to the height of the occasion they will recommend school legislation Apd school reforms much needed in
 is state. For example, the state
 hould be cut up into school districts, the present township divisions being neither convenient nor efficient. Then again, we should have qualified super intendents, and the superintendents in Montgomery at the conference will not gainsay this proposition. Then, too, we need local taxation-voluntary To- cal taxation, in order that better .sehool houses may be built and longer
 rms secured-better schools all Daround. And then there is the price of the school books. On account of the presence of the book trust lobby in Montgomery this may be a delicate question, but it will come up. All these questions will naturally arise.
 The conference is called to discuss all educational questions and subjects. The new educational boards desire in- formation, and they desire to work through and with the aid of the school authorities of the state, having no in tention of setting up any new machin- cry or of discrediting any now in op- eratiOn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
RHINoscERos IN AUSTRALIA.

From the Scientific American.
 Some two years ago, while tending the roots of the vines in vineyard at Atten- burg, Lower Austria, a gardner un- earthed the lower jaws and upper molars of gigantic animal, presumably rhin- oceros. which were taken to the high school at Vienna for further investiga- ton. Professor Toula closely examined the relics. and recognized from the structure of the teeth that the remains were not those of the ordinary woolly rhinoceros. He immediately repaired to the vineyard, where he continued excavations at the point where the skull was disinterred, and discovered practically the whole of the skeleton of this interesting animal, which has now been mounted. Although a portion of the skull is missing, there is sufficient to show that the beast was of the two-horned species found in Sumatra. The breceia where the skeleton was found is of the Pleistocene age. It also con- tained the remains of goat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01

Paris. December 31-Fissures have been discovered in the catacombs, menachg a wing of the Luxembourg palace and a part of the famous gardens.
 The Luxembourg palace and gardens, which are endangered by fresh subsid- ence of the ceiling of the catacombs un- deriving that section of Paris, are on the souts side of the River Seine. The pal ace. which stands in the midst Of it's own delightful gardens in the center Of the Luxembourg quarter, was designed Tn 1915 by Jacques de la Brosse, one of the ablest architects of the time, by order of Marie de Medicis, widow of Henry w, upon the model of the Pitt Palace at Florence.
 Notwithstanding the ravages Of time and numerous restorations, the Luxem- bourg palace of today Is substantially the original building. It is of French design, but in the Italian Renaissance style. The principal facade, which faces the north and is nearly 300 feet wide consists of three pavilions, connected by galleries. looking upon court of honor. The chief restoration of this front was made by Chdlgfln III loVf. lHe soulH ioSe"S' "ASiA overlooks the gardens, was formerly similar in style to the north facade but was restored by Gisors in 1S31-1S44 by direction of King Louis Philippe, care be- ing taken to preserve the original style.
 The palace which forms regular square. is remarkable for the beauty of it's proportions. The principal parts of the building are the Sale du Senate, where the senate meets, and the Sale du Throne, a gorgeous saloon magnifi- gently sculptured and gilded. The bed chamber of Marie de Medcis and the apartment known as the emperor's cab met in the days of Louis Napoleon are splendidly furnished.
 The chief interest in the palace is the gallery of modern art, which contains a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
A Volcanic Year.

The year just ended was especially tumultuous below the surface It's vol canoes and earthquakes began with bang in May, and every subsequent month brought forth new disasters of a like nature These disasters ex- tended from Alaska to South America, but they were not confined to the western hemisphere, for there were disastrous earthquakes in Turkestan and the Caucacus region. Mount Pelee and Mount Soufriere on islands in the Caribbean sea were, however, the chief internal disturbances or the year. Over 50000 lives were lost from volcanic fury, and to this number should be added 12,000 lives lost from earth quakes, bringing the total loss on ac- count of subterranean forces up to 62,00O
 Nor is this all. Violent winds de- stroyed during the year 4500 lives, and floods swept away 5000 victims. In destructive fires 1900 lives were lost during the year. Altogether about S0,- 900 persons perished in the old year from causes beyond their control. Perhaps this is not an unprecedented fatality, but the year certainly has no precedent In volcanic losses It stands unrivalled in that respect, and perhaps ever will.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
"LADYv SHOULD HAVE VACATION.
An Overworked Word Which Has We'll
 Earned a Period of Rest.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 There are some words excellent in themselves and their proper place that grow wearisome after years of iteration. Lady has long needed a vacation. It has its proper sense and pertinent use, but 1t loses distinction and becomes al- most ridicuous when misapplied and overworked. It Is a good old word even 1T it has not the homely meaning of bread kneader," which an etymology dear to Carlyle and Ruskin gave it; but good old words may suffer in foolish mouths. Lady teacher" '1ady client, lady doctor, "saleslady.' "lady stenograpn- er," "shoplady," 'lady cashier IS too much place for ''ladies.' Lady friend" was good enough for Tennyson, and may perhaps be defended as saver of time and words, but we do not ike the .lady friend'' and as for gentle man friend" it wears pants
 when MT. William Everett wanted to bave his little joke at the New Haven dons he used to say, At Yale the presi- dents lady retires; at Harvard the presl- dents wife goes to bed" Perhaps this was rather a parable and example than io,xe. and that accomplished scholar, good fellow and hater of the frayed title s.nrofessor" meant thereby to teach his freshmen to be simple of speech.
 Perhaps 1t is useless to regret anything that has happened in the world of Eng fish words There memorable law of fate nreyails, and 1t may be sentimentalism to bewail necessity. Still. the ancient feminines such as brewster" webster" "baxter," had their uses, and if there were horrible-seeming word like teach eress," s1ady teacher" would not be-
 "Great Liddell and Scott!' inc conserva- tive may cry, but lady teacher is a beauty and boon by the side of such A horror as teachereSs Very hke Habit is all, and the worst panhandlef of a word may come to evening dress and responsibility in time. Even in usher ing lady teacher out of the Chicago schools let us not be too i'll advised and sudden. Let us simply say we don't lAale it. An eminent prize fighter of this town "slugged in the eye'' & stranger sitting opposite to him in a car. ''What was the motive for the assault?' asked the mag istrate the next morning. LAW, didn't like his face" said the man of war. .-n argument, philosophically considered of wide and deep force.
 In and about this towns where there are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
PARKER's PRESIDENTIAL BOOM. From the Washington Times.


 The Parker presidential boom is hav- ing renaissance in the south. Here and there in all parts of Dixie sentiment in favor of the Empire state jurist abounds. The statesmen of the south, after follow ing the Elusive rainbow of promise in the west, have again turned their eyes toward the east, and their gaze rests upon the modest and retiring man who might have been governor of the state had not cer- tain events happened of which every man in New York with any political instinct knows full we'll At this early date, year and a half before the nominating convention is held, prominent democratic politicians are beginning to talk Parker in way which indicates that This honor'' may be called by the great quadrennial conclave of his party in 1904, to leave the bench and become democracy's standard bearer. Certain it is that the south, as has been evident for some time, is wear jed of its alliance with the west and is willing to break the silver cord and re- unite with the democrats of the Empire state in the hope that victory may once more perch upon their banners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01

the total value of his property and stock, with an exemption up to e5oO ($24S0. Un- der the land and income tax he pays i'd in the pound on the unimproved value of his land, and his stock goes free of taxa ton. The average result was thought to be little better for the farmer, and he enjoyed the consolation of seeing his thriftless neighbor taxed as highly as he was without any reference to his profit able or unprofitable occupancy. The farmer also felt that the large landholder Under this system was bound either to improve, and thus advance the interest of the whole district or suffer in his estate. Thus, the principle of taxation on the unimproved value grew in favor.
 The unimproved value in New Zea- land has as rule been considered two-thirds of the market value. Only one city, Wellington, has tried the plan, and the effects of it under urban circumstances have not yet been fully tested. But as the land bears all the burdens it is believed the holders of unimproved property in a city will soon be glad to improve their prop erty or else to hand 1t over to some one who will.
 All inn all the experiment in Well lington and in the rural districts of New Zealand will be closely watched, and upon those experiments may de- pend wide changes in tax-gatherlng.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
New ZeaIand's Single Tax.

New Zealand is the land of reforms and advanced methods, even exceed ing Switzerland in this respect, and its application of the single-tax is an |object lesson to all the rest of the hworld. Consul Dillingham; of Auck- land. New Zealand, has submitted a report which will interest the single taxers of this country at any rate.
 N The plan has not been applied to lew Zealand as whole, but any bor- |Sugh, district. county or city is left free to apply it. Up to March last thirty localities, including the city of | Wellington, had accepted it. Thus far the results are reported to be satis- factory, and, strange to say, it is con-
 tered especially desirable in the
 ricultural districts. Consul Dilling-
 m thus describes it's operation:
 he farmer, under the property tax,
 paid to the general government Id
 ents) in the pound sterling s(4ss0 on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
The Metric System.

'The meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers In New York re- gently was largely devoted to a savage attack on the metric system" said an engineer '1t does not appear, however that any particular importance is to be attached to the so-called action.
 "The conserva tives, who have been all along opposed to change and progress, rallied in considerable force at a meet ing otherwise thinly attended. and for the time being had everything their own way. The proceedings certainly did not represent the opinions of a majority ot the members, and we are sure that great many will regret that noisy mi- nority should have managed to make the society ridiculous in the eyes of the world"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
TO KEEP EDWARDS WARM.
the Northampton Gazette.

From the Northampton Gazette.
 Speaking of wood for fuel just think of the enormous quantities Of wood used in old times to keep the minister and his family warm. Trumbulls History of Northampton records that in the winter of 1740-41, the Rev Jonathan Edwards was supplied by the town with 75 loads of wood; in the year following he had S2 loads; the next year 78 loads, and the next year 95 loads. These loads must have been such as a yoke of oxen usually hauled as all team work was then done by oxen. The wood was probably hauled sled length and cut up for use in the fire places in the woodward It is safe to es- innate these loads at three-quarters of cord each. At that rate it required about 60 cords of wood each year to heat the house of the great preacher.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
Volume of Dividends.

'"The stock market was strong today and it may be even stronger at the end of the week. said a financier. "Thc great volume of dividends that will be paid out accounts for the squirt.
 "The banks of New York will make this week the largest division of profits on investments ever made in this or any other country. Probably more than $l5o,- 100000 will be sent out to holders of se- curities whose dividends are payable at the financial metropolis.
 of course interest and dividends on many securities are payable elsewhere than in New York. aId at other times than the first of the year. Unincorpor- ated firms and ''close" corporations divide their profits without any public declaration of dividends. Moreover, the division of the profits of our prosperity is going on all the time, monthly. week. ly, and daily, in the payment of wages and salaries.
 "The strongest proof of our prosperity is in the fact that nowhere in the coun- try is there complaint that wages have been reduced or that reduction is prob- able. On the contrary, wages in all in dustries are steady or rising.
 ''The American people as whole were never so rich and never so prosperous as they are today, nor were their wealth and their prosperity ever so widely diff fused as now. That some few rich are growing richer is true, but the we'll to do are growing richer and the poor are growing we'll to do more generally than ever before. And while the really poor are and always will be with us, there was never such willingness to help them to what they lack as in this nation now.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01

came to be little recognized, for later ac- counts state that bustards eggs were reg, ularly gathered and matched out under hens. Toward the end of the eighteenth century these eggs had high marketable value, being readily sold at half a guinea each. This is easily understood when we learn that the young birds. long before ar irving at full growth, were disposed of for as much as ten guineas, and, in some instances. twelve guineas per pair.
 A gross error committed by a naturalist of the Tudor period may also in some slight degree have contributed to hasten the extinction of the British bustards by affording license or valid excuse for their destruction. The writer referred to, Dr. Thomas Muffet, solemnly states; Bistards or bustards (so called for their slow pace and heavy fying). or, as the Scots term them, guesetards, that Is, slow geese. feed upon flesh, flyers and young lambs" A more damaging libel could not well have been uttered, nor one better calculated to raise mans hand against the bird, for, although the bustard may make a meal, occasionally, of mice or other small animals, as, indeed, will farm yard hens and turkeys, to say that they will subsist upon young lambs is sin gularly untrue. This remark may have caused the death of many bustard just at the most critical period of nesting, it affording some excuse for those who, on seeing these huge birds near their flock, set to work to shoot, trap or run them down with sheepdogs. This error arose through this writer having mixed up the names bustard and buzzard-the latter be- ing, as 1t is now tolerably well known, a bird of prey, and was doubtless the bird reported to the worthy doctor as feeding upon lambs But other causes. more powerful and irresistible than the foregoing, have contributed their quota to the punishment of the bustard. The most important factor operating towards this end, in all probability, was the re- markable progress made in the inclosing and cultivation of land toward the close of the eighteenth century.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
FRIENDLY ADVIcEs FROM LEE.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Pest
 "1n 1861, shortly after Fort Sumter had been fired on, I was attending pr. Lip pett's school at Four Mile Run on the Virginia side of the Potomac, near this city" said Lieut.. Col. Benjamin K. Rob erts of the artillery corps in talking over old war time "reminiscences with friends.
 "One day we had for a visitor no less a parsonage that Robert F. Lee, after ward commander, in-chief of the armies of the confederacy. My son. said he to me- where is your father? I told him my father was in New Mexico. He then asked me where my mother was and told him she was at the Ebbitt house in Washington. Then I advise you. said General Lee, to join her without any loss of time, .Jr I fear we shall have some warm work here in old Virginia
 "I saw that he spoke seriously and ap- preciated that his advice was given with a sincere wish to befriend me, so I lost no time in getting to Washington. shall always remember how General Lee looked then. and still think of him as one of the handsomest men 1 ever saw"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01

to see if he really looked as near death as he felt and almost wished that he might be- The effect was almost instan- taneous. He became better at once and was soon enjoying hearty breakfast.
 Shortly after his experience a Chicago signora came to look in the magic mirror and was delighted to find she had enjoyed the same recuperative effects.
 With the generous cordiality character istic of the man the ambassador strolled about the deck, and when he noticed a fellow-passenger hanging over the rail in distress he would offer him the mirror. and succeeded in saving all who had faith from nal de mer.
 The ambassadors theory for the effect of a look in the mirror Is that the con- stantly changing horizon which the sea traveller experiences causes a feeling of vertigo. The contemplation of the sea line produced a vertigo which Is only to be relieved by the sight of the most in- teresting object at hand. Wherein lies the secret of the mirrors magic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
The Public Library.

The opening of the public library in the city hall on New Years afternoon will be an event of more than ordinary interest" observed public spirited man.
 This library supplies one of the great needs of Birmingham. It contains nearly 10000 volumes, I am told, and Its refer ence books are numerous and helpful But a city of Birmingham's size and character should have even a larger library. The only way for the institution to be enlarg- ed Is for prosperous citizens and corpora tions to contribute to the fund which Su- perintendent Phillips and the board of education that has the library in charge call for. Ten thousand dollars could be spent in books to advantage and the money should be forthcoming.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
SMUGGLING CASE CONTINUED.
Lieutenant Remembers Moving Boxes,
 But Foreets Who Gave Order.

San Juan, December 31.-The hearing of the smuggling cases was continued today before United States Commissioner Ander- son. In the case against Lieut.-Com. George Mentz, U. s. N, and Supervisor of Election Benjamin Butler, Lieutenant Commander Mentz was held for trial In 5000 bail. Butler was discharged. In the case against Commander Mentz, Butler and James Brennan, an empleye of the Country club. Butler and Brennan were discharged and the com missioner was undecided as to Lieutcn- ant Commander Mentz The nearing of the third case against Butler was con tinued
 Today the lieutenant testified that he had removed certain boxes, but he did not remember upon whose orders they had been taken to the barracks. Neither did he know what had become of them. The testimony today showed that some of the boxes of liquor were marked with the single initials ID. U.' Other boxes were labelled with dozen different marks, but their owners were not identified.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
THE LoW-BAckED CAR.

By Samuel Lover. When first saw sweet Peggy Twas on a market day. A low backed car she drove, and sat Upon a truss of hay. But when that hay was blooming grass, And decked with flowers of spring.
 No flower was there
 That could compare To the charming girl sing. As she sat in her low backed car The man at the turnpike bar Never asked for the toll But just rubbed his ovid poll, And looked after the low backed car. O, I'd rather own that car. sir, With Peggy by my side. Than coach and four, and gold galore. And a lady for my bride; For the lady would sit fornist me, On a cushion made with taste, While Peggy would sit beside me, With my arm around her waist, While we drove in the low backed car. To be married by Father Mahar-
 o. my heart would beat high
 At her glance and her sigh Though 1t low backed carl