davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Sellino to Dead Man.

'T had a rather gruesome experience last year in Tennessee" said drummer at the Morris "It is very unpleasant to think ever want to trade any more with a dead man. It happened this way:
 "I was making the large towns in the state. and got into Memphis one day de- termined to sell big bill of goods; as my sales had been rather light for the past week it was up to me to make good with the house. Well, I started out and had canvassed the town pretty we'll when l came to the establishment of an old GUS toner of mine who conducted a modest business but was fairly well to do. car ried him around to my sample room, dis played my stock and began to hand out my choicest line of conversation.
 '1rhe merchant followed me about or dering little of this and a little of that from my stock of notions, until we came to a lot of jewelry that we were offering at a bargain. I waxed eloquent and pay ing no heed to my customers silence I began to spread out .Ae articles for his inspection.
 Suddenly I looked up and a cold chill ran down my back when I saw the man lying half way across a table of goods, his eyes fixed on the ceiling with a glassy stare. He had fallen over without attract ing my attention. and was cold in death. The doctor whom I summoned said it was heart disease and after I had had the body removed l decided to take the rest of the day to steady up my nerves.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Interest in Fruit Growing.

Farmers in Northeast Alabama are be- ginning to take a lively interest in fruit growing in that section" said gentle man from Chambers county last night. Tt has been found that the climate and soil are both we'll adapted to the culture of peaches and many other fruits Ex- periments that have already been made with peaches show that this luscious fruit can be cultivated with great profit In course of time there is no reason why the Alabama peach should not rival the famed Georgia variety. I have seen as fine Elbertas grown on the mountains of Calhoun county as could be found any wherel These peaches are always in de- mand and the grower I have in mind has made a great success with his business. If more farmers would turn their atten- tion to fruit growing the state would make rapid strides forward and its wealth would be greatly augmented
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Henry c. Davis.

From the Baltimore Herald.
 Ex-Senator Henry G. Davis. the demo- cratic nominee for Vice President. fur nishes an example of what may be ac- complished in this country by industry. courage and perseverance. He made his way from an humble position to that of senator. regarded as second in importance only to the office of President, and in nothing has he done has he been spec tacular, but he has succeeded by the ex- ercise of sound common sense and excel lent judgment which has enabled him to acquire a good Knowledge of men and things. MT. Davis has always taken a keen interest in politics, but is best known as a successful man of business, a type which, especially of late years. has had q strong influence in national affairs. If MT. Davis should be elected he would not be a stranger in the senate, and although the Vice President Is not a member of that body, the influence of a man of the calber and experience of MT. Davis might reasonably be expected to be of weight on important public questions. MT. Davis is a man of wealth, a fact which it appears must now be taken into consideration in connection with the office of Vice Pres jdent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
The Convention and It's Work.

From the Louisville Courier-Journa
 The most striking feature of the St. Louis convention was its antithesis. in every important element. to the repub- lican convention in Chicago which preced- ed it. The latter was perfunctory in it's object, and it's action, it's ticket and plat form having been prearranged as the work of controlling bureau at Wash ington. while the convention, composed largely of officeholders, had nothing to do except to make formal promulgat tion of the action prescribed for it. In con- trast with it the democratic convention was characterized by the highest evil dences of being a representative body of men of all shades of democratic opinion and preference. assembled for the purpose of counseling for the good of the country and the party. aiming at no end except as the result of open discussion and calm de- cision. The result of the republican con- vention could readily have been pro- claimed, as far as its action depended up on it's own initiative, without the for mality of it's meeting. The work of the St. Louis convention. both as to ticket and platform, was its own, the result of full discussion in committee and In conven- tion, and represents a true reflection of democratic sentiment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
About Persons.

Prof. IIopson O. Murfee. assistant sup erintendent of the Marion Military Insti- tute. is at the Hilman.
 M. w. Mccren of Montgomery is stop ping at the St. Nicholas.
 J. W. Conner, R. H. Cobb and S. P. Ken nedy of Anniston are at the Morris
 w. K. McNeil of Louisville is at the Col. ir.. al.
 Howard Stakley of College Park, Ga, is at the Hillman.
 A. Mitchell of New York is at the St. Nicholas.
 R. l.. Adams of Gadsden is stopping at the Morris.
 A. D. Rodgers of Cincinnati is at the Colonial.
 Robert Fields of Chicago is registered at the St. Nicholas.
 J. H. Moore. prominent banker of Mar ion, is a. the Hillman.
 M. c. Mccoy of Talladega is at the Morris
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
New Southern Maqazlne,

The Saturday Evening Eye is a very creditahle weekly publication that is now being issued at Hattiesburg Miss. Gaines s. Dobbins and Robert E. Martin are the editors and proprietors. The first number of Volume I has reached this office and if it's present standard is maintained, the Evening Eye will prove weekly maga- zine that will De a credit to Mississippi as well as the south. Although the pur- poses of the magazine are stated by the editors to be sectional. and almost local in character. they have succeeded in get ting out a publication that is sufficiently metropolitan to take high stand among southern magazines. If Messrs.. Gaines and Dobbins continue as they have begun and steadily improve their magazine they will soon have a weekly publication that will compare favorably with those of the east. They deserve to succeed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Parker a Great Figure.

From the New York Times.
 Judge Parker, by his courage and by his unbending integrity, has given them this opportunity again to enroll them selves as democrats. The convention spoke with an uncertain voice. He speaks in a tone that rings through the land and in words into which even the most desperate partisanship can read no double or a doubtful meaning. It was an act of the highest statesmanship, because it was of the highest courage and in the high est degree right No man can put away a greater honor than he was ready to put away, did put away, when he bade the convention choose another candidate if it was unwilling to take him with his irrevocable commitment to the gold stan dard. Let men who think that did not call for extraordinary courage ask them selves how many times they have waver- ignoble in comparison. By that one act of splendid renunciation, with which the worlds history affords few parallels, Judge Parker has become a great figure in the view of his countrymen. and has taken an exalted place in their respect and confidence. We have not known the man before. Now we know him and at once perceive that he Is of an amplitude commensurate with the high office of President of the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Uncle Sam and Col. YOunqhusband.

Uncle Sam as represented by Sec retary Hay is last becoming world meddler, rivalling in that respect the Emperor William in his best days. As the Emperor William falls of in that respect Secretary Hay advances to fill the gap, and today we are meddling with movements among the nations, no matter how distant or how small our interest in them may be.
 The latest development in this pol icy Is seen in Tibet Secretary Hay did not look with a favorable eye on the absorption of Manchuria by Rus sia, and to be consistent he thinks he must solemnly object to Colonel Younghusband's present tour in the sterile mountain regions of Tibet. Pre- mier Balfour's government will speed fly reply that it has no designs" upon Tibet, when in fact the present mili- tary expedition looks to conquest very much as the Russian occupation of Manchuria did.
 But are we committed to the policy of maintaining the integrity of China? If so, we have got plenty of work on our hands for century to come. There Is vast difference between 'the open door" and integrity" We should never cease to ask for "the open door," no matter who holds China, but if we are to assert the integrity of the Chin csc empire we should get ready to ship armies at once, for we will have con the empire, and al along its vast sides. Japan is engaged in maintaining the wholeness of China, and if we are to accumulate a Chinese doctrine as we did a Monroe doctrine, we should get ready for trouble at once, for it will surely come. ll is simply nonsense and tomfoolery to interfere in Tibet unless we intend in an emergency to back up our pretensions with navies ana, armies. As world meddlers in Tibet the administration is placing us in a ridiculous ligh, before the world unless indeed we intend to fight for Chinese integrity as we stand ready to fight for the integrity of the Monroe doctrine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13

vis public career had been almost forgot. ten in the rush of events before it was recalled by his nomination. he is leader who has proven his worth in politics as well as the business world. As vice president his labors will not be oneroua but even if providence ordains that he should sit in the Presidents chair his friends predict that his age would be nc impeachment to the discharge of his duties. MT. Davis is an example of the doctrine that hard work is seldom injurious.
 Close on the heels of the action of the democrats in nominating Henry G. Davh Tor vice president comes the announce ment of the Delaware and Hudson rail- road that henceforth men over 35 years or age Will not be employed. This decree ooes not apply to men already l the ser vice of the railroad but to new employees. While railroads are certainly iustifsa in seeking young rien for employment there IS also disposition noticeable here of late to make the age limit in other walks or ire approximate S5 or 40 years In 1act It has been said that nowadays a man IS old at 40 the very prime of life. but the rule applies only to the man who is a failure. The man who is still in search of position at the age of a5 ia perhaps out of the race but those who have made successes of their various pro- fessions need have no fear that they will be busted when they near that com fortable estate called middle age.
 Great preparations are being made for the dramatization of McCutcheon's Bird Center" cartoon which will probably be presented next season with Lew Fields and Marie Cahill playing the star parts While the public may rest assured that such capable people will make the best of their opportunities it is hard to see how it will be possible to create suc- cessful play from series of absurd pie lures that are very amusing in print but are apt to be a trife tiresome when pre- sented on the stage.
 After all the clittering. glorious pageant which is commonly known as the circus parade seems destine to survive. There was an attempt madc to eliminate this feature of the circus but from the indica- tions this year it seems that the parade will still be given, except in those towns where the spectacle s prohibited by high taxation. This will be cheering news to hosts of small boys in ali parts of the land and is perhaps the result of q wise decision on the part of the circus mana. gers. They realize that a circus without a parade would be like an elephant with. out his trunk It Is almost as necessary as the clown and although enormously ex- pensive is a potent factor .n drawing crowds to the big tent. Many people con tetnd that the circus parade is the best part of the show and the fact that il is free is one of it's most attractive feat. ures. PC.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Eathera that wear raus
Southern Leadership.

The temporary chairman of the St Louis conven .ion was John Sharp Wil. Hams of Mississippi, and the perma. nent chairman was Champ Clark of Missouri while Messrs. Ti1lman, Car mack, Bailey, Daniel and many others were prominent as leaders in a re- markable convention. No one ques- tions the opportunity, the influence pr the conservatism of the southern delegates. They rose to the occasion, and their hand was seen at every step of the conventions progress.
 But Chairman Clark in the course of a terse and vivid speech placing General Cockren in nomination com plained that the south has furnished the greater part of the democratic electoral votes in the last forty years yet in all that time no nominee had been taken from this section. The honors awarded to the south have been chiefly empty honors, honors of few days, such as chairmanships and the like Is this just? Is it reasonable? Is it pest to harbor sectionalism any longer in this maLner? Mir. Bryan re ceived in 1900 13 western and 14l southern votes! And so it has beer to a great exte..t @ -, since the clos, of the civil war.
 The republicans say the south il back in the union to stay. So it is The more sectionalism is panderet to the longer 1t will exist, ant M. Clark was right when he asked ar open field tor southern men in future national conventions. There is not [ fair-minded intelligent man in the north who will say May" to MT Clark's reasonable, just and long delayed proposition. The proposition is n fact fully ripe, and the sooner al recognize that this Is a reunited coun try the better for the country anC every part of ir-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13

it says, up to the scheme. MT. Hilfs statement that he had not discussed with Judge Parker the currency ques- ton, and that ne did not know the judges views, promoted the plan. Then came the climax in "Parker's mock heroic on the gold standard!
 The democracy fear nothing more than straight declaration for free silver, and hence, adds the Times-Star, Par ker's sudden declaration for gold standard was apparently meant to look heroic. A closer scrutiny of the situation at the time this declaration was made shows it to have been mere ly a very cheap political trick"
 The Times-Star presents the repub- lican campaign view of the dramatic incident. Even ii 1t had been a trick and it was not-it was effective, for it completed at one stroke the plat form, and cleared the situation. If the republican; desire to consider the telegram a mock heroic, let them think so. It is a waste of time and energy to refute their campaign stuff. It is idle to tell them that Judge Par ker's entire active career is absolutely devoid of tricks and demagogism. It is idle to argue with them at all. They are chagrined over the situation. They are cut off from charging that free silver is again in the saddle. Their plan of attack has been turned down and rendered harmless at the very outset. Judge Parker's telegram did it, and now they say the little docu- ment that threw them into confusion was "a ponrical trick"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
NEW BAND OF THIEVES
 WHO PILLAGE STORES
rom the New York Commercial.

From the New York Commercial.
 T HE head of one of tse principal de- NY partments in large Chicago re-
 tail establishment says that a new brand of thief has been developed by the extensive system of taking back purchases of goods after they have been carried or sent home. The thieves, he adds, are women for the most part. They carefully price and select goods and steal them with the direct intention of bringing them back and demanding the money. Tho process is described thus:
 "Of course the professional shoplifter who returns goods to a store which has duplicate article, or even sometimes to the store from which she took it, is not new. The temptation is great. as 1t is the only place where 100 per cent can be obtained on the goods. But there is also a class of women who, far from having any suspicion attached to them, have instead the prestige of general good appearance, responsibility and perhaps d iohS sHoppinS Cdreef III their idNor'
 Perhaps from long practice they have developed a faculty of unloading mer- chandise which from having become stale or damaged upon their hands might reasonably be refused. They have also become adopts in all the little tricks of the trade. such as buying two articles of the same kind in which there is some difference in cost, exchanging the checks and price marks, and then returning the cheaper of the two and getting the money back through the carelessness of the person in charge on the best one. Success in these smaller lines of thiev- ing proves too much for some of them, and the next step is to make a small purchase and purloin two or three dupli-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

ZANE day in June there Issued forth kSIJ from the classic halls of a great
 university a youth on whose brow was stamped the seal of noble purposes. In his hand he held a d. ploma and on his face was a look of great resolve. Clear-eyed, he gazed out upon the world with it's seething, swaying masses of humanity; upon wickedness and strife; upon the wrecked fortunes Of those who had failed; upon heartac1es. disappoint- ments and untold woe-upon the whole vast arena of human activitie5 for good and evil, with an optimism in his soul that disregarded the darkness and saw only the light. He would go to conquer. he would climb the pathway to fame ty un- ceasing endeavor, honorable dealings ard an upright life. He dreamed of being a philanthropist, q genius, a benefactor of mankind His life would be q glorious ex- ample to men and when his career should be ended the world would point to it with pride, as that of a man who corld rise above sordid environment. The youth ad- vanced in years, but the goal of fame seemed as far away as ever. On hy one his golden dreams were shattered. He found world in which there was more crime than glitter and he became pes simistic. What" he cried, ifs the re- ward of the honest man? An epitaph." So forthwith he changed his views and began to hustle. In course of time he was elected president of a corporation. He a otaR Ix..A L. thropist, and through the smoke of his 50-cent cigar he gazed out upon his less fortunate brothers with an easy smile. while remarking to his inner self What a fool is the man with ideals Happy is he who fattens on graft and a pull"
 Monday was the centenary of George Sand. Although this brilliant French writer Is read but little nowadays, save by the scholar and the student, she has nevertheless left name that is illustrious in French literature. George Sand was typically French in disposition and in thought. From an unnatural gir.hood, characterized by dreams and fits of mel ancholy that bordered on insanity, she emerged as one of the most consummate word painters of her day. While her work was not voluminous. she has writ ten at least one story that will always be ranked as a classic. In La Mare au Diable' she gives to the world a picture of French peasant life that is unsurpassed in delicate coIcring. fidelity to life and tender sentiment.
 Octogenarians are again to the fore with vice presidential nominee. AL though Henry G. Davis is S1 years of age and nearly thirty years older than Judge Parker he is as "chipper' as a bird in May and is a striking exemplfication of the fact that nowadays a mans work is ended only at the grave. While MT. Da-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
NATIONAL POLITICS.
Ticket and Parker Telegram.

From the Memphis Morning News.
 Parker and Davis are the names with which the democrats will conjure in the coming campaign. The head Of the ticket has stood in the limelight Of publicity for many months. and there is little to be said about him which has not already been said many times over. The vice presidential nominee is a distinguished ex-United States senator, but he has not years and the query will go up from all sides, Who is Davis?'
 He is a man of high character, of great ability and large wealth, but he owes his nomination. 1t would seem, chiefly to the fact that he comes from a doubtful state which the democrats must capture to win. The only objection to him is his advanced age. Usually the vice presi- dent is expected to do the active cam paigning if such campaigning is under taken by either member of the ticket. For this reason the rule is to choose for the second place on the ticket a com paratively young and vigorous man.
 It is upon the head of the ticket that the democracy will place it's chief de- pendence of victory. Whether his dras- tic actoin on Saturday in regard to the gold standard has strengthened or weak ened his chances of the presidency is a question which, for the last thirty-six hours, has been the absorbing topic of discussion throughout the length and breath of the land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
THE AGE OF WISDOM.

By William Makepeace Thackery. pretty page, with the dimpled chin,
 That never has known the barber 8
 shear,
 All your wish is woman to win; This is the way that boys begin
 Wait till you come to forty year. Curly gold locks cover foolish brains;
 Billing and cooing is all your cheer Signing and singing of midnight strains, Under Bonnybelrs window panes-
 Wait till you come to forty year. Forty times over let Michaelmas pass;
 Grizzling hair the brain doth clear; Then you know boy is an ass, Then you know the worth of a lass,-
 Once you have come to forty year. Pledge me round; I bid ye declare,
 All good fellows whose boards are gray, Did not the fairest of the fair Common grow and wearisome are
 Ever a month was passed away? The reddiest lips that ever have kissed, The brightest eyes that ever have shone, May pray and whisper, and we not list, Or look away and never be missed.-
 Ere yet ever month is gone. Gillian's dead, God rest her bier,-
 How loved her twenty years syne! Marian's married: but sit here. Alone and merry at forty year, Dipping my nose in the Gascon w1ne'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Convicts in States Hands.

The work of Governor Jelks and the convict board is banning out in hand some manner. President Carmichael thinks the net returns of the convict department in the fiscal year will be a quarter of million dollars. Not a collar of 1t will be earned at the ex- pense of the health of the convicts, : for as a body they never were in healthier condition. In his official re- port to Governor Cunningham Presi- dent Carmichael says the convicts "are well fed, well clothed and their gen eral ell being is carefully looked after"
 As rapidly as circumstances will per nit the convicts are being brought within the direct control of the con- vict department ''so that no man not connected with this department will be responsible for the personal treat ment of convicts." Governor Jelks originated tho plan, and President Carmichael says every day demon strates anew it's wisdom. The depart. ment now controls the convicts at the Dunham lumber camp, and similar contracts Wi soon be made with other companies.
 President Carmichael distinctly states that the primary object of the convict board is to secure the well being of the individual convicts. Reve nue is secondary and yet the revenue derived from the convicts is outrun ming all precedent and all experience Between revenue and the gain in the condition of the convicts, the convict board feels like congratulating not only Governor Jelks and Acting Gov. ernor Cunningham, but also itself over the new departure. It is wholly justi, fled in so doing.