davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Steamboat Whistles.

There Is peculiar, sonorous quality to steamboat whistles that is never for gotten when once heard" said an old river man. ITO river people there is nothing sweeter than the hoarse, and yet not unmusical blast which resounds far up and down the muddy water, heralding that most suspicious event in all river towns-the arrival of boat
 People who have never heard steam boat whistle have scant conception of what 1t is like. Sometimes whistles of manufacturing plants heard in various parts of the country approximate to the Steamboat whistle but there is differ ence and it is possible to hear the blast of a steamboat amid multitude of noises. Of course chime whistles have a characteristic note which distinguishes them at once.
 "When the stately white vessel comes into view around the bend, puff of steam curls up from between her stacks and a moment later the deep blast comes rolling down the river, waking the echoes from shore to shore and calling sleepy roustabouts on the levee to a few hours of strenuous toll. It takes a person of most stolid and phlegmatic mould not to feel a thrill of expectancy when the charmed note reaches his ears"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
HandIinu the Peach Crop.

The railroad men in Georgia are hastening to put in new sldetracks and coal chutes at the stations in the peach belt. These are preparations for the handling of five thousand cars of peaches that the proprietors of the Georgia orchards expect to ship this year, everyone of which will bring a high price, because each will be part of the first peaches of the season, and because the Georgia peach-the El- berta-is toothsomo and satisfactory. e But tracks and chutes are not alone sufficient in Georgia. Pickers and packers are wanted, and young girls and young women earn during the peach sason from one dollar to two dollars day as packers, a work they excel in. At Fort Valley alone fifteen hundred packers will be employed.
 The Georgia example should become contagious in the south before the boil weevil arrives. Among the peach orchards of central Georgia they can afford to laugh at the invad- ing insect, but there are sections in the south which are not so forehanded and thoughtful. Trucking has secured a good foothold in this state, but fruit raising for market has not. While Georgia is shipping five thousand car loads of peaches Alabama will not ship hundred. There is no reason for the difference except human en- ergy and foresight The soil and eli mate are here, but the utilization of that soil and climate is not here, and the boil weevil IS marching on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Horses vs. Automobiles.


 A party of young men were talking of as confidently as if that most desirable state would be quickly and easily attain ed. Said one: T will buy an automobile" Another said ."I don't want any auto- mobile in mine but I will have some fine horses" The first speaker replied: Well, 1 don't know about that Horses are nice to have from the fact that they are flesh and blood and fellow can look upon them as pets but there is fascination about automobilng that the milder pleas ure of riding and driving can never equal.
 The fellow who Is flying along coun- try roadway in an automobile at a speed of thirty-five or forty miles an hour is on the same footing with the man in the locomotive cab with his hand on the throt- tie, a figure that has been glorifed In fiction. In fact the man In the automobile is facing many more dangers than the man in the cab He has no smooth track of steel to traverse but is hurtling over the ground at railway speed. A score of dangers turk in the ditches, the bridges, the uneven roadway, the liabilities of a breakdown in the machine, and other con- tingencies that may happen.
 "The automobilist can never tel. when he is going to come face to face with a country vehicle, or run off bridge into ditch, or, what Is worse of all, drive his machine into some obstruction, an ac- cident that means certain death.
 For dangerous fascination there is no comparison between horses and auto mobiles"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
The Old Lakevlew.

"I can remember the time when Lake view was quite popular resort" said a gentleman yesterday About ten years ago when Birmingham was booming all visitors to the town would take a trip out to the pretty little lake and the old dummy line did rushing business. The lake was very pretty then, although rather small, and the place was a favor ite resort for pleasure seekers.
 T remember the first time I went out to Lakeview I was grievously disappoint- ed. I expected to find large body of water at least a mile wide, and you may imagine my surprise when I saw tiny sheet, overshadowed by a large pavilion on one side and boat house on the other. Yet the place was very attractive at that time and I soon got into the habit of going out frequently.
 ''I believe that Lakeview is now in- cluded in the grounds of the Country club and is, therefore, no longer public resort but the place is dear to the mem ory of great many people who recall pleasant evenings spent there in the old boom days, when prices on Birmingham real estate were mounting up like the mercury in a thermometer on hot sum- mer day."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
A snapper-up of unconsldered trifles.
 Winters Tale.
Negro Voters in the North.

The negro voters are the balance of power in nearly every one of the close, contested states For example, California, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey and New York contained in the census year 79,37e negroes of voting age, and their republican pluralities in their last state elections were 7S,- 758.
 Illinois has a negro vote of 29,762; Ohio ol 31,335, and Pennsylvania of 51,66s. There are 31,425 negro voters in New York, and those negro voters may turn the scale Without them at any rate the republicans could not hope to carry that great state New Jersey would not go republican if she did not hold 21, ,474 negro voters.
 MT. Roosevelt never loses sight of the heavy negro votes in the contested states. He does not so much believe that all are created free and equal, as he does that all negroes should vote the republican ticket in the contested stateJ This is the real philosophy of his peculiar policy-he wants negro votes where they are balance of power. He poses as a man above party, when in fact he is a skillful politician who is out gunning for votes
 A democratic negro is the rarest of all birds, and as there is no polltax qualification in the northern states the negro vote is as rule polled. In Philadelphia complaint is made that the negro is not content with a single vote. He votes early and often, it IS claimed. Be this as 1t may it is reas- onab1y certain that the negroes in the north, as well as in the south, vote the republican ticket, and they will be a real power in the doubtful states, where MT. Roosevelt will need every vote he can muster
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
s1o PAYS DEBTS OF $eo.

From the New York Commercial.
 A Kansas man of the prosaic name of Brown keeps a boarding house some where out in that state Around his table on q recent occasion sat his wife, Mrs Brown; the village milliner, Mrs. An drews; MT. Black the baker: MT. Jordan, the carpenter, and Mir. Hadley, a flour. seed and lumber merchant. MT. Brown took a sl0 bill out of his pocketbook and handed 1t to Mrs Brown, with the remark that there was s1O toward the s20 he had promised her. Mrs. Brown handed the bill to Mrs Andrews, the milliner say ing: That pays for my new bonnet" Mrs. Andrews, in turn, passed it on to MT. Jordan, remarlSng that it would pay for the carpenterlng work he had done for her. MT. Jordan handed it to Mr.
 IIadley, requesting his receipted bill for flour, feed and lumber MT. Hadley gave the bill back to MT Brown, saying: That pays S10 on my board" MT. Brown again passed it to Mrs Brown, remarl<ing that he had now paid her the s2O he had prom ised her. She in turn paid 1t to MT. Black to settle her bread and pastry account
 Mir. Black handed. 1t to MT. Hadley. ask ing credit for the amount on his flour hin. Mr. Hadley again returning it to MT. Brown, with the remark that it et- tied for that months board; whereupon Brown put 1t back in his pocketbook
 observing that he had not supposed a greenhack would go so far
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
A BARD's EPITAPH.

By Robert Burns. Is there a whim-inspir- fool, Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule. owre plate to seek, owre proud to snooli
 Let him draw near; And Owre this grassy heap sing dool,
 And drap a tear. Is there bard of rustic song. Who, noteless, steals the crowds among That weekly this area throng?
 O, pass not by! But with a frater-feeling strong,
 Here heaye a. sigh. Js there a man, whose judgment clear Can others teach the course to steer, Yet runs, himself lifes mad career
 Wild as the wave? Here pause-and, through the startins
 tear,
 Survey this grave. The poor inhabitant below, Was quick to learn and wise to know And keenly felt the friendly glow,
 And softer flame, But thoughtless follies laid him low,
 An stained his name. Reader, attend-whether thy soul Scars fancy's flights beyond the pole. Or darkling grubs this earthly hole.
 In low pursuit: Know, prudent, cautious self-contr0
 Is visions root
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
GREAT EXPLORER TELLS
 OF MANNERS IN AFRICA
From the Chicago News.

From the Chicago News.
 NN APT Maud, who recently travelled
 S through Abysinnia, gives this
 0 picture of native life: "On our
 way down the mountain the next day we
 were invited to a feast by the fitorari of
 the district, who was up there superln-
 tending the building of a church. Enter
 ing his tukle.' we were conducted to a
 settee covered with skins. Serving women
 brought us water to wash our hands and
 then flat baskets. on which were high
 piles of thin flat breads, like the 'chup-
 patles' of the east The women cooks
 brought In large dishes of stewed meats
 and after tasting each dish to show that
 1t was not poisoned, they picked out tit
 bits and presented them to us, on 'chup-
 patles.' The whcle meal was served with
 out plates knives or forks. It is surpris
 ing how easily these necessities of our
 civilization can be dispensed with. Serv-
 ing men meantime piled us with 'tej the
 national drink of Abysinnia, which is
 made from honey. Old 'tej is very heady
 but not unpleasant in taste Abysinnians
 of any importance never travel without
 their 'tej' women. These ladies make the tel in camp and carry 1t on the march.
 The fitorari-a courteous and dignified
 Abysinnian-did not join us at this meal,
 but remained seated on his couch, giving orders for our entertainment"
 Meeting an old chief Of a wild tribe on the frontier, Capt. Maud proceeded to make friends with him. "One ol the boys placed necklace around the oio mans reck. The attention called from him the most sincere thanks to which he gave expression by blowing 1ine spray from his mouth on those around him. The circle quickly enlarged itselr. Our old friend then made signals to the island snd soon a raft was crossing the
 strip of water toward us. met the crew
 as they landed, and, after splitting on hunch of grass, I solemnly presented It
 to them. They took it quite as a matter
 If course and returned the compliment
 I then signified that I must be going and he was evidently much relieved. It was only after exerting his authority to the full that he got man to paddle me to tbe mainland. As we parted he gave me his best wishes in spray of tobacco juice from his mouth (my tobacco). I was so anxious that his last impressions should be good that I took 1t without flinching."
 As to the difficulty in getting informa- ton from the natives Capt. Maud says q remember once telling Soman, Fara. who acted as my interpreter in Mohamec Hassan's absence, to ask a boran some simple question about the route. After | ten minute conversation he seemed to be coming to an understanding with the | Boran, so I asked what the man had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

egates will be seated from the states, besides those from the territories.
 It is unreasonable to think that any aspirant can muster at the outset two thirds of the convention, for no as- pirant will have $50 instructed votes. No aspirant will have at the outset that number Of votes, instructed or uninstrueted. The trend is towards uninstructed delegations, and the del- egates will go to the convention large ly untagged full half of it will con sist of uninstructed delegates. The contingencies that may arise in a convention made up in that way, act ing under the two-thirds rule, cannot be foreseen, but Alabama's delegates have been left free to judge the situa- ton at St. Louis as it appears from hour to hour.
 Two things are evident: No one will be able to gain a two-thirds vote at the outset, and MT. Hearst, who is an impossibility, will not be able to dictate to the convention Beyond those two things all is hazard and conjecture, to be settled in the con vention by mutual counsel and sug- gestion. Fortunately for us all, Ala bama did not add to the fixed and in structed vote, and her delegation will be free-to act in the formative stages of the conventions work They will not be compelled to act as things seemed to be in May in Montgomery, but are left free to act as they may appear in July il4 ST. Louis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Anecdote of Richard Strauss.
IIarper's Weekly

From HarperS weekly.
 An amusing story is told of Richard Strausss cary experience as a conductor fin Germany. Strauss's favorite Wagner opera was Tristan und Isolde" the score of which he knew intimately; but with the other Wagner works he was not so familiar although he had already gained a considerable reputation in Germany as star" conductor. On certain occa- sion he was called on unexpectedly to di- rect a performance of "Dle Meister- singer" which he did with much appar- ent self possession. Another eminent con- ductor who was in the audience noticed that in certain passage in the third act the bass tuba. to which was allotted a very important phrase, aid not make any effect with it at all. After the perfor- nance the visiting conductor. wondering if the orchestral player had been at fault, mentioned the circumstance to Strauss. The future composer of the Symphonic Domestica" looked embarrassed.
 Why" he said. ''to tell you the truth. was so absorbed in bringing out the broader effects that I didn't notice that tuba part"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Travel in Railways.

"Boys and girls from the different col leges in the state are familiar figures on the streets of Birmingham just now" said a drummer last night. With their bag gage, their musical instruments and boxes of flowers they make an interesting sight and call up tender memories to the man of the world who has almost forgotten his green academic days Many of the girls are returning to their homes from the Judson at Marion and great many others are going down to Tuscaloosa to take part in the commencement festivi- ties which have already begun. Judging from their happy faces and frequent laughter they seem to be having the time of their lives and no doubt they are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Not Tw0-Thirds at the Outset.

Thus far $50 delegates to the St. Louis convention have been selected. About one-half q the convention has been selected, and out of the $50 del egates already named only 225 are in structed, as follows: Parker, 146; Hearst, 91; Olney, 32; Wall, 26.
 If the June conventions result as those before them have, Parker will secure about oU0 instructed delegates; Hearst about 15O, and the favorite sons about 100, making the total num- Der of instructed delegates about $50, or about half of the convention, which will consist of nearly one thou sand delegates. To be exact, 952 del
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
About Persons.

Perkins Ellis of Uniontown is at the Hillman.
 w. Packard of Johns is stopping at the St. Nicholas.
 R. w. Young of Huntsville is at the Morris. i,
 IT P. Mitchell of Pell City is stopping at the Colonial
 Jacob Fox of Mobile is registered at the Hillman.
 Mayor Gunter of Columbus was in the city yesterday to consult Mayor Dren- non in regard to the water works con- tract in Birmingham. Mayor Gunter was recently nominated for second term by the democrats of Columbus. While in the o,tv he was the guest of Alderman J. R. Copeland
 T T. Hicks of Anniston is stopping at at the St. Nicholas.
 q E. Weldon of Anniston is at the Hillman.
 E Graham of Denver is at the Colo nial.
 prorest Adair the well known real es- tate man of Atlanta, is at the Morris. It ,s nrobable that MT. Adair will establish =, office in this city in the near future. Craig Cofield of Atlanta is at the Hill-  man. w W. Taylor of Americus. Ga, is 1 a.onning at the Colonial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
GEN. FUNSTON AND THE BAG BAG

From the Washington Post.
 It is q never ceasing source of wonder to the Post to observe how people are affected differently by the same facts Tn an editorial yesterday this paper in- tended to direct the admirng attention of the public to Gen. Funston in all the charms of his modest heroism, but within a few hours of the appearance of the heartfelt euoligium the Post received the following protest from one ol its readers, who seems to regard the incident from an entirely different point of view; and in this, as in other matters of history, as well as of every day life, it is the point of view that seems to be determinative: Two privates swan the Rio Grande.
 line across they bore
 And tied it tc a waiting raft
 And ferried Funston OCT.
 Twas not the wide and surging flood
 That Freddy Funston swan,
 But just the little Bag Bag,
 That's scarcely worth a dam.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 The way to solve the financial problem of how to keep money In circulation is for everybody to get married.
 After girl gets engaged she acts like a man who has just bought a dog sup posed to be able to lick anything in his class.
 A girl has an ieda a man is crazy over her if he wears boutonniere that matches some of her ribbons she is wear ing where nobody can see them.
 What convinces a woman that she is an economical housekeeper is the way she can save on the furnace coal bills in sum- mer and the ice bills In winter
 It is very foolish for man to be mar ried unless he is going to remember to say every once in so often how much better his health has been since he has always had meals he could enjoy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
THE JOKE THE POPE LIKES.

From the Argonaut
 Mgr Farley, who has been visiting the Vatican, finds that Pope Plus has a keen sense of humor, and reports that he greatly enjoyed the following story: It was one of Con. Cregan's father, who on his dsathbed, was making his will, and, in order that he might have strength to do so, was plentifully supplied with punch by Con and group of neighbors.
 Toward the close the dying man cried to his som
 "Ah. Con, Coni Just touch my lips once more with the jug. Wisht, my son, you watered the drink"
 NO, indeed; father dear" while low ruurmur of pity choroused through the cabin; ''but it's the taste that's lavin' x.aft
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
TALE OF A BEE.

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat. Once man who lived up in an attic Grew sour and old phleghmatic;
 He sat in the clover
 To think 1t all over, Thinking maybe it would make him estatic
 But he sat on a bee
 Oh. gee; Hully gee!-- The bee simply went democratic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

From the Philadelphia Press.
 Miss Pechs-What are you turning the gas down for?
 Jack Nervy-Tm going to kiss you. Miss Pechs-rd just like to see you. Jack Nervy-Oh, would you? Then I'll just leave the gas up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

said. My interpreter implored me not to interrupt, as he was just getting to the point. Nearly another ten minutes elaps- ed before my. patience broke down and I demanded what he had elicited He says that he is a very poor man man and has only two cows was his reply
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
..Ass CHECKS DISAPPEARING.

The old brass baggage checks that xve long been in use on the railroads of .h,s country are gradually being discard
 ed, and pasteboard checks used in their place. says an exchange. This has given ,,se to the report that the change is be- ,rr made mainly for sanitary reasons. It
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
Sorry He Spoke.
From the Chicago News.

From the Chicago News.
 The young man in the extraordinary waistcoat was fond of making up jokes. Did you ever hear the story of my pocketbook?" he giggled. soon after he had seated himself on the sofa.
 ''No," retorted the beautiful girl, land don't care to-"
 Why. don't you think it's a good story?"
 NO; there's nothing in it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The New Decatur Sentinel has caesed to keep watch over the Deca- turs, and it is presumed that the effort to establish daily paper in New De- catur has been abandoned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28
ANYTHING TO START HIM.

From the Chicago News.
 He d1:3o p. m.)-rm not going until you admit that you love me.
 She-why in the world didn't you tell me that two hours ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

TheHague palace of peace is not being pushed to completion by any demands of business coming before the court itself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The north pole may some day de- Yelop into health resort, but it will be some time before it gets hotel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Lowden's Pullman car is not so mighty in politics as it is in society, and the cause of it's vice-president is declining.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

There may be in the future church trust, but there never can be religion trust. for is not salvation free? Trusts are formed for profit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Speaker Cannon is endeavoring to build up his gavel arm against the next session of the Illinois republican convention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The czar seems inclined to keep Alexieff where he can witness the war he was instrumental in bringing on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Wall street cannot understand why the public has ceased to come in and lay it's money on the counter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The college graduate will soon be turned loose, ready to dispose of his stock of knowledge at ten cents on the dollar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Port Arthur begins to wish the Japanese convention which is sitting all round it would finish it's business and go home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The battles on the Yalu were mere picket-line skirmlshes in comparison to some of the battles of the civil war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Every delegate to the Illinois repub- lican convention will go armed next week with a roll of clean collars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Kuropatldn says no Japanese sol dier will return home alive. He cer- tainly has faith in himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The Montgomery Times is being constantly improved and is already a first-class newspaper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The pianos that are to be burned at Atlantic City deserve a better fate. They were guiltless of "Bedelia.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

If Rockefeller is buying control of the steel trust he will need all the loose change in his vest pocket.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

The democrats of Alabama believe in getting together.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

A dark horse may yet be hitched to the democratic bandwagon. The times are propitious.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

A famine in frog legs impends in our midst
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

Judge Parker may be thinking when he is not talking.