davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31

the doctor made out the menu and gave 1t to the head cook or purveyor. who obtained the articles mentioned in 1t. The Romans seasoned their meats with rue, parsley seed, cumin, marshmellows and nettles and distributed freely throughout their meals pepper, honey, salt, vinegar, raisins, mustard, oil rue mastic and car damoms. Vegetables were prepared w1tf hitter to make them look green, pract- ice not entirely unknown in modern times. The following Is one of the singu- lar recipes that have come down through the dark ages: "Bruise in a mortar pars- ley seed, dried pennyroyal, dried mint, ginger, coriander. stoned raisins, with honey, vinegar, oil and wine. Put in a stewpan with three crust of bread the flesh of bullet, vestine cheese, pine ker- nels, small onions, minced fine, and cu- cumbers. Pour soup over the mixture and serve In a stewpan garnished with snow" It Is presumed that the ingred- ients required in 1t had been previously cooked.
 The quantities of food served were something astonishing. Julius Caesar, when he gave his triumphal feast, had three tons of lampreys served at his ta- ble, and when Hortensius passed away to a world where gormandizing is un- known he left behind as being incon- venient to take along with him 10000 pipes of those strong wines, seasoned with asa fetida and other abomnations, a single glass of which would drive a modern wine drinker crazy.
 Among the Roman emporers noted for the indulgence of their appetites were Vitellius, Commodus, Didius. Julianus and Heliogabalus, the last of whom made sausages of shrimps. crabs, oysters and Holsters that might have been excellent if the seasoning was simple and appro- priate.
 The shellfsh thus served might have resembled a salid of the same materials as 1t appears on modern tables if certain ingredients were omitted. During this period of luxury wealthy citizen had a supper made of tongues of birds that could speak, which seems impossible when we consider the scale on which meals were then served and the compara- tive scarcely Of the feathered species in question.
 These extravagances in eating and drinking continued in milder form for some hundreds of years, while the em- pire was steadily declining, or until the Goths and vandals overran Europe and taught the effeminate Romans that the best sauce to meat was a good appetite engendered by the fatigue of long march, es rough living and an occasional period of fasting thrown in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
James ]. Hill on Waterways.

James J. Hill says he could run road parallel to New York's proposed 1000-ton barge canal, and make a rate that would tie up every canal boat to the banks. Possibly he could so far as grain and merchandise in general are concerned, but he could not do it if coal, coke, iron, steel or iron ore were the articles of freight. At any rate no one else is able to tie up barges carry ing such articles. No railroad is tying up barges on the Monongahela or Kan. awha rivers, where there is but six foot draught. Nor are the railroads able to tie up barges along the Ohio and Mississippi Nor are they able to carry ore from Lake Superior to points along Lake Erie. Coal and iron are distributed by barges from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and there are no signs that the railroads can tie up any of ehoSC bdi 5So, oltHOu5u tuc IlNSio dIC closed in the winter by ice, and in the summer by low water. They are open in high-water periods only and yet coal is carried on them all the way to New Orleans by millions of bushels. Nine million tons of coal are f1oated each year down the Monongahela, and the tonnage of the Kanawha is great and is annually becoming greater.
 MT. Hill is wholly mistaken when he says a canal must have fifteen foot draught in order to carry coal, coke, iron or steel. Bulky and heavy articles call for cheap transportation. and the railroa-. cannot quite meet the demand, because the cost of trans portation on the land is necessarily expensive. There are no rails to be replaced in the rivers, no locomotives to be repaired daily, no cows to be run over. The Monongahela, the Kanawha and the Kentucky each and all are ob- ject lessons that refute MT. Hills statements as to the uselessness of canals having less than fifteen-foot draught.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
ASYLUM IS UNIONIZED,

Washington Special to New York World.
 A well dresed man came into the office Of Acting Postmaster General Wynne.
 You are an old newspaper man, are you not?'' he asked of General Wynne.
 Yes said Wynne
 'Well' said the man, ''so am l. It so happens that I am confined at St. Elizabeth's Insane Asylum just at pres ent, and I suppose I am crazy or I nose for news. and I know a good story when I see it. I don't know any of the correspondents now, and I come to you because I think this story should be printed"
 What is it?" asked wynee putting his thumb on the call button that sum mons on the messengers in the place.
 Why" said the visitor, I've have formed union out at St. Ellzabeth's- the Amalgamated Association of Pa- tients-and there's going to be some- thing doing. We are formulating a lot of demands as to nurses and guards and food and all that, and If the governors don't accede to our demands we are going to strike sure as fate. If they don't grant us what we want we'll strike, and every man in the place will walk out and leave them without any patients. I'm the walking delegate"
 And just there Wynne pressed the but ion. and the walking delegate was led outside.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

ern people are too lazy to worry or work themselves into mental breakdown, but of course that is no argument at all for lack of occupation results in mental dete- rioration quite as much as overwork.
 The latest invention of an ingenious age is device by which it is promised that households in all parts of the United States will be supplied with the worlds best music at commercial rates, just like we now get water and lights. The music will be sent over electric wires and will comprise classical selections. siumber songs, and every variety of tune 1t would be possible to compose or to hear. The invention will produce every primary vi- bration known to the human ear. It will be possible to give orchestral effects for theatres or public halls and soft lullabys to lull the restless man to slumber. All that will be necessary will be to make the connection with electric wires and turn on the current. when a flood of melody will be poured out from headquarters. The promoters of this scheme state that 1t will be possible to send music across the continent as easily as about town and when they start up business revolu ton will be worked in the world of music, such as has never been dreamed of be- fore. Leading capitalists of Baltimore are now incorporating the Cahill Telehar- monic company. which will furnish music to all the world by wire.
 The St. Louis Globe-Democrat makes vigorous protest against the tendency of the modern short story found in maga- zines Such productions are characterized as ''slush' that bear all the earmarks of being "typewritery," being the product of an exhorbitant demand on the part of the public for something to read without se- rious mental complications. The short story of today has become breathless, atch-as-catch- affair, in which every thing is sacrificed to movement and plot and there is no more description than Is to be found in cook book. The result Is that good writers are becoming careless so careless that their work is hard to dis tingulsh from that of the beardlesg youth who grinds out several stories week at syndicate rates. Never before in the his- tory of literature were so many short stories written and never before were they so generally unfit to read.
 Nine cent dinners have become "the thing" now since Queen Alexandra set the example. The worlds folies are al- ways interesting, whatever may be their cause or effect. If the people who take such delight in dining frugaly just for the experience had to live thus abstem- I wear off in very short order. This nine cent meal fad reminds one of the time when if the Prince of Wales, now King Edward, wore his hat certain way the intelligence was immediately flashed across the water to the chappies, who forthwith did likewise. P. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31

verdict of the district court, the senate committee on privileges and elections, of which Senator Pettus is a member, will doubtless take up the subject, and the seat will beyond doubt be vacated
 The act under which Senator Burton was convicted was passed in 1864, and yet no senator was convicted under it until a jury found Joseph Ralph Bur ton of Abilene, Kansas, guilty. His offense consists in becoming the at torney before the postoffice department for a concern that has been shut out from the mails for frauds, and accept ing for his services $500 a month. He was found guilty, the first case in forty years, and yet in that time there has not been a year in which senators have not violated both the letter and the spirit of the act of 1864 If Bur ton would make public what he knows about the department law practice of senators, he would not only create a sensation, but he would relieve him. self of much odium and serve the people.
 MT. Burton's best way out of the yer dict that has overtaken him seems to lie in resignation of the senatorship he holds. He is political outcast and while he may draw pay for year to come he needs relief from public condemnation, and this he can best secure by placing his resignation in the hands of the governor of his state. He will not at any rate attempt to per form senatorial duties. He will keep away from Washington, which never welcomes outcasts, and which would have "conniption fit" if convict sen ator should present himself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
WANTS TO KNOW WHAT CATS SAY

From the Springfield Republican.
 When Garner went on his silly iron cage expedition to Africa to learn the language of apes we observed that he might better stay at home and construct a language from that most conversation al of creatures, the domestic hen. The hen knows more, and says more In fifteen minutes than a monkey does in a week. But there is a man in a Maine town called Unity, who has elected an eremitic life with cats as his family, and he is get ting records of their utterances by means of monographs He says he has worked out their system and he goes out nights when his toms are particularly musical and talks with them, in their own lan- guage. After all, why not? What the monkeys or hens or cats say can be of no possible importance. That they un- derstand it among themselves is sure But if any human being wants to amuse himself with these matters, he Is very likely doing as well as If he concerned himself with the speech of his average ellow-men-which also is of no great consequence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
ANCIENT ROMAN SEASONING.
The Gormands Took Medicine an.
 Food Together.

From the Kansas City Star.
 Of recent years several men who have indulged freely their test of high living have died as result of a too hearty meal or because some one of the dishes failed to agree with them. In this de- cidedly practical age, while the physical part of man is neglected in the mental stress of the times. at the same time, strangly enough. much attention Is be- ing given to our physical welfare. One is the result of the other. of course. A boxer undergoes a careful medical exami- nation before he enters the ring.
 In these days of luxurious feasts, where the digestion Is severely taxed as the palate is pleased, it is not unlikely that the services of physician may play a not unimportant part. This will not be an innovation, however, for the custom is older than the Christian era, but 1t Is un- likely that like the Romans, we will either mix medicines with the food. so that they may serve at the same time as a seasoning and a remedy.
 In the preparation of Roman feast
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Small FIasks Unknown.
m the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 A young attorney who Lad been admit ted to the bar in Ohio, removed to Lex ington, Ky. and, after the necessary for malities was granted permission to prac. tice before the court of Kentucky.
 In his first case before jury of twelve Kentuckians, tried and true, he had oc- casion to demonstrate a point.
 Now will somebody kindly loan me a small flask of whisky?"
 No attention was paid to the request.
 twill somebody kindly allow me the use of a small flask of whisky?" repeat ed the attorney.
 The eighty spectators in the courtroom remained at inattention, as before.
 The attorney for the defense raised on his heels and asked In loud voice: twill somebody please allow me to use a small flask of whisky for moment?' As before there was not a response.
 In discontinue. the attorney once again appealed in nasty words:
 Immediately eighty hands dove into eighty rear pockefs and eighty flasks of whisky, all holding a full quart of Bour- bon, were rendered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Easter Flowers In Demand.

There Is a heavy demand for Easter flowers just now" said a florist yester- day "A great many calls are received for lilies but carnations, brides roses, American beauties, and many potted plants are equally popular. From pres ent indications the supply will not be equal to the demand and other towns will be called upon to furnish Birmingham with Easter flowers. Although a great many flowers are grown here 1t will be necessary to call on the New Orleans market for assistance. In the meantime local florists are doing a rushing busi- ness. The demand for flowers this year is unusually heavy and l predict that some of the Birmingham churches will present a beautiful appearance on Easter Sunday"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Radical and Reckless.

The Conner campaign against the railroads is based upon the supposed demagogic belief that the people of Alabama stand ready to hit capitalists and investors upon all occasions and under any circumstances. Such cam paign sadly underrates the intelligence of the people of Alabama. The farm. CTS of Alabama know that farm lands are advancing, but the older farmers of this state know that farm lands have not yet reached ane-bellum fig ures They are going up, but they must still regain considerable margin before the prices of 1860 are again equalled If they assail the railroads, thereby driving away new investments and crippling old investments, the ur. ward tendency Tn the price of farm lands will be checked, if not altogether stopped. The leading railroads in this state are systematically engaged in bringing in immigrants, both native and foreign-born. and the men who own farm lands cannot afford to sup port and vote for the Conner iconoclas. tic program, which declares that rail- road rates should be cut down forty per cent. If this were done, ali rail- roads In this state would be bank rupted unless indeed they put their service on a poverty basis. Either way the prosperity of the state would be checked, and farr land would begin to go down, ,natead of up. in value. They would soon become unsaleable at any price.
 What is true of the farmers is true of the merchants and other property holders of this state. Whatever affects and iniures the farmers reaches at length every property interest in this state. The Conner plan would also in- crease taxation because it would in crease taxable values. Fortunately for us all, the farmers and merchants of this state will not invite by their votes scheme that will lessen the value of their property and increase their tax bills, and MT. Conner will yet discover that Abraham Lincolns shrewd ob- servation still holds good-"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time" MT. Conner will ascertain on April Il that the property holders of Alabama are men who cannot be fooled into a scheme that will injure themselves, their neighbors and their state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Fears make devils of cherubims.
 -Trollus and Cressida.
Winninn Ball This Year.

Even the most inveterate grumbler ball management has spared no effort and no money to put in the field pen nant winners. It has even drawn upon the National league, and the chronic grumbler cannot name any higher source to draw upon.
 The team that is to represent Bir- mingham this year Is now complete, and that is not all-it is to be coached into the highest possible condition. The big New York team which spent two weeks here put into operation methods of coaching and development that were not lost upon the home team. The eyes of the home folks were wide open, and The Age-Herald warns croakers to be cautious when they speak of the Birmingham team. If they are not, they will certainly not be able to say at he end of the season, .I told you so."
 All the teams ll the Southern league have been well organized and all ex- pc to go into the first division and stay there, but manifestly four of the eight teams are mistaken in that re- spect No one will be apt to assign the Birmingham team to the second division, however No one who has seen Pitcher Minnehan at work classes him as a selling platter. There are other players in the team who will stand close -o to him when the season Is ended.
 But this is no. the time for boast ing, when our athletes are putting on their armor. All the teams in the Southern league are full of promise, and season of outdoor sport of un- excelled excellence may justly be an ticipated-a season of well-matched teams, earnest strife, and clean ball.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
THE EVENING STAR.

By Longfellow. Lo. in the painted oriel of the West, Whose panes the sunken sun incarna-
 dines Like q fair lady at her sasement, shines The evening star, the star of love and
 rest! And then anon she doth herself divest Of all her radiant garments, and re-
 cllnes
 Behind the somber screen of wonder
 pines,
 With slumber and soft dreams of lovs
 oppressed. o, my beloved, my sweet Hesperus. My morning and my evening star of
 love!
 My best and gentlest lady! even thus, As that fair planet in the sky above, Dost thou retire unto thy rest at night, And from thy darkened window fadea
 the light
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Actors Clash Wits.

Dustin Farnum, who plays the Virginiau in the successful drama of that name, sprung this on his manager, Kirke La Shelle, the other day:
 If the Earl of Pawtucket had been running twice as long as The Virginian' on Ash Wednesday. and The Bonnie Brier Bush was three years old when the first production of Checkers was made in New York, what were the com bined ages of Tommy Ross, Lawrence D'Orsay and your humble servant on the day that J. H. Stoddart celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday"
 Kirke La Shele thought for a moment, and then responded, severely:
 .I don't know how old the other boys were, Dustin, but judging from your fool question, I should think you are not more than seven today"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31

l 6 HERE is money in certain kinds of \0 literature. George Ade who was
 employed at a small salary on a country newspaper barely more than ten years ago, is now completing a $2O,00O mansion on his extensive country estate. Moreover he has made enough money to rest from his labor of writing slang and has permitted himself the luxury of dab bling In the drama and in literature. So far as playwriting is concerned, the hu- morist could hardly term that a luxury, his Sultan of Sulu," and his last suc- cessful play. "The County Chairman which will soon be presented In Birming- ham. If his present run of good luck con tinues Mr. Ade will never have to resort to slang again as a means of 1iquidating board bills.
 The railroads to St. Louis have already begun war for passenger traffic dur ing the exposition and from present indi- cations the fight will be interesting The most prominent contestants for eastern business will be the Erie. the Big Four.
 
 Is predicted that some magnificent flyers will shortly be started which will clip several hours from the run from New York to St. Louis. Heretofore the fast time has been made from New York to Chicago, following the introduction of fast trains to the Worlds fair, but now St. Louis will also have a close schedule, It is understood that the Lake Shore will put on two trains which will make the run from New York to St. Louis In twen- ty-six hours. The fastest train now run ming between the two points is No. 26 on the Pennsylvania railroad, which makes the trip in thirty and one-half hours. The public will make no complaint over a rate war among the railroads for 1t will make the tickets cost less and will improve the service immensely Therefore the coming battle for business will be welcomed by prospective visitors to the fair.
 Dr. William White, superintendent of the government hospital for the insane, has just made crazy map of the United States which reveals some interesting facts It is discovered that New England IS lne cehler ol lhsdnlly anu lHere are more crazy people there than in any other part of the country. In New England one person in every 359 Is of unsound mind New York and Pennsylvania come next In the list with one crazy person in every "A. Maryland has one in 610, and the same ratio applies to Michigan, Indi- ana, Illinois, Ohio Kentucky, Tennessee and several other states The far west . sern states make a better showing and 1t is comforting to know that the south has the highest average of saneness. When we are so accustomed to paying deference to the superior learning of New England, and especially Boston, it is somewhat sur prisng to learn that we have less insan- ty here than people in that part of the country It may be answered that south
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
A Convict Senator.

It is conceded that the senate will
 not consider Senator Burton's case until the circuit court of appeals has heard and decided his appeal, and this will not take place until next winter. Thus we will have convict senator on our hands throughout the present year and possibly longer. If the cir cult court of appeals should affirm the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
NEcRoEs OVERCOMING WHITES

From Philadelphia Inquirer.
 That the negroes of New Jersey are
 outreaching the whites in growth of pop ulation will be shown in a report soon to be issued by Winton C. Garrison. chief of the state bureau of labor and statis- tics. The report will show that during the past decade the increase of negro
 population has been 466 per cent. and
 that of the whites 29s per cent. The to-
 tai negro population of the state Is now estimated at more than 10000. The in crease of New Jersey negroes during the past twenty years was 35 per cent |. the greatest growth being shown in Att lantic county, GA per cent, and the low est ih Somerset. per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
About Persons.

John R. Tyson of Montgomery is at the Morris.
 R. H. Cobb, a prominent citizen of An niston, Is registered at the Morris.
 E. s. Loeb of Montgomery Is among those stopping at the Morris hotel
 M. Newburge of Jasper Is stopping at the Morris hotel.
 G. G. Britton of Anniston is registered at the St. Nicholas hotel.
 Carl White, prominent citizen of Chat tanooga, is among those stopping at the St. Nicholas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
SOME KIND REMARKS.

From the Bullock County Breeze.
 The Birmingham ge-Heraids baseball reporter injects a lot of witty sarcasm the Age-Herald's general makeup and appearance is the finest in the south The artist in charge of that feature knows what is news and how to make it attractive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-31
Stricken Erom Reserve Llst.

Cincinnati March 3O.-In decision handed down today the National baseball commission orders that the name of play CT William Evans be stricken from the list of reserve players of the New Orleans club. Evans claimed that when he signed contract with New Orleans. the reserve clause was stricken from 1t, and that he signed for the season of 1903 only.