davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
smathsn Pet Crab.

did I ever tell you about smathers'
trained crab?" asked the man with a
red eye No one answered and he began
his story with his eyes fixed reflective
ly on spittoon in the northeast corner
Of the bar room. We'll back IN the
eighties I had a friend named smathers
who lived along the Jersey coast I say
long because he never stayed in one
place very long at a time and was con-
tlnually moving about. In the summer
time Smathers spent much of his time
in the water. He was fine swimmer and
as he did not have to make a living he
could devote nearly all his waking hours
to Aquatic sports.
One day Smathers was padding about
in little cove and enjoying himself
hugely when a crab caught hold of his
toe. l don't think the crustacean really
meant any harm but when Smathers be-
gan to swear and thrash around in the
water 1t scared the crab most to death
and he held ON for dear life. smathers
made a bee line for the shore. When
he got close enough in to wade he raised
his foot and began to shake the crab
around in an effort to make him release
his big toe, but there was nothing doing
and 1t was only when Smathers got on
terra frma and gave a terrific kick that
he succeeded in dislodging his tormentor.
The crab sailed far out across the
sand. Smathers picked up a stick and
chased after the thing determined to
take vengeance by beating 1t to death,
but whom ha a 10 ba
poor little crab 1t raised one fiipper In
such pitiful way that smathers, nerve
deserted him and he dropped his stick.
We'll, to make a long story short,
Smathers adopted the crab and they soon
became great friends AS Smathers spent
much of his time In the water he was
able to enjoy the company of his new
found friend without serious discomfort
to either. The crab always stayed around
the cove on the watch for Smathers and
when he got into the water the crab
playfully on one leg.
After awhile they got so chummy that
the people began to talk about them and
Smathers used to exhibit his crab to the
public when he was out swimming. Their
friendship continued undated for about
two months and was then terminated very
abruptly. Smathers and his pet were
padding around In shallow water one
day when sea serpent appeared in the
offing. The crab Immediately scuttled
for the bottom and was never seen again.
1t is supposed that he was scared to
death"
What became of Smathers@' asked the
man with a sad face.
"Oh, he got a job as mosquito inspector
in New Jersey, but understand that they
fired him few days ago."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
Ho FOR THE SOAP TREEl

From the New York World
Soap ought to be cheap If the enter
prise of getting soap out Of the soap
tree" that grows In Algeria proves sue
cess
This plant, known as the sapindus
utilus, has long been known in Japan,
China and India. 1t bears fruit of
about the size of a horse-chestnut,
smooth and round. The color varies from
a yellowish green to brown. The inner
part is dark and has an oily kernel.
The tree bears fruit in its sixth year
and yields from IS to 200 pounds of
fruit BY using water or alcohol the
soapy ingredient is extracted. The cost
OF production is said to be small, and the
soap, on account of possessing no alkaline
qualities, is claimed to be superior to the
ordinary soap of commerce. Frank w.
Mahin our consul in Nottingham. Eng
land, says that company has been
formed to exploit 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

From the New York Commercial.
Once more is the notion Of a railway
tunnel between England and France dis
cussed This is one of the results of the
entente cordlale"-which, by the way
is the title of new periodical published
in both languages and in the two conn-
tries for the purpose of furthering the
good feeling that exists.
1t is in the first number Of this publi-
cation that the tunnel scheme to unite
England and France is once more re-
vived The French Chamber of Com
merce is taking the matter up in Paris
and London.
The objections to the scheme have
come mainly from England In France
there appears to be a very strong body
Of opinion in favor of a railway under
the sea between Calais and Dover. Most
people have probably forgotten that the
tunnel was actually commenced in both
countries some years ago About mile
on each side was constructed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Fruit Growing In Alabama.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
I must take slight exception to your
editorial in the Weekly Age-Hera1d of
June in regard to fruit for market in
Alabama. It Is true Alabama is very
much behind Georgia in this respect. but
there are sections of this state that are
fast coming up as producers of fine
peaches and plums and / believe Ala
bama this season will ship more than 100
cars. and I venture the assertion that
central Alabama fruit will outsell Geor-
gia's products In. any market on account
Of the high color and better flavor.
Thorsby, right here close to Birming
ham, has already shipped 500 crates,
which is a good car load and we have
three or four car loads in sight for next
week. These are only the supplementary
paintings. The main crop will come last
Of June and in July and will run the
crop ur to a good proportion of the 100
cars you say -Iabama will not ship.
Our crop is estimated by some at fifty
cars, but I think a conservative estimate
nearer twenty-five cars $4,000 to 100000
trees being planted here every winter
will soon be producing hundreds of car
loads of this grand fruit and while we
do not expect to equal Georgia in guam
titles we do propose to excel them in
quality.
will be glad to have you come down
and drive with me among some of these
orchards with view of telling the peo-
pie through your paper what.we are doing
in central Alabama towards promoting
fruit growing. Yours very truly,
P. c. SMITH.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

a captive in the hands of Moroccan ban
dts, is Charlestonian. and his mother
was a South Carolina woman. Mr. Greg
DRY Perdicaris, father of Ion, was a ma
tive of Greece, who went to Charleston
something more than half century ago
and built there the city's first gas works.
Apart of his fortune, it seems, was made
there in the gas business. Gregory Per-
dicaris, 1t appears, married Miss Marga-
ret Hanford, of Society Hill, S. C., whose
father Enoch Hanford, was a professor
in the South Carolina college. The mother
of Mrs. Margaret Hanford Perdicaris was
Margaret Dewitt. daughter of Capt. De-
Witt of Marions brigade One of her
sisters married Judge J. ]. Evans, after
wards United States senator. This seems
to be sufficient to identify the American
gentleman with the Greek name as COM
ing of good South Carolina stock.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
"GABE" CASE THE LAST
OF OLD-TIME BONIFACES

The road driver of the palmy days Of
"Gabe" Cases has passed There are
plenty of speedway drives, and more
fine horsefesh Is owned in the city now
than in those days; but the big men" of
the town do not drive so much as they
used to do. And with their departure
Cases death closes the account and the
story.
To the general public Case was known
best because of the magnum of cham
payne which for nearly thirty years he
presented to the first driver who reached
his road house on runners. The prize
dates from his old Jerome avenue place.
but he continued it at the McGown's
Pass tavern, and other road house keep
ers have initiated him in giving 1t.
1t was to Case, too, that the breaking
down of the belief that no one could eat
a quail day for thirty days was due.
He upheld the belief on wager and lost.
much to his own surprise and that Of the
public After this belief had been shat
tered, Carnegie hero ate two quails a
day for the same period, and by so doing
disposed forever of many theories about
the non-edibility of the little bird that
toast and bacon go with "Gabe" re-
fused further wagers on the matter. and
the quail has resumed his proper place
in the menu.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
BIG FRUIT CROP.
More Peaches Are Promised Than
Ever Before.

Waverly, June Especial -Never in
the history of the south has there been
such a crop of peaches as the present
year. 1t is a rare thing that there is a
full crop in all sections. They will be both
plentiful and cheap this summer, so the
people should eat, can and preserve all
they want for the future, as it is not
probable that there viii be such an
other crop soon. as trees rarely bear two
full crops in succession.
A tree loaded with fruit does not take
on fruit buds for another year, like one
that is not, as the fruit saps the vi
tally of the tree so much that in some
instances as to even cause the death of 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
MONEY IN TAM o'sHANTERs.

From the New York World.
The increased popularity Of the knitted
tam o'shanter hats with the fair sex this
season has brought about an extensive
demand that is taxing the productive ca
pacity of English manufacturers to the
full
Dyers, too, are benefiting by the taste
for vivid colors In this piquant head
gear. The revived popularity has led
Nottingham hosiery makers to put in ex-
ira machinery for its production. Here
tofore they have given 1t little attention,
though it is said to be a very profitable
product.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
p. w. Keith Dies.

Scottsboro, June 7.-(Special)-P. w.
Keith one of the most prominent citi-
zens in the county, died suddenly this
morning at $3.50 O'clock of heart failure,
age about As years. Mr.. Keith was at
one time the largest merchant and plant
er in the county, but owing to bad health
had retired from business. He leaves
three children, Mrs. George Smith of
Sparta, Tenn, Miss Virgie Keith and
Master Cecil Keith of Scottsboro.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
Girls should remember that an ugly
husband makes faithful one.
When a girl has wavy, crinkly hair it
is sign a lot of other girls hate her.
1t is remarkable what good cigars a
man could smoke, instead of an old pipe,
If his sons would smoke poor ones.
A woman gets a good deal of enjoyment
out of all the time she has when she is
sick abed to plan what she will do in the
shops when she gets up.
If 1t takes a woman forty-two minutes
to buy spool of cotton thread at bar
gain counter, how many seconds would
1t take her to build suspension bridge
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

they do say SO, after clear under
standing of tho situation, it is not set
tied. It is an Issue that should be pre-
scented on every stump in the coming
campaign, and the opinion Of Justice
Harlan should be in the hands OF every
speaker and newspaper man.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
A Prudent Younaster.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
"And you say the teacher whipped you
cruelly?"
Yes, dad"
SHOW me the marks"
II can't, dad There amt no marks
mo marks?''
''No. dad. You see I was dressed fog
n
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
Not the Real Thing.

From the Chicago News.
Criticus-Judging from this picture,
should say your friend De Auber was
something of an idealist.
Brushleigh-weli. he certainly isn't q
realist--at least he doesn't realize much
from the sale of his work.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Judge Parker's two greatest hobbies
in his boyhood were arguing and the
circus. Neither will hurt his chances
for the presidency. The boy who will
not go to a circus does not deserve to
be President, and the chances are that
he never will,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Now that it is possible for the aver
age man to own Panama hat without
going into bankruptcy a great many
people will begin to count the days
before they will be able to buy an
automobile.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The Atlanta Journal states modestly
that it covers Georgia like the dew. No
doubt the Constitution will claim that
1t comes along in the morning Ike the
sun and dissipates the dew.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The college graduate is now serving
his term as e victim of the pert para
grapher, but he will survive the ordeal
and come out of 1t tougher and more
valuable citizen
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The latest tickets in the presidential
fold are Roosevelt and Cannon"
Parker and Folk, and Mcclellan and
Black" Henry Matterson endorses
the last-named.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

President Taylor Of Vassar college
says that illiteracy Is increasing in the
north. 1t is refreshing to learn that
there is ignorance elsewhere than in
the south.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

er ana now al evangelist says that his
heart IL stili IN the game and he Is con-
WINGED that 1t Is the eleanest OF all sports.
AT this season the remarks OF Mr.. Sun
day are timely While opinions differ as
to the "eieanuess'' OF professional base
ball the fans are as unit In agreeing
that It Is a great game IRON strike one
Of the ffst inning to the third out in
the last half OF the ninth. It IL refreshing
to note that Mr.. Sundays conversion TO
Christianity has not interfered with his
enthusiastic admiration for baseball.
What IL known as "puller-in" along
the Bowery was arrested the other day
for assaulting a negro sailor who refused
to buy. While the 'puller-inp Is a char
acter well known in the cheap shop dis
tricts Of all cities 1t is seldom that he re-
sorts to such strenuous measures as a
personal assault on a refractory custom
err. 1t Is probable that the gentleman in
this case was New Jersey agriculturist
lately come to town, for It is safe to
say that Hebrew merchant would not
resort to such violence. He is too diplo-
matte.
The historic liberty bell has arrived at
Schlitzville. more widely known as Mil
waukee, a town that was made famous
some tine after the liberty bell became
popular. Despite tie fact that every 9TH
er citizn In Milwaukee spells his name In
a way that few Americans can understand
the relic of American Independence will
no doubt receive a cordial welcome IN
that town. New that the bell has started
out on it's official junket discussions of
the propriety of such move are out OF
order.
Another hero of the Merrimac is dead
Were it not for the fact that the papers
kindly tell us what George Phillips did
in life we would not recall that he was
any more to be admired than other
specimens Of commonplace humanity.
In fact the humble hero is soon forgot
ten and while Alabama is proud to do
honor to Hobson. who is called the Hero
of the Merrimac," the fact should not be
forgotten that he was assisted by other
heroes who deserve to be remembered
Captain Hobson has himself endeayored
to impress this obligation on the people
of the country.
Now that Senator Quay Is dead his
town is trying to take a mean advantage
of his absence to demand licensed liquor
houses. During Quay's life time Beaver
Pa, dared not ask for drink, but now
the towns thirst. whetted by long alb
stinence. is very great and an effort will
be made to have local option abolished
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

An army of college students have
failed to avail themselves of the teach
ingssoffered by Uncle Russell Sage in
regard to the evils of vacation.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

All talk to the contrary notwith-
standing, it will be noisy Fourth of
July and there will probably be base
ball game.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Captain Hopson and Admiral Togo
disagree as 70 the best naval policy at
Port Arthur, but the latter is Johnny
on-the-Spot.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

A French judge has decided that it
is not improper 10 swear at the hello
girl. He did not commit himself as to
the danger of such a practice.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

H. r. Maxwell of Chicago is IN the
city.
Charles A. Stern of Montgomery Is at
the Hiuman.
c. C. Conway of Mobile is registered
at the Morris
J. c. Lazarus of Nashville is stopping
at the st. Nicholas.
Robert whealy of Cincinnati is IN the
city.
J. NJ. Herren of TaHassee is stopping at
the Hillman.
W. T. Cox Of Gadsden is at the Colonial.
R. Galloway Of BroOkside is at the MGR
ris.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Grand Duke Boris can get along bet
ter among the chorus ladies of America
than he can among the Japs, and he
should sail this way at once.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
A Story of the War.

A group of gentlemen In the Hillman
lobby last night were relating various
incidents when one of them spoke of
penalty enforced when captured. One of
the party said: "That recalls a time when
l almost became a horse thief 1t was
in the fall of 1863 and | was a lad of IA
years. All of the men were at the front,
only the women, children and a few
faithful servants were left in the neigh
borhood. We had a severe struggle to
elIe out livelihood. Sufficient labor could
not be had to work the SOIL and 1t was
even harder to secure stock. every avail
able animal being needed in the Con-
federate cavalry. Often the scanty sup
plies we did produce were taken from us
by the Federal soldiers, who We're con-
tinuously traversng the country in small
bards.
Zone morning I padded across the Ten
nessee river in 'dugout. to a little
village just across from my mother
home l had been in the village only
short time, when a squad of four Federal
troopers rode in, tethered their horses in
the rear of a little store, and after feed
Ing them from the scant supply of corn
in the store. walked up in the town.
was very much interested in the horses
and their fancy trarpngs While watch
ing one of them, a handsome black
charger, eating his corn, it occurred to
me that might ride that horse down to
the river, swim across, get safely home
and never be apprehended. So l united
the halter. slipped on the bride that
had been hung on the pommel of the
saddle, and was in the act of mounting
when | heard man whlstling. Fearing 1t
might be one of the soldiers l concealed
behind an empty box. My fears were we'll
founded One OF the men had returned
to look after the horses He at once dis
covered a visitor had been there. and evil
IDENTIFY thought an ambuscade had been
prepared. and they were in danger Of
capture. He sounded an alarm and in
few moments his companions arrived. The
four troopers hastily mounted and left the
village at galiop.
IT was as badly frightened as the SOL
diers and Fastening down to the river,
added my dugout' to the home banks"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Sam Jones Is now i'll at his home in
Gainesville, Ca In the meantime
wicked folk will have to get along
as best they can until he RECEIVERS.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The Troy Herald will be new
weekly newspaper published at Troy
by Messrs. Brown and Baker. d. A.
Baker will be the editor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Miss Alice Roosevelt has departed
from the fair and desolation broods
over the Pike. She sent her scrap
book to the White House in advance.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Kuropatkin has to fight Alexieff be-
hind the scenes, and the Japs before
the footlights, and the task is not an
easy one.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

n HE man Is indeed serdid In whose
Wy soul there niekers ne spark OF
that divine afflRtus which il In
separable from artistic temperament.
While It Is a mistake to suppose that
every painter one sees nonehsiantly slap
ping his brush against the side of a
house or methodically stirring In turpen-
tine instead Of linseed OIL between spurts
of tobacco juice is a John Ruslkin re-
inoarnated, yet he Is an artist and be-
longs to union. In Patterson, y. j.. the
sensitive temperament Of house painters
has just been illustrated in Il forcible
manner. Seven painters Of the town of
Patterson refused to work because n GER
tain gentleman demanded that his house
be painted with yellow trimmings on a
The contractor raised mild objections but
finally yielded to the wishes of the own
er of the house, but not 30 his artistic
painters. They refused fatty to be i'm
plicated IN such barbarous melange OF
colors, and as a result the work of paint
ing the house has been delayed. While
the man who wants white house with
yellow trimmings and green blinds must
have rather peculiar ideas about eolors,
he is OF course entitled to have his own
property painted any old way, although he
viii have to get his painters from a town
where the artistic temperament Is not
so pronounced.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Judge Parker's remarks on the
weather do not quite satisfy the yearn'
ing American citizen at this season of
the year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Billy Lorimer's machine in Illinois
is badly out of joint, and he does not
know what makes republicans SO auda-
cious
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Nine Brooklyn school teachers went
on a sound excursion and got engaged.
That almost equals the Kansas record.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Mr.. Bryce, who has come out for
Theodore Roosevelt, cannot vote in
this country. He votes in England.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Prince Pu Lun asserted his royal
prerogative by calling for ham and
eggs after ice cream.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The vice-presldentia aspirants, who
Gown up" publicly, should be enrolled
in the hero list near the top.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The separation of two burlesque
comedians in New York nearly got the
upper hand of the nerves and tear sup
ply OF the big town.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Quiet is an underlined and unpro-
tected right in the streets of this city.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Governor Odell called on President
Loubet. but it is hoped he did not offer
him the governorship of New York
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

A Mr.. Durham, Philadelphia Off
cial, is to name the successor of Mr.
Quay, the people of the boss-ruled
state having lost their rights and their
grit
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Russia is not ready for either war or
peace, and she seems to be candidate
for not water only
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

President Roosevelt is appealing for
votes as the one American who does
not "chaw" or smoke.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

Russia is inclined to consider Japan
very reckless in its methods of con-
Quoting war
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The Washington baseball club Is as
persistent and successful as Sir
Thomas Upton.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-08

The toy pistol is not very live is
sue in Birmingham, but the pistol toter
is still active.