davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
Vest Pocket Ballots.

'The primary held on Monday was cer- tainly a vest-pocket election" said suc- cessful candidate last night. "A majority of the candidates for the various county and state offices had men at the polls working in their interest, and whenever a voter appeared to cast his ballot he was accosted and asked for his vote In behalf of his candidate.
 Some of the men at the polls devoted the entire day to the interest of certain candidates because of personal friendship, while others were working for a stated compensation, but neither of these classes had very much effort on the average voter.
 "A majority of the voters of this county made up their minds fully many days be- fore the primary just how they were to vote for the candidates for office, and wire pulling at the polls did but little good on election day"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
New York's Convention.

The democrats of New York will meet next Tuesday, and then we will know whether the big delegation will go to St. Louis instructed for Parker, or uninstructed altogether. MT. Hill says the delegation will go instructed; i; MT. Murphy, on the other hand, says it will go without instructions It is to be tussle between MT. Hill and the Tammany chieftain, and the result of the scrimmage can not be foreseen. and of course not foretold.
 But eve2 action by the democratic convention of New York will not de- termine all differences. It will not say, for example, who is to nave the fattest offices in Georgia, Parker Club No. l or Parker Club No. 2? Both can not well ride in the bandwagou, because a condition of war exists be- tween them. Dissension will not be welcomed in the Parker bandwagon, and as things stand neither lot should be admitted.
 But. in all seriousness, the trouble
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
Beavers in Montana.

From Country Life in America
 The beaver is not shy where he is not hunted, and acquires confidence in a friendly watcher sooner than any other animal I know. Strangers or unusual clothes on a person to whom they have become accustomed alarm them though, like dogs, they can apparently identify an acquaintance by scent.
 The beavers sense of smell Is very acute for he is able to scent a man 200 yards away, and his eyesight is also most keen but he seems to be dull of hearing when at work, and l have often walked to within few feet of one while he was cutting wood. However. their method of warning each other of danger Is by slap ping or "smothering'' the water with the long, flat tail which is so characteristic d feature of the animal, and which not only helps him in swimming, but is used for carrying mud.
 If a large animal appears at place where beavers want to work or feed the latter will often smother the water con- tnually, one after another jumping in, till the intruder Is scared away. I have had a thorough wetting at night while watch ing a pond through the splashing made by this trick.
 saw my first beavers in the Mussel- shell river, in Montana. At first they dived whenever they became aware of my presence but after about three months they paid no attention when they scented me, and in six months they would swim around or cut bushes within a~few feet of me. In fact, they repeatedly Stole my fishing poles, cut from green willows, un- til I learned to use dry ones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
OLD NEeRo's DILEMMA.

From the Washington Times.
 An old negro walked into District Com missioner Vests office yesterday morn- ing and insisted on seeing the commits sioner personally.
 What do you want?" asked MT. Will son, Mir Vests private secretary.
 Well" broke out the old darky i'm pulsvely, "dey'se been rastlin and rast- lin wid me tel at las' dey'se done flahed me off de street cleanin fo'ce."
 What do you want me to do for you ?'
 ''I want to git back on de fo'ce. Why Ise been a white wings sence de dees- stric' stahted, an hyar at de las mint Ise tole I can't do no mo wuS. I mus see de c'mlshanah. Mistah Stutler done put me off, an I sho do wan to git back Talk bout not wukin--I tell yo' Ise been wukin' sence de deestric' done stahted T."
 But here the storm of protest was in- terrupted by MT. Wilson assuring the old man that nothing could be done for him He cannot be a white wings again
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
HORSE STEALING NOW
 FLOURISHES IN GOTHAM

tan streets, where policemen are sup posed to be In constant patrol It is not strange that the victims of the robberies are in most fluent protest, and have or ganized to stop the depredations. Verify, there was excuse for the vigilance so- cieties which once existed, and for the judicial determination that a man who stole horse, and was caught at 1t. was to be deemed to have committed sui eide. We may not go so far as lamp post decoration, but manifestly police eyes must be sharpened for the protec- ton for our faithful frienus of the de- livery wagons. If these may be stolen with impunity, what assurance is there of the safety of our stoves. our furni- ture, or our carpets?
 If true, as charged, that the police are slow and indifferent. and make no effort to watch ferries and to recover the driven off property, an aroused public opinion should speedily quicken them to a keener sense of duty. The butcher or the grocer who finds his ia, vorite animal gone naturally does not think his loss proper joke material.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

i So the Bohemian guides through the picturesque districts of New York were not destined to flourish long. It will be remembered that these guides were dash ing young women who were hired out to male escorts at s5 per evening in con- sideration for which they were to carry the men about town and show them how to have a good time. the evenings pleas- ure to cease promptly at 12 and the young women to be returned to head quarters in the Flatiron building. Tow the lady manager is without job and the corps of eight Bohemian guides are probably employing their talents in other pursuits. It Is to be supposed that the venture was not a success. At any rate the headquarters in the Flatiron building were ordered closed.
 According to the last census report for the year 1903 the total population of the United States, exclusive Of Canada and the colonial possessions, was 7e.90o. sSs. showing an increase of 100000 year since 1900. Judging from the great tide of immigration pouring into Uncle Sans domains every year, it would seem that the rate of increase Is rather small. but 1t must be remembered that all who come do not get in, and then 100000 peo- pie Is a large number when one comes to think about it. While census is 1ot recommended for light reading, 1t con- tains some interesting data that should not be overlooked.
 The Washington Post wittily suggests that the presidential campaign has now gone far enough for Judge Parker to have some new pictures taken which will show him with a more pleasant ex- precision on his face. When one comes to think of it, the judge does not appear particularly joyous In .hs pictures, but perhaps that is merely in keeping with the sphinx-like impression he has al- ready created, While Judge Parker is apparently a very solemn person, 1t Is said that he can easily become enthusi- astic when blooded cattle, and his own in particular, are under discussion.
 The Lid" is now off at the White House. This statement should not cause undue alarm. for In this case the "Lid' is not used in that figurative sense ap- piled to affairs in Gotnams Tenderloin districts. However, it is used fgurative- ly and means that the august person of President Roosevelt Is now more accessi- ble to the public than ever before There is such freedom from restraint in the ex- ecutive mansion, and 1t Is so easy for any one to get an audience with the President that one is reminded of the early and more democratic days when private de- tectives and body guards were unknown in the White House. The explanation of this changed order of things is not far to seek when it is remembered that a pres idential campaign Is now drawing on apace. F. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
SUMMER IN MAINE WOODS.
A Guide to Those Who Would Seek
 Pleasure, Game or Fish There.

From the New York Tribune.
 In anticipation of the summer exodus from the cities, the guides of the Maine woods are now busy repairing their boats and mending their fishing tackle. Ac- cording to some of the old woodsmen, the coming summer Is to be unusually hot. By means of certain signs of nature. which only a veteran in weodcraft can interprete, they say that fish and game will be especially plentiful. Incidentally, these rural prophets drop the hint that the summer tourist will also reappear in more than ordinary numbers.
 For those city dwellers who are al- ready thinking of a place to spend the summer, there Is many an interesting page in the book entitled, Tn the Maine Woods issued by the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad company. Not only are the most popular regions in this twenty-three thousand square mile tract of forest described in detail, with ap- propriate illustrations, but the book Is accompanied by sort of key, by which the untutored urbanite may tell just the species of fish he catches and learn of it's peculiar habits and traits.
 For instance, a New Yorker may pull out of corner of the great Moosehead Lake a fish which he calls a chivy, but which his Brooklyn companion swears to be a whteflsh. Without a guide to act as arbiter, the two men would most like ly fall into such loud argument that all the other fish in the laks would speedily take to their fins. And they would keep on arguing without any more hope of peaceful decision. one way or the other, than if they were discussing the respec- tive merits of Harlem and F'latbush as residence district.
 By means of the Bangor and Aroostook fish key, however, the men could decide which one was right in short order. For example, the fish would be examined care fully to see whether it had ventral fins. If it had. it would be immediately classed under Section 1. Here the description of a chivy would show that such fish has a round body and a compressed snout. On the other hand common whitefish has a compressed body and long trun- cate snout Other details of form and color are also catalogued in order to leave the debaters in no doubt as to which is right The habits of various kinds of fishes are described in order that the angler may know best how to make them his prey.
 The ways of big game and their fa- vorite haunts are also told for the benefit of the autumn hunter. Maine deer. for example. are said to know the difference between the harmless summer excursion ist and the fall gunner. They will even approach man in the costume of q mountain climber and gaze at him with credulous eyes. Should the visitor how
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
Trust the People.

The nomination of Judge Samuel D. Greene to the probate judgeship casts no discredit upon the primary system. It would not have been possible under the convention plan. The two-term scheme as to officers drawing fat fees has been knocked out, and the plan becomes uncertain while the people conduct their own affairs.
 The nominations for supreme court judges are highly satisfactory. The highest court of the state will consist after December of seven eminent law yers-four of the present court, and three new men, This is a good com bination, and 1t is selection made by the people acting directly. It is a com Dination devised by 75,O00 democrats at least acting individually. Could a handful of men gathered at each court house have done better? Would they have done so well?
 The primary plan is popular, and woe betide the man or men who op- pose it hereafter. The people have had a taste of self-government, and they will not submit to any return to clique rule. The general primary on Monday rang the death knell of the old system, while it firmly established popular government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
Increase in Church Membership.

From the Church Economist.
 In 1900 only per cent of the total pop ulation of the United States were church members, whereas today the ratio is 36 per cent, the members increasing from 64,O00 to 29,000000. Not only has there been this great gain in numbers, but there has also been a great increase in activity, as indicated by the rise of for eign missions, the modern Sunday school, young peoples societies, brotherhoods. young mems christian associations and kindred movements.
 Investigations show, however, that the large majority of young men, or 9059, : 900 out of IA, 250,000 are outside of church membership. E ven after allowing a large margin for those who are not mem bers. but attend religious services at least occasionally it is safe to say that fully one-half are outside of church fel- lowship or direct influence
 It may be a comfort to know that this is no new problem. Professor Wilcox in his book ",rhe Pastor and His Flock" describes conditions a century ago fol- lows: There were no young Christians in any considerable numbers When a young man joined the church of Dr. Ly- man Beecher in Litchfield, Conn, early in the century, so strange an event aston ished all the western section of that state."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
A Genial Undertaken.

"Yes, l have had my coffin for quite long time" said Sam Foley, the well known undertaken of Pratt City, but want to sell 1t now so I can buy bet ter one. I have come to the conclusion that the casket now in my shop is not good enough and am having a hard time to find purchaser. In the first place, few people like the idea of making pre- parations for death and then few men are large enough to fill my coffin after they are dead.
 'I once received an offer of the finest casket big coffin factory could make if would permit them to put it on ex- hibition as the coffin I intended to be buried in, but that was going little too far. I intend to have all preparations made for my funeral, but do not want any advertising"
 MT. Foley is quite a unique character and Is well known in the Birmingham dis trict He is giant in statue. He Is six feet six inches in height and his frame Is enormous. Although MT. Foley weighs 220 pounds, there is not an ounce of superfluous flesh on his body. He IS far from being the sad-visaged person people are accustomed to consider under takers, but is jovial in temperament and quite a character about town, where he knows every man, woman and child. Hs says in his cheerful way that nothing in- terests him more than embalming body and preparing 1t for burial Perhaps he would make an exception of his best friends.
 In addition to his undertaking business, MT. Foley is proprietor of an opera house and owns other property in his town. On account of his huge size he has been eho- sen to act as drum major for the Pratt City firemen when they take part In the tournament at Anniston next month and is now learning to twirl a stick.
 The coffin which MT. Foley keeps in lis shop for his own interment was made to order and is a very handsome casket of cak, although the genial undertaken in- sists that he must have better one in order to shufle off this mortal coll with some style.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
 Birmingham, April 12, 1904
YOUNGEST COURT REPORTER.
John J. Geff of Morris, H., Takes Pro
 ceedings in Knickerbockers.

Morris. Qll0 Special to the Chicago
 Chronicle.
 The youngest court reporter in the state if not in the United States, is John J. Golf, the fourteen-year-ol son of MT. and Mrs. John Golf, of this city. He recently completed a short hand course in an incredibly short time, and was cal led upon to take the proceedings in sev- eral cases in court here. Recently he took the proceedings in a sensational di- vorce case and he surprised the attorneys by appearing at his desk in knickerbock- CTS. He proved to be thoroughly eff cient and has since been in great demand He is now in school and is considered one of the brightest boys in the city. He is very short and his diminutiveness is one of the points which he Is sensitive. Re gently his mother found him in the act of replying to some advertisement of com. pany that professed to make people grow taller When questioned about 1t Le replied Well, I am not going to wear knickerbockers all my life''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
TRoJouRs AMOUR.
rnd Clarence Stedman.

By Edmund Clarence Stedman. Prithee tell me, Dimple-Chin, At what age does Love begin? Your blue eyes have scarcely seen Summers three. py fairy queen, But a miracle of sweets, Soft approaches, sly retreats, Show the little archer there, Hidden in your pretty hair; When didst learn a heart to win7 Prithee tell me, Dimple-Chin! ..O." the rosy lips reply,
 T can't tell you if l try, 'Tis so long I can't remeber, Ask some younger lass than T." Tell, o tell me, Grizzled- Face. Do your heart and head keep pacef When does hoary Love expire. When do frosts put out the firef Can its embers burn below All that chill December snow? Care you stiil soft hands to press. Bonny heads to smooth and blessf When does Love give up the chase? Tell. o tell me. Grizzled-Face! 'Ah," the wise old lips reply
 Youth may pass and strength may dt But of Love I can't foretoken: Ask some old sage than IT.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
coMANcHE's USE FOR A DESK.

From the Kansas City Journal.
 For Quanah, an intelligent and popu- lar Comanche chief, the cattlemen around Fort Worth Tex, built house and fur nlshed It. They were rather puzzled when he told them that the first article of fur niture he wanted was a roller desk. What can you do with roller desk, Quanah?' they said. You can't write.' "Oh, I want en-" said Quanah. You see. I open desk. an sit down in my chair. an put my feet up on desk, an light my seegar, an I hop newspaper up front O me, like this-sabe? Then white man he come in, an he knock at door, an he say. 'Quanah, I wan talk t you a minute And I turn 'roun' in my chair an puff lot O smoke n his face. an say, s'Go way! I ve'y busy tday!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
From the New York Mail.

From the New York Mail
 @ HE next foreign visitor who (0 writes his book after half
 dozen glances at the newspaper and the landscape will have a subject for new chapter-namely, horse steal ing in New York. It may be assumed that an observer who is with difficulty convinced that Indians do not turk in the Bronx. and who shies at the uplifted tomahawk of the cigar sign, will make the most of the present remarkable series of crimes. Horse stealing may be re- garded so typically American, so de- lightfully Dick Turpinish, so in accord with what ought to happen on this side of the water that the topic should be enlarged upon with due complement of exclamation points.
 New York, which at times has made merry at the west, has cause to blush. Within ten days no less than fifty horses stoen-surely Texas has seldom done better than this. Moreover, not only are the animals gone, but wagons and har- ness also. This on crowded metropoli-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
New York Society.

From 1lfe.
 Miss Dressta Kyll announces the post ponement of her daughters marriage to MT. Breakaway Smythe.
 Mrs Abel Pusher gent out of her house last Friday and remained away until her return at 147 D. m. Her sister married Whator Kadd, and is prominent in fash ionable society.
 The engagement of Miss Little-Manners to Mir Frederick Burstyngside Bodle is the fashionable topic of the moment, all though, naturally the celebrity of MT. Boodle's fiancee in the fashionable world makes the announcement of unusual gen era1 interest MT. Doodle is the youngest of the two grandsons of Mir. and Mrs. Gatheran Spend, and has been one of the active social leaders in this city since he graduated from Harvard in 1901.
 Lady Priscilla Gerlumpsleigh the daugh- ter of Lord and Lady Drynkmore, will be married to the Master of Tremens Hall at Westminster Abbey on May 32. This will be very extraordinary occa- sion. Lord Drynkmore's mother is a sis ter of Mrs. Parvenu Plump. who is own cousin to Lord How Vulg.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
Prosperous Farmers.

T find business in my line very satis~ factory in the south" said Graham Hob- son, who represents the Tredegar Iron works of Richmond MT. dobson sells railroad spikes and horse shoes, and IS one of the best known traveling men cov- ering this territory.
 'The prosperity of the farmers is cer- tainly in evidence" remarked MT. Hob- son. Business was good in the agricul- tural sections when l was in the cotton states several weeks ago, but 1t Is even better now. There seems to be a plenty of money In circulation and hard times talk is not heard"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
FLIGHT" FARMING IN KANSAS.

From the Kansas City Journal.
 Here is what Fred Badger calls a case of light farming" "A farmer in Ne osho county, Kansas, Is running his farm by gas A we'll sunk for oil yielded gas, and now he keeps six stoves going in his house, lights every room, including hall and cellar, has gas heaters in his coops and hog-pens, furnace outdoors for cooking foods for his live stock, a gas engine to shell corn, grind feed and pump water, turn grindstones and work the churn a gaslight with reflector to light the barnyard, a contrivance to illuminate the barn when he opens the door, heaters for water tanks in the field, so that his cattle may drink tepid water all the winter if they want it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
FISH STORY.
Combined With Bear Story Makes a
 Thrilling Ensemble.

From the Maine Woods
 Seeing some of your fish and bear sto- ries in Maine woods, I must confess some of them do smell a little fishy and for a change I will give you one founded on facts You see 1t was this way. We were fishing on one of the Keswick lakes in the spring of9s and our catch had been enormous. About 3 o'clock in the after noon we heard a peculiar noise on the bank of the lake like tearing of roots. So we went to investigate, and on near ing the shore were surprised to find a large black bear digging up the ground to beat nine of a kind. We lay low to watch; and what do you think he was after putting nice fate angle-worms on each of his forepaws he ventured out in the lake on an old sunken log put down his forefeet in the water and actually scooped out huge trout so thick and fast that he almost darkened the sun. After awhile, thinking there was enough fish for us, we put an ounce ball into his head. Talk about fish, Great heavensi There lay trout two feet deep on which two young cubs were gorging themselves. Well, we skinned that bear and, wishing to secure the cubs alive, I just threw the bearskin over me and got down on all fours, and those cubs followed me right into camp. thinking it was mother bear. The cubs I afterwards sold for $25 each, and the hide of the mother bear. which was very large one, brought me $40, not too bad a days work. Oh, yes about those fish on the bank. Well, we went back next day and barreled up "A barrels of the best of those trout. The rest were left to rot in the sun. We put those fish in cold storage. and we have some of them vet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13

in New York relates not so much to instructions or to the Parker clubs in Georgia, as it does to Tammany. The good will and hearty cooperation of Tammany is all-needful in New York, and if the Hill-McCarren crowd so con duct affairs that Tammany losses in- terest, a grave mistake would be made. An uninstructed delegation may be the better plan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-13
His Opinion Changed.

From the Washington Star.
 You say you think Shakespeare is foolish and trivial writer?"
 T do," answered MT. Meekton, rather tremulously.
 ''But you used to be almost an idola- trous admirer of his works.
 "Yes. But that was before Henrietta and I went to see The Tanning of Shrew.'"