davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
Internal Conditions of Russia.

Emperor Nicholas II of Russia has long had credit in this country for good intentions. He has generally been considered somewhat weak intellect ually. but strong morally, and some have regretted that he was not more pf a .,ersonal force in order that he might lift his country out of her dis tressing condition.
 All these estimates are unfounded. He has strength enough, but he lacks the inclination to change any of the conditions that are sapping the strength and patriotism of the Russian people. He is particularly opposed to public education. Not long ago q zemstvo in southern Russia started many schools and promoted their growth, and reported what they had accomplished to the Emperor, and the report was sent back with these words pencilled on the paragraph relating to the schools: Less zeal in this direc- tion." This explains better than an entire book could Russian ignorance, ard the determination of the grand dukes and bureaucrats to keep the masses from learning to read and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
BREACH OF PROMISE IN JAPAN.

From T. P.'s Weekly
 Instead of suing him for breach of promise this is the method a Japanese gir, adopts for getting even with faith less lover. She rises in the middle of the night, puts on her prettiest dress. hangs mirror around her neck and makes a head decoration of three lighted can dles In her left hand she carries an effigy of the faithless swain, and in the right a hammer and nails. She walks to sanc- tpary and selects one of the sacred trees and nails the effigy securely thereto. She then prays fervently for the death os the traitor, vowng that if her wish be granted she will take out the nails which trouble her god Night after night she comes with her petition, always bring ing a couple of extra nails to further drive it home, as it were, convinced that the god will not hesitate to sacrifice man to save the sacred tree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
MOBILE AND WEST ALA.
 AN ASSURED ENTERPRISE

work they have done in the cast. They were among the principal sub-contraetors in the construction of the New York sub way, and have successfully carried out many big contracts in canal and railroad building. They expect 10 construct DOT ton of the Panama canal MT. Gahagan said they were not in Mobile to blow about themselves. but to build the Mo- bile and West Alabama. He considers that the new road offers many advan- tages in directness and construction over those In existence, which only indirectly tap the territory to be served by tns Mobile and West Alabama. Reing low level road it will be enabled to haul great CT loads at less expense, and there was no doubtng that the agricultural and min eral development of the territory through which 1t will pass demands the new out let to a seaport. Mir. Gahagan does not look upon the Mobile and West Alabama as a competitor to existing lines, but gs an addition forced by rapid progress and increased wealth. He pointed out that railroad have a certain capacity, and when the development of a country through which they pass overtaxes that capacity, the time is ripe for additional railroad facilities to take the excess. The contractors are satisfied that the new line will be valuable addition to the rail- roads of the state.
 Asked if they contemplated going north of Florence. Mir. Gahagan ard Mr May both stated that they expected to make connection with one of the main trunk lines Which line they declined to s.ate giving as a reason that 1t would be time enough to talk of connections when the road was constructed.
 The gentlemen present at the interview gave indication that 1t was considera- ton of the courtesy due the road with which connection is contemplated, and not desire for secrecy that prompted the replies.
 tribute was paid to the energy and enthusiasm of Judge Austil. who has worked for the building of the road for a long period, by all present. and Mr. Gahagan added significantly: Judge Austill will remain president of this com pany; we feel that at this period he should realize the fruits of his life work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
CAPTAIN LuDIKE DEAD.
Was One of Best Known Railroad Men
 in North Alabama.

Florence, January 15.-(Special.) )-Cap- tain William P. Ludike for many years a we'll known railroad man on the Mem phis and Charleston railroad, died Friday morning at 4:3O at the residence of Mrs. M Brock, on Pine street.
 Captain Ludike came to Florence from Georgia thirty years ago. He invested all his savings in Florence real estate. and his holding at the time of his death include some of the most valuable up- town stores in the city.
 For nearly a quarter of a century he was alternately expressman, engineer and conductor on the branch of the then Memphis and Charleston railroad, which runs between Florence and Tuscumbia, sometimes filling all three positions at once.
 Since he severed his connection with the railroad he has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the city, both in q business and political way.
 Captain Ludike's health has been fail ing for several years, and for the past month his death has been hourly ex- pected He was without family or near relatives. but his last hours were soothed by the ministrations of devoted friends who sincerely mourn his loss. The funer- al was held yesterday. He was GA years of age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

rainy night like snetian goneolier. He had not discovered our presence, so we decided to watch the queer voyager, for q smnggler was our first estimation of him.
 'He drifted around for several minutes, with his face close to the side of the oar losk, serutinizing the water closely. and placing his oar on every passins piece O. drift. Presently his oar struck sta tlonary object, apparently a block of wood. With slight exclamation, he brought up alongside. md raised it to the boat edge. With it came a rubber sack that had been submerged A cigar snug gler,' cried my companion. and with a few long strokes Ye were alongside him. The drop was on him and he could not resist, so we carried him in, sack and all He was a dirty. greasy. half-spanish specimen I had often seen hanging about the wharfs. When that rubber bag was opened we found scout two bushels of the finest cigars even sent out of Ha- yanan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
the Mobile Register.


 A YESTERDAY afternoon Messrs. Ed (CJH ward T. Terry and Walter H. - Gahagan of New York, the lead- ing men of the firm who have signed the contract to construct the Mobile and West Alabama railroad; Francis S. Mallory of New York, one of the financial agents of the road and brother of H. S. D. Mallory, chairman of the democratic executive committee of this state: Col J. A. Mont gomery of Birmingham. chief engineers; Mr. L. A May of Birmingham, treas urer of the company; MT. J. D. Parsons of Birmingham director, and Col. J. G. Martin of New York, who is also finan- cially interested in the road. arrived in Mobile from Birmingham and took quar- ters at the Battle house. They had conference with Judge Austill, rresident of the Mobile and West Alatama, which lasted for a considerable time. and were met by several prominent local men who gave them warm welcome. MT. Mallory left on the Southern train in the evening to visit his brother in Selma and the rest of the party returned to Birming- ham on the Louisville and Nashville early this morning. The exact purpose of the visit was not learned, but it is known that it signifies an early commencement on the work of construction of the new road.
 The members of the party had no for nal statements to give out bun announced their satisfaction with the progress of the work of obtaining rights of ay and sur veying, which is so far advanced that full preparations have been made for construction MT. Gahagan stated that he and MT. Terry expected to begin work in the spring and while he could not posi- lively say at this time that the road would be completed in a year, 1t appeared possible and might be done. They have three hundred miles of low level and con- struetion of some of the trunk roads over greater distances had been accomplished within a year.
 Although accounted one of the fore most construction firms in the country Messrs. Terry and Gahagan are quite unassuming men, willing to discuss the engineering phases of the new road. but unwilling to talk about themselves or the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
THE FIREMAN.

By William Cowper. He is the freeman whom the truth makes
 free. And all are slaves beside. There's not a
 chain That hellish foes confederate for his harm Can wind around him, but he casts it off With as much ease as Samson his green
 withes. He looks abroad into the varied field Of nature; and though poor, perhaps.
 compared With those whose mansions glitter in his
 sight, Calls the delightful scenery all his own. His are the mountains. and the valley his, And the resplendent rivers. His to enjoy With a propriety that none can feel, But who, with filial confidence inspired, Can lift to heaven an unrresumptious And smiling say: My father made them
 alI!' Are they not his by a peculiar right. And by an emphasis Sf interest his, Whose eyes they fill with tears of holy
 joy. Whose heart with praise and whose ex-
 alted mind With worthy thoughts of that unwearied
 love That planned and built. and still upholds.
 a world So clothed with beauty for rebellous
 man? Yes ye may fill your gamers. ye that
 reap The loaded soil; and ye may waste much
 good fl In senseless rot; but yet will not find In feast. or in the chase, in song O. dance, A liberty like his, who, unimpeached Of usurpation, and to no mans wrong, Appropriates nature as his Fathers
 work, And has a richer use of yours than you. He is indeed a freeman. Free by birth Of no mean city, planned or e'er the hills Were built. the fountains opened, or the
 sea With all his roaring multitude of waves. His freedom is the same in every state; And no condition of this ehangefu life, So manifold in cares. whose every day Brings Its own evil with 1t, makes it less For he has wings that neither sickness.
 pain. Nor penury can cripple or conhne: No nook so narrow but he spreads them
 there With ease. and is at large. The oppressor
 holds 4 His body bound; but knows not what
 range His spirit takes. unconscious of a chain; And that to bind him is a vain attempt. Whom God delights in. and in whom He
 dwells.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

It now develops that Admiral Doubas- sons remarks on peace were taken too eategorieaIly. The. should have been taken metaphorleally, with a grain of salt. The New York papers consider them selves above provins.al criticism, ard they split their infinitives wit. reckless free dom. The leaves, the tariff an1 the railway rebates are all booked to fall in the au- tumn. But all the bookings may not pan out Pennsylvania is the on.y state that has a governor who is the laughing stock of the world. American eountereiters would have hard time duplicating Chinese bank notes. John D. Rockefeller practices "The Simple Lifee outside the Standard Oil of flee. The Russians at Nagasah and the gail sha girls can not fratern.ze and forget tAe war.
 ---.s.------ Miss Tarbell is sad to be the only wo- man who found profit in oil.
  Mrs. Chadwick is not attending the opera this season.
  Pennypacker and tt buzz saw are again in conjunction.
  Governor Folk also assa.ls the free" railroad pass.
 ---------.s-------- The Congressional Record needs a pert paragrapher.
 -------a.- Roiestvensky vexes a waiting world by dilatoriness.
  Tn Chicago the last straw hat has been driven in.
  The south has cottol to hold, but none to burn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
Build the Canal for All Time.

Admiral Walker, retired, who is the head of the Panama Canal Commis- sion, objects to a sea-level canal be- cause, if we read between his lines, he will not live to see it completed, and because the Chagres river would flood it in the wet season. Neither of bis objections to a sea-leyel will ap- peal to the average American. The great enterprise that America has un- dertaken does not depend upon the life of any man. It will go forward no matter who or how many fall in the course of the work, and American the waters of the Chagres in wet weather. In dry weather it Is not problem.
 The entire engineering question is to be carefully studied, and the en- gineers and commissioners can be trusted to recommend the meeting of the great task in a broad far-seeing American spirit. If sea-leyel canal can be built for three hundred million dollars, the cost of it will not stagger the America of today. The money can be borrowed at less than three per cent, possibly at two per cent, and the country will not hesitate so far as the expense is concerned.
 It is after all an engineering prob lem almost solely, and until the en. gineers s1 definitely heard from we will not be in position to form a judgment as to what is best. At present all can however say that they have work which is to endure, and should become great monument to American energy, and a sea-level canal seems at present to fill the bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 The more man thinks he understands woman the less he understands anything.
 Hardly ever is a girl as pretty as she thinks she is, or as ugly as her best friend thinks she is.
 Some men are almost willing to be run over by a trolley car to gc. their name in print.
 Sometimes a married man thinks life is a long thrill of joy, but then he is only away on vacation
 A woman can't help suspecting that the school teacher probably hates her because she has such lovely children,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
ROSSEAU CAUGHT WITH
 HIS INTERNAL MACHINE

to the finding of the trunk before it was placed on the steamship
 The prisoner was closely questioned re- garding the motive for blowing up the Umbria, but to all questions he made non-committal reply.
 Having learned all they could regarding his attempts on the Umbria and the statue, the police officials turned their attention to finding some of the antece- dents Of the man. He said that he was born in America and he was a farmer. Where in America he was born and where his present home is he would not say. He admitted his name was not "Gessler Rosseau." He said he had read much and that he was student of social econ omV
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Insurance in Alabama,

eoi. Il. R. Shorter. deputy insurance commissioner, is at the Morris. "The in safanee business in Alabama is growing rapidly.' said RIr. Shorter. sThis fact IS snoWn in the large increase in the receipts being recorded yearly in the state department of insurance.
 A few years ago the annual receipts in the insurance department amounted only to S2e,o0o. This year they amounted 10 Sso'ooo. and in two more years we hope to swell the receipts of the department to S100, ,000.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
FUNNY ANYWAY.

From the Eufaula Times.
 The Age-Herald thinks is enough to make a horse laugh to see tariff revision placed in the hands. of Senator Aldrich and Representative Dalzell. Tariff revi- sion in any bodies hands is rather laugh able.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
THE LOGICAL CURE.

From the Houston Post.
 Did you ever have insomnia?" "Sure?" replied the man who pretends to know it all.
 What did you do for it?H ''Just slept it off"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
 PARkkiAN'S SENSE OF JUSTICE.

From St. Nicholas.
 A friend met rancis Parkman walking along the street holding two street boys by their coat collars. In reply to his friend request for an explanation, Park man said. q foune this boy had eaten al apple without dividing with his little brother. Now I'm going to buy one for the little boy and make the big one look or while he eats it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
A POSSIBILITY.

From the Tampa Herald
 Port Arthurs fall should not have lin- gered so far into the winter.-Birming- ham Age-Herald. Perhaps 1t wouldn't If the Japs could have put a pin in the lap of winter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Colonel Harvey says that the American newspaper should be like the American gentleman. Does that mean the Ameri- can newspaper should swear every time it feels like 1t?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Only two New York city residences are assessed for over q million dollars-one being Schwab's, and the other William A, Clark. who sits in the Senate for Montana, but never lives there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
A Wonderful Pianist.

T heard Paderewslxl on his first ap- pearance in Washington about fifteen years ago." said a musician, and the great pianist had not played many bars before I was convinced that the advance accounts of his genius had not been exag- gerated He opened his programme with q Bach fugue This was followed by Beethoven's 'Apassionata" sonata. and then came Chopin's Marche Funebre The rest of the programme was made up of short pieces of the lighter sort. "Paderewski was treat then, but the last time he was in America he had developed wonderfully and played with more depth of feeling than ever. He is one of the few pianists of the TO- mantle school who interprets Bach and Beethoven in a way that leaves the critics nothing to say except in praise"
 About Persons. II. T. Gill or New Decatur is at the Morris.
 C. W. Plowman of Talladega is at the Morris.
 Edward Putnam of New York IS at the Morris.
 II. J. Kuhn of Philadelphia is at the Morris.
  T II. Hughes of Dawson, Ga., Is at the Colonial.
 C. W. Turner of Newton, Mass, is at the Colonial.
 R. J. Livingston is at the Metropolitan. J. S. Iaggard of Camp Hill is at the Metropolitan.
 w. II. Miller of Atlanta is at the St. Nicholas.
 
 William Matthews of Atlanta is at the St. Nicholas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
RENEElcENT MoTHER.IN.LAW.

From the Coosa Valley News.
 J. ". Rosebrough of Belle Ellen, put the money to us on his paper, while on visit to his mother-in-law, Mrs. ". II. Walker, recently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Sir Thomas Lipton is still hunting for yacht-bulder to design a new cup lift CT. Attempted cup lifting has gotten to be a habit with that man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
Immigration the Live Question.

T am much gratified to observe the deep interest manifested just now on the subject of immigration by the people of Alabama remarked Tennessee val leyan. Our state is blessed. indeed, with natural resources. and all that is needed is more money and more muscle and en- ergy. We need 10 open our doors to an influx of worthy immigrants not only from the cold regions of the north and the vest but from foreign lands
 T see from the report of the commis- sioner of immigration at Washington that during last year 1000 aliens settled in Ala hama, while 800 settled in Mississippi and less than 800 in Georgia. So you see Ala bama did very well. but there is room here for many thousands of worthy for eigners seeking homes and employment in this country.
 There is one difficulty in the matter of drawing the agricultural classes to this state You see the agricultural immi- grants coming to this country are accus- toned to intensive farming on small areas and could not utilize, nor are they able to buy large bodies of land. and therefore would desire small farms of 9 to 100 acres. Now. while a great number of Alabama plantations could perhaps be purchased at reasonable prices, you will find it hard matter to induce any land owner to sub-divide his land and sell it by small areas.
 "Of course the colonization idea woule call for large bodies of land, but I do not believe that colonization will bring as rapid development and as independent a class of immmigrants as will individual movements.
 However, there is much virgin land still remaining in this state. especially railroad lands and I am informed that these can be purchased at very low prices and on easy terms. If the worthy German. Italian. Irish and SeandnayiaE would come and take hold of these lands he would soon make them blossom as rose, and add greatly to the wealth and general strength of our state.
 T hope to see continued announcement of the immigration idea by the press and people of Alabama, for 1t seems to me to be the real live question of the day"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The presence of those fascinating geisha girls in Japan ma have had something to do with the willingness of Russian officers to share the fate of their men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

stephen Collins Foster, who wrote My Old Kentucky Home." has been dead forty-one years, and Kentucky is about to erect a monument to his memory
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The cheelSest individual yet developed is the burglar who stole a mans auto mobile and then wrote asking him for directions how to run it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Champion James J. Jeffries has just snubbed great-uncle of his who is also a preacher. Perhaps Mir 5effries did not think his relative near enough kin to count.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

/. Yale man has been arrested for steal ing bride. This matrimonial larceny should stop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The sign "The Lord Hates Liar'' has been taken down in the pension office. and that office is now on the basis of all the rest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Affairs are becoming so serious in St. Petersburg that all dancing has been for bidden by the autooratic Czar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

After all the circus may visit Port Ar thur again next summer, but it will play to a different crowd
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Senator Clark's denunciation of Tom Lawson will promote the sales of the latter's February installment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The northwest is more interested at present in the outgivings of Medicine Hat than of Tom Lawson
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Secretary Paul Morton should be called as an expert witness in the rebate cases.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The sunburst coonels in Illinois must either subside or else organize a revolt against reform rith a big R.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

The man higher up is held responsible for much wickedness these days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

New York has scar " more million aires than Alabama while the tax as- sessors are in sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

Doubassoff is standing pat He is not swallowing things to suit every conner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

John Hay can readily be excused for issuing cut and dried statements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16

It is rumored that the United States may shoot Haiti off the map
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
,Plavs Prank. Is Shot. :"

which gives nil the essential facts in four syllables. There was, of course, no room for any form cf coincidence. But the Americans ike facts to make lam entations for themselves; the reader can rity in the proper places. Thus says the Manchester Guardian, where an English paper would summarize the news in such words as distressing bulletin,' or perhaps alarming bulletin, the Ne-y York World says '.Will Probably Die.' During the recent tour of distinguished poet an interviewer headed tn, record of his in- terview with few indications of the poets quality, such as
 Docs Not Care for the Ballet. All for
 the Mind
 and day or two ago we say the account of an assault with violence headed as
 Thug Slugs Aged Solon.'' the person assaulted being an old lawyer But the most alluring of all the headings we have seen appeared in small provin- cial paper some years ago on the occasion of the dismissal of corrupt police cap tain. The heading ran:
 .Willy Gets lke Rinky-Dink." This is of a finer literary quality than the crude and worthy announcement de- tailing a Harlem tragedv-
 Goat Monkeys with Explosive. Goes
 Through Roof