davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
PETTUs FEARS DOCTORS.

From the New York World.
Senator Pettus of Alabama, who is So
years old, was working on a law case in
his office in Alabama last summer when
he was overcome by an attack of vertigo
Were going to send for a DOCTOR" one
of his clerks told him.
"All right" the senator said, but don t
get more than one.
When the doctor arrived he bundled Sem
ator Pettus into carriage and got In
with him and ordered that the senator be
taken to his home.
you're a doctor are your Senator
Pettus asked.
II am" was the answer.
"And you're all alone?'
Eyes, sir" the physician answered,
thinking the senator had some confidential
communication to make.
"Youre sure there is only one of your"
the senator persisted. you and l are the
only two people here?'
Eyes, sir
I'm mighty glad of it," the senator
said. with sigh of relief II am sure
III get well if there is only one of you
fellows here. but ! know | could never
survive a consultation"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
MARK TWAIN ON HIGH HAT

Of later years. On an extremely hot sum
mer day an employer may enter tine
city with straw covering that a few
years ago would have caused questions
of his sanity and solvency. But tho
clerk dares no such disregard of the
esteem in which all Britain holds the
topper"
In this country the silk hat has les
sened in numbers: not in distinction and
fixity of place. 1t is not the pet possess
sion of the barkeeper, the ward heeler
and the tough as it was in the days when
Tweed was in the city hall and Nose
upon the stage But fashion never be-
fore held it in higher favor for evening
wear. Its existence never was really
threatened, save during the years when
that collapsible, many-named pretender,
the gbus, crush, chapeau de claque, OPP
era hat-call the accordion headgear what
you will-was the proper accompaniment
OF evening clothes
The high hat obsolete? Why, 1t is the
present center of international interest
The incident that stirred PRECEDENT
Roosevelt to his most indignant cham
pionship of Japan was the assault in San
Francisco upon Professor Omori Only
since the message was published have
the details of the attack upon that dis
tinguished Oriental seismoogist been
known. He wore a high hat. 1t was a
target that tempted a group of messen-
ger boys. A tomato can crushed the
glossy side of the treaty-protected cylin.
der. The friendship of two nations was
imperiled. A casus belli cannot be
treated with contempt even by hui
morist.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
STANDARD Oil and St. Paul.

Capitalization is not confined to the
mind of Elihu Root. Edward II. Har-
riman is also afflicted with it, and he
and his associates of the Standard Oil
company have already seized one
quarter of the railroad mileage of the
country. This is called consolidation,
but 1t is Capitalization of power, Wall
street being the beneficiary instead of
the general government.
The latest acquisition of the Stand
ard Oil crowd led by Mr.. Hartman,
is the Milwaukee and st. Paul railroad.
Messrs. Hill and Morgan had long con-
trolled that road, but an issue of $780,
100000 in new stock TO the preferred
stockholders enabled the Standard Oil
and Mr.. Hartman TO take the control
into their own hands. The combina-
ton of the new capital issue in the
st. paul company was followed in the
market by a downward rush of prices
which was by no means confined to
the securities of that company. Tight
money aided the bears, and through
out wednesday the market was on the
verge of panic, but at the close OF
the days trading confidence was TO
some extent restored, and gains in
values were recorded.
The st. Paul coup will serve to recall
public attention to the rapid progress
the Standard Oil crowd is making in
securing control of the railroads of the
country. 1t is Selling and swallowing
big railroad every month, whereas 1t
was once content to gobble up one n
year. At its present pace 1t will con-
troll the railroads of the country, big
as it is, in the course of ten years. Is
this desirable? Will this promote lib
erty, peace and happiness? 1t is high
time indeed that the people began %
consider the situation as it really is
and promises soon to become.
Secretary Shaw goes about decrying
the country's general prosperity. 1--WE
are compelled" he recently said, ito
do business at a ten-fold increase with
the financial equipments of pulling
age compared with our present
strength and capacity" He went on 10
declare that he did not know what was
going TO become of us.
Instead of decryng prosperity and
asking each one TO do all he can to
lessen il, ne should seek remedy for
the monopolies and the grabbing and
the combines of Wall street All OF
our pervasive Ills come from that
street, and the greatest of them all IS
| the Standard Oil grab of the railroads
of the country That crowd snaps its
fingers at public opinion, rate bills and
all other legislation, going right along
to seize in one way or another big sys
tens regardless of resultant panics or
other devastating results. Ii is re-
morseless. aggressive. and exceeding
| ly capitalistic.
King Leopold evidently intends to
| die both rich and disgraced.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
ALABAMA PRESS

Talladega Reporter: A Chicago profess
sor says Love is a dream" Some claim
It is a regular night mare!
Gadsden Times News Birmingham Is
the logical place for the new federal SUBJ
treasury and Gadsden hopes that it vol
go there.
Ozark Tribune: If Hetty Green feels
that way about the trusts, consider the
sentiment of the man who can hardly
make buckle and tongue meet.
Montgomery Times: Young William
asks his father If Santa Cluas is a
'long" man. The father replies mo
William, he is generally very short at
this season of the year"
Huntsville Tribune: Following a dog
through mud and drizzling cold rain
on a field trial may be sport for some
but comfortable chair, a cigar and a
warm room is good enough for us.
Montgomery Advertiser: An Atlanta
man goes the Detroit preacher one
better, and declares that there will
be six women to one man in Heaven. Dc
they propose to shut men out entirely?
Mobile Register: The Birmingham audi.
ence is said to have been charmed by
Paul Glmore's 'impromptu' wit in a
curtain speech at the Jefferson. 1t is a
very pretty wit, as was remarked when
he made the same speech in Mboie.
Tri-County Weekly: The United States
senate is discussing the question
what to do with ex-presidents? Re-
tire them to private life and let them
make an honest living like other people
But establish home for the ex-vice
presidents.
Florence Times Putting all the So
called Migrants in Alabama to work
would not materially lesson the strain in
our Industrial life. 1t would hardly be a
drop in the bucket" We need tens of
thousands of good, orderly laborers for
our farms and factories from the outside.
Mobile Item: "If dreams be things
that we are made off, as Ham
let remarked, or something to that
effect. the KentuclSian who fatal
ly fell from his bed while trying In
dream to rescue friend from death
died just as much hero if his death
had come in the fullness of life while
trying to perform the same generous
and courageous act.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

capacity for sustaining punishment our
chance to hold their own against either
the 1S,000ton Dreadnought, or the 10,
O00-ton Satsuma of the japanese navy.
1t is reported, however, that Japan is
about to build a 22.0O0-ton battleship
that will outclass any fighting ship in
the world Here again is a situation,
for Japan is considered greater rival
and menace by some wiseacres than
Great Britain.
Congress has not yet acted on the
proposition to build two 20,0O0ton
battleships, and in view of the news
from Japan it may conclude either to
build still bigger ships or else none at
all. The rivalry that is springing up
for the biggest battleship seems to be
shared by Germany, Great Britain,
Japan and the United States only, and
at this writing Great Britain and
Japan have a clear start in the race.
But ships that are exceeded before
they are launched are as uncertain as
they are expensive, and Congress may
hesitate a bit before it adopts Secre-
tary Bonapartes naval programme for
1907
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
Writers to Marry.

The Atlanta Constitution has the fol-
lowing of the coming marriage of Halle
Erminie Rives and Post Wheeler;
Invitations were received yesterddy
by Atlanta friends to the marriage of
Halle Erminie Rives, the well known au-
thoress, to Post Wheeler, of journalistic
fame, now second secretary to the Amer
lean embassy at Toxic, Japan.
THE invitations are extended by the
American Ambassador and Mrs. Wright,
for Saturday, December 49, at Il o'clock.
Miss Rives is now visiting Mrs Wright.
and Mrs. Wright is to be Miss Rlves'
matron of honor. She will be given
away by Ambassador Wright, an oil
friend of the Rives family, of Kentucky
and Virginia. Bishop MoKim, an Amer
lean bishop to Japan, will perform the
ceremony, and Mr.. Wheeer's best man
will be Japanese count, a member of
the japanese house of peers, who was
an old college chum of his in the United
States.
After the ceremony Mr.. Wheeler and
his bride will return to this country and
will be at home after January 20 until
March !, at 1O2 Mount Hermon way,
Ocean Grove. y. j. After this they re-
turn to Mr.. Post Wheeler's duties at the
American embassy in Toxic, where the
brides latest novel, Under the Cherry
Blossoms" will be completed.
at was directly after the publication of
her widely-read and much-discussed book,
"The Furnace of Earth that Miss Rives
visited Atlanta, and at several social
functions given in her honor. she dramat-
ically interpreted several chapters OF that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
A MILE WITH NE.

BY Henry Van Dyke.
oh, who will walk a mile with me,
Along lifes merry way?
A comrade blithe and full of glee.
Who dares to laugh out loud and free,
And let his frolic fancy play,
Like a happy child, through the
flowers gay
That fill the field and fringe the way.
Where he walks a mile with me.
And who Will walk mile with me,
Along lfe'S weary way?
A friend whose. heart has eyes to see
The stars shine out DER the darken-
ing lea.
And the quiet rest at the end of the
day
A friend who knows, and dares to
say,
The brave. sweet words that cheer the
way
Where he walks mile with me.
With such a comrade. such friend
l fain would walk till journeys end.
Through summer sunshine, winter
rain
And then? Farewell, We shall meat
again!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
From the New York Mai.

From the New York Mail.
NONF the December white f1annels of
W. Mark Twain we shall say moth
ing. Strolling down Broadway iii
fur trimmed pajamas would be a parallel
matter of taste. "a man of 70 may dress
as he pleases." So may man of any
age below or above 20. Besides, press
agent methods may have been needed to
help the copyright bill through Congress.
Nor shall we look at the thermometer and
take issue with Mr.. Clemens assertion
that there is absolutely no comfortable,
delightful and pleasant costume but tho
human skin" That was but an excusa-
BILE expression of sympathy with his UNI
clad heroine so lately exiled from the
shocked shelves of New England libra
ries.
But when the wise old maker of fun
speaks seriously of the obsolescence of
the high hat, the facts rise in protest
against him. ''Why twenty-five years
ago / remember when man was not
considered dressed unless he wore high
hat, and now-well l know I wouldn't
wear one of them myself So says
Mark Twain, speaking as if the Floren-
tine crown that was placed upon civilized
heads more than a century ago were as
near extinction as the beaver that gave
it its name for a time in our fathers
day. Yet he has but to use his eyes
during any evening in New York to see
that this variety of lid is still "on."
True 1t is not the only wear, even in
the afternoon, as 1t was once for all men
of fashion. True also, it's high place as
the one essential mark of commercial re-
spectability in London has been shaken
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
A Market Spread.

Cotton in New York presents all tho
ear marks of clubbing the bulls" said an
operator in the market although it Is
only few days now until January is
here, futures for December closed at 9.06
and January at 900 for middlinG cotton
basis. This word basis means much, for
middling spot cotton is quoted in New
York at TO- As. If bull calls for his cot
ton he will have to take any old grade
down to the lowest that is rendered him.
but of course there Is an allowance for a
difference in grade, but mill men that
spin strict good ordinary and above don
want ordinary. And you never can tell
just what you are going to get on thess
New York deliveries.
at occurs to me that the cotton fu-
ture business hangs on the question OF
the exchanges writing contracts on say
at least two averages of grade Good or
binary and middling. You can buy Nc.
1 or No. 2 wheat and likewise corn and
oats and know what you are going 10
get In any given month. This is very
essential to mill men, dis.illers, stock
feeders and wholesale produce dealers.
When it is so ordered on the New York
exchange that one may buy an average
of grade Of cotton mill men and exporters
will buy there, making an honest mar
ket whereas it is now a finflam as 70
spinnable cotton, the whole purpose be-
ing to discourage buyers of future con
tracts in the taking of real cotton.
mot so in New Orleans, for it is the
great cotton market of the world, where
buyers can get the run of the market on
future contracts. But do not lose sight
of the great manipulating force of money
gamblers who will bet you they can buy
it for less than it is quoted at when the
delivery time comes round. Allied viii,
them to a degree are the spinner, who is
willing to aid and abet them.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
Christmas Dinners for the Poor.

Many Christmas gifts are meaning.
less or useless, but the man or woman
or child who drops coin into the ket'
tie or the box of the Salvationist at
the corner will provide a dinner or
send basket to those of the commu-
nifty who need it.
The Salvation Army knows where
to find the worthy poor. 1t keeps in
touch with them. 1t works among
them, for them, and so far as it can
by them. That is what it exists for.
1t is emphatically the church of, by
and for the worthy poor.
Instead of exchanging gifts with
those chat have everything" try a
gift to the Salvation Army, an organi-
cation that does its charitable worl;
quietly and in good order. 1t makes
every dollar given to it do the work
of five dollars given to many another
organization. 1t puts the money where
Ii is sorely needed-where it will bring
some sunshine into lives that are
strangers to it except at Christmas
time.
So when you are shopping with q
fat pocketbook, spare little for the
Salvationist at the corner-she who
stands there in the cold patiently
pleading for the worthy poor although
she utters not a word. Do not forget
the cause or the opportune kettle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
PRESS POINTS

Atlanta Constitution: Bellamy Storer
would be popular enough in California
just now to be elected governor.
Memphis News-Scimitar: Bellamy and
Maria should go way back and make a
noise like a Twenty-fifth infantry bat
talon.
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Since
Government confesses the inadequacy
of the present currency measure. we
may expect a plethora of plans for scat
tering the dollar, but not a soul willing
to let the dollar go.
Savannah News: Japan wouldn't take
the Philippines as a gift" says an
exchange. But suppose we got real
ly and truly angry with Japan and
threw them into her lap and re-
fused to take them back, what would
she do?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
PULSATIoNS OF A WATCH.
rom Amateur Work.

From Amateur Work.
The lifetime of a good watch is ffey
years. In it's daily duties the balance
vibrates 1900 times every hour. 432 900
time a day, or 15l, 900 times a year.
The hairspring ma kes a similar number
of vibrations and an equal number of
ticks from the escapement. If 1t is
really good watch multiply 157eSo,oO0 by
50, which gives 7,ss4,OOo,OOO pulsatfons for
fifty years. The chances are that the
watch may even then be in serviceable
condition
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
MONTGOMERY JOURNAL.

The Christmas edition of the Mont
gomery Journal, recently issued, con-
tanned 81 pages and was a most creditable
achievement. A liberal advertising patron
age showed the Journal to be prosperous.
The reading matter was also of more
than passing interest. The Age-Herald ex-
tends congratulations to Editor Horace
Hood. Business Manager Frank Harvey
Miller and their capable assistants.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
THE TORREON STAR.

A handsome edition Of the Torreon.
Mexico, Star. consisting of 4s pages has
been received. Part of the paper is print
ed in Spanish and part in English. A
liberal advertising PATRONAGE shows the
Star to pe prosperous newspaper
Howard s. Williams. formerly on the stan
of the Age-Herald. is editor and mana ger.
He has many friends in Alabama who
are glad to know of his success in Mex
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

Justice Brewer is trying to hold
George Washington up as high as the
Rockefellers and Harrimans stand to-
day. He seems to think the father of
his country was not such a little man
after all.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

Money In New York.

There is quite wide latitude allowed
in New York in money rates" said a
fnaneier.
1.-The law limits the rate of interest on
time loans with collateral, but permits
the loanins of money on call with COM
mereial paper at any price that may be
agreed on. This results in making call
money a commodity. Now look at the wide
difference In price. Money has been as low
as Z of l per cent per annum on call,
and then again several times as high as
125 per cent.
"One day last week money at noon was
I, Sc per cent. and yet at 2:S0 it was 2 per
cent. An eminent financier has pro-
nouneed this barbarous and that 1t would
not be tolerated in any European center.
There is no real remedy in the treasurer
of the United States coming to the aid
of the banks. They do not really need
the aid. The thing NEEDED is change
of the manner of doing business.
ut will be interesting, perhaps, to many
to know just how the stock business is
conducted in part.
"The stock exchange rules require that
there shall be a daily delivery of seeu-
rites at a stated hour every afternoon
except Saturday. If there is a failure the
defaulter be it either buyer or seller,
may suffer the penalty under the rule.
OF course the purchaser must have money
with which to pay for it. If the funds
are not procurable at reasonable rates
he must pay whatever rate may be de-
manded be it ever so high. In anticipation
of his wants the operator may borrow at
the hour in the morning when the bank
balances have been computed and it is
known how much money is available for
loans. Now the loans he secured the day
previous at a low rate, may be called,
then he must go into the market and
make the best terms he can. The period
of greatest activity and demand is usually
between II and 2:30 o'clock. After 2:1d
p. M, the days business in money is ut
an end. Now this practice enables large
lenders who may call loans in the early
hours of the day to reloan them the
same day or refuse to loan if they are
interested in stock manipuiations.
THE solution is the putting into opera
ton of the European plan of Is day set
Elements with extensions by the payment
of carrylng-oyer charge, which would
rarely be excessive. If at the time or in
any interval the buyer desired to pay
cash and take his stock he could do So
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
REALITY.

REALITY.
A little maid sat dreaming by window
long ago
or the time when her Prince Charm
ing would appear
The frequent signs that fiuttered from
her childish heart did show
How much she wished the happy day
were near.
She pictured him a handsome chap, with
intellectual brow
And shoulders that were very broad to
view;
He'd WOO her in a reckless way and
heatedly avow
How all consuming was his love, and
true.
The years have passed, as all years do,
the maid a woman grown,
Doth WELD a paddle on her youngest
boy.
No longer slender. as of yore, but cor
pulent, we own,
A sentimental book she can't enjoy.
The man she married isn't much for
looks--he's rather small,
A scrubby individual, sooth to say.
So much for idle dreaming. since it is
the fate of all
To dream a dream and see it fade away.
We had hoped to get through this
OHElStIIldS WITHOUT seeing IL, Out yeSler-
day the familiar heading. "Commonsense
Christmas Giving met our eyes.
A Birmingham man who found $40
worth of 1-cent stamps figures that if
the owner does not put in an appearance,
he will be able to send twenty-five SOU
yenir postal cards every year for forty
years.
WHERE PULLS DON'T COUNT.
Although no one has ever dared
To turn YOU down before,
There'll be no pass to heaven, friend
st. Peters ION the door,
Some people will spend Christmas at
home and some at the workhouse.
When a battleship is we'd to Father
Neptune there is trial trip which sug-
gests trial marriage.
Senator's declare that it is a drain on
the nations purse to keep up the military
display. Also, the millinery display.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
ENSLEY ENTERPRISE.

The Ensley Enterprise issued a neat
Christmas edition, printed on fine white
paper and set off by a cover design in
colors.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

The Christmas shopper is graspins
her skirts firmly in the final rush. She
should not complain, for she was fully
forewarned.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

The Congoese are passing from the
hands of King Leopold to those of
Wall-streeters, and they are certainly
plaving in hard luck.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

Some Americans are digging a canal
at Panama, and some are digging pas
sages in the Northwest through the
snoWdrifts.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

These are the shortest days of the
year, but they are not short enough to
please the children who are awaiting
the coming of Santa Claus.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21
Concerning Railroad Management.

II was very much amused today TO
hear a man trying to tell some railroad
men how to operate a railroad said a
man who is frequently in railroad offices.
This man told the railroad officials what
he would do and what he would not do 1t
he was running the railroad, and told
them it was shame the way they ran
the railroad.
"Of course the fellow was ignorant aad
did not know what he was talking about,
but that did not prevent If from being
funny. He said he would have all tho
trains run on time, would see that they
never waited on connections and that the
passengers had everything they wanted
This butter in knew about as much
about railroads as he did about heaven.
and every time he opened his mouth to
say something he advertised his ignor-
ance. The railroad men simply smiled
and said nothing, but after he was some
one of them said he pittied the poor fell
low for his ignorance"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

The 1907 automobiles are advertised
as sure to make a hit. If so, the new
year is destined to be one of numerous
fatalities
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-21

A Birmingham restaurant has on its
bill of fare, Positively, fresh eggs, as
if such a thing were possible.