davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
THE BAKERS DOZEN.
How the Extra Tale of Numbers Arose
 In Trade.

From the New York Tribune.
 Some persons, including few ency- clopaedists, are inclined to think that the bakers dozen originated when heavy fines were considered necessary to coun- terbalance light weights, and the bakers, in order to insure full weight. took the precaution to add an additional unit Some have called it the devils dozen' because thirteen was the number of witches who used to ride their broom sticks to the "Black Mass of Satan. The bakers great book in the Astor H. brary has another story of its origin:
 Jan Petersen, of Amsterdam, was a good churchman. but nevertheless he was afraid of being bewitehed. On the last night of 1854 he sat in his bakeshop try ing to keep out the evil spirits by prlm- ing himself with glass of good spirits. Sales had been brisk. There were no customers in the shop for the moment, and he sat back, meditatlng on the gains he would make on the morrow, when the fresh New Years cakes were put on sale. He was startled by sudden rap. An ugly woman pushed the door open.
 Give me dozen New Years cookies" she cried in a shrill voice.
 The shrllness of her voice did not mean anything to his slow Dutch mind. It only annoyed him.
 Well, then, you needn't speak so loud" said Jan. Pm not deaf.
 "A dozenn she screamed. Give me dozen Here are only twelve"
 well, then, twelve is a dozen.''
 "One more I want a dozen'
 well, then. if you want another go to the devil and get it.
 The bag left the shop, but from that night Jan had truobe. The shop seemed to be bewitched. His cakes were stolen. Either his bread was so light that It scared up the chimney. or so heavy that the supports of the oven gave way beneath the burden. His wife became deaf, his children went wild. His trade took wings and settled in the shops or his rivals Three times the old woman returned, and each time was directed to the devils sanctum. At last, in despair, the baker called upon St. Nicholas to assist him. The venerable patron of Dutch feasts delivered lecture on chari- ty. telling the trembling man to be more generous in the future. Then he van ished, and in his place stood the hag, who repeated her demand for one more cake. Jan acceded, whereupon she ex- claimed "The spell is broken: from this time one dozen is thirteen" Taking from the counter a gingerbread effigy of St. Nicholas, she made the subdued Dutch man lay his hand upon it and swear to give more liberal measure in the future. Since that time thirteen has been called a bakers dozen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

O says that he first observed Eng O fish sparrows in this country in 1866. They multiplied so rapidly for a time that they promised to be a pest. but the naturalist points out. they are decreasing now and no, longer present a serious problem. From the days when they first became numerous English spar rows have been roundly abused and slain without mercy. They have been looked upon as unwelcome visitors, and an un- nitigated nuisance that should be sup pressed by any means. however violent. But they are eheery little fellows. Tho their chatter is not music, to be sure, 1t is pleasant to hear In the early morning when dawn begins to break and the rim of the sun peeps over an eastern hill. They are such busy rascals, so greedy and selfish and human that one can't help but feel for them a sneaking sympathy, as we more readily condone in others the faults which we ourselves pos sess. Granted that the English sparrow has faults and many of them; granted that he Is not particularly useful or neces- sary the. same is true of humanity in the main. So let us speak a good word for the homely. undgnifed English spar row with his coat of sober gray.
 AN OLD MANS REVERY. Iris summer and the blue birds are sing
 ing Molly.
 The roses are blooming round the door. My dim eyes no longer see the letters,
 Molly.
 My strength. too, is failing more and
 more.
 And yet my heart with love is still brim-
 ming. Molly,
 While often Pm dreaming of the day When you and I were young together,
 Molly,
 Two comrades just starting on life's
 way.
 I recolleet the little cottage, Molly, The flower beds that fiourished heath
 your spell, The garden gate where you would meet
 me, Molly,
 The hollyhocks, the elm trees and the well.
 The days are dragging slowly for me,
 Molly,
 The home we loved is gone--Im far No sound of childish prattle greets me,
 Molly,
 No joy Is left the old man-blind and
 gray, But this-the joy of always dreaming,
 Molly.
 My thoughts upon another time and
 place..
 Tn fancy can feel your hand clasp, Molly,
 And thro' the misty years behold your
 face.
 While General Wood cracked his own head, it was the "peepul' who paid the bill.
 Nobody criticises the baseball manager until after the pass books are issued. Maybe you think all the spring poetry is in We'll it isn't.
 A Rev. Mr. Bailey volunteers the cheer ing information that there is no such place as he'll Of course he doesn't really
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
Accumulates Wealth.

"There Is more accumulated wealth in Richmond than in any city in the south, with the single exception of New Or leans," said Andrew J. Gray, prom inent citizen of the Virginia capitol. now registered al the Hillman.
 Richmond has not only sufficient capi- tai for it's own industrial and commer- eial development but it has money to spare for outside investment. Richmond capital sought the Birmingham district in the early days and there is strong ten dency just now to invest additional Rich mond money here. There Is great deal of talk in Virginia about Birmingham be- ing the most attractive proposition in the United States"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
Only Marble Court House.

Shelby county and Columbiana is all right" said H. E. Whitaker of the Co., lumbiana Sentinel who was in town last night. "On the 5th of April the corner stone of the only marble court house in Alabama will be laid at Columbiana, and the Masons are to have change of the ceremonies. Lieutenant-Governor Cum nlngham will be the orator and will handle the trowel of mortar Our people arc making great preparations for the event and all the world, including The Age Herald. is invited"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
LlNCOLNS FAIRNESS IS
 CONVINCINGLY PROVED
From Frederick Trevor Hilrs Lincoln the I,aWyer'' in the April Century

From Frederick Trevor Hilrs Lincoln
 the Lawyer" in the April Century. @ INCOBN not only spoke lan-
 S guage which jurors could under - stand, but he also took them into his confidence and made them feel as one of his contemporaries says, that he and they were trying the case to- gether. He was likewise continually the friend of the court who thought it "would be only fair to let in this, or "only right that that should be conceded" :" and who "reckoned he must be wrong" !" when the court overruled him. but who. nevertheless. took a quiet and tactful exception whenever the occasion required 1t.
 "Now about the time he had practiced through three-quarters of the case in this way" observes Leonard Swett. "his adversary would wake up to find him self beaten. He was as wise as a ser bent in the trial of a case, and what he 
 so blandly gave away was only what he couldn't get and keep"
 Of course these comments were merely intended to emphasize the fact that Iin- coin did not try both sides of his cases. as some of his eulogists would have us believe; but unfortunately they have been distorted into an implication that he in dulged in tricks of trade, and that his apparent fairness was nothing better than a device by which he lured the unwary to destruction.
 MT. E. NJ. Prince, who Is now living in Bloomington, H.. and who heard Lin coin try over a hundred cases of all sorts. is competent authority on any question of this kind, and his testimony is direct and convincing. The truth is," Mr. Prince remarked while talking with the writer, that Mir Lincoln had a genous for seeing the real point in a case at once, and aiming steadily at 1t from the beginning of a trial to the end. The issue in most cases lies in very narrow compass. and the really great lawyer disregards everything not directly tending to that issue. The mediocre ad- vecate is apt to miss the crucial point in his case and is easily diverted with minor matters, and when his eyes are opened he is usually angry and always surprised Mr. Lincoln instlnctively saw the kernel of every case at the outset, never lost sight of 1t, and never let it escape the jury. That was the only trick I ever saw him play"
 But the best possible proof that MT. Lincoln was an unusually fair practition- CT and generous opponent Is the fact that he made no enemies in the ranks of his profession during all his active and va ried career. Forbearance is often mis- taken for tmidity. and tact for weak ness. and it not nfrequently happened that Lncolns professional opponents misinterpreted his attitude toward them; but they were always speedily disillusion- ed. MT. Swett remarked that "any one who took Lincoln for simpie-minded man Gin the courtroomD would very soon wake up on his back in "oitch'; and although he seldom resorted to tongue
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
WHY THE SPRING TOUCHES HIM

From the Atlanta Constitution
 Ever time de spring season come roun," said the old Georgia darkey, "i gifts ter rehectin on dc changes CT life. Ever time de alligator crawls out ter sun hissef on de log in de millpond l thinks bout two chilluns l lost"
 But why should the gator cause you to recall them?'
 "Kase he swallowed bofe of em las spring. suh en saved em fun a worr of troubler'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
ECHOES.

By T. Moore. How sweet the answer Echo makes
 To Music at night When, reused by lute Or horn, she wakes, And far away OCT lawns and lakes
 Goes answering lightl Yet love hath echoes truer far
 And far more sweet Than e'er, beneath the moonlghts star, Of horn or lute or soft guitar
 The songs repeat. Iris when the sigh -in youth sincere
 And only then. The sigh that's breathed for one to hear Is by that one, that only Dear
 Breathed bank aesin-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
ALABAMA PRESS

Athens Alabama Courier: There is one thing to be said for old man Dowie. Nobody has yet heard him demand a yindcation.
 Gadsden Journal: If Mayor Ward con tinues to close Birmingham saloons the Magic City will soon be on complete water wagon basis.
 Talladega Mountain Home: Our office boy remarked Monday morning that he supposed MT. Conner was quite happy as all of our railroads had been washed away Sunday night.
 Anniston Hot Blast: A Milwaukee man has made light of the Milwaukee gas company by tapping it's pipes and ex- tracting s26,0OOO worth of it's gas. This Is one way of getting ahead of gas company,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR,
New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 Children are grateful for something be- fore you do 1t for them.
 The most useful thing about the house is the thing that is never there.
 The dreadful thing about politicians IS they aren't ashamed to admit they are.
 When a girls breath smells of cologne water it is sign she has been smoking.
 One of the easiest ways for a boy to be able 10 get up early is not to have to go to school.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
Birmingham Machinery for Russia.

"The output of Birmingham mills and factories is going to all parts of the world" said an observing man. Aside from the heavy shipments of steel and iron finished products in the shape of fine machinery are going to remote lands.
 This fact was impressed on me by see ing a car on the Central of Georgia rail- way loaded with veneer cutting machin- cry built by a local concern and billed to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
ROGERS FAMED.

From the Kansas City Times.
 Of course the public expected that Henry H. Rogers would eventually bs subdued, but nobody anticipated he would be tamely eating out of Attorney General Eadley's hand in so brief time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
WHERE THE CHEERS START

From the Galveston Tribune.
 Every time the president is nominated for a third term by somebody the loud est chorus of approval comes from the vicinity of the government trough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

flashing and rarely displayed anger, there is abundant evidence that no one ever attacked him with impunity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The New Orleans Times-Democrat presents side by side the reigning Rockefeller aud also John D. Rocke- feller III. The latter is a chip off the old block. but he forgot his wig.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Speaker Cannon has turned the anti quarantine Texans down. and is sitting on them, and the rules committee will soon come to his relief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Judge Humphrey has decided that the beef trust can be scored as a cor poration. but that the individuals in it who do the bad work are excellent citizens. The Chicago judge and New Works Jerome are sitting in one boat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The man the public honors is the man who tells all he knows about looters and grafters
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Coreans boil thieves 10 death. Over here if they are rich enough we mere ly roast" them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The trust magnates should take something for their memories, which badly need a tonic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The Coal Barons are champing their bits in their eagerness to begin the season's battles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Russia is on the verge of another uprising fed and fostered by the loot from that Moscow bank.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Mr Hadley of Missouri easily out ranks in the public mind the late MT. Jerome of New York.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The lieutenant generals are to taper out with General Corbin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The straw hat will begin to be due next week in this latitude. In Chicago it is different.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Birmingham new skyscraper $ mounting rapidly. The town Is getting a flock of them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

John w Gates declines to wear in this district the sad look that is said to go with wealth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Purple shirts will also be de rigeur this season, Algy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

If your coat is split in the middle behind, instead of on each hip, it is a sign that you are not wearing tailored clothes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The bureaucrats are eyeing the ap- propriation of sf00,OO0,000 for a new Russian navy with accustomed eager. ness and covetousness. Their graft will be ten millions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE TIMES

know. but people will agree with him be- cause they hope he is right. It is easy to believe a man when he says what He want him to say.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The genuine simon-pure standpatter does not even mention the sacred tariff. He swallows it whole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Blends of whisky contain great deal of prune juice. This imparts to it natural if not inviting taste.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The Huntsville Tribune says that no man can understand boy. which is a change from the usual statement that no man can understand woman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The Standard Oil trust made con fession of facts that were known all the time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The law seems to be something of farce in Chattanooga and in Spring field, O.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

the Singer company at Podolsk. Moscow Russia, in care of the Singer company at Riga"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Lent is slowly expiring. The devil is getting ready to resume work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Having been translated into Latin and Bostonese, it would seem about time for "Eyerybody Works But Father" to die natural death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

While Montgomery is getting 100000 population, St. Louis proposes to get a million. While a city is getting peo. pie it may as well get a great many on paper at any rate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

It is now Texas time to lambaste the oil trust.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The mosquitoes in New Jersey would not pay license fees as the trusts do, and they are to be abol- ished
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

A cat has a right to look at king. and the dog elected to the douma will soon have right to bark at Gzar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

pr. Parkhurst speaks of Brother Rockefeller as "a fugitive from justice . This should jar John D. Rockefeller IT
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

The Algeciras conference is bracing up to adjourn. Better late than never
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

A school girl recently said gentle
 man is the golden rule in trousers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29
GET READY.

GET READY. Disinfect your premises, Sprinkle lots of lime, Use the strongest chemicals, Clean up all the time. Study sanitation hard. Summer time is nigh And the stegomyia is Coming by and by.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

It is a safe estimate that more ener- gy is wasted, more hopes blasted and more hands blistered on spring garden projects than on any other single hobby The victim to be is lured on irresistlbly and when he wakes up he swears un- reservedly. Some people never get over the. spring garden fever. others, with an astonishing wisdom. never try again after making the first attempt What field of broad philanthropy opens before the man who wishes to devote his life to leading humanity around the amateur garden
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

THE WISE MAN.
 I've made a close study
 Of women." he said,
 Then married one who made
 Him stand on his head. Attorney Hadley had a hard fight to bring the oil octopus beneath his feet but he seems to have the mighty cephal- opod tanned at last and the fruits of vic- tory are his. Mir Hadley now stands in line for promotion"
 A SYMPTOM.
 When you feel 1t
 Der you stealing
 Put 1t down as
 That tired feeling. There are few persons in the more len. lightened' parts of the world who haven't received at least one souvenir post card since the craze started. These cards have made the postman walk thousands of miles that he would have escaped had there been none. People who wouldn't write letters sent postal cards and the postman had to deliver them, will he, hill he.
 THEY ARE DIFF BRENT.
 Old wine Is good,
 Old whisky too
 But somehow we
 Prefer eggs new. If man would spend as much time working as he does in arguing with his conscience he would accomplish won ders.
 BE MERCIFUL.
 How can the merry octopus
 Enjoy a nap at all
 Or take a bit of comfort when
 There's such a frenzied squall Created by the papers for
 No cause that's very plain
 Unless, perchance it's justAa trick
 To give his nihs a pain? David Graham Phillips Treason of the Senate has sidetracked Thomas w Lawson's "Frenzied Finance" Lawson made the mistake of playing too long on one string. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Chairman Shonts is actually going to Panama. He wants to go at once so that he can get away from there before the good old summer time causes the swamps of Colon to seethe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

No communication will be published without its authors name. Rejected man uscripts will not be returned unless stamps are enclosed for that purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

L. H. Russ, C. G. Witt and J. F. Keeley are the only authorized travelling repre- sentatives of The Age-Herald in its cir eulation department.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Johnstown seems to be hoodooed.
  Tbn oro, of Eacter hats is safe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

-9~N~~~0~0-o~-~9----- Entered at the Birmingham. Ala, post office as second-class matter under act of Congress March 3. 1879
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Washington Bureau Age-Herald 142 G street, N. W.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

Remittances can be made at current rate of exchange. The Age-Herald will not be responsible for money sent through the mails. Address
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

! LIFToN JOHNSON in Outing says that he first observed Eng fish sparrows in this country in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

population, St Louis proposes to get a million. While city is getting peo. pie it may as well get a great many on paper at any rate.
 
 The bureauerats are eyeing the ap- propriation of s100,0O0,0 GOO for a new Russian navy with accustomed eager ness and coyetousness. Their graft will be ten millions.
 The Huntsville Tribune says that no man can understand a boy which is a change from the usual statement that no man can understand a woman.
 
 Having been translated into Latin and Bostonese, 1t would seem about time for Everybody Works But Father" to die a natural death.
 
 The mosquitoes in New Jersey would not pay license fees as the trusts do, and they are to be abol- ished.
 Dr. Parkhurst speaks of Brother Rockefeller as "a fugitive from justice. ; This should jar John D. Rockefeller II.
 A cat has a right to look at a king. and the dog elected to the douma will soon have a right to bark at Gzar.
 
 Blends of whisky contain great deal of prune juice. This imparts to it a natural if not inviting taste. The genuine simon-pure standpatter does not even mention the sacred tariff. He swallows it whole. Russia is on the verge of another uprising fed and fostered by the loot from that Moscow bank.
  MT. Hadley of Missouri easily out ranks in the public mind the late MT. Jerome of New York.
 --s.--- The man the public honors is the man who tells all he knows about looters and grafters.
 
 The trust magnates should take something for their memories, which badly need a tonic.
 
 John w. Gates declines to wear in this district the sad look that Is said to go with wealth.
 phan Dinp their bits in their eagerness to begin the seasons battles.
 Coreans boil thieves to death. Over here if they are rich enough we mere ly roast" them.
 Birmingham new skyscraper IS mounting rapidly. The town is getting flock of them.
 The straw hat will begin to be due next week in this latitude. In Chicago it is different.
 The Standard Oil trust made con fession of facts that were known all the time. -.ss-------- The law seems to be something of farce in Chattanooga and in Spring field, o. The Algeciras conference Is bracing LID to adjourn. Better late than never.  A school girl recently said a gentle mar is the golden rule in trousers. | Lent is slowly expiring. The devil is getting ready to resume work. The lieutenant generals are to taper out with General Corbin.
 Purple shirts will also be de rigeur this season, Algy. It is now Texas time to lambaste the oil trust. Johnstown seems to be hoodooed.
  l The oron of Eacter hats is safe.