davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
VALUE OF FINGERS
What Various Countries of Europe AL
 low for Their Loss.

From the Philadelphia Record
 The different fingers are far from having the same value in the eyes of the law with reference to their functional utiliza- tion. Much the most important is the thumb, for without it prehension would be very imperfect. The hand is no langer pincers, but merely claw, when de- prived of the thumb. It may be esti- mated that the thumb represents fully a third of the total value of the hand The French court allows 15 to 35 per cent value for the right hand and 10 to 15 for the left; the Austrian schedule gives from 15 per cent for the left to 25 per cent for the right; in Germany 20 to 2S per cent, and even as high 33.3 per cent has been awarded. The percentage is based on 100 as the total industrial value of the hand previously to the &C., cdent loss of 50 per cent representing half of the value, etc.
 The total loss of the index finger causes an incapacity estimated at 10 to b per cent in Austria. 16 to 20 per cent in Ger many, 15 per cent for the left and 20 per cent for the right by Italian courts; the French allow 15 per cent.
 The middle finger is of much more importance than the index, states Dr. Meiguan, whom we are citing, and who is no small authority. for a great loss of force is observed in the hand when the finger Is amputated. Yet almost all the authorities ascribe less importance to it than the index. The Italian law allows per cent, the Austrian to 10 per cent.
 The ring finger is the least important. Its total loss often does not cause inca pacity. The Austrian tariff assmilates this finger to the middle one. The Italian law is liberal, with per cent. The French and German tribunals often refuse in- demnity, considering the incapacity result ing from the loss very slight.
 The little finger may be compared to the ring, except in the professions in which it serves as a point of support for the hand. It may be remarked here that the artist has not been taken into con SideratiOn in these eases
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Cotton Bulls.

Although cotton has been on the down ward trend for several weeks said a cooton man, many of the best informed that there is not much on which to base bear campaign. They argue that be- cause receipts are large, the largest on record, it doesn't follow that they will be a weight on the market. On the con- trary they say the big movement merely shows that cotton is in good demand and as that which goes 10 the ports has already been sold, it cannot weigh on the market It is that which Is held back that stands as a menace to the bulls.
 "Another argument advanced by the bulls is that when supply runs over de- mand low grade cotton is naturally a weapon with which the bears can hammer the market by delivering 1t on future con- tracts on the New York exchange. but that where an enormous per cent of the entire crop is of very low grade, as is the case this year. that the mills will be compelled without choice to take it.
 "Even in New York, which is supposed to be the home of the bears, the opinion prevails that such is the demand for cot ton this season that a twelve million crop would sell easily for l2 cents pound Ten cents, about the present price of the staple Is not regarded as much, If any too high for thirteen million crop, and this is about the average estimate of the hears"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
ST. PAUL,S NEW YORK.

A Correspondent of the New York Sun.
 In your editoion of today you give some account of old St. Pauls church in New York. l will add to that account by say ing that the designs for old St. Paul's were drawn by Sir Christopher Wren and were originally intended for the rebuild ing of Trinity church, after it's first de- struetion by fire
 The plans were however, not used as intended, but were laid away among the parish archives, till in 1764 it was de- termined to build St. Pauls. MT. Com fort Sands, then vestryman of Trinity, was chosen by that body to make con- tracts with builders and do all things necessary to bring the work to comple ton. This he did, and he, as he states in his diary, took the communion on the consecration of the church. with the gov- ernor and many of the first gentlemen of the city.
 have not my copy of Comfort Sands diary by me, and thus am not certain as to whether he was a vestryman of Trinity or of the new founded parish of St. Pauls, but I think he was or had been a vestryman of Trinity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIEs
An Important Railroad.

"I see that the name of the carrollton Short Line railroad has been changed to Alabama, Tennessee and Northern rail- road" said Sergeant J. T. Shirley of the Birmingham police force, yesterday.
 This is one of the shortest independ ent railroad lines in the state of Nh, bama, but is one of the most important as factor in the development of the section through which it runs. It was built several years ago by John T. Coeh rane. who is It's president and principal owner. 1t is twenty-one miles long and extends from Reform via Carrollton to Alieeville. At Reform it connects with the main line of the Mobile and Ohio
 "fhe railroad company operates several saw mills located along the line and car ries large amount of freight as a feed CT to that road. The old Car1oiton Short Line was the first road to enter Pickens county, and has been very important in the development of that section, which is one of the finest agricultural and timber districts in the state
 Tt is said that the change in the name of the railroad is the only change to be made. The ownership remains the same, but the success of the road justifies the prediction that early extensions of im- portan6e may be made"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
HEREDITARY lRASClBlLITY.

From the London Truth
 Herbert Bismarck had none of his fa- ther's bright wit in conversation, but had his overbearing temper, and his mothers violent irascibility. She had the disposition of the Frankish woman as ex- emplified in Fredegonda, but held in check by modern conditions. Bismarck in anger was as terrible as a ferocious mastiff. She, far from restraining him. kept on saying: Good dog; tss-s-ss Go at him Cor at herr; good dog; tss-s-ss," or tantamount words The mastiff that lay before the surface In Bismarck grew more and more infuriated, especially if the evening before he had eaten and drunk copiously. With these parents, Her bert Jane and Bill Bismarck could not be expected to have courteous manners. Herbert. who was stranger in Paris, and whom the fond father hoped one day to send there as ambassador. was bulky, sullen, and of complexion that re- vealed an angry state of the blood. Gam betta said of him: "He reminds me of. a limb of the law hardened to the work of laying on executions-in short of low class bailff recors)."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
MT. RooseveIt's Panama Trip.

When the President sails away to Panama next week on the battleship Louisiana, he will be the first Presi- dent in a long .lne to journey far be- yond the bounds of the United States during his term of office. At heart he is an iconoclast. Precedent does not bind him, nor tradition guide him. He is overjoyed when he can trample both under feet, as he will do when he sails to Panama.
 His right to leave the country can not be successfully questioned, =. DO law of any sort retains him here. An tnwritten law has kept all his prede- ressors at home or near our shores, hui in some instances that unwritten law has been in a small degree disre- parded. President Cleveland once went to North Carolina, passing Cape Hat teras at sea. He went beyond the limit President Arthur, too, once left the country when he went to Alexandria bay on the St. Lawrence river. But those departures from the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Hiuh Schools In the South.

Dr. Edwin A. Alderman. president of the University of Virginia, says a con. ference will be held soon at Charlottes- vile to consider plans for pushing the work of providing high schools all through the south. The presidents of the universities in the south and the state superintendents of education are expected to attend the conference.
 Dr. Alderman and those who are act ing with him seem to think the south has enough universities and also enoughs primary schools, and that it's greatest need is at present high schools. The missing link is no doubt needed in great many localities, and the work of the Charlottesville confer ence should not be discouraged.
 It is, however, great mistake to say that there are enough primary schools in the south to receive and train all the children, blacks as well as whites, in the A B C's of educa- ton. Illiteracy would be reduced if the demand for primary schools had been fully met. It has not been, and the south has a long way to go yet before nine months of primary school ing is offered to all children in the south.
 However. let Dr. Alderman and his associates establish more high schools. Let us have all the means of education we can secure, but let Us not make the mistake of thinking that our primary schools are what they should be. They are far fewer and far poorer than they should be. and this is why our per centage of illiteracy is so high.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
RESTORES GRATEFUL SOLDIER.
om London Truth

From London Truth.
 During Ristoris first engagement at Madrid an elderly woman one night gained access to her dressing room and tearfully begged her intervention on be- half of her son, a young soldier con demned to death for a serious breach of discipline. At the close of the perform ance Rstori was presented to Queen Isabella, made the required appeal, and obtained the young mans free pardon perhaps because 1t gave to the Queen the opportunity of a mot. that she was cer tain the actress had never before played in a tragedy with such a happy ending Some years later Ristori again visited Madrid During the first performance a soldier among the audience made dis turbance, was elected only after severely damaging a number of policemen, and was subsequently, sentenced to long term of imprisonment. He proved to be Rstori's former protege, who hearing of her return had come to the theatre in order to renew his expression of grati- tude. Unfortunately, he had drunk her health too enthusiastically beforehand with the result that he finally owed her. not only his life, but free board and lodging for several years into the bar In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Church and State in Enqland.

The liberal government put through the House of Commons bill confning religious instruction in the public schools to narrow limits and making far to secularize the schools-in other words, to put them on the American basis. The bill is considered the chief. as it Is the first general, measure of the Campbell Zimmerman cabinet, and it will not be given up without an ap- peal to the country if need be, and that appeal may involve the further existence of the House of Lords.
 The education bill was taken up iu the House of Lords when Parliament reassembled last week. and already it has been amended so that attendance during religious instruction would be compulsory, and other far-reaching changes in like direction are daily made in the bill. The bill will not be acceptable to the liberals when it is returned to the House of Commons. A compromise may be arranged, but tt will not be possible to save the bill in that way unless the lords back down on many points. The liberals will take an appeal to the country rather than accept any proposition that looks to continuance of control by the Established church of the public schools supported from taxes levied on all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
WHIP DOG DAY.
,m the London Chronicle.

From the London Chronicle.
 St. Luke's day is also called Whip Dog day in the almanacs. which refers us to the quaint offices of dog whipper and sluggard walker, that used to be held generally by one person attached to every church As late as 1857 there is a re- cord of one of these officials at Dun- church, who, armed with a wand that had a fork at the end of it, used to go round the church during sermon time and wake the sleepers by croolxing it around their necks. Sometimes the wand had foxs brush at the other end, with which to arouse lady sleepers more courteously In some places the, whip for driving dogs out of church is still preserved, and still quite recently the school boys had GUS tom of whipping the dogs out of the streets on St. Luke's day in a similar way. A curious entry in tLo Wakefield church accounts runs thus: 170S: For hats, shoes and horses, for sexton and dog whipping, 1Ss 6d."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Col. L. w. Johns Returns.

Col. L. W. Johns and Mrs. Johns have returned from a trip of several months abroad. They visited Colonel Johns native town in Wales, and travelled extensively on the continent.
 As is well known Colonel Johns is greatly interested in Vulcan. the iron colossus that was constructed to repre- sent Birmingham at the St. Louis expo sition. Vulcan was recently set up near the entrance to the fair grounds, and Colonel Johns said yesterday that he thought that was an ideal place to leave the big fellow.
 T am tckled with the disposition of Vulcan and think he is just where he ought to be- said the Colonel yesterday. "The statue stands where he will be seen by the thousands that attend the state fairs in the future, and everyone that rides to Bessemer and Ensley on the and see the iron man.
 T had a great trip to the old country and talked Birmingham to everyone that l met. On several occasions l was in- Vited to speak and I always told the people about Birmingham, her great re- sources and her prospects for the future. But I am glad to get back home. After all there is no place like Birmingham.
 What pleases me most. however, is that Vulcan has finally been erected where he can stand as an everlasting monument of Birmingham the greatest iron center of the south
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02

fense the man was charged with. but I know he has a tender heart, if I may judge by his looks and actions.
 'I think our good Christian ladies could find a large field for the exercise of their charity if they were to find out the wives and families of these poor prisoners and render them some assistance while the husband and father is prevented from do- ing so. The condition of these poor women is one of saddest illustrations of the truth of the proverb that the inro- cent sometimes suffer for the guilty"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02

do not extend to state matters and state issues.
 No doubt a bargain between the Mormons of Utah and the republican leaders has long existed, and it is claimed that under this bargain the President should come to the assist ance of the Mormons of Idaho He cannot do this without overstepping constitutional bounds, and in all de- cency he should not do that for the purpose of aiding Mormonism.
 The Idaho election is of interest on this account, and Mir. Stockslager's election will be a test vote. The Nor mons will be shut out if he is elected, backed. as he no doubt would be, by a democratic legislature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02

country were short and incidental. President Roosevelt will deliberately leave the country next week for a con siderable time 10 go on a considerable voyage to the tropics.
 But no one will object We are spending s25,00O,00O a year on the Panama canal, and the President goes to Panama in the hope that he can give an entirely new turn to canal con struction. A civil governor of the canal zone has not been appointed Since the departure of Governor Magoon. Chief Engineer Stevens has been act ing governor Perhaps MT. Stevens will continue to act in that capacity, for his duties will be lighter when the work of construction is turned over to contractors.
 The President at any rate has wisely decided to study the situation on the spot. Thus far results commensurate with expenditures are lacking. A higher efficiency is needed, and the President hopes to be able to secure it after a personal investigation of. the work in hand. He will strive no doubt to bring in simplicity where complexity now prevails, and economy where waste is manifest. He will seek, in other words, methods that will dig a canal in a req sonable time at a reasonable cost. To do that he will have 10 revoutionize affairs in the vast and non-progressive canal enterprise. It is not strange, in deed, that he feels compelled to go to the isthmus.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
CABLE IS SOON TO WE'D

Lexington d<y) Special to the Cincinnati
 Enquirer.
 N private letters received by her
 friends here today, Miss Eva Steven son of this city, who is now in the east, announces her engagement and ap- preaching marriage to George w. Cable, the famous southern author The mar riage will take place in a few weeks.
 The announcement came as com plete surprise to Miss Stevenson's Lex ington friends, who, while they knew of the long-standing friendship between the two, had not suspected that it approached so slender a climax. Miss Stevenson came to live in Lexington about fifteen years ago. and since that time she has been prominent figure in musical and club or ganizations and the more intellectual cir cles of the city. She and her mother made their home for many years in a handsome, old-fashioned house on Broad- way, where, with every accessory of luxury. they lived a quiet life though their house was a center of attraction for the old, aristocratic families and of the intellectual and artistic element of the city.
 Several years ago Miss Stevenson's mother died, and the daughter relin- quished their old residence and has since made ner home at the Lexington Wom- ans Club building, which she owned. Miss Stevenson served for two terms as pres ident of this club, and it was while she held that position that she first met the man who is to be her husband It was about five years ago that Mir Cable gave a reading from his own works at the Woman's club and, of course. was intro duced to the clubs president He from the first showed that he was strongly at- tracted to her. and at the social enter tainments given him while here showed her much attention. A year later MT Cable made it convenient D lecture again in Lexington, and during his stay was much in the society of Miss Stevenson This was his last visit here. but it was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Theatrical Attractions.

Nowhere perhaps, is the progress of things shown in a more marked degree than in the improved character of the plays now on the road" said travelling man. Formerly it was rarely that a first-class show could be seen In the smaller towns oftener than once or twice a year. Now cities like New Orleans, Bir- mingham. Atlanta and Memphis have them regularly.
 shows fresh from their Broadway sue cesses are now as common as barn stormers used to be. There is no doubt but that this advance is due largely to the theatrical syndicates.
 ''Whatever else may be said about them as to paying more attention to box office receipts than to art, it cannot be denied that by establishing their big circuits they have made it possible for the small CT interior towns to enjoy. the best the stage affords. Individually, 1t would be difficult for these theatres to make their bookings fit in with each ether and with the plans of the stars"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
THE SECRET.

By Cosmo MonlShouse. She passes in her beauty bright
 Amongst the mean, amongst the gay. And all are brighter for the sight,
 And bless her as she goes her way. And now a gleam of pity pours.
 And now a spark of spirit flies, Uncounted. from the unlocked stores
 Of her rich lips and precious eyes. And all men look and all men smile,
 But no man looks on her as |: They mark her for little while,
 But I will watch her till die And if I wonder now and then
 Why this so strange thing should be- That she be seen by wiser men,
 And only duly loved by me, I only wait a little longer:
 And watch her radiance in the room Here making light'a little stronger,
 And there obliterating gloom. Qike one who in a tangled way
 Watches the broken sun fall through. Turning to gold the faded spray,
 And enaking diamonds of dew.) Until at last, as my heart burns,
 She gathers all her scattered light. And undivided radiance turns
 pon me like a sea of light; And then know they see in part
 That which God lets me worship whole: He gives them glances of her heart,
 But me the sunshine of her soul.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
Brown-Marx Freezes.

''NeT ynrl-'S TlatiIcu building is the storm center for all the breezes that blow along Manhattan island" said a man. What corresponds in Birminghan to the Flatiron is the Brown-Marx building. Its corner. too in true metropolitan style, is getting some breezes of its own.
 Tt is not so noticeable as to hats and skirts, but all thI ough the night merry derce Is performed by the waste paper that is congregated there. This Is doing pretty well as starter When Birmlng- ham gets up into the millions maybe the Brown-Marx corner will be just as windy as the Flatiron."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
ENGLAND AND GERMANY.
The Latter Power Surpassing Her
 Rival In Many Lines of Activity.

From the Daily Consular and Trade Re
 ports
 The German population is growing at the rate of more than 90O.OOO a year, while the British population is increasing by only 100000 yearly. The government of the United Kingdom numbered 37.4O0,O0O per sons in their islands in 1890 and 43. 200 OOO in 1905. Germanys gain was much great CT, the advance being from 49, 400, 900 to CO., 600,00O. Yet, notwithstanding this enor- nous increase in the number of people for whom work had to be provided, Ger man industry has expanded at such rate that laborers are scarce. The vitality of the German nation is shown by the in creased net surplus of births over deaths per thousand from 11.7 in 1890 to 14.5 in 1904, whereas in England it was 1O.7 in 1890 and only 11.7 in 1894.
 The gross receipts of the German rail- ways, which up to the twentieth century were always we'll below those of the British, have now risen above them. The aggregate shows $3S4, ,4535O for the United Kingdom and $306 5S9, ,5OO for Ger many in 1890, and s545,04S,000 for the United Kingdom and S549 45,00O for Ger many in 1904. The prosperity of the Ger man railways is shown by the fact that their profits rose from 2.2 per cent in 1890 to per cent in 1904, whereas for fifteen years the ordinary stock of British rail ways has steadily declined, the fall hay in 4 tn in, when all allowance is made for watered stock. Between 1890 and 1904 5000 miles of railway were built in Germany. In the same period England built only 24OO miles of line.
 In coal consumption German industry is fast overtaking the British. The fig ures for coal mined in the respective countries show 154,000,O00 tons for the United Kingdom, and S9,O00,0OO for Ger many in 1890. and 239,000,OO0 tons for the United Kingdom and 113,00O000 for Ger many in 1905. These figures are still more significant when it is remembered that in England more coal is used by the mer- cantile marine and burned in houses than in Germany.
 In the manufacture of iron. where for a century England held the primacy, Ger many has forged well ahead. England produced in 1890 S031 900 tons, Germany 4.65s0o0 tons. In 1905 England produced 9,I46.ooo tons Germany 10,S75,0OO tons. With steel 1t is even worse for Great Britain.
 In wealth Germany has rapidly ad- vanced, as shown by the increased de- posits in the Prussan savings banks. which rose from s79s. .106.OOO fifteen years ago to s1 .SsS POP. 900 last year, against the advance in England from $54O O1S1 300 to s97S. 30OO0O. Those paying the Prussian income tax have risen from per cent of the population in 1890 to F per cent in 1905, showing 4.S9o,oo0 people with taxable incomes in Prussia alone. Another sign of Germany's growing wealth is that the