davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
sToDpARD's DEATH.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
 The brief dispatch announcing the death of J. H. Stoddard. the veteran actor at his home in the east yesterday was received with regret by the local theatrical colony. Mr. Stoddard had been in retirement for more than a year. He will be long affec- tlonately remembered for his fine char acter drawings that illuminated many a performance and especially for the human and rugged portrayal of Lachlan Camp bell in the dramatic version of Ian Mac Laren's Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush, in which MT. Stoddard starred for several years and for which he will be best re- membered by the present generation of theatregoers It is singular connection that the Rev. Dr. Watson Clan Mac Laren) died within the year and now MT. Stoddard has passed away, while Ruben Fax, who was so prominently identified with the stage version of the story for his vivid performance of Posty, is a very sick man at his home in New York.
 Though they were but briefly associa ted professionally the names of Stoddard and Mansfield were closely connected in bit of important theatrical history. The vet eran actor was the character man or A. M. Palmer's famous company when he was cast for the role of Baron Chew rial in "A Parsion Romance He re- fused point blank to study the character, and by this action made way for Mans field who took it up and made the hit of his career at the opening performance, in fact earning his way into stardom by his graphic picture of that Parisian. role It is strange tlIat the two shoulS die within a few months time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
He Has Not Chanqed

The refusal of MT. Roosevelt to run again relieves him of personal respon- sibility for letting a panic strike the country during his administration, but it does not relieve his party of it's just responsibility in the matter. The country has long held the party that permits a panic to affiict the country to a severe responsibility Grover cleveland was held responsible for the panic of 1893, although he had scarcely warmed the presidential seat. So it ever has been and perhaps should be. It renders the party in power circum- spect and prudent. Mir. Rooseyelt's determination does not, however, lift responsibility from any member of his party who may be, nominated for Pres ident, certainly not from Fairbanks, Taft. Cannon, Knox or Foraker, for all these had hand in the events that led up to the panic. All these men have been in Washington taking all active part in politics. All of them will therefore stand condemned by the victims of the panic.
 The President manifests anew his keen political foresight in his deter! imitation not to face hard times and a third term, both of which would have been considered products of his own hand 50 far as the campaign is con cerned. No one reads more closet, the American mind than Theodore roostsclt lie stands for the average
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
RE IS A>sANTA CLAUS.
Editorial That Appeared In. 4he New York Sun.

once little girl wrote this letter to the editor:
 Dead Editor-I am years old. Some of my friends say that there is no Santa Claus Papa says: If you see it in the osun," it's so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?
 "VIRGINIA o. HANLON.' 5.
 virginia: Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skeptie- ism of a skeptical age. They will not be- lieye except they see.
 "Ys, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and gem erosty and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus? It would be as dreary as if there were no virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance, to make tolerable this existence We should Have no en- joyment except in sense and sight. Ire eternal light with which childhood fills theSworld woaid be extinguished.
 You msllt get rtpa to hire men 10 watch all ll.e ciiimne IS on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not rec Santa Claus coming down, what would that rrove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, 1he rGost real things in the world are those that neither children nor men ever see. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are Ii,- seen and unseeable in this world. You may teor apart tie babys rattle and see what. makes the noise inside, but there is veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest that ever klived could push asile thet curtain and view and pie ture the supernal beauty and glory be- yond. It is all real? An Virginia, in all this world there is nothing so real and abiding.
 No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever A thousand years from now, Virgnia-nay, 10 times 10000 years from now-he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
FIGHTING IT OUT.

From Puck.
 Clear the decks for aetionr'
 The big guns were now in position and the eyes of the combatants sparkled.
 "Clear the decks for action!''
 The order had rung out clear and dis iinct beyond a possibility of misunder- standing.
 My Godv' cried man trembling, my wife is here!"
 "CIear the decks for action."
 The order came with a grim relentless ness It was followed by an anticipatory shuffle and one minute later the Ninth Ward Ladies' Bridge club had swung into full session.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
Hitchcockism Disarranqed

The scheme of Assistant Postmaster General Hitchcock has been thrown out of joint He had been assiduously engaged in lining up 10 states in the south that never cast a republican electoral vote. The 10 states were to send instructed Roosevelt delegations. But this cannot be done now, for such delegations would be an insult and red rag to the President. Any such delegation would be equivalent to dis belief in the presidential word. Any such delegation would either accuse the President of insincerity or weak ness or both. NO such delegation will be permitted
 But the delegations from the 10 states were to be used for trading pur- poses under the cover of the name of the President The cover has been removed, and Hitchcock will be com pelled to devise new scheme, a new trick with a hole in it. If he does not do this speedily the whole field from Fairbanks to Foraker will turn them selves loose to pick up the 10 rotten borough delegations. scramble for them is now in order, and Fairbanks and Foraker have the pole. The 10 delegations render all republican poli- tics uncertain, confusing and Diaz- a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

man, and he never fails "to size him up" correctly. No doubt the president ial mind anticipates an imperative call in 1912, and if the republicans nomi- nate a reactionary in 1908 the Presi- dent may appear in the national lime light four years later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
IN HOTEL LOBBIl
Music Festival Possibility.

"The Damrosch orchestra will make a southern tour next May" said a music lover who is in correspondence with Loudon Charlton, MT. Damrosch's man. ager. "Only two or three dates remain unlocked and there is a possibility that arrangements may be made for Dam rosch to appear in Birmingham one or two nights.s
 With Birmingham's excellent chorus material and with the Treble Clef club of 35 voices. in excellent ensemble form, we should be able to give brilliant fes- tival in conjunction with the Damrosch organization. But unless We embrace the opportunity of securing thes Damrosch orchestra it will be well nigh impossible to have a festival, for no other adequate band would be available. For festival three things are essential-a well trained chorus, four solo artists and a grand orchestra. The orchestra is the most ex- pensive feature, but we had better not attempt a festival unless we can have first class band of instrumentalists,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
OLD MOTHERS.

By Charles S. Ross in the December Gen. tury I love old mothers-mothers with white
 hair, And kindly eyes, and lips grown softly
 sweet With murmured blessings over sleeping
 babes. There is a something in their quiet grace That speaks the calm of Sabbath after. moons; A knowledge in their deep, unfalterlng
 eyes That far outreaches all philosophy. Time, with caressing touch, about them
 weaves The sllver-threaded fairy shawl of age. While all the echoes of forgotten, songs Seem joined to lend a sweetness to their
 speech. Old mothers.-as they pass with slow
 timed step, Their trembling hands cling gently to
 youths strength; Sweet mothers,-as they pass. one sees
 again Old garden walks, old roses. and old loves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
How Merchants Pay Tax.

Tt is a very easy matter for the City Council to exempt from collection ad valorem tax on stocks of goods in 1908, remarked a citizen last night.
 While it is true that all property values are alike taxable, it is also true that since 1881 the merchants of this city have been paying tax on their stocks one year in advance. Under the constitution of She state cities are allowed to tax all property and to collect thereon according to the values assessed by the state and county the preceding year. The rule in this city, or the custom I may say, is to collect merchants tax theav very year of it's assessment-therefore the merchants have already paid in advance for 1908 dur ing 1907.
 Tn or about 1897, when the 'Birming- ham amendment to the constitution was adopted calling for an increase of 1O0 per cent on the city tax rate to meet bond ln- terest, tine very first collection attempted was against merchant for his taxesNhe current year. He paid, under protest and friendly suit followed. The lower court sustained the city and the supreme court, under opinion of Chief Justice Brittle, now deceased affirmed the decision. The only question involved was the rate and not tine time of collection.
 Tn fact, the merchants of Affirming ham have never objected seriously to any burden imposed upon them, but it is now very clear that they have paid tine merchants tax in advance, and can there fore be easily excused from payment in 19Os
 Tt is quite plain to any layman that personal property must he and can only be taxed like real estate, and if A pays on the assessed value of his real estate in 1907 next year, B must be taxed in the same ratio, collectible at the same time. Therefore. l again insist that no mer- chants tax in Birmingham is colectabls in 1908, all having been paid in 1907.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
ON THAT CONDITION.

From the Chicago News. S"Are you sane or insane?" asked the re- porter Nof the murder suspect who was charged with killing his sweetheart.
 Did they see me do it?" asked the prisoner in his turn.
 Saw you plain as day" was the reas- suring answer
 '.Then I am crazy, of course, replied the prisoner, impatiently. as he turned to receive bouquets from a group of we'll dressed and tenderly adoring women.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
THIS IS GOING SOME

From the Live Oak Qla) Democrat.
 That degenerate monstrositv that ra- preach 10 our civilization. that shrunken, shapeless' tasteless, porcine nightmare. mat hideous dream of hide and hair and horror, that allegory of starvation, that speeter of want and woe known as the Florida razorback hog-to sing his praises Is to encourage degeneracy; to declare nm toothsome is to insult the memory of Epicurus
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13


 DIDN'T COUNT. v She said farewell But bear in mind, It was the prima Donna kind
 Birmingham Age-Herald. She wept with grief And tore her hair, But kindly note.
 crowd was there.
 St. Louis Times Tho he was false She loved him still But that was in The vaudeville.
 Columbus Ohio Sun. She said: Although I starving am l spoin youah goldr' In melodram.
 New York Mail. She would not for
 His title pay; But this, of course, Was in play.
 Chicago Reeord-Herald. contemporary informs us that thers is a crisis in Boston. Shortage of beans, no doubt Autos are not for all women," says, the New York American. Exactly; they are mostly for chorus girls.
 OPENS HER EYES. / A woman weds
 A man and then Begins to think
 Much less of men. There are only two paydays left before Christmas. If every day between now and Christmas were payday we'd like it better. HARD TIMES. It makes me mean AS mean can be To have my dentist Draw on me
 St. Louis Times. It makes me sad,
 And that's the truth, To have him draw My wisdom tooth. We know what that woman who advises men to wear wrappers is driving at She wants men to be as slouchy as some women are. A mad dog broke up party the other day in Connecticut If a mad dog can't break up party, nothing can.
 - George Bailey fears that the paragraph- CTS may be jugged for blacklisting MT. Gaines. Georgia and Alabama paragraph CTS would gladly be jugged after Jan- uary 1. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
 A girl doesn't mind having red hair un- less you call it that.
 When a man isn't ashamed to talk of earning his bread and butter it amounts to lot more than that
 A man can endure most any disaster better than having lot of boys laugh at him when he falls down on icy side walk.
 One of the most unreasonable traits of a woman is the way she can think it isn't her fault when her husband cuts himself shaving.
 If a woman can't convince herself any other way that her husband loves her she can do it by remembering he told her so before they were married
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
THE LUXURY OF DYING.

From the Atchison Globe
 For one reason we are glad that we are poor Being poor when we are dying no one will rush for a tank of oxygen to pro- long life. Neither will there be any use Tor stimulants that we may live a little longer and suffer little more. Being poor we will be permitted to die in neace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
BLACkMAN'S WORK.

From the Talladega Mountain Home.
 Blackman's work in Sundays Age-Her- aid was up-to-date, not to say amusing. The Secretary" section Init the spot, and put a finishing touch to the whole business
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
THE MODERN pOLoNIljs

From the Washington Herald My boy, hever ask for credit" .No?"
 No: put up a pouter-pige front, and let em force it on you.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
ALARAMA,s PLIGHT.

From the Jackson News.
 Alabama's cranky governor. wild and wooly legislature, and the pestilential knockers, have left our sister common- wealth fioundering in a sea of trouble. with both eyes blacked, front teeth knocked out. and her hair torn out in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
A MIXTURE OF

From the Baltimore American.
 Miss Jones does lovely things in burnt woode
 T heard she was aNgreat pyromaniac."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
NO REST FOR THEM.

From the Arkansas Gazette.
 In the Indian language Alabama means here we rest" but that meaning is lost on the saloons and the railroads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
EVENING.

afe fA
 EVENING. A little song at even tide
 Falls sweetly on the ear, When stars Hume the heavens wide And slumber draweth near. With stealthy tread the shadows creep Along the wind-blowh sky And baby eyes are closed in sleep To mothers lullaby.
 A man in Pittsburg wrote poetry and then drank poison In this we are given a fine example of cause and effect.
 As a new coat of arms for Alabama we suggest water wagon rampant on field of argent.
 AN OLD ENEMY. Iris now the seasbn of the year When we proceed in deadly fear That we may, all unlSnowing, slip And captured Nbe by old la grippe. A dreadful thing it is to have, On which no liquid dope or salve Will show, egad the least effect It comes, too, when we least expect. One day we're blithe any one, Full glad to see the kindly sun, Next day we creep in dull despair And there's no sunshine anywhere. The sweetest tempers get on edge, We want to knock, and with a sledge And what are friends when we are thus, But chaps with whom to pick a fuss? The noblest aims of life are lost Alas, alas, at what a cost We are no more those cheerful wights Who walk abroad when each delights In striving for his fellow man And doing still the best he can. Instead, we are so full of care And fpc 6ot fa ne Distress of body and of mind, To right, to left, before, behind, That we are in no mood for living, Much less for praise and loud thanks
 givingi
 You can, tell horses age by looking at his teeth, but you can't tell chorus girls age that way.
 A man acquires a fine, ripe philosophy when he is about s6 years old.
 HIS REWARD. An, who can tell the hope that beats In evry plodder's breast? A home where love with laughter meets And weary hearts may rest Far, far away from worldly coll
 And sorrows sad increase, Where there's no sound of lfe's turmoil, But only peace.
 We hear it talked around that Santa Claus is going to bring MT. Roosevelt 2 fat 'possum.
 There is an agitation to abolish the loclSstep. Fortunately, there is no oplec- tion of a serious nature to the twostep. Yos recall the song, "Pd Rather Twostep Than Waltz
 Dorothy Dix hit the mark when she said, "Self-conceit is the consolation prize that God gives fools"
 Some big girls will get $5,OO0 biamond tiaras for Christmas presents, but they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Speaker Cannon is about to decide how many of the Presidents recom- mendations are to be considered by the present Congress. He will prob ably veto about 300 of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
WHAT TO. DO WITH IT.

From the Christian at Work.
 "A lady whose hair is falling out writes in to ask what. to do with it. said the snake editor.
 "Teil her to throw it away" replied the sporting editor.- ts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
ATMoRE SPECTRUM.

The enterprisng Atmore Spectrum is- sued this week an edition of "A pages that was a credit to the editors and owners
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The Houston Post says John W. Gates spent Sunday in Dallas. That was probably all he could spend in such slow town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Greater Pittsburg Is an accomplished fact, and so must Greater Birmingham become in January.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Governor Sparks has drawn Uncle Sam into labor-and-capital squabble, and the governor is retained by the capitalists only.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
About Persons.

c. H. Barnwell. professor of English at the University of Alabama. is regis tered at the Hillman. Dr.> Barnwell Is dean of the faculty, and one of the best known members of that board.
 Alto " Lee. Jr.. a prominent attorney of Gadsden, is registered at the Flor ence. Colonel Lee was formerly com mandant of the cadet corps of the Uni versity of Alabama. and is now a mem her of the legislature from Etowah county.
 k c. l.. Guice and G. B. Reynolds, two we'll known men of Gadsden, are at the Florence.
 Jesse A Collins of Fell City is visit ing F. R. Collins, deputy clerk of the criminal court, for few days.
 Judge Dan A. Greene, senior member of the county criminal bench, was unable to attend court yesterday on account of illness. It is hoped, however that he will be out in a few days. Attorney w. P. McCrossn is presiding in the second di- vision court during Judge Greene's ab- sence.
 The Right Rev. E. P..sAllen, bishop oi Mobile, is in Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The presidential booms planted this fall by republicans are experiencing a long, hard winter, and they bid fair to come out spring poor in June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

In less than week Admiral Bob Evans will steam away at the head of the biggest fleet the western world has ever known
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Pennsylvania must have large bump of humor, for she is still boom ing Philander Q. Doesticks Knox for President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The President may have imagined that he was Santa Claus, for he put in his message something for everybody.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

A Wall street clerk who has fallen heir to $250, 900 is now in position to hook onto chorus girl.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

MT. Bryan's boom is being launched wherever there are men who do not love the Dingley tariff and the Roose- welt panic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The Atlanta Georgian talks about How To Be Happy" It will be hard matter in Georgia after New Year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Michigan has started movement to abolish saloons. First thing we know Milwaukee will be going dry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Some think the French war balloon imagines it is followed by the German Pommern and other long-winded Teu- tons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

For five long hours MT. Taft sat so close to the Czar that bomb intended for the one would have been shared by the other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

People in the steerage are still hurry ing to the Mediterranean soft Ital- Ian skies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Senator Jeff Davis is one new Sen ator who didn't wait five years before making a speech.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Record breaking on the Atlantic ferry is now strictly in the Cunard family, and only Lucy and Mary in dulge in the pastime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Viscount Aoki is going away. but Mir. Wu Ting Fling is coming to us, and this will hold the eastern balance even,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The last pieces of scrip will be in demand as souvenirs. But when will that be?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

"Woose's to blame?' asks the Austin Statesman. Some people say Roose' welt, other say Wall street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
THE WHITE RlRRoN IDEA.

From the Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
 In Alabama they are determined to make the water flow like champagne.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Those who are shoveling snow should seek the banana belt down this way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The turbiners have won everything in sight either a-coming or a-gwine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The federal regulation of Presidents message is popularly demanded. They need shortening up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The friction between Taft and For aker in Ohio increases as the ides of JuneSdraw near.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The burglar loves the hoarder and he is apt to get sclose to his belong ings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The Goldfield miners talked too much when they rejected scrip.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

The big fleet will soon round Hat teras regardless of wind and weather
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
= In Other Days.

"A few years ago the lobby of Bir- mingham's leading hotel was rendez- vous for local business men remarked prominent citizen. "Scores of men well known in iron, coal. real estate and finan- cial circles gathered there every even- irg. The hotel served the double purpose of social club and an exchange. All this is changed and it is but another sign of the growth of the city. Today Birmingham has several hotels of the first class and no one of them could have a monopoly as gathering place. While all are well filled, and while at night the various Hobbies present animated scenes, comparatively few Birmingham people are found there. Many of our business men who formerly lived down town have built residences on the Highlands. They have become more domestic. and ds rule spend their evenings at home. I miss the old time social feature of the hotel. The nightly rendezvous was'pro- vincial, of course, but 1t was full of sur, barter and local color"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

Alimony is often a by-product of acrimony.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

won't be as happy as some little grill will be over fifteen-cent dolls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

A man in Pittsburg wrote poetry and then drank poison. In this we are given fine example of cause and effect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13

As new coat of arms for Alabama i've suggest a water wagon rampant on field of argent