davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
ABOUT OLD BROCADES
From a New York Letter.

From New York Letter.
 velvet suits made walking length with shortwaisted coats or redingotes are very stunning. especially when the skirt Is of plain colored velvet and the jacket stripped. Moleskin Is consid- cred first choice for the street suit when the coat of black and gray striped velvet completed with a green or burnt orange silk waistcoat furnishes strik- Ing contrast. Many of the all-velvet costumes employ a large amount of braiding, or gallon trimming jackets es- pecially are well laden with fancy braiding, and often tipped with fur. in matching color.
 A charming suit of mouse -colored velvet has wide band of moleskin above the hem and the sleeves and neck are trimmed with fur also. The band around the bottom of the skirt is fully three inches wide. The effect of so much fur Is naturally heavy, but it seems not to affect the graceful lines of the skirt in the least
 Some of the seasons new velvets employed in visiting costumes are of wonderful loom and luster, and more extraordinary than all, they are light of weight and soft to a marx>elous de- gree Brocaded velvets in cameo ef- feet adorn many of the handsomest "period' dresses; these are exquisite in the extreme, combining several rich colors over a light background thfA sets them off to perfection. Every changing whim of European fashion brings up something of the past, and now we are having a revival of these gorgeous old brocades.
 Consider, for example. velvet gown in deep purple, having a deep border of color and design exactly like that dear old Paisley shawl in the cedar chest. Such toilet was seen a few days ago at the popular Bagley musicale at the Wal dorf. The stately dame who wore this unusual gown was perhaps the most dis cussed parsonage present, for not an eye missed her as she fioated here and there, giving cordial handshakes to her friends.
 There was nothing more spectacular or dazzling at this same morning musicale than the bride of a few weeks who en- tcicu Wllu Ter new slSIer-1n-laW, clad In crimson velvet gown, literally covered with soutache braid in prodigal use, and further decorated with narrow bands of baby lamb
 The skirt was ground length and be- low, between and above the fur bands the braid appeared following the seams a distance of several inches and turning In an oval crisscross
 That the trimmings dragged the gown down until it's owner plainly showed the burden of its weight. there is. no ques- tion; nevertheless the effect was startling and attracted much favorable comment
 Her Tyrolean hat of corresponding fur was cunningly trimmed with bunch oe scarlet quills pertly arranged at the right side.
 A big huff of baby lamb, decorated with black silk cords, and tassels that dangled fully half a yard below the square cor. ners. was In combination with a short furf cravat held together over the shoulder with smaller cord and tassel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
FIFTY YEARS AFTER MurINY.

From the New York World.
 over in London a jubilee banquet has just been held of the veterans of the Indian mutiny of 1857. Seven hundred men were present out of 1900 living, described by Kepling as
 The remnant of that desperate host
 Which cleaned our East with steel.
 It has been much noted since last April's riots at Lahore that the east of fifty years after the mutiny was again in a state of perlous unrest. Only a few weeks ago a frank declaration appeared in leading editorial in Lon don that India was being stirred by the firebrand cry of Asia for the Asiatics" an echo from the victory shouts of Japan after her struggle with Russia. Now, coincidently with the jubilee of the veterans, a letter from Calcutta to the Spectator is published stating cleared remarkably, There Is one man in England who possibly will be con- vinced neither by the message nor the coincidence.
 Meredith Townsend, editor and es- sayist, lived in India for a 12-year period, which included the time of the Sepoy rising. In papers publish ed be- fore the outbreak of the war over Man churia Mir. Townsend proclaimed his inability to believe that the present of fort of Europe to dominate Asia, the fourth within the historic period. will be permanently successful. After nearly a century of element govern ment," he writes, there are not 10000 natives in India who, unpaid and un- coerced would die in defense of Brit ish sovereignty"
 The Indian Empire" Is made up of "small film of white men, and 1t was when this film was made still thinner by the shrinkage of the garri- son in 1857 that the Sepoys sprang into revolt. The mutneers then rose and fought for two furious years because they were Asiatics. filled with the dull, unconquerable, unmitigable distaste Of Asiapcs for white men, and thought they saw chance to get rid or them. ..The British people," MT. Townsend wrote significantly, have no longer either the energy or the unscrupulous- ness to maintain government by slaughter. and the suppression of general revolt in India would involve slaughter on an Asiatic scale"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
The Money Situation.

Henry Clews in his annual review un- der New York date of December 2S says in part
 Gradually the money market Is right ing itself. The currency premium is rap idly disappearing; bank reserves are ris- ing, and clearing house certificates should soon be withdrawn. While considerable difficulty may arise in commercial circles within the next 50 days in extending a large mass of maturities, and some fall ures may ensue this contingency will simply prove to be beneficial cleansing process, wedding out weak concerns and clearing the ground for fresh and clear recovery. Before spring funds should be freely returned from the interior and money may become drug; bringing low CT rates than desirable owing to heavy increase in currency and the impossbil- ity of contracting when demand subsidies. So much for the effects of imitation. Con gress owes the country remedy for the present defective condition of our currency system without further tinker ing or procrastnation. Failure to do so will be a gross and damaging neglect of duty. There Is no question today on which such a cOnfuSlon or lueaS prevails as on the currency question, and MT. Roosevelt might do well to place so com plex a subject in the hands of body Of recognized experts; men of ability, repu- tation and experience. The worlds pro duction of gold goes on apace at the rate of about s4oo,ooo.Ooo annually. Our own stock of the precious metal has been augmented by the recent importation of over $10o, GOO, 900. largely drawn from the Bank of England The net gold move ment, however. for 12 months ending No- vember resulted in an excess of imports aggregating only $50, ,Oeoeoo, compared with $1o4 900 the same time last year. Next spring we may lose considerable DOT ton of recent imports.
 There is but little doubt but that financial depression has passed through its most serious stages Liquidation has proceeded on an enormous scale, and the shrinkase in values has been estimated at over s25eo. .oo0,0oo In the better closs of securities depressing factors have prob ably been overdiscounted, and the tend ency is now toward a fair recovery"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Music Festivals

Several southern cities are planning for music festivals in May, and Bir- mingham should not be behind other communities of It's size in festival enter prise" said a chorus singer Not for many years has Birmingham undertaken a music festival, and since the last one the conditions were never favorable perhaps for revival of this form of at traction as now. With the Treble Clef club as a nucleus, an excellent chorus of 100 voices could be organized and trained for a spring festival. All the sight readers I meet are eager to take up the work
 'I understand the Damrosch orchestra has arranged for a southern festival tour in May. If that organization has all it's dates filled Max Bendixs orchestra might be available for a festival The latter, like Damrosch's orchestra, Is said to be high class. Bendix is violin soloist well as conductor and was at one time concert master under the late Theodore Thomas.
 With an adequate orchestra and a few good vocal soloists,. along with a local chorus, beautiful programmes could be rendered"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
GOOD NEWS FOR AUTHORS.

From the Chicago Tribune.
 Kiplings Plain Tales from the Hills'' was sent back by New York publisher.
 David Harum' was offered to at least eight firms before it found publisher.
 Howells and James have received print ed cards bel inning: "The editor regrets to say, etc"
 Dickens is said never to have been re- jected and the same is claimed for Bret Harte and "Octave Thanet"
 During his first year of authorship Trol- lopes manuscripts came back promptly. He afterward became one of the best paid authors.
 Carlyles manuscript was scornfully re- ceived at first, and he got hearing only when the editor discovered that he him- self was related to Mrs. Carlyle. q
 Robert Barr offered his Tn Steamer Chair unnecessarily in New york. When it was brought ont in London>a New York firm which had rejected it bought the American rights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30

day, and have extended the messenger boy. the porter the drayman and others silent sympathy. There is absolutely no way in which to find out the number of house in Birmingham after night has fallen unless you open the gate, climb the steps, strike a match and stand read ing for several minutes. Then there Is danger of the dog grabbing you and chewing a bit or the old man taking a shot from the upstairs window. At any rate, one must have deal of patience and a deal of trouble.
 Tt seems to me that the City Council should pass an ordinance requirink every house owner to post sign near the sidewalk to the effect that his residence Is No. 23, 1879, or whatever the proper figure might be- A neat board could be erected which would not detract from the physical appearance, and would prove a comfort to the wayfarer in the night sea- son, when his path is not all rose petals" :"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
WYNkEN, BLYNkEN AND NOD.

By Eugene Field. Wynken, Blynken and Nod one night Sailed off in wooden shoe Sailed on river of crystal light. Into a sea of dew, Where are you going. and what do you
 wish?"
 The old moon asked the three. "We have come to fish for the herring
 fish
 That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we!''
 Said Wynken, Blynken and Nod. The old moon laughed and sang a song, As they rocked in the wooden shoe, And the wind that sped them all night Ruffled the waves of dew. The little stars were the herring fish That lived in that beautiful sea Now cast your nets wherever you wish But never afeard are we;'' So cried the stars to the fishermen
 three;
 wynken, Blynken andtNod. All night long their nets they threw To the stars in the twinkling foam Then. down from the skies came the wooden shoe
 Bringing the fishermen home; Twas all so pretty sail, 1t seemed As if it could not be, And some folks thought twas a dream
 they dreamed
 Of sailing that beautiful sea But I shall name you the fishermen
 three:
 wynlSen. Blynken and Nod. Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is little head. And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee ones trundle bed. So shut your eyes while mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things As you rock on the misty sea, Where the old shoe rocked the flsher-
 mon three: Wynken. Blynken and Nod
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Anger Is like
Cuba's Preqress

Eight years ago Uncle Sam counted the people of Cuba and there were thea but 1,572,797 of them Today a census shows there are 2,028,2S2 Gu bans in Cuba The rate of increase in eigft years had been 29 per cent. This aiene indicates prosperity-a degree of prosperity that is wellnigh remark able.
 Eight years ago the island took frern the United States goods to the value of $26,934 ,oOo; last year 1t took $46,500,000, and Its imports from this country are increasing rapidly. The imports of the United States from Cuba eight years ago amounted to 31,747,000; last year we took from Cuba goods worth $85 100000. These figures explain why the population Is increasing and also why prosperity Is maintained throughout the island.
 It WOulQ De unWlSe allke to our selves and to the Cubans to change the relations of this country to the big island The property holders do not desire any change. No one de- sires any change except the politicians who control the rabble In Cuba. The naoroae and nnu1attoec daeira to cou- trol the offices, bUt outside of them no one desires to see any change in the relations that exist between the island and this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
COAL MINE DEATH LIST

From the Boston Globe.
 The appalling death rate in the coal mines of the United States Is at last attracting the attention It deserves from the federal authorities. The public has been astonished at the frequency of acoi- dents in these mines, but 1t will be shock ed to learn that reliable statistics prove that the United States has exceeded all other countries Tn the number of these catastrophes during the past dozen years.
 The startling fact IS shown in re- port just prepared in Washington that although the natural conditions are very favorable for the safe extraction of coal the number of lives lost per 1000 men em- ployed is far higher in this nation than in any other coal-producing country.
 The following table shows that during 1S0s 2o61 men were killed and 4soo in- jured in the coal mines of the United States. An alarming total of 22,S40 have been killed since 1SS9 the number for each year being as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Per cent

The bank statement published last Saturday shows that the deficit has now been reduced to $20,17O,3 ,35O. This gives promise that the entire deficit will be overcome before the month of January Is ended. AS a rule cur rency flows back after the holidays to the central reserve cities, and the banks of New Yord bid fair to hold a surplus beyond the legal requirement. in February. It is safe to say there fore that assumption throughout the country wWShot be postponed beyond February, and it may come in Janu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Should Have More Lights.

Tn view of the limited revenue with which the city will have to pay its or dinary running expenses in 1908, 1t will be possibly useless to urge a needed im- provement, involving additional expense even if it involve only small amount" remarked a taxpayer, but do hope the City Council can strain point and in- stall few more street lights. Some of the residence streets are in almost total darkness at night. I have made a rough calculation, and find that something like 5000 year would pay for all the addf- tional illumination needed.
 ''The business district is very well light ed, and every highway In the residence sections should be equally well provid- ed for. Nothing gives a stranger so bad an impression of city as dark streets"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
AROUND THE COUNTRY

Baltimore News: ''Myxedema" is a dis ease that comes from handling money. Most of the people are immune.
 Savannah News: Baltimore preacher be hanged. It is a safe proposition that one of them bumped him.
 Nashville Banner Admiral Evans and his jolly tars are not oblivious that this Is the holiday season as they go sky hooting through the brine."
 Washington Herald: The Bonaparte presidential boom has grown wonderfully of late. It is now almost possible to see 1t with a miscroscope.
 New York Herald: The immigrant who was robbed of s65O while taking his first bath in this country will be a hard man to convince that cleanliness is next to godlinessf'
 Boston Globe: Even if Chancellor Day did send the President a copy of his new book, "The Raid on Prosperity" for a Christmas present. he can't expect to get a puff.
 Providence Journal: Following the plans for a permanent opera comes the an- nouncement that Boston Is to have a permanent hippodrome. Culture is look ing up.
 Memphis Commercial Appeal: A college professor says basketball involves more nervous strain than any other kind of sport, and here we have been laboring for years under the impression that 1t was croquet.
 New Orleans Times Democrat: An army officer declares that our Pacific coast coudl easily be seized by a Japanese army. But Japan will hardly attempt the seizure unless her treaty with Great Britain pledges that country to assist the Mikado In '1etting go' with safety and dispatch
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Prenarinn Fer the Census


 Although the next government cen sus is two and half years off. prepa- rations for that work are begun already. Bills have been introduced in Congress providing for the chief features of the 1910 census and an appropriation of $14,000000 is asked for. The census of 1900 did not re- quire so large a sum, but every dec ade marks not only large increase in population but more complex indus trial field from which to collect statistics In 1900 the population was ascertained by 45,000 enumerators, but according to present estimates 65,- 900 will be employed in 1910. It is claimed by bureau officials that this seemingly excessive increase will mean economy in the end as well as more satisfactory service in the mat ter of quicker returns. Each enumer- ator will be appointed for shorter term than in former years A few decades ago more than a half year passed between the time the numera- tion began and the completion of the population lists, but in 1910 an effort Is to be made to have all the figures tab ulated in less than two months.
 The census work of 1900 showed a notable improvement over that of 1890, especially in the matter of interesting and useful detail. In the last census. for example, every little village in the United States, as well as the city and large town, was enumerated separate ly and published alphabetically. It was the first time that this had been done, the former system having provided for aggregating county population without a recognition of small postoffice towns or crossroads communities. It is not easy, therefore, to suggest any fur ther improvement in respect to the classification of population.
 But in the mining and manufactur- ing department there is wide room for improvement. In the first place, the census bureau has been too slow in issuing it's industrial bulletins; and in the next place facts have been as sembled and tabulated In such a way as to be misleading A case in point relates to Birmingham. The manu- factories, the number of wage workers employed, and the amount of wages paid were given for Birmingham, with out even a side remark that Birming- hams most extensive industries were outside of the city limits. A person fa- miliar with Birmingham reputation as an iron and steel city would be surprised to find by reference to the census report that no steel rail plant was mentioned. In other words, one would get an entirely false impression of Birmingham if one depended upon the census. It is hoped the bureau will take up the matter and do its work as comprehensively in the manufacturing line in 1910 as 1t did in regard to a1n Af lafi s.. The fact Is, the Birmingham district and every other large industrial dis trict should be reckoned with, from a manufacturing and mining point of view, as a unit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
A BREAkFAsT DISH.
From the Boston Herald.

Over in Chelsea school teacher was engaged in her task of teaching class of foreign children the English language. She was trying to make her pupils under stand the meaning of the word fright. and asked if any one in the class could give sentence containing the word.
 Quick and confident was the reply of one little girl: 'I have a sentence. teacher. We had fright eggs for breakfast this morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press
 People will repent if 1t hurts them enough not to-
 A woman never gets so old that she is willing to go with people of her own age.
 You can generally tell widow by the way, she seems to be so innocent about men.
 Ideals generally go into the garret along with old love letters and photographs wearing clothes out of style.
 A man doesn't have to be nearly as good as he expects other people to be to justify his belief that he is surely going to heaven.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Bum Door Bells.

People should either have a good door bell or none at all," said Fred s. Fletcher yesterday.
 Seeming not to realize the inconveni- ence and worry it often causes, a great many residents of Birmingham have al- lowed their door bells to become out of order, while to the man who stands outside there Is no possible means to know that such is the case. I have often stood on ront porches for 10 to 15 min- utes in vain attempt to get somebody to answer.
 Frequently people go to a home where the front part of the house is closed up and pressing the button stand for sev- eral minutes waiting for an answer, which does not come Then time must be taken in beating on the door with the kruckles and It often requires some time to make the occupants hear the knock
 Tt seems to me that everybody would either keep the electric bells in order or post little card notifying the visitor of the disorder in the mechanism. Still better take the old bell out and put In one of some description that will ring and not mislead people,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
About Persons.

Dr. J. H. w. Pollard, who coached the football team of the University of Ala bama last season, is in the city.
 J. Craig Smith, son-in-law of Governor Conner, and one of the best known law yers of the state, is at the New Morris.
 II. B. Sims, a well known citizen Of Mobile, is at the New Morris.
 Dr, J. W. Barclay, who has been spend ing several days at Huntsville, has re. turned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
Colleges and Athletics.

'If advertising pays, and advertising does pay, everyone admits, and' if the best advertisement for a college Is a winning football team, and the best is a winning team, then it seems to me-" said a college man last night, that each college and university should set aside a sum out of it's treasury to defray ath- letic expenses.
 Tt so happens now that university depends solely on the receipts from games to defray expenses. In other words, they plan for athletics to be self-supporting. In case rain interferes with several games, decreasing attendance, the athletic com mittee finds Itself in a 'hole.' and in- stantly makes an appeal to the alumni
 ''The college falls to appreciate that It reaps rich harvest from @ successful football or baseball team. In other words. the average university fails to look at the situation in any but selfish light. This is due. in my opinion. to the fact that the average college professor knows no more about football than he does of elec- tricity. The average college professor knows nothing but Greek and Latin, and very little about the practical or busi- ness side of any proposition