davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
GRATITUDE,
he New York World.

From the New York World
 Gratitude cannot be thought extinct in the land when a Fifth Avenue hotel guest wills 5000 bequests to walters and house servants. Nor yet when a Brooklyn employer rewards with a leg acy of s3o,ooO and a house the faithful stenographer whose industry had con- tributed to his business success
 Gratitude. indeed, from the way con crete expressions of it crop up in the news of the day, might be deemed a predominant trait of American charac- ter Thus, clerk in the Prothonotary,s office at Media, Pa., was remembered with bequest of s50o0 by a fellow soldier in the Spanish American war with whom he once shared his rations.
 young man in Wilmington received $S000 from a Philadelphian whom he assisted while i'll on a Pennsylva nfa train. A former Ocean Grove police man is the richer by $15OO for stopping runaway and saving a woman's life Did not 8 Wisconsin girl the oth CT day reward her rescuer from warery grave with $t0O00? What need he care for Carnegie medals? A Richmond girl helping an old lady to her feet after a fall Is rewarded with a handsome ward robe; a Jersey City@ewidow giving a hungry man meal Is substantially re- paid for her kindness in after years; a Waterbury politician loaning a friend $500 without security has the obIiga- ton discharged with $10,000 legacy; a physician of Beaumont Tex, gets $125, ,o00 as a fee for medical services to grateful uncle.
 These instances. it Is true. illustrate elemental gratitude. the kind which Is a return for favors received. But there is no lack of the more highly developed form of gratitude which is the expectation of favors to come. If examples are sought. Is 1t necessary to go further to find then than the Met ropolitan/ Street Railway company's cash books. the Cortelyou campaign fund. or the life insurance yellow dog funds?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

state could rely upon it's constitution and it's laws to see to ii that such competitions vas maintained. Besides disposing finally of the question of ownership by a competing line, which tae people Of Georgia will no longer tolerate, S tch a union of the Central end the Har.iman lines would mean ore of the greatest strides in rail- road developmehc Georgia and the south have known in years. It would mean the linking up through systems under one control of the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts, the rail union at one stroke of San Francisco and Sa- vannah. The importance to Georgia and other states of the south of a great traffic highway connecting the oceans cannot be oyerestimated. It would unquestionably do much for the material advancement of southern territory, and the effect upon Georgias ports would be nothing short of mary- elous."
 To Birmingham and this district the transfer of the Central of Georgia to the Illinois Central would be as full of promise and possible development as it would be to Savannah and the rest of Georgia. It seems a very na- tural thing to do because at Bir- mingham the two railroads mec:-be- cause it would give the Illinois Cen tral and the Hartman lines an At lantic outlet that by means of the Ocean Steamship lines would cover our entire eastern seaboard.
 Confirmation of current rumors is awaited in tbis city with as much in- terest as it is in Georgia. It is really the most important pending event of tEe period.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
Fate of the Central of Georoia

The Atlanta Constitution expresses the hope that the current report to the effect that the control of the Gen. tral Railroad of Georgia has been sold to the Illinois Central, will prove to be the truth of the end of hereto Gore myste, ious ownership. Such a disposition of tie road" says he Cen stituiion. must under present circum- in direct and active competition with the lines HON paralleling 1t, and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
LITTLE MAMIE ROSE.

From the New York Sun.
 Tt doesn't take these little Russian children long to catch on to things In this country remarko,- 8 teacher of the Educational Alliance. When one ex plains a word to them they never forget it, and they are always ready with an H. lustration of it's meaning too. I remem- Der that some time ago I had explained to the class the meaning of the word ambiguity and then. as the custom is, I turned about and made them explain the word. to me.
 Now, is there any one, asked, fwho can give me an iliustration3'
 "A grimy little urchin the back Of the room stuck up his hand.
 Heres an ambiguity fer ye, he cried. Little Mamie Rose sat on a tack-little Mamie Rose See?
 "Oh, mo-" concluded the teacher, you don't have to explain a thing to the East Side child twice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
The Prohibition campaIon.

T have thought for some weeks that prohibition in Jefferson county would not win" said Maj. E. T. Taliaferro, "and as the time for voting approaches feel confident that the antis will come out well ahead. The prohibitionists have been full of hope from the start but I have known there was a great quiet vote on the other side. Last week many business men opposing prohibition had cold feet They were not in a position to observe the intelligent systematic, earnest work being done by those good citizens who think prohibition would seriously hurt this community. Within the past few days the feeling has changed, and all the antis l meet now feel sure of winning
 Most of us who have lived here for many years, and have been through hard times, dread any experiment. that would tend to check the districts developments l believe that if prohibition were to win, values would shrivel and wages and in comes of all kinds would decline. The prohibitionists are advocating a danger ous experiment. Moreover, from moral point of view the licensed, regulated sa- loon is far less objectionable than the blind tiger, which brings terror to all large prohibition towns"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
0neraiions Continue

As the Southern Steel company, temporarily embarrassed, is one of the largest and most enterprising in dustrial concerns in the Birmingham district the public will be glad to know that it is not only solvent, but that its plants will continue to be operated with full pay rolls. It Is understood that Messrs. Morris and Edgar Adler are to be appointed re- ceivers and their well known capacity and business experience in industrial operations and their high integrity may be taken as a guarantee that the company will soon be in good financial shape again.
 It had been known in business cir cles for some time that the Southern Steel was embarrassed, but strong capatilists were behind it, and plan was worked out the other day by which it was to be refinanced. Only the fiurries in New York prevented this plan from undertaking.
 The company's indebtedness in Bir mingham is comparatively small and, therefore, will have no appreciable ef- feet on local interests.
 The Southern Steel company's ex- tensive wire and nail mill at Ensley is one of the oldest and most profit able industries in Jefferson county, and its six-furnace steel plant at Gads- den is modern and commercially suc- cessful. Even in dull times the mill at Ensley has turned out steel in fin ished forms at a profit.
 Such concern then is one of the mainstays of the district and the fact, as announced yesterday in the off cial bulletin from the Ensley plant, that work would go on there as usual, was not only heartening to the em- ployes but to all the peoples of Ems ley and Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
Solid Prosperity.

The more I see of financial fiurries in New York in these recent times, and see how quickly they are over and forgot, the more impressed l am with the solid prosperity and the wonderful banking strength of this country" said a pioneer manufacturer
 q recall all the panics that have oc- cured within the past 9O-odd years Up to ten years ago a New York panic was far-reaching and business depression al- ways followed. And the worst of it was hard tims continued for period of sev- eral years.
 Wealth has accumulated fast in re- cent years and there seems now to be no limit to our ability to keep in a reason ably prosperous condition. We have a presidential election next year and busl- ness may be slightly affected for a short while, but it is safe prediction that with good crops in 1909 everything wifi boom again."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
ROOSEVELT AND 'POSSUM

eral pounds of possum lard. Then the good cook gets busy with his honey yam potatoes and various spices and proceeds to arrange the greatest feast ever. Of course, Texas 'possum and taters beat bears liver all to pieces
 When the slaves first came from Africa and the white people attempteds to explain to them the glories of heav- en, it was an uphill task because 1t was almost impossible to convey to them the sensation of real happiness. When, however, they were introduced to pos sum and taters they got an impression of ecstsy and when told that heaven was as superior to 'possum as 'possum was to, boiled missionary, they em- braced our religion and commenced to develop morally.
 It is unfortunate, we think. that it has been impossible to try to reform some of the natives of this country by starting them on 'possum and taters-not the little sinewy and stingy Alabama 'possums that the Montgomery Advertiser raves about-but the ma jestic lard-producing Texas 'possums. If we could ever assemble the epicures of the New York Mail, Milwaukee Sem tinel, Cleveland Leader, Washington Herald, Charleston News and Courier. Richmond Times-D Dispatch and the Bos- ton Globe around a table burdened with pair of Texas 'possums, duly dressed and baked, garnished with taters, and accompanied by Texas celery, tomatoes, cracking bread, cold buttermilk and punkin pie, they would understand the raptures of MT. Roose- welt and would scarcely ever boast about tn cir little specialties again. Furthermore, if they will come to Houston for Thank sgiving dinner, we promise to furnish the vittles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
THE SOLITARY REAPER.

By William WordsWortn. Behold her, single In the field,
 Ton solitary highland lass! Reaping and singing by herself:
 Stop here, or gently pass Alone she cuts and binds the grain, And sings a melancholy strain; o listen! for the vale profound Is overfiowing with the sound./ No nightingale did ever chant
 More welcome notes to weary bands Of travellers In some shady haunt.
 Among Arabian sands; A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard In springtime from the cuckoo bird, Breaking the silence of the seas Among the farthest Hebrides. Will no one tell me what she sings?
 I ernaps the plaintive numbers now For old, unhappy. far-off things.
 And battles long ago; Or is it some more humble lay, Familiar matter of today? Some natural sorrow, loss or pain That has been and may be again! Whate'er the theme. the maiden sang
 As if her song could have no ending; I saw her singing at her work,
 And OCT the sickle bending; I listend motionlcss and still; And. as ' mounted up the hill. The music in my heart I bore Long after it was heard no mora
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
THE RULE OF EVENING CLOTHES.

from une New York World
 An incident is not quite closed which arose in London recently oyer the en- forcement of hotel rule requiring even ing dress at dinner in the main dining room. Following the immediate occur renee the management of the Savoy sent notes to 800 patrons asking for their opin ions on the rule. The replies indicate an overwhelming sentiment for the reeu- lation as it stands
 or course the Savoy is the hotel of d class It was 2 limited referendum there fore, to which the management had re- course. Yet 1t is recalled that when the same question of an evening dress re- qurement arose not long ago in New fork In a hotel as exclusive as exceed ingly high rates can make it. there was a marked difference of opinion among pa irons.
 The American likes good clothes not less than the, Briton. It was an American woman who remarked that the sense of being well dressed gave her a serenity greater than that imparted by the conso. lations of religion. But the state of being
 
 tain hours and functions wNh certain fixed forms of dress is regarded some times as irksome even in the most aristo- cratic circles of democracy.
 Despite tradition and the vote at the Savoy, there are signs of uneasiness in modern England over the rigidity of the rules of dress. According to William Archer, the evening clothes habit is turn ing thousands of people from the London theatres to the music halls and is perpet uating an evening clothes type of play To the British drama" he says the white choker is a choker indeed" while in America, with the influence of dress restrictions removed, the whole field of life is open to the playwright.
 Plainly the times are ripe for new Carlyle and a new "Sartor Resartus.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
From the Houston Post.

From the Houston Post.
 | T is with no desire to make the in- habitants of other states misera ble by cruel comparisons that the Post again alludes to the subject of good eating, but merely to vindicate the reputation of what is one of the great est delicacies that ever tempted hu- man palate. In his summing up of the results of the recent hunt, the President of the United States said: We got three bears, six deer one wild turkey, twelve squirrels, one duck, one pos sum and one wildcat" All this game except the cat. was consumed by the scores of hunters and attendants and hundreds of dogs. In answer of the question. Was the 'possum good?" he replied Absolutely the best dish we had. except the bears liver.'
 So far as these species are concerned, Texas contains more of each than any twenty states in the Union and, of course in each instance an incom- parable quality, for the reason that they live on much better food in Texas than elsewhere Eliminating the wild cat it must be said. too, that all the presidential game killed was edible. But that 'possum.
 As we have pointed out before. the output of Texas every year is 2,17S,9S6 'possums, and they are in season the fattest, juiciest animals of the species in the world. The possums in Ala bama. Tennessee and Louisiana are so few that it is unnecessary to mention them further than to say they are small, muscular beasts, so tough that 1t is i'm possible almost to masticate the flesh. The Texas possum is large animal and as tender as the flesh of sucking pig. Before the Texas 'possum is baked it is always necessary to extract sev-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
CACTUS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE.
Burbanks Latest Triumph Good Food
 For Man and Beast.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
 The latest and one of the greatest achievements of the genius and patient work of Luther Burbank is the spineless cactns ar opuntia. Burbank has sent a case of these spineless opuntias to the California state Board of Trade. where # has been nlaced on exhibition with the sonoma county display.
 These specimens show the cactus leaves in all inc stages of evolution from the wild plant full of thorns to the thornless leaf four times as large and heavy. It thriyes well on the desert or on absolutely barren ground, where nothing else Will grow.
 In the evolution of the plant the per centage of water has been diminished and the percentages of fiber. starch and fat largely increased. Analysis made by Prof M. F. Jaffa of the State university shows the Chico opunta to contain: Water, 92.H; ash. .ss; protein, o.6s; crude fiber, O.7o; starch. 4.06; fat. o.19.
 The plants are used for hedges or fences and for ornaments. The leaves furnish food for all kinds of stock, including poui- try. The fat young leaves make excel lent pickles and are good food when fried like eggplant. They are also used as greens and produce a sweetmeat similar to preserved citron. The abundant muci- laginous juice from the fruit and leaves is mixed with whitewash to make 1t last ing when exposed to the weather. The leaves are admirably adapted for poultices and as a substitute for hot water bags.
 The fresh fruit of the improved va riety is unique in shape and color, su- perior to the banana in flavor and is usu- ally sold at the same price as oranges, and can be produced at one-hslf the ex- pense of producing oranges, apricots, grapes, plums or peaches, and there is never a failure in the crop, which can be shipped as safely as other deciduous fruits. The juice from the fruit of the crimson variety is used for coloring ices, jelly and confectionery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
An Extra Session to Be Held

The die is cast and an extra ses- eion of the legislature is now inevita- ble. In Governor Conner and Presi- dent Smith two obstinate natures meet, and neither will budge an inch to please the other. For good or for Ill it is determined that the legisla- lure is to meet on November T, to con sider primarily the railroad situation.
 President Smiths point of view Is solely that of the railroad investor or manager He does not see the danger that is involved to the rights of a sovereign state in the injunctive process. He does not appreciate the need of obedience to state laws if our dual form of government is to be pre- served. Jealous for the protection and promotion of the interests placed in his hands he overlooks the rights that 100000 of people in their col lective capacity possess over matters within their own state bounds.
 No one wishes to deny President Smith any legal remedies that the state courts or the United States su- preme court may grant him, and the supreme issue relates to suspension of state laws by inferior federal Judges pending an appeal to the court pf last resort Here is where Cover hor Conner and President Smith dis bgree absolutely and .- unqualifiedly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
Street Car Routes.

''I was glad to see in The Age-Herald attention called to the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company's habit of frequently changing street car routes said an old citizen. A certain amount of experimenting is allowable, but the routes have been changed so often that person who wishes to take a car down town is never certain which is the corner on which to stand and wait
 Our street car system is well equipped and if routes were only established per manenty we would have little to com plain of"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AIabama's Part in the War.

Ambrose Lee, president of the Ambrose Lee Publishing company New York, and delegate to the Press League convention, visited Dr. Thomas NJ Owen at Mont gomery yesterday. He is the author of Alabama in the War, 6l-1S65y' about to be issued by his company. The work is revised by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, and is highly commended by Dr. Owen as a historical record of great value to the state during the war period. He will leave tomorrow to visit Gen. stephen D. Lee at Columbus. Miss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

So far. we are not bothered with prohi- bition, for which am duly thankful.
 Charles B. Hervey, proprietor of the Blenyllle and Cawthorne hotels of Mo bile, is in the city. the guest of II. B. Mabson of the New Morris. MT. Hervey is ene of the best known hotel men in the south. and has many warm friends in Birmingham
 Acher Carpenter has returned from four-months' trip abroad.
 Evelyn Harris of Atlanta is in Birming- ham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR. Fro,, the New York Press

A woman gets as excited over an en- gagement as a man does over home run in baseball
 One of the worst things about having any money is how restless you are to spend it so you won't have any.
 If a man is plumber it's probably just his luck never to have anything happen to the water pipes in his own house so he could have money by fixing 1t himself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Why is 1t that a girl won't men, tion love in a brilliantly lighted room and won't talk of anything else in the dark?" asks the Rio Grande News. Because she is wise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Nicholas Longworth Is said to be slated for ambassador to Germany. This, if true, means that Theodore Roosevelt is not 8 candidate for third term.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

David Warfield has press agent who does not hesitate to say that his chief rejected s1,O0O,000 contract.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

The Mobile Herald says there is woman in that town who can tell a person when he is going to marry However, nobody on earth could tell him what it's going to cost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Man appears to have been created with a desire to fish and thus get something for nothing" remarks the Dallas News. The News forgets that he puts up the worm for bait.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

The Philippines seem to want an amiable dictator, and they should kid nap William Howard Taft, for he has all the qualifications.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
DISAPPOINTMENT ON MARS.
rom the Montgomery Advertiser.

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 The wise men tell us that one year on the planet Mars consists of 6O.OOO of our days The expression, wait till tomor- row." means something up there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

"The shrewdest politician in Amer ica today is Theodore Roosevelt" says the Nashville American. Just now finding that out?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Jane Addams advises clubwomen to declare their independence of fashion, but Miss Addams never was fashion leader.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Fitzsimmons threatens to slap OBrien's face. If he will name the day and place, he can make some money out of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Canada has annexed everything north of her except the North Pole, and she would annex that if she could find 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Every time meat goes up a cent a pound the American consumer is taxed $16S ,000, 900 year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

The Washington Post tell of Chi cago man named Moses whose wife eloped with a man named Light. Where was Moses when Light went out?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Philadelphia is trying to drive out moving picture shows because there they are inflammable and dangerous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

A Providence man swallowed his false teeth and died. His stomach stood for pie, but it drew the line at false teeth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Hartman thinks the attacks on capital" are alarming. For tho word Capital" he really means "TIar- riman"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

An investor has poor opinion of high finance when the bottom drops cut of his pet stock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

The balloon face remains to be de- veloped. The expression will be tip tilted but cheerful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Germany is glad The Hague confer ence did not embarrass her ambition in any respect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

A New York messenger boy who got away with $65O0 was evidently not one of the slow kind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

The Washington Herald says that heroic canebrake bear must have re- gretted, like Nathan Hale, that she had but one life to give to her coun- try.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Wireless telegraphy has to hustle when 1t supplies the Lusitania with news as she sails.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

A Seattle man killed himself in church. He was probably troubled with pew insomnia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

c. W. Morse says he is glad he is out of Wall street, and F. H. Harri- man says he is indifferent to the out come
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

David B. Hill resumed his democ- racy long enough to welcome MT. Bryan to Albany.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25
IN A scRIMMAGE.

en got one leg out de winder w1d my swag when de cops wuz on mei"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

John D. Rockefeller says there are good times ahead. Carry the news 10. Wall street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-25

Were you ever in a train wrsek?" No, but 1 used to play halfback on college team."