davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT SOME MATTERS
 WHICH AFFECT THE BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT

S HAT is the use of being pessi- kN0V mstie? In nine years of life
 In Birmingham, I have not heard in one week so many pessimistic utteranoes as I have heard during. the last week. Merchants, real estate men and everybody in the business world are apparently kicking. They are kicking be- cause they did not make profits in April. There are two reasons for it. The slump in the stock market, which bordered on a panic, hurt lots of people in the south, as well as in the north. The extraordi- nary weather affected trade. Last year in April people were buying summer clothing. This year the weather was so cold and rainy that nobody thought of buying summer stuff. They continued to hang on to winter wear Not until yes- terday were any straw hats bought in Birmingham. We will need them, how ever, this week; and I predict that with a change of the weather there will be much doing here.
 Undoubtedly there has been bad period in the business world, but things are looking up now, as is evidenced by the big order just entered by the Harri- man syndicate of railroads for Birming- ham steel rails. This order means much for the Birmingham district.
 At the same time we have an element of kickers in Birmingham which should be gotten rid of-just like we have got ten rid of the professional gamblers. I refer to the labor agitators. Birmingham has some of the best mechanics and laborng people In the world. The ma jority of them are not only intelligent but are skillful and industrious. But among them is an element who are al- ways kicking and trying to create friction They are of the walking delegate class. They are men who want to get something for nothing. And right at this time they are working to create labor agitation in this district which will retard it's growth more than any other thing which could occur. As 1t is now, labor is paid as well, or better, In the Birmingham district as in any other section of Ameri- ca Every man who wants to work can get it and make a good salary here. Yet the agltators seem to be looking for trouble; and if they continue to look l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

am rather of the opinion that they will be able to find it.
 These labor agitations, however. are merely a ripple on the surface of the waters of Birmingham. Nothing can stop the growth of this town. While it is true that there is little activity in real estate, and everyone is apparently sitting back waiting to see what will happen, I look for big developments within the next six months I am told that new hotel is to be built very soon and one or two of flee buildings of very large proportions are to be contracted for within the next sixty days. Men don't put their money into these sort of things unless they have confidence in the future of the town.
 Again, there is much enthusiasm and interest manifested in the proposed new public library for Birmingham. I don't like the spirit manifested by one of the unions here in authorizing a subscription of $10o, with a string tied to it that noth- ing should be accepted from MT. Car negie. If MT. Carnegie wants to gener- ously give to a Birmingham library see no reason in the world why we should not accept his donation. He has given to other cities all over the country for the benefit of public education. and can see no good reason why Birmingham should pander to a narrow-minded sentiment be- cause a few people have a grudge against a man, rather than to go ahead in broad and generous spirit and furnish those peo- pie who want to educate themselves with the facilities for doing so. The two great est works in the world are the construc- tion and maintenance of hospitals and of libraries.
 No city in the south has better hospital facilities than Birmingham-all construct ed and maintained by the generous and charitable. And why not build library on broad lines and accept from all who will give in a generous spirit and not all low nasty little jealousies to interfere? :? Birmingham is no longer a country town It is a big city and everything 1t and it's people do should be done on broad lines.
 Let us build this library and maintain it as the best in the south but eliminate the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
Interest In Library.

'It must be a source of qualification to every citizen of our city that at last a library association has been formed and formed on basis that promises suc- cess,'' said prominent citizen yesterday. "This success depends solely upon the possibility of enlistlng the interest of all classes of our citizenship The movement must appeal to the patriotism and civic pride of our people as well as to their commercial sense. It will appeal to their commercial sense because a flrst-class library is a paying institution-a neces- sary institution.
 Every argument that can be adduced in favor of the public school system ap- plies with equal force to the library. We tax ourselves for public schools because education pays handsomely. We must tax ourselves for library for like req son.
 Every boy and girl forced for econom- ic reasons to leave school before com pleting the course, should be given the opportunity for self-education furnished by books. Every boy and girl whose cir cumstances permit of their completing the course in our schools should be given the opportunity of continuing the educa- ton, the foundation for which was laid in school.
 Every manual laborer and every in- tellectual laborer who comes among us should be furnished the opportunity for self improvement and for self education, to whatever extent desired. Why? Be- cause it adds to the asset of our com munity Because, it enables us to accom- plish more. Because 1t permits your peo- pie to keep abreast of the age in which their destinies are cast"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
WHO KNOWS? WHO kNoWSf

By Julia Neely Finch. Who knoweth the secret that's hid. Hid in the heart of a rose?
 Who knows? Who knows? Or what the heart of a maid Half bold the heart, half afraid, Fnshrines in it's sacredest part--f Or rose, or heart
 Who knows? Who knows? Who knows what the lips of the dead Hold unuttered, unsaid? What prayers for the bread Life promised, proven a stone? What yearning. what doubt, what
 dread?
 What dreamed of joys never known? What hope and happiness fled All shut behind lips that are dead? Who knows but when dreaming Is donos When comes the last setting of sun; When never a dawn or morn And never child to be born But that all will be well with us theut Rose-heart and woman-heart hid; Lips shut beneath coffin-lid-l Well with the children of meuf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
Swallows and inc Bell Weevi


 I The agricultural department has for gotten it's imported ants that refused to dine on boil weevils, and is now banking on swallows, and especially En the martins. If the sparrow of An glican origin could be brought into the scheme all would be forgiven, but thus far the department of agriculture is looking for aid from the swallows and not from the sparrows.
 It is really battle that calls for both. There are weevils enough to feed all the sparrows and swallows in the land, and if the English sparrow would Nget down to business in this respect he could vindicate himself and become a prime favorite in the cotton belt. His attention is respectfully called to this matter.
 The battle of the Mississippi is com ing on. The weevils will soon line up for an advance to and over that river, and now is the time when recruits from the avian army would be doubly
 telcome. The swallows need reinforce ment. The sparrows have the chance of their lives, and they should wing their way to the Mississippi at once, and get ready to welcome to their Il midst on the east bank all weevils that 'l have the temerity to cross the great .Istream that DeSoto discovered ever so many years ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
ALABAMA PRESS

Centrevllle Press: Governor Conner must have it in for the railroads. He now travels by automobile.
 Gadsden Journal: The anvil chorus never yet made any music worth listening to-and 1t never will. Selahl
 Mobile Herald Whether the woman suffragists will consider Editor Steads endorsement as a help or not remains to be seen
 Florence Times: Our Lauderdale farm CTS have not been hit nearly so hard by the unusual weather as the south Ala bama farmers. Down in that section a great deal of replanting has to be done.
 Limestone Democrat: With prosperity on every hand and the future resplendent with good things for the county and the county site, there is no occasion for any thing but good fellowship in Limestone.
 Abbeville Times: When man pursuing the daily peaceful avocations of life goes around with revolver on his person, it IS prlina 1acle eNldcnce liidl hS 10 Si'HSi a fool or criminal, and Tn either case he ought to be locked up
 Talladega Reporter: It doesn't often happen in the south, but Birmingham is actually erecting a handsome monument to Miss Mary A. Cahalan, an honored teacher. There should be more of them. Hats off to the moulders of the minds of a race of thinkers!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
HE WAS A GOOD DOG, TOO.
How a Clerk in the Circuit cour' Mourned the Death of His Pug.

From the Kansas City Star.
 Good dog, so he was; never hurt mo- body, so he didn't.
 Joseph Goodykoontz, record clerk in the circuit court, sat mumbling at his desk this morning. He was busy writ ing into the record the "saids," 'afore- saids,'' hereinafter mentioneds" and other dry legal phrases.
 Gould do everything but talk" he went on. Fully 2000 persons knew him. fa- vorite everywhere; French pug; Teddie was his name; 9 years old; so fat he could hardly walk; weighed thirty-six pounds; took him to Birmingham. Ala, once to advertise breakfast foods"
 ,,ell what's the matter with him now?' another clerk asked.
 Car ran over and killed him at Thirty first and Main streets this morning; that's what's the matter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

men or the organizations who want to bring into 1t spites and jealousies.
 Away with such people.
 By the way. I rather like the proposi- ton of Jere King. member of the legisla- ture from Jefferson county, that the people of Birmingham and suburbs get to- gether and pass law at the July session of the legislature making at one fell swoop Greater Birmingham. The way things are now every little suburb and landowner is trying to take advantage of his neighbor and particularly of the city Of Birmingham. We should get together in practical way. decide what shall con- stltute the Greater Birmingham and the legislators from this county should put the bill through and make that which is entitled to be in a Greater Birmingham the real Greater Birmingham. I don't believe in taking in too much territory, ! but do believe in taking in that which is now in reality part and parcel of the city and making every individual as well as corporation pay his proportionate part of the taxes. Of course the thing can be overdone, but the legislators from Jeff ferson county are all good men who should get together and decide among themselves the territory to be taken in. Then they should have the nerve to act jointly and do so.
 Speaking about the legislature, it would appear from personal talks of members of the same and the powers that be in the administration that some changes of sem timent have come about and that some of the radical acts of the last session will be repealed. I refer particularly to the tax upon foreign corporations lending money for improvements in the cities of Alabama. The idea of Lieuten- ant-Governor Gray not to tax life insur- ance companies but to require them to invest fifty per cent of their net profits from Alabama within the state is a good one and seems to be taking hold, so to speak, throughout the state. I under stand that many of the officers of the insurance companies themselves rather approve of the scheme.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Some people are proud to get run over by a rich mans automobile
 When you are on a swear-off and your wife goes away on a visit you feel as if you had been swindled in horse trade
 Engaged couples don't seem to other people half as foolish as other people seem to engaged couples to be in the way.
 The A who thinks he can make a private len pay is fuller of more thoughts 8nl less brains than the fellow who inlasines he understands women
 When you give a woman bunch of flowers there is never any telling whoth- CT she is going to smile hecaupe ehe doesn't like that kind or cry because she does.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

People who hoped tha, .,abelle would disappear from public l,fs when she married are grieved to learn that she will not quit the stage entirely.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Coreys need not despair There are still justices of the peace who can be induced to act for consideration. The churches have no monopoly of the marrying business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

George Grant Mason of Aberdeen, South Dakota, has inherited dozen millions more or less, and the entire town does not afford opportunities for investing more than one $10,000 bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
A WISE PARAGRAPH.

From the Washington Herald.
 "A farmer can't prosper as long as his smokehouse is in Kansas City" says the Gurley (Ala.) Herald. Now, there is a pearl of wisdom worthy an eighteen carat setting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Thomas F. Ryan aspires to the pres dent, and the only thing In the way is the same thing that blocks out Rockefeller-a lack of votes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
PRESS POINTS

Charleston News and Courier: A sweet girl graduate" may be a mollycoddle without offense.
 Dallas News: Senator Tillman is not the only eminent lecturer who hates the negroes at so much per hate.
 Louisville Herald: Another plank for MT. Bryan. In some parts of Switzer- land all the dead, irrespective of wealth or position, are buried by the govern ment.
 Washington Post: Lorain, Ohio is go- ing to experiment with ''policewomen." If they are to be armed with hatpins, we can see the finish of the footpads from here.
 Washington Herald Speaker Cannon is going to run a bank this summer" says the St. Louis Republic. This should interest Senator Pettus and 'Marse'' Hen- ry Watterson.
 Chattanooga Times: Boss Cox of Cin- cinnati has declared for Secretary Taft, which shows how easy it is to reduce the bosses to subjection. Under proper discipline they become so docile that they will even walk up and eat out of your hand.
 Louisville Courier-Journal: Although William H. Taft is said to be growing sylph-like it will still be as difficult for him to compete with Mr. Fairbanks for lissomeness as it would for hippopota- mus to pass through the keyhole of . night latch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Ben Greet players can go on presenting Shakesperian plays out of doors until the theatrical trust gobbles up all available lands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Pocahontas' tribe Is extinct, but the tribe of John Smiths goes on increas- ing yearly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

A London professor says that as a rule English girls wink the left eye. Everybody wants to know how he found out. A professor, too!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
leJ-1,1ee-

he will keep it at home where his fa- vorite books are and his slippers and his easy chair, and when he smokes that pipe he'll dream with it."
 The ferocity with which "Pete." the White House bulldog seized a navy de- partment clerk leads to the suppositon that he thought his victim a railroad "conspirator."
 ELLEN TERRYs LATEST. Some people toll for many years To win an honored name, While others in the spotlight are Who simply married fame.
 There is a wide difference in the salary of Elsie Janis when her press agent is talking and when her lawyer is talking. Whats the use of asking if life is worth living? Suicide is the only way to dodge it and that gets us talked about.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The headship of the steel trust seems to give each successive holder a dizzy feeling that causes him to do eccentric things.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Street car rides in San Francisco at present afford plenty of events out of the customary routine, including few missiles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Butte was once rendered famous by an authoress whose name has escaped us. but the Pinkerton detectives have now put Boise in the spot light
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Spanish court physician was vim dicated in fine style at last, for it was boy baby.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Boston Globe seems to think that Admiral Evans could swear away the gout.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The swan was made to order for the fool who rocks the boat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

May has, like the Coal Barons, still a chance to redeem itself and become normal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Irish home rule bill is consid- cred a stepping stone by some-a gold brick by others.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The effete east-the Far East-pro- poses to be on hand hereafter when any western nation proposes to parti- tion it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

It is feared that Boise will be Boise during the trials against the federation officials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Surely the weather clerk will relent by the Fourth of July which is only seven weeks ahead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Gen. Kuroh spent but an hour in Chicago. On this basis he would not spend more than a minute in Sleepy vile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

John L. Sullivan is kept busy in climbing on or falling off the water wagon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The Indians of Jamestown have long been good Indians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Secretary Taft and John L. Sulli- van are mutual friends by virtue of the rule avoirdupois.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Boise has a spring of hot water and several people out there seem to be in it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

The unwritten law Is leading to mortgages In the Thaw family.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Nephews are having an inning now. adays
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Dallas News: Senator Tillman is not the only eminent lecturer who hates the negroes at so much per hate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

HE CAN'T Everybody walks in Frisco,
 There is the deuce to pay, Lots of brickbats flying,
 So despatches say.
 Trolley cars are running
 In a perfect hail ~ Everybody walks in Frisco,
 'Cept Abe Reuf-he's in jail t
 Does convicted murderer who was executed and then revived still owe the money that he owed before he was hanged?
 What with May snow in the east the ice man will be excused for slight show of pessimism.
 Three young men made themselves con- spicuous on Second avenue yesterday by the prodigious manner in which they smoked their pipes Now, there's a lot of valuable energy gone to waste" re- marked an observer. ''The fellow who really understands pipes will never lug one round town tn his mouth. Instead,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

"The good old summer time is out in full regalia," says the Savannah Press. Let us all go down into Savannah and see what summer looks like!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Beer is first in this country now and George Washington will have to take a back seat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Charleston News and Courier: A sweet girl graduate may be a mollycoddle without offense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
T. c. 1. SYNDICATE.

Summer may get here before spring
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

A woman in Iowa who has remarkable complexion says she hasn't washed her face in fifteen years If we hadn't washed our face in that length of time We cer- tainly wouldn't brag about it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
ROMANCE.

ROMANCE. What is the secret of romance? lis this and nothing more, A disposition to enhance The little things that bore Those practical and earnest who Cannot imagine why The dreamer weaves a legend round A heartache or a sigh. Two boarding house teams are playing baseball oyer in Anniston. It is sort of Prunes versus Hash affair. The new London poorhouse Is on scale of magnificence to make the pauper think he's merely dreaming.
 UNRUFFLED.
 Some days are dark
 And some are fair.
 It's all in life,
 What do we carer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

FALL INl Oh, get in line with the cheerful crowd And stay away from gloom, Old troubles simply down and out, But joy is on boom. The smile brigade is marching up And all the world is glad, So get in line with happiness The kind you've never had! ''The good old summer time is out in full regalia," says the Savannah Press. Let us all go down into Savannah and see what summer looks like A woman in Iowa who has remarkable complexion says she hasn't washed her face in fifteen years. If we hadn't washed our face in that length of time We cer- tainly wouldn't brag about it.
 THE PRINCE. There's rejoicing in the palace and Alfonso
 wears a smile,
 There's joy among the common people,
 too.
 The tardy stork has come at last-arrived
 in gallant style
 And did just what the nation hoped
 he'd do. Tt is a boy..' The tidlngs ran the circle
 of the world
 And everybody vowed twas simply
 great.
 The banners of Great Britain and of
 Spain were then unfurled, To bugle blares and panoply of state. The little chaps too young to know just
 what he'll have to face, The troubles of an heir who waits
 throne,
 The reckless, romping boyhood days de-
 nied him in his place And care-free ways, to royalty unknown. While servants will attend each want and
 1uxuries be his, In happiness he'll find dark alloy, For some day he will languish for the
 merry life that is
 The lot of any ragged beggar boy. The story that Julian Story, the di- vorced husband of Emma Eames was to marry her double was in the nature of delicate compliment to Mme Flames. It is said we spend total of s5,00o,0o0 year on baseball. The umpires salary is very small percentage of that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

Entered at the Birmins4an Ala, postoffice as second-class matter under act of Congress March 3, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-12

.ington Bureau Age-Herald, 1421 sl. ct, N. W.