davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Combustible America.

"The burning of San Francisco" says George Ethelbert Walsh, in the current number of Harper's Weekly, was re- sponsible for the 'coinng' of the un- fortunate phrase 'Combustible America, and while the reporter who first used it had no other purpose than to attract attention to his vivid story of the con flagration it has served as a text for innumerable articles.
 Our annual fire bill has been steadily growing as our population increases and the housing facilities try to keep pace with the expansion. Not even the spec tacular burning of Rome, nor the greatest conflagration of ancient London, compares in extent with the vast destruction oi property by fire in the United States in a single year. The record of 1906 stands unusually high owing to the burning of San Francisco The total losses for that year in the United States and Canada by fire were $537 S6O 400, Of this vast sum San Francisco was responsible for some $35o. oo0ooo. including buildings and con tents
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
At the Majestic.

Manager Stevenson announces that all is in readiness for the opening of the Ma jestic theatre on Monday afternoon. With this announcement comes the state ment that the prices of the house are to be reduced for the season and the prevailing prices of admission will be 10, 20 and 30 cents. That the quality of shows to be presented will be maintained, despite the reduction in price, is best at
 tested by a glance of the bill to mark
 the opening of the seasons second sea
 son. The acts are made up of some of
 the best vaudeville entertainers in the
 country and are so diversified as to be appealing to all.
 The house has undergone q complete
 change during the summer and nothing
 has been left undone for the comfort of
 the patrons. The interior decorations are
 in white and gold and the contrast with
 the new draperies makes a pretty effect.
 The stellar attraction on the bill for
 the opening week will be the Messrs.
 Roberts and Miss Hayes, in a high class
 sketch, "The Cowboy, The Swell and The
 Lady in which comedy, singing and
 dancing aboun to a high degree. All are
 refined vocalsts and not a bit tmid in
 exercising their feet. Miss Hayes is charming woman and will be seen in four changes of costume. The Cowboy, who by the way is more than six feet tall and the baby of the trio, gives some correct limitations on cowboy life from a standpoint of entertainment. The Swell" is the refined gentleman who takes particular pride in showing his abl ity as a quiet dancer. The close of the act consists of trios, in which some of the latest compositions will be heard. This trio comes direct to Birmingham from the Majestic theatre in Chicago, where a great hit was made during the summer. Gardner and Revere, man and wo- man, who will snow some fancy terpsi- 1 ehorean steps and incidentally sputter forth a few jokes as they are doing their | dancing act. Their act is called "'rhe Bell
 Boy aud the Soubrette,'
 Herbert and WIling. a team of black 1 face entertainers. are coming back to amuse patrons of the house with thelr
 witty sayings. They will be remembered for their expression "Oh Man" which l was so popular last season. They prom
 ise something new.
 l Acrobatic acts that thrill will be pre- scented by the Griff Brothers who are
 reputed to be about the best team that l ever faced an audience, Hand to hand 1 balancing and tumbling are included in l their act.
 RockwaY and Conway, electric dancers and singers, should make a hit, for they | come strongly recommended from Chlca- ] go and the east. where they have been l playing for several seasons
 i To Clarence Sieeel has been entrusted
 the musical part of the programme and l hf should make good as he is an expert
 on the banjo and mandolin playing l many selections that are difficult.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
"The Girl From Happyland."

There can be no question about the po- tency of musical comedy for entertain ing. and it is therefore not in the least surprising to note the strong rivalry be- tween amusement purveyors to launch something good.
 "The Girl From Happyland,' the latest and one of the real successes of this sea- sons contributions. which comes to the Gayety tomorrow, has taken a firm hold upon the affections of amusement seekers, for it's many claims of superiority. With d well developed plot to guide the action, it is reputed to possess novelty of scenes and incidents.
 Those who have the financial interests of 'The Girl From Happyland' at heart
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Al. G. Field Greater MinstreIs.

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The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

have not overlooked the necessity of providing a pretty girl contingent of play CTS and singers.
 With its fun-makers, vocalists and art ists in all the various branches of stage amusement, this play will no doubt meet with favor at the Gayety. The indica- tions point in that direction, according 70 the advance sale of seats.
 Taior-made gowns for stage wear are by no means an uncommon acquisition to the well appointed wardrobe of some &C., tresses, yet it is seldom that one finds the entire feminine force in a musical comedy provided with delicate frills and finery, designed and executed by one or teh most famous Parisian manufacturers of society apparel, as is the case with re- gard to the costumes exhibited in ''The Girl From Happyland."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

viding a programme of this length and composed of such talented artists and charginb only an admission of five cents Mir Roussey feels assured that the eff forts he has made will meet the approval of the most discriminating, as well as secure the patronage for his entertain- ment that it deserves.
 The moving pictures will be continued and new views and scenes depicted daily. The doors of the Elite will open at 10 o'clock a. m..- and every minute from that time until D:30 D. m, they will be oontinuoncs performances.
 The operatic singers, Madamoselle Say ory and MT. Sol Karp, will be heard from D m. to 6:30 D. m. and from 7:S0 D. m. until the closing hour.
 At the Rippodrome.
 Many people are manifesting interest in the drawing for the horse, trap and harness which will be given away by the Hippodrome in a short time. A coupon which entities the holder to a chance at the drawing is given with each ticket purchased
 There are two sessions daily at the Hippodrome, one every afternoon from ? to o'clock, and one every night from
 
 CONTINUED ON PAGE 36.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Robby's Reason.

From September Lippincotts.
 Little Bobby was saying his prayers at his mothers knee. but so rapidly that she asked him why he did not speak more slowly.
 Because, you know" he replied, it would keep all the other children wait ingi"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Elite Theatre, 4th Ave. and 2oth Street

MT c. E. Roussey, former amusement manager of the Marvel theatre, has taken charge of the Elite theatre, corner Fourth avenue and Twentieth street, where he will conduct a high class entertainment MT. Reussey. as is well known. has been identified with the theatrical world Tor years and he assures the public that the artists presented by him Will be worthy of patronage.
 For the week beginning Monday, Sep temher 16 MT RousseY will present Madamoselle Savory soprano, late of the Rob Roy opera company; Mr. Sol karp, baritone. late of the Grau opera com- panY. These two singers were brought at considerable expense to this city, and will remain here only short time-dur- ing the interval prior to the opening of the operatic season Mir Roussey also announces for the coming week Dida, presenting her beautiful art studies, di- rect from the salons of art of Paris; MT. I.avine "rhe Mississippi Cotton Bos- son." in rag time songs; Opel the novel, ty artist iuggler and magician; Happy Bol Pell the old time minstrel man, in his famous characterzations.
 The director of music will be Prof A. A. Weisenheld, the foremost pianist of St. Louis, and a gentleman who has had many years experience in matters musi- cal and knows thoroughly the technique of his profession.
 It will be seen from the abt<e that the management of this eozy little thea tre has gone to great expense in pro-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
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ATTHE BIJOU.

All the week with matinees Tues
 day, Thursday and SaturdaS-"Just |, Out of College
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

It is not necessary to mention the ahil- ity of Mr Duncan-the people of Bir- mingham have heard him numbers of times and know the quality of his voice He is the singer who carries the audience with his songs He has made a great hit with the song Red Wing and will repeat, by request, Monday and Tuesday.
 MT. Hamrick will not spare any expense to give the people what they want at the Marvel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
ATTHE GAYETY
AT THE MAJESTIC.

: All the week with daily matinces
 The Girl From Happyland. a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

CONTINUED ON PAGE se.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

2 MI the Weok WIi1 dalIy maIinees . Vaudeville.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Circus Families Dying out,

In this country the circus families
are fast dying out. The reasons are
many. Primarily, circus parents, I'M
stead OF bringing up their children to
become performers, encourage them
to adopt some other calling, because
the opportunities for success are
greater in business or the professions.
and the danger is less. For in most
of the acts circus performer is con-
stantly risking life and limb. More
over, salaries are not commensurate
with the long years of preparation,
the hard work, and the brevity Of a,
performers active life. Furthermore.
the big circuses, with more than one
ring, do not tend to develop really
finished performers, since no act has
the undivided attention Of the spec
tators. All these influences are di-
verting circus people from their her
editary employment.
So we go to Europe for the big
acts. There, child may be appren-
ticed at six; and there is still high
standard for the fine points, since
they have but one ring. Also, and
this is highly important, the rule Is
to give only one afternoon perform
ance week, thus allowing the per-
formers the whole day for practice -
THE Aristocracy Of the Circus, in.
Everybody's.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Japanese Boat in Chicago.

While peaceful citizens on both
sides of the word are reading about
the troubles between the United
States and Japan, few of Chicago's
100000 are aware that Japanese
boat is here.
Yet nevertheless it is true. A Jap
anese vessel bearing the formidable
name of Hoomaru is quartered in
the Jackson Park launch house and
needs only few guns, a new motor
and searchlight in order to take at
least some part in any hostilities that
might arise between the two coun-
tries.
The Hoomaru, which is about
twenty feet long, belongs to the Jap
anese Government, and carried pass
engers on the lagoon during the
Worlds Fair in connection with the
Japane1e exhibit. 1t has Eever been
removed, but remains in drydock
within stones throw of the wooded
island. Hundreds of persons in row.
boats pass the curious craft daily
and wonder why it is and why it is
there. Chicago Daily News
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
The Ethics OF Suicide.
I3y KATIE UPsON CLARK.

If fifty of our wisest contempor-
aries should be asked: What is the
touchstone of civilization" it is like
iy that more than half of them would
answer: The value which Is placed
upon human life"
One of the most beautiful and sig
hificant of the Scripture characterize
tions of the millennium is that then
a man shall be more precious than
ane gold; even man than the gold
en- wedge Of Ophir.'"
| The belief in Immortality, which
has been one of the most beneficient
fruits of Christianity, so thoroughly
permeates all ranks of society that it
has done much to bring about this
millennial view. During these later
years, even science has condescended
to give to this belief almost the sup
port of what it calls the exact proof. :"
1t seems to be admitted by scientists
that since evolution has brought hui
man beings up to so advanced a
stage, therefore we may reasonably
conclude that there are still higher
conditions awaiting him. This is a
great concession. 1t ought to help on
the faith in Immortality
The shocking prevalence of sui
eide during the past two years has
given pause to the worlds confidence
in its progress upward. Is it because
the fear of future punishment has
been lessened by the new gospel of
love, that men have rushed so mad
ly to self-destruction? Or has our
wonderful prosperity, with its ac-
companying growth in luxury, so like
the splendor of old Rome, led to the
vice of old Rome?
We call Rome pagan. Its greatest
sect was the Stole, and all of the
Stole writer's glorified suicide We
think of suicide as belonging distinct
ly to bygone time and a creed OUT
worn 1t has nothing in common
with the spirit of Christianity or the
earnest, brave preaching and teach
Ing of our foremost ethicists; yet
here it is, carrying off before our
faces not one nor dozen, but scores
of our educated men and women
Not long ago, a college graduate
was arguing in a thoughtful company
in favor of suicide. He insisted that
it was the best course for large
proportion of the unhappy and the
unsuccessful Not one of the seven
or eight others present upheld him,
and this was encouraging-bu that
he should dare deliberately to cham
pion such cause was in itself dis
quieting. The existence of suicide
clubs is another shocking sign of
degeneracy. There are plenty of
other indications that Christian men
and women may well fortify them
selves and raise their voices clearly
against any further license or laxity
in the matter
No doubt there are thousands of
heavy-hearted ones among us who
would be glad to join beloved friends
who have departed There are few
of the afflicted who have not had
moods of bitter longing to go hence,
and have prayed for release. But
such moods pass, with brave and
noble soul, and the prayer becomes
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Cigarettes in India.

A special correspondent of the Lon
don Telegraph writes from India: It.
is not many years since the cigarette
began to make headway among the
natives, but 1t has become SO popular
as to rouse the alarm of those who
are interested in the. physical we'll
being of the people. A circular just
issued by the director of public in
struction in the United Provinces re-
marks that inquiries made as to the
prevalence of cigarette smoking
among schoolboys have established
the fact that the habit is becoming
common among them and that in not
a few cases it is being INDUCED in at
an early age Mr.. de la Fosse ac-
cordingly directs that sin view of the
permanent injury to the constitution
that may result from acquiring the.
habit of tobacco smoking in child
hood, every effort should be made to
put stop to the practice. Headmas-
ters should punish severely boys who
after warning are found smoking at
any time or place, and should in
struct the teachers to be yigilant in
seeing that the order forbidding
smoking is strictly obeyed; they
should also take steps to prevent the
sale of cigarettes to scholars upon
the school premises. .
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Condensed Milk.

And speaking of cows, it is re-
lated that Baltimorean who was not
used to the ways of the country went
into the suburbs to visit friend who
had taken up amateur farming with
two cows, a bee and hoe. At the
table they had excellent milk for gen.
eral purposes and astonishingly good
cream for the coffee and cereals.
The visitor expressed his admiration,
and then inquired:
Which of your cows gives cream?"
"The sorrel,r was the prompt
reply. "But we have a neighbor
down the street whose COWS don't
give anything but condensed milk. +"
''Indeed?"
Absolutely true. It is an inven-
ton of his own. He gets the con-
densed milk by putting six cows into
stall big enough for only one.
And the visitor returned to Balti-
more breathing reverently:
Marvellous! Marvellous! / will
never again question the wisdom OF
nature. Baltimore News.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15

one for endurance until the end, and
| for courage to take up the Masters
work, wherever 1t may lie.
The cowardice Of suicide should
alone be enough to deter from 1t any
one with spark Of pride or self
respect To admit SO cravenly that
one is defeated. is the most humiIi-
ating thing that one can do. Then
think of the friends. left behind
their shame, their bewilderment. II
crime is at the root of the matter,
this horrible act doubles it. If it is
merely the sorrow which is common
to all mankind, one feels that the les
sons of life have indeed been poorly
learned. Whatever the motive, the
legacy of disgrace left behind is a
hard and bitter one for every rela-
tive and friend, especially for sons
and daughters. The Grass selfish
ness, the brutal coWardice, of the sui
eide are monstrous.
1t is undoubtedly true that the love
of life is stronger in some nature
than in others and in some races than
in others It is characteristic Of the
healthier and stronger peoples that
they cling most to life; and it is
counted mark Of degeneracy that
a general tendency to suicide should
develop.
Love not thy life, says the poet.
Claudio's contemplate clinging to his
represents the one extreme; the sui
eide, the other Life Is but tool
which has been given us for a pur-
pose. We have no right to love it
overmuch. Neither have we a right
to lay it down, until He who gave it.
so bids us. The command to com
nit no murder" applies as fully to
ones own life as to that of others.
We may lay our lives on the altar of
our country; we may sacrifice them to
save others; but we may not throw
them idly aside, because we are tired,
or sick, or unhappy
The usual excuse when this is done
is that the man is beside himself
therefore irresponsible. 1t Is a dan
gerous plea.
Let no one even for an instant en-
dure the contemplation of suicide. It
is the duty of every Christian to de-
nounce and condemn it. It is a re--
version to .paganism, and an insult
to our pure and noble religion. The
Christian Herald.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15

A Doctor of Divinity, now Editor of
a well-known Religious paper. has
written regarding the controversy he
| tween Golfers Weekly and the Ne-
| ligious Press of the Country and 9TH
ers, including ourselves. Also re-
garding suits for libel brought by
| Golfers against us for commenting
upon its methods.
These are his sentiments. wits
some very emphatic words left out.
"The religious Press owes you a
debt of gratitude for your courage in
showing up Golfers Weekly as the
"Yell-Oh Man" Would you care to
use the inclosed article on the "Boo
Hoo Baby" as the "Yell-Oh Mans"
successor"
"A contemporary remarks that Col
lier's has finally run against solid
hickory post" and been damaged in
its own estimation to the tune of
$3.50, 900. Co.,"
"Here is a publication which has,
in utmost disregard of the. facts,
spread broadcast damaging state
ments about the Religious Press and
others and has suffered those false
statements to go uncontradicted, un-
til, not satisfied after finding the Re-
ligious Press too quiet, and peaceful,
to resent the Insults, 1t makes the
mistake of wandering into fresh
field and butts its ratified head
against this Post and all the World
laughs. Even Christians smile, as
the Post suddenly turns and gives
it back dose of its own medicine.
at is a mistake to say all the
World laughs. No CHEEKY laugh
comes from Golfers, but it cries and
boo hoos like spanked baby and
wants $750,000.00 to soothe its ten
der, lacerated feelings"
Thank Heaven it has at last
struck a. man with back bone
enough to call spade spade" and
who believes In telling the whole
truth without fear or favor"
Perhaps Golfers with its utmost
disregard for the facts" may say no
such letter exists. Nevertheless 1t is
on file in our Office and is only one of
mass Of letters and other data.
newspaper comments. ETC., denounc-
ing the yellow" methods ofsCollier's.
This volume is so large that man
coeld not well go thru 1t under half
a days steady work. The letters
some from various parts of America
Usually private controversy is
not interesting to the public, but this
is a public controversy.
Golfers has been using the 4yel-
low methods to attract attention to
itself, but, jumping in the air. crack
ing heels together and yelling @Look
at me" wouldn't suffice, SO IL started
out on Holier Than Thou" attack
on the Religious Press and on medi-
cines,
We leave 1t to the public now. as
we did when we first resented Col
lier's attacks, to say whether, In a
craving for sensation and circulation,
its attacks do not amount to a sys-
| tematic mercenary bounding. We
likewise leave itsto the public to say
whether Golfers. by its own policy
| and methods, has not made itself
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Motor omnibuses in London.

The motor omnibuses in operation
in London have not proved finan-
cial success, according to the report
of the auditor of the company, who
says THE company has never made
any profits; nothing but consider
able loss from the first;
the actual loss on running has been
over 100000. 1t has cost over Is. Cd.
(thirty-six cents) per car mile to
earn I'D (twenty-two cents), and
every car mile run in the recent PEI
riod of working has made a dead
loss of I'd. (fourteen cents1 Efforts
are being made to come to some gem
eral agreement for increasing the
fares, and inventors are endeavoring
to produce some appliance which will
be productive Of more steady running
and will lessen the heavy repair bills
which confront the owners of motor
omnibuses. New York Times.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
Terms of Acceptance.
From Leslie's Weekly.

1t is said that once when the late
DR.. Tanner, the Irish M. p, had
asked in the House Of Commons
whether it were true that the Duke of
Cambridge had resigned his position
as Commander-in-Ch Major
Jones of Penzance was SO outraged
that he challenged DR.. Tanner to a
duel, and the following telegraphic
correspondence took place:
I'm reply to your despicable ques-
tion about the Duke of Cambridge I
designate you a coward. Delighted
to give you satisfaction across the
water. Pistols.
Wire received. Win meet you to-
morrow in Constantinople, under the
Tower of Galata, midnight. Being
challenged. prefer torpedoes. Bring
another ass. s."-Tit-Bits.
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15
New Mucilage Bottle.

The problem of devising a muci-
lage bottle which would prove en-
tlrely satisfactory for home use has
received the attention of inventors
for many years Everybody is fami-
liar with the nickel bottle of muci-
lage purchased at the corner store.
The bottle is securely sealed by a
tight-fitting cork, and with each bot
tie small brush for applying the
fluid is supplied gratuitously. After
using the mucilage the question
arises of what to do with the brush.
The cork must be replaced or the
nucilage becomes hard. If the brush
The Morris County chronicle., 1907-10-15

scissors for cutting the thread. 1t
comprises pair of pivoted blades,
the handles of which are set at an
angle. At the end of one handle is a
slot and in the other lug, to limit
the movement of the blades. In use
the thread cutter is placed in the
palm of the hand, being held in posi-
tion by loop which slips over the
little finger 1t is claimed that 1T
can be kept in the palm of the hand
without interfering with the opera
ton while sewing, there being per-
feet freedom of the fingers at all
times. A slight twist of the fingers
is all that is required to operate the
cutter to break the thread