davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
DEMAND FOR TAN SHOES.
From the Maiden News

From the Maiden News
 Shoe manufacturers have done their best to fight against tan shoes, but the public will have them. A few years ago tan shoes were almost shut out of the market Nobody seems to understand why, unless 1t Is because there Is less profit In them for the manufacturer, and they do not wear out so quickly. AU all events the public was kept away from tan shoes. This year the supply of tans appears to be small, but the wearers are taking a hand in things and demanding that the retailers produce the goods, and the retailers have told the jobbers and the jobbers are after the manufacturers What few tan shoes there have been on the market are low cut shoes, in which there Is more profit apparently. On some articles of wearing apparel the customer will take his cue from the storelxeeper but on shoes he comes pretty near know ing about what he wants. And the Amer ican girl she, too, has declared for tans for summer wear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
SLEEP OF FAMOUS MEN

cal to attribute his early death to the ab- normality of his habits of labor as to attribute the long survival of voltaire and the explorer and traveller, Alexander Humboldt, to a like cause.
 On one occasion Max Muller, as re- lated in his autobiography was return ing from an evening entertainment in Berlin with Humboldt, who was then so years of age and the conversation turned upon the latters Cosmos" Bitterly the savant complained that he was no longer able to accomplish as much as previous ly. since he now required four hours sleep instead of two, as in earlier years. When I was your age." he remarked to the philologian, T would simply turn down my lamp, and, after nap of two hours, would be as fresh as ever"
 The sleeping room of Voltaire's secre- tary at Ferney was directly beneath that of the author. and at any hour of the day or night when moved to composition, the great Frenchman was accustomed to stamp upon the floor of his chamber and summon the unfortunate scribe to take down his thoughts. When once under way it was no unusual thing for him to continue working sixteen hours at stretch.
 Certainly for the nongenius there can be little doubt as to which of the two "temperaments" it is wise to cultivate. Goethe, despite his habit of early rising. was wont to arise in the night to scrib- ble down a poem or song, and Emerson's wife was subject to the danger of being aroused by the philosopher in his search for writing materials. "Only a thought. my dear,' he would reassure her, as he seized the f1eeting inspiration. Those of us however, who are not blessed or cursed with genius can echo Sancho Panza's fervent prayer: Blessings on the head of him who invented sleep"
 During the time when suspicion point ed strongly to Sir Walter Scott as the author of the Waverley Novels, the closest watchfulness of his guests at Ab- hotsford failed to detect signs of liter ary activity their hosts part, the reason being that his pen had always completed its daily labors by the time the amateur detectives had arisen from their beds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
have no exquisite reason fort, but have reason good enough.
 Twelfth Night.
Taxing Bachelors

Out where Speaker Cannon lives they are seriously discussing the pol icy of taxing bachelors fifty dollars a year The proposed ordinance is be- fore the board of aldermen, and It would have become law last month if the bachelors had not met and asked an amendment taxing every girl fifty dollars who refuses an offer of mar riage. The bachelors insisted that the amendment would be but justice. This amendment has, however, made sim pie situation complex, and the problem is at standstill in Danville.
 All agree in theory in Danville, namely, that matrimony is desirable; but the How and Where and When are not so easy. One man in Danville pre- sented at a glance some of these diff culties when he said: "The girls l want every feller wants, and the girls that want me the Old Nick himself doesn't want This plainly shows now difficult it is to enforce by ordinance the principle of matrimony.
 After all asks a critic, is woman ready to confess that a tax is neces- sary to drive man into matrimony? Here we have a great question touch ing society, morals, liberty and per haps a score of other great rights or institul.ons. No woman wants a suitor who is in the last analysis tax dodger, and the more we probe the whole matter the more clearly we see it is subject beyond legislation, be- yond coercion, and beyond the tax gatnerer The board of aldermen of the little Illinois city should consult Uncle Joe Cannon before it commits itself to the principle of compulsory matrimony, lest it plunge unawares into complications and vexations that will make their lives scarcely worth living.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
Relief in Money Market.

Henry Clews. in his Wall street letter of Saturdays date says:
 .'The drift of affairs in Wall street is apparently towards betterment. Recent liquidation of excessive speculative ac- counts has afforded material relief in the money marketsAnot only in New York but also abroad The expected reduction in the Ban kof England rate from 4Le to per cent was emphatic testimony of improvements Over there the situation has been distinctly bettered by removal of fears that American demands might impose a threatening strain upon Flu ropean reserves. Liquidation in March removed this fear and the situation abroad is gradually assuming the normal While the monetary situation at home is easier owing to these causes, there are still points which call for more or less concern. It is highly desirable that our bank reserves should be strengthened The last report of the national banks issued March 9, shows that reserves in the interior are much below the average. There has been an expansion of S4O00, CO., 600 in loans without corresponding gain in the reserve items, and the banking situation in the interior is one that de- mands general conservation. Western bankers appear to be quite confident of another years large business, yet at the same time they recognize the necessity for prudence.
 Locally, the situation is much stronger than three months ago; and the tremend-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
Public School Music.

One of the prominently advertised feat ures of the music festival to be held in Atlanta May s1 and June 1, and is the children's chorus of two hundred Voices," said a music lover. "A well trained childrens chorus is always de- lightfu1 attraction and many of the fes- tiyal towns have such features. I have attended festivals in many cities, but the best children's chorus I ever heard was here in Birmingham, under the baton of MT. Guckenberger There were about 200 little singers-boys and girls-Iand not but they read music better than the av- craze adult church singer. MT Gucken- berger recruited his juvenile chorus chiefly from the public schools, and this leads me to remark that musical art owes much to the efficient work that is being done by Miss Kits, as the head of the voice department.
 ''It was easy to organize large chorus of children In Guckenberger's day, and now 1t is still easier. Public school music is the basis of musical progress among the people. When sight reading is cor rectly taught, as 1t is is here in Bir- mingham, a music atmosphere is sure to result in the course of time. With it's many resources. musical and otherwise. Birmingham should be able to resume its music festivals, and by all means let us hear the children's chorus"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
The Street Car Puzzle.

While standing on the corner of Sec ond avenue and Nineteenth street on Sat- urday waiting for a car myself, about a dozen people asked me if certain cars passed that way" said a citizen yester- day. "To some of them was able to give the information asked, to other I was obliged to confess my ignorance.
 During the week the Sunday School convention was in this city met people at almost every corner who wanted to know about the cars, and I told them what I thought was right, but which I have since learned was wrong.
 ''I think the street car company ought to put up notice boards at the corners of certain streets, stating what cars pass that point or else station men about these corners who can give the information re- quired. l expect all these curves and turns which are being put down on every street corner will serve to complicate matters much more than at present.
 "I noticed in your lobby column some time ago a statement from a man about the difficulty of distinguishing approach ing cars; had a similar experience to- day during that heavy shower of rain. getting almost drenched running out in the street to see the name on the car, and then returning to wait for another. The citizens of Birmingham have been pretty liberal with the street car com pany, and they should be treated with every possible attention"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
THE LATEST "THRiLEER."
President Roosevelt RurIesqued. In
 Yokohama.
From the Albany Argus.

From the Albany Argus.
 "Enemes of the Republic, or Rolled Again." by the author of "Alone in Cuba" "Why I Shall Have to Take a Third Term" Liars I Have Shot Up." etc Dramatzed by the author. In four soul-stirring acts. Crowds turned away nightly. Act 1.-The Great Conspiracy Beef Jim, the brigand, and Fire Alarm Joe-Drill of Rugh Riders in full view of the audience-Reporters and other prowi- CTS with concealed weapons ordered off the White House grounds after nightfall. Musical number, His Spear Knows no Brother, His Tongue Knows no Rest"
 Scene 2-The Inquisitor in Danger. "whatever the peril to me and my poli- cies. I will sally to his rescue, I will save him from himself" Full company of Rough Riders escorting the Inquisitor through the Perils and Pitfalls of the toughest state departments, Genuine Greek fire used in this scene.)
 Act 2-The abandoned windmill, mid night; the plot thickens-The Hero's Touching Request to the Wizard of the Rail-'Make 1t $250000 then, but not one cent more"-"Where do I stand ?'-Beef Jim and Fire Alarm Joe conspire against the Hero, and keep Yortelcou and Miss from testifying in the insurance inquiry as to the great poodle fund-Musical num- Der, washington and Lincoln Were not the Real Thing" Scene 2-Pardon of Young Jim, the Brigand's Son. Let Him be Speaker, Then, Until Our Further Pleasure"
 Act S-Awful lingering death of the G. O. P. More tears and anguish in this act than anything on exhibition since the death of Little Eva. Beef Jim and Fire Alarm Joe grin in full view of the au- dience Discovery of Letters to Dear Naturalization of Righteous Relating by Maui Porton.
 Act 4-Complete Discontinue of Beef Jim and Fire Alarm Joe-Five Million Dollar Conspiracy sells out for Thirty Cents-The Hero, the Inquisitor and the Fat Friend from Ohio agree to hold the lob turn and turn about, and draw cuts for who has it first-Foied! Stung! Vil- lains to the Tall Timber-Parade of Rough Riders, dragging Beef Jim and Fire Alarm Joe to their gory fnish-Joy, Peace, Wassail--Final Appeal to the People by Inquistor-Curtain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
WHAT IS A DROP?
.om the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 In medicine a drop in a "gutta," or a "n1inlm." The words mean the same-that is~ one-sixteenth part of a fluid dram This is the official table: 60 minims (gut- tae or drops) make one fluid dram; 8 fluid drams make 1 fluid ounce; Is fluid ounces make pint; pints make l quart; 4 quarts make 1 gallon. Forty-hve drops of water, or a common teaspoonful, make about fluid dram 2 tablespoonful about 1 fluid ounce; a wineglassful Is about 1Is fluid ounces, and a teacupful Is about 4 fluid ounces. But, my brethren in suf- fering, how many different sizes of tea spoons, tablespoons, wineglasses and tea cups are there in this world of ease? And as for drops; no two liquids, if dropped from bottle in the old-fashion way (holding the end of the finger over the mouth) will drap drops, or drop draps of the same size.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
A MILLION FORt SODAS.
From the Philadelphia Record.

From the Philadelphia Record.
 Ten thousand dollars worth of soda water a day-well, probably" said drug gist whose trade in the effervescent fluid is considerable part of his business. Tn summer the days bill for this city is doubtless all of that and more. Take the average price of soda at 10 cents per glass, figuring that the Sundaes and other 15-cent connections offset the 5- cent drinks. and $1o,ooO means hundred thousands glasses of soda, not an ex- cessive estimate for a million and half people, allowing for the visiting strangers who are generally iilirstier than the na- tives. Oh. yes, it has opened, but prob atl.- this days sales over the whole town won't exceed $5OO0. or perhaps they will be less than that. But, all told, allowing for good days and bad. winter and sum- mer this old Quaker City probably drinks at least million dollars worth of soda water year, and. what's more never misses the money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
New Alabama School Houses

Three hundred and thirty-fve new rural schools can be built each year in Alabama, or five to a county year. Toward each of tlsese school houses the state will contribute $200 provided the people in the school district con tributes $200. As a rule the district does better than the state, and suit able school building is put up. Plans are furnished without cost by State Superintendent Gunnells, and reform in school houses in this state promises to set In.
 None of the state-aided buildings can be erected in incorporated towns. The money was voted by the legisla- ture to the rural districts-to districts outside of towns. There are many districts of that nature In Alabama, and it will be backward county that does not build this year and every year five school houses.
 This is a matter that each county should take pride in. Applications are coming in for the state appropriation, and the county that does not take up it's quota before the end of the year will be voted county without ambi- tion and almost without hope. Let us hope no such county will be found on January 1 in Alabama. We say January 1, although perhaps we should say october 1, when the states new fiscal year begins. The money of the state is available now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
PRESS POINTS

Atlanta Journal: Mr. Stead seems to be the Ben Tillman of London.
 Washington Herald For town that isn't even on the map. Jamestown is mak- ing quite a noise just now. St. Louis Times: With her million-dol- lar rousseau. Miss Marian Fish must be considered a great batch
 Charleston News and Courier It is a popular delusion that any person who plays golf may one day own an autocar Memphis Commercial-Appeal Uncle Henry Watterson says Hughes will be the next President. If it isn't a democrat we are Inclined to the same view.
 Arkansas Gazette The next thing you know the diamond miners of Arkansas may be complaining that the car shortage keeps them from getting their products to market.
 Knoxville Sentinel: Recently Tennes- see landlady served paper napkins to her boarders at the morning repast. This is no worse than doping them up on some breakfast foods.
 Chattanooga Times: At any rate from the confusion now existing the various systems" of business and finance are entirely in the dark as to whom they will make their contributions next time.
 Washington Post: It is stated that cir GUS men will not employ cigarette smokers as animal trainers, as the ani- mals will not stand for them. There ought to be some way of informing the animals that they are getting entirely too hnicky
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
Open-Hearth Rails

Seven years ago very few railroad men had seen an open-hearth rail, and all doubted it's capacity to withstand the wear and tear of traffic. In 1900 but 1883 tons of open-hearth rails were turned out, while in 1906 the produc- tion had risen to 100000 tons. It is going up by leaps and bounds, and the production of this year may double that of last year. The steel trust will soon be rolling open-hearth rails at Youngstown, and the Tennessee Coal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

From the New York Herald.
 fl i" I'VE hours sleep is sufficient
 T for men," declared Napoleon.
 Seven for women, children and fools"
 History hardly bears out the great Cor sican's dictum. although there have been some notable advocates among the worlds great men of the theory generally regarded as "burning the candle at both ends" Men, however. undoubtedly differ fundamentally in regard to the need of sleep as they do in other respects. and whether great or little. each one must work out from experience a schedule of rest, as he must of diet and exercise. One fact, however, may be predicted of almost all great persons; whatever their habits as regards retiring, they have been early risers. During the years of Daniel Webster's greatest congressional activity il was remarked of him that no one ever saw him reading or preparing for his speeches. This was all done, according to his own confusion, at an hour when other men were still enjoying their morning slumber. Webster possessed in q high degree what is known as the morning temperament" as distinguished from the might temperament" and he found. con- sequently, that his mind manifested greatest clarity and productivity during the early hours of the day.
 Balzac, that titan of the nineteenth century, was accustomed regularly to arise at midnight, and, after enyeloping himself in his monks habit, to seat him. self al his desk and force his weary brain to its task of creation. Carried away by admiration of the master" Theophile Gautier and number of other ambitious youths of the day undertook to initiate this peculiarity of the father of real ism," with the result that very soon they were forced to take to their beds in Earnest to make up for the hours stolen from slumber. Doctors, doubtless, would point to the early taking off of Balzac' who died when 51 years of age, as proof of the deleterious effects of such a regi- men. On the other hand, 1t may be questioned whether his exhaustion was not due to the privations and financial troubles of his early years, rather than to work at ill-adyised hours. It Is as illogi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
sTENsLANp,s INCOME.

A Chicago dispatch says: Paul O.. Stensland, the convicted bank wrecker now in the penitentiary at Joliet, will make more money during the next year of his incarceration than the salary of the mayor of Chicago. He is trustee in 4o0O deeds of trust upon real estate and his signature is necessary in order to release mortgages. All persons who are interested in them must go to Joleit and pay him s5 for each release. In the com ing year he will make s2O,OOO from this source.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

ous expansion in loans shown during the last three weeks is largely due to the transfer of accounts from the interior and elsewhere to New York. This should serve to strengthen interior institutions; though it imposes a heavier load upon New York. Nevertheless, there is a bet ter feeling in local banking circles than for some weeks; and the hope is expressed that reserves will shortly begin to rise in order to meet the trade and crop re- quifements of spring and midsummer. Fortunately there are indications of abatement in the new demands for capi- tal'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
TODAY.

By Thomas Carlyle. Here hath been dawnng another blue day; Think, wilt thou let it slip useless awayf
 T Out of eternity this new day is born; Into eternity at night will return. Behold it aforetime no eye ever did; So soon it forever from all eyes is hid. So here hath been dawning another blue day; Think, wilt thou let it slip useless awayf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

:
 Some men expect you to do a favor for them as If they were doing 1t for you.
 A man makes as much fuss over doing his duty as. boy over getting a tooth pulled.
 A woman feels she isn't loyal to ner husband unless she fibs about all the money he makes.
 It's hard for a girl to take as much interest in your lovemaking if she sus- poets you mean 1t.
 You can generally figure out somehow what man means by what he says un- less he is running for office
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

From Leslles Weekly
 T see Robinson's married again-mar- ried his first wifes sister"
 Yes. He said he didn't want to have to break in another mother-in-law."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Cuba has not had a rain in six months. and we can not afford to build irrigation works there. Our hands are over full in supplying the woolly west with wetness
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Wisconsin is trying to elect sen. ator who has kept out of crooked pol itics and land deals, and the task Is not easy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

In Rhode Island they say only one man can see the outcome of the sen- atorial deadlock, and he Is blind-Boss Brayton
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

In Kansas they insist that drug store whisky does not come with in the terms of the pure food law, be- cause 1t is neither pure nor food.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

w. T. Stead Is the latest opponent of standing up In a street car in order to let lady have seat He has found an issue at last that fits him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Spring will not really arrive in Chi. cago until the sassafras woman has made her appearance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

If Hayti sends negro admiral to Jamestown trouble will begin at once and there will be no end of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Taft and Hughes are attending to public business, letting the rest of the crowd attend to politics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

This country can fill all orders for diplodocuses. We have quarries full of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Mabelle Gilman and Evelyn Nesbit Thaw will yet be rival society leaders in dear old PittsburR-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Senator Beveridge is a mild man. nered man even when he is twisting the lions tall
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Thaw's second trial will take place in October, but no day has been set for the third trial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

The great northwest, including Med icine Hat, should overcome it's cold wave habit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

In a beauty co/test one gets the prize and the rest expect to get hus- bands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Thaw's second trial will take place in October, but no day has been set for the third trial.
 
 Senator Beveridge is a mild man. nered man even when he is twisting the lions tail.
 The great northwest, including Med icine Hat, should overcome it's cold wave habit.
 In beauty co/test one gets the prize and the rest expect to get hus- bands.
 The Corey wedding and the Spanish baby fill the gap between Thaw trials. Harry Thaw can now have brain storms all by himself in his lonely cell.
 --.a.----~ All of Eyelyn's old photographs have been filed away for future use.
 
 The longest railroads indulge in the most extensive car shortages. Chance Day is again silent. He has, strange to say, spells of it. John Temple Graves never plays fa- vorites. The baseball season Is thaWines out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

The longest railroads indulge in the most extensive car shortages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

The Corey wedding and the Spanish baby fill the gap between Thaw trials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

All of Eyelyn's old photographs have been filed away for future use.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Chance Day Is again silent. He has, strange to say, spells of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Harry Thaw can now have brain storms all by himself in his lonely cell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

he baseball season Is thawing out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-29

Charleston News and Courier: It is a popular delusion that any person who plays golf may one day own an autocar