davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-17

ColoTed Madras Shirtings. the best fabric on the market for shirts and chil- dren's dresses. here at l2 l-2c and l5c. A great selection of styles. all fast colors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
FOUNDER OF ANNlsroN.

From the Anniston Star.
 All Anniston is In gloom over the death of MT. Alfred l.. Tyler, which occurred in New York City late Sunday after noon.
 MT. Tyler was the associate of Samuel Noble In the building of this city. and has been of immeasurable benefit in pro- noting it's prosperity. He loved Annis- ton, and frequently snatchad time from his busy moments to picture in his mind it's growth from the wilderness in which he found it to the splendid and busy little city of today. Its growth and expansion under his guidance has been full of inter- est to our home people, and excited the favorable comment of thousands of strangers.
 The minds of two great men inspired Anniston, and their mutual efforts have builded it. The last of the two now goes to his eternal rest but the work which they so auspiciously began is being cal ried on with renewed energy by younger generation of admirers.
 Anniston, the conception and lire work of MT. Tyler, will be more durable than any marble shaft that could ever be erect. ed to his memory. May 1t continue to grow and into 1t constantly wrought the good deeds which he so much desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Rlrmlnnham,s Beauty,

Tt had been four years since l visited Birmingham" said the Rev Father Ur- ban, O. S. B., who was a guest of the Rev. Father Coyle yesterday. Tt im- pressed me as large city when was last here. but 1t has grown considerably since then What interests me most, however, Is the wonderful improvements on the South Highlands. Riding around by the Country club l marveled at the magnificent boule- ward and at the handsome homes along the Highlands. That residence section sur- passes in beauty any thing of the kind in Alabama; and It Is safe to say that few cities in the United States are so beautiful as Birmingham"
 Father Urban Is attached to St. Ber- nard abbey at Cullman, but Is now serY- ing as chaplain at the sisters hospital In Montgomery. He Is one of the oldest Ben edictines in the south having been or dained a priest fifty years ago, but few men of forty-five appear more vigorous and certain 1t is that few of the younger ecelesiastics are better informed on cur- rent events or take larger view of life. Widely acquainted and personally es- teemed, his golden jubilee soon to be celebrated, will be the occasion of felicita- tions and hearty good wishes from host of friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
RaaI Estate and Taxation

The real estate association has a clear right to fight the 60-per-cent level In taxable values if it thinks the state tax commission lacks the courage to bring all the other counties up to it. Montgomery county practically says it will not increase values to the Copper cent line, and if Montgomery or any other county refuses to come to the line, and the state tax commission re- fuses to act, the local real estate asso- citation would simply be acting up to the dictates of equity and justice.
 But before assailing in the courts the back-tax commission and the state tax commission, would 1t not be best to ascertain what their action will be under the law as it now stands? The state tax commission is wholly new. and there are no grounds as yet for assailinS 1t in the courts or elsewhere.
 An even increase of taxable values to 50 per cent of their market values would do no one any harm, for it would not increase either state or county taxes. Both the state and county rates would be lowered. Real estate would bear a greater proportion of the city burden, and this would not be unjust. City taxes go as a rule to purposes that render city property more valu- able, and from real estate just pro. portion of city taxes should be col lected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
A LASS, ALAS!

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 What has become of the summer girl who ventured shyly into the outer world not long ago?
 To her went the glad greetings of her worshipers
 To her worshipers came the end of ex- pectancy.
 Apparently she had arrived for the sea- son. Imaginations pictured her filling the air with huffiness and putting the sum light to shame with her smiles. They flowers and decking summer with spell of poetry. Some of her heralds penned rhap psodies in rhyme, set free gushes of ecstacy in the form of odes and aroused the languid world with anthems of joy Even the Courier-Journal saw her bud ding in the out-of-doors and gleefully summoned the neighbors to worship.
 It seems to have been a false hope. The signs went astray. She whom we thought was here isn't. The few summer maids who looked to be the harbingers of the Summer Girl have vanished.
 Where are they-where is she? What holds her back and causes signs to be heard where laughter should be ringing?
 Hist! Discovered, The fiend which has been monkeying with the peach crop and the garden truck Is tampering with the summer girl. It has nipped the few choice specimens that timidly bloomed awhile ago and is now preventing the whole iowery sisterhood from blossomine.
 Hang the weather anyhow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
JUNE OF THE POETS.

From the New York World.
 People relied on June The Fighting Fourteen went into camp at Peekskill. The German singers arranged to warble spring songs in Prospect park. Coney Is- land prepared to look pleasant. April and May had been indictment, but June-June of the poets-June that rhymes with tune and almost rhymes with moon" -could do no wrong.
 Everybody knows what happened. Prof. Henry of the weauther bureau tells the Sunday World that prevailing northely winds are culpable Northerly winds pre- vail perhaps because there was heavy snow in the north and the warmer sun of the south creates areas Of low barometrlc pressure. It Is cold because 1t has been cold. It will perhaps continue to be cold because it Is cold.
 There is a common idea that one sea- sons temperature averages pretty nearly like anothers. That is not always the case. Herbert Spencer pointed out that weather is subject to habit. All signs fail in dry weather; in wet times people say truly that the sun tries to prevail over the clouds but cannot. So periods of heat or cold have lingering results.
 We shall have hot days yet, but 1t Is now unlikely that the open season can equal the ten-year average in tempera- ture. But however the west may be af- fected, cool wet weather is favorable to grass, which Is by far the most impor- tant crop in the eastern and middle states.
 So think of cheese as you sneeze, spring poets Think of the joy of the kline in the lush clover and of butter and of the milk-condensers' happy smiles, and be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
LINE BUSY."

From Telephone Talk.
 It is easier for an operator to estab- fish a connection than reply Line busy" Recollection of this simple fact may per- haps smooth out the asperities of a state of mind evoked by a hasty conclu- sion that the operator simply Is shirking Follow call into the main exchange for example. You ask for a certain number The operator immediately informs you the line is busy. How does she know :? Simply by a little admonitory click in the receiver when she tried to plug in on the line asked for. She cannot tell you who Is talking on the line, how long it has been in use, or how long 1t is likely to be busy" All the information she possesses is a click" but it is sufficient to advise her that some one of the 1o0 other operators in the exchange had a prior call from or to that number. Had the line been clear, the effort to com plete the connection would have been no greater than that required to get the click" hence, the task of informing a caller that the line is busy IS just much extra labor-in fact, 1t involves a double burden, the subscriber will usually re- peat the call until he Is able to trans act his business. Obviously, therefore, the desire of the operator is to establish the connection when it Is first called for. She has no motive in doing otherwise
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
Bad Weather and Good

The crop report of the department of agriculture presents an estimate by the departments agents of the condi- tion of the cotton crop on May 25. It was then at Its worst, and the govern ment says its condition at that time was 70.5. as against ten-year average of S3.6. An ideal condition is rated at 100. The Alabama condition is put at 65, and Louisiana and Tennessee are the only states that report a condition lower than Alabamas. We are five points and a half below the general condition throughout the cotton belt.
 But the acreage is large, according to the reports sent to the agricultural department. It stands at 32,060,0 acres, or trifle more than was planted last year. Alabama has 3,733,0 ,000 acres in cotton this year, as against 3,509, 900 acres last year, an increase of about 61s per cent.
 The effect of the report was bearish. While spot cotton remained firm, Octo- ber cotton went oil in New Orleans 16 points. It is not easy to say what ef- feet the government report upon cur. rent prices should have. A large acre.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
Cotton Leaks in Washington

More than two years ago the coun- try was angered by telegrams to the effect that the cotton-crop reports of the department of agriculture had been regularly given out in advance by one Holmes of the department to Pecl<ham and to Moses Haas, two brokers in New York. The government has not been able to bring the brokers to Washington to be tried, but Holmes has been indicted in Washington, and his trial is actually taking place there. How vigorously the trial will be con ducted remains to be seen.
 There had long been a belief that cotton spectators had been able to ascertain the import of the reports be- fore the day named for publication, and this belief became strong and even indignant when proof against Holmes and two New York brokers was forthcoming.
 Holmes was trusted official in the department of agriculture, and he had long compiled and handled the crop reports. A court in Washington will now proceed to ascertain how he handled them, and whether he did, as reported two years ago, make a fortune out of his official opportunity. It is generally believed that the trial of Holmes will be test case. If Holmes should be acquitted 1t would be we'll nigh impossible to convict the accused spectators in New York.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06

age in low condition badly in the grass may not mean a good crop, for there may not be enough available labor to rid the fields of the grass that heavy rains and low temperature had caused to grow. A good crop cannot be made under the circumstances unless the weather hereafter is exceptionally fine and the farmers are exceptionally busy.
 The sun is, however, now shining, the rains have ceased, but the temper ature is still below normal It has been below normal ever since the month of March went out, but while the sun continues to shine there is hope, and possibly the next report of the department of agriculture will show a gain in the condition of our chief crop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
WATCHES FOR THE BLIND.

From the Kansas City Star.
 T want watch" said a student from the Kansas Institute for the Blind as he entered jewelry store on the West Side.
 Sorry, but I haven't blind mans watch" replied the jeweler. Have one next week.
 As the blind man left the store sev- eral men who were listening began to laugh.
 What are you laughing at? asked the jeweler.
 "Who ever heard of a blind mans watch?' replied one of them. How could he see what time 1t was?"
 Don't see, feels."
 "Feelsr
 "Yes: feels and hears"
 "A blind mans. watch Is just like any other watch, except that instead of hands on the dial the figures rise up at the hour and the minutes are told by little pegs Some have a spring which yod press and It strikes like clock. A sys- tenn of long and short strokes indicates the quarter and hours and number of taps indicate the minutes. Thus, he press es the spring at 2:15. The watch strikes twice, pauses a second, strikes once quickly, pauses again, and strikes five quick strokes"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
Roosevelt Not Democratic

There are some who, like John Tenn pie Graves, are inclined to accept Theodore Roosevelt as pretty good democrat. It is true he does advocate an income tax, and the democrats are committed to the reimposition of such a tax. He does favor the regulation of the railroads, and so do the democrats. He stands ready to prosecute the trusts. and the democrats would, if in power, do likewise.
 But his democratic shortcomings are very considerable. He is not demo cratic in three glaring respects, name ly. first, he quails before the ring of tariff beneficlaries, and Is practically standpatter. Although he will soon have been in office seven and half years he will not have moved hand to decrease a Dingley duty. Stand pattism could not further go. The President is the first standpatter in the land. He has swallowed his words at Minneapolis, and he stands cowed by the standpat brigade
 Secondly, he refused to stand for publicity of slush funds. His Secre- tary of State openly justifies the mod ern slush fund collected from Wall street magnates and tariff beneficiar- les. Not word to the contrary comes from the White House. Not a word in favor of the publication of campaign funds lists.
 Thirdly, at every turn he shows an inclination to annihilate the power and sovereignty of the states. His con- tempt for them is unmistakable. He would like to deprive California of the right to control her own schools, and he openly favors federal control of intrastate railroads. He prefers cen tralization, and the rights of the states would in his hands soon be reduced to a minimum.
 No democrat will support stand batter, a slush-fund promoter and a centralist. No one can support such a man and remain a democrat. He is not reactionary republican, and that is the best that can be said concerning him, but a radical republican stands several long steps below real live, up-to-date democrat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
GENERAL KuRoKls WAYS.
Dining-Room a Bower of Flowers for
 His Friends.

 New York Correspondence Washington
 Star.
 Geenral Baron Kuroki demonstrated to about sixty guests at a luncheon he gave in the Hotel Astor yesterday that Japan csc courtesy Is so precious a thing that its very essence may depend upon the groupings of roses In jar or the spray ing of the table with sweet-scented lilies The rose and the lily played as great d part in the little farewell affair the gem eral provided for the honor of his Ameri- can and Japanese friends of New York as the host himself.
 It may be assumed that some member of General Kurokis personal staff had in charge the conversion of the small ban quet room on the eighth floor of the hotel into as near an approach to the famous gardens of the Kwoyo Wwan or Maple club at Tokio as the limitations of the interior would allow.
 So dense was the foliage of palm and Towering bush about the ends of the banquet room that the walters were lost for minutes as they came and went. About the north end of the tables there had been erected dais for the musicians smothered in greenery, and behind this a broad canvas cunningly lit with hidden electric lights, which showed moonlight on a rlppling river.
 The one long, oval table was darkened with red stains, where banks of roses showed in the dim light of the shaded candles. The damask was striped with smilax woven into arabesques. At every place there were sprays of lilies of the valley so heavy with perfume that the room was filled with the odor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
The Colleues

All the colleges of Alabama have prospered during the past twelve months. With most of them the scho- lastic year of 19O6-O7 was the best in their history. Here in Jefferson county Howard made a splendid record and Birmingham college, formerly known as Owenton, has taken an advanced position that puts it well abreast of the other progressive colleges in the south.
 No one who attended the commence ment exercises at Birmingham college yesterday could fail to be impressed with the earnestness of the friends and packers of the institution, the enthu- siasm of the trustees and faculty and the eagerness and the manly spirit of the student body There was not a single discordant note. The very at mosphere was exhilarating and every word spoken was full of hope and cheer
 The baccalaureate address deliv- cred by Chancellor Kirkland of Van derbilt university was, of course, the feature of the day. Taking for his theme, Obligations of American Life,' the distinguished educator first recited briefly the glorious achievements of this country and pointed out the re- suits of the Spanish war, which put an end to our position of isolation and made the United States a great power to be reckoned with in all the council chambers of the world. He next re- viewed the progress of civilization and showed how Europe, and especially Germany, still leads America in art, In scholarship and in scientific discovery. Centuries of effort have developed high culture, and an atmosphere of learning has borne rich fruit. The governments of Europe have long fostered art and letters and science, and this fact, in measure, accounts for the intellect ual progress found across the Atlantic. But the American system being the opposite of paternalism, we have de- veloped and must continue to develop, on the lines of individualism. The speaker accentuataed this idea and made 1t clear that by the very reason of our independence it was all the more important for American youth to learn the lessons of restraint and moral discipline along with his scholar. ship
 Dr. Kirkland has not only keen In.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
FOLDING THE FLocKS.
eaumont and Fletcher.

By Beaumont and Fletcher.
 Shepherds all, and maidens fair. Fold your fiocks up; for the air Gins to thicken, and the sun Already his great course hath run. See the dewdrops, how they kiss Every little flower that is; Hanging on their velvet heads, Like a string of crystal beads. See the heavy clouds low falling And bright Hesperus down calling The dead night from underground; At whose rising, mists unsound, Damps and vapors, fly apace, And hover OCT the smiling face Of these pastures; where they come Striking dead both bud and bloom. Therefore from such danger lock Every one his loved Hook;
 And let your dogs lie loose without, Lest the wolf come as a scout From the mountain. and, ere day, Bear lamb or kid away; Or the crafty, thievish fox, Break upon your simple f1ocks. To secure yourself from these, Be not too secure in ease:
 So shall you good shepherds prove, And deserve your masters love. Now, good night! may slumbers And soft silence fall in numbers On your eyelids. So farwell: Thus I end my evening knelI
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
AND HE DID.
rom the Bohemian.

From the Bohemian.
 One evening during his last engagement in Chicago, Laurance DOrsay was return ing to his hotel after a performance and while strolling leisurely along rather dimly lighted street he was attracted by a window display and stopped for several minutes, gazing at it's features. As he stood there he suddenly felt slight 1os- tie at his elbow and turning quickly, he discovered a member of the submerged tenth" evidently trying to pick his pocket. Being caught in the act, the rascal at tempted to put the best face possible on the matter and said, Say governor, have ye got the time on your
 D'orsay looked him over with with ering glance and then in his dry tones answered, Yes, old chap, and I'll jolly well keep it there"
 And he did.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
Major Miner.

Maj. w. J. Milner, after an absence of several months. spent Monday and yes- terday In Birmingham, but left last night for Washington county, where his son lives, and where Mrs. Milner now is. Major and Mrs. Milner spent part of the winter in Florida, the early spring in New Orleans and the month of May in Washington county, which Is just north of Mobile county
 New Orleans is growing rapidly" said Major Mflner. It has many steel frame buildings and the site is being cleared for the new postofflce building.
 T was much interested in the new water works system that New Orleans is constructing. The Crescent City has been badly in need of good water but 1t will be about two years yet before the plant can be completed.
 While New Orleans is a great city there is no place like Birmingham. This Is the greatest city in the south"
 Major and Mrs. Milner will return to Birmingham within the next few days
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
SLANG PHRASE "NorHlNe poINen

From Watson's Weekly Jeffersonian.
 Nothing doingi"
 Is that slang? I thought it was un- til last night when I came upon the words in Dickens "Dombey & Son.
 NJ chapter 4, old Sol Gills is explain ing to his nephew Walter why the shop must be closed and the business aban- doned.
 You see. Walter" said he. fin truth this business is merely habit with me- I am so accustomed to the habit that [ could hardly live if I relinquished it. but there's nothing doing, nothing doing"
 So, you see, the phrase had it's pa thetic fitness half century ago, and is not slang at all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
The TraveIinu Men.

T regretted not being able to attend the Confederate reunion at Richmond, but l will be on hand at the Commercial Travellers annual convention in Norfolk, June IT," said J. W. Weiss of Mobile ''The travelling men always turn out in large numbers at these conventions and the attendance at Norfolk will be un- usually large. Our association will be in- vited to hold It's convention next year in Birmingham. Milwaukee is after 1t and l suppose several other citizens will ex- tend invitations"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A daughters gain of figure is her mothers loss.
 When policeman reforms. it's sign he's on his deathbed.
 A summer resort Is very convenient place to wish you were having good time.
 It's awful bad manners for man who snores to go to church.
 It's just human nature 10 get a strong affection for a suit of clothes your wifc Is ashamed to have you wear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06

sight, an abundance of practical sense and ripe experience, but his discourses have singularly fine literary flavor That of yesterday was indeed treat. It was at.once informing, luminous and stimulating, and It's influencce on the life of Birmingham college will surely tell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
MAKING MILLIONAIRES

or done without what they have supplied. and socialism can hardly be imagined as making their careers possible. Rich and poor and middle class alike should rise from reading such a story with reconcil- iation to the existing regime. with all it's faults. which never were in better way of remedy than now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
REDEEMED HIMSELF.

ItLDE HlIflD fIIMSELf. A fool who rocked boat was hailed By all his fellow men Who heatedly declared he was A charming chap, and when He came back from a water trip The town turned out en masse And pressed so thick upon his way He found 1t hard to pass. No doubt, you wonder why 1t was That one so often cursed Did chance to hit upon a day When matters were reversed. And yet, his welcome wasn't strange, Because we'd have you know, The man he drowned was one who liked To say, T told you sop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06

It is slxty-seven years since Joe Can non visited his native North Carolina town. It is astonishing what an in- fluence the approach of presidential year has