davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01


 The pandemonium increased when six Bubbers, with Harry Baker leading, formed in procession, and walked on to the platform. carrying between them two large galvanzediron pans leach measuring nlne feet in circumference) five childrens wooden hoops a number of copper and brass rings TWO sninine nails ful of soap and water already mixed, and think of it!-not pipe, tube. or cornucopia Of any kind
 After a few words explanatory of the evolution or inc soap-bubbe from the clayppe stage to it's pres ent one Phil dipped wire ring into the solution and gently sweeping it before him. cast on pu1nie lmls as
 cry of satisfaction at this and 1t looked as though all the Bubblers might fling their golden cornucopas or to inc stage when the master of the soap ana water tossed o five large bubbles in succession not only from the same ring. but from the same nim
 Almost immediately Phils assistants,tnere were were Ave of them--followed his example, and from that time on the stage was continually asiow with the brilliant spheres. , Harry Baker came forward wlin the clup nos +vvo Liftens and set them dry block of wood resting in the centre of one of the large nne-loot nans-now filled with soapy water. before the ani-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
HE "Soap-Bubblers' reception was suc- cess from the start.
 The Soap-Bubblers-but recently or Qanized with Phil Thompson as Head

%HE "Soap-Bubblers' reception was suc-
 from the start
 The -Bubblers-but recently or
 ganized, with Phil Thompson as Head
 Bubbler Harry Baker as Chief Cornucopia, the minor Bubblers occupying minor odd-titled posi- tions as well as Bubblers occupying no positions at all-had resolved that the ancient and honorable amusement of blowing soap-bubbes was sadly in need of reformation and further, that 1t was their mis- sion to reform it. Thus it came to pass that on this late blustery winter evening the interior of Masonic Hall presented such of brilliancy had rarely been equaled within it's historic walls.
 The magicians wand had hardly fallen when there arose forty-seven large bubbles from forty-seyen golden cornucopas held in the hands of forty-sev rosy-cheeked boys and girls standing by wenty-four little oblong tables cry of delight swept round the hall and forty-seven more bubbles arose, and still another shower of the iridescent spheres gilt tered in the surrounding brilliancy before the Bub- blers settled down to the business of the evening.
 For this occasion every member had promised to perform at least bubble trick. and to perform It well. Eddie Stark showed top spinning within bubble and Minnie Sargent-seated opposite-a bea tifu rose within another. Freddie Wilder did r. " as we'll the table allotted to him. while Little dc- tor' cleverly dropped all sorts of objects through some beautiful bubbles blown by Frank Burt.
 Then Phil the Head Bubbler, stepped on the plat form and was uproarously greeted. He announced he would show the Bubbers how to make large bub- bles without blowing them!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

rose to their tptoes. Amid profound silence Phil started to lift the hoop but after raising it short distance the film broke with peculiar noise sounding like w-h-e-e-p" "W-h-e-ep" went the film again, "w-h-e-e-p. w-h-e-ep" Suddenly there was swish. flashing gleam of silvery light and Leroy Kimball the jolliest of the Bubblers. looked smilingly upon the audience from within soap-flm house!
 A FTGURAT1vE TALE.
 By Grace Fraser.
 Once an Elfn, 1-drous cute,
 Came un-2 my cottage doors There he played wi-3-d and ute, As no elf had played be4.
 Ifs pleased thee lady fair. Speak," said he. "Thy mu-6 grand!
 N-7-ts like this are rare-" -t-h Thus with Sender hand
 On the youth beg, spoke,
 (oh' o-y fate!) )-awokel--
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
THE PIGEONS OF PEKZNG Alfred D snq7seu

'HE Chiness have made pigeon-nying the decoy1ag game that it is because they like any ktnd Of playing for keeps"
 Even in kite-fy24g. they fx little hooks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Appreciation of Reunion Work

The street railway company of this city carried in five days of last week over S00,090 passengers. No such task had ever been thrown on an Alabama company and perhaps on no company in any adjoining state. And yet those 800,000 passengers were carried with out injury to one of their number, with out any delay that was avoidable and with uniform courtesy.
 President Ford and Superintendent Harris, recognizing the value of faith ful and efficient service, concluded to distribute 5000 among the men who served so acceptably during the re- union. This gift is an appreciation of services that, in the words of the cir cuIar directed to the motormen and conductors. cannot be purchased with money" It is an admirable tribute to men who deserve recognition of some sort, and the gift by the company Is the best form it could take. It will go far, no doubt, to hold the company s numerous employees up to the high standard of the reunion week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

him during the campaign. The manner in which this was brought about is the dark chapter of the nomination. Brother Charlie Taft undoubtedly knows how this was brought about, but he is not talking at present to report. CTS. He has other fish to fry.
 Altogether the patronage convention at Chicago, with it's steam roller at- tachment, is not an achievement that the America of the future will be proud of Historians will be apt to declare it a culmination of the corrupt prac- tices of conventions. It. may sound the knell of all conventions, which have really outlived their usefulness, if they ever had any, so far as the rank and file are concerned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Steam Roller Tactics in Chicago

The administration programme is being carried out in the Chicago con yention without hitch or alteration or considerable obstruction. Theodore Roosevelt has his federal officials well in hand, and considerable percentage of the convention consists of them. In all our history plainer use of patron age in the selection of successor in the presidential office has never been known. The Van Buren-Jackson cam paign of 1886 stands eclipsed and out ranked in this respect. General Jack son did name his successor, but he did not do it as unblushingly and openly as Theodore Roosevelt is doing the act this week.
 The strangest feature of the busi- ness consists in the fact that while Roosevelt demands the nomination of Taft the allied trusts and the eastern money changers do so also. The trusts and magnates hate Roosevelt, and yet they are working hand-in-hand with him to nominate Taft. It is confessed that the candidate oi the trusts is Taft, and their money will be ftlnd behind
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Growing Population.

The school census of Jefferson coun ty which is to be taken in July will prove of general interest. of course. because upon this census we arrive at an approximate of the population. said a local statistician. But the popula- tion will not be ascertained accurate ly until the government enumerators make a count.
 Although the census time Is two years off the bureau force in Wash :. ington Is busy with preparations for the work.
 Tn the last census Jefferson county had a population of 140.0O0 but today it Is believed that 1t is not less than 225,000. With return of industrial &C., tivity the demand for wage workers will be greater than ever and by 1910 1t Is safe to say that the population of the county will reach something like 276,000. Birmingham, with its extended boundary lines, embracing 421a square miles, will have a population of not less than 12o,OOO; and 1t need surprise no one if 1t reaches 130 ,000. Only two cities in the south will be larger, New Orleans and Memphis. and the latter city will not outstrip us much"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
JUST PINS.
A New Lesson of the Desire for OWn-
 ership.

When August and John came to the Delineator they had just left. for the first time in their short lives, the in stitution which had sheltered them since babyhood. It is large institu- tion and it cares for It's children with a scrupulous exactness. Its floors are always clean, Its chairs always free from dust. Every child has a num- bered clean white bed, numbered place at the long row of wash basins, a numbered chair, numbered locker. and numb cred seat at table. His clothes always neat and clean, are laid out for him. Tn the play room he may, during certain hours. use the toys. But if he surreptitiously brings in firmly taken from the locker. Acorns bring mice. and pebbles belong on the gravel path outside. So when August and John arrived at the Butterick build ing, two very frightened and bewiider- ed little mortals, they promptly re- turned the magazines given them to look at. Of course, they were not for them. Ine Wdit NloT tic photoSi i"P'iSi was a long one, and the boys grew very tired, and cross. Accidentally an edi- tor dropped two pins. In flash, the boys were out of their chairs and had seized them.
 "Ah," said the editor, with com placent smile they wanted some thing to do! Put them here" She held out a box. But the boys evidenced re- luctance.
 Instantly a flash of comprehension came to the editors. They wanted the pins! Someone in the rear of the room upset a whole box of pins hurriedly The boys flew to pick the up. When each had secured a big parcel some one asked gently:
 "what do you do with the pins?" No answer
 "Do you play with them?"
 Then very slowly the larger boy re- piled:
 "We stick them in our jackets And so they did-the edges. until there was sh ming row of heads. Pins were their one possession. No one took them away. Pins measured their standard of wealth. were their sole property. Pins produced two radiant little beings, happy in the pos session of something of their very own. It takes a lot of mech anism to grind the individuality out of a huma,, being.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Counting the Chickens

For eight years" says Chief Statis- tician Clark of the agricultural depart ment, "the American farmer has en- joyed unprecedented prosperity, and now the ninth huge harvest is prac- tically assured; never have there been nine such years, years of big yields and high prices" These are the words, not of a democratic stumper, but of en officer of a federal department, and they explain the prosperity that pre- ceded the panic of last October, al- though they do not explain away that particular event in the history of the republican party.
 The value of the great crops of the country in the last five years are thus summed up:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
summed up:

The value of the growing crops is put at sS,00O OO,OOO-eight billions of dollars. The mind cannot grasp so huge a sum, and yet the chances are that the crops now in the fields will be worth the immense aggregate named. Unless some great weather changes occur soon this year will outdo even last year in farm products. In coun- try that produces marketable products at the rate of $S,OOO,OOO,00O a year no long spell of depression can be main tained. The crops will beat hard times down and out, and this is what will take place this fall unless all signs fail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
ITO A WOODLAND WOLET.'

By Clarence Urmy. Golden Fairy-face. found you where tho
 redwood forests rise So my fancy hailed and crowned you
 "Dryad of the Shutdown Skies." Convent-like the tall ferns walled you
 like cloistered nun, So I knelt down close and called you Lift tie Sister to the Sum- Vision like the mosses framed you, like
 a sudden star your birth So thought while and named you '"Bit-
 -Dreamland dropped to earth' Eit-o' -Dreamland, Sister, Dryad, names
 which you may say are wrong, Yet what pleasure Joy and had, sing<
 ing you this little. song! |.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
AUTOMOBILE Ie LITERATURE.

From the New York World.
 Whenever a new history of literature shall be written due acknowledgement will have to be made to the automobile Thece Is already a library, small but diversified, of volumes inspired by the touring car and its kindred.
 One expected to find the devil-wagon scorching promptly into fiction. Its pos- abilities as land craft for modern pi- rates, as a vehicle either for the kidnap- ing or the rescue of beautiful maidens, as the wheeled and -geared friend of vir- tue or villainy, at will-these recommend ed 1t promptly to writers of up-to-date ron ance. But authors of more serious turn of mind were not far behind ths novelists in appreciation of the auto From them we have a new school of travel books; from them also, perhaps, those pleasant flctionists the williamsons took the cue to mingle with their recent chap ters of motor romance delightful worI- pictures of the Dutch and Spanish coun- tries.
 In Europe the the tourist-authors of the auto school have accomplished something equivalent to a reclamation of land. They have opened fresh acres and highways cf observation. Their convenient cars have enabled them to depart radically fiom railway routes and all the paths beaten by ordinary excursionists. Through the exhilaration of the road they have come into new points of view and even into new philosophies-a fact which must have impressed itself upon readers of Mrs. Wharton's chapters on an automo- bile tour of France and which may as- sert itself again through John M. Dil- ions just-published Motor Days in Eng land"
 Nearly all the old countries have now been covered by writing motorists and it appears that not all these tourists thought of becoming writers when they started. 'The author has not been able to resist the temptation to make book of these iotes," writes Dan Fellows Platt, begin- ming his Through Italy With Car and Camera" There is blessed relief for ths man in the road when the motor inspires to rushing into print rather than to smashing the speed law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
THE PEOPLE ON JUPITER

Quite likely, on the other hand, he has good ears; but with device, either arti- ficial or contributed by nature for stop ping his ears, except when he wishes to listen.
 This tremendous. good-natured Jovian has leather-like skin to protect himself from scratches or flying things, and de- vice for sitting the air that he breathes, for Jovian atmosphere is full of dust, and in spite of the difficulties of his existence he is long-lived gentleman. On the av- craze he exists for about 800 of our years; probably many a Jovian exists a full thousand of our little years
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Reduction In Arrests

The report of Chief of Police Bod eker covering the month of May shows that the total number of arrests in that long month was 561. This is encouraging, especially to those who recall the days when the monthly gath ering in of 1000 unfortunates in the small bounds of this city was nothing at all unusual
 Chief Bodeker is endeavoring to re- duce the number of arrests, and the time may come when the present monthly average will be cut in two again. Two hundred arrests a month is as many as should be made in this city, and, Chief Bodeker deserves con- mendation for his efforts to cut the number down to the average of other cities throughout the country. He is instructing patrolmen to warn citizens against the commission of offenses, and to avoid the making of arrests for petty violations of the law except when the offense is repeated in a willful manner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Presidential Candidates,

If often happens that one of the two great political parties has everything cut and dried before the nominating conver- tion assemblies, but I do not recall many licans and the democrats knew in ad- vance who would be nominated for stand ard bearer" said an old voter. Tn the past the republicans were given to nom mating q dark horse for President, and the dark horse was always winner.
 Tn 1884 Blaine had an easy victory in the convention but Cleveland defeated him at the polls In the democratic con- Ventlon Of that year no one could name the successful aspirant in advance. Bay ard, Tilden, Hendricks and Cleveland were among the candidates. Bayard had splendid organization, but his friends, finding they could not nominate him. turned their strength mostly over to but was not seated In 1880 he could have had the nomination again, but de- clined to enter the race and Hancock was nominated. In 1884 Tilden was 72 years old, but Virginia, and I believe one or two other states, instructed for him. While he was not an avowed candidate for the nomination he was regarded as being in the running, and he kept every body guessing.
 "The opposing candidates in the pend- ing campaign will be Taft and Bryan. At Denver Bryan will probably be nom- mated by exclamation"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Good investments.

Geology Is not only most important science. but it is one that should appeal to the imagination" said a lawyer who is almost a capitalist But I have been struck with the little practical applica- tion that students of geology at our high CT educational institutions make of their knowledge of the mineral wealth of Ala bama.
 Twelve or 15 years ago mineral lands of undoubted value could be bought for $1 to g an acre. I put a good deal Of my surplus money in lands in Northern Alabama. I bought some tracts for s1 an acre, and while not all the property acquired was rich In minerals, a large percentage of it would bring s26 an acre today.
 When property in the Birmingham mineral district could be bought at s1 and 8 I felt that no risk was being taken, even though I purchased at random. Friends used to say that I was making a mistake in not having the lands in spected. My reply was that 1t would cost as much to have the property ex- amined as the acreage price. So l went ahead and bought all I could pay for. Other men could have done the same but they seemed to be asleep; either that or they lacked ordinary nerve. l always wondered why the young men who had studied the geology of Alabama under Dr. Smith did not scrape together little money and buy mineral lands."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The reason a girl's feet are so small is she says so anyway.
 A woman can win any kind of an arsu- ment by crying hard enough.
 There Is hardly anything that wears off as soon as the sweetness from kisses.
 The trouble with having a good tenn per is all you then have to stand from those with bad ones.
 It's awful mean of a man to go of fishing alone when he knows 1t would ruin his wife's complexion by sunburn to go along and spoil his fun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Then and Now,

Tn the early spring when business de- pression was being felt throughout the country, thousands of men were idle in manufacturing centers, but today indus trial activity is in evidence again and wis., itors to Birmingham might readily con- clude that this district was as busy as it was before the October panc'' said a citizen.
 If industrial conditions are not quite normal now they are not far from it. With the blast furnaces, the steel plant and the scores of small industries in op- eration. the district is certainly pushing ahead,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

job of conquering the world. Alas he said, q will never be able to make the G. o. P elephant do a highland fling at Chicagoi"
 Realizing that President Roosevelt would some day make him look like rank anna teur, the Macedonian dissolved in tears.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
THOSE IDLE QUESTIONS.

''Who is that impressive looking man over there in the corner?' asked the fa- cetous bore. "I presume he is the poul- try editor?"
 Not at all,'' replied the editor-ip-chief. while a dangerous light famed in his eye. That is our staff surgeon who is employed at fabulous salary to care for the crippled victims of our wrath after we have thrown them down stairs"
 Thereupon the inquisitive one took the hint and departed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
THE sT.NGIEsT MAN.
om Danville Advocate.

Gallatin claims to have the stingiest man in Tennessee, if not in the world, and a premium is offered for his superior in closefistedness. He got married to 4 home girl to save expenses. They walked around the square for bridal tour. He bought her niokels worth of stick candy for a wedding present. and then suggested that they save the candy for the childyen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
PENNSYLVANIA NATURE STORY.

FTUm UTE FHl1dueIp1IIa HecUTu'
 Six weeks ago workman in the Penn. sylvania repair shops in Allegheny left two dozen eggs in an abandoned tool box in the roundhouse. Steam pipes 50 through the box. All over the eggs a heavy layer of coal soot settled. Three weeks ago IA sooty chicks arrived It was found that the steam pipes kept the temperature of the box at 1OS degrees A second hatch of 20 chicks appeared, sooty but healthy. Another hatch is be- iHg prepared. Born among the changing roises of the round house, every chick so far discovered is dear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

The platform was taken apart in Washington before it was shipped to Chicago. But experts will be on hand to dovetail 1t together again. It is remarkable instance of "now you see 1t and now you don't" It means all things to all men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

John Albert Johnson is either a vic- tim of procrastination or else he is four years too previous. It is difficult to say which, now that he has been eliminated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

A sick mans vote secured the pass age of the anti-gambling bills in the New York legislature. Congress needs, however, an epidemic before any re- form can be voted through it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Reaction In Politics.

Nothing better illustrates the uncer- tainty of politics than the reaction in the south against so-called reform legisla- tion.' said B. S. McDougall of Texas. Two years ago railroad rate regulation was the issue and it won with landslide majorities. It was generally felt that some sort of rate legislation was in order. But the leaders became populistic and rushed bills through not only inimical to railroads but to all corporations and all capital. Such legislation had more to do perhaps with bringing on the panic than anything else.
 'The result of the Georgia election shows how the people are coming back to their senses. There Is nothing more un- certain than politics; but it will be a long time think before candidates advocating drastic legislation can again be elected
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
Vegetables and Fruits,

"It is hard to estimate the value of fruit and trucking crops, but this has been an exceptionally good season for vegetables, berries, melons and peaches said a commission merchant.
 Not only have the truck farmers and fruit growers raised large crops, but the prices have been above the usual level. These truck farm and orchard products in the volume add very materially to the wealth of the south"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

The railroad companies are prepar- ing to handle record-breaking crops. All the cars in sight and more, too, will he needed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

The President can hunt almost any thing in Africa except octopuses. So far as is known there are none of the latter there, unless it be the Rocke- feller-Ryan rubber trust in The Congo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

Anna Gould's fortune and Prince Helie's fortune are to be kept distinct and apart. This will not be difficult, as Helie has but cents, anyway.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

Even the allies concede enough votes to Taft to nominate him on the first ballot. The former are rebellious in spirit only.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18

A will written on physicians pre- scription blanK has just been probated. He saw the physician coming and knew his end was near.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-18
POETIC LICENSE.

POETIC LICENSE. The poet wight Who trills of June, Will soon extoll The harvest moon And tell of crops And arbors sweet. Though corn to him Is the same as wheat, And he never could Distinguish tween A thrasher and A moving machine.