davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

in ebony wood and vases, trays and teapots almost without end. The sale lasts till Saturday night. and it is eN- pected to result in big wad of money
 This sale is a belated chapterscf the Boxer outbreak, and there will per haps be other chapters, and if China becomes strong and warlike there may be some that the looters will not relish. But whether she becomes strong or remains weak, the shame of 1900 will abide. and history will not fail to re- cord it as the most shameful inter- national transaction of the present century.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
BRODA BROS IN
 BANKRUPT COURT

A petition in voluntary bankruptcy was filed by Broda Bros. of Ensley in United States Clerk Allisons office yes ,terday afternoon. Liabilities were named at s11,576.19 and the assets al $75OO. Application for appointment of a receiver will be heard by Referee N l.. Steele this morning at g o'clock.
 M M. Ullman filed the petition as counsel for the petitioner. He also filed a request that G. T. Brazelton be appointed as receiver, and that he be allowed to continue the business. The petition named a long list of creditors some of them running above $2000.
 Before the petition had reache ed Referee Steele, Lee J. Marx appeared before that official with a request for an appointment of a receiver, Marx filing the request in behalf of the Seigei- -Rothschld company, $26.75' Southern Handkerchief company. $20.25 and the Appomatox Trunk and Bag company. S17,75.
 Consideration of this request was de clined. however, by Referee Steele Sn- til the petition had reached him. Oll- man appeared at this time With the petition and the request that Brazel- ton he appointed as receiver. It then developed that Marx and Ullman de' aired the same man for receiver. A receiver will probably be appointed this morning with instructions to wind up the business.
 Rroda Bros have conducted a gen eral furnishings business at Ensles for A long while and were thought tc be in good financial condition. The firm is composed of Jacob Broda ana Henry Broda.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Zero Weather Rsaohed.

"Nve are very apt to think that every bright day in February means that winter Is past" remarked an old resident. We Have had rough winter but we have had no severe weather The plumbers can testify to the comparative mildness of the temperature. But it will not do to say that we are about to sit on the lap of sprirg.
 Ut was as late as February Il, 1S99' when we had a heavy snow and a drop of the mercury below zero. That was tht time that New Orleans froze up. It was turing the Mardf Gras carnival and Canal street was a sheet of ;cc. We will hard ly have a repetition of that cold snap this month. especially since we have got as far along as the 10th, but as the weather is about as uncertain as poli- tics, who can tell?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
FIGHTING ASSESSMENTS.
Ward Notifies Council of Difficulties
 That Have Arisen.

The fight which is being made by the propertyholders of Birmingham against the Improvements assessments is causing no end of trouble. This is seen from a communication submitted by the Mayor to the council last night, as follows:
 February 19 1908. To the Honorable, the City Council of Birmingham:
 Gentlemen-Inclosed find letter from Peoples Savings bank advising that 1t will not in future furnish money for street improvements except those already con tracted for.
 This is a serious handicap to the city's growth, and the banks action is doubtless due to the refusal of citizens to pay for improvements that were petitioned for and we'll and properly made.
 It is hoped the board can succeed in adjusting such differences as have arisen, where based cn equity, Aand then collect in full from those who are protesting largely on suspicion that the city can be influenced into giving a rebate. Respect fully, G. WARD. Mayor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
This District On the Up- Grade

In the territory covered by the Ala bama Car Service association 44715 cars-freight cars-were handled in December. and 47,546 in January. Let us not waste time in marking back to months year ago. Let the dead past be dismissed. We live in the present, and so long as our railroads handle more cars each succeeding month we will be content and happy, wholly re- gardless of what was handled one year ago.
 February is a month of 29 days, the shortest of the year, but the chances are that the record of January will be exceeded this month. This hope is entertained at any rate, and the forth coming figures for February will be awaited with interest.
 There is no better barometer of general business than the car move ment and if the car service association shows that our railroads handled 4S000 or more cars in February we may at once safely conclude that we are get ting back to normal conditions in our great industries-that our mines and plants are getting busy again, and that Prosperity with big P will soon be at home again in this district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
GAVE THOMPSON AND
 ALDRICH ROOM IA
Hotel. Clerk in Tuscaloosa Assiuned the Well Known Rivals to
 Same Bed.

Jospeh o. Thompson and ex-Congress- man w. F. Aldrich were both in Tusca- loosa yesterday ouring the Sixth district convention. and through a misunderstand- ing on the part of the hotel clerk were both assigned to room IA. Fate inter vened, howe, CT, and the mistake was dis covered before tie rivals had a chance to mix with each other in the privacy of their bedrccmA
 MT. Aldrich registered and was given room l4 A few minutes afterward MT Thompson end United States Marshall Pope NJ. Long ned the hotel, and MT. Thompson registered directly under MT. Aldrich's name. MI. Long then registered and asked that he and MT. Thompson be assigned to the same room.
 Whether the clerk mistook Marshal Long for MT. Aldrich, or whether he just wished to have a good "joke,' is not known, but anyhow instead of giving Messrs. Thompson and Long the same room he put Messrs. Thompson and All drich together. A few minutes afterward one oc the i thompson republicans glanced ai the register and was mortified to see such n cenfhinat as signed to room H. He yelled fer the ct'k, and after every boly had caught thc'r breath the eri,-' was corrected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Some Criticisms.

When Mrs. Bloomfield Zeisler was in New York recently some of the critics wrote as follows:
 There was weird, eerie, elfn charm and brilliant delicacy about tn csc Schumann readings which struck a dis tinetlYe, poetic and dramatic note thoroughly atune to the subtle fancy of the composer. The Toccata in par ticular was superbly played-a rare bit of artistic uosity."-Reginald de Koven, In the World.
 ''In all of this music Mime. Bloom field-Zeisler displayed the technical skill and the musical intelligence that mark her playing."-The Herald.
 The characteristics of Mrs. Bloom field-Zeisler's playing do not alter. She has beautiful command of tone, and makes the piano sing in its natural voice and with plentysof color" W. J. Henderson, in the Sun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Some Chinese Loot of 1900

The Romans used the word 'Spolia" for what we call foot" The word we use was first employed by the British
 in India, and it comes from a Persian word that means plunder. Loot in- cludes objects wrenched by the for tunes of war from their true home and placed in the hands of enemies. The disgraceful siege of Pekin conducted by the allied western nations against an absolutely helpless people was very productive of loot, going to show that civilization is but skin deep. Medieval or Roman times did not out do the siege of Pekin in the 20th cen tury in the respect of loot. /
 At that time E. H. Conger was mjh- ister of the United States to China. He has since died, and his widc{w is selling this week his collectioh of loot at auction. The sales are Ield at the Shrine of Mammon in New York. Let us, however, do the Conglrs jus tice. They did not loot the /alaces of the Dowager Empress, bu'i they did buy what they could when lhe looters offered their unholy spoil for sale. They made famous bargair$ and the fact that they were accredit Jd to China was not permitted to standin the way of bargain hunting. They bought rare porcelains. and silks anSJ satins. and brass and bronze Oslect9 and figures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
THE SEA SHELL.
am F. Mccormack.

By William F. Mccormack. To my ear held sea shell, Listened, listened, listened to it; Heard the may, magic music Winding, winding, winding through it.
 Fairlylike and wild. Heard the mermaids' twining bugles Calling calling, calling quaintly; Heard the oceans far-off footsteps Falling, falling. falling faintly-
 But I was a child.
 To my ear held a sea shell, Listened, listened, listened to 1t; Heard the jaded body's pulses Beating, beating, beating through 1t,
 With a measured sway. Heard the blood the veins encircling, Heard the nerves vibrating quickly, Heard this engine of a body Throbbing. throbbing, throbbing sick.
 I was old and gray. Science? I have won a little, Dipped into the lore of sages; Knowledge? have read little In that book of countless pages
 Just line or two. Read-but lost the sea shall's music, Lost the beauties there abiding, Lost the phantasies and wonders That before my fancy gliding,
 As ac hild I knew.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
MASONS CLOSE
 SESSIONS TODAY

The second day of the Jefferson County Masonic conference was even better at tended than the day before. Morning and afternoon sessions were devoted to busi- ness matters, while an exemplification of the fellowcraft degree was given last night. Birmingham Fraternal Lodge Ss4 were the hosts yesterday.
 Today, however, is expected to be the greatest day of the conference. In ad- dition to many matters of interest to come before the day sessions, there will be an exemplification of the entered apprentice fellowcraft and master Mason degrees un- der the auspices of Birmingham Temple 636 Grand Lecturer Scott will also lec- ture on the master Mason degree tonight.
 This mornings session will convene at g O o'clock the afternoon at 2 o'clock and tonghts session at 7:30 Several hundred Masons are expected to attend the ex- republication tonight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Firm Iron Market.

"One of the most encouraging features of the pig iron market is the fact that the price holds up so we'll" said furnace operator. While the sales tonnage is not large consumers are buying to supply their immediate needs and all melters have accepted present quotations as req sonable.
 'In former years several weeks of inac- tivity caused prices to sag, even if the bottom did not drop out. Consumers can afford to pay $1S50 for Southern foundry iron, and I do not expect to see 1t go lower With the next brisk buying move ment quotations are apt to strike higher level"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
At the Riiou.

The Bijou theatre is doing very well this week with The Ninety and Nine' as the offering. This is a good, wh ole- some play and unusually pleasing for a drama of its class. "The Ninety and Nine' has been before the public five years, but continues to do a fine busi- ness and seems destined to become one of the longest-lived melodramas on record. The principal scene-that of the locomotive racing through forest fire-is thoroughly realistic and thrill ing. The company is headed by Bay onne Whipple, who is given very fair support. The usual performance will be given tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
---7------ ADJUSTMENTS.
Checkers" Comes Monday.

Checkers the swift and merry play "hlch made hit here last season, will come again next week with substantial " the same competent cast. This is the plays fifth year, and most of the mem pers nave served season after season "ith It. The engagement here will Iake place next Monday night at the 9enersen theatre and a big audience IS expected. Checkers" is play of me quality and those who did not see IL last season, may reast assured that something worth while is in store for them. The story is strong, clean, hu- morous and exciting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
OFFERS ART WINDOWS. High School Is Recipient of Handsome Gift From R. D. Burnett.

The High school was yesterday the re- cipient of a handsome gift from Alderman R. D. Burnett. Alderman Burnett has recently acquired control of the old Peer less Saloon corner, and he yesterday gave the art glass which decorated the saloon in former days to the Board of Education.
 The windows are among the most hand some in the city and cost 5000. Arrange ments will be made to use it to decorate the High school and 1t will be removed at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
"Bowery BurIesquers."

Headed by the clever Hebrew come- dian Ben Jansen, the "Bowery Bur lesquers" are attracting favorable com ment at the Gayety this week.
 The offering consists of a hodge, podge of funny scenes as viewed daily in the lower section of the great me- tropolis, and gives an excellent illus tration of life in the concert halls of the Bowery; It's adjoining Chinatown and nearby Essex Market police court, and leads also into an Artists Studio, where some pretty breezy sights come into view of the spectator. Of course the entire entertainment Is brimful with extremely funny situations; in fact there is not a moment of dullness in the many different scenes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
"The Ham Tree.v

klaw & Erlanger's production of
 me Ham Tree" in which they are starring Mcintyre and Heath Is proba- ply the funniest show of many sea sons. Their was a unique idea-the @ building up of a three-act entertain ment our of 20-minute vaudeville sketch, but they knew their business and succeeded in putting together an attraction which is comic from start to finish. The chorus is a notable one. and is made up of young boys and girls who can sing and dance, especially dance. Mcintyre and Heath will be the attraction at the Jefferson tn eatre next Wednesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Shripers Goinu To Capital.

This morning at s:S2 clock the Zamora Temple Shriners will leave for Mont gomery over the Louisville and Nashville railroad, where a pilgrimage will be taken over the hot sands. Montgomery Shriners are expecting a great time, and are making preparations to entertain a large number of visiting Shriners. A large delegation of the men with the small red fez will go from Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Parish House.

We hope to begin work on our pro- jected parish house very soon,' said the Rev. Dr. w. E. Evans, rector of the Church of the Advent. 'The building will stand on Sixth avenue, adjoining the church. It will be handsome and com modious and will serve a most excellent purpose. Every large church needs parish house, not only as place of meet ing for the various societies of the con- gregation but as a social center for the laity."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
AtIanta's Waterway

The digging of canal fron the Ten nessee river to the Ocmulgee river in Georgia has progressed to the map making point, and the Atlanta papers gravely present it in black and white. It looks feasible on paper. When 1t IS completed boats can steam from Gun tc1sville .,n the Tennessee to Gadsden or the Ccosa; thence up the Coosa to Rome, ana thence by canal to the Oc- mulgee, and thence by the Ocmulgee to the sea near Brunswick.
 The plan is theoretically perfect, but tie proof Of this partic.i.ar canal is in Ire digoing of #, or rather in the foot ing of the bills. The estimates will stagger Uncle Sam, and we fear that map.making and estimate-making will compose all the work that will be done on what the Atlantians call "The At lantic and Great Western Canal" It is to pass 20 or 30 miles east of At lanta. but that would be near enough to enable Atlanta to get water rates, which after all is the object of all in terior routes. Atlanta is. however, doomed to pay railroad rates good long while if it's dependence for water rates is based upon the construction of the Atlantic and Great Western canal, for Chairman Burton has de- eide distaste for chimerical projects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

these being ex-congressman Aldrleh. Charlie Smith, ex-janitor of the Birming- ham federal building; Julius N. David son, ex-assistant district attorney; Will liam Youngsblood, ex-auditor of the treas ury, and Judge T. B. Morton"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
ANDREWS HOME BURNS.
Fire on South Nineteenth Street
 Causes Loss of About $3o00.

The home of F. H. Andrews a two story frame structure at 1348 Nineteenth street, south, was practically destroyed by fire last night at g o'clock.
 The flames came very near spreading to the adjoining houses, but on account of the quick work of the firemen and, the change in the wind, 1t was limited to the one building, which is almost total loss. The figure of the damages will probably reach 5000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
About Persons.

Dr. Charles Erwin of Huntsville is at the New Morris.
  w. H. Conner of Florance is at the New Morris. F. A. Gamble of Jasper is at the New Morris L. Moss of Lehigh is at the New Morris. J. Lee Long of Greenville is at the New Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Swarthmore is to become a college for women only, in order to let 1t ac- cept the Jeanes bequest No halfway measure could be devised to save that million or more of dollars which Suartbmore needs in its business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Professor Melukoff is not to be shot until he has had a chance to explain in the douma his visit to this country. The aristocracy is becoming a trifie saner
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Talks of Republican Meeting.

w. B. Ford, a prominent administra- tion republican of Marion county, passed through Birmingham last night on his way from the Sixth district re- publican convention held in Tusca- . loosa yesterday. In speaking of the doings of this meeting MT. Ford said:
 "The administration, or David son faction, are reported to have held a district convention in the court house at Tuscaloosa today. I have the word of the sh eriff at Tuscaloosa that no such meeting was held in the court house the today.
 "The executive administration com mittee met at 10 o'clock this morning at which time a temporary roll was made up. Of the IS members of the committee Il were present, and five were represented by proxy leaving only two absent ones. The conven- tion convened at 12 o'clock in the city hall, with every county in. the district being represented. The total number of delegates allowed is 52, and of this number 3s were present and II were represented by proxy There was only one contest, this being from Pielkens county.
 IS. R. Crumpton of Walker county was elected as temporary and then made per manent chairman, J. D. Fowler, also of Walker county, was made permanent sec retary, and I was temporary assistant secretary. Judge Shields of Jasper chairman, was unable to attend on ac- count of sickness, but sent his credentials to Judge Greene
 "IJnited States Marshal Pope M. Long of walker county and Will B. Ford of Marion county were elected as delegates to the national convention, and W. II Chapman of Sumter county and Ignatus Green of Tuscaloosa as alternates Henry T. Nations of Walker and c. A. Hammer of Fayette were named as presidential electors.
 The Presidents administration and that of his Alabama referees, Joseph O Thompson and C.. H. Scott was in dorsed. MT. Thompson was also indorsed for reelection as state chairman.
 MT Thompson was also in Tuscaloosa but spent most of the day at the uni. versity. It is a significant fact that he was guest of Professor Perkins while in Tuscaloosa. We also had five out siders in attendance on the convention
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Little vs. Charities Transfer Co., dam ages; City Loan and Banking Co. vs. America Hagood, ejectment; Peoples Savings Bank & Trust Co. vs. R. w.. Massey. assumpsit; Cox & Tharpse vs. Alabama Great Southern Realty company, appeal by defendant; Perry Miles vs Southern Indemnity association, appeal by defendant; M. M. Freed vs. John A. Jemison, ct al, defendants, and Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany, garnishee, certorari by defend ant; J. s. Wilcox vs. E. S. Bell, defend ant, and Vassar Allen, ct als., garnishees garnishment on judgment; Will Battle vs. Williamson Iron company. appeal by defendant; John Henry vs. Williamson Iron company, appeal by defendant
 In the second division of the city court, Judge Senn presiding, the following cases are set for trial today:
 Leonard Smiley vs. Bruce M Brewer ct all, damages; Annie Hudson vs. Kan sas City, Memphis and Birmingham Railroad companl, damages; James Blum berg, pro ami, vs. Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company damages.
 The following cases the set for trial today in the third division of the city court, Judge Sharpe presiding:
 Pnkey Baker vs. D. Brown, damages; ; Jennie Long vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, damages ; John Meadows vs. Birmingham Railway Light and Power companl, damages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Shoplifting by members of the 400 is no longer to be condoned by the merchants of New York. Due notice has been given. The humble are hur- ried to iail without notice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

New York Is planning rush-hour street cars solely for the use of work ing women. Bully for New York
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Pictures of Count Hadik in his bath ing costume seem to amuse the New Workers. for nearly every paper in that city has one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
Baker Succeeds Ennis.

w c. Baker has been appointed by the police commission to succeed Clyde Ennis as desk sergeant at police headquarters. MT. Ennis has refused the office of pa- trolman which was offered him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The hotels of Denver promise to be reasonable in convention week, but they decline to be definite or to give security.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

New York's next legislature is to fill Senator Platts place, and the sue cessor will not be Tom himself. That much is assured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The jingoes are still demanding four new battleships. and they point to Ja pan as they talk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The moving picture shows will soon be filled with scenes from the New York-to-Paris auto trip.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The Alabama coal trade has been more active this month than it was in January and this cold snap will give 1t another lift
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Champ Clarke yearns to see once more retiring, undemonstrative Pres ident of the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

London has special street cars for women. In that respect London is a notch ahead of Atlanta, strange to say.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Thus far Taft is but favorite son He has carried Ohio, while Fairbanks has carried Indiana
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The British suffragettes are not happy unless they are engaged in raid ing the Commons, or planning a raid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The Russo.T Turkish war is trying to materialize, but as both countries are bankrupt the obstacles are serious.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

It is featureless day at the White House when President Roosevelt falls to raise his big stick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

richmond Pearson Hobson continues to keep in touch with grim-visaged. war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

The President is so pugnacious he precipitates row when he discusses the weather.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Chief Justice Fuller is now in his 76th year, but he seems to be good for at least ten more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20

Birmingham has escaped the snow storms of this winter, but it saw few fiickers yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-20
SPRING POETRY.

Whats Percy the Poet doing these days"
 Writing advertising verse for bed springs"