davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
Enoineers and MetaIIuraists.

Dr. William B. Phillips of Birmingham, one of the best known engineers and metallurgists In the United States, con- tributes an interesting article to the Bal timore Manufacturers Record in which he says that the importance to southern mining and metallurgical industries of the meeting at Chattanooga October 1, of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, can hardly be overstated. The institute, he says. is composed of 4000 members, representing all classes of engineers. chemists. metallurgists, business men and capitalists who are actively engaged in or immediately concerned in the devel- opment of the mineral resources of the country. The headquarters of the organ ization are in New York city.
 '.The transactions of the institute,' says pr. Phillips. "are issued yearly, and comprise the papers and discussions which are read and offered during the year. These papers are an epitome of mining and metallurgy In the United States particularly, and also, to some ex- tent. in Canada and Mexico. The first volume appeared in 1871 and for 37 years the succeeding volumes have been filled w''h the very best material relating to tl @ two great industries. For many
 cars the transactions have been edited by Dr. R. w. Raymond, the prince Of secretaries- who succeeded Dr. Thomas M
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
pocKsTApERs FIRST PART

From the New York Telegraph.
 Tn all his autobiographies Lew Dock stader never told the really true story Of his first more or less burglarious and forcible entry into the profession which he now adorns and of which he is a shining light. It happened a long while ago. longer than is polite to state, but it will suffice to say that Lew Clapp- that was his first and proper patronymie was barely years old at the time. and an attendant of the Old South school in Hartford. now known as the Wads- worth Street school.
 Right back of the school and fronting on Hudson street, was an orchard owned by a thrifty old settler who looked upon the propinquity of the schoolboys with suspicion One day he concealed himself. and after brief wait trapped young Clapp in the act of abstracting a ripe red pippin. Tears and protestations were of no avail and the youlgster was solemnly marched to the lookup. Not for long, though, for with the aid of bit of soap he got up so convincing a picture of a boy foaming at the mouth that a doctor was hurriedly sent for, and in the ex- ctement Lew ran home.
 That was his really first appearance upon any stage, and his former school mates still remember it with glee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
Idle Cars Decreasing

On April 29 last the railroads that are members of the American railway association reported that they had 413- S5S idle cars. This was the maximum Of inactivity on the railroads. and ever since that day in April the number of idle cars has been decreasing. The latest report of the association shows the car situation on September ?. when the number of idle cars stood at 221.- 2l4. In the two weeks preceding September 2, the idle car aggregate was reduced to the extent of 3O.371 cars. Small shortages were actually reported in few localities on Sep- tember ?, and steps were at once taken to supply their needs by transferring equipment from roads having sur rlrses.
 The decrease in idle box cars on September 2 is considered encourag- ing. In the country there were at that time but S3,716 idle box cars, 12,862 Hat cars, S4,S92 coal cars and 39.744 cars of other kinds-total 221,214. Every one of the idle box cars will be needed to move the crops of the year in, and before the year is ended all the Idle cars may be needed. The end of the period of idle cars seems at any rate to be in sight, and when it has come general business will begin to be normal and a reasonable degree of prosperity will have been inaugurated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
Cost Of Living Now And In 1897

Bradstreet's index number shows that thirty articles were increased in price in August, while 31 were lower and A remained unchanged. A slight downward movement is thus indicated. Bradstreet's goes on to explain that a 12-months period ending September 1 has brought lower prices in SO com modities, while 31 are higher and Il are unchanged.
 The London Economist $ index num- Der is of a like nature, revealing re- duction of about IA per cent. in neces- sary commodities in the course of a year. The average man cannot, how ever, see any such decrease in the cost of living. The reason is, prices have fallen in lines that do not figure large ly in household bills, while flour is higher by per cent. than it was one year ago; beef 25 per cent. higher, and corn is up 31 per cent.
 The German civil service presents a table that shows at glance the in crease in various articles since 1896, as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
EvERYBODY-NOBODY.
a Iones in Success Magaxine,

Ellis o. Jones in Success Magazine.
 ''You have come to see us at bad time" said the Best Citizen. Everybody has gone away for the summer I would not be here myself if 1t were not for some unexpected business matters
 ..What do you mean?" queried the Man from Mars. You say that everybody has gone away, and yet the streets seem to be actually crowded with people"
 "Of course; how stupid of me!' re- turned the Best Citizen. "rhatis one of our idioms, you know. I mean every body who is anybody has gone away. The workers are all here, to be sure"
 "Who is anybody" persisted the Man from Mars.
 Well. you see that is another of our idioms," responded the Best Citizen. "I hardly know how to explain 1t. It means anybody who amounts to anything
 Don't the workers amount to any, thing?"
 well, not in that sense. Of course they amount to a good deal in their way" The Best Citizen was beginning to feel that he was in deep water.
 The Man from Mars reflected mo- ment. Then he said Anybody who has gone away for the summer is some body and anybody who is compelled to stay at home is nobody "very clever. very clever agreed the Best Citizen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
THE BRIDE DECEIVED.

From the Washington Star.
 A young woman has cried out for help from the courts because she has been de- ceived in the matter of the age and the beauty of her husband. The news fol- lows:
 Denver Another December and May marriage has found its way into the di- vorce court. In this case the child wife alleges that her husband, Richard Ref ions, deceived her as to his age, claiming to be only 35. when in reality he was 65. The wife Is IS. The wedding took place last June, and 1t was an apparently young man who led the then Miss Jennie Wharton to the altar. Ills mustacne was dark and glossy. His hair wss ebony and his skin clear. The divorce petition says that in a few days the mustache turned gray, the complexion proved store made and the hair developed into wig.
 Men shold not take pleasure in reading this item, though many of them will. De- sire for revenge is not noble quality of mind. Men have been swindled at the altar from time immenorial by the same base wies before which Jennie Wharton fell, yet they should feel only sympathy for this unfortunate girl.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

1 Drown, famous alike as professor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and as president of Lehigh university. Many eminent men have been president of the institute, the present incumbent being MT. John Hays Hammond, known wherever gold and silver are mined.
 The mining engineers were to have held their meeting this year in Birmingham, but owing to the fact that the miners strike in Alabama had not been called off at the time final arrangements had to be made, the place was changed to Chattanooga.
 In his article in the Manufacturers' Record Dr. Phillips says:
 "It has been 20 years since the insti- ute held a meeting in the extreme south. If we except the meetings held at some of the expositions and which were more or less social in their nature. The last meeting held in Birmingham was in 1888 and a great deal of interest was shown in the results of the experiments in mak- ing basic steel by the so-cailed Henderson process For some time previous to that meeting basic steel had been made at North Birmingham in a furnace of com mercia1 capacity, and one of the papers presented at the meeting dealt with ths chemical side of the matter. That fur- mace was the forerunner of the exten- sive plant now at Ensley, via the Iur- mace of the Jefferson Steel company, and the Birmingham Rolling Mill company.
 ''The large basic steel plant at Ensiey, which has already cost several millions of dollars, and which will cost several million more before it is finished. was rendered possible by the experiments made at North Birmingham in 1887 and lSSS."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

tion was a factor in both campaigns. Four years ago a republican governor was elected by a plurality of 25,S40, and Roosevelt's plurality in that year was 36,7S1.
 The question of resubmitting the prohibition amendment has in fact rob bed the Maine vote of significance from a national point of view. No one at this distance can say what the drift of public sentiment is in Maine beyond the fact that in large vote the demo- crats gained strength while the re- publicans lost some ground. How much the latter lost it is not easy to say on account of the local issues pre- scented in the down-east state. Maine did not go this year as she went in 1S4O for Governor Kent and Tippeca- noe and Tyler, too.
 Not only is there state prohibition III Maine, but in 1905 the drastic Sturgis law was passed under which the gov ernor may send officers into a county to enforce prohibition when he finds that the local sheriff Is not doing his duty. These measures are unpopular in Maine and many desire their repeal. Under such circumstances a state campaign has small national signifi- canoe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
RISE OF A PLAYWRIGHT.

From the Kansas City Star.
 It is most important that young dra- matists of ability should be encouraged. So much encouragement is given to writers of the stage who have no skill whatever in making dramatic literature, or even contributing to the purely dra- mat;c ideals of the theatre, that cer- tainly due consideration should be given those who show capacity for real achieve ment.
 Kansas City knows MT. Engene Walter only through 'The Wolff the melodrama presented at the Shubert theatre last week by company far superior to casts usual ly placed in plays of this character. But MT. Walter has achieved distinction and fortune in another drama. Paid in Full which has been regarded by the New York critics as a work of high order. The story goes that MT. Walter was in sore straits when he at last found pro- ducer willing to risk this play--in fact that the acceptance practically saved him from hunger and restored him to com- fortable beds after he had slept on park benches.
 But TO sooner had he scored a success in ,his first play than he was much sought by managers eager for a second success And the story continues that the now prosperous author, in order to meet this demand, wrote 'The Wolf in two weeks. If the latter play denotes the future pol icy of MT. Waiter, then his career as a high dramatist will be circumscribed by the period of his poverty. The first play was written to secure recognition; the second was written to make money
 "The Wolf" clearly reveals the haste that marked it's preparation. It seems to have been based on a serious purpose. but that purpose was lost in the rush to complete 1t. As it stands, 1t is story of fundamental interest, with super structure of cheap devices. Its sole claim is that 1t has a remarkably thrilling finale "a knife duel in the dark--and is acted by an exceptionally good company. MT. Walter is now in easy lines. He can give as much time to his plays as may be needed to perfect them and make
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Good One on. .Louett.

l T heard a good story on Dr. J. A. l B. Lovett today" said citizen Of Bes- semer last night. 'Dr. Lovett is mak- ing close personal canvass of north Alabama in the interest of the new coun- | ty amendment. A few days ago he was | at Center His next engagement was at Anniston. He was advised that he could make time by going around by Rome' Ga. He took the advice and caught an eastbound train at Leesbury. After the train had proceeded some distance a short stop was made at small wayside station. Dr. Lovett noticed that there seemed to be many people gathering from the surrounding country and he stepped off to investigate. He was told that the Farmers union was preparing for big meeting and he got interested at once. Farmers union meet ings are the doctors long suit. He saw an opportunity to make a ten-strike for the new county amendment.
 ''The result was that he forfeited the remainder of his railway ticket and stopped off. Shortly after the opening of the meeting he was approached by man who seemed to be a leader who asked if he could not make a speech they were short of orators. The leader said the doctor looked like a speaking man.
 ''Of course the doctor consented to speak That is what he stopped off for.
 After talking for some time on the great value of organization among the farmers he hurried to the subject nearest his heart.
 "He led off with an elegant preroration on the beauty and sublime restfulness of his native state-Alabama. At the end of the first spurt he paused for breath and the usual applause.
 '"The people gaped and remained si- lent. The doctor was disappointed, but made another effort. If I were cast upon some distant planet I will look away across the intervening space, dot ted with unknown worlds. Catching glimpse of old Mother Earth I would leap to the moon for a nearer view. As the earth swung around and presented view of the blue Atlantic and then the green verdure of the Appalachean range, l would wing my way earthward to find everlasting rest In good old Alabama.
 There was another rest for the coV- eted applause, but it was not forthcom- ing. The doctor became desperate and then the truth flashed to his mind-he was speaking to Georgia audience.
 "Quick as a flash he continued for one more paragraph, After settling myself in my adopted home I would devote my days in an effort to get my state to emulate the grand old commonwealth of Georgia in multiplying it's counties
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
From the Marengo Democrat.

From the Marengo Democrat.
 1 HE publication in the various ]" newspapers of the state of the
 proposed amendment as to the new counties brings before the people a very important question.
 Only a few years have elapsed since the constitution of 1901 was adopted by a vote of the people. It was framed by some of Alabama's wisest and most pa triotic citizens. Ample time for due con- sideration of all its sections was had. It was widely discussed and criticised. It was then ratified and adopted by a vote of the qualified electors of Alabama
 By section 39 of that constitution the formation of new counties, and the ar- engagement of the boundary lines of the present counties, were left to the legis- lature; under the constitution of 1875, article Il, section 2, the matter was left to the legislature; under the constitu- tion of 1868 the matter was left to the legislature.
 It will be further observed that the proposed amendment, found on page 62S of the general acts of 1907 does not pro-
  tuition of 1901. It is denominated Art icle XIX" It is to provide a new and different method for forming new coun- ties. It seems that both methods are to be left in full force as to the for nation of new counties. Therefore, what is done by the vote of a portion of the people may be destroyed by the leg isiature. And what has been done or may be done by the legislature may be undone by a small portion of the people. We are thus to have two sep arate and distinct bodies operating on the form of the counties of Alabama. If the amendment is adopted, the same constitution which allows the people to select certain territory. and vote there in themselves, and form new county, will, also, give the authority to the leg islature to destroy new countless, just as at present.
 The mere fact that all constitutions or dained or adopted heretofore conferred
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
HOW D'YOU DO?
From Harper's Weekly.

From Harper's Weekly.
 This conventional greeting varies the world oyer from the gruff How do' to an elaborate compliment.
 How are you?" Is today the same in Italy and England. In French the phrase when literally translated means. How do you carry yourself'; in Spanish, How are you getting along;" and in Dutch, How are you travelling" In all there is the hint of progress to be made.
 The Swiss is solicitous of health. How might you be-" he asks. Are you hearty?" The laconc Russian says, Be well
 Savages are also brief in salutation; That you?"-"Awake at last"-"I see you"-"I saw you'-"Good morning. Good night" etc.
 Orientals indulge more in the flowers of speech. May your morning occupation be prosperous one," says the Arab. Not so pleasantly suggestive is another East ern greeting. "Moy you die natural death" May Allah show you favors," is the stately recognition of the Turk. Per sians use the somewhat enigmatic phrase, May your shadow never grow less"
 The yellow race for centuries has recog- nized the underlying cause of much polit- ical disturbance. Thus the Chinaman will say, Have you eaten your rice?" Is your digestion good?"
 Health and salutation,' said the an cient Roman while his descendant of to- day exclaims, "Oh, sweetest of sights.'' "Amuse yourself" advised the classic Greek, but the modern is more practical What are you doing?" he inquires "Hows business?" In northern Italy oi old health and gain was a popular form of address Also in Naples at one time men hailed each other with 8 "grow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
How Maine Went This Fall

The granger vote and the liquor question entered largely into the Maine election of last Monday, and it is not possible to say just what the vote means except that it does not bring much comfort to the republicans.
 Possibly it is not full of promise 70 the democrats because two years ago 2 republican governor was elected by q plurality of 7,S3S. The plurality of tie republican candidate this year will De about the same. The liquor Ques-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
TO MAKE IT POPULAR.
inc phtIadelphia Bulletin.

ErOm the Ph.IautfpIIId buIfetrH
 s.rrhe late Joel Chandler Harris said an Atlanta clergyman, used to laugh at the way everybody seemed to want a free advertisement of some sort from the editor It was the same, he would say. with the 5ysician--everybody wants free advice on the health question from him.
 "I once heard him tell about an edi- tor who served ten days in jail for lick ing the mayor. The warden treated him very kinaly, and at the ten days end escorted bim to tle door and shaking him by the hand, said:
 ''Well, good-by and good luck, Ed. And say, would you mind giving the jail a puff?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
AS TO NEW COUNTIES

this power on the legislature, is a recog- milton of the right of the old counties to have voice in matter which di- rectly tends to dismember them. Should a man sit quietly by and have his arm, leg or head cut off, and never say a word? Is the fact that it would be a very pleasant and profitable exercise for the surgeons performing the operation a sufficient cause for his saying that he, also, fayors it?
 Is the form of the counties to be- come a shuttle-cock between the legis- lature on the one side, and lot of disgruntled politicians in some nook or corner of the old counties on the other? For, mark you, while the legislature meets every four years now, there is no limit as to the number of elections that may be called to form a new county out of portions of the old ones. Should the first go against the petitioners-all of whom must reside in the new county then they may simply change the boun- dary lines and forthwith have another election. And this they may continue to repeat until they can carry an elec- ton in the new territory.
 Again, there ; is nothing to limit the petitioners as to the form, or shape of the new county to be formed. It may be like a horse, weasel, or a crane. The new lines must not go within seven miles of the court house of an old county. It may be ten miles wide and sixty miles long, on both sides of the railroad, for instance; provided. only, that the new lines are not within seven miles of some old court house. And the people of the old counties, who are being skinned of their best territory, must open not their mouths. The pro- posed amendment gives them no vote or voice in the matter at all.
 Is the constitution of 1901 so defective that it needs this amendment? Who is it demanding this amendment? Do the people at large ask for it, or is it certain interested parties who expect to profit by it? These are pertinent ques- tons to be determined by the voters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
DUTY.

By Browning. The sweetest lives are these to duty wed, Whose deeds, both great and small, Are close knit strands of an unbroken thread, Where love ennololes all, The world may sound no trumpet, ring To bells; The book of life tine shinMg record tells.
 ~ Thy love shall chant its own beatitudes After it's own working. A child's kiss Set on thy singing lips shall make thee glad; A poor man served by thee shall make thee rich; A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong; Thou shalt be served myself by every sense Of service which thou renderest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
From the New York Press.

What makes woman proud of her husband is for him to be of her.
 A mans idea of politics is his party would be rotten if 1t were the other sides.
 Men are all cut off the same piece of cloth. but women trim them up to seem different.
 The more you expect in this world the more you can go on doing 1t without get ting it.
 A girl likes novels with dukes in t.ie-n so that when one falls in love with her 1t will seem as if she had had them all her life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
WHILE AWAY FROM HOME.

Birmingham people who are leaving home for vacation trip should have The Age-Herald follow them and thus Keep informed about what is taking place in the city and state during their absence. The Age-Herald will be sent to them at any address at the regular price, and the address will be changed as often as desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

them something more than pot boers." If he has the capacity to write real dramas, he now has the opportunity to supply them. Without having been able to make direct comparisons between Paid in Fulr and "The Wolff 1t is safe to urge MT. Walter to keep to the standard of the drama created in poverty rather than that of the melodrama written in prosperity. In the long run good plays pay better than indifferent plays for they last longer. But what is needed. of course, is dramatists who do not write for profit alone, but have ambition to leave works of genuine value to the stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

Fifteen hundred democratic news papers are soliciting campaign funds, and if they report an average sum of $1,000 the total would be $1,500,000, which would be contributing some.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

Tolstoi is 80 years old, but his pen is still active. The hope is that he will live to celebrate his centennial anniversary and that he will issue an address to the Czar every year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

who will show me where a drink can be bought in BirminghamI'
 "Umph," remarked a lyman, i've seen the time recently when I would give twice as much for the same informa- tion nli,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16
Per cent.

The downward movement has a long way to go before it brings back the low prices of 1896 and 1897, or re- duces the cost of living to that of those
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

Wall street has sighted low, rahish, piratical-looking craft called the Bryan Scare, and speculation is blocked. So much the better for all, especially the lambs.