davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
In the Elberta Belt

The sale of fertilizer tags by the de- partment of agriculture at Montgomery exceeds this year by small percent age the sales of last year. When the effects of lower prices and of the de- pression in general trade are taken into consideration the sales this year are gratifying because they show that our farmers are hopeful and energetic. The acreage may not have been in- creased-it has at least been main- tained, and that is encouraging in times like these we are experiencing.
 Both corn and cotton were coming along well until the recent cold wave came along. It's effects have not, how ever, resulted in a serious check to the growing crops The fruit crop was too far advanced to be injured by light frosts. Possibly some cotton will have to be replanted, but the aggregate of replanting needed will not be large. Crops in the south have been retarded, but a week of sunny weather will ob- literate all recollections of the frosty weather that ushered in the month of May.
 Not a single report from the peach orchards of Alabama and Georgia indi- cates. any damage on account of chilly airs, and the farmers in the Elberta belt are anticipating great crop. The shipping season will be opened in this belt about July l, and there are, there fore, but 60 days in which to get ready for crop that will fill about 1000 cars. Tn Georgia alone there are 6y498, ,155 bearing peach trees, and Alabama has at least 100000 more bearing trees. Frosts are not expected hereafter in the orchards of these two states, and, barring hail storms and heavy rains, no appreciable damage to the abundant crop is now anticipated A splendid crop of peaches, plums and pears in the two states is well assured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
PARACHUTE MICE.

New York Correspondence Cincinnati
 Times-Star
 One of the downtown skyscrapers has been infested with mice lately. The little rodents live well on the crumbs remaining from the monday lunches of many stem ographers and are almost indecently tame. In consequence the janitor was instructed to rid the premises of the beasts. He secured many of the traps that catch them alive and unhurt, and set these about in convenient corners. It don't take the average office boy over half lifetime to see a hole in wall. The kids would make parachutes out of stiff paper, attach one end of string to the center. the other to the tail of reluctant mouse, and set 'em afloat over Broadway just when the rush was thickest. The traffic cops almost expired from nervous pros tration while the fad was on. Just as they had their whistles at their mouths to give orders to truckmen, or with lord ly wave of the hand were forcing drivers and motormen to wait their turn, dozen shrieking women would dash for their sheterirg arms The parachutes worked beautifully. The mice, gibbering with terror would slowly float. head down. ward, from on high. If they happened to light in the middle of the street, well and good. But if, as often happened, they landed on a woman's hat or in the mid dle of the sidewalk, a stampede would follow that would make the subway rush look like leisurely promenade It got to be ar egular thing during mornings to stand on the curb and watch for floating mice and the consequent casualties The fun is all over now, for most of the boys re- sponsible have been fired and the rest are scared, but it was wonderful sight while 1t lasted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Men, at sane times, are masters Of their fates.
 Julius Caesar.
EarDIneS Of the Steel Corporation

The steel corporation has nothing to conceal whether the times be fair or squally. At present it is passing through a period of stress and storm, but it presents a table showing net earnings in the first quarter of the year amounting to $1S,229,005, as against s39,122,492 in the correspond ing quarter of last year. Great as the falling off was in the quarter there was at least the comfort that each sue ceeding month of the quarter showed a gain in net earnings. In a round way the depression has cut earnings in two, but there is still a good mar gin left
 The corporation carries about $50,- 100000 as a cash surplus, not to men, tion very considerable quick surplus assets. The decline in net earnings has not, therefore been permitted to interfere with the regular dividend on the common stock. The big concern promises to out wind the storm with out any stoppage of dividends. While it is doing this it is endeavoring to di- vest the iron and steel industry of the wild extremes that formerly rendered it, to use MT Carnegie's phrase, alter nately prince and pauper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Chances In a Decade

Ten years ago last Friday Dewey steamed into Manila harbor, where his victorious ships soon pulled down a flag that Magellan had unfurled cen turies before. He had no battleship. The country possessed at that time but four battleships, and the largest one measured but 36O feet. Dewey's fleet is now obsolete, and if any of his ships are retained in the navy they are per forming humble duties, for in the ten years that have elapsed naval construc- ton has been revolutionized War ship follows warship, each one faster, better protected, equipped with heavier guns, longer with greater displacement, than it's predecessor. Turbines are supplementing reciprocating engines, and no one can foresee what ten years more of change and naval ambition may lead to. The battleship of today is nearly 600 feet long, carrying about 25 rified guns, and protected by armor nearly two feet thick Dewey's ships of ten years ago were weddings when compared with the Connecticut and the Delaware of today.
 Ten years and six days after Dewey fought and won the battle of Manila bay 46 vessels of the American navy will enter the Golden Gate, for on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Elaborate Decorations.

"All the preliminary work for an exten- sive scheme of reunion decoration has been completed and the official decorator will round. up details within week, said a member of the executive commit tee
 'The business district is to be in gala dress and the flags and bunting will be displayed lavishly and with artistic de- sign According to the plan agreed upon the decorations, while elaborate, will not be expensive to the firm or individual.
 ''The residence section should be bril- llantly decorated, too. It is hoped that every family will lay in an abundant sup ply of bunting before it is too late.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
THE GIRL FROM TEXAS.
She Went Against Gotham and
 Learned Bitter Lesson.
and

Rose McRae in the New York Telegram.
 A certain girl who was the Pride of
 the Village in the Hot Tama1e territory. which her forefathers fought for under
 Sam Houston had her voice favorably
 commented on by travelling salesman
 for shoes from Chicago. She was con-
 strained to believe what he told her-that
 she had great talent.
 It isn't always safe to take compli-
 ment unsalted, from man who is trying
 to sell your Fond Father bill of shoes,
 but he was not the only who told her
 she had Future. People went to church
 on Sundays not to hear the Sermon So
 much as because she was announced to
 Sing. The local paper used her voice
 for Filings whenever a dull week failed
 to furnish any Gossip on the Square.
 Once the Editor ran a series of the
 worlds greatest singers and ended up
 by declaring that right here in their
 midst was One whose voice would go
 ringing down the Ages. He spoke as if
 1t were dinner bell. Indeed, her fam
 fly had a dormant suspicion that their
 ship was anchored in Louella's throat.
 
 stage.
 The night before she left for New York
 Snuff drummer from Little Rock, Ark, heard her sing Some Day" at a church sociable. He predicted on the spot that she would take a Tuck in Tetrazzini's high c.
 The Ladies' Aid Society sent petition, asking her to be sure to sign a paper be- fore she made any Grand Opera contracts
 that she would only sing those roles in which she could wear Robes. At first admiring friends who had read
 the New York papers told her she might find it hard to get a hearing. That man. agers were quarantined against true Tal- ent. She started forth cheerfully, an- nouncing that she would begin at the Bottom, if necessary, and work her way up.
 To condense a three volume novel into that many Paragraphs, She was disap- pointed in her Reception in the East. So
 few people seemed to know she was in Town, and these forgot it again right Straight. At last she got Position. Be- cause she was from Texas. It was in a
 musical comedy. She was one of fifty two Indian maids. The Star did all the vocalzing. She only had to help in a Warwhoop that filled up Gap between the Verses.
 When the snuff drummer asked her tho other day why she had Rubbed Little Old New York off her slate forever, she changed the conversation by asking if he happened to remember what a gentleman named Julius Caesar once said about 1t being Better to rule in little Iberian village than to play second fiddle in Rome. This simple story teaches that sensi- ble girl always hits it back home when she finds the Choir needs her. even if she is Singing in the Chorus on Broad way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
ONE WHO ToILEp.

ONE WHO ToILED. He didn't join the passing show for honor and applause, Nor did he ever seek the worlds ac- claim. With all his strength he struggled to advance noble cause, Without thought of sordid wealth or fame His path was often lined with thorns, he little cared for that, Not even when they tore his weary feet; Though selfish persons marveled at life so stale and flat, He found his daily labor. passing sweet He held all men his brothers and he toiled that they might be Led on to do the best that in them lay, And none could speak in sullen ears more cheery words than he, Nor find more happiness along the way. At last his mortal race was done, his tired hands lay still, A hush fell on the crowded, city marts; And while no lofty cenotaph his virtues may instill,
 His monument is built in human hearts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

even the newspaper publishers who want paper and pulp on the free list The bankers and business leaders are gunning for Taft and Roosevelt, and are organiz- ing and subscribing to beat both in the game of politics.
 In the democratic situation affairs are fortunate speech before the newspaper ed- ftors and publishers of America last week. There were probably 800 editors and publishers present. Perhaps 10 of those present might have said unlxind things about MT Bryan. Some of the papers they represented might have been owned by others; might have dictated the editorial policy of the same. MT. Bryan in his enthusiasm of speech, and his de- sire to pay his respects to Pulitzer and the New York World and to Hearst and his papers rather lost his head or his tongue, and delivered a severe lecture to the newspapers generally, including his loyal friends and supporters.
 By his speech Mir. Bryan caused much comment, not to say indignation, among  his real friends and supporters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Elyton's Cemetery Tax.

Mayor Frank W Smith of Elyton said yesterday: "rhe article in The Age-Her- aid of yesterday that Elyton Imposes Tax on Funeral Processions.' Is not only erroneous. but is calculated to cause the town authorities to be unjustly criticised, The ordinance in question simply pro-
 hibits any grave from being dug or human body inferred without first ob taining a permit from the town author ities, for the issuance of which a fee of s1 is charged The ordinance further regulates the width and depth of graves and the burial of persons dying with gravely contagious diseases and comes strictly within the police regulation of the town. In fact the ordinance is praticaly the same as sections 5SS and 5S4 of the city code of Birmingham. There are two cemeteries in the corporate linn it's of Elyton and one outside, within police jurisdiction of the town and am confident the ordinance is reasonable and proper and will be upheld"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
DOUBTS.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 There was a darky in southern Tennes. see named Eph Friday, who died a short time ago. Eph was neither a member of a church nor of lodge, and thus had no one to deliver an address or 9 prayer at his burial. At last an old uncle con- scented to say a few remarks for the de- parted soul. As the coffin was being low cred into thg ggraye the old uncle said to the assembled mourners:
 "Eph Friday, we trust you hab gone to de place whar we spects you ain't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT POLITICS AND
 POI TTICAI. CHIEFS AS VIEWED IN NEW YORK

His speech as apparently given out in advance and sent out before he made 1t was good and proper but his enthusiastic talk later was different and unfortunate.
 Bryans weakness, like Roosevelts, is his desire to say something upon all oc- casons. and his enthusiasm often leads him to extremes.
 If MT. Bryan will settle down to the real conservatism of his own practical views he will be nominated and he can be elected but if he will be led by queer and quaint advisers who are merely me toos' he will have fight on his hands at the Denver convention.
 Johnson of Minnesota is the only other man on the democratic political horizon at present. Johnson is willing to take the vice presidential nomination if the plat form be reasonable and conservative.
 The leading democrats here will support Bryan and the New York delegation will be for him if he will cast aside some of his followers and will assert himself in his own real views, without desire to punish his enemies or reward his friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
From Cincinnati In Auto Cars.

John Slack accompanied by his wife and sister, arrived from Cincinnati yes terday, having made the trip in an auto car They are the guests of their rela- tives, MT. and Mrs. T. R. Gockel, at Woodlawn. The party did not come di- rect but via Mammoth Cave and other points of interest in Kentucky The dis tance travelled was about TOO miles and as Mir Slack was not trying to make q record, he did not keep up full speed. The party left Cincinnati early in the week and spun along most of the time in leisurely fashion. MT. Stacks machine in a Duryea.
 "We found the roads through Kentucky smooth" said MT Slack. "In Tennessee they were not quite so good. When we crossed into Alabama we found the roads as a rule in bad condition. We had great difficulty in getting over some of the rough places. The car being strong was not damaged and on arriving in Birming- ham the only attention the machine needed was a thorough cleaning. It was heavy with mud. A good roads move- ment in Alabama is certainly in order
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Smoke Welcome.

The Sloss- -Sheffield's No. 1 city furnace has been lighted up after months of idle- ness and it will be running iron once more during this week. An old citizen remarked last night:
 ''The smoke rising from the Sloss stack is a most welcome sight. I used to hear people complaining about the smoke rom coke ovens and furnace stacks inside the city limits; but no one will complain now. On the other hand there is general re- joicing that the ovens and furnace are resuming. The more smoke the better
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
REFLEcrIoNs o "A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
 A guess is as good as judgment when you hit it right
 Flattery is pretending to agree with what people think about themselves
 Money saves lots of men from going to the dogs by their not having it.
 A girl thinks you are making love to her if you tell her whom you are named after because she asked you.
 The average man thinks he mas great powers of deduction to be able, when q house falls on him, to conclude that 1t hurts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
EsTO QUoD ESSE vIDERIS
BY A. LATADY.

BY A. LATADY. Witha the parts I've played so jauntly, To catch the dear approval of thy gaze, My frequent consciousness of fasty parts which have received thy praise Has given pause lest thou vert acting, too And that thy assumed pleasing mien To lend a relish to thy nlockery,
 Which, of all to me remained unseen And so suspicion fallen on thee at last, have despsed myself, thus thee suspecting, No pleasure finding in person past Whose part I've played my own true self rejecting.
 How thrice best he who plays single part
 Unglossed, unstudied. and uncurBed of art
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
MAGNOLIA BLOOMS.

Fair emblems of southern cline, Magnolia blooms They wait their perfume down the lanes When twilight glooms. No sweeter breath was ever breatheo Than they eXhale, Nor waited far from lotus isles
 Upon the gale. When soft night winds their petals SUIT They seem to be The fragrance of an early love Come back to me.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Increase In Seed Business.

"The seed business has been larger this season than usual" said George B. MeVay, president of the Amzi Golden company. While collections have been somewhat slow, the volume of our trade has been very satisfactory. In addition to 9 large planting in the agricultural districts, there has been increased ae- tiyty among householders with kitchen gardens"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Now Resident Here.

Ben Head, engaged in the banking bus mess in Kentucky until recently, has taken up his residence in Birmingham He is vice president of the Citizens Saw ings bank and will devote his time to the interests of that popular institution.
 Mir Head said yesterday that advices from Kentucky were to the effect that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The Connecticut delegates are to go to Denver uninstrueted, although the convention declared it's allegiance to the principles of government enunci- ated and expounded by William Jen- nings Bryan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Cornelius. the disinherited, has Al fred, the fayorite, beaten several city blocks in public esteem. Cornelius Vanderbilt's crime consisted in marry ing the girl of his choice, and he is happy, contented and highly respected Alfred is doing the coach act in an- ether country
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Judge A. H. Alston, candidate for su- preme court justice, is in Birmingham
 Charles Roland of Montgomery is at the Morris.
 J. c. Mcleod of Bay Minnette is at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

A cradle costing 5000 has just been imported for a Chicago baby, but a baby in the next block may sleep as well in a 60-cent crib and get to the White House first
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The daughter of our ambassador at scion of the English nobility, and there will be no republican simplicity in the event
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
THE PERILs OF TRAVEL.

Nowadays passengers on boats are furnished with life-belts that won't float"
 'Go on." ''In a hundred years from now they will be jumping out of burning airships with parachutes that won't open"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
TIMELY.

4 have written a new play that ought to make the people sit up and take mo- tice."
 ''What is its title?"
 ' The Alarm Clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

% EW YORK, May 2.-(special.)- VI The political situation as viewed from New York is chaotic. The business situation is the same. The en- tire country. if New York is an index, does not know it's position in the world of business or of politics. Everybody here predicts lower prices for cotton, and all are doubtful about stocks. Rumor even says that schwab is selling United States Steel. I doubt. however, whether this be true.
 The differences in Washington between the President and Congress seem to dis turb the business world. Those who have investments or contemplate making them don't know where they stand They don't know what to expect There is a feeling here that Roosevelt proposes to take the nomination himself if he cannot land Taft, and the New York sentiment is that Taft is not so strong as he was.
 Hughes seems to be out of it. and the Hughes republican sentiment seems to be going toward Joe Cannon. There is feeling here that Joe Cannon says; "To the bow VOWS with the tariff reformers-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

W. G. Conrad, formerly Virginian, and very rich, is being boomed by southerners in New York for second place at Denver
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Old Pap Chadwick, the father of baseball, left an estate of 5000 only. He lived in the days when all were outlaws.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Politics will surely make strange bedfellows if they put four in room at Denver as proposed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The Uninstructed will be in a posi- ton at Denver to jump into the win ming bandwagon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The John Albert Johnson literary bureau should shake itself loose from the James J. Hill wing at St. Paul.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
TOO MUCH WORK.

"What made you run from that scrub cat?" asked the collie of the fox terrier. "Were you afraid?"
 "Of course not. I simply did not feel equal to the task of killing her nine times.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The race at Denver, if there is to be one, is between the Bryanites and the Uninstructed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Dr. Morgan Dix, recently dead, was chiefly known as the rector of the rich est parish in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Filtered water is reducing Pittsburg's typhoid percentage, but it is still too high to be complimentary to that city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Other cities are now recuperating from the labors of moving day. Bir- mingham prefers April 1 to May 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

March winds and April snow storms are things of the past, and May will no doubt create a fine record.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The national deficit reached at the end of April $51, ,5O0, 900, and it still has two months to accumulate in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Currency bills are rained on Con gress almost as freely as special mes- sages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The Merry Widow hats are growing larger, and the logical limit is un- known
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Senator Ellins denies that he is one of the presidential multi-millionaires.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Up north the baseball leagues should issue snow checks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
WHO KNOWS?

"Do you think President Roosevelt is really haunted by the specter of a third term?''
 "No. have a suspicion that it appears to him in the guse of good fairy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
A SONG.

Hope for the best in the midst of your bubbles Dream of success on the morrow; Banish the cares of today-they are
 bubbles
 Whisper goodbye to your sorrow. Rise when the dawn paints promise in
 heaven,
 Go where your duty is calling, Rest with a consciousness that you have
 striven
 When the night shadows are fallingl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

The first ballot, alike at Denver and Chicago, will tell the story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
POSSIBLY.
SHORT HARD LUCK STORY.
OUATRAIN

Be sure the worlds all right, dear, And grief will pass away. However dark the night, dear,
 Hope 6awneth with the day!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
RouT THE LIMIT.

Pa, what is poetic license?' Tt is the privilege poet has of rhym-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
About Persons.

the little snap of winter there had not injured vegetation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
MOTHERS LITTLE JOKE.

- 'Mother, may I go to town ?' 'Yes, if you won't stop Anywhere along the way
 To hear the soda pop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
SHOCKING.

SHOCKING. He stole a kiss From a pretty miss Now what do you think of that? Just he and she, Where none could see, Meath the brim of great big hat
 POSSIBLY. "Men like to say that life is a gamble" q wonder wht?" ''So when they lose they can claim it wasn't their fault" SHORT HARD LUCK STORY.
 Some furniture He tried to get
 Installment plan
 He's paying yet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03

Washington Bureau Age-Herald. 142' c street. N. W.