davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
- ---f'---=-------------- AN ALPINE INCIDENT,

From the Chicago News.
 Alpine smugglers have their share of adventures. Not long ago an Italian smuggler named Predoni, accompanied by his daughter Rose, aged IS, after hay ing completed purchases in Switzerland of contraband goods, set out to cross the Fraele Pass, 729O feet high, into Italy, Tho two were approaching the summit of the pass when they were overtaken by thick mist, in which they lost their way. They roped themselves together. Suddenly Predoni, who was leading, fell over precpice, jerking his daughter off her feet.s By means of her ice axe, however, Rose stopped herself from being dragged over the precipice, where her father was dangling, suspended in midair
 Predoni could not reach the precipitous side of the slope to lessen the strain on the rope, and as their cries for help re- mained unanswered for an hour he begged his daughter to cut the rope and save herself, put this she refused to do.
 Another half hour passed and as the mist cleared Rose saw three other smug- glers climbing the mountain Her cries were heard and the smugglers rescued Predoni and his brave daughter, who lost her senses on being united.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
City of Culture.

"One sometimes hears the remark that Birmingham is so possessed by the com mercial spirit that culture makes slow progress" said an old citizen.
 "The persons who make disparaging reference to this city regarding its cul- ture side explain the situation and apologize by saying that Birmingham is too new for art or the creation of an atmosphere of music or letters. But no apology is in order. The fact is, that notwithstanding it's newness and it's con- mercial energy it has made wonderful progress in culture The Rev. Dr. w. E. Evans, in his short address at the Treble Clef club concert, brought out that point well. Pessimists may have thought that Dr. Evans was simply giving the people a jolly But pessimists never look deep or apprehend truth clearly. While the accomplished clergyman, for the sake of felicity may have made his picture of Birmingham as a city of culture a bit roseate he was not too strong in the ex- pression of his appreciation.
 Birmingham is city of culture, and it would be strange were it otherwise, for there are gathered here many of the best bred people of the land; and the very fact that this is an iron and steel center gives employment to an army of technically educated men-metallurgists and engineers, most of whom are reading men,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
YetOeS In the Various States

Rhode Island is about to give her governor the veto power and when her restricted electorate does that North Carolina will alone remain as a state in which the governor does not pos sess the great safeguard of legislation. Law-making without a safeguard, possible check from the executive office, is careless work. It is loosely done at the best. Originally Massa- chusetts was the only state that con- ferred the veto power on the governor, and even at first Massachusetts did not do it, although she adopted it in 17S0. In the old colonial days the veto was absolute instead of suspensory but down to this day a constant agita- tion has been necessary in order to establish in the 46 states the suspen- sory veto. Ohio and Delaware recent ly fell in line, and Rhode Island soon WILL ANOi LII Soi Ollud olduuS SOllldGy Its position that the legislature shall do the law-making, without interference on the part of the executive. It can not, however, abolish the law-making courts. Like the poor, they are always with us.
 Tn 30 of the 46 states the governor possesses the right to veto separate items in appropriation bills. This great reform, too, has been of slow growth. President Hayes urged the giving of power to the President to veto separate items in appropriation bills, but his recommendations died a-bornin. The subject is no longer urged or agitated in Congress. And vet in some of the states a governor can veto separate items in any bill. Few states as yet go so far as this, although the trend is perhaps in that direction
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
Wilkinson Talks About Trip.

J. A. Wilkinson, state commissioner Of agriculture. passed through Birmingham last night on his great educational tour of the state. q am accompanied by W. G. smith of the Washington department he said "and we are enjoying very inter- esting trip.
 We spoke yesterday in Chiffon and Calera, and tomorrow go down to Jemi- son and Verbena We are giving the farmers the advantage of government in vestigation of soils and the value of in- dependent living. Everywhere we find the farmers interested and eager for all the information they can find.
 This has been beautiful planting sea- son. The soil is well prepared and the seed are put in well. The farmers are planting the edbles of life to great ex- tent for that is everywhere becoming a popular move. We are preaching it in every hamlet.
 However. it would be hard to prophecy how the crops will be. That will not even be known in July. All that can be said is that prospects are better and more favorable than ever, and the farmers are all happy over the outlook
 MT. Wilkinson is in fine health He says that Montgomery is alive with doctors and that political agitation is very slow. His itinerary includes several days more of hard labor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
Price of Iron.

"The northern papers are in error when they report pig iron selling in the Bir- mingham district at $115O on a No. ? foundry basis" said an official of fur mace company. "The market is dull but that is no reason why iron makers would cut prices to the extent alleged.
 AS far as l can learn SIP is the lowest price at which Birmingham iron has been offered and s1250 is now being paid. Some producers still hold for sl3 and small contracts at that price are closed from time to time.
 What leads northern papers to report $115O iron, Birmingham delivery. is be- cause northern companies have sold at a price which, according to freight differ entials. would indicate figures here below SIP But when consumers want Birming- ham foundry they have to pay more for it. '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
The Fishino Season Here.

Anglers are having very nice sport now" said one of the tribe. 'I have seen some very fine strings of Dream caught at East Lake Trout are not biting now in the ponds as they are spawning, but in the running water some very nice catches have been made this week. It seems cruel that such an unsportsman- like thing as grab-books should be per mitted to be used at East Lake.
 Tt is only when the fish, almost help less, come into shallow water to deposit their eggs that they can be barborously taken by slipping cluster of grab-hooks under them have seen as many as four large trout taken in one day this way Also I have seen the remains of two other large ones that had been killed in this way. Strange as it may seem with our very excellent game and fish laws there is none against this barbarism."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
A NIGHT OWL.

From the New York World.
 In Chicago a merchant has died who for 15 years methodically turned night into day to get the better of insomnia From this reversal of the normal hours his health benefited.
 He no doubt found plenty of company. city at night is no longer the solitude it was a generation ago. Banks and clubs are open. There are clock services in churches. The lights are bright in scores of shops and offices where once only newspaper and telegraph buildings were beaeons in the darkness. The streets are peopled
 He missed some of the pleasures of life. The curtains at the theatres went up and the poker parties began their sessions while his thoughts were still on breakfast. The hour for hot birds and cold bottles found him at dinner. Baseball and out door sports were denied him.
 But on the other hand he avoided the rush-hour crowds and the jam and jostle of the streets. In summer there was the cool of the hours just before the dawn, and the moonlight, in winter the untrod- den snow and the heavens in all their glory An occasional fire furnished a spectacle the sleeper lost. The steam riveter was at rest: it was a time for meditation and for mental work undis- turbed. He could see the dawn come up in it's beauty.
 In some respects the night owl has the advantage of those who live in the sun light The electric lights throw a softer glow on life and the shadows tone down the strenuousness of the day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
Just a Junketing Commission

The Aldrich bill went down in the House banking and currency commit tee by unanimous vote, and the vree- land bill did not fare much better, it having been kicked out by vote of F yeas and 3 nays. The Fowler cur rency commission bill was then adopt ed by vote of 10 yeas and nays.
 $. To this complexion has a do-nothing Congress come at last-a commission to sit until Congress meets again with power to go abroad and to travel galore in this country. It is the biggest junket yet proposed, for if the Fowler com mission plan is adopted by both houses we will have commission of 43 mem- bers. II of them being Senators. Il
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
WRITING DIME. NOVELS

'had been sadly cut into by the Gaboriau "thrillers."
 The publisher suggested to Dumas that he repair the damage by writing a detec- tive story himself To this Dumas re- sponded that any old fool could write that sort of yarn. and if the publisher wanted one why not apply to one of the young clerks in the office.
 The publisher took the advice literally and applied to Du Boisgobey, then clerk ing in the office. The result was "The Crime of the Opera House." which set all Paris agog and started the cheap detec- tive story in America.
 On reading this story Halsey took unto himself the name of "Old Sleuth' and started his famous series His success was instantaneous. and immediately an- other publisher copyrighted the signature Nick Carter and this was soon followed by "Old Cap Collier and King Brady"
 Under these names some hundred writ CTS have at various times contributed to the worlds supply of blood and thunder. One of the best known was Colonel h. graham, who began as a writer of Indian stories for H. H. Beadle, but drifted> with the tide into the detective field and kept it up until his death a few years ago.
 These older writers turned out 40000 words or more weekly. Even then the strain was rather heavy. One man who was Nick Carter for some time explained that he worked it by thinking up his plots on Sunday. Then on Monday he started
 
 and wrote 5000 words daily, finishing the tale on Friday night. Saturday was de- voted to such revision as the story might get, and the manuscript was mailed on Saturday night. The following Sunday was spent in planning another dime novel.
 This, is course, was all done with a typewriter, to whom the story was dic- tated. This same man probably holds tine record for speed in 1onghand compost tion. He wrote a 6O,0O0-word novel un- der contract in 10 days, actually penning every one of the words.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
MODERN LAKE STEAMERS.

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
 There were no casualties to vessels as a result of the fierce gale which swept Lake Michigan during the past two days, although the liners are now numerously in commission. An excursion steamer or one of the Michigan routes out of Chicago suf- fered temporary disablement, but she man. aged to make repairs and limp back to port. Some of the west shore liners sui fered delay, especially those which were northward bound, but beyond loss of time the spring mortimer harmed no seamen. Two amateur fishermen who unwisely yen tured out on the lake to nets that were set off a Chicago suburb lost their lives, but there were no other fatalities so far as is known.
 An inspiring scene off Milwaukee when the gale was at it's night was the depar- ture of one of the big car ferries on schedule time. The huge craft headed outward into the turbulent water, which rolled and tossed her like toy, but she kept on steadily and made her usual run without injury. Old-tme steamers were at times compelled to weather storms quite as furious, but it was always a matter of accident. Their captains would have deemed it foolhardy to leave port even for the comparatively short run across the lake while the winds and waves were holding such high revel.
 This incident is worthy of mention only because it illustrates the vast improve ment that has been made in the sea- worthiness of steamers on the great lakes since the introduction of steel craft. There are steel steamers on the lakes that are quite as fit for ocean service as carriers of their class on the seas. The car ferry which braved the gale on Wednesday could not be swamped by the heavy seas which were running up the lake, but she had to endure heavy battering and suffer delay. The captains choice was therefore only between discomfort outside and. com- fort in mort
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
IN MEMS CLOTHING.
ie Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
 Such queer things are permitted III France. Great was the amazement or magistrate in Paris the other day when widow who had been called as witness appeared at his office in top hat and a frock coat, with her hair cut short and trimly brushed and carrying neat walk ing stick. This must be a mistake or joke, the magistrate reflected, and his hewIlderment hardly diminished when the good woman calmly related that she had actually been wearing masculine attire for fully 37 years without the exception of q single day. But this is not allowed he gasped "It is in my case as priN- lege,, the widow replied, proudly ana then she explained that she had acted as an emissary to Metz in 1870, and had been authorized to retain masculine dress Tn honor of her prowess in that terrible year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
Business In the South.

'I find business in the south fairly good' said H. L. Hartner of Baltimore, who has recently visited towns in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
 Tn South Carolina I find business con ditions about normal. Jacksonville is as prosperous as it was this time last year and with two or three exceptions trade in Georgia towns holds it's own. Bir- mingham seems to be going ahead.
 Last winter exaggerated reports came from this district about industrial de- pression but recently l have heard Bir- mingham boosted more than any city In the country. The entrance of the United States Steel corporation into the district has advertised Birmingham well. The outside world will keep It's eye on this city more closely than ever Every body accepts the prediction that Birming- ham will grow at a phenomenal rate and become one of the big cities of the United States as entirely reasonable.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
To Rest In Westminster.

Great Britain is to pay a fitting honor to it's dead statesman. Sir Henry Camp bell Zimmerman, by laying his body to rest in Westminster" said a professional man. Had Sir Henry, former premier, died in office it might have been taken as a matter of course that he would have been buried in the historic old abbey where lie Engfand's illustrious dead.
 But until Gladstones death, who had retired from public life several years be- fore his demise. 1t had not been cus- tomary to give departed statesmen pub lie funerals or sepulture in Westminster. But in the case of Nfr. Gladstone's funeral a precedent was set. The British public recognized the fitness of such honors as were accorded the grand old man, and now that another grand old man passes away, it is only proper similar honors be paid to his memory. The obsequies over the body of Henry Campbell Zimmerman will be held next Monday"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24

from various directions that lie is running close to the lead in the race which ends on May IS. He is returning from a busi- ness trip to Montgomery as well as fish ing tramp. The Tuscaloosa justice is one of the sturdiest fighters in the race.
 Tom Long. a prominent merchant of Jasper, a member of the constitutional convention and former legislator is in the city. He is on his way home to Jas per
 Walter Nesmith of Vernon is at the Morris.
 William B. Bankhead of Jasper is at the Morris.
 A. C. Sexton of Montgomery is at the Morris
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
GO, LOVELY ROSE!

By Edmund Waller Q605-16S7. Go, lovely rose! Tell her that wastes her time and me, That now she knows, Whep ' resemble her to thee, How sweet and fair she seems to be- Tell her, that's young, And shuns to have her graces sped, That hadst thou sprung In deserts, where no men abide, Thou must have uncommendeu died. Small is the worth
 Of beauty from the light retired; Bid her come forth, Suffer herself to be desired, And not blush so to be admired. Then die. that she
 The common fate of all things rare May read in thee,
 How small a part of time they share That are so wondrous sweet and fairl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
MRS. eLYN,s LAND OF PROMISE.

From the Louisville Courer-Journal
 According to the correspondents in Paris Mrs. Elinor Gyn will present her dramatization of Three Weeks" upon the American stage because London ob- immoral and the French managers de- cline it because it is so poor story that it would not interest French audiences.
 America, it seems, is Mrs. Glyn's land of promise. Here she r. de quite d good deal of money selling a miseraby poor bit of writing-by no stretch of the imagination could it be called liter ature-to the sort of persons who might live next door to an art gallery without learning the difference between the work of Rembrandt and Whistler, but who get a large amount of pleasure out of the literature and illustrations upon post cards that are not allowed to go through the United States mails. Such persons are fairly numerous among the patrons of boolzstalls, but many of them lack the courage of their taste and remain away from the theatre when the type of drama they like is presented. The probabilities are greatly against Mrs. Glyn's play having long continued success even in America. It is to the credit of the intelligence of the French that they deemed a dramatization of such book unworthy of production in country in which 'squeamishness' does not pre- vent persons from reading what they find interesting or attending any play that is likely to prove diverting. It is distinctly cto raj or than to American morals that there is even an apparent opportunity for Mrs. Glyn to market "Three Weeks upon the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
"MERRY WIDOW HAT IN ACTION.

From the Savannah News.
 Merry Widow hats have held prom inent place in the news during the past few days. It is estimated that there were seven miles of them on parade at Atlantic City last Sunday, and twice that stretch on Broadway and Fifth avenue in New York city at the same time. At Albion, Mich, the Rev. Dr. Day found so many of them in front of him in his church that he was moved to say: "I don't know how 1 can preach through those flower gardens. My sermon will surely lodge there. I cannot understand how more than two of you women can get into my church at time.' He suggested that t
 would be a lot easier and more comfort
 able for the women to wear the hats in
 their laps than on their heads. In St.
 Louis the cart-wheel hats are credited with having averted panic in St. Johns church. There was dangerous blaze on
 the altar. when a number of candles and
 some decorations became ignited. But the audience couldn't see the blaze or the smoke for the hats in front so there was
 no excitement. In Burlington on Easter the men who purposed attending church had to hold an overflow meeting, since the hats of the women so crowded the church that there was no room for the
 men. Two hats, 1t is alleged, took up the space usually occupied by four persons
 At Pttsburg Pennsylvania express train
 was held up for five minutes because a young woman in the Pullman couldn't get through the door with her hat. It was necessary for her to pull the hat
 off, turn it on edge and pass it through the door, and then come out herself and put the thing on. This particular hat, it is said, measured 391s inches from steam to stern nd had A beam of 37 inches
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
Representatives. and 21 unofficial citi-

Representatives and 21 unofficial citi- zens.
 The very size of the proposed com mission would rob it of an expert char acter. To get expert work it would have to meet and proceed to reduce itself as a working and Investigating force through the appointment of sub-com- mittees. The 21 citizens at large who are to be made members of the com mittee are to be appointed by the Pres ident. From a committee of 43 minor ity reports are sure to come, and Con gress would then stand just where it stands today confronted by the Fowler, Vreeland and Aldrich bills.
 All of the efforts of the g. o. D. to mend the currency system so as to render panics well-nigh impossible are about to result in junleting commis- sion authorized to spend a summer in Europe. The people can be trusted to express an opinion on those who scheme to get summer trips across the water in this way. There is no need of it, no sense in it. The proper method of issuing bank notes in the United States can he studied in the United States and planned here. Cut the summer junket out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
NOT AT THE GAME.

lNOI When you see a fellow race Down the street., upon his face An expression wild indeed, Well adapted to the speed Which he uses on the trip, Never take him for a dip Who is running from a "copy With the spoil he'd hate to drop, Or lunatie who flies From his keepers watchful eyes. He but seeks place ahead Where the bulletins are read, And he wants to know. the score Simply that and nothing more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
From the New York Press.

A woman can't enjoy a meal very much unless she calls it dinner party.
 The reason a woman wants butler fig it sounds as if her husbands salary was an income.
 Every man is conceited about how wild he could have been if he hadn't wanted to make name for himself.
 Mix little mild spring weather with two soft young persons of opposite sex and you have violent love affair
 A girls way of. being interested in a man is to sit at window all day watch- ing for him and then when he goes past refuse to see him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

IN THIS OLD WORLD. Povertys fearful thing,
 Ugly to behold;
 Failure is a fearful thing
 When we're growing old. Yet, more often are they met
 Than the two are not;
 Misery and vain regret
 Seems the common lot.
 THE LIMIT. .Pa, what is fanatlc? "A fanatic, my son, is person who wants to put clothes on statuary and make southern colonels drink sodawater.''
 STILL ANOTHER. Oh. well do 1 remember
 When l was a little chap; The hand that rocked the cradle
 Later on applied the strap.
 Birmingham Age-Herald. Yet, the chances are if she were nigh,
 You would up and tell her That is the very reason why
 You're strappng fellow. New osleans World
 REPLIES. The press agent is your boss optimist The road to wealth is not paved with good intentions.
 Birmingham is we'll supplied with pay as-you-enter blind tigers Correspondence schools are no good to teach kissing
 A freethinker has written some Hell Fire Ballads" which are hot stuff. Beware of excitement,, says the Char lestol News and Courier. How can we avoid it when nobody's out and there is d man on third?
 The meanest thief who ever lived stole a womans Easter hat in Gotham. Tights are barred in Paterson, N. J. Fortunately, it isn't thousand miles from Paterson to Broadway. "Tell .Emma Goldman to go," says contemporary Excuse us, please. You tell her to go!
 QUITS. Here lies man Who earned his rest. Though poor indeed, He did his best. The angels on That heavenly shore, As we've been told, Can do no more. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-24

Texas will send three complete dele gations to the Chicago convention, but no one of them can boast the shadow of an electoral vote as a support.