davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Nature hath formed strange fellows in her time. Merchant of Venice.
Cbina'S New Constitution

An imperial document published on August 27 in China has been made known in this country, and a very ln' teresting state paper it is. It explains the general principles of the new con- stimtion which is going into effect at the end of nine years, thus substitut- ing parliamentary and constitutional rule for the present despotic govern ment
 Each year is to see some progress made as a preparation for the great change, and the programmes for 1908 and 1909 are stated in the state pa per just published.
 The steady progress of China to- ward parliamentary rule is assured if outside nations restrain their greedy hands-and Japan is nearby to see that they do. Chinas new constitution Will no QOuDL Dc oAN0A of Japan and it promises to be a constitution that will not work it's own destruction. All appreciate how i'm portant it is to educate the Chinese people up to participation in the gov ernment. This would be easier II inc vast empire were equipped with railroads. It will have several raii- roads at the end of nine years but it is sadly deficient in that respect at present.
 But the people are conservative and law-abiding and the great change promises to be worked out by degrees in the course of nine years. The Chinese see what a task they have on hand and they take time in which to bring it about.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Future Supplies of Rubber

The supply of rubber is fast becom- ing a matter of anxiety throughout the world for no known article can take it's place. It is needed not only on multitudinous tires but if it could be procured cheaply it would be used in the paving of streets.
 Rubber comes from Australia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Ceylon, the Congo Free State, the African possessions el England, Germany, Holland and Portu- gal and from Brazil and other South American countries. The chief source of supply so far as this country is concerned is Brazil, which exports about 10000 tons year.
 The cultivated rubber tree seems to be the hope of rubber-consum- ing world. A rubber tree begins to yield when six or seven years old DuJ JuoI at PlCoChb lhD- Der seems to lack the strength and resstency of forest. rubber. Brazil ian rubber stands high because it comes as rule from great forest trees. The belief, however, is that plantation rubber will be brought up to the Para standard when the plant CTS have fully studied the problems of growth.
 A rubber orchord is a gold mine, provided the product can by improved methods of coagulation be made as good as wild rubber and this will no doubt be accomplished. The world needs a vast number of rubber planta. tions. It cannot have too many of them, for as things are going, pro- duction will not be apt to overtake consumption.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Reports on Ohio.

heportS on Onlo.
 From the New York Herald
 Before departing for Chicago yester- day afternoon Frank H. Hitchcock, re- publican national chairman, had a long talk with Henry A. Williams, chairman of the state committee of Ohio. He said when MT Williams left that there was no question in his mind about the re- suit of the election in the Buckeye state Despite this expressed confidence the Speakers Bureau has been making ar arrangements for one of the most wig orous speaking campaigns in Ohio ever waged anywhere
 There will be more prominent republi- cans campaigning in the state next week than were ever used in any state cam paign and among them will be some of the most influential men in the party. Elihu Root will make two speeches.
 ''The negroes said MT. Williams, 'wili vote the republican ticket. While there are some local troubles we are confident that these will not interfere with the national or state ticket and that both will be elected by large majorities. There have been some disturbing conditions among the laboring men in the commer- cial centers of the state but the ap- proach of the election has led them to appreciate the fagt that the republican party can be relied upon to bring a speedy return of prosperity The tour of MT. Taft through the state was an eyeopener. Never having campaigned in the state he knew comparatively few people, He was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm wherever he went.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
From the Philadelphia Public 1edget

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger N EsIDE a lake in the northern vii. HA derness of Maine family built N a house to live in during the summer And first of all, with his own hands, the father of the family built a fireplace of great fiat stones, to be the soul of the house It is wide enough to let the whole family sit in the armchairs or curl up on the floor in front of it at once. Piled high with six-foot yule logs from the woods around, when. it roars it's full-throated defiance to the nipping, eager air of autumn evenings, that fire place makes the rest of the house of no significance-a mere limbo of bogied shad- ows, a no-man's country where nobody wants to be. All the light and life and good cheer are where the faithful fire dogs support their blazing burden as it disintegrates into the glowing embers and the sparks fly upward. It reminds one of the scene depicted in Whittier Snow -Bound"
 "Shut in from all the world without
 We sat the elean-winged hearth about. The house dog on his paws outspread Laid to the fire his drowsy head.
 The cats dark silhouette on the wall
 A couchant tigers seemed to fall.
 Between the andirons' straddling feet
 The mug of cider smmered slow,
 The apples sputtered in a row,
 And, close at hand, the basket stood
 With nuts from brown October's wood"
 In the words of an ancient philosopher whom the Quaker poet quotes, "As the celestial fire drives away dark spirits, so also this our fire of wood doth the same.' The malignant powers of darkness cannot abide the glowing warmth and radiance; they dare not dispute the possession of the heartstQne with that cheerful, res- onant, full-blooded echo of the sunlight.
 While was musing the fire burned" As one sits and watches the embers, like tic clouds at sundown taking a thousand riotously faneiful forms like the phan- iasmagoria of opiated dreams, a thou sand memories flock anc throng, as num- erous and close crowded as the shadows held in abeyance by the firelight. Fond memory brings the light of other days "iooiio us' diiu We thlnh OI the faces or those loved and gone before on whom the fitful freight paled and shone" Just as tonight the red gold of the glow ing embers crumbes to cold gray ashes in our sight, even so on the bleak wold where the shepherd tended his flocks in ancient Chaldaea-n the mead hall where saxons thames and Norman barons shook the oaken rafters with their wassail-in many a hospitable, snow-bound New Eng land farm house, for unco1nted genera tions, humankind has seen visions and dreamed dreams before the open fire.
 Was there ever a circus procession or a Mardi Gras pageant so full of uncoutb and unimaginable apparitions and strange creatures as an open wood fire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Bettinq Odds in Missouri.
n the Cincinnati Enquirer.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 St. Louis.-Very little betting in St. Louis on results of the presidential and state elections November has been re- ported, $500O0 being the total given to- day. Abe Slupsky, the picturesque re- publican politician made famous by the New York Sun, has bet $500 that Bryan will carry Missouri against s10OO that Taft will carry this state. The odds generally here are to 1 that Bryan will carry Missouri and 1 to that Bryan will be elected.
 Fred Johnson, former Union Jockey club bookmaker here, reports betters less enthusiastic for Cowherd, democratic nominee for governor. "Our odds" he added, "are to that Bryan will carry Missouri. Bryan will carry 1t by 25,00O It begins to look in Missouri as it does in Ohio. New York and Indiana, which will elect governors not of the same party as the presidential candidate who will carry the states. Taft will carry Ohio, New York and Indiana, but they will elect democratic governors. Bryan will carry Missouri by 25,0OJ but it may elect republican governor
 Bilk Hagerman's offer of $500 to 5000 that Stone will he renominated United
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
The Stock Market.

Henry Clews in his financial review of Saturdays date says in part:
 Events from day to day have general ly been favorable to the stock market. As election day draws near the impress sion grows that MT. Taft will be the sue eessful candidate, and this appears to stiffen the confidence of those who hold investment securities. In fact, belief in this result has become so widespread that it's effect upon security values has been largely discounted, although further ad- vance will probably follow MT. Taft's election. What would happen if the re- verse occurred cannot be foretold. There is no question but that the election ex- ercises a powerfully sentimental effect upon business. But this is only temporary and in the long run it can have but little effect upon the entire volume of busi- ness. While uncertainty lasts a certain amount of business may be held up; some times for political effect and sometimes for the purpose of operating under the most advantageous circumstances; but over lengthy period of time the cleo ton of an ordinary President is really OL lesser importance than the selection of the legislative branch of the govern ment; since the former simply executes the laws which the latter enacts. For another week or so, however, the election will be an influential factor in stock market fluctuations.
 'As to the future, it is somewhat per picking and confused; and it is quite possible that stocks and trade may not move along together. The stock market seems to have fully discounted all im- provement in the business situation both present and prospective. In fact, not a few stocks are selling too high, consider ing that prices are above a year ago when business profits were much above present level. But the floating supply of securities is held in strong hands, backed by an unlimited amount of cheap money. These big holders appear united in their purpose to lift prices to higher level, and as long as they hold together it will be difficult to bring about any great reaction. The bear side of the mar ket is weak in both talent and resources consequently the bulls may even yet se cure additional success over what they have already achieved; yet it is certain that on all advances the big holders will attempt to tighten their load and turn their present big paper profits into cash"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
PHYLLIS FREcKLEs HERSELF.

From the New York Sun.
 q certainly thought the aids to fem mine beauty had reached the limit with the girl who tried to have her nose strengthened to make 1t Creek said a young man, 'but here's Phyllis herself with new one. You see I proposed to her at the beach this summer and recall telling her that loved every freckle on her turnup nose. Back in town l noticed that the freckles gradually disappeared and remarked on the fact to her. l must have seemed disappointed. The next time I called Phyllis was smiling radiantly and over the bridge of her nose perfect army of freckles trailed. So boldly did they wander that I again mentioned the matter.
 Why, Dicky. dear smiled Phyllis, you seemed so heartbroken at the loss of my freckles that I chased the town over for some brown ink, and l made every one of those myself and they won't come off any sooner than the others did. Don't you like them, Dick?'"
 q guess she loves you," sighed an un- engaged one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
"coWBoYs OF THE SKIES"

Ernest Poole, in November Everybody's.
 I had long talk with one of the men who directed the work on the Singer"
 "Cowboys,' he said. lis about the right word for these daring steel work ers The more you see and hear. the better you like 'em. There's not a job from Broadway to the moon they wouldn't jump at The higher it is the windier, the more ticlSlish, the bet ter. The only trouble is, they take too many chances. In our firm we check 'em up as much as we can. When the Singer building was half way up I called in the foreman.
 Look here.' I said, you've made a record job so far. Keep it up, finish it without killing man, and it's worth $100. We'll call 1t pay for good luck
 He got the money"
 The danger comes not only at the spectacular moments. It is there all the time. The girders, before they are riveted tight, have a way of vibrating in a strong wind; the men walk along them as on a sidewalk, and more than one has been snapped into space. Here is story I heard from a man on the Whitehall building, down at the tip of Manh attan:
 Tt happened like this Mac had picked up coil of rope an t'rowed it over his shoulders an was startn' out on a girder. This was IS stories up, an the wind was blowin' guns straight in from the harbor, an the girder want extra steady. So yelled over to him:
 "'Heigh, Maci Why don't you coon it? To coon 1t is to get down, on your honkeys an straddle. But that want fast enough for Mac. He laughed kind of easy.
 "'well,' he said. If I go down I'll go down straight, anyho how.' An out he walked.
 "When he had about reached the mid dle there come a gust of wind that hadn't stopped since leavin England. An Mac he was topheavy because Of the rope, an when the gust caught him he leaned way out into the wind to balance. So far. so good. But you see he was leaning on the wind, an the wind let up so unexpected he hadn't time to straighten an not blamed thing to lean on
 Poor old Mac He went down straight all right you bet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
DREW SHIP TO ITS DOOM.
Steel Steamship Wrecked on Magnetic
 Shore of LapIand.

From the New York Evening Mail.
 That the seacoast's magnetic influence drew his stout ship to it's rugged, iron ribbed shore is the explanation of Captain Keldie of the wrecking of the British steamer Sandal, which was lost on the coast in question: and he has made an affidavit embodying the foregoing state ment The affidavit is on file with the board of trade in England.
 Not only does the commander of the Sandal attribute the loss of his vessel wholly to the magnetic infuenve of Lap land, but Joseph Newmarch, first mate of the wrecked vessel, swears to per sonal knowledge, gained by many years experience in that region, of the magnet like qualities of the coast which holds the bones of the Sandal.
 Loaded with timber which she took aboard at Archangel, in the White sea, Russia, the Sandal was bound to the Tyne river, England. Captain Keldie said:
 'I am convinced that nothing could have saved the Sandal The particular part of Lapland where she struck 1 have since found composed of iron and other powerful magnetic ores, and am equally positive that the magnetic attraction dis turbed our compasses and drew us stead fly landward. The weather was hazy at the time.''
 Mate Newmarch said that for an hour before the ship struck it was impossible to keep her on her course, that her head kept waving in the direction of the land. and that. in his opinion, the stranding was caused by the attraction of the land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
As It Stands Today.

From the Springfield Republican Qnd.
 Rep.)
 As election day gets to be not far off the politicians show increasing fear lest the hard times" vote shall strike the party in power, as so often before. While the newspaper correspondents studying the political situation in doubtful states usually decide this question according to their party predilections, they agree in admitting that in this matter they are dealing with what may be the key to the situation. The republicans continue to claim that the labor defection has been headed off, but the question arises, when. where and how? Gatherings of the Amer ican Federation of Labor continue to pass resolutions supporting the Gompers stand in favor of Bryan. There is mani- festly less popular shouting in this cleo ton than ever before, but there is also less talking.
 What il thunder are these quiet voters proposing to do? Both sides count orf them. and somebody will be badly fooled
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
NIoht Rider Reports.

q heard a man of considerable prom thence say today that the newspapers are responsible for the night riding conditions now existing in Mississippi ' said a former newspaper man yester- day.
 "I do not believe this is true. l think the conditions as they exist are such that the general public should know of them in order that it may know just what 1t has to cope with.
 "If unfounded reports relative to the alleged actions of the night riders are sent out, people should not condemn the press until the bottom of the matter has been reached. In nine instances out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Like a Poker Game.

-'NS d TOkCT Gdfnc.
 From the Washington Post.
 The presidential campaign seems to me to be much like a poker oama tl,., success of either candidate will depend largely, If not wholly, on which has tbe iuck at the end of the game" said Judps NarWiek M. Hough of St. Louis. at tba NeW Willard. Sometimes in the last few weeks have been almost convinced that bryan would have walkover and on other occasions l was equally confident, that Taft would win. It all denended o,, what part or the country was in. or per- -haps the temper of the people at the fine
 wouldn't bet either way just now This is certain-that there has been ao,, erai apathy all oyer the country. and tbis seems to indicate, to me at least that tbe, people are somewhat indifferent. Tbay appear to be satisfied that if either Taf+ or Bryan wins, the country will not suffer greatly l am inclined to agree with tbis view. Both candidates are biz. abla men, and either would make an excal. ieht President. Bryan has not had. per- haps' the executive experience that Taft mas, but no one questions his ability
 1 believe Taft would have a better chance if he had run his own camnaie, The support of the President has not helped him any. He would be much bet- ter off without it''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
President May Speak.
inc New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 Washington.-There is a rumor late tonight that President Roosevelt has de- cided to make speech in Chicago one week from Saturday.
 The report originates in the visit of c. L. Furey of the Marquette club of Chicago to the White House late this afternoon. MT. Furey slipped into the executive office and slipped out again as mysteriously.
 It is reported that he telegraphed the Chicago organization that MT. Roosevelt had agreed to make the address.
 No verification or denial of the report can be obtained at the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Ohio for Bryan.
'm the Washington IeraId

From the Washington Herald.
 Bryan will carry Ohio, according to E. A. Bogart Of Lima, who is at the Riggs. MT. Bogart is here on private business He says he is a ''plain farmer" and formerly sheriff of the county.
 Ohio will go for Bryan this time. and the republicans have practically given up the fight, so far as the national ticket ia concerned. The republican party is in a. poor condition to make any kind of suc- cessful fight I don't. believe Cox of Cin- cinnati is sincere in his protestations of fealty to Taft, and Foraker and Dick are not going out of their way to solicit votes for Taft, Roosevelt's man. I don't think Foraker will ever amount to much again as political leader. He will not be returned to Washington I believe the legislature of Ohio will probably be dem ocratic, in which case they will elect Foraker's successor"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
In the Cotton Sections.

"The farmers are feeling the effect of the low price of cotton" said Sidney Lazarus. and consequently commercial salesmen are finding business in the az ricultnral districts of the cotton states a bit dull, as compared with month ago.
 But the cotton farmers have raised more and better corn this year than usual and that fact is a very material help to the situation. The south has a great cotton crop and if the price advances soon revival of agricultural prosperity will promptly set in"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
ReuuIatina Watches.

'It is not generally known that regu- lating fine watches involves the motion of the body,' said an expert jeweler.
 "The way man carries himself, the swing, the stride, the nervous action all bear upon the delicate adjustment of the mechanism of watches. It requires many inspections and calls by the owners of fine watches to enable a jeweler to regulate them to the point of accuracy. In the regulation of new watches for railroad employees, particularly firemen and engineers, we have to overcome the jostlng of the locomotives and its swing under full headway"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A very little red hair will color up sev- eral generations vividly.
 Real purity in woman cannot be soiled even by being married to a beast The inspiration of a good deal of genial hospitality in a mania to show off.
 The more times woman gets married the more surprised she is to find what it's like.
 The best of men are not so far from being brlites as the worst of women are near 10 being angels.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
WHEN YOU ARE OLD.
rilliam Ernest Henlev.

By William Ernest Henley. When you are old, and am passed away Passed, and your face, your golden face, is gray I think. whate'er the end, this dream of mine, Comforting you, a friendly star will shine Down the dim slope where still you stum- be and stray So may it be- that no dead yesterday, No sad-eyed ghost but generous aud gay.
 May serve you memories like almighty wine,
 When you are old Dear heart it shall be so. Under the sway Of death the pasts enormous disarray Lies hushed and dark. Yet +hough there comes no sign. Live on well pleased; immortal and divine. Love shall still tend you, as Gods angels may,
 When you are old
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

MT. Hearst need not bother himself to read letters from Archbold to Pen rose and Aldrich for reactionaries of that sort are going out of fashion anyway.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
Health on the ISthmuS .

Dr. Gorgas' reports become better each recurring month and his sue cess, as he readily admits, is due to A absence of the mosquito in the
 bal zone The insect was banished
 drainage and careful precautions
 d malaria and yellow fever went With 1t. This is what medical science las accomplished, for before the Aosquto theory was established
 tther malaria nor yellow fever cd 1d be kept out of the isthmus. ThNke has not been case of yellow
 feveA at Panama in two years. In Augus& out of s175 white Americans there wAge but two deaths, both due Co accidefhs. The death rate among the fegroest is now but 12.14 per thousand. TRe death rate among all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

The first prize in the Rosebud land lottery was won by young woman.
 IL Is safe to say that sine will soon ] find her souls mate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

Count Leo Tolstoi has offended the esteemed republicans by expressing wish that MT. Bryan be elected pres ident of the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

The Philippines under American rule are not free from cholera. There have been 12,000 cases of the disease in the islands this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

But MT. Roosevelt may not find space in a weekly publication in which to express all his sentiments on men and affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26
About Persons.

Cecil Beasley of Fayette, private secre- tary to Senator John Hollis Bankhead, IS registered at the Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

The dealers in winter goods begin to feel that the weather clerk is not treating them with fairness and even handed justice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

The Alabama battleship completed run round the world in 3OS days. In this way the dear old name was carried to the ends of the earth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

Japan never tired in extending to our tackles the glad hand.