davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

sure or a generous tip; and, then there was Secretary Whitney, He was sura iy one of the whitest men in the conn try. and I never saw him out of b,, nor, even when sometimes a little mistake occurred. I remember once when 1 mistook his directions and oroVe him to the wrong place. Did he get angry about ito No, sir; you can Let your life he didn't. He just told me l needn't apologize, as I attemntad to, and said all men were likely to make mistakes once in while Gen. Harry blngham the man they call the Father CT the House of Representatives was another gentleman that I always de- lighted to serve. He was always as courteous to me as if I had been q congressman myself
 Another prominent gentleman that I used to wait upon occasionally, when he didn't want to have his own fine team out In bad weather, was President Arthur. why the way he used to treat people who were serving him was so affable and Kind that fellow might thing he looked upon them s his equals.
 T know that many old hacxmen never cared continental whether they were politely treated or not, but according to my way of thinking that is a mistake. got no business to try to teach manners
  to people, however I'm willing to let other folks hoe their own row. as the saying is.
 'l never had the pleasure of waiting on Admiral Bob Evans but once" said the retired hacl<man, "and I don't think t was much of a pleasure, either for some- thing went wrong, and the old gentleman used some very strong language. I don't remember that .he used any very bad 'cuss' words, but he talked vigorously know he wrote to the people who em- ployed me, telling them of what had an- noyed him, and said he wouldn't have my services again.
 "Of course there have been all sorts of things that happened to make me feel un- pleasant occasionally when was hack man, but I don't keep them in my mind. I'm too much of philosopher for that. I remember only the incidents that were of pleasant nature.
 ''As l started to say in the beginning, however, a man needn't go around raking with fine toothcomb to find these old- time cabbies. There are lots of 'em with in easy hailing distance"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
IS HARTMAN NOW
 AFTER SEABOARD?
RUMOR SAYS THIS ROAD WILL BE IN HIS HANDS WHEN IT ENERGIES FROM THE PRESENT RECElVERSHlP.

There is a very pertinent rumor go- ing the rounds of southern cities that E. H. Hartman will buy the Seaboard Air Line. If this be a fact, it could be of no more interest anywhere thar in Birmingham.
 The rumor is following a series oe special cars, last seen in Nashville, which are speeding over the roads of the Seaboard Air Line bearing prom inent officials and directors of the Illi- Eois Central. The fact that they are making careful inspections of all the properties of the road is a conclusive proof that something is in the wind.
 MT. Hartman has always wanted a line from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Of course this was accomplished by the purchase of the Central of Georgia, connecting San Francisco with Savan- nah, but the aquirement of the Sea- board Air Line would give him direct lines to Norfolk, with much less steam ship haulage to follow.
 Since the Seaboard is now in the hands of receivers, a change in the management when things are straight ened out seems reasonable and there is apparently much ground for beliei that the big magnate will be the new owner when the system comes out ot the hands of the receiver.
 The Illinois CentraPs activity in ths southeast, the purchase of the Central of Georgia, 8 strictly southeastern
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
A WASHINGTON "CABBY'S"
 lNTERESTING>EX

From the Washington Post.
 Now, don't you believe one-half of what you hear about the old cab drivers and horse ear drivers-before the days of motor cars-being all of 'cm dead, as some folks think" asserted the retired hack man and motorman, who is now in the mercantile business, to an old acquant- ance last Thursday. Mo- and they haven't ali dried up and blown away, as some folks who want to be funny try to nane out he continued "The wind can't blow strong enough to blow any of these weather-oeate old drivers off their feet. see some of them every day on their platforms, as they pass alons in front of my place and hardly week passes that some of the old fellows that I knew when l was a driver don't come into my store and get their cigars and tobacco, and you bet I'm always glad to meet them.
 How long was 1 in the business? Well, l guess I drove a hack for night onto IS years, and then l was 10. several years d motorman on the line to Cabin John Bridge, and in my time, particularly when I was hack driver, l waited on a great many big people, both in the day and night. l used to have some regular pas sengers that I was always proud to serve.
 Now, there was General Schofieid. I used to drive him often 10 the war de- partment and to the Presidents house, and when he was making calls, and on all sorts of occasions. Frequently in the even ing General Sehofield wanted me to drive him to the house of one of his friends, where there was little party going on. They were quiet little games of poker, as I happened to find out but he never stayed out later than 12;30 o'clock. He would order me to have the carriage for him by midnight, and 1 never failed to be on time He always treated me as if was a man. and I suppose he was the same way to everybody else, because
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
 You know, we've got a clock" said Mr. Soebegin, that won't run unless it's tipped over at just such an angle on it's back.
 Now that might seem like a singular sort of clock, that you had to coddle and humor in that way to make it go, but I've seen other clocks like it. and plenty of men, men who couldn't do anything at all, or anything to amount to anything. unless the conditions under which they worked were just exactly so.
 Some men who work at desk must have all their belongings on that desk ar ranged just so before they can do lick of work Some of us are such creatures of habit and routine that if anything breaks in on the regular order of our work we are lost and we don't get set. tied and going again comfortably till we get back to our regular routine.
 We are better satisfied to run and to keep on running in the conditions to which we have adapted ourselves. At the same time this is obviously good for the men who are not disturbed, but elated by new and harder tasks, the men who, so to speak, can run lying down or standing up, run with equal facility under any con ditions, because with so many satisfied
 
 less competition and so more chance to expand and grow.
 Again, there are plenty of men who run well, that is to say, work well, only when they are feeling we'll physically; let them be ailing a little and they are all eff; they slow down, and maybe stop they can't work except under just such conditions Plenty of men can't work when they have anything to worry them mentality trouble real or imagined; they can't work unless their minds are free from care.
 There are some men who can't work when they are cold and some who can't | do anything when they are too hot; there 1 ere plenty of us who in one way or an- | other can work to advantage only in the | way to which habit, or indulgence, or laz- l iners, or 1t may be wear and tear, has
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

every person that I ever spoke to about him was ready to praise him.
 T often was called on to wait upon these big folks,'' said the old eabby and l hope you won't think I am bragging- because l ain't-1when l say that l was always on time and never growled about long waits or got surly or sour as some of the men did when things went a little wrong.
 Maybe you won't believe me, but I'm telling the downright truth, when I de- clare that I have many a time waited on MT. Roosevelt. That was when he was in office in the navy department long be- fore he was the President. Oh, he was a nice man to drive for, and he always had some regard for mans comfort. As an instance of this, l have frequently car ried him and Mrs Roosevelt to entertain ments of some kind or another on very cold and stormy nights, and he would tell me to come at about 20 minutes after the party, or whatever it was, was over. Keep warm as long as you can,' he used to say to me. I'll be on the lookout for you I tell you he was kind man, and the old dough- in the shape of a good tip, was always sure to come. Some times Mrs. Roosevelt would hand it to me in an envelope, and they never failed, either of them. to say Good night, driver.' as they went into their house.
 "Mr. Roosevelt" continued the veter- an driver. "centainly has good men ory for faces. I recollect once, not long after the battle of Santiago, when he had come back from the Spans,l war, and before he was governor of New York, that he came here on a visit. l was motorman then on the Cabin John Bridge road, and he came over to Georgetown for little outing, I O me form and came to the front of the car. How are you, driver he said, and he shook hands with me before a whole crowd of people. Lord, but I was proud.
 Bancroft Davis was another nice man to drive for and the lucky fellows who hauled him around were always
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

Chiffonier in rich Chartered oak claw feet; full swell front large and two small drawers-solid ends. large beveed mirror: worth s3O.OO only ............ s22.e5
 chiffonier, full swell front cast brass trimmings with or without hat box large oval mirror; worth s20OO. Prestons Price. only .........#.............. $15.9O
 Bernis Martin Brass Bed. 2-inch poles bed that will add a touch of splendor to the finest bedroom--sels everywhere for S2S00 and s30.00. Preston's Price. ..... S22. % Bernis Martin Bed, in lighter design. :. .S14.95
 full line of prettiest pattern brass beds in a wide range of prices that will average saving of from $5 to sS compared with the offerings of others.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
IRON BEDS

We are at loss to know how to ade- quately describe this stock of iron beds. It's complete in the fullest sense of the word.
 The bed we sell for s5.95 costs you just $50 at other stores. We know we priced them. It's a well made and attractive bed, and is shown in all the colors.
 The bed we sell for $1075 is described more fully down in the corner of to- days ad with the illustration. It's a leader, and a good one.
 We have full size iron beds as cheap as 23.45
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
He Was Done-But Did Not Stop.

From Success Magazine.
 A long-wlnded member of the Massa- chusetts legislature was delivering an ad- dress in the town hall of a village near Boston. An old Scotchman. after lis tening for some time. arose and left the hall. One of his countrymen, who was waiting at the door with d hack to drive the speaker to the station, asked: Js he done yet, Sandy" "Ay," Sandy replied "he's done lang ago, but he will ma stop
 One Of the great faults Of Americans is that they talk too much and think too little. Many people fear that if they do not talk they will be thought foolish or ill-mannered, so they keep jabberins away whether they say anything or not.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
DINING TABLE ES

This stores showing of Dining Tables is as complete as one would care to see-its price and style range allow the very widest choice in selection.
 A Gift. Extension Pedestal Table, high ly polished, in oak, regular $15.OO seller. Preston's price. -. .Ss.75 Gift. Round Pedestal Table, in solid oak, that will add to the appearance of any dining room, regular $22.5O value. Preston's price. .. .$14.6o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Parlor Goods

Rockers
 A large Rocker in mission de- sign; early English finish, saddle seat; very handsome; worth $9.00. Preston $ Price. ..... S6.75
 A very pretty and good Rocker, in golden oak, upholstered leather seat; worth 5000. Preston's Price .$7.5O
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Bed Room Furniture

This whole ad. could be devoted to this dis play of Bedroom Furniture. Dressers, Chif- foniers Wash Stands. Brass Beds, and so forth and still not do it justice. We'll just give a feeting hint: If what you want is not told of come and see for yourself-its here and priced right.
 Old Colonial Chfonier, in Cassian Walnut, strikingly handsome piece of furniture ....................... s375O
 The same piece in mahogany for $SoOO
 Dressers to match the above;
 Tn Cassian Walnut ..,...,$ $4OOo
 In Mahogany .-..--.....$ .$S''oo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

road, and other past history makes it evident that Hartman is after every thing he can get in this section
 The Sea aboard Air Line and it's as- sociate roads operate 2510 miles of road reaching from New England all along the coast with outlets to every DOT: Of importance down to Florida. Tn property would certainly be valuable acquisition to the Illinois Central.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
LIBRARY COUCHES-

If you are a-couch hunting, ask us to show you this one it's out of the ordinary. Full roll pillow, upholstered in gen uine Fabricord; wood work is of highest finish. You can't match this couch anywhere for less than $18.50.
 Preston s Price S1395
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
For the Kitchen

Lack of space forbids us entering into a telling of the many bargains awaiting here in things for the kitch- en. Everything from the cabinet to the range is here for you at a price that will allow you the biggest possible saving.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

4ban this one. There isn't one in the state that can approach it in values.
 Here's one in particular: Looks like a sideboard when folded In the day time; mirror top; swell front; quartered oak: very best construction throughout IT will cost you s9O anywhere
 else. Preston's Price ........... .s19.6o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
LIBRARY ROCKERS

Preston's display of Library and Lounging Rockers is too complete. There is a very wide range of styles from which one may make choice. The prices vary from $7.50 up to $15, and even higher. You save from $2 to $5 on each one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
PORCH GOODS

Summer times coming, You'll spend lots of your time out on the front porch Make it comfortable. We have everything from the porch rocker to the hammock and lawn swing.
 very comfortable and pretty porch suite consisting of rocker settee, and arm chair, in solid oak, finished in mission. Worth s15.00. Pres tons Price ..=...............H... $1I.oO
 Roman Settee to match the above .................... so.oO
 Bent Wood Porch Goods, in green and red; well made.
 The Rockers s3.5O and up.
 The Benches, s4.45.
 Lawn Swings-Four passenger ca pacity. Substantially made; red and green Others get s6 to s750 for this swing. Preston's Price. $5.5O
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05

A beautiful Davenport in genuine chase leather, large gate ends and opens into per feet bed effect; wood work is of highest polished golden oak, claw feet; cedar-lined dust proof bedding box. This Dav- enport is well worth anybody's forty-fve dollars. Pres
 tons Price is .$34.75
 A superbly beautiful Ma hogany Davenport; gate ends, opening into Napoleon bed eff feet; piano polished; heavy carved claw feet; a real $55 piece of furniture. Pres
 tons Price .$42.50 A Square 45inch Dining Table, in high ly polished oak, quartered top, five 6-inch legs, handsome table, worth $22O0. Prestons price,. .. -. S14.e5
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
A CHINA SPECIAL

A complete Apiece Dinner Set. in excellent grade china, wo-color dec- oration. This would cost you about $7.50 if you were to price it at some other place.
 Preston's Price. S4.25. Some Specials for the Ladies.
 Very Special
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
DINING ROOM FURNITURE

Buffet Sideboard, a beautiful piece of furniture in quartered oak, clipped glass doors, mirror-topped. .s27.5o Sideboards in golden oak finish, colo nial pattern, large linen and silver drawers, French mirror; this sideboard is offered by others for $35.00. Pres ton's nrice . .S29. 9.oo A very handsome medium Sideboard in golden oak finish, worth $25.OO, for .S21 .oo Other styles as low as $1o50, the kind that dealers get $500 for.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Indian Baskets, Hand Made,
 of Course.
CHINA CLOSETS

A superb pattern in quarter sawed oak, 66 inches high, bent glass ends, four shelves, mirror top, $2000
 seller... =. .-.. ..... .Slo.oU 4 large Colonial Design China Closet, in quartered oak, double swell front, two top shelves, have mirror backs, highly polished within and out, a closet that sells regularly for 5000. Pres tons Price. .... $39.00
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Mistake

From the Bohemian.
 "Ah, I see you are married,' exclaimed the merchant
 "No, sir" replied the applicant for a position, T got this scar in a railroad accident"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
IDEAL DOWN MATTRESS

You know it: $75o; made in Bir- mingham.
 PERFECTION Mattress, ss.75; made here, too.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
Springs and Mattresses

We are selling the black alI-wire spiral spring for SI.6O.
 We sell an excellent grade woven wire spring that is reinforced down center with the spiral-it's the spring that others get $550 for. Pres tons Price .................... S4.6O
 An Affection Mattress in good quail ity striped ticking, worth $5.50.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
A 3-piece Mission Parlor Suit

A 3-piece Mission Parlor Suit arm chair, rocker and settee-up- holstered in Spanish fabricord, $35.00 value. Preston's
 Price ........ ......... 1928. 40
 Solid Chartered Golden Oak Hand-polish Rocker, substantially built, cobler seat; regular $650 value. Preston s Price .$4.35
 A Mahogany-finished Rocker, rodded arm, well made and well worth $4.00. Preston
 rice ..-..... Sz.05
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
he Lowest Furniture Prices Ever Quoted for Such Values

r fhr dt nil
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
BOOK CASES

A very handsome combina- tion Book Case and Writing Desk, adjustable shelves; bev- eled mirror top; highly polish ed. A regular 5000 value.
 Preston $ Price .$15.85
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
RUGS

We intended telling of our stock of rugs. nuggets and mattings, but we won't-we haven't room. We will say this, though, if you need new rug 1t is entirely to your interest to come to us The prices have been utterly "Prestonized."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
FOLDING BEDS

There isn't a more complete stock of folding beds in any store in the city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
DAVENPORTS-

Our line of Davenports is very complete and reflects the markets latest products. You'll surely find one to meet your fancy at the right price.
 A well-made and attractive Davenport, with large clothes box beneath; auto top; uphol- stered in bright figured velour (see cut at bottom of this ad. :; a regular $30.00 value.
 Preston's Price. |. .$19.60
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
DINING ROOM CHAIRS.
 THIS IS A SPECIAL,

Full size, bannister back, quartered oak, padded chase leather seat rein forced so as to prevent swagging, it's $3.00 value. Preston's price. .$1.95 Full sized Dining Chair, in turneds pat tern, solid oak, leather seat, S1.25 value. Preston's price. .. ...... 95c
 ANOTHER LEADER
 A three-slat back cane seat Chair that sells for 75c. Prestons price. .. soc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14
BY ANNIE JAMES.

never breathe?' asked ignorant Bessie. Flowers don't live-they cant walk.
 Yes, we do live, little girl" explained the voice which came from a tall tiger lily. We all live and grow. We eat from the soil and drink of rain and dew. We come from tiny seeds and grow into Towering plants to make the world more beautiful. Did not your mamma want us here? If she had not loved us she would not have had the gardener plant us and tend us so tndustriously. And here within a few minutes you have destroyed the lives of flowers that have been growing all through the spring, putting forth their fresh soft leaves and blossoms to help make this garden q place of beauty and purity. See how those little blossoms on the ground are withering under the suns rays? An, within another half-hour they will be entirely dead. But had you not pulled them from their parent stem they would have lived many. many days, to add beauty and love to this world.''
 Bessie stood quite still for a minute, then she replied ''Yes, I've been naughty girl this morning; but l shall never, never kill another flower just for the fun of pulling 1t off the stem. Of course, if mamma says to gather some flowers for the dinner table, or to carry to sick friend, that will be different. Then. with your permission, good MT. Tiger Lilly, I'll gather a few of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14
BOASTFUL JOHNS WATERLOO

my ran along behind the other boys. Here, come back, Sammy John Grey can't fetch enough water for both dinner and fortunes" So Sammy reluctantly returned to the picnic grounds, being the only boy save John remaining there.
 And then began Johns little tyranny over Sammy. When they started to go to the spring John handed the larger pail to sammy to carry. Sammy took it without word, but one of the girls, seeing the act. cried out after John: 'Oh, little Johnny, why do you carry the big pail and allow big Sam to tote the little one?" And then a chorus of girls voices joined In laughter You are a stupid little thing" declared John In q low voice to sammy, exchanging pails with him. You just try to catch all the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14
Some Quaint Irish Su-
 perstitions.

In Ireland there has been for many, many ages curious superstitions regarding fairies. In the old time these imagined little elf1ns were thought to be half human and half spirit nature, and had strange powers over human kind. The good folk of Erin used to propitiate the fairies In many ways, few of them be- ing as follows;
 If a child spilled milk on the floor the mother would say That's for the fairies, thinking that some fairy had caused the accident. Thus the careless child went unrepremanded. If one was throwing sops out of the window or door she must cry out to the fairies: 'Take care of the water!" Otherwise some fairy passing might get drenched, and retaliate in some unpleasant manner. If a horseshoe was nailed over the door it would prevent the fairies from entering to do mischief to the inmates If a small piece Of iron was sewed into an infants garments the fairies would never molest 1t by causing 1t to suffer colic pains. If large vessel filled with pure drinking water was placed in the kitchen at night the fairies on entering would not touch the food there, but content themselves with drinking the water.