davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Story of Umbrella.

To half a dozen passengers a street railway conductor was recently telling his troubles.
 Sometimes I find a passenger on my car, one of the regulars, who has left his change behind 1 generally pass these. The majority hand me the nickel the following day. Some never do.
 Now the other day it was raining. One of the regulars was wondering how he would walk several blocks without drowning. What did l do? Why l loan ed him my umbrella. What has he done with it? I cannot say
 Yesterday Echols Melee, the well known Seaboard engineer, was talking. Some days ago, while it was raining hard, I borrowed an umbrella from street car conductor. It was the hardest thing imaginable to return that um- brella. It never happened that caught the car on which he took up fares. carried the umbrella with me perpetually I was often embarrassed while carrying that umbrella when the sun was shining brightly. Many of my friends smiled at me, some of them shaking their heads But l was determined to return that uin- brella, and continued to carry 1t about with me. Finally l was rewarded, ana no man was happier than I, not even the conductor. than when I restored to him his property"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Rise In the Price of Cotton

Since the opening of the year cotton has been advanced nearly $5 bale, and today the holder of middling spots is reasonably sure to receive 12 cents. Daniel Sully is reported to have again entered the market in New York as bull. and current telegrams endeavor to show that he is the wizard of the rise.
 But the chances are that the settle ment of the threatened strike in Lancashire is a bull factor, and the facts that the interior markets in the south hold light stocks, that receipts are light, and that exports are heaVy' all enter into the case. It may be, too that the outside cliques have Wrested from the farmers about all the cotton they could on 10-cent basis and they are now ready to mark the staple up.
 Receipts are falling behind those or corresponding dates in last year or the nrevous year, and the world no longer thinks the outcome of the cotton year will be 13,000,OOO bales, or even IT, OO0. .OO0 bales. It takes long time to open the eyes of New York to the truth. but they seem to be satisfied now that the situation calls for higher prices. Daniel Sully and the New York bulls may not be able to push the nrice up again to II cents, but it is plain that middling spots will soon be worth on the farm F cents, and the only regret is that the farmers do no' hold a larger proportion of the crop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Flyinu In a Farman Airship

M Henri Farman of Paris has won the Deutsch-Archdeacon prize of Slo,- 900 by travelling through the air in a device that weighed more than the ar it displaced He sailed over a circular course measuring a kilometer, or 32S0 feet. something over one-half of mile. The Farman aeroplane is but sug- gestion. The inventor never attempts a lofty flight, and the recent circular test was made about 20 feet above the ground.
 This new heavier-than-air contriyance is built on the box-kite principle, and it is driven by a motor. While M, Farman has never met with serious accident either to himself or to his machine. yet it is considered that his freedom from trouble is due to his cool ness and skill in operating the new contrivance He manipulates the yer tical and horizontal rudders, the car buretter, the sparkling apparatus, the pressure gauges of the petrol and water. the motor, and the balancing of the machine in accordance with the speed and direction of the wind. Per haps no one else could do as we'll.
 But the fact that there is one man who can sail in the air in heavier than-air machine is distinct achieve ment in aviation, and it may lead to surprising results. In it's present stage a trip in Farman machine may be a good deal like crossing Niagara falls on a tight rope, but M. Farman evi- dently thinks his heavier-than-air ma chine is on the lien of hope. He refuses at any ratae to be tied to a gas refuses at any rate to be tied to gas bag accomplishes something that has heretofore been considered well-nigh impossible. The fight against the at. traction of gravitation is becoming in. teresting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Athletios at colIene.

Professor Sargents idea that no uni versity should give a diploma to a stu dent until he is physically proficient is, in my opinion, most excellent stated Dr. c. H. Duprey of Nashville last night
 Tt has been the custom that univeri- ties paid too little attention to the physi- cal man. This has been true in spite of the well established principle that of the two the physical man is better than the mental man who has no muscle, no strength, no endurance.
 Universities, and especially these in the south. do not encourage athletics, save verbally A professor will harp on the needs of taking exercise. but it is the pro- lessor who nags athletic committees and athletic teams. I dare say that there Is not university in the south, unless it Is Vanderbilt or Sewanee, who annually donates for the cause of athletics $500,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
BoyertoWn's Disaster

It was in village of 2500 popula- tion, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, near the city of Reading. that dis aster occurred in which ITO persons, many of them women and children, lost their lives. It is a story that should be told and its lessons needed in every one of the smaller towns in the country.
 For it did not occur in theatre. Boyertown has no theatre. It occurred in the village hall located over some stores on the second floor of a brick block. No strolling company of play CTS held the stage. It was home Sunday school entertainment. An ac- cident to moving-picture machine led to the upsetting of an oil lamp, and fire followed and finally a collapse of the floor. In the effort tV escape near
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Abolish the Hip Pocket.

'For the prevention of bloodshed,' re- marked Willard J. Butler, a well known South Alabama attorney. in the lobby of the New Florence last night, there should be a movement for the passing of the hip pocket
 T am not speaking fguratively. A man should not wear hip pockets, and should let the fact become well known that his trousers are not so provided.
 Since a man can no longer carry pis- tols in Alabama, a movement of the hands towards the empty pocket may re- suit in bloodshep. Take for instance. the affair in New Orleans Thursday night, when Chief Whitaker attempted to kill Editor Leveque. He stated afterwards that he fired on the editor because he thought the editor made a movement to- wards his hip pocket Of course. it was afterward found ont that there was no gun in his pocket. But if the chief had known positively that there were no hip pockets, he would not have been mistaken about the intention of the movement of the hands.
 Let us do away with our hip pockets"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
A PRAYER.

By Judd Mortimer Lewis. When joy and laughter rock the world And children laugh on every side, When selfishness has been forgot
 And hands and hearts are opened wlde, And shoulders bend to help the weak,
 And hands reach out to guide along The feeble ones, and all are kin,
 And all the world Is sweet with song When jealousies are pushed aside, And envy finds no dwelling place; When strong, and erst-aggressive ones
 Lift up the feeble in the race, When beggars reap a harvest great
 That make up for the years scant dole. When men are moving heart to heart
 And standing smiling soul to soul When it is joy to fare abroad,
 And it is pleasure just to live. And life's. one bitter drop is that
 Alas! We have not more to Five! We ask O God, thy comfort for
 The hearts bereft that grieve and break, For those no open hands may help!
 Dear God! for the Redeemers sake!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
PAINTING A BIG LINER.

From the New York Herald.
 For the first time since she started on her transatlantic voyages the Lusi- tania, of the Cunard line, is being paint ed The work attracts a curious crowd around the dock, near the foot of West Fourteenth street.
 There are 64,00O square feet of surface above the waterline to be repainted. A dozen men, armed with paint brushes as big as brooms and with handles good deal longer than the ordinary broom handle, began the work. They stood up- on ladders slung in rope loops.
 It takes about 100 gallons of black paint to put one coat over the entire ship, and the whole job costs approximately $500.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
JAMES RYDER RANDALL

cling the words I had intoned, but sup pose that form of composition was not satisfactory. Near me lay the poems of James Clarence Mangan. I turned to the noble passionate outburst of the Karama- nan exile, and the meter of My Mary land was solved. I have no doubt that the spirit of Mangans poem influenced me, and it is curious psychological fact that out of the grave, as 1t were, of this sorrowful but brilliant Irish poet sprang the germ of my song"
 Despite the eager acclaim with which the south greeted the poem. it was seen that, to make RandalIs verses completely effective, musical wings were essential to convey it to the camp fire and the bat tie field.
 It was Miss Hetty Carey, afterward the wife of Prof. H. Newell Martin of Johns Hopkins University, who suggested the air of 'Lauriger Horatius' '-an old Yale song-as suitable to the words. The air is a German one. The idea was adopted and the German air and MT. Randall's s fiery war lyric were indissolubly welded
 The nrst two and last two verses of the famous poem which altogether contains nine verses, are as follows: The despot's heel is on thy shore,
 Maryland!
 His torch is at thy temple door,
 Maryland! Avenge the patriotic gore, That fiecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore,
 Maryland my Maryland! Hark to an exile sons appeal, Marylandi My Mother State, to thee l kneel, Maryland! For life or death, for woe or veal, Thy peerles chvalry reveal, And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland, my Maryland!
 
 Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll, Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland! Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, Than crucfixion of the soul Maryland, my Maryland! hear the distant thunder-hum! Maryland! The "Old Line's' bugle, fife and drum. Marylandl | She is not dead nor deaf, nor dumb, | Huzza she spurns the northern scum- 1 She breaths She burns. She'll come! She'll come Maryland, my Maryland Of late years Mir Randall had been edit 1 ing weekly paper in New Orleans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
That Iwo.fhlrds Rule

The two-thirds rule in national con ventions was adopted in 1886 to pro mote Van Burens candidacy. It dis couraged his opponents, and Van Buren was unanimously nominated. But ln 19AA the rule returned to plague its inventor. for under it Van Buren could noll hut 146 votes, when he needed 17S. A stampede to Polk followed. In 7S59 if led to the nomination of dark horse. and it served to deepen the muddle of 1860, and two nominees came before the people, neither or whom was regularly nominated under the two-thirds rule.
 The two-thirds rule will be in opera ton at Denver, and there are some who think a third of the convention can be kept from supporting MT. Bryan, hut the indications are that the anu Bryan movement will collapse com nletelv before July '. The only man who could command any considerable following aside from MT. Bryan IS Governor Johnson of Minnesota, and he is an outspoken advocate Of the nomination of the Nebraskan. Unless alr-signs fail William Jennings Bryan will be nominated by exclamation without a dissenting voice. The entire trend of circumstances and events noints to that signal popular result.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

places were run as clubs. I walked up to a bar and called for liquor.
 Are you member of the club? ask ed the bartender
 I am not.
 Then I will be glad to make you a member said MT. Bartender. All right, said l.
 T filled up a blank. giving my age, weight, measurement, occupation and place of residence and signed my name. The bartender, who seemed to be seere- tary and chairman of the membership committee and manager all in one, drew out a book and made a record of my election. He then filled up and handed me a membership card. No fee was re- quired. All the formalities of putting me through consumed only about three minutes, which indicated to me that the constitution and bylaws were built on liberal lines
 Now that you are member. what will you have? asked the bartender. A rye highball, I replied
 T got what I ordered, paid the price and went on my way. Later in the day I dropped in at another saloon. The bartender asked if I was a member of the club. l replied that I had just been received into one club down the street. Let me see your card the man said. showed him the evidence of my mem bership in the first saloon club l visited. He said, that is all right and asked me what l would drink And so it went. I understand that public sentiment in Savannah was strongly against prohibi- tion and public sentiment usually settles all questions affecting the liquor traffic. Here in Birmingham l would say, from the way prohibition is being observed, there must be a very decided public sentiment in it's favor. notwithstanding the fact that majority voted the other way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Tribute To Estes.

Sam Cowin, who attended the funeral in Columbus, Ga., Thursday of W. E. Estes, general freight agent of the Cen tral of Georgia, states that there was q large and distinguished gathering of rail road officials paying tributes to the de- ceased.
 ''The majority of the administrative Of ficials were present." said he, and ev- cry city of any size through which the Central runs, was represented by one or more men.
 While I did not intend going to Co., lumbus on the occasion of the funeral, until I was notified that l was to be one of the active pail bearers, l am certainly glad that I went. There was something ennobling in witnessing the tribute, from the heart, that was accorded the late official by his former companies and CO., workers"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
About Persons.

A. B. Garrison and wife of Gordo are at the New Morris.
 L. D. Battle of Mobile is at the New Morris.
 Fred S. Blackmon of Anniston is at the New Morris
 Gaynor S. J, Turner of Mobile is at the New Morris.
 Edgar Williams, the new manager of the western division of the Southern Ex- press company, with headquarters in Bir- mingham, assumed his new duties yester- day. He arrived from New York Thurs day.
 Edgar B. Rays, professor of engineering at the University of Alabama, was in the city last night
 J. w Worthington of Sheffield, one of the best known citizens of that city, is in the city Mr Worthington is inter ested in several business concerns of Bir- mingham.
 Harry G. McNeer, a well known young attorney, who has recently finished his legal education at the University of Ala bama. and who plans to locate in Bir- mingham, is registered in the city.
 
 William D. Denny of Galveston, Tex, is in the city. MT. Denny states that the prohibitionists are after the scalp of the Lone Star state. Unlike Alabama, We have put an end to the fight against the railroads, and unlike Alabama who knows, we may put a quietus to the pro- hibtionists. There are a large number of people in Texas who desire prosperity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
ct us do away with our hip pockets" ]"
Deamnd For Office Room.

''Now that confidence has been restored and the large loan companies of the east express their willingness to lend money on improved real estate in Birmingham at low rate of interest, it is reasonable to expect important building operations 70 be inaugurated during the present year. said a business man.
 Notwithstanding the fact that Birming ham mas four steel frame office buildings, and a number of solid buildings of the old style, there is a pressing demand for more office room If an additional skyscraper were under way tomorrow all the space would be spoken for promptly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Watchinn For Ground Hon.

T have been watching the ground hog for 20 years" stated Col. w. ". Dunlap last night. and. according to my rec ord, which is authentic he has failed to make good but twice.
 T am awaiting February ? with a deal of interest. The odds are that if the ground hog sees his shadow on that day the weather will be rough for some weeks to come. However, if the day is cloudy, it will clear off shortly afterwards and be pleasant.
 T don't know when the custom of watching the ground hog originated or where, but l do know that it is the best sign that we have. It's accuracy pre- vents it's consideration as a supersti- tion."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
From the New York Press.

A nice way to get along with women is to know you can't understand them.
 Wisdom is what might govern your de- cision if something else didn't always do 1t first.
 A man who is proud of his little feet needs a Hitler brain to feel that way
 The more money man makes the more a miracle it would be If his sons could ever make any at all.
 When woman hates another 1t has something to do with the way she was dressed better at a party.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
AT THE STANCE.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
 Any special request from my husband in the other world?" asked the widow of the medium.
 None that you can grant" was the reply. He wants ton of ice and dozen palmetto fans
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

It is proposed that tax of 25 per cent on all gifts, doweries or settle ments in consideration of the marriage of Americans to foreigners be levied This would, however, be blow at the home millionaires, for the titled for eigner would not have the price.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
Liauor In Savannah.

'I sopped in Savannah this week. said a New York man, now in Birmingham
 "Knowing that Georgia was a prohibition state I expected to find liquor only Tn blind tigers, but to my surprise found the saloons open; but these drinking
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

Gladys Vanderbilt will certainly get in names her moneys worth, for her prize is named Count Laszio Jeno Maria Henrik Simon Szechenyi.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

Ex-Mayor Schmitz loves the outdoor climate of San Francisco, but he will have to wait while before it is his to enjoy to the fullest extent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The reported arrangement between MT. Bryan's daughter, Mrs. Leavitt, and her husband proves to be without any foundation whatever.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The man in New York who cannot afford to buy coal and pay rent goes to Europe, because fares are so low.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

Tim Woodruff's name for the tail of the republican ticket is simply put out by the White House as feeler It is still a doubtful proposition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18
ADRIFT WITH THE. TIMES

THE ARBITER OF DEsTfNIEs. We bow before the poelx etbook, - The greatest book of all. In every land beneath the sky It seems to have the call. 'Tis sometimes slim and sometimes fat, But just remember this: The more a chap has in his purse, The better liked he is! From Greenlands icy mountains down To sun-caressed Brazil, Each mortal wight is trying hard His pocletbook to fill. And some go at it honestly, And some the other way With any sort of subtle trick To make the venture pay. Since many. many years ago, When all the world was young, The praises of the wallet have Been told by every tongue. We've fought and lied and cheated, yes, And often played the crook, And traded human souls-for whatF A filthy pocketbook!
 HIGH FINANCE. T would like to draw on you for kiss"
 You may, but the draft won't be hon ored."
 THE TRUTH HURTS. There was a tombstone cutter once Who always told the truth AboHt the person who was dead, If gone in age or youth. He only praised those who deserved And maybe that is why, When people wanted epitaphs, They always passed him by. 
 HEADING HIM OFF q wish to interest you in an old but neglected problem. "Get out! You are going to ask me How old is Ann?' 1"
 THE ONLY WAY TO WIN. There was an honored citizen Who was a candidate For office on his merits, as He took great pains to state But never did he stand a show Until he caught the push By handing out that filthy stuff Ward heelers call the 'cush.
 POLITICALLY SPEAKING. Did you know that Secretary Taft won fame as q road builder? Hadn't heard O. it. The job before him now is that of building fences"
 A GRATEFUL FEELING.
 Go it, winter!
 Let CT rip!
 Thank the Lord, we've
 Missed the grip!
 SPIT FIGHTS. ''There was time when the nobles or France used shields in battle' "Yes?"
 Now they need umbrellas"
 DISTRESSING ACCIDENT. A Birmingham man dropped quart bottle of whisky on the pavement yes terday It was smashed into bits and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

No machine politician likes a pri- mary. He accepts it as an evil when he has to, to be abolished at the first oDpOrtunitY
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The White House proposes to dic- tate both nominees on the republican national ticket. Tim Woodruff is the new 'It."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

Cannon and Crane" is late presi- dential suggestion, but the southern delegates are no longer open to sug- gestions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

MT. Taft is trying to ride two horses, Labor and Capital, but he bids fair to fall between them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

If President Roosevelt will now write the platform the Chicago convention will be but a ratification meeting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The millions sent abroad to buy titles have as a rule bought divorces also
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The Transvaal broke all it's records in December. It is flooding the world with gold.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

the fluid rippled into the gutter. In view of the present aridity in Birmingham, this is one of the seasons most pathetic hard luck stories.
 FORECAST.
 Ere long will all The poets sing About the sweet Ly budding spring. And then you'll have A chance to see How glad a cheer Up bard can be. USUAL INFERENCE. 'Jones is man of artistic tempera- ment."
 From which infer that he is not able to make a liying.'
 THE RIGHT SORT. Altho' his food was very poor.
 His clothing cheap and shoddys He didn't seem to care, because He was a cheerful body.
 POSSIBLY. What has become of all the horse thieves?"
 Gone into the automobile business" !" SIMILAR EFFECT. Were you ever in love?" No, but I once ate too much strawber- " shortcake."
 BIFF! You wouldn't think that was a rich man.
 No; is he?"
 Mop
 REPLIES. It is said that diamonds won't go down. We have had the same experience on sev- eral occasions with sweet potatoes. With Frederick Palmer along there is no reason why the fleet should make any mistakes.
 A Chicago man can stay under the wa ter three minutes, but to save our life, we can't see what good it does him. A contemporary speaks of good dem- ocratic job" MT. Bryan is after that job
 An Arkansas paper comments on "The Serious Side of Smilng.f It is to be found in Georgia
 We shouldn't be at all surprised to see winter finger in the lap of spring. The bold thing
 The truly great man is always brought up to the tune of a hickory switch. Christmas having come and gone, what's the matter with St. Valentines Day?
 There is nothing more annoying now Eadays than to get divorce that won't stay put PAUL COOh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-18

The London Times still sells at 6 cents copy, thus showing it has not been fully Americanized.