davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
THE SOUTH AND FINANCE

until they are on a parity with similar properties in the north and west, and this means an enormous increase in tho when business is again in full swing the southern states, with their great and va ried resources, many of which have yet been but little exploited, will obtain a far more prominent position than they have reached in the past. Investors have their attention directed toward the south as never before. and 1t would be a diff cult task to even approximate what would be the results of their renewed and greater interest in the future of this sec- tion. We may be assured that the de- velopment to come in the region south of Mason and Dixon's line and the Ohio river will be tremendous, and those who are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities before them will reap great rewards"
 President Bowes is a man of middle age, attractive personality and energetic attitude. He is a southerner by birth, his native state being Virginia. He was prominent about two years ago in repre- senting the policyhoIders in the great in- surance Investigations in New York, and in fact, it was owing to his efforts as far back as 1903 that attention was directed to certain evils in the method of conduct ing of the large life insurance com- panies. which action his part con- tributed largely toward bringing about the investigations and reforms In the latter part of his insurance work he was associated with MT. Bernard N. Baker, who was then president of the Baltimore Trust and Guarantee Co.,, and who was among those representing policyhoders throughout the country When MT. Ba- ker determined to resign as president of the trust company the directors in seek ing his successor unanimously agreed upon MT. Bowles for the place, regard ing him as peculiarly fitted for it by reason of his broad experience in affairs and his extensive acquaintance through out the south and the country generally MT. Bewles was for a number of years a resident of Atlanta and New Orleans.
 It is President Bowles' intention to de- vote particular effort toward extending the business of the Baltimore Trust & Guarantee Co.,, especially in the south. The capital of this institution is $S00,0OO and it enjoys the reputation attaching to the fact that it has surplus of $2 100.- GOO, or more than two and half times it's capital stock
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Weather Partiality.

"The partiality of rains through an en- tire season is one of the uneXplainable mysteries of nature,' said citizen of Graymont yesterday.
 While most of Alabama has had suf- ficient rains for all purposes during the growing period of the present crop there are some small sections of the state that have actually suffered from drouth
 Tt is reported that there are several sections that have suffered from this cause along the northern part of the state and in the Tennessee valley. Some of these dry sections have only been re- lieved with showers during the past few days
 Sometimes these dry areas are exceed ingly small and the mincing partiality of the weathed god is something hard to understand. For instance, most of the Birmingham district has had fairly good rains but there is a small section near the Birmingham college that is actually suffering for rain and has been for some time.
 Gardens in this small area need rain and need it badly"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
State Elections of 1908

Six states have anticipated or will anticipate the November election. In April last Louisiana elected a govern or and other state officers, and in June Oregon did likewise, including a pro- nouncement in favor of the democratic MT. Chamberlin for United States sen ator, although she elected a republican legislature.
 On September IA Maine elects a gov ernor and other state officers. Mr Fernald is the republican nominee for governor. In 1906 the republican nom- inee for governor had plurality of 7838. Not in a generation has the state gone democratic. Republican pluralities have generally exceeded 20,000 Mir Cobb's was the lowest in 30 years. Roosevelt's plurality in 1904 was 36,SO7.
 On the same day Arkansas and Yer mont will elect governors and other state officers. One is as fixedly dem- ocratic as the other is republican, and neither will be an indication of the trend of public sentiment. The Geor- gia election takes place on October ', and it will simply be an assurance that the south will remain solid for Bryan and Kern.
 The vote in Maine on September IA is the only chance for pointer before the general election in November. If the republican plurality falls below 15,000 1t will be interpreted as for runner of democratic gains in all doubtful and contested states. If the plurality on the other hand, is 25,000 it will forecast the election of Taft.
 On November state elections will be held in Alabama, Kentucky, Okla homa, Virginia and Wyoming, all of which will elect governors. Califor- mia, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania will elect at the same time state officers, but no governors.
 Oregon has already elected her rep resentatives in Congress, and congress- men will be chosen in Maine and Yer mont next month, but the great ma jority of the House of Representative will be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
IN EGYPT.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 Setting out upon the ride to the pyra- mids, the tourists approached a quartette of saddled camels waiting before the hotel.
 "English?'' asked a driver brokenly, greeting the tourist with the foghorn on his watch chain.
 Yes"
 "All right, sir; you can take Chamber lain here"
 Meanwhile another driver had found a German in the party and given him Bis marck, and third has located French man and helped him to the back of Na- poleon.
 The fourth tourist puzzled them. He was a small man in glasses
 "Where from?" asked one of the Moors.
 Limited States" the traveller answered. The swarthy Mohammedan regarded him in the utmost perplexity. Finally he Joined the other three and they all studied him closely and whispered:
 "Oh, don't let that bother you." the tourist said, ''Ill ride on Roosevelt here"
 His driver at once assented, beaming with relief.
 I've no forget the name," he said wv afraid you might be MT. Hartman"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

tow type. He demands a revision of the tariff, and railroad regulation also suits his ideas. He is a radical, and he stands ready to combat the con servatives or Dolliverites-the stand patters and "the interests once.
 The Cummins race and the Deliver opposition creates a factional issue that may easily render Iowa a doubtful state so far as the presidential cam paign is concerned. The normal re- publican plurality in Iowa is about 50,- 900, and a bitter war between the two wings of the republican party in that state renders possible a democratic victory. The state had a democratic governor once in Horace Boies. She may have another and her electoral vote is at least in doubt, for neither Cummins nor Deliver will yield an inch of ground to the other
 Senator La Toilette will be re-in- forced in the next Congress by Mr Bristow of Kansas, and he may have at his back MT. Cummins of Iowa. All three are radical republicans, and all three would take pleasure in bait ing Senator Aldrich and other repre- sentatives in the Senate of the inter- ests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Promlnent Iron Firm.

B. Nicholl & Co. of New York, one or the oldest and strongest firms in the east engaged in the iron business, have opened a branch office in Birmingham. Referring to this fact, a member of the Commercial club said Tt is another of many evil dences of returning prosperity Nichon & Co are dealers in iron, steel, coal, coke, billets, slabs. plates, bars, and shapes, and have selected as their representative here J. W. Porter, who was formerly as- sociated with Mir. Buck in the Lacey Buck and the Chattanooga Iron com panies. For the past two years he has been located in Anniston with the Wood- stock Iron and Steel corporation.' Nicholl & Co.'S Birmingham office is on the sec ond floor of the wn-Marx building.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Swapping islands With the Dutch

The New York Times suggests a swap" of the island of Curacoa and possibly Dutch Guana for the Philip pines. It does not state the proposed barter in plain terms, although it says as much when it suggests that ''an ar rangement could be entered into favor able to Dutch interests in the Far East which would be of mutual bene- fit"
 We need at any rate the island of Curacoa. It lies abreast of and only 500 miles away from Colon. It lies near Caracas and the chief ports of Castro's country. The island contains 21O square miles and about 10000 peo- ple. It Is healthy, and the water in the harbor of St. Ann's bay is 150 feet deep. and the entrance to it is but 300 feet wide. We need at that point such
  large possessions in the Far East, need the Philippines much more than we do. We need them about as much as a dog needs two tails.
 There may be obstacles in the way, but so long as the Netherlands could utilize the Philippines to good ad- vantage and we cannot, and we could make Curacoa a valuable naval base, it ought not to be difficult to over come all obstacles to an exchange or islands. The Filipinos would be kindly treated and compulsorily edu- cated by the Dutch, and we would ac- cumulate in the proposed transfer only 26,OO0 additional negroes. The pro- posed exchange of territory deserves consideration by both governments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
JIMMY HYDE AS A "BAD MAN."

From the Louisville Courier-Journal
 Who can tell what a career will bring forth? MT. James Hagen Hyde, who figured in the American east as an ef- feminate plutocrat, who dressed the har- ness of his coach horses with sweet vio- lets that the air through which he drove might be perfumed at the expense of the policyholder in the life insurance com pany to which he was attached in the capacity of Inheritor of Graft, turns up in the Far East as bold bad man who fires his revolver at the servants in hotel lobbies and otherwise deports himself as the Arizona Kid on the rampage.
 The Japan Advertiser quotes Chinese public opinion as follows:
 "Our contemporary says that certain MT. Hyde, notorious we believe. in con- nection with certain life insurance com pany scandals, was the chief actor. This individual who is reputedly a plutocrat but apparently not gentleman, inflicted his presence upon PelSin. He took up his quarters at the Hotel des Wagon Lits and incidentally flashed around our city in a motor car. It would appear that this did not give him sufficient prominence, for in the hotel he found cause to fire a couple of revolver shots at a couple of coolies who were carrying out their duties of cleaning up the premises during the night.
 His aim, fortunately, was so poor as to prove harmless to these individuals, but the disturbance was the cause of much annoyance to the other guests in the hotel"
 Unquestionably this is our Jimmy In the absence of other Identification marks there is his marksmanship. It Is to be across country enveloped In the perfume of violets to avoid breathing the com mon atmosphere with the policyholders would wield a wobbly gun. The Chinese newspaper asserts that had MT. Hyde 8 "ungentlemanly, though harmless con- duct occurred in any other than the le- gation quarter, he would have been put in prison The general regret in his own country will be that there was no full grown American present, with a sense of humor and hob nail boots, to take young MT. Hyde's harmless firearms away from him and kick him out of the hotel. As it is related in the Oriental press that he will soon come to America, such a event that he Is indiscreet enough to at tempt to play the role of bold bad man at home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
CnnnnaSt of the Air

The disaster that overlook the aged Count von Zeppelin near Stuttgart does not discourage American bal loonists in their invasion of the air, nor even Henri Farman, who sails in a machine heavier than air. Just at present the experiments that Captain Baldwin and the army signal crops are making at Fort Myer, opposite Wash ington, are attracting general atten- ton.
 Captain Baldwin's balloon belongs in the Zeppelin class. It is huge gas bag with a motor attached to drive 1t along. Baldwin and Zeppelin are light ing the battle of the dirigibles, while the Wright brothers and Henri Far man, Frenchman, proclaim the greater value of the heavier-than- air type, the aeroplanes in other worus.
 The dirigibles are endeavoring to make a speed of at least 20 miles an hour, and to stay in the air at least "A hours. Count von Zeppelin has never met these requirements. The Baldwin balloon is much smaller than the one destroyed near Stuttgart. The United States army seeks a practica- ble observation balloon of high speed and trustworthy dirigibility, and Cap tain Baldwin Is at present trying to demonstrate that he has the needed article He depends upon the lifting power of hydrogen gas to overcome the attraction of Gravitation and upon a whirlgig screw driven by a motor to give his balloon motion and a rudder to give it direction. To some extent at least his scheme is feasible.
 But the other school considers a gas bag unsafe, unweildly and alto gether discreditable. They say the birds are heavier than air, and yet by balancing themselves and by judi cious Tapping of their wings they car go in the air wherever they isteth. The aeroplanes of the Wright broth CTS and Henri Farman are crude imi tations of the expert birds, the sea gulls, for example. The two schools are working side by side, and the hope of the scientists | is that the Farman- Wright plans will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Country Produce PeddIers.

I've made a better fruit, melon and vegetable crop this year than in all the 20 years I've been trucking in this dis trist," remarked a successful gardener and farmer, and I figured on getting little ahead this year. but the strike has spoiled my plans.
 My sales have been largest in the min ing camps in former years, but the miners draw rations now from the free commissary, and my wagon not being free, is absolutely boycotted by them. Looks like mine strikes are as bad on good gardeners as boil weevils are on good cotton fields.
 But, truly, this is a monstrous crop year In this section. especially food crops"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
EATING THE OCTOPUS.

From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
 At Atlantic City the other day fisher man caught an octopus, rare fish in those waters.
 The octopus, which resembled frayed and ruined football of brown leather, was carried home by the fisherman in a bucket of water
 said. Why, I'm going to eat it. I'd almost as soon eat octopus as scallops.
 T am a traveller and learned in Italy and France the octupuss excellence. You can't give an Italian of the Riviera or a Frechman of the northwest coast, where the hsh abounds, a more welcome dish.
 What does 1t taste like? It tastes like scallops or like tripe and oysters"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
STOP, THIEF!

Herman Knickerbocker Viele, Random Verse;" f Love sat down like a tired tinker, Asking only a shady seat. Feaster neither he was, nor drinker, Wine nor bread would he sip or eat. Love slept well in the April weather Laid him low where the sweet-fern
 grows;
 Gold of gorse and the purple heather, Pink of poppy and rose of rose. Love stole off in the misty dawning, Casting never a look behind; Calling never gay good morning, Went his way where the white ways
 wind.
 Ye who watch for the mad marauder, Faring far with his gains i'll got, Stay Loves steps ere he cross the bor.
 der
 Love has stolen-I know not what
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
IQYa'S FactiOnal Fight

Governor Cummins refused to &C., cept a nomination for the vice presi- dency on the Taft ticket, really be- cause he had his eye on a senatorial seat. The death of William Boyd Al lison brings to hand this possibility. Governor Cummins will appoint per sonal friend to serve until March 4 next, when the Allison term will be ended, and he will begin fight at once for the new term that is to lje begun at that time.
 It is to be a fight of the bitter s t. Governor Cummins is, progresa vs republican of the La Toilette or ris-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
BrYan's Chances.

Frank L. Mayes, editor of the Pensacola Journal, was in Birmingham yesterday on his return from an extended western trip. MT. Mayes is an enthusiastic demo- crat and was a delegate to the Denver convention. In his travels he found much confidence in Bryan's ability to carry certain of the doubtful states He thinks democratic chances are brighter than usual.
 MT Waves will spend Sunday in An niston and will proceed to Pensacola on Monday or Tuesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Coal Production.

'tIn the matter of coal production, the mining situation is decidedly improved, said Erslxine Ramsay. vice president of the Pratt Consolidated Coal company Our company and all the other large concerns are increasing their output right along, and conditions are gradually approaching normal.
 Much better order prevails. Here in Jefferson couny Sheriff Higdon is find ing it easier to handle the mining camp proposition and l do not look for any further serious trouble in this part of the district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

SOME DAY. Some day we'll discover the pot of gold That lies at the rainbow's end And have all the bliss that our lives can hold
 Iris surely no harm to pretend. Some day we'll be happy and wealthy and wise
 And all of our dreams will come true, And we'll frolic along heath the fairest of skies,
 With never a cloud in the blue. Some day will contentment steal into our hearts
 And drive all the shadows away. Oh, sweet to consider when misery starts The joy that will be ours-some dayl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
HER SUPERB DIsDAIN.

From the Chicago Tribune.
 But there was one young woman in the box party at the theatre who took no part in the noisy chatter and giggle
 With her gaze fixed upon the stage she watched the progress of the play, indif- ferent to the gayety around her. except that her delicate, aristocratc, finely chis- eled features bore look Of weariness' and a scornful smile curled her lips.
 At last, however, she turned her head slowly and looked at the other members of the party.
 Then she spoke to the elderly matron sitting by her side
 '.That girl in the blue kimono,' she said, thinks she's the whole custard!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 It's mighty queer if the Lord loveth the cheerful giyer of advice.
 The way some people can lie about their truthfulness is a great credit to them.
 Ihe more woman isn't good looking the more You won't offend her by telling her she s
 when man volunteers to take ms "he on a trip with him next week she can De absolutely sure he isn't going
 Girls seem to want to change their stockings for whatever they are going to oo' even to saying their prayers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
WHILE AWAY FROM HoHE.

Birmingham people who are leaving home for a vacation trip should have The Age-Herald follow them and thus keep informed about what is taking place in the city and state during their absence. The Age-Herald will be sent to them at any address at the regular price, and the address will be changed as often as desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
A TWILIGHT STORY.

1N11lGf1I oIOh1.
 Once upon a time-at these words the Little Girl opened her eyes very wide and waited to hear what was coming next. Once, upon time there was a good fairy who left her home, called Gold Heart" and went out to see the world. toiled in field. His clothes were poor and his frame was bent beneath the weight of years, while his dropping head told eloquently of a struggle for existence. The fairy touched him with her wand. A smile took the place of his frown. He lifted up his eyes with hope revived and seemed to be imbued once more with all the energy of youth.
 With merry laugh, the fairy continued her journey. stopping at a cottage door farther along, where she smoothed the wrinkles from a tired woman's brow and stilled the wrangling of thoughtless chill dren by the magic of her presence.
 Down into a great city stole the fairy, unismayd by the turmoil and clamor all around her. She ripped into tall office buildings where men and women worked so hard that they sometimes forgot to be courteous; she visited shops and foun- dries and factores she went into churches, schools and homes No place was too high or too low for her to seek. And everywhere she went it was as if sunbeam were skipping about. She left sweetness and light behind. Her voice was like the tinkle of a silver bell and her smile was wonderful to behold. Sell fish people forgot themselves, greed was abashed, hatred and envy fled discom- forted. The sounds of strife and discord were hushed when she drew near It was joy to cause so much happiness and to have such good time doing it!
 And what became of the fairy?" asked the Little Girl.
 Now, that's the funny part of the story. It wasn't fairy at all but just a kind wordi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
A POOR PROvIDER.

From The Bohemian.
 The Kentucky coloned pointed with ex- treme disgust at a man across the street. Then he said.
 There goes that fellow Simpson wifi, oO-pound sack of flour, and I'll bet he nasnt a drop of liquor in the house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
SOMETHING WRONG.

From the Chicago News.
 Ardupp-There's one thing I can't un- derstand.
 Norcross-What's that?
 Ardupp-Why is it that in this era of trust it's so hard to get trusted?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Since the butchers and bakers gave notice to the 400 at Newport that there would be real trouble if bills were not more promptly paid, the fashionable women of that locality have begun to wear double veils.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
THE PROPER sORT.

THE PROPER SORT. The man whose heart is right will do The best that in him lies, And keeping still the goal in view, He'll climb to reach the skies. The man whose heart is right will not Become a pawn of fate; He'll struggle bravely with his lot, Content to work and wait The man whose heart is right will bear What griefs the years may bring, And though his days be days of care, To hope he'll ever cling.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

United States Senator Long of Kan- sas was defeated in the primary be- cause he was on too good terms with the railroads The midwest is LaFol- lettes stamping ground.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

E. H. Hartman is hastening to own all the chu-chu cars, but he Is an elderly man and he cannot take even a clipped coupon with him when he goes over the divide.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Editor Watterson is beginning to warm up in the campaign. He now says MT. Bryan has something better than a fighting chance"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

A sounder balloon would be all right if it could pump the frigidity of high altitude down to perspiring people on the earth's surface.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Bishop Charles Brent Is winning golden opinions from the plain people of the land. He at least lives up to his duty as he sees it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
PROMISE

At the end of the road-what awaits us
 there? Release from toil and the loads we bear, And place to rest and place to sleep, Where the sentinel stars their vigils
 keep? Ah it may be that and it may be more When we quit at last lifes sounding
 shore And slip away OCT the traclxless foam, Where storm-tossed souls are drifting
 home. At the end of the road-'tis morning
 thought Wen gain the prize we've vainy sought, And the gifts of the world shall then be
 ours, And -.Ie after way shall be strewn with
 flowers. So dreamer thinks as he tolls along. With a smile on his face-in his heart
 song; And no matter what storms of fortune
 blow, His faith leads on with a kindly glow!