davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
Four Lines of Defense

The Wall Street Journal says the country has four lines of defense against business depression. First, there is the financial line, which is in process of reconstruction. Then there Is the mercantile line and also the in dustrial line, both of which are wait ing upon the agricultural line.
 The last line is, in truth, the chief dependence against a continuance of the depression, and fortunately for us all this line is aggressive, hopeful and full of promise. The acreage is large. the cultivation thorough on account of a more liberal labor supply and the spring has never been known in the south, and the reports from the middle west and the northwest are favorable.
 If the fourth line of defense holds its own right up to the harvest season the merchants, the manufacturers, the railroads and even the financiers will have their hands full in meeting the wants of the farmers equipped with full pockets. This must give an up- ward impulse to general business, and if all crops are large it will assuredly lift us out of the rut to start us anew on the road to prosperity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
A MANS A MAN FOR A THAT.

By Robert Burns.
 Is there for honesty poverty
 That hangs his head, an a that? The coward slave, we pass him by;
 We dare be poor for a that! For a that, an a that;
 Our toirs obscure, an a that; The rank is but the guinea's stamp The mans the gowd for a that! What tho on namely fare we dine,
 Wear holden gray, an a that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their mans man for a that! For a that, an a that,
 Their tinsel show, an a that; The honest man, though e'er sac poor, Is king of men for a that You see yon birkie cal a lord
 Wha struts, an stares. an a that Tho hundreds worship at his word,
 He's but 6 coof for a that; For a that, an a that, His rband, star, an a that The man O independent mind
 He looks an laughs at a that. prince ,can mak a belted knight, marquis, duke, an a that;--~ But an honest mans aboon his might Guide faith he mauna ia that! For a that an a that.
 Their dignities, an a that, The pith Q sense, an pride O worth Are higher rank than a that. Then let us pray that come 1t may,
 As come it will for a that, 5: x x E <. , |:|| 7 :: That sense an worth, OCT a the earth, Shall bear the gree. an a that. For a that, an a that,
 It's comin' yet for a that, When man to man. the Warld O'er f4 Shall brothers be for a that. k#
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
MRS. 0. ". WYNN
 ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

Mrs. O. w. Vim added another small sensation to the killing of Conductor P. E. Wood, when she attempted to commit suicide in the county jail yesterday after noon. She was outside of the cell at the time, and endeavored to take her life by Lutting her brains out against post. The act was witnessed by several other prisoners, and she was stopped before she had seriously injured herself.
 Mrs Vim is the divorced wife of O.. w. Winn the Bessemer plumber who was arrested in connection with the kill ing of Wood, and is one of the three other persons who are being held in this connection. After being prevented from killi. herself yesterday afternoon she is said O have remarked that she would do what she wanted to do before the hear ing Saturday morning..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
Easter Gifts.

'"rhe custom of making Easter gifts has developed rapidly within the past few years" said an old citizen. Looking back a couple of decades l remember that the colored egg was the only sign outside of the church that Easter had come The eggs were dyed at home and were the delight of children.
 Now the enterprsing merchant has worked up trade in Easter novelties from Easter cards to expensive articles for children and grown folks-that in- wolves almost as much shopping as the weeks leading up to Christmas.
 'The florist, the confectioner and the retail merchant generally is reaping d harvest this week..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
HE WAS FIGHTING.
From Everybody's Magazine. rr.-.. &l,e Iool;xnrx atfa-,,Axr. <

From Everybody's Magazine.
 Two of the leading attorneys of Mem- phis, who had been warm friends for years, happened to be opposing counsel in case some time ago The older of tho two was a man of magnificent physique. almost six feet four, and built in pro- portion, while the younger was barely five feet and weighed not more than ninety pounds.
 In the course of his argument the big man unwittingly made some remark that reused the ire of his small adversary. A moment later : felt a great pulling and tugging at his coat, tails. Looking down, he was greatly astonlshed to see his op- lcnent wildly gesticulating and dancing around him.
 What on earth are you trying to do there, Dudley?" he asked.
 By Gawd. suh. I'm fghtin suh!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Joseph Dunglinson and number or others.
 "A discussion of location for col lege and the removal of an institu- tion already located are two entirely different matters" said MT. Burr. This college at TaIladega is over 50 years old. Until five years ago the Presby- terians of the town have given their money and their support to it, they depend upon it for the education of their daughters
 We are all aroused over there. Peo- pie of every denomination are stirred up on the question, for the school is one of the long established institu- tions of the town and was for years the only Presbyterian womens college in the whole state."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The total production of the country will not, it is estimated exceed 14,- 500,000 tons this year, and the Steel corporation will have to exceed it's best percentage if it turns out more than it did in 1904. The Gary plant is not in operation, and some of the stacks in this district have not been rebuilt Perhaps it would be reasonable to esti- mate the maximum of the corporations s production this year at 8,500,0 900 tons. or a tri1e more than it made in 1904 its leanest year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
The Iron Market.

'The pig iron market is undoubtedly picking up," said a broker T have had more inquiries this week than usual and I am told that the Sloss-Sheffield and the Alabama Consolidated have each closed contracts for considerable tonnage within the past few days. The Sloss-Sheffield company has already sold its make for April.
 'Iron has been selling around SIP but SIP. 50 is now about rock bottom and it is likely to harden at $13."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
rrom tbe New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 A woman and her alimony are soon married.
 There's no way to blend red out when it's hair.
 Some of the devils recruits must make him hustle to keep his own job.
 The way to make girl believe You when you say you love her is to say so. A fellow thinks he is nightly smart to know somebody who knows a great man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
HAIR CUTTER ALARMS BOLOGNA.

Rome, April 1.-The women of HoIcgnt. are panic-stricken owing to the appear ance of a mysterious individual who creeps up behind them and with light ming movement cuts off their hair. Thirty nine girls have already lost their hair in this manner. In every case the hair of the despoiled girls nss Leen lef' iyi'S on the pavement
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
TaIladeqa Aroused.

The delegation from Talladega which appeared before the Alabama synod was composed of some of the Mountain Homes best citizens Headed by Dr. F. B. Webb of the First Presbyterian church and Borden H. Burr, the young attorney selected to present their side of the college question, the party in
 cluded George Dunglinson, W. H. Woodward, J. T. Terry, Currie Bowie,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
TARDY DELIVERY.

From the Philadelphia Press.
 Its bad enough for you to come home in this condition" said Mrs. Luschman. but why so late?'
 Well, you shee. m dear" he ex- plained. my friends foolishly shent me home by meshenger boy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Youngstown Telegram: man can have nearly everything in his wifes name ex- cept his politics and his tobacco.-Bir- misgham Age-Herald Yes, even his re- ligion.
 Anniston Star: Birmingham Age-Herald discusses republican tariff promises" se- riously. Age-Herald ought to know that republican tariff promises are a joke by this time.
 Savannah Press: Birmingham Age-Her- aid President Corey is not only pleased with the coal and iron of the Birmingham district. but with Birmingham weather also." How does he like the chorus? Washington Post: "Just imagine the wife of six husbands going to heaven and finding the six husbands there!n exclans the Birmingham Age Herald. We'll have to pass. That's too much for our imagin- alton.
 Washington Post. The Birmingham Age Herald is inclined to be peevish because George Washington.s picture is being used to advertise~a brewery. Possibly the pro- prietors believe that in the matter of ad- vertising George will get just as much as the brewery
 Walker County News: The Age-Herald man has discovered that a sin of commis- sion IS worse than as-sin of omission, and says that fin currency matters it is bet ter to do nothing than to do the wrong thing Don't know about that. Stagnant water become polluted and hidden treas ure molds.
 Montgomery Times: The Birmingham Age reminds us that mo demo- crat who had mustered a majority of a convention was ever defeated by the two third rule" and proceeds to the logical conclusion: Organization and hard work cannot deprive MT. Bryan of a majority of the delegates, and his nomination is merely a matter of waiting until July"
 Hanceville Hustler: The Age-Herald is waging war for good roads. There is no more needed reform than the improve ment of our road system eff we have a system). The working of convcts on the public roads is being discussed and gen erally approved. There are two reasons for this method of working the roads One is to put the convict out of competition with free labor and the other to obtain the most good to the general public from this lab6r. Right here while we are dis cussing good roads we suggest to our county oyerseer the need of ditchng prop erly. A deep ditch on each side of road and the dirt piled higher in the center of the road will dry the road. Half the roads in this part of the county are lower in the middle and hold little pools of water when 1t is dry everywhere else. Let us help the Age Herald in the effort to improve the road system of Alabama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
IN THE PRISON.

From the Baltimore American.
 Guard (showing visitors around)-The man in cell B is second-story man.
 Author in the Party Crushing up to the celD-Oh, do tell me- how did vnu get the first story in?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
NOT ATTRACTED.

From the Chicago Tribune
 Are you Mme Bombazine the beauty specialist?" asked the fair caller.
 ''Yes, maa am," answered the elderly, uare-jawed matron. What can I do for you?"
 "Nothingi'' said he caller making q hasty exit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

It is almost four months to day that the fleet steamed out of Hampton roads, and it is now just about abreast of the starting point in our common country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The Taft strength is now 220, and the field strength about 27O votes. But the latter lacks cohesiveness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
THINK IT. OVER

Are you sticking to your duty. As you should? Are you seeking for the beauty And the good? Are you gentle with a brother Who is wrong? Are you glad to help some other Chap along?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

De Sagan says he never wants to see America again, but he has not a word to say against seeing a good deal of American currency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Artist Earle's affinity will be all right unless new affinity comes along "a new soul mate, to use the pet phrase of the poetic MT. Earle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The attempt to turn down Congress man Lilley of submarine boat fame by not taking him seriously has miscar- ried. He comes loaded every time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Some refuse to believe that spring has actually come until they hear that Grover Cleveland has gone a-fishing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Big confagrations chiefly occur on Sunday. Here is a psychological fact that the scientists are invited to con sider
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
About Persons.

H. s. Doster of Prattville is at the Morris.
 ". A Davis of Anniston is at the Morris.
 John R. Pile of Carbon Hill is at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Whatever occurs nowadays any. where causes depression in Wall street
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Congress desires to adjourn in May in order to get ready to attend the conventions and baseball
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
TOTRING.

1O1 Why sit at home When others roam Who are a trihe bolder? Give care the slip And take a trip Just in the stea mship foloer.
 Washington Herald. By this new plan, No doubt, man Can travel all creation Without a dime, As only time Is spent on this vacation.
 New Orleans World. A good excuse, But whats the use ! Of journeys in the mind, sir? The married man, With such a plan, Can't leave his wife behind. sir.
 HIS RIVAL. Lighter has been granted divorce.' Was there a correspondent" 'Yes. his wife's poodle9
 VERY FEW.
 There are very few men
 Who wouldn't get gay,
 On little less work
 And a little more pay.
 A DISADVANTAGE. The batter of the rain Is pleasant so to speak; But we wish it would refrain When the roof has sprung leak. NOTHING TO HIS CREDIT.
  all the time they were in Eden" That isn't strange. He didn't know how"
 A TIP.
 Cling fast to hope,
 Whate'er you do,
 For nothing else Will pull you throughl
 REPLIES. The optimist looks on the bright side, the pessmist says it hurts his eyes.
 Germs will no doubt be glad to learn that Dr. Koch was weaked by his resi- dence in Africa An Ohio man has wife made of wood. For one thing. she doesn't gad about. It certainly does surprise us when some shap we have never thought much about beats us to the post. It seems a trife strange that there is no cocktail named after Mrs. How ard Gould. fou can always tell mach ine- made politician by the mechanical way in which he coughs up.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
SHORT LESSONS

SHORT LESSONS.
 I. Twas at the skating rink, A chap who knew it all Attempted to show off You should have seen him fall. He got a fearful bump That he won't soon forget. And as for his poor head, l guess it's aching yet. A building caught on fire. The Big Noise hurried round; A brick fell off the top And stretched him on the ground. His widow mourns today 'Tis very sad to see woman shedding tears So inconsolably A mule refused to budge, A fellow who was wise Stepped up and for his pains Got lifted to the skies. The neighbors mourned a bit And said that he was brave, But now the roses nod Above his little grave.
 ". The game was politics chap who thought he knew The ropes went into win A lemons what he drew. And now he lives forgot, much neglected man Who plays the humble role Of one who also ran.
 MORAL. The wisdom taught by these Sad cases recite Is plain enough to one Who reads the signs aright No matter how you burn To play the leading part, Don't overdo the thing Don't try to be too smart.
 NATURAL INFERENCE. 'I played a system against the wheel last night" How much do you want to borrow this morning?"
 BRAN4. G PROVIDENCE. T have about decided to take the chances" What are you talking about?" I'm not drinking sour milk any more and I have quit disinfecting my money"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Joseph H. Choate favors bridge whist when women give their earnings to hospitals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Winston Spencer Churchill may yet become premier to gratify his Ameri- can mother. He is going up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
LOCAL COLOR.

This ought to be a. cracking good story of the vest
 "Why?'
 Tn the opening paragraph the author tells about piano player tickling the ivories.' "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

A blizzard among Merry Widow" hats Y d be lots of fun for the blz- gard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The Aldrich bill is battle-scarred veteran that may not retain even it's title.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

A Merry Widow hat becomes m aeroplane in 40-mile-an-hour wind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Great Britain changes it's premier with less ado than the United States ch snges it's executive. In England the King nominally makes the change, but in reality it is the voice of the people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The weather prophets predict frost in June-for presidential aspirants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The Easter hat will be on parade tomorrow rain or shine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Harvard students are taking a mild course of scarlet fever.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

This is a twooeean country. and this is why it needs two battleships.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Secretary Taft looks with favor on woman suffrage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The baseball umpire is at present a bigger man than the political boss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The favorite son rarely becomes a tenant of the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Savannah Press Birmingham Age-Her- aid: President Corey is not only pleased with the coal and iron of the Birmingham district. but with Birmingham weather also.' How does he like the chorus?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

A hearing on the Aldrich bill is in evitably hearing against it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Anniston Star: Birmingham Age-Herald discusses republican tariff promises se- riously. Age-Herald ought to know that republican tariff promises are joke by this time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Washington Post: "Just imagine the wife of six husbands going to heaven and finding the six husbands there." exclarns the Birmingham Age Herald. We'll have to pass. That's too much for our imagin- alton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
AGE-HERALD ECHOES

Youngstown Telegram: A man can have nearly everything in his wife's name ex- cept his politics and his tobacco-Bir- msgham Age-Herald. Yes, even his re- 1igion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

The batter of the rain
 Is pleasant, so to speak; But we wish it would refrain When the roof has sprung leak
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18
HIS RIVAL

Lighter has been granted divorce.' Was there a correspondent" Yes, his wife's poodle''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Anniston Star: A Birmingham man is resting under the serious charge of being a regular reader of the editorial page of the Charleston News and Courier. Doubtless the News and Courier was afraid to prefer the charge against man living in Charleston, but it might have selected a Georgian for the purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Montgomery Times It is to be regret ted that Birmingham's gracious treat ment of MT. William E. Corey was marred by the arrest of the chauffeur who managed the motor car that bore the citys honored guest to and from the scenes of his triumphs. The Birmingham police must be an uncouth and boorish set.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Montgomery Times: The killing of the street car motorman near Birmingham the other night is about as diabolical a thing as any of which very recent crime annals tell It is atrocities like this that frequently lend responsibility if not of- fording justification to the triumph of mob violence among us
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Opelika News: Birmingham proposes to present a silver service to the new war ship named after the Magic City. We hope the Birminghambletonians will not experience as much difficulty in rais- ing the cash for this purpose as they had in making showing and afterwards talk ing care of Vulcan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

Washington Post: The Birmingham Age Herald is inclined to be peevish because George Washington.s picture is being used to advertise~a brewery. Possibly the pro- prietors believe that in the matter of ad- vertising George will get just as much as the brewery.
The Huttig news., 1908-01-18
GENERALLY OF POOR GRADE.
Sales of Cheap JeweIry by Mall Amount to Millions Annually.

The report of the sales of one large mail order house showed nearly a half millions of dollars worth of jewelry and silverware sold annually. Take the total of all the jewelry sold by the mail order system of business and it is likely to amount to fully $25,00o,- 900 to $30,000,000 annually.
 If the people could be made to un- derstands what kind of stuff in the watch and jewelry lines is generally sent out by the mail order houses they would be more careful in buying The guarantee of these houses amounts to little, regardless of the millions of dol lars of capital they may have en- ployed in the business. All the guar antee binds them to do is to supply a new case if the one does not wear for "the 20-year period" Not one case in one thousand, even though they do not last five years, are returned to the concern for exchange. The cases are generally lowest grade, and made to order for the concerns. Not long since the manager of one of the catalogue houses called upon a large watch manufacturing concern. By the way this company would not sell the company it's own trade-marked watches unless there was an agree ment not to cut prices. However, be- fore the manager left he had agreed for several thousand watches to be supplied them. Those watches were of a certain grade, were sold at prices lower than good watches could be as- sembled and tested. These watches have the special marks of the con- cern, but not the name.
 In rings, emblems, all classes of jewelry, the mail order kind is the cheapest. Should something of a su- perior character be listed, 1t will be noted that prices are as high as the local dealer asks. In silverware is where the catalogue house gets in it's fine work on patrons. Plated ware is generally sold according to the amount of silver, the weight to the piece or the dozen pieces, used in the plating and the amount of carved work, etc. Like other goods, the mail order house handles class of ware that is lightly plated and inferior to that which is handled in the regular stores.
The Huttig news., 1908-01-18
THE LAWS OF COMMERCE.
Consumption of Products in Accord.
 ance with Fixed Principles.

It Is useless to fight for innovations and reforms that are not based upon logic and sustained by sound princi- pies. There Is too much of the super ficial in evidence in the work of many who undertake to better commercial conditions. The scientist knows bet ter than to ignore the laws of gravity in his calculations. The reformer is foolish to set about his work with an idea of disobeying any known natural law. He is sure to meet with failure. There are conditions in the .commer- cial world that must be observed Trade is in accordance with requirements of the people, and these requirements are according to other relative cir cumstances. As our civilization ad- vances new demands manifest them selves. While a hundred years ago the people were satisfied with certain commodities. it was because other things known Co us did not exist. The expenses of living keep relatively the same. We have statistics that show the average requirements of a certain class of people. We know to a cer tainty how the average runs. We can not tell how much a single man will spend for living during year, but We do know the average that each in a thousand or two thousand men will spend, classifying them as to occu- patton and earning capacity. There fore it stands to reason that in every community the amount of trade is in accordance with the population and the classes of people composing the community. It Is useless to argue that trade can be increased by certain methods. A certain merchant. by ad- vanced methods may increase his trade, but as he does so some one else loses approximately. Reformers and business builders should bear these facts in mind, and not get their wires crossed"