davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Fair thoughts be your fair pillowl
 -Troius and cresseda:
New Cotton Contract Rules

The New Orleans papers freely com mend the new rules of the New or- leans cotton exchange in relation to trading in cotton futures. "The new contract" says the Picayune, will pro vide for the rendering on contracts of only those grades that are unques- tionably spinnable, merchantable, and desirable. Accordingly, undesirable low grades of stained and trashy cot ton will be eliminated from the cot ion tenderable on contracts. A future contract will, therefore, afford ample protection to both buyer and seller, and serve as proper medium of trans fer between the two. Under the new rulas +he exchange will adopt per manent standards of grades, which will he unalterable, and not change able from year to year, as has been the custom in the past. This will 1n- snre stability to contracts, and traders need cause no misgiving as to any change in the character of cotton rep resented by certain grades mentioned. When the national or state govern ment fixes permanent grade standards such standards will be adopted as the basis for all contracts"
 The new rules have met the views of the United States commissioner of corporations. These rules treat in de- tail the manner of certifying the grade of any particular bale or bales. The classers are to have no interest what ever in any cotton business. The Pjcayune is convinced that under the new cotton contract the buyer has an assurance of receiving desirable grades of cotton. It expresses the hope that this reform in future trad ing will render the need of restric- tive laws in the various states un- necessary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
PLANTING IN THE MOON.

From the Washington Post
 The agricultural department has un- dertaken to disabuse the mind of the American farmer of the Superstition that the moons phases influence the growth or yield of crops. This is mat ter that has pestered the husbandman and the philosopher for ages, and the interrogatory is as pertinent today as it was when Shakespeare was farm CT If the moon influence the action of the waters of the ocean, why should it not exercise some dominion over the energy of the soil?
 Ten thousand times ten thousand in telligent, thrifty, successful farmers will tell you that they have profited by giving respect and making note of this superstition. They have been governed by 1t, and when they have disregarded it they will say the result has proved disastrous.
 Shakespeare was endowed with a wonderful understanding, at once tele- scopic and microscopic. Nothing was too minute for him to disregard. He was a successful planter, and he be- lfeVed in the moon superstition. Tn "Troilus and Cressida," where the lover made the extravagant protestations of his loyalty to his mistress, one of the similes he drew was:
 As true as steel, as plantage to the
 moon,
 AS sun to day, as turtle to her mate, As iron to adamant, as earth to the
 center.
 What is it that could occupy the hu- man mind that Shakespeare did not in vestigate and pursue to it's last con- clusion, if 1t were confined to matters material to the world? Nothing-abso 1utely nothing; and if he advised the planting of potatoes in the dark of the moon and the laying of a rail fence worm in the light of the moon nobody is going to the poorhouse by acting on his admonition.
 Superstition Is very good thing to encourage now and then-especially the moon part of it fir relation to planting and cultivating.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
EXTREMES OF NEATNESs.

fTOHl dn I1ACHdHbe.
 Of the late Capt. Charles Barr, the famous yachtsman, a Marblehead tobac- conist said the other day: Captain Barr was almost as famous for his neatness as for his seamanship. One summer he took cottage in the country It was a marvel of neatness-velvety lawns, bright flower beds, red fences and the cottage was snow white, with green shutters.
 An old shipmate was invited down in August over Sunday. Saturday night. after their supper of hot brown bread green wicker chairs on the tidy piazza smoking good cigars. The visitor on fin ishing his cigar tossed to butt down on the nice green grass.
 |" What did you do that for, George?' said Captain Barr. Look at it smoldering down there. Don't it look nasty on the nice green grass"
 George turned red.
 "I don't think anybody would notice a little thing like that said he.
 George, said Captain Barr, its just these little things that make neatness and order, and neatness and order are a big part of success.'
 George, who had never been a very successful man. smiled sacrastically. He said nothing, but little later he got up and hurried down the neat white path and out of the gate. He was gone a quarter of an hour.
 Where the dickens have you been?' said Captain Barr. uneasily, on his re- turn.
 Only just down to the hollow. said George, to spit in the river
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
A RIVER FLYER.

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
 A motor boat named the Brer Fox II, is on its way down the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers with the purpose of making the run between Cincinnati and New Or leans in 60 hours. From Cincinnati to Louisville the boat averaged 267 miles an hour and would have reached over 2S but for the driftwood in the rapidly swell ing channel. This speed is but little less than that of express trains, but 1t is no novelty among the motor boats of the latest patterns. The run to New Orleans will be on high tide. All the way from Cincinnati to the gulf there Is water enough for a battleship, though both rivers are much as nature made them. What they will be when permanently im- proved can be inferred from the volume of water they have always carried.
 A record trip by the motor boat will aid in directing attention to the possi- bilities of the navigable streams of the Mississippi valley, the greatest system of waterways in the world and reaching into the richest productive region of the earth. From Pennsylvania to Mon tana, from Canada to the gulf, from the Carolinas to the Rockies, and from a cor ner of New York to Texas. the affluents of the Mississippi. Missouri, Ohio and other big rivers invite navigation on a permanent commercial scale The sub- ject has been impressed upon the peo- pie and upon Congress and gains steadily by examination. New models for boats will be adapted to modern needs and facilities. Freighters will be designed ac- cording to the demands as they now exist and may be developed. The Brer Fox II Is likely to make a valuable bit of history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

if bill and when the bill has become law deficits will follow, and deficits may be maintained several years. All these things are well known, and the strangest thing of all is that the Pres ident is, at least passively, support ing the Aldrich bill. which no one wants except some favored special in terests, and is also opposing the en- actment of an income tax.
 Instead of facing the reactionaries determinedly, as his predecessor would have done, the President is entangled in a working alliance with Senator Aldrich. He means, it is plain, to follow the line of least resistanee-to govern as little as possible-to stand in marked contrast with his alert and strenuous predecessor.
 Well, the entire tax question will be opened again next winter by means of continuing deficits.
 Nor is that all. A democratic House of Representative will be elected next year, to serve until the end of MT. Taft's term. Tn the meanwhile MT. Roosevelt will have returned home, and a placid, easy-going administration will then be very apt to sit up and take notice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Fall of Abdul Hamld

The most astute politician in all Europe, the man who has played one power against another 33 years, with remarkable success, has lost power at last. He has fallen because he in trigued against a constitution he had agreed to support. He has fallen, not because of any failure of his complex foreign policy, but because he had lost support at home, especially In ths army.
 In his great game of playing both ends against the middle, the Hamid- ian regime never failed to appeal to the fanaticism of the followers of the great Mohammedan faith. All told, those followers number about 1To,- 900 900, or rather more than all the Protestants in the world. Because he was the head of all those religion ists. he was retained in the revolu- tion of last July, but his capacity for intrigue has at length been his un- Golng.
 A Eew Sultan would secure tue sup port of the Salonikians, or Macedon- ians. but how Asiatic Turkey, which Is almost solidly made up of Moslem fanatics, would regard him, remains to be seen. Civil war is possible, and complete disintegration would, per hans. become a result. If, however the Young Turks could pacify the fanatics in Asia Minor, new Sultan would reign in peace, and the new constitution would become an estab- lished feature of the empire. These are, however, critical days in Turkey and Persia and generally throughout; the extended ranks of Moslemism in Europe, Asia and Africa.
 Under all existing circumstances ! Abdul Hamid may be retained as a | figurehead, with extremely limite1 powers and opportunities for mischief. | The negotiations of day may more 1 fully disclose the situation. It Is nec- essary to keep in mind Asia Minor l in considering the problems that coI. front the victorious Young Turks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

10 Monastir, a city in the interior of Macedonia. Regular passenger and freight steamers sailing from Naples, Ge- noa, Trieste and Pireus for Constanti- nople and ports on the Black sea al- ways call at Saloniki.
 The banking facilities of the place are adequate: The Imperial Ottoman, Banque dOrient. Banque de Mytilene and Banaue d'Athene all have branches at this place.
 Electric trans have recently been in- stalled by a private company (the cars being manufactured by Philadelphia concern, while numerous cabs and car riages are always to be found. The prn- cipa1 streets of the city are paved and kept in a good state of repair. In the way of postal facilities besides the Turk ish, the French, English, Italian and Austrian governments have postoffices at this place.
 The principal exports from this district are tobacco, skins, opium, cheese, wool and cocoons. Among the chief imports should be mentioned cotton and woolen goods and oleum, starch, sugar, flour, shoes and rubber overshoes.
 In addition to tobacco, for the quality of which this section Is noted, the prin- cipal agricultural crops are wheat, corn, barley, cotton and opium. There are no factories of importance in operation here other than several cotton-spinning plants whose output is consumed by local de- mands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
NEIL IS oUTcLAssEp.
Owen Moran Is Best In Whlrlwlnd
 Fight.

New York. April 26.-Frankie Mel or San Francisco fought 12 hard rounds with Owen Moran of England here tonight. No decision was given, but Mel was outelassed from the start, when he went through the ropes from a left hand drive by Moran. Time and again Mel looked as if he would be knocked out, but ne was game and came back with rush. Moran finished without a scratch, but his opponent was badly cut up about the face. The men were to have fought at 124 pounds, but Moran refused to weigh in and lost his forfeit. Neil weighed 121 and Moran looked to be many pounds heavier.
 It was a whirlwind fight from begin ring to end In the fourth round Mel was almost out, but came back fresh in the fifth. In the last three rounds Moran hammered Mel savagely, but could not give the deciding blow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
pattsn's Retreat to a Ranch

No one knows whether Patten's cal culations went against his own pocket or whether they had filled to oyer- flowing before he scurried away to a New Mexican ranch, beyond rail road, telegraph, or long distance tele- phone. He is angling there for fish and not for swift profits.
 But whatever his own fortune may have been, his bloom" has crumbled, his "corner" has disappeared, and not a few of his friends and adherents were caught on the wrong side of the market. The Secretary of Agriculture ia still confident there are 143,O00,000 bushels of old wheat in this country, and he continues to assert that the Patten corner was unjustifiable.
 Both May and July wheat have fallen from 10 to 12 cents bushel nnd wheat is being shipped rapidly from Russian ports. There are favor able reports from Argentina and Aus tralia. The wheat outlook in the west has been improved by timely rains The crop prospects do not call for extremely high prices. While spot wheat remains high, September wheat is selling in Chicago below one dollar a bushel. Bakers cannot increase their 1oaves while cash wheat is held uT to famine prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
SALONIkI.
From the Pittsburg Sun.

FTOm the flttSpuiS odh'
 Saloniki, on the gulf of the same name, has population of some 14O,0OO, d. vided among the various nationalities represented there as follows: Jews, Soooo; Turks, including the army, 10000; Greeks, 10000; Bulgarians. 5000; foreigners ana various nationalities, 15O00.
 saloniki Is not difficult of access 10 Europeans; a junction railroad line con meets 1t with Constantinople, trains max ing the trip, which takes about "A hours' three times weekly. There are connec- lions by rail with Budapest, where one can change for Berlin and Hamburg or continue to Paris through Vienna The trip from Hamburg to Salonih by rail takes about two and one-half days, and from Paris the time is about the same. A junction line also runs from Saloniki
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
From Answers.

@HE assassination of a famous
 kV American detective by an agent
 of tho "Black Hand" secret so- ciety, whose crimes he was Investigating, draws attention to the large number of secret societies which still flourish at the present day.
 Since January 1. 1908, the crimes attribu- ted to the "Biack Hand" committed in the city of New York averaged more than one a day. Last year there were 46S cases of murder and bomb throwing reported. and only 45 convictions secured out of 2S5 ar rests.
 When a new member Is admitted to the "BlaclS Hand" society he first of all smears a small figure of his own favorite saint with his own blood. The figure is afterward set on fire, and while it is burn ing the candidate repeats the oath of the association as follows:
 'I swear on my honor to be faithful to the brotherhood. As this saint and drops of my blood are destroyed, so will I shed all my blood for the fraternity; and as these ashes and this blood can never be restored, so can never become free from the brotherhood"
 Then the initiate has to draw a revolver and shoot at eruciix to show that he would be willing at any time to kill his nearest relation or most intimate friend if commanded to do so.
 He is then a full member, and is said to be-a wearer of the ''red mantle" His name as a member is not entered in any books, but is duly forwarded to the head quarters and then 1t is communicated by word of mouth to all the other members of the district where he lives.
 The Commorra of Naples are much like the Maffia. Those who join have to swear a horrible oath of secrecy, and even so 1t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
REFLECTIONS OF A BCABEHLOR
From the New York Press.

From the NcW ' ofk Pfess.
 The more man can be a hero to his mother, the less he can be to anybody else
 What civilization has reduced us to is that we even praise the cook for putting too much salt in the soup.
 Where charity begins is not so impor- tant as that 1t can never end without & howl of indignation by those who have had 1t.
 The exciting thing to girl about her wedding is how 1t is going to seem to be In the newspapers the next day as Mrs"
 You can't reconcile a woman to gray hairs even by telling her how beautiful they make her look. but you can get mighty popular with her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
A HUNGARIAN PEASANT SONG.
By Petrof

By Petrofi.
 The cottage door stood open wide, To light my pipe I stepped inside, But, oh! behold, my pipe was lit, There was, indeed, a glow in it. But since my pipe was all aglow With other thoughts inside I go, A gentle, winning maiden fair That l perchance saw sitting there. Upon her wonted task intent, To stir the fire aflame she bent; But oh! dear heart, her eyes so bright Were radiant with more brilliant light She looked at me as in I passed, Some spell she must have OCT me cast My burning pipe went out, but oh! My sleeping heart was all aglow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
A TREASUR E.
A T From Tit-Bits.

From Tlt-Blts.
 At the dinner of the Cab Drivers Be- nevolent association, Sir Squire Bancroft told a story of young lady who ten dered the fare of shilling at the end of a journey.
 Half moment, miss," said the driver. Are you married?'
 "No. Why do you ask?'
 Because" was the rejoinder, when you do marry, whoever gets you will have treasure. You makes a bob go further than any gal know"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
PULLMAN PORTERS' GOOD PAY.

From the Chicago Tribune.
 That the position of porter on Pull man sleeping car is profitable is shown in a bill for divorce filed in the superior court Thursday by Pearl Reese against Henry Reese. Mrs. Reese sets up that her husband receives s25 salary month but that he earns s60 in tips and s60 by working overtime
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
A PHILANTHRoPIsT.

He made his peace with all the world, Dame Fortune still denying, And while his neighbors mourned their
 lot,
 They seldom heard him signing. Serene and constant, on his way He went, with hope imbuing Distressful souls and little deeds Of kindness daily doing And when the time for sleep drew near, As one who'd done his duty And made the best of life, intent To see only its beauty, He laid him down in simple faith, His confidence unbrolxen The boundless love that filled his heart For all the world a token.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
DELUSIONS,

From the Yonkers tSatesman.
 She-Did you ever hug a delusion?
 He-Well, I hugged rich girl, once, who I thought would become my wifei
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

The militia of Rhode Island has been dissolved, but Boss Brayton is not alarmed. He is holding the ship of state steady, loaded as she is with voters who had openly accepted cur rent prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

The bakers do not desire to charge more for loaf of the staff of lie, but they say they are forced to act n ac- ccrdance with Chicago whea'.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Uncle Sams spendthrift habits were largely due to the Senate, and there is no evidence that it has reformed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

The belligerents last week were the Young Turks and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Tie Sultan of Turkey moves eau tiousiy. He has 40 wives on his hands, and he knows that caution is need full.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
OPTIMISTIC.

''Twigger was ever a hopeful person." ''Yes, indeed. On the day that he died he said he felt sure he would have fair weather funeral"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

New York IS trying to pick suitable men for candidates for mayor. The election occurs this fall, and the win ner may become a presidential posSi- bility.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

When wheat is bullish, vegetarian ism is discouraged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
PARLIAMENTAR R

PARLIAMENTARY. "There comes the opposition" "Who?" My wife,"
 MOST ANNOYING. A sweet little maid In a peach-basket hat; She's not too slim And she's not too fat. And fain on her lips 4 kiss I'd bestow, But the trouble soon met Fills my heart with woe. I can't reach the spot Where kisses belong; To kiss her on the chin Would be very wrong And the lid covers up All her face but that. never did see
 Such an awful hat!
 VERY FASHIONABLE. Are they fashionable folk?' "Unquestionably. They never know
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
HAD HIS WISH

HAD HIS WISH. Anything to keep from thinlxings'- That was what he said. Soon footpad with sandbag Thumped him on the head, Which for many, many minutes, As forsooth 1t ought, Kept that pessimistio person Far away from thought
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
THB SLANG VERSION

"Who was John Alden. anyway"
 ""oh, he was chap who tried to hand himself lemon. but his best girl wouldn't stand for it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Slumps seem to follow corners as night does day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
NOTED SECRET SOCIETIES

Is not until they have been tried and found true that they are accepted for full membership.
 The new member is given two daggers. On the hilt of each is graven the mystic sign of the organization. This sign is, however. changed from time to time. The Commorra have strange form of greet ing.
 When the Commorrist believes any ono he meets to be a member he grips him by the throat with his left hand and with the right draws his knife from his sheath The other, if member, at once gives the password. and shows both his knives, after which the pair empty the contents of their pockets in a heap and share and share alike.
 Amongst the most notorious criminal societies whose grewsome activity appears in the papers at frequent intervals, are the Boxers in China, the Hatchet Boys in California, the Apaches in Paris. the Hip Sings in San Francisco, and Les Freres de la Cote all over France.
 Most of the Chinese secret societies. although their objects are as blood thirsty as any other, have more peaceful pass words and signs, and they are generally associated with the national pastime of drinking tea.
 Thus the Hip Sings of San Francisco. when drinking tea in a Chinese restau- rant, communicate with unknown mem- bers by the way they handle their cups. which they place in certain manner and by giving peculiar direction to the spout of the teapot.
 The Hentschskists, an Armenian secret society, which has terrorized the Arme- nian communities in all the big cities throughout the world, has had it's head quarters established in London for many years, first at Shepherds Bush and now at Peckham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

More bulls may be slaughtered in Chicago than lions in Africa.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
SAYS AN oPTTMIsT.

SAYS AN OPTTMIST, perfume fingers in the heart Where Sorrows stayed a while And after the pain and after the smart Life seems the more worth while. A heavenly calm succeeds the storm And the dawn that follows night Unfolds, the waiting world to charm Her colors tenfold bright!
 REPLIES.
 Mir Roosevelt rode to Kapiti Plains on the cowcatcher of a locomotive. Always Teddy.
 A Pennsylvania judge says a woman de- serves little sympathy who loses her hus- band to another w ~rn through impo- liteness. Treat yoHc love politely and he'll hang around the house. Would men be happier if they cried oftener?" asks the Baltimore News It wouldn't get them anything if they did. The St. Louis Times is publishing some pictures showing how time has dealt with St. Louisians. No feminine faces appear.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

The reduced loaf is now known as "the Patten"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
NOW AND THEN

cussing Great Men Now and Them"
 That's the way they are born"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Whitelaw Reid can be trusted to remain at his post until successor can be found to relieve him. He is no quitter in dear old London.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

The men who are fighting the in come tax are those who have gener- ous incomes. Senator Aldrich would have to pay on $12,OO0,0oO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Neither the President nor the vice president has shown a desire at q baseball game to slug the umpire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27

Nevada judges are declining this year to send diyorces by mail, even when postage is enclosed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
WHO WOULD DARE

WHO WOULD DARE? Challenges are flying thick and fast" "Right you are" T wonder why somebody doesn't chaI- lenge Carrie Chapman CattY'