davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
OLD oERMANIc WILDERNESS.

From "A Black Forest Pathway" by
 Frederick Van Beuren, Jr., in Scribners.
 Leaving Mummelsee on a misty morn ing, you enter a green underworld of strange ew-bediamonded brilliance, skirt the head of a deep thward-looking valley and emerge upon a sunny open plateau beyond Eckle and look down upon Wildsee, circled by the dark pines of an untouched fofest that stretches away to the blue and distant hills. It is easy, here, to imagine youself back in the heart of the old Germanic wilderness, in the heroic days when Hagen slew Siegfried with towards blow. The morning sun glints upon bright spear tops among the trees and the wind brings snatches of rough war songs shouted by barbarian voices. Your heart swells with the lust of battle and the chase, and if you have German blood in your veins 1t calls back through the dark Middle Ages to that dim and mystic youthday of the world when heroes met at the Ravenna Schlacht. Within the hour you find your self back in the twentieth century among motor cars drawn up beside the hostelry at Ruhestein. where the Hohenweg drops into the commonplace and crosses the government macadam before climbing the step side of the Rothe Schlihkopf.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
THE SHORTEST PLAY.
Miniature Tragedy in Five Acts Was
 Produced Several Times.

From the New York Tribune. In controversy as to the shortest play Prof. Million Begavic says in an article re- the plays mentioned were really the shortest, as that distinction belonged to Giovanni Ventures tragedy" in five acts, entitled, "Rosmunde." This is the play:
 Misunderstanding Alboins Rosmunde daughter of King Kunsmond, consort of King Albion; Perdens slave. Albion (hands Rosmunde a skull filled with wine)-Drink, 1t is the skull of thy fatherl
 Rosmunde (horrified)-Ah! Alboin-I command you. Rosmunde (drinks and hisses)-Woe unto thee!
 ACT II. A1boin (smiling sardonically)-sad? Rosmunde-Could l be otherwise? Alboin-Forgetl Rosmunde-Begone! Alboin-You hate me? Rosmunde Qronically)-How could IT
 ACT III. Rosmunde docking at a small dagger, calls)-Slayel Perideus (approaches and kneels at her feet-My queen! Rosmunde (passionately)-I love youi Perideus-Oh, heavenl Accumulation with me.
 (Exit both, embracing)
 ACT ".
 (The Kings antechamber.( Rosmunde (hands dagger to Perideus)- Go-kill himi Perideus Qrresolutely)-The King? Rosmunde-Your rival. Perideus furiouslyJ-Ha! He shall die. (Exit into Kings bedchamber.)
 ACT V. Alboin Gin untitled tones from within)- Helpl
 Rosmunde listening anxiously)-Diei Perideus Brushes forth brandishing bloody dagger)-Deadl Rosmunde (snatches the weapon, holds it on high)-Now, father you may drinkl
 (Curtain.) This play, slightly increased in size, having about 50 lines, was produced sev- eral times with much success at Milan and Turin in 1S45.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Cotton Ginning Reports

The new census director has issued a new set of instructions to the gin- ming agents of the bureau. Beginning with the cotton year reports are to be made of ginning outfits on Sep tember 1 and 25, October IS, November l and IA, December 1 and IS, Janu- ary 1 and Is, and March 1. These dates do not differ from those of pre- vious reports, but four reports of cot ton stocks are to be added, namely, on September 1, November 1, Janu- ary 1. and March l. and one report of cotton consumed is to cover the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
The better part of vaIour Is discretion,
 -l King Henry W.
Ratification Here and Elsewhere

The senate ratified the income tax amendments without dissenting vote, and this completes Alabama's record on the subject. This state stands con- mitted to this constitutional proposi- ton:
 Article Is. The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the sev- eral states, and without regard to any census or enumeration"
 It was meet and proper that Ala bama should lead off, for alphabetically she stands first. And she stands dema ocratically upright and correct, no mat ter what the alleged democrats fin oth- CT states may do, or rather may not do.
 The Connecticut legislature is still in session, and the ratification ques- tion in 1t is in the hands of a con- mittee, Much interest Is taken in the action of that state. The regular ses- slons of the legislatures of the other states will be held as follows:
 November, 19O9-Tennessee Texas
 January. 1910-Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island. Virginia.
 October, 191o-vermont.
 January. 1911-Arkansas, California, Colorado. Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, h. diana, Iowa, Kansas Maine, Michigan, Minnesota Missouri, Montana, Nebraska Nevada. New Hampshire, North Caro- lima, South Carolina, Oregon, Pennsyl- vania, North Dakota, South Dakota Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
 April 1911-Florida.
 January, 1912-MississippL
 May, 1912-Louisiana.
 The New York Herald and other New York papers are endeavoring to organize a concerted and presumably capitalistic movement to prevent rati- fication, and no doubt a strong pres sure will be brought to bear against ratification in the legislatures that meet next January. Ratification has by no means a walkover. Alabama has, however, done her duty and she can now await the action of the other states, knowing that she has stood up to the Denver platform almost unanimously.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

tories of Marlborough and Eugene were robbed of their legitimate fruit. It was not the snow and the ice of Russia that destroyed the mighty Corsican, but the invincible valor of the guerrillas of Spain, who made the success of Wellington's campaigns possible.
 And what soldiery it was-the span- ish infantry, trained in the school of the great captain." Gonsalvo de Cordoval In how many battles did they light from sun to sun with serenest courage from first volley to last What a host was one of those veteran regiments under Don John, or Ava, or Mendoza, or Farnese!
 Mutineers today, pillagers, rioters. when the bugle called to battle they were shoul- der to shoulder, elbows touching, irresist- ible in attack and impregnable in de- fense.
 And it is a mystery that Spanish army should mutiny in our age when there is call for battle and that battle against the Moor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Senator Bankhead.

United States Senator John H. Bank head arrived here from Washington yesterday and after spending a few hours he left for his farm In Fayette county. The senator Is looking re- markedly well. In passing along the streets he was greeted by many person al friends, and as he stood in front of Browns cigar store for five minutes he attracted much kindly attention. When asked by a representative of The Age-Herald what he thought of Alabama politics at this time Senator Bankhead said: The legislature seems to be keeping busy. but have had to do with so much politics in Washing ton, D. C.. that I am now glad to get aways from 1t for time. I am burry- ing to the country where I will take a good rest"
 Senator Bankhead said he thought that the democrats had a fine prospect of winning the next House of Repre- sentatives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Pratt City Is Busy.

'Prat City is happy in the prospect of full return of prosperity" said Justice Ben Gurley of that busy town yester- day
 All the mines and coke ovens of the Tennessee company at Pratt City are now In full operation, and there are no idle men on our streets except perhaps a few who do not want employment
 'The merchants and other business men have not yet felt the full effect of this industrial activity, but 1t will reach them in a few weeks Many men have been out of employment, and 1t will take time for them to catch up and have money to spend.
 Tt Is expected that everything will be normal and business fiourishing by Oc- tober l."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
SPAlN.
From the Washington Post.


 Spain is one of the most interesting countries under the sum- and the history of it's people Is one of the most fascinat- ing of all the stories of the human fam fly. It was in Spain that was born the parliamentary system. the glory of our republic and that had its chiefest splen- dor in the commons house of parliament of Great Britain.
 It was Spain that for four centuries was the bulwark of the cross against the crescent, and even when Austrian prince alone could sit on Spanish throne" there was an independence and an individuality attaching to the Spanish commons that refused tribute to even Charles V, when he was overlord of all Europe and all the world, unless the cortes made the appro- priation.
 It was In spain that the splendid vic-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

senate looking to change in the method of distributing this money"
 It would seem to be in order to appoint joint committee to investi- gate the manner of distributing school moneys in Lowndes, the report to be submitted to the Governor to be by him laid before the next legislature. The facts presented by Senator Key holds have not been officially ascer- tained, and an official investigation is needed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
THREE FEET OF HENRY JAMES.

From the New York World.
 The handsome new edition of 'The Novels and Tales of Henry James" has reached its completion in 24 volumes. The row of stately books will be an ornament to any library.
 In time this three feet of completed Henry James may be an annex to Dr. Eliot's library-a postgraduate course in reading to test the efficacy of the fam ous five-foot shelf in giving a liberal ed ucation. After the graduate from Dr. Eliot's library has completed his educa- ton by lineal measurement let him take down a volume of the annex and read this sentence apropos of the illustrations in the James books:
 Nothing, in fact, could have more amused the author than the opportunity of a hunt for a series of reproducible sub- jects-such, moreover, as might best con- sort with photography-the reference of which to Novel or Tale should exactly be not competitive and obvious, should on the contrary plead its case with some shyness that of images always confess ing themselves mere optical symbols or echoes, expressive of no particular thing in the text, but only of the type or idea of this or that thing"
 If the five-foot graduate feels at home in such sentences, and clearly grasps the fact that MT. James is telling him some thing characteristic and Jamesesque, his education may be said to have taken" Henceforth life will have for him an en- during charm and an endless pursuit that of following through the three feet of Henry James, and such inches as the author may yet elaborate, the elusive meaning of which some regard as the highest expression of the modern novel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Extension of the Brunswick Railroad

The curtilage hold-up has been abol- ished in this state, and there is noth- ing now in the way to prevent the extension of the Brunswick railroad the Atlanta, Birmingham and At lantic-to this city. For this action this city is indebted to this special session of the legislature, and it is a favor of no small importance.
 As the Brunswick road has secured money to complete it's line the pas sage of bill permitting condemnation of right-of-way regardless of resi- dences or anything else will, no doubt, soon lead to the extension of this i'm portant connection with the South At lantie to the heart of this city. About S40000,000 has been expended to build this railroad, and when it is completed it will stand as one of the great trans portation lines of this district. Bruns- wick will, no doubt, soon secure steam ship lines to New York, Havana and Panama, and then it will be in a po- sition to compete with the gulf ports in handling the products of this dis trict. The legislature certainly did wise thing when it abolished the curti- lage law The development of the state and the district and the city will now go on unchecked
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Crops and General Trade

A long period of business prosperity seems to be not only forthcoming but actually arriving As the purchasing power of the country is steadily en- larged by large crops, increased actiy- ity in all branches of trade Is re- ported, and this will be increased as harvest after harvest comes in to swell the general wealth of the country to the extent of fully eight billion dol lars.
 August shows that more grain has been harvested or Is rapidly approaching maturity than ever grew in a single previous year. We give the figures, as follows:
 Yield. Record Wheat 7242S3000 74a D,000 Corn. n......-......2 2943, ,162.0o0 2,927, ,4s.000 Oats. s..........--..... 99S,59S,OOO 9S7,S43,Oo0
 The wheat crop is 6O,0OO,O0 bush els larger than last years; the indi- cated corn crop is 275,000,000 bushels greater than last years, and more oats by 2oo,ooo,ooO bushels are pre- dicted.
 Not only are yields large but prices are high. This means joy to the farmers, business to the railroads, and prosperity in general. The crop out look simply means that an era of pros per1ty is in store for the entire coun- try. This Is why furnaces are going into blast and factories are running full time. They are getting ready to meet and fill the orders that are sure to follow great crops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
A LITTLE LESSON.

A LITTLE LESSON. He looked into the future With fearful, anxious eyes, And said, "No hope of resting Until a fellow dies. A weary world to live in, A weary way to go; Though other chaps are lucky, I've never had show" And while he stood there whining, As sad as sad could be, A figure stopped beside him Called Opportunity, But got so out of patience At what she heard him say, She left him where she found him And went upon her way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
SECRETS.

By Frederic Lawrence Knowles O, rose, climb up to her window.
 And In through the easement reach And say what I may not utter,
 In your beautiful, silent speech! She will shake the dew from your petals; She will press you close to her lips; She will hold you never so lightly In her warm, white finger tips. And then-who can tell?-she may whisper (While the city sleeps below): "I was dreaming of him when you woke
 me,
 But. rose. hs must never know"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
SING, ANYHOW.

Sing your song, sweet singer,
 Though no one else may listen, Nor in the worlds cold eye
 A single tear-drop glisten, When that you pour your soul
 Into a tender lay. Sing for the joy of singing,
 As you plod along life's wayl Sing your song, sweet singer,
 Though others lips be dumb; Sing of the days forgotten
 And of the days to come. What of the dreams denied you?
 What of the worlds disdainP Sing, though misfortunes crush you, In hopes undying strain!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Swedish Strike Losing Ground.

Stockholm, August 1.-The belief is gaining ground that the backbone of the general strike has been broken Work men of various kinds resumed their duties today in increasing numbers and it is expected that the printers will soon re- turn to work. All the newspapers in Stockholm are issuing hand-printed sheets while those in the south are being printed In Denmark. There was a strike riot at Norborg today as a result of which 22 persons were arrested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Kills unfaIthful Wife.

Manteo, N. C., August 11.--Al Thomp- son today shot and killed his wife and wounded S. w. H. Seaman, the man with whom she eloped recently. The wife and Seaman had returned and ab- ducted her two children. in Thompsons possession, and in an effort to regain possession of the children the shoot ing occurred
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Microbes are said to make the mustache rallying center. The clean shaven man is the man who reduces microbes to a minimum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Blind tigers in Kansas sell fluid ger and three parts cider of the hard sort. It is worse than demon rum ever was,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

The ultimate consumer will simply pay more for articles than he did be- fore-that is all there is in tariff re- vision to date.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
MERELY A SUGGESTION.

Evelyn wants s5OoioOo from the Thaw family"
 If she will agree to leave the country and stay away for the rest of her life. it may be possible to raise such a sum by popular subscription"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Lieutenant Shackleton's dash to the south pole left a debt of s70,000 on his hands, and he is coming to this country to try the lecture platform as a means of relief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Beverly once made fa- nous by Oliver Wendell Holmes, has again been brought into the spotlight by William Howard Taft.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

It is now Field Marshal Kitchener. Without regard to titles he is Eng lands greatest soldier in active ser vice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Johndee furnishes the fuel for air ships and he is not saying word about them. He just sits still and lets them multiply in the sky.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

President Taft has completed the itinerary of his big tour, and no new applicants need apply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Congressional junkets are appearing to give some of the members of the two houses vacations at public ex- penSe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

New York is unwilling to believe that the Half Moon is the true pro- genetor of it's big ocean liners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

A complete telephone system for Picking has been ordered. China will soon hear the omnibus words, Lines busy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

After you, Alfonso" said the Moors on the Riff coast, and then the war was on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
LIST A DOLLAR DOC

JUST A DOLLAR DOG.
 The Philadelphia Public Ledger tells what a dollar dog did and how he proved himself a hero. It Is no disgrace for a dog to have his price and even if his price is only dollar, that does not de-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

MT. Roosevelt has not yet said what he thinks of roast monkey and ele- phants' heels as a steady diet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

The big jury of the people will bring in a careful opinion of the new tariff in November of next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Dr. Eliot's five-foot religion has been pigeonholed along with his fve-foo' liberal education.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

The aifship at the summer resort is leaving the sea serpent blocks De hind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

If you are in hurry you can go around the world in 33 days.>
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

The range senators are reasonably happy-no one, in fact, is disgruntled except the ultimate consumer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
THEY GOT TOGETHER.

IIIE1 tTOI IONIEI IHER. "A get-together meeting was held at the town hall last night" Much enthusiasm?'
 'I should say so! It took the entire police force to separate the belligerents."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Since the Payne bill went into ef- feet Canada weather is coming in duty free.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

stroy his usefulness. as the following story will prove:
 "A man in nearby city bought for his wife and child a year ago dog, for which he paid dollar It was obviously nothing wonderful in the canine way merely a mongrel with the bulldog strain predominant The owner was man In humble circumstances, and the dog, in his modest dwelling, was the principal asset, aside from few sticks of furniture.
 The other night Tom was tied to A leg of the kitchen sink as usual, and the family went to bed. They were awakened by the dog at midnight scratch Ing at his masters door. When his mas ter came out to see what was the mat ter, the dog, with a remnant of chewed rope hanging from his collar. whined and ran to the head of the stairway. The house was on fire, and shortly after wom- an and child and man and dog made their escape their poor dwelling was a mass of glowing embers
 The owner of the dog has been urged to part with him for a large cash con sideration, but though he is penniless. he will not part with the four-footed savior of his family; neither has the dog at any time had thoughts of leaving them for luxurious kennels.
 "All of which goes to show that vou cannot always arrive at the proper valu- ation of dog, or of a man for that mat ter. on the basis of the dolar'
 HOW THEY DIFFER.
 "Blinks takes home piece of fiction each day for his wife to read.'
 "Winks takes home a piece of fiction each day for his wife, but he tells it to her.
 REPLIES.
 A Kentuclzian has had broken neck mended so he can swallow. What? That's his own business.
 An Atlanta woman shot at her husband because he wouldn't escort her to A show Crazy with the heat. There's no summer show in Atlanta worth seeing.
 A gentleman named Beanblossom is re- ported missing. Maybe he just went away somewhere and wilted.
 A Cincinnati couple were welded in the "cryfng room' of the Humane society. Time will prove the fitness of the place. It is hard to believe that Tom Johnson Is poor man, so long has he has four automobiles and three chauffeurs.
 Senator Aldrich is going to make a strong effort to revise his weight down.
 Does grandmother need an affinty?" asks contemporary. No; that would be set.ing bad example to her grand children.
  Tom Watson wants to make four nations out of the Union, as if we didn't have troubles enough already
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
NEVER

Talk about the curse of riches
 Pooh, that's more than I can see; Leastwise, money in my brooches
 Never seems to trouble mel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Down east 1t is now beans, brains, Boston and Beverly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

'T see where Kentucky man says he's going to practice law like the devil"
 ''In that case he will follow precedent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
HOW THEY DIETER

"Blinks takes home a piece of fiction each day for his wife to read"
 "Winks takes home piece of fiction each day for his wife, but he tells it to her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
RIGHT IN LINE.

Yes; that's what enables them to think well of their husbands"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
REPLIES.

A kentuclian has had a broken neck mended so he can swallow. What? That's his own business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

gentleman named Beanblossom is re- ported missing. Maybe he just went away somewhere and wilted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

An Atlanta woman shot at her husband because he wouldn't escort her to show. Crazy with the heat There's no summer show in Atlanta worth seeing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

THE POWER OF IMAGINATION. Most women have imagination, be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

A Cincinnati couple were welded in the "crying room' of the Humane society Time will prove the fitness of the place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Senator Aldrich is going to make a strong effort to revise his weight down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

It is hard to believe that Tom Johnson IS poor man, so long has he has four automobiles and three chauffeurs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

"Does a grandmother need an affinitv?p asks a contemporary No; that would be setting bad example to her grand children.
 Tom Watson wants to make four nations