davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

It is because Of this bugbear of uncer-
tainty as regards the weather that win
dows overlooking the route of the great
parade command a premium on the event
full day. Prospective spectators can Sc
cure seats on more or less pretentious re-
viewing stands at prices ranging all the
way from 30 cents for a camp stool,
perehed on top of a store box, to 50 for
parquet chair In the covered stand oppo-
site the White House, and directly fac
ing the Presidents reviewing stand. But
all these stands are more or less ex-
posed to the weather. Comfortably fur
nished and well heated rooms are natur-
ally preferred b. persons to whom ex-
pense is no objeS However, it is diff
cult to secure the Smallest window over
looking Pennsylvania avenue for less than
SIS or $50 and from that the prices range
upward to $75 or 500 per window. There
have been instances when 81, 900 and 81, 900
was paid weeks before Inauguration for
a one-day lease on large rooms with a
number of windows overlooking the Ay-
enue.
There are four big events on the inaugu-
raj programme exercises at the Capitol,
the monster parade, the display of fire.
works in the evening and the inaugural
ball. All save the last of these are free
to every well-behaved citizen, providing
the said citizen has patience and ingenuity
enough in buffeting crowds to get within
sight of the memorable moving picture
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

when the new ruler goes to take the oath
of office. and heretofore it has also been
customary for the man who has been
suddenly transformed into an ex-President
to journey back to the White House
with its new tenant. However, Theo-
dore Roosevelt will smash precedent in
this as In other things. He will not
return to the White House with President
Taft, but will go direct from the Capt.
toll to the railroad station and imme-
diately begin his journey to his home at
Oyster Bay.
If the situation of four years ago Is du-
plicated, perhaps 10000 to 10000 spec
tators will witness the administering of
the oath of office to the new president on
the east front of the Capitol. The mon
ster parade, being more dazzling as
spectacle and visible over a greater area,
will attract far more numerous throng.
If the weather Is suspicious this year,
probably not less than 100000 people will
watch the vast army of civic and military
marchers sweep up the twomile vista of
Pennsylvania Avenue, escorting the new
ly-sworn president from the Capitol to
the White House, and requiring four or
FIVE hours to pass in review before him.
The military and naval features are al
ways the climax of spectacular achieve
ment, and this year they will snrpass
anything of the kind heretofore attempt
ed. General Bell, chief Of staff of the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

the exception of the fact that he will, of
course, be escorted to the Vice Presidents
room, there to await the opening of the
proceedings In the Senate chamber. Just
before the adjournment of the present
Senate the oath of office will be admins
tered to the new Vice President by the
president of the Senate pro tempore. Then.
after prayer by Edward Everett Hale, Vice
President Sherman will deliver his in
augural address and administer the oath
Of office to those senators-elect whose
terms begin on the same day.
At the conclusion of the organization
of the Senate those assembled in the
Senate chamber, and including all the
foreign diplomats in full court uniform,
will proceed in carefully prescribed order,
through the rotunda of the Capitol to
the platform In the center portico of
the Capitol. When all are assembled the
oath of office will be administered to
the President elect by the Chief Justice,
or, in his absence, by the senior JUS
tice present. The President will then de-
liver his inaugural address. AT the con-
clusion of the address the President is
driven quickly to the White House and
after brief interval for lunch, takes
his place on the reviewing stand. facing
Pennsylvania avenue, directly in front of
the Presidential mansion, to review the
great parade The retiring President
rides with his successor to the Capitol
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
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remitting work on the part of large
number of public-spirited men. The first
step in preparation for the ushering into
office of a newly chosen Chief Executive
is taken when the chairman of the ma
tional campaign committee of the vic
torious party appoints a chairman of the
inaugural committee, who is, In effect,
the general manager of the whole spec
tacle. This year National Chairman Hitch
cock, of the Republican committee. chose
for this responsible post his friend. p.
]. Stellwagen, a banker of prominence
at the seat of government.
To create the extensive machinery for
handling an Inauguration, the inaugural
chairman chooses the members of gem
eral inaugural committee, several dozen
strong, and most Of these men in turn
become the chairman of subcommittee
of their own selection. These sub-com-
mittees have, respectively, jurisdiction over
all the various lines of activity that go
to make up an inaugural show. For In
stance, there are committees on deeora-
tions on fireworks on street illumination,
on reviewing stands on badges and on a
dozen other branches of the subject. The
result of this rather complex organiza-
ton is to permit Of a specialization that
insures perfection of detail.
The one factor of uncertainty that eff
fects the success of an inauguration-one
that causes no end of speculation and I'M
easiness, is the weather. For weeks be-
fore the Weather Bureau is besieged with
requests for forecasts and prophecies.
The national capital, being, in effect, a
Southern city and clmatically unique
even in the South, is usually treated to
mild and open winters, but even here
March is a treacherous month and his
tory records that she has bestowed win
try and ungracious welcome upon more
than one newly elected president. In 1S41
President William Henry Harrison caught
his death-cold Drawing the elements when
in accordance with custom and tradition
he took the oath of office standing in the
open on the East front of the Capitol.
When Lincoln was inaugurated the first
time the streets were seas of mud and
it was raw and cold when he took the
oath of office for the second time. The
temperature was near zero when Grant
WIS inaugurated the second time; Presl-
dent Benjamin Harrison WAS inaugurated
In a driving rain, and Grover Cleveland
delivered his second inaugural address
standing bareheaded in blizzard. On
the other hand presidents Hayes, Garfield,
Mckinley and Roosevelt had fair weather.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
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hand, trembling and cold" but he went
off without uttering word. Toward the
close of 1849 he died.
The fanciful stories of his deathbed are
much adorned with legend. He breathed
his last at the home Of Gutmann. pupil,
whose hand he held as he murmured,
"cher ami" Solange Sand was there, but
not her mother, the novelist One legend
says she was refused admittance. The
scene depicted by the painter Barrias,
with Delphine Potocka singing Stradella
and Mozart, took place the day before
Chopin's death, so much of 1t as took
place at all.
His Place ms Tone Poet.
Chopin, whose centenary the world is
celebrating, was in many ways unique
among composers. The piano was his
kingdom. Opera and symphony he never
touched. He is even specialist Of the
piano. The somber, the poetic, the ten
der, the dreamy--it is in these that he is
the supreme master. His music seems
The twinkling sweet of elfn feet,
Upon the wealth of summers flowers
Layignac has called him the Alfred de
Musset of music. De Musset was the
other famous lover of George Sand. Is
there something In the doctrine of elective
atfinities after all?
His polonaises are full of patriotic pas
sion and splendor; his fantasies are mo-
sales of sumptuous sound-that In f mi
nor, opus 40, is probably Chopin's master
piece, And as Dickinson, in his work on
the History of Music" says; Like the
fugues of Bach, the symphonies Of Beet
hoven, the songs of Schubert, and the
music dramas Of Wagner, Chopin's piano
pieces touch the high water mark in their
kind"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
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tions-almost as wonderful as her prodl-
gious industry in turning out novels. Such
was Madame Dudevant, better known by
her pen name of George Sand,' who
presently fixed her affection upon Chopin
and literally annexed him.
Several romantic stories have been told
of their first meeting The facts appear
to be that she asked List to introduce
her to the Polish pianist. who was Great
ing a furore in Paris, and then she did
the rest. Chopin was not attracted by
her at first, rather the reverse. The COM
poser, Hitler, in letter to List, says
that Chopin found her 'repelent" at first
and did not hesitate to say So But is she
really woman? am inclined to doubt
it."
Still, we have Heines word for 1t that
she was beautiful. "ies, she is as beau
tiful as the Venus de Milo she even sur
passes the latter In many respects; she
Is, for instance, very much younger" But
she was masculine in spirit; her fopdness
for male garments was but an outward
manifestation of that masculinity. Chop
in was just as essentially feminine with
his eyes of tender brown and his chest
nut blonde hair. his fnical elegance of
toilet and his shrinking soul.
The Woman Domineered.
She took him to Majorca in 1888, as
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

suming the maternal pose of sick nurse as
well as sweetheart Although he was not
yet victim of consumption, his health
was precarlous. She has described him
as a "detestable patient" and later on
she called him her 'dear corpse" gro
tesque pleasantly.
One reminiscent writer tells the story
of how she would order Chopin around.
Frederic, un fdibus," she called when
she wished a cigar lighter, and Fred
eric obediently brought one. The story
has been doubted, however, because
George Sand never smoked cigars, but
cigarettes.
There is no doubt. however, that she
was the stronger vessel. The delicate
artist, who became so weak in the last
years of his life that his playing was
hardly audible. and he had to modify
fortes into pianissimo, passed whole eve
ings of his more robust years in playing
blind mans buff with yonng girls, and in
telling them stories.
A beautiful story is told which bodies
forth the tender pathos of his compost
lions as no descriptive chapters could,
though penned in the grandioquent fugue
style of Huneker. Meyerbeer had once
had a quarrel with his wife, and they
parted in anger He sat down nj the
piano and played a nocturne Chopin had
sent him. Such was the charm Of the
melody that his wife came up and kissed
him, which Meyerbeer promptly wrote to
Chopin.
Even Chopin's own playing could not
permanently unchain the volatile George
Sand. She grew tired of him at last,
and after 10 years they parted He was
not to live for long. He tainted at his
last concert In Paris, year later. There
he met her once again. She took his
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

y HE American republic, as becomes
nation with supposedly democratic
y Ideals, is not much given to that
bmp and splendor which characterizes
lie ceremonies at monarchial courts
evertheless, the sovereign people and
be national government do cooperate
ice every four years to produce an I'm
'essive spectacle that in imposing pa
pantry Is quite the peer of any state
hnetion to be witnessed anywhere In the
orld. The occasion for this climax of
bpular display is the inauguration of a
ewly elected president OF the United
tates, and since there IS always greater
bpular interest and more elaborate
Fogram when a President is inaugurated
pr new term than is the case when
Chief Magistrate is installed In office
pr second term, it goes without saying
bat the Inauguration of 1909 promises
be particularly brilliant.
Furthermore, each successive Inaugural
on surpasses its predecessors as mon
Ter free show. This is right and natur-
since the nation is constantly pro-
essing; the population increasing and
e prestige of the Presidency growing.
8 the only criterion by which to measure
advance the Inauguration of 1909,
impaired with that of former years, 1t
lay be mentioned that the fund which
BIS been raised for this years spectacle
BIS reached much nearer the 100000
bark than on any previous similar occa-
lon. Just here 1t may be well to ex-
lain that the citizens of the national
pital, who play hosts to the incoming
ficials and the Inaugural throng, raise
be money for Americas greatest spec
Gle by popular subscription, very much
5 funds are raised for worlds fairs and
her big events.
As matter of fact, the Washington
disorders to this expense fund in
riably get their money back after the
|auguration, for the thousands Of people
no pay So each to attend that browning
ory, the inaugural ball, roll up a fund
iat not only defrays the expenses of
be ball itself, but reimburses the con-
ibutors to the general fund. Neverthe-
ISIS, this popular subscription is a very
Necessary means to an end, for the
ball admission fees are not in
and until close to March 4, whereas the
bending of money on Inauguration
Preparations begins months In advance.
AS a matter OF fact, the prelude to
his stupendpus oneday show is found
more than two months of hard, I'M
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

United States Army, who Is the grand
marshal of lac parade, is one of the
closest personal friends of William H.
Taft, and he has spared no effort to have
the military and naval show eclipse any
thing of the kind heretofore seen on this
continent. Upward of 5000 seasoned
troops, fresh from Cuba, will have place
in the military division. whereas the
backbone of the naval contingent will
comprise from $500 to 5000 bluejackets
from the principal battleships of the
round-t he-world feet representing the
pick of our globe-trotting men-o'-war's
men. The regular soldlery will be over
shadowed In point of numbers by the
National Guard, representing the great
majority of the states of the Union, and
by civic division that will encompass
marching clubs of all kinds from all sec
lions of the country.
The Presidents personal escort is al
ways of great interest to Inauguration
spectators. Famous cavalry organiza-
lions, such as the First City Troop Of
Philadelphia, and Squadron A, of New
York-famous as horsemen and as wear
ers of gorgeous uniforms seek
this honor. This year the distinction
falls to the lot of the renowned Troop A,
of Cleveland Ohio, the crack cavalry or
ganizatlon of the middle West, and which
served in a similar capacity for Presi-
dents Hayes, Garfield and MeKinley-the
other Presidents OF Buckeye birth. Col.
Webb C. Hayes, son of the late ex-
President who made arrangements for
this years escort service by the troop,
plans to have $50 troopers in line, each
mounted on jet-back horse.
The night spectacle of Inauguration day
outshines that of the day. On the Presi-
dents 80-acre back yard In the rear OF
the White House there is the most pre-
tentious display OF fireworks ever de-
vised and at the same time the streets
adjacent to the White House, the public
buildings and a Court of Honor are
suddenly aglow-a masterpiece OF fan
tastic electric illumination. This year
$4,000 will be spent on this electrical
free show, as compared with $4,000 ex-
pended four years ago At the huge Pen
sion Building, transformed into fairy
land of lights and flags and flowers and
music throng of more than 10000
people dance till morning in honor of the
new President who, with his family, looks
on from layishly bedeeked balcony.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

lie thought of asking Aer in marriage
at the same time that he entertained the
idea Of another marriage IA Poland, his
loyalty being engaged nowhere, and his
tickle heart floating from one passion to
the other. The young Partisan received
him very kindly and all went as well
as could be, till ON going to visit her
one day. In company with another mu-
sician, who was Of more note in Paris
than he at that time, she offered a
chair to this gentlSman before thinking
Of inviting Chopin to be seated. He
never called on her again, and forgot
her immediately"
Such was the susceptible and sensl-
tive heart of the Poet of the Piano. No
passion left any abiding marks there.
Yet there are three or four love stories
connected with his short, sad life.
His first love was Constantia Glad
kowska, pupil Of the Warsaw con-
servatory, whom he worshiped for six
months without as much as exchanging
a syllable with her. She Is sym5olized
in the stately adagio of the Eminor
concerto; she was the inspiration Of one
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

British militia was established and
worked fairly well, but recently 1t had
been pointed out that the armies on the
Continent were far better situated us
to the reserves, which is what the militia
actually stands for in military parlance.
So Haldane started out to try and reor-
ganize the old loose-jointed volunteer
methods of England into close organl-
cation with direct communication with
the regular army.
The name which Secretary of State
for War Haldane has given his new Brit
ish voluntary army is the territorial
army.
Under the new regime, the British vol
unteer soldiery Is organized by counties
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

of his earliest valses. Constantia was
a singer, and 'her low alone was
worth thousand ducats." But Chopin
was only 81, penniless composer, giving
some concerts in Warsaw, and it is not
known whether he ever laid his heart
at the lady's feet. At any rate she mar
ried a Warsaw merchant, who became
blind, and she passes from Chopin's cor
respondence and life as completely as a
meteorite that has fallen.
Four years later he is planning to
marry Maria Wodzinska, who was just
10 years Of age. They played together
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
IRON E1rZ<zE ZYe5Gzzak
Krvdz<zr cz7o1zv WY

- URGENCY, the Russian novelist.
coined the malicious epigram, mis-
quoted by Huneker, that there
re about thousand ladies in Europe
whose arms Chopin yielded up his
Pirit.' Huneker makes 1t half a hun
red conntesses, which, of course, leaves
ben the possibility Of the other $50 hav-
z some other rank. This epigram and
Re Famous love affair with George Sand
ave put an atmosphere of improperly
bout Chopin's life, as IL he had been
pine polygamous pasha of music, whose
pographer had need to be new Lepo-
fllo to catalogue his conquests.
Ia reality, Frederic Francois Chopin
1orn 100 years ago this list of March
Tas somewhat domesticated genius Of
ne highly susceptible sort. He fell in
we as readily as duck takes to wa
Ter, and he fell out Of love with the
pine fearful facility. Here is a story
Pld by George Sand, who had 1t from
hopin himself:
He had taken great fancy to the
granddaughter of celebrated master.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

- OR MANY centuries the whole de-
VI tense of the British Isles depended
y on volunteer soldiers, owing to the
Briton's deep-rooted hostility to regu-
lar standing army. They called them
selves the Train bands, the Fencibles.
the County troops, the Home bands, and
many other names Then came the reg
ular army, and alongside Of that the va
rious volunteer troops continued their
existence. This all lasted until within
a year when the entire volunteer organi-
cation of the British Isles was made over
under the Secretary of State for War,
Hon. r. B. Haldane, who is said to pos
sess a genius for organization.
In 1859 u scheme for organizing the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
THE SOUTH AMERICAN PAMPAS.

this country are fairly well understood
and have been taken up by the far-sight-
ed business men of the United States and
have been brought to point where the
producing capacity has been partially at
tanned 1t is the rolling prairie or pam
pas land of South America that is now
in much the same condition as our own
land before the Civil War.
Countless and uncounted acres Of rich
grazing lands are still unclaimed by any
individual and the state OF Argentina,
especially, is offering the most generous
inducements to settlers possessing suf-
ficient funds and grit to take up these
superb lands for breeding cattle. The
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

and is under the control of a committee
called the county association, which Is
directly responsible to the army council
In charge of the entire department and
which reports to the minister of war.
The regular enlistment is for four years,
and he must give II weeks notice If he
wants to get out, and pay fine not ex-
ceeding $25.
Britain's new territorial army OF 100000
men is placed on the same basis as the
regulars as soon MS called into active
service, and must have two weeks ac-
tive camp work each year, when the
men and officers are paid by the war de
part,nent the same as the regular army
foI when on active duty
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

cost is practically nothing, about 81 the
acre for the poorer sections Of the
pampas region with graduated scale az
the grazing lands reach nearer and near
er to the railroads or to the natural wat
erways Of the interior Of the country.
Today, not excepting the big new
wheat lands opening up In Canada, the
grazing lands Of Argentine and the PAM
pas regions generally are offering the
best opportunity for hustling immigrants,
especially those having capital enough to
begin ranching on a modern scale and
with modern methods of caring for their
herds and products.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

HERE are Just two sections of the en-
tire globe where the bulk of the worlds
meat supply must eventually come
rom. One Is that section Of the great
Fiddle West of the United States, where
Pc rolling prairies offer ideal surround
|gs for the growth and increase of beef
fttle, and the other far less-known yet
Ppable OF equal production) Is the ia
Gus pampas region Of South America.
me prairie country Of the upper of the
70 American continents begins in ire
ndons broad stretch Of country run
Ag from Texas clear across to the
pnst mountains of lower California.
Inc resources Of the Middle West In
The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-05-27
Curious Spoons.

In the England Of the last century,
mulberries were much more popular
for food than now. So popular that
an especial spoon was made for con-
venience in eating them II had a
perforated bowl and a spiked and
pointed handle. Sugar was sprinkled
on the berry with the bowl, and the
berry conveyed to the mouth by
means OF the spiked handle.
There was. too. a queer marrow
spoon ia proof OF the English fond
ness for beeD. II was made double,
one end being used for boring the mar
row from small bones and the other
for larger ones.
Tea used TO be kept In caddies, two
lidded. metal-llned. with a sugar bowl
in the middle. With this was the cad
dy spoon. now seen only in museums,
or curio collections. The caddy spoon
was a sort Of scoop. not unlike our
berry spoon. but smaller
The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-05-27

An applicant for naturalization pa
pers In Brooklyn court was questioned
BY the Judge with view 10 ascertain
ing his knowledge OF American institu-
lions. The court did not go very far.
The last inquiry was as TO whether the
applicant understood the trolley car
transfer system in the borough. and
upon an Affirmative answer being
given the Judge said: Il guess you will
DO for a citizen" But how about a
great many citizens. native and natur.
allied, who do net comprehend this
and other complicated and mystifying
arrangements? Is such failure to be
regarded as cause for disfranchiss-
ment?