davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
From the St. Louis Post-plspatcr

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
 7 HE third soap grafter I will de- 9 scribe has a very unique method
 of working, and one which am confident has never been exposed before. He claims to be selling what he pleased to term the most wonderful cleaning soap on earth" He tells the crowd that 1t was "his fathers own invention" and that a piece the size of pea will make more father and actually do larger amount of washing than could be done with a whole bar of ordinary laundry soap and in much less time.
 Before starting out to work the grafter takes about a dozen bars of common soap and cuts them into small cakes wrapping each in tinfoil. When evening comes he drives out on the streets in a buggy and. picking out a suitable spot, begins to sing popular songs and play on the banjo until a crowd has gathered.
 He then makes a very interesting "spiel' on the manufacture of soap and, of course, claims that his soap possesses more good points than any other washing soap in the world. After finishing he says he will now proceed to give the most wonderful demonstration of what can be done with a small piece of soap, and, handing a small boy quarter, he tells him to bring him a basin of water from the town pump. Then he breaks off a piece of soap the size of pea from one of the tiny cakes, and, after rolling it into pellet, says:
 Gather close, gentlemen, for you are about to behold what I claim to be the eighth wonder of the world! I am going to make an experiment with my soap which no other soap agent ever dared to make, because no other soap in the world would be able to stand the test.'
 Then, producing a clean, white hand kerchief and picking Up a wrench, he says: My friends, you all know there is nothing harder to remove from a garment than axle grease. Now, this buggy belongs to MT. -, your liveryman, and to give you a fair test of the worth of my won- derful soap, I am going to remove one of the wheels from this buggy, and after thoroughly cleaning the axle with this perfectly white handkerchief shall pro- ceed, with this piece of soap, the size of pea, to wash the handkerchief in this basin of cold, hard water, and make a perfect job of it. inside of one minute by the watch
 Then, removing one of the wheels, he wipes all the black tar and grease from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
The Prizefiahtinq Pensloner.

of the eos. has applied for the old age pension in England.' said a follower of athletics.
 He has been giving boxing exhibi- tions and training amateurs to use the gloves during the last few years Mace at one time was over s400,0OO ahead of the game and had 1t in bank. He re- ceived s50000 for one fight. Although he entered the ring 500 times from his youth up he never was whipped but twice, and there were giants in those days. In his day a fight was a fight; no gloves or knuckle protectors, only bare fists were used. He attributed his iron constitution and prowess to care, sane living and ab- stinence from stimulants."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
THE YAM FIRE.

By Rudyard Kipling. GAS Suggested by the Painting by Philip
 Bure-Jones) A fool there was and he made his prayer
 Gwen as you and ID To rag and bone and hank of hair, (We called her the woman who did not
 care), But the fool he called her his lady fair,
 (Even as you and ID Oh! the years we waste and the tears we
 waste,
 And the work of our head and hand Belongs to the woman who did not Know (And now we know that she never could
 know)
 And did not understand. fool there was and his goods he spent,
 (Even as you and ID Honor and faith and sure intent, And it wasn't the least what tho lady
 meanD, But a fool must follow his natural bent,
 Gwen as you and ID oA! the toll we lost and tho spoil we
 lost,
 And the excellent things we planned yBelong to the woman who didn't know
 why (And now we know she never knew why) And did not understand. The fool was stripped to his foolish hide,
 (Even as you and ID Which she might have seen when she
 threw his aside, (But it isn't on record the lady tried), So some of him lived, but the most of
 him died
 (Even as you and ID And 1t isn't the shame and 1t isn't the
 blame
 That stings like a white-hot brand. It's coming to know that she never knew
 why Seeing at last she could never know
 why)
 And never could understand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
President Diaz Again in the Race

The President of Mexico is nearly 80 years old, but this has not kept him from becoming a candidate for an eighth term. He was third-termer so long ago that he has probably for gotten all about it. Each time he has put aside his personal preferences and yielded to the solicitations of the peo- pie.
 The people of Mexico really do de- sire to see the wonderful old man stay in office. He has inaugurated the reign of law in his country and prosperity followed in the wake. He permits no insurrections and he is friend of pop ular education. The people feel that they cannot get along without him, and prosperous Mexico does right to keep
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

And yet the Aldrich-Payne revisers are attempting to levy duties on neces- saries so that an income tax will not be levied.
 The people prefer an income tax to duties on necessaries. They prefer an income tax to an issue of bonds. The issue is a plain one. The people de- mand a decrease in the cost of living. President Taft is pledged to revision that will bring ito the average family cheaper living. This is the real issue, and this issue Is summed up in an in come tax as against high duties on the one hand or an issue of bonds on the other.
 This issue will not down." It is to be squarely argued and voted on in the Senate and the people will then know what the administration and the republican party prefer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
REAL AFRICANS IN MoMBAsA.
How the Natives of Today Appear to a
 Traveller.

Percy Madeira in the Metropolitan Mag
 azine.
 There is a broad highway running from
 the dock at Kilindini into the main town
 at Mombasa, and here we commenced to
 see the real African men and women. The
 latter were all dressed in highly colored
 checked or striped sheeting arrangements which they managed in some way or
 other to drape securely around them so
 that only their arms and the upper part of their necks and the legs from the knees down were visible Many of them were covered with native jewelry of various kinds, mostly brass, steel and copper wire, and some few of tfem carried plain, or
 dinary umbrellas. The men were strong and sturdy looking and belong to the Swahili race, and around the docks at
 Mombasa where the lighters bring the
 freight from the ship to the custom house,
 1t is surprising to see the enormous loads they can carry and the amount of work
 that they can accomplish. When at work
 they wear nothing but a small bit of
 cloth tied around the loins, and their
 perspiring bodies shine like ebony as they move the huge boxes ana packages WHICH they carry on their heads.
 Mombasa with it's luxuriant towering trees and vines is one of the most beauti- full tropical harbors in the world.
 We went immediately to one of the two so-called hotels. Both are so bad that whichever one you select you feel that you have chosen the worst, and an inspec- | ton of our rooms was most discourasing; | they were dirty and most uninviting | After having our baggage taken to our | rooms, we took a garry and proceeded to l call upon the district commissioner, NIT. Hinde. Upon telling him that we had let
 ter to the governor-general, Sir James | Hayes sadler, from the colonial secretary | in London, he advised our losing no tune | in presenting it, as there were great many influential passengers on the ship, | and he said we had better be the nrst to r,aLa our call. This we did at once, and after a very pleasant reception were in- x,,te6 to stay at the government house. ana it took us but little time to accept | tbe invitation and have our baggage | moved over There were guests at each l meal, and we met quite number of l prominent officials and attractive people | and had a most enjoyable time. Nom basa used to be the slave port for eastern
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
PLAGIARISM IN A NEW ASPECT.

From the New York World.
 Professor Goudy by challenging Dr. Hannis Taylor to sue for libel as a means of establishing his innocence of the charges of plagiarism preferred by the Oxford professor, adds new zest to controversy which has already filled columns of newspaper space, drawn grave college dons into the fray and excited international interest.
 Plagiarism has been alleged against poets, playwrights. novelists and musi- clans. Haydn plundered the works of his fellow-composers without scruple. Montaigne took "a wing here and leg tn ere." But it is a novelty to have tn 6 accusation preferred against the au- thor of a serious work on law. Did pr. Taylor former minister to Spain and now professor at the George Washing ton university, draw too freely on un- credited sources for his book, "The Science of Jurisprudence? The deadly parallel has been employed to prove the alleged offerings, and here Is now a prospect that the courts will be asked lO PdSS OH lnC cNiueilCct assuming lld u the American writer accepts a chaI- lenge which gives the contest unique features as a literary affair of honor.
 A general and approved practice in the preparation of learned works is to embody the appropriated passages in the text and reserve the credit for a Hist of authors cited" Where this precaution is omitted, complications may arise in the case of auth ors sem sitive about their proprietary rights. Workers in old mines of research must frequently strike the leads followed by previous investigators, and where a time sufficient for literary statute of limitations has elapsed the appropria- tion may be made without formality. Grotius fitted out many a later writer on international law. During the life time of the original author the bor- rowing is naturally attended with hazards.
 With many readers the free cita- tion of other authors gives the volume an authority it would not otherwise have. Authorship under such condi- tions not only relieves the author of the tedious work of original investi. gation, but possesses the added ad- vantage of proving a short cut to a reputation for substantial learning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

him in office while vigor of mind and body remain to him.
 The trouble is, that when Diaz drops out the country will be perplexed in deed to find a successor. No doubt a capable President can be selected, but 1t is not at all sure that a successor can be selected with a unanimity that will prevent an insurrection. A strong hand will be needed when that change does come.
 But he is still in good health, al though it was back in 1877 when he first became President as the result of a revolution. He was born in 1881, and he began a military career in the days of Santa Anna. From 1880 to 1884 he went voluntarily out of offi6A. In 1884 he became President, and he has held the office ever since. He has reduced the bonded debt, invited capi- tai to come in to build railroads and establish industries, and he has pro noted public education. The country is prosperous and contented under it's remarkable executive head, and all hope he will live to serve out his eighth term.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
Paid for Damages.

4'The railroads of the United States paid less than 2 per cent on their capitaliza- ton for injuries and damages in 190S," said a man interested in statistics.
 ''To be exact. they paid s1.So on the $1O0 When we contrast this with s15 on the s100 already paid by the street car lines with millions still pending, 1t will be seen that thore is radical injustice be- ing worked on the latter by those inter- ested in damage suits. This works a hardship on the community, for this se- we're tax on the street railway delays ex- tensions and handicaps the service as to the comfort of passengers"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
Festival Chorus Inxited.

The festival chorus has been invited to sing a selection from the Stabat Mater at the Bible Class Federation which meets at the First Baptist church tonight.
 we have a rehearsal at the Cable store Monday night said Prof. Fred L.. Grambs, the chorus director, "but as the musical exercises at the Baptist church are to begin promptly at 7:45 o'clock, hope as many members of the chorus as can do 80 will meet me at the church at the time mentioned and sing one of the Stabat Mater numbers. We can leave the church few minutes past o'clock and proceed to the Cable store, where our regular rehearsal will begin not later than S:3O o'clock"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New YOrk Press. Unless a thing Is useful women can always find reason for wearing it.
 When anybody pretends not to like f1attery 1t wouldn't be safe to trust him under oath.
 A woman calls 1t being frank when she will admit she was born year after her younger brother.
 man goes into horse trade ex- pecting to cfieat the other fellow and knowing 1t is going to happen to him self
 The surer a man is to make up his mind how the children ought to be raised, the sursr his wife is to unmake It for him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
TURN ABOUT.
From Judge.

From Judge.
 "Whatl" shouts the patron of the res- taurant. Fifteen dollars for coffee and rolls! It's outrageous. I won't pay it."
 "Yes, you will" calmly states the pro prietor My wife went into your mil linery shop yesterday and paid soo Tor of lace and an artificial rose. Now you see how it feels, don't youTs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

in jewelry. AS it has become ''bad form'' to wear many rings. and worse still to wear on the same hand stones of varie- gated colors, it is the custom for those women who can afford it to wear one or at most two rings at time. But these rings contain either diamonds or other precious stones worth thousands of dol- lars. The wealthy woman will now dis play a single diamond ring of the utmost purity and briliance, and leave the we'll to-do tradesmans wife to adorn each of her fingers with rings of different colored precious stones.
 The revolution that has recently taken place in women's attire has necessitated a complete change in the outfit of every follower of fashion. A lady recently paid $500 to her dressmaker for one of the newest gowns, and spent an additional S3J0 in lingerie, hosery and boots to en- able her to wear the new dress. The "Richelieuv boots which women now wear to match the rest of their attire are fre- quently made with real pearl and real gold as well as silver buckles. I was shown a pair of such shoes the buckles alone of which had cost $75.
 There has been a vast increase In the number of expensive tearooms. Hundreds of women in Paris daily spend from $2 to s2.50 on afternoon tea The same ten dency toward extravaganza has spread to every class of French society.
 M. Gabriel Hanotaux, the ex-minister of foreign affairs, commenting on the universal spread of luxury, says that it is due to the ever growing wish to enjoy life as much as possible. The desire to obtain as much repose as possible after every days labor, coupled with the ac- companying desire of spending money, is becoming universal among the laborious and hitherto thrifty French.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

This is Birmingham music festival week. The programmes are varied and brilliant, and tickets are offered at popular prices. Each concert of the festival should be attended by an audi ence measurable only by the capacity of the Hippodrome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
AT THE YOUNG LADIES' CLUB.

From Judge.
 Maud-A fellod with a past is always the most interesting kind. Don't you think so?
 Sally-Well. no. I'm looking for one with future.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Dick Crolzer pitched the first ball of the league season in New York, but he disclosed none of his old political curves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

What the country needs is Presi- dent who plays baseball instead of golf or tennis. MT. Taft would be an ad- mirable backstop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The Arctic club says Peary was due last week at the North Pole, but the Arctic club is not in close touch with that locality even by wireless.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The Young Turks have the ofd stagers of the HamidiaA regime penned up and the latter are calmly awaiting the verdict.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

A Philadelphia educator says all children are liars. He should have added that some of them never grow out of the habit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Every woman, whether a D. A. R. or not, is entitled to place her own waist line where she sees fit. This is some thing every woman knows.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Farmer Wilson is getting the upper hand of Farmer Patten and that, too, without any use of benzoate of soda.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Wall street thinks Secretary Wilson had Joe Letter in mind when he said that Joseph was the only man who ever succeeded In cornering grain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Thus far no umpires have been assassinated on the spot. They may, however, be decapitated later in the regular off cial manner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The scrappers in the D. A. R. are worthy daughters of serapping fore fathers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Teddy bears at half price" is a sign in toy-store windows. Alas, how have the mighty departed to Africa!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
USUALLY.

From Judge.
 Teacher-What is a Laplander?
 Young Miss-An awkward man in a crowded street car.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The typhoid housefy has been asked to go, but it respectfully declines the invitation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The humble sandwich Is becoming a luxury, the rise in bread and meat be- ing so rapid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Alaska has been a part of this coun- try 40 years, and it wants to see what a President looks like.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

James J. Hill says party lines have been well-nigh obliterated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The French matters say the silk hat is doomed, and dignity stands greatly discouraged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Constitutions do not go backward. not even in Turkey.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Morocco turns its kidnapers into gov ernors. Raisuli, for instance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

The Sultan of Turkey has 240 cooks, and his broth is just naturally spoiled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Patten is standing pat at present on distant ranch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26
Cheaper Living the Issue

A Chicago correspondent compares the jobbing prices of some articles with those of year, for the purpose of showing that the rise is not con- fined to wheat or to meats, but that there is bull market in all food SUD- plies. We give his table of increases;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Africa, and many a sad story could be told about this pitiful traffic which once centered at this port which is now largely devoted to the export of ivory and various native products.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Washington Bureau Age-Herald, 14:l c street, N. W.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

No communication will be published withou It's authors name. Rejecteo manuscript will not be returned unless stamps are inclosed for that purpo~9-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala postoffce as second-class matter uhueF act of Congress March 3, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

R. L. o'Neal. IT, and 2. B. Morgan are the only authorized travelling rep resentatives of The Age-Herald in us circulation department.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-26

ve ,45 uAnRnTvr Editor,
The Columbus journal., 1909-08-25
SINGERS BELIEVE IN CHARMS.
According to caruso, Most Great Art.
lists Have More or Less Feel
ings Of Superstition.

I'VE of the opera" writes Caruso in
the Gentlewoman. ARE often inclined
to be superstitious. One woman. a
distinguished and most intelligent art
list, crosses herself repeatedly before
taking her cue, and a prima donna
who is a favOrite on two continents
and who is always escorted to the
theater by her mother invariably goes
through the very solemn ceremony of
kissing her mother good-by and re-
ceiving her blessing before going on
to sing The young woman feels that
she could not possibly sing note II
the mothers eye were not on her
every movement from the wings.
Another famous singer wears q
small bracelet that was given to her
when an infant by GOunOd. She has
grown somewhat stout of late years
and the hoop of gold has been rein
forced SO often that there is hardly
any of the great composers original
gift left. Still. she feels that it is a
charm which has made her success
and whether she sings the part of a
lOwly peasant or of a princess the
bracelet is always visible.
These little customs are not con
fined to the women singers either, for
the men are equally fond of observing
some little tradition to cheer them in
their performance"
The Columbus journal., 1909-08-25
PRESENTED WITH A BIRTHDAY
Natal Day with Others on the
Glorious Fourth.

1t isn't everybody who can give q
birthday present like William E. Bern.
er gave to John Pruitt. colored, a
couple of days ago.
Berner is the marriage license clerk
at the county clerks Office, and AZ
such he encounters all kinds of queer
situations. The other day Pruitt came
in to get a license to wed Eliza Clin-
kenbeard. Before a license can be
procured nowadays one must answer
in writing all kinds of foolish Ques
tons, among them being the date OF
birth.
Pruitt scratched his head when
asked his natal day. Fact is, Alb
don't know" he said.
Don't know how old you are?" Der.
ner asked.
Not for sure. Somewheres near
10. / guess"
Haven't you a birthday"
Never had birthday"
We'll. I'll make you present of a
birthday right now" said Berner
Everybody should have a birthday
You are 40 years old and you were
born on the Fourth of July" And
Berner wrote it down on the marriage
license papers that way.
'NOw, remember" said Berner
when Pruitt started to leave. "You
were born on the Fourth of July and
you mustn't forget to celebrate your
birthday when it comes around
Il won't" said Pruitt, highly
Observation-Disclosures News.
The Columbus journal., 1909-08-25
IN PRAISE OF GEORGIA GRUB.
Macon Man Wakes Eloquent Over the
Excellence Of the Eating Com
mon in His Territory.

Come down in the gOOber fields of
Georgia IL you want to know what
good eating is" said Mr. James Jack
son OF Macon. Ga, to a reporter OF the
Washington Post. Did you ever eat
a pOssum stuffed with COOLERS ami
sweet potatoes. with corn pOne and
gravy on the side. topped of with ice
cold buttermilk right from the spring
house? II you haven't. you have
missed something" declared Mr. Jack,
son. You can talk about your can.
vasback duck. your terrapin, and your
turtle soup. ii you think that is the
finest of fare here. but wait until you
eat what i have described Or try a
fat turkey. cooked with chestnuts. like
only one of before de war black
'mammies can prepare it. The gOObeI
country in Georgia is the most pros
porous and cOntented anywhere in the
south. continued MIR. Jackson. The
people down there are extraordinarily
hospitable, and no stranger travelling
through the country can possibly get
away from the farmers. who will in
sist that the traveller stop and stay
over night to enjoy some of that cele
brated eating. When you come that
way. if you ever do. l will show yoL
what sure enough grub is