davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
GREAT DoINes IN KANSAS.
New York World

From the New York World.
 The Sunfiower state does nothing by halves and it disdains quarters. When other states. for instance, are rejoicing in butterflies which come with flowers and summer days, in Kansas, so at least runs the news, these winged flowers of the air disport themselves in clouds so thick that their bodies and wings cut off the sunlight, and cast a shadow over the endless alfalfa, corn and wheat. When the grasshopper comes in other states his voice fits in well with drowsy summer moons, but in Kansas he comes in mill lions.
 But these are mere memories of the past. The latest veracious account of do- ings in Kansas comes from a new news center, Oakley. This time it is the Rus sian thistle. We read of a nightly wind storm when the tumbleweed blew over the prairies in millions. The descriptive lan- guage of the tanner -blooded east fails to give adequate idea of what Russian this ties aided by a heavy wind can do in Oakley. A touring car trying to force its way through the tumbleweed ignited the down near Oberlin and was completely destroyed, it's occupants narrowly escap- ing. Trains were delayed by thistle drift in the cuts, farmers caught out were unable to get home, fences were blown down, and even in towns the tumbleweed was packed high as the awnings, like an immense haystack which had accumulated over night"
 So far no lives are reported as lost, though the fact that the wires are no longer bringing messages from Oakley bodes i'll for the sender of the news He may now be buried under a gigantic stack of Russian thistledown.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Jack BinnS As a Hero

No one has more difficult role to play in this world than he who has suddenly and involuntarily become a hero. Jack Binns is at present the man of the hour, but he will not re- main so long, for other heroes will arise even if they be of lesser magni- tude.
 Jack is a modest fellow. = He has re- fused all offers of the vaudeville cir cults. An offer of a ten weeks engage ment on the stage at 5000 a week was also refused. This goes to show that one new hero is made of good stuff. He refuses to be lionized. He does not wish to be considered hero. He asks the world to forget it.
 If now he can avoid all silly acts and words he may pull through this trying period of his life with credit to himself and without encountering the reverses in public opinion that are apt to over take an American hero. Thus far he has held his own remarkably well, and if he is soon assigned to another ship and goes to sea he may remain hero, and that would upset all records.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Defective Record In the John Act

The 24-inch pistol law is also nuga- tory because the record of its passage is incomplete.
 This raises the question, "Is any bill passed by this legislature a law"
 The provisions of red-tape consti- tuition were not appreciated by the re- cording officers of the legislature, and if the acts of this legislature are to be saved from becoming a farce there must be another session.
 Who it was that jumbled the records has not been told, and an extra session is needed to ascertain who did 1t and to see that he is properly punished
 The John act falls, although it had the indorsement of the people of the state as the best remedy in sight for the grave pistol toting practice. Lives will be sacrificed because a clerk of the legislature has blundered, and the failure of the John act alone calls for a special session of the legislature. '.
 The records are no doubt in sad con dition, and no one Is sure that any bill passed by the present legislature is constitutional. The state Is thus in a muddle. The journals of the two houses have been improperly and imperfectly kept. No one charges dishonesty in the keeping of the journals. It is a case of incompetency on the one hand and of red-tape requirements in the constitution on the other It can be cured in a special session only.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
THE INAUGURAL BALL.

From the Hartford Times.
 It is customary for the Washington local committee to spend about s10o,0OO in making preparations for the quadrennial Inauguration, of which the greater part is derived from the sale of tickets to the in- augural ball. The new President and his wife are expected to appear and walk once around the ballroom, as their part of the entertainment. The ball is always a most promiscuous gathering; but, as long as several thousand people are willing to pay 5 apiece for tickets, the Washing tonians may be pardoned for a willing ness to sell them the pasteboard.
 Four years hence, it is now quite cer- tain, there will be an auditorium in Wash ington, built for large public gatherings, which will be the scene of the inaugural balls at the beginning of many future ad- ministrations. It is proposed to locate
 this building west of the White House grounds. although site on the avenue between the White House and the capitol
 would seem to be more suitable. Elihu Root, who makes so many things 'go,''
 has taken a personal interest in the plan
 for this new building, and the business
 men of Washington can well afford to
 subscribe all the money that is needed to
 build it.
 Most of the inaugural balls have been
 held ir t>e pension building since its com
 plet<a in the sos by General Meigs, who [ ~Ilad charge of the construction. Previous
 to that time various public buildings were used The Garfield inaugural ball in 1881 was given in the large museum building then quite new, adjacent to the Smithson- ian buildings. Once there was an inaugu- ral ball in the treasury building-in 1S6s
 or 1s65-when Horace Greeley lost his hal and all the newspapers of the country chronicled the fact and commented on 1t As the country grows, the inaugural cele- bration in Washington grows in propor- ton, and it is expected there will be larger numbers of people in the inaugural procession this year than ever before Much depends upon the weather. Usually the 4th of March is a mild day in Wash | ington, but there are occasional excep- tions The 4th of March, 1873. when Grant was inaugurated a second time, was colder than any day since that time at the na tional capital. There was a cold rain. storm on March 4, 1889, when Harrison | succeeded MT. Cleveland which made the | day a very trying one for all who ven l tured out of doors at the seat of govern | ment. Taft luclt' would seem to require | mild and Apri-like weather for the in auguration this year. and that even those | who voted against him will hope for.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Helen Kellar

Mark Twain said that the two most remarkable characters of the nine teenth century were Napoleon Bona parte and Helen Kellar. Napoleon was no doubt a military genius, and yet his campaigns as a whole ended in failure and he himself died in exile a prisoner Helen Kellar had evea greater battles to fight against-deaf, ness, blindness and inability to speak. She has overcome to some extent the last-named, and she has won cultiva- ton and facility of expression in spite of all her disabilities Her life is one of success instead of failures. She is not only earning a good living as a writer, but she is aiding others af- fiicted as she herself is to find employ ment.
 So famous has she become that she has been compelled to leave Boston in  order to escape friendly attentions that absorb no little of her valuable time. She has sought or is about to seek rural retirement in small town in Maine. She will still be near Bos- ton and Radcliffe college, where she was educated. and vet she will be mis- tress of her own time. Her life is given to literary labor and her rare gift of style renders all she writes popular and helpful She carries with her pen comfort not only to those who sit in soundless, speeches. darkness, but to those also who are free from physical deficiencies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Theodore ROoSeYs $ Plan

Our ex-Presidents have heretofore sought dignified retirement, acting, if at all, as political sages. or advisory lawyers. But MT. Roosevelt will have none of it-he wants activity, and he will not submit to anything that de- priyes him of it He proposes. fin short, to go back into the body of citizens, and to be as active as any one of them.
 Tn a recent speech he assured his hearers that he is going in the first place to take care of himself, to earn a living, and to continue a citizen deeply interested in the course of public af- fairs, and determined to forward his views of them by every political and other means possible. He will write and speak and take part in the regular procedure of politics. He asks no fa- vors and no odds. He will go back to his home on Lond Island and associate himself with other men in the ranks of the states politics. He doesn't want any especial consideration because of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
A Matter of Opinion.

!" One Attraction Next Week. is the heading of an article in the theatre col umn of Thursdays Age-Herald," said a 'Masquerader' yesterday. T would have taken no exception if I had not fur ther read that the only attraction at the Jefferson next week is Max Figman in 'The Substitute. There will be one at traction at the Jefferson next week, and 1t will be His Excellency the Governor which will be presented on Wednesday evening by The Masqueraders,' adramat- ic club composed of Birmingham talent
 This performance is for the benefit of the Birmingham Free Library fund, and this alone is reason enough to fill the house on that occasion. The Masquerad- ers,' in presenting The Box of Monkeys last year, played to three crowded houses"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
FRANKLIN AS ADVERTISING MAN.

From the Philadelphia Record
 A member of the Poor Richard club. Philadelphia's club of advertising men, was discussing Benjamin Franklin 1T have always maintained that the Poor Richard club was very aptly named, said he, flor l hold that Franklin would have been master advertising writer had commercial conditions in his day warranted extensive advertising As A. case in point, will quote you an adver- tisement that appeared in the Pennsyl- vania Gazette in 1797, and which is gen. orally accredited to the immortal Ben Franklin, in his Poor Richard sayings, famous all over the world, used splendid advertising style. At any rate, Mrs. Franklin, the winning Deborah, suffered the loss pf her prayerbook from her pew, and appealing to her husband, he pro- duced the following advertisement and inserted it in the famous old Philadel- phia publication:
 Taken out of a pew some months since, a Common Prayer Book bound in red, gilt and lettered ID. F. on each cover. The person who took it is advised to open it and read the eighth commandment, and afterward return 1t to the same pew again, upon which no further notice will be taken.
 Unfortunately, the records do not show whether or not Franklin's advertisement pulled" sufficiently to return Mrs. Franklin's missing prayer book.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Metropolltan Service,

Tt is a tendency with many to kick
 or complain" said an old citizen, "but every now and then men who are exact ing will express their appreciation or gratitude when they are well served.
 'I saw a pleasant example of a busy mans appreciation a few days ago. A prominent Clevelander, registered at the Hillman called up the long distance and had an important business conversation with his office in Cleveland As soon as he had finished with the long dis tance in the hotel booth he proceeded to the office of Manager Turnbull, in the { Bell Telephone building on Second ave nue, to say a few words of praise. He told Turnbull that he found the long dis tance here in Birmingham strictly metro politan. In many cities the Cleveland man had found long distance unsatisfac- tory, but here it was all right, aud he put himself out of the way to say so."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Year of centenaries.

"The London Graphic of a recent date, D
 said a elubman. printed pictures of nine of the worlds famous men who were born in 1s09-Charles Darwin. Alfred Ten nyson, ". E. Gladstone, Edgar Allan Poe, Abraham Lincoln. oliver Wendell Holmes. Felix Mendelssohn Edward Fitz- gerald and A ". Kinglake. The last named was distinguished as the historian of the Crimean war while Fitzgerald achieved fame as the translator of Omar Khayyam.' The others are household names everywhere.
 'iConeerning Poe it is often remarked that foreigners had a keener appreciation of our greatest American poet than we ourselves. l question this statement. It is true that Poe was always highly ap- praised by German, French and English critics. But in my day, at least, Poe's work has been thoroughly appreciated by all Americans of literary acumen-by alD Americans who love the true and the beautiful.
 One of the most delightful articles have come across on Poe in connection hAei liio GGhleIdIY IS bA AelNllie III lHS January number of the Nineteenth Cen tury It contains great deal of interest ing data and the writer's assessment of Poes literary achievement is at once H. luminating and sympathetic. MT. Mel vile, after making appreeiative reference to The Raven. 'Ulalume.' and The Bells, reproduces .Annabel Lee as the finest of Poe's poems. He says that in this poem we have the supreme example of his muse, with it's spirituality. it's pathos, its tenderness wonderfully brought out through the simplicity of the style, and the exquisite music and the haunting strains of the verse
 ''It was Tennyson who said, T know several striking poems by American poets but think Edgar Allan Poe, taking his poetry and prose together. the most orig inal American genius And yet some of the small critics in Poe's day spoke dis paragingly of this genius and even in our day some there be who would deny Poe the highest honors. But his fame is se- cure and he will be ever known through out the world of culture as one of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
PIANO PLAYING IN GLOVES.

From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
 Ring out the old ring in the new. . said the cathedral bellringer. He touched one after another various electric but tons, and the chimes changed tunefully in the cold air.
 Bell ringing, said the bellringer. reached its height in Belgium after the Middle. Ages. The Belgian bellringer in vented the elavecin. That was a key board similar to pianos, and each key. being struck, caused hammer to hit a bell In that way a clever bellringer could get out of his chimes swift changes and intricate harmonies unknown before. The clavecin lifted bell ringing from manual labor to high art.
 But it must have been funny to see a performer playing on his piano-lil1e clayeein. The keys were stiff, they had to be struck very hard, and hence the player wore thick gloves. He stood off from the instrument. sleeves rolled up. and brow knitted, and doubling his fists, he rained blow on blow with all his force.
 We bellringers have no claveeins to- day. nor have we the skill of the ringers of the past"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM
 AND ITS PROSPECTS FOR THIS YEAR

i longer fear Of anything being done which might be antagonistic to further develop ment of the manufacturing and business interests.
 Money is easier in New York than 1t has been for 12 months past. I was talking with one of the executive officers of one of the largest life insurance companies in this country only few days ago, and he informed me that his company is now looking for loans on business properties in Birmingham and other cities at 5 per cent. A few months ago nothing could it was even difficult to get a long time loan at that rate.
 The United States Steel Corporation, controllers of the Tennessee company will continue their developments in this district and will spend very large sums during the present year. The railroad people of all sections are figuring upon continuing the additions and extensions which were discontinued by virtue of the financial panic of some months ago. There is certain to be a great demand for steel rails and with such all of us can expect the Birmingham district to hum.
 The fact that the Birmingham Coal and Iron company has been placed in the hands of receivers really means nothing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
East Lakes Commercial Club.

East Lakes Commercial club, or ganized few weeks ago, is growing rapidly" said a citizen last night. "At the meeting Thusrday night 15 mem- bers were added, and much enthusiasm was shown as to matters laid before the club. The scope of the organiza- tion Is not strictly commercial as the name would indicate, but includes everything that makes for develop ment. Beneficial results are already noted in the increase ofllocal pride and concert of action. East Lake is setting a good example for her sister com munities in the Birmingham district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
SECONDHAND HAIR.

From the Pathfinder.
 One of the old poets remarked that "a woman's drowning glory is her hair" If he had lived in our day and seen the plateaus, promontories affected by our most stylish ladies he would have had something different to say on the sub- Ject, no doubt. This hair business is in- teresting from the plain commercial point of view The Secretary of the T@asury tells us that in the last fiscal yeM $4s7.- 59l.23 worth of human hair was imported Into this country. This included all shades and qualities of capillary yegeta- tion Italy, Hungary. southern Austria, Spain and China furnish the heavy black shades, while the finer light-eolored vari- cites come from northern Europe. Blond hair comes very high but white is the eostliest of all. Ladies' "rats'' are very, commonly made on a base of coarse hair, secured from Chinamen who are degrad- ed enough to cut off their queues.
 Thousands of travelling merchants make 1t regular business to go about to coun- try fairs and through the small villages of France and Asia collecting hair. There Is often spirited bidding to secure a specially fine head of hair presented by some handsome young damsel, and in many big families of girls the annual hair crop is counted as quite cash re- source, though it takes several years to grow good product. Most of the hair that is imported is filthy, and it is be- lieved that serious diseases are commu- nicated by this means. Nevertheless. there is an insistent demand for second- hand hair even among some of the, finest ladies in the land who would not wear anything else that was secondhand to save their lives
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
Great Aid for the Sufferers

The world was deeply moved by the unparalleled disaster along the Straits of Messina, and the fund already paid over to the Italian authorities aggre- gates s16,O00,O00, and contributions are still coming in. The immediate neces- sities of the numerous sufferers on account of the earthquake have been provided for, and no doubt there will be money enough to care for the orphans and the helpless. Large asylums will have to be provided to hold and con- fortably lodge such victims of the great cataclysm.
 The needs of thousands will continue a long time, and large as the fund is it will probably prove none too large when the appalling necessities of the disaster are fully ascertained and measured. It is to the credit of the civilized world that it has paid over so large a fund. America did her part. Up to this time the contributions of various countries has not been made known, but no doubt a list will be made up in the near future. It is known, however, that the American contributions already aggregate S3.641. 900, and it is believed the contributions of this country will go to $4,00O,0 900.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07

at the present time. It is simply due to the fact that this company was owned by the people who were building the Atlanta. Birmingham and Atlantic railroad: that this railroad cost several million dollars more than 1t had been estimated to cost. and that the panic caught them in nnak- ing their financial arrangements and they were forced to the wall. Being so closely allied with the Birmingham Coal and Iron company the latter company naturally suffered with it. As a matter of fact the Birmingham Coal and Iron company as an independent proposition has been a pros- porous concern.
 In the Il years have been in Birming- ham I have never known a period when the future prospects looked brighter than they do at the present time. With all the office buildings now going up there Is as- surance of all the space in all of them being occupied as soon as completed The one drawback to Birmingham at the pres ent time is its lack of hotel facilities. The proposed new hotel is badly needed and I feel quite sure that it will be build ed in the near future.
 The men doing business in Birmingham who are preparing for a prosperous year will be the profitable ones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
ENOUGH OF BELLY 'PossUM."


 From the Washington Herald.
 The city of Washington is as busy as a bee nowadays preparing for the inaugu- ration of MT. William Howard Taft as president of these United States. The rat-tat of the hammer Is heard as great grand stands go up here and there, and 1t will not be long time until we are gay with bunting. streamer, and flag. and quite ready for the big show on March 4.
 MT Taft will in due season turn his footsteps homeward. He has had a great time in Dixie: he is learning many valuable and essential truths in Panama about the canal just now, we suspect. It appears that he is to return via New Or leans, where an alligator banquet-some- thing of a joke, we sneaSngly surmise- is scheduled for his delectation and de- light. Good enough; let the merry mak- ing progress to its conclusion. No fault is to be found with anything that has gone before in that regard! There Is a certain amount of good-natured frolic- someness in the average American wherever you find him-north, east, south. or west-and it binds us closer together. perhaps, to mingle and get some of it off our minds occasionally.
 After March 4, however, when MT Taft shall have become President Taft, let s drop this Billy 'Possum' business. The Teddy Bear," as part and parcel of the Roosevelt administration was. at least, the gradual evolution of a definite idea, and, somehow, was not altogether a mis- fit. It was founded on sort of consis- tency, if not much high-quality common sense.
 But there is no sufficient reason why this Billy 'Possum' thing should be permanently attached to MT. Taft. He has done nothing on earth to merit so sad fate. There is not one thing about the possum that suggests the President elect not one characteristic of the little beast that can be paralleled with one of the Ohioan. Moreover, it tends to undig- nifty him, and, what is of infinitely greater concern, the presidency of the United States
 We have not d doubt that the proposi- tion to immortalize the Billy 'Possum" at MT Taft's expense was conceived in the best of good nature and the outcome of entirely appreciative motives. That is all right and is duly set down to the orig inator's credit. But the further progress of the fad, if 1t may be so called, should be sternly suppressed, for all thatl The 'possum is a nasty, rat-like ''varmint;" 1t is not an article of food acceptable to one southern table in a hundred, and is affected even by the poorer classes and the negroes gingerly and hesitatingly, and then because it may be had for the hunt ing only. That's the real, unvarnished truth in respect to the 'possum. and those who know will not dispute itl
 Let us help MT. Taft start off unham- pered of everything that may in anywise embarrass or annoy him. Let us all try to pick the big rocks as well as the little ones out of his preliminary pathway. And to that end, let's resolve to disas- sociate him rigidly from any further thought of the Billy 'Possum."