davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
aUlT AT SEVENTY.
Proposed Law Would Affect 2,ooo Fed-
 eral Clerks.

Proposed Law Would Affect 2,00o Fed
 eral Clerks.
 Washington Special.
 Decision has been reached by the President and Cabinet to recommend to Congress a plan for the retirement of all Government employees in the class flied service at the age of 70. The greatest factor in moving the admin istration to this determination has been the result of the recent investigation of personnel in the Treasury Depart ment by the three assistant seereea- ries.
 According to the present calculations $1, 900, ,000 will have to be appropriated next year to take care of those imme- diately eligible for retirement. There are, in round numbers. 170,000 persons on the classified list, and of this num- Der approximately 2,000 will be up Tor retirement when the bill becomes q law The cost of retirement of the clerks, as they reach the age of 70. Will Tn, crease for the next thirty years ana will reach a little more than $2.oO0,0OO. After the thirty-year period the cost to the Government will be nothing. for by that time the persons in the service will have contributed enough to pay their own annuities. '
 Up to this time the bitterest opposi- tion to the scheme has come from Rep resentative Tawney. chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, but if is believed he will not fight a measure which has the backing of the administration.
 The pay roll of the classified service is now S200, ,O00, 900, and the cost or the plan even at its highest would be only 3 per cent of this amount.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27


 The suspicion that the tom-tom beating style of politician who pros pered. under the excitement of the Roosevelt administration is delfber- ately seeking to discredit the Taft ad- ministration has become a conviction. The President himself has become con- vinced that men who were zealously friendly to the Roosevelt admInfatra- ton and who professed friendship for the Taft administration, are doing all in their power to stir up strife and dissension and to some extent are succeeding. It needs no seer to see A definite and positive break between the President and the former presi- dent when the latter comes home from the hunting trip. And so arises the interesting talk of the Pack from Elba" plan under which Roosevelt is to again assume arbitrary control of the Republican party.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
surrKas FROM HEAT.

Extraordinary Phenemenen is Noted In
 Many Countries. London Cable to Chicago Tribune of
 Dec. 23.
 A Meteorological phenomenon. which. 1t Is stated. has not been known in 1so years. Is being experienced In partssof western and Southern Europe. The temperature has risen with astonishing suddenness, under the influence of contrast has been most marked Tn Spain. France and Switzerland. but has been great farther north.
 Concurrentiy with gale in Great Britain yesterday the mercury in Lon don rose in the course of few hours from 27 to 55 degrees. Even tonight the temperature Is above 50 degrees. Tn Paris the thermometer registers 60 degrees.
 The sudden change had strange ef- feet in the theaters last night. It was necessary to shut of all heating ap- paratus and open all doors and ventt- iators. notwithstanding which several persons tainted from the heat.
 Farther south 70 degrees Is common. This temperature is universal in switzerland, where the ice and snow are melting with summer speed. caus- ing floods which threaten to be serious. Snow has disappeared from the noun tains to height of 1000 feet. stopping skiing. tobogganning and other winter sports.
 ing in their winter clothing. glad to doff their coats outdoors.
 In Madrid the temperature Is 7S. The change in the weather has been accom- panied in many parts by excessive rains. causing destructive Hoods, A Lisbon, destroying the minister's val uable collection of works Of art.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
GRANDEsT HOUSE IN LONDON IS COMING
 INTO THE MARKET

If there Is any American millionaire who wants the distinction of being the possessor of the most magnificent house in London he will be able to ac- quire 1t. with the house, in January next, when the wonderful mansion in Park Lane. built by the late Otto Belt, comes into the market.
 Belt was the nephew of Barney Barnato, the South African diamond king and the heir to most of his for tune. It was really Barnato who plan ned the house. but he did not live to see it built. Constructed In the Louis XVI style, 1t overlooks the best part of Hyde Park, and is near the houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. In fact it is the ideal site for an embassy. and it Is said that more than one nation Is after 1t for a home for it's representative at the Court of St. James.
 The ground landlord is the Duke of Westminster, and the purchaser must hind himself to pay s5.750 a year to the Duke for seventy-seven years. at the end of which period the lease will ex- pire. A good story Is told of his grace s dealings with Otto Belt. The dukes agents made so many stipulations as to how the house was to be built elevations not to interfere with views from the ducal Grosvenor mansion; stables to be located where they wouldn't be a nuisance and endless other restrictions-that the diamond Croesus got very tired. Finally, the millionaire received a note stating that the duke expected him to spend a minimum, of $50,000 on the house.
 "I shall expend a good deal more than that on my stables" Belt replied.
 The future purchaser of Belts bun galow." as 1t is called, will have some agreeble neighbors. Near by is Sir Ernest Cossel's residence, the splendors of which to quote an enthusiast, rival "the gorgeopsness and majesty Of tHe stones throw away are Dorchester House (the American embassy), the house built by J. S. Barnato. and the residences of Rufus Isaacs, K. C.; Lord Brassey, the Right Hon. George Wynd- ham. Lady Henry Somerset and other moneged folk,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Should Insure Peypetuafion
 0f Timber Wealth of South

and to his children, he must consider himself as trustee, in his future use of hts timber area
 The lands held by individuals and corporations are of another fciass. foe not only Is the area much larger, but the timber stand is immensely more valuable and extensive This area is almost wholly used as the basis for fu- ture exploitation and sale or for tin- Der cutting and manufacture on a large scale. for such holdings frequently comprise vast areas of several hum dred thousand acres and invariably contain the best timber.
 The shrewd lumberman who has cut the Northern and lake forests has seen to 1t that tAe opportunity to buy and profit largely from the cheaply bought Der lands. has been promptly taken ad- vantage of. with the result that oves 50 per cent. (and possibly 75 per cent.J Of the ttimber lands in the South are in such hands today.
 If the South has not sold and is not even now selling It's birthright for a mess of pottage, 1t has come danger ously near doing so. for lands so held are not being wisely used; appeals to the moral questions involved in tim Der conservation fall on the deaf ears lof men and corporations whose only motive Is to cut and to add up profits thereby. There is nothing SO deaf as the prcverbial adder unless # be a funi- herman to the idea of conservation and to the moral and legal right of the
 fe to prevent total devastation of s..- ssted areas on which the very life of the State may depend.
 What is the answer? Broadly speak ing. 1t means realization on the part of our Southern people that deep re- sponsibilfty is laid upon them in this forest question--a duty to be performed now. that cannot he eyaded by thought full citizenship. covering such wise use forest area as will insure the perpetua- ton of the South's timber wealth.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
ROOSEVELT FACTION
Is Blamed by Taft fer the Ballinger Row.

Walter Wellman's Washington Spe-
 cial to Chicago Record Herald.
 President Taft and his friends have reached the conclusion that the war fare upon Secretary Ballinger over the Alaska coal claims and other matters Nts only the beginning of a crusade against the present administration in the interest of a recrudeseence of Roosevelt and Rooseveltism.
 They believe, furthermore that the purpose is to make the former Presi- dent a candidate against the present President three. years hence.
 Suggestions that such is the under lying motive have been made from time to time in these dispatches and elsewhere, but 1t Is only now that advisers admit. that they also have come to e realization of the true sig nifcance of the movement.
 The Presidents .onndants declare that he is not afraid of the issue thus raised: that he did not seek its precip- itation. and. to the contrary, sought as long as possible to avert 1t; en- deavored in every reasonable and dig struggle being Inevitable and forced by the other side. he proposes to meet 1t fairly and squarely and to stand upon his rights as the one now re- utive branch, regardless of past ad- ministratfons or future administra- tions.
 It is further declared in adminis- tration circles that President Taft Is becoming little weary of talk of the Roosevelt policies" and of discussion whether he is or is not carrying them out He wants to be judged by his performance and by the work of his own administration. A favorite ex- pression just now in administration quarters is: You speak of Roosevelt policies. Can anyone tell what they are? Why not talk of Taft policies? The former administration came to an end last March"
 It is insisted upon President Taft's behalf, as I have heretofore pointed out that he has his own ideas of what is good for the country and what are and are not proper methods to foliow W, Some of his Ideas are like those of the former President and some are not. Some are more and some less radical than the former President advocated. What the friends of the President do resent is that standard has been sci up, Q point of reference looking back ward, by which everything of the present and future can be measured and tested. And they do ask as to ev- cry question which arises that public opinion shall form on the merits of the case, not upon sort of fetich or juggling with names and oft-used and rather vague phrases.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
MIR. TAFTss COMMON SENSE.
Not Afraid to Let the Laght in on His
 Acts. IKE

Not Afraid to Let the Light In on His
 Acts. t. New York World.
 Tn the popular mind 1t is Mir. Taft. not Mir. BallfnEer, who is to be fnvesti- gated by Congressional committee- Mir. Taft has already judged the mat ter in controversy and sustained MT. Bailinger. The appeal to Congress IS an appeal to review the Presidents de- cision. If the evidence runs against the Secretary of the Interior tt Will deal q heavy blow to the Taft admin fsfration fa&t
 The President knows this quite as well as anybody, He cannot be fgnor- ant of the fact that the more recent attacks upon Mfr. Baliinger have been directed quite as much against him as against his Secretary of the Interior. In the circumstances the President IS to be commended for the common sense he has displayed in assenting to Con gresional Inquiry. It shows that MT. Taft is not afraid of the truth. even # the truth should prove that he had been misied.
 N would have been very easy for MT. Taft to Issue statement denouncfng all of Mfr. Baliinger's critics as liars and scandal mongers and telling Con gress that there was nothing for It 10 investigate because he had decided ev- erything for all time. Instead the President Invites full publicity. wheth- CT it helps or hurts his administration.
 Possibly his attitude in this matter will be construed as further evidence that he is not in sympathy with My Policies
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27

Washington. Dec. ze.--(speciai. )--- The 235.000.000 acres of forest area fin the Southern States, Maryland to Tex as including Arkansss. Oklahoma and Missouri. constitute an imperial do- main. It Is an area almost six times putting 1t another way, an area con- siderably larger than all of New Eng land combined with New York, Penn sylvania, Ohio. Illinois, Indianaa and Wisconsin.
 The fact Is an imposing one and cou4 pied with it's possessfon lies the com forting fact that tn this forest area is contained not only nearly half of the nations remaining timber. but by far the most valuable kind.
 It means that with proper manage ment and by wise use this source of wealth to the South can be made to perpetually yield an income which in importance and size ts only second to the South's cotton crop.
 The ownership of this vast area may be roughly divided into two classes: First, farmers woodlots, aggregatfng approximately 11o.oo0.000 acres, ani. secondly, Individual or corporate hold ings, aggregatins about 1aS,ooo.ooo some detail
 Fsrmsrs woodlots are mainly scat tered and detached remnants of the original forests. chiefly valuable for protective and ornamental purposes they contain much valuable timber, mainly in the shape of ties. posts. poles, nrewood, etc.. and while immensely val uabie for such purposes, are not (for- tunately) suitable for extensive 1urn- bering operations that would entirely destroy them.
 The man who has forest area on his farm has q perpetual source of tn- come. if 1t be properly handled. and in time. perhaps. can be so made to re- alike its potentiality as a profitable as- set almost as valuable as well watered lands that he will in time also realize that If he wants to be true to himself
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
]. JACKSONS CHEESE PARTY
A FAMOUS WHITE HOUSE INCIDENT FOR WHICH THE SENATE ADJOURNED AND BECAUSE or WHICH
 FOREIGN DIPLOMATS WERE DISGUSTED

| the dainty. It was like the >exhalatfon from a thousand cheese presses of the fragrance of 10000 cheese mongers' shops combined.
 Carried Two Inscriptions. The cheese when placed in position in the East Room was entirely coverS ed by a white cloth. On the top was 1 a picture of a COW. while around his belt, in black letters. was painted Branch's famous application to Jack son, ..the greatest and the best" and Jackson's own memorable words. The Union must be preserved"
 Some authority gives out that a big Irishman who had been enjoying the monster cheese with apparent rei- grateful enough to loudly remark: Well. it may be the greatest, but it's far from being the best"
 One foreign minister rode in state, up to the White House door. in bliss full ignorance of the sight which was In store for him. As he entered the East Room a small boy was precipi- tated Into the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. So was the huge chunk of cheese to which the small boy was greediiy attached. The inevitable happened and the minister's clothes were plastered with the dels- cacy.
 Giving one mortified glance at the nondescript assemblage and sensing the mingled odora Of cheese, garlic and cologne water. the minister fied. AS he left the mansion he furiously rsmarked to Q brother diplomat You can stay if you want to and are able. but this is too d--- democratic for me-"
 Entoyea By the President.
 President Jackson was apparently unaffected by the mixed crowd or tha multitudinous orders and freely min eled with his guests, seeing that the cheese was generously distributed.
 Mrs. Ellet. the wife of an army of- ficer. who was present, said. in a let- ter to q friend: 'aThe flavor of the cheese was not less rich and fine than the proportions were gigantic and in spite of the immensity of the indus trious crowd. there did not seem to be any sensible inroads made upon the bulk of the cheese. One old woman who was evidently having a most dee iightful time turned to me and said. Bless Jaclkson's old heart! my darter Emerline has been to visit the ginerii several times and shook hands with him. He's the most agreeablest man I ever seen. but there's vast deal or vuigarity here today."
 Vice President Martin Van BufeE. the dandy, the elegant gentleman was present at the .'affair" and was much put out at the whole proceeding. Hardly had he succeeded Jackson as President of the United States than an admiring public also presented the new Chief Executive with an, enor- nous cheese. For policy's sake the cheese was placed in the East Room, but the cutting of the cheese and it's distribution was 8 comparatively small affair.
 Despite the exclusiveness of the guests 1t was hard matter to- keep the cheese crumbs well in hand" and the consequent condition of the East Room so displeased President Van Bu- rem that he did away with any sort of refreshments at either public or card reception, and this rule still ob- tains. sF
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27

until Professor Eselresicht might have time to be born. grow up and solve the ridd1e
 A committee composed of two keep CTS and six alienists is now taking notes while the professor talks. Another interesting disclosure is that made by Batty Belfry. who re- gently escaped from his country home in Matteawan. He asserts that Noah Webster's dictionary is simply a rec ord-breaking declaration of love ad- dressed by Webster to the lady of his affections. a stenographer in lum- Der camp near Arooatock, Me. As proof of this MT. Beifry points out that every love word in the Ensiish language appears somewhere in the dictionary.
 "what more can one ask ?' he in- quired. just before returning to his country place with several physicians, his inseparable companions
 Monsieur Gaboriau Pourquoi, Q French literary sleuth. already famed as the author of "The History of Humor. From Aristotle to Tolstof," now comes out with seven equally good theories as to the identity of the lady whom Rider Haggard had in mind when he wrote "She." Monsieur Pourouoi offers conclusive proof that She was none other than Joan of Arc. Tetraxzini. George Eliot. Lady Mac beth, Mrs Pankhurst, Eusapia Palad- ino and Eve.
 pr. Wheels of this city announces after IT years of research that Mark Twain's "Innocents Abroad" is a ciev- erly hidden sonnet to the cashier or a restaurant in Virginia City. New, and that the title of the book Is mere iy a sly dig at those who think diff ferently.
 pr. Wheels will be remembered as the man who once complained that his literary output was sadly restrict ed by the dncongeniai atmosphere or padded cells.
 Further startling disclosures are hourly expected.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
IoFollette Organ's Views.

Milwaukee Journal.
 The recent career of Dr. Cook shows that a man may smile. keep his tem- per and act like a gentleman with ms critics, but still be unable to deliver the goods and make good when the time comes.
 This suggests a question about an-- other famous smiler, who has claimed heirship to the Roosevelt policies. He has not proved his claims, although asked to do so and given every oppor- tunity. He meets his critics with smiles and treats them with all cour- tesy. but up to date has not submitted his proofs. It is to be hoped the rear that his chief asset is a smile will prove groundless, and when the test comes he will be able to prove ms rfghtful ownership of the policies or hiN nradecaasOr.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Our RiIl Against Cuba [.

We used to hear something to the effect that intervention in Cuba and all the responsibilities that followed American citizen should pat himself on the back at the thought of being a part of this great philanthropic ma ton. Now if Cuba is to be asked to pay the bill of what We did for hu- fnanIty's sake, and instead of being a national philanthropist we discover that we are only a mortgagee. hold ing & lien on Cuba, which, if enforced, would wreck her, and If unenforced, holds her in our debt to such an ex- tent that she cannot enjoy actual freedom, our patriotic pride suffers. Why not wipe this charge on the slate, and live up to our professed ideals in ipausurating Cuban inter vention--a work of humanity to be undertaken and sustained without counting the cost7
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
DICTIONARY A LOVE POEM.
Is Claimed That Homer BOOmed Troy
 Laundry Business.

4NeW AOTK WOTlu-
 The publication of a book entitled "The Man Shakespeare and His Tragic Love Story" wherein the author sets out to prove that Shakespeare's love sonnets were addressed to Mary Fit ton, maid of honor at Queen Eliza beth's court, has caused the appear ance of some extraordinary theories whose sponsors have hitherto kept in the background through modesty or more forcible means of restraint.
 Among these one of the most start ling Is that of Professor Dietrich Esel- gesicht of the University of Hinter- guggenhausen. Germany who asserts that Homer, man far ahead of his time, wrote the "Iliad." as a brazen press agent yarn for Troy, N. Y., al the time the poem was written and the constant use by the poet of the word 'Iiion" instead of Troy" merely show that Homer was anxious to keer the real significance of his work dark
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Naval Reformn Not Certain.

Boston Herald.
 Hesitation on the part of Congress in approving the plans for reorgani- zatlon in the Navy Department pro- mulgated by Secretary Meyer will not tend to improve the situation in that department. The greater part of the reorganization plan is within the pro- vince of the Secretary, and does not is evident that Congress or it's Naval Committee Is hostile and is likely to ohstruct progress along these lines by adverse legislation or by its action on appropriation bills. the full benefits of the plan will not be realized.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
THOSE WE'RE COLD DAYS.
It Takes the old Resident to Freez
 Biood With Chilling Anecdotes.

It Takes the old Resident to Freeze
 Blood With Chilling Aneedotes, Detroit Free Press
 Without stopping to take the signs or the zodiac or to have the astrologi- cal editor of the paper so over the, next few months with his horoscope, we venture few words of timely admo- milton. Take no stock in the state ment that the winter will be so cold as to silence the old residents who sur vived the frigid season of earlier years. Much less take any financial risk on the proposition.
 The old resident has a valuable line of facts upon which to draw. He does not shock his veracity when he tells of a time in the early sos that the thermometer dropped from above zero to 26 below fin less time than the fam fly dog could get from the barn to the house without freezing both ears and his tail. He or some of his neighbors had stiff hands before they could get their mittens on, and stock which could not reach shelter gave up their lives to raise the price of living.
 These same sage veterans can Inform
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Rncklaa made .of !

Buckles made of gold and silver braid are not only smart. but are far less expensive than many other ar ticles of hat adornment- These are not difficult to make, and little in- genuity on the part of the needle woman will result in quite distinc- tive buckle.
 Tunice effects are now so cleverly designed that they are effective for all ages. A soft. filmy overskirt oi the chiffon or net Is extremely pretty over a bright shade of pink or blue satin, and especially so when this dIaphanous covering Is caught up here and there to show the true shade oi the dress.
 Few costumes for late afternoon oi evening wear now are seen without draperies of some kind
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Must Choke It Out of Nature.

CInClnnatI EnqulTeT.
 Despite the movement well under way from the cities to the farms, and the additional farm production re- sands of immigrants who have gone upon the lands to add their trib- ute of results to our aggre gate of farm products. 1t is very evident that the country and the world require greater harvests than ever have been gathered in order to give food at req sonable prices to the constantly in- creasing population.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Mi m AM.

John and Mary had been sharing one chair all the evening. John sat on the chair. and Mary sat on John, After about three hours of this Mary suddenly exclaimed:
 ''Oh. John, arn't you tired?''
 John smiled a brave. patient smile. Not now" he said gently. ''No. not now. I was about an hour ago. but now I'm only paralyzedF'-R. B.