davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

been written by man of mere talents without genius? '"The Two Dogs; Death and Doctor Hornbrook'; nay, the "Col- Hers Saturday Night itself, is hardly more distinctly stamped with genius than is that weird, wild tale of Tam O'Shan- ter''
 That splendid Master of Assemblies" John A Broadus, used to say that preach ing was stump-speaking on the subject of religion. Did you ever know 8 first rate stump-speaker who was not a good story-teller? It seems to have been so from the beginning. Jothams address. in the ninth chapter of Judges. was a straight out political stump speech from the opposition and, true to the in- stinct of the born stump-speaker, he tells the story of the election of king by the trees And what are the parables of our Lord but Illustrative anecdotes, told by a street. -and-fe preacher, to get the attention of his audience, and to i'm press them with the truths he was pro- claiming? Our modern stump-speakers of flrst-rate calibre have, without a sin gle exception known to me, been admir- able story-telers. l recall Shelton -F. Leake, John Randolph Tucker Henry A. Wise, William L. Goggin, z. B. Vance and Lewis T. Wigfall, and among preach CTS Rowlapd Hill and Sturgeon were es- pecially gifted in this line. I am neither advocating nor deprecating the telling of anecdotes in the pulpit: I am simply stating the historical facts. Even if pressed for my opinion. could not dog matize; for so much depends upon who tells the anecdote, and when, where, how and why he tells 1t. Sometimes it Is charmingly appropriats; sometimes hor- ribly out of palce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

the product. Smaller farms and better cultivation would produce wonders.
 Besides
 Millions of acres of desert land are being reclaimed by national and state irrigation improvements. Other millions of acres of semi-arid lands will raise good crops by the scientific methods of "dry farming" or moisture conservation.
 The time is coming soon when every acre of land capable of cultivation may be utilized by scientific methods, seeds adapted to soil and proper culture.
 Already lands once pictured on the map as "the great American desert" now blossom as the rose.
 What will be the full story of pro- duction when the great water powers and the tides themselves will deliver electric power over waves at a trifie of cost?
 Today in the west the owner of a power blow can turn over virgin soil by gasoline-kerosene power-at a fuel cost of only 10 cents per acre.
 But why prophecy? The story of present production is great enough However,
 In such a rich country should any child go hungry to bed? In such a country should there be so much surplus wealth of the few?
 As a people we have solved the problem of production, thanks to our favored situation. We have yet to solve the problem of equitable distribution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

of Europe, Australians, Americans and Canadians were there in thousands. Such a vast and varied concourse of people is seldom seen anywhere else, and as well as being a horse show it was an inter- national beauty and fashion show among the ladies: in fact it's reputation Tn the latter respect threatens to make the horses a secondary consideration. The show lasts four days, and reaches it's highest point on Thursday. which is known as the peoples day, and a truth full description of the Thursday of this years show would seem the grossest ex- aggeration. In the number of entries, nearly 1900, and attendance, the year 1909 has beaten all previous records and even still greater things are expected In ad- dition to the horse show there were races at Leopardstown and a championship polo match in the Phoenix park, both of which attracted immense crowds. In ad- dition to these events there were re- gattas at the principal seaside resorts, rose shows and flower shows in the parks and squares and military bands every evening. August was a month of merry making; the weather was unusually fine, the crops were plentiful, prices were good and everyone was happy.
 Dublin is a historic city, and in 1t the archeologist and antiquarian can simply
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

;" HE proof of the influence which a
 place exercises over those who
 4 visit there are the terms they use In referring to 1t afterwards. and when the words, Dear old Dublin," are heard on all sides it is natural to conclude that some good reason exists for such an expression of affection, in which may also be detected a tone of regret. Dublin has the peculiar quality about it of envelop- ing the visitor in an atmosphere of gen iality altogether different from the gaiety of Paris. In certain respects cities are like rivers. London might be compared to a great, broad, deep river slowly flow ing between high steep banks. The ef- feet of such a sight is to appal and de- press and to make person feel his own insignificance. New York is a Niagara with its rapids, it's whirlpool. it's rush and roar. It's effect is to amaze and be- wilder and fascnate a person to his ruin. Paris might be described as a succession of cataracts, resembling Southys descrip. tion in How does the water come down at Lodore?" The effect, although at first dazzling, soon becomes wearying, and a person is glad of the relief which is only to be had by escape. But otherwise, far otherwise is Dublin a city which may we'll be compared to a river flowing and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

Dublin is admission into the home, no matter how humble it may be, and the slightest infraeton of the rules of pro- priety is treated with immediate dismiss sal The free, cordial and hospitable manner of the women might lead a fool to presume, but if he does he soon dis covers how eggregiously he had erred.
 But Dublin has an outside as well as an indoor life and no people enjoy them selves more at public amusements. Ev- cry city has particular time or season of the year when the high water mark is reached and in Dublin this occurs in the month of August. The annual horse show is held the last week in that month and 1t has become an event of interna- tional interest The show is held at Balls Bridge a suburban village just outside the city limits and about three miles from the general postoffice, in the grounds of the Royal Dublin society It would re- quire a long account to describe the beauty of the exhibition halls and exer- else grounds the grandstands and long rows of stabling. Nothing is wanting to complete the purpose for which the place
 is used and when the gates opened on Tuesday. August 24, the thousands and thousands of people who attended testi- fled to the popularity of the great event. Vceroyalty and nobility from all parts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

winding it's course between verdant banks gently soping to the watersde along which a person feels inclined to esurely stroll or idly finger
 As a rule a visitor grows tired of a city after week or two, but Dublin grows on the visitor, and every day spent there creates the desire to remain longer. That's why it is that returning tourists will speak of gay Par.s. great London. wonderful New York and dear old Dub lin.
 The predominating characteristic of the people of Dublin, and after all it is the people more than the place who makes the impression, is their sense of comfort and their way Of making others feel com fortable. It has been said that the true test of the lady or gentleman is their power to make a person feel at ease and. if that statement be true, the Dublin peo- pie are the most perfect ladies and gen. tlemen in the world. Dublin is not city of open doors far from it. Before per son gains admission to a home in Dub lin he must be known, who he is and what he is: but once he c~ssses the threshold he finds himself as much at home as he would be by his own fire side.
 There is no demonstrative welcome, no
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26
HEART TO HEART TALKS-By Edwin A. Nye

And these schools are exclusively en- gagged in making good citizens.
 A million and half consecrated men and women teach more than 12,00o, GOO children every Sunday the great ethical doctrines of Christianity.
 Thousands of future citizens get all their moral teaching from this source.
 It is big thing, one of the biggest of all modern enterprises.
 Do not regard the Sunday school as an inconsequential factor or neglect it be- cause you may think it of minor conse- quence.
 It is big and good--and good only
 Rags! Old Ironr'
 You have often heard the cry of the street It is usually pitched in a high keyed monotone and in broken Eng fish, penetrating, insstent.
 The owner of the noise and of the horse and wagon which constitute it's may dicker for the rags and iron and bones and brass and rubber and other castoff remnants which make up his miscellaneous treasures.
 And
 You do well to keep one eye on your junk pile while he sorts it over and inventories the same lest something Of value within the reach of the grimy fingers may get into the collection. It is best to have the stuff weighed and paid for and the trader well on his way from the premises ere you relax vigilance.
 The junkman knows values.
 Some of these peripatetics pick up in the course of a year 5000 to s5oOo in profits. They well understand the sig nificance of an eighth of a cent a pound as related to the market
 What becomes of the stuff?
 Why your rags come back in the delicate note paper on which you write a party invitation. And your new range may contain some of the old iron you sold for a song. so closely is the old related to the new And the bones you thought to be worthless have gone to the refinery to treat the sugar in your morning coffee cup. And so on.
 In the economy of the junk dealer nothing is lost.
 These ''snappers up of inconsidered trihes" foreign folk-justify the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26
HEALING IN OLD TIBET.
Used Methods 1500 Years Ago That
 Are In Practice Now.

From the Pail Mall Gazette.
 The ancients, priests, and savants of Tibet were skilful physicians when al- most the whole of Europe was overrun by ignorant savages or semi-civilized bar barians.
 The Russian government recently re- ceived a petition from the Siberian Bud dhists, requesting that medical schools should be established among them, in which the ancient Tibetan art of healing should be taught. In consequence of this strange petition the Medical Acade- my of St. Petersburg has been making in- vestigations concerning the claims of the ancient ribetan art of healing.
 A Tibetan handbook of medicine which was known and used 1200 years ago, and even then was regarded as an ancient and venerated source of knowledge, was used as material for the investigation. The Russian academicians have thus made the astonishing discovery that this book described drugs and cures which European physicians "discovered' many hundred years afterward.
 Thus the doctors of Tibet so many cen turtles ago were not only acquainted with the secrets of the entire human anatomy how many bones there are in the human body, etc. the principal nerves, namely. 99-but knew that the skin contained H. GOO, 900 pores. According to this venerable book, the heart is king of all organs and the support of life" 'Scknesses in general originate owing to the evil and ignorance of human beings, especially owing to their inability to overcome their passions, which disturb the healthy nourf ishing of the human organs. All eY thoughts also have harmful infiueH on the heart and liver"
 The physicians of Tibet 1500 years ago employed the same means of diagnosing the condition of sick person as the phy- sicians of the present day-they felt the patients pulse, looked at his tongue, etc. Among the remedies" which they rec commended were not only vegetarian diet. baths. congresses, but also massage and cupping What is more remarkable is that physicians who did not keep their instru- ments clean were severely punished. The ancient Tibetans were in this respect ex- tremely modern The old Tibetan medi- cine book prescribes that healthy persons should Head an orderly sensible manner of life, avoid all excesses and irregulari- ties, also conscientiously cherish, keep clean both soul and body"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

"The game is not worth the candle.'
 Ada Tilt Otis, daughter of a Chi A cago millionaire merchant, di- vorced wife of Millionaire Thomas Otis of Los Angeles, respecting this human life of ours.
 Eight months after she had secured q divorce from her husband Mrs. Otis committed suicide.
 She left a note addressed to a young man, also a millionaire, containing the seven words quoted above.
 According to the Los Angeles dis patches Mrs Otis made the following statement to a friend four days before she took her life:
 "When I got my decree of divorce I resolved I would not marry again. I tried society. but it's vagaries disgust ed me. l feel that the whole game of life is not worth the candle that it takes"
 Poor womanl
 Aye poor-despite her wealth, wretch- edly poor. poor in riches of recollections, poor in satisfaction of social service, poor in worthy works, poor in gratitude earned, poor in spirit, poor in hearts ease, poor in love. poor in hope-poorer perhaps than her washerwoman.
 Life held only the dregs of vanity and vexation of spirit left in the bottom of the cup.
 Why?
 Why do so many having every chance miss the way of life?
 This woman looked upon existence as do many as a "game"-a game to be played to while away the tedious hours or for selfish entertainment. Knowing only the social side and be- ing an intellectual woman, when the game grew tiresome she was ready to snuff the candle.
 Disillusioned. defeated. despairing, she risked the game of futurity.
 The woman had ample wealth, culture opportunity and immeasurable opportu- mites to make herself worthy of living She failed because
 She had not learned or needed the teaching of all human experience, to say nothing of divine dictum, that happi- ness comes through service and not in selfshness: in scrifice. mot in satiety.
 Life is not a mere game to be frittered away
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

say. "No such character ever lived,' but if we could see persons and conditions with the same penetration that Dickens had we would possibly change our minds. Dickens was assailed for giving such con- trary elements of personality to Nancy Sikes To his critics he said, Tt is useless to discuss whether the conduct and character of the girl seems natural or unnatural, probable or improbable. right or wrong. It Is true. Every man who has watched these shades of life must know it to be true. From the first introduction of that poor girl to her laying her blood stained head upon the robbers breast, there is not word exaggerated or overwrought." So, with his characters generally. In the pref ace to Nicholas Nickleby we are told that MT. Squeers is a person construct ed from the characteristics of his fellow Yorkshire schoolmasters; and that Iolen Browdy is reflection of the "jovial, ruddy, broad-faced man who came down at night through the snow to the inn where I was staying" They were taken, therefore, from real life.
 It may be of interest to the reader to know that one or the cnhrdclclS III Meii tin Chuzzewit'' was representation of a former actual resident of the state of Missouri I refer to General Scadder" of the book, who in realty was William M Muldrow, the first "boomer' and promoter of prospective towns and cities of his section. The city that General Scadder was assisting to establish in the book is called "Eden," but in reality 1t was Marion City" MT. Dickens visited St. Louis when Muldrows scheme was at its height. It was all so new to him that 1t impressed as "a good thing for, a story" and so he gave it place in his great novel, Let me say, by the way,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

somely and his family was prominent sociallyin the western city.
 Personally Smith was a suave, courtly gentleman of native refinement and was counted one of the successful men of his state. He was also honored as the son of the writer of our national hymn. However
 A few years ago whispers began to be heard respecting his financial diff culties It was some time before an accounting was demanded. Investigation showed that he was short more than $10O,00 He had squandered trust funds
 On trial Smith was found guilty of forgery and embezzlement and was sen- fenced to Il years in Fort Madison prison
 That was five years ago.
 A few months ago a movement was started for his pardon. Sentiment re- specting the fathers sacred memory pleaded for the son, and the pardon board granted the release.
 Last month Samuel F. Smith. aged 7S. but still courtly, started back to the old home in Massachusetts. where his wife and daughter awaited him. He died on the way.
 
 author of sweet freedoms song" did not die in a prison cell.
 It was pathetic enough that the hon. ored name of Samuel F. Smith should have been smirched by the crimes of graceless son.
 Query:
 If the sins of the fathers be visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation. why should not the virtues of the fathers last for a like tenure? Is vice stronger than virtue?
 No, but
 The influence of environment added to free moral agency Is stronger than the influence of heredity. Do the best you can for your boy. He must work out his own salvation.
 Did you ever try to get through a dense throng of people to the "speak- ers' stand" where you had an engage ment to speak or sing or officiate?
 In the beginning it may have seemed a near possibility to get to your place. but
 You began to push gently on the out skirts of the crowd. You were good
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

statement that foreigners get rich on what Americans throw away.
 Heed a lesson therefrom.
 Americans are wasteful to the point of prodi gality Because of the abundance e of things they have not needed to prac- tice the rigid economy that is the thrift of Europe
 But the day is coming in thls country when every inch of the farm must pro duce, every piece of timber have a. value, every machine operate to the full capacity and every byproduct of industry be utilized
 Nature does that.
 In her realm no infnitesmal atom is ever lost Man may change the form. but he cannot destroy a single particle of matter.
 Nature is resourceful. If she had been wanton, as man often is, the uni verse would have gone back to chaos ages ago. And the Master of nature specifically taught the virtue of economy. He said to His disciples:
 Gather up the fragments that nothin g be lost'' We Americans. of all peoples, need to give heed to the many maxims of our own Benjamin Franklin respecting fru- gality and thrift.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

that the last sign that there ever existed on the map General Scadder's Eden, !" or Muldrow's Marion City, was washed away by the recent floods of the Mssis- sippi river.
 It has often been said that David Cop perfield is the autobiography 'of Dickens Dickens denied this, yet many of the char acters and incidents were taken from the life of the writer of the great story. It was his custom to use freely the hap penings that he had observed in his fath- CTS family and to introduce real char acters into his works, even from among his kinspeople. MT. William Dorrit' s character and experience "a shy, irreso- lute man" in the Marshalsea Debtors prison, point to the character and mis- fortunes of the elder Dickens.
 Sir Walter Scott was accustomed to look for actual characters for his romances. The lovely Jewess, Rebecca, in Ivanhoe, was a portrait of Rebecca Gratz. a Jewish maiden of Philadelphia, of whose virtues Washington Irving had previously written and which sketch Sir Walter had seen.
 The most beautiful character that Scott has given the world is, perhaps, Jeanie Deans, in "The Heart of Midlothian. , Her prototype was a heroic Scotch lassie named Helen Walker, whose dust. since 1791 has lain in the churchyard on the banks of the Cairn. The parallel between the life of Helen Walker and Jeanie Deans Is most striking, and from the actual fact Sir Walter wrought out his charming romance. Helen Walkers sis- ter was tried for child murder, and was condemned; Helen secured a petition, walked all the way from her home in Scotland to London; presented herself to the Duke or Argyle, whose influence se-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

hunored, but persistent. Little by little you obtruded yourself wedgelike into the mass. Little by little the people gave way.
 Some mi@hf glare at vou for your apparent rudeness aud give way grudg- ingly, even complainingly. Others were pleasant and accommodating. It was not sufficient to indicate your desire to reach the platform. You needed to accompany explanations with push-not discourteous push, but persistent one. Well
 So is getting on in the world.
 If you would reach the place selected by you as your place you must pass through and push aside lot of people.
 They are in your way. And they are a multitude.
 If you do not push they will not budge. If you merely explain without pushing you will get nowhere. It Is case where mere politeness and soft words will &C., , complish nothing. Know this-that. however close and l compact the mass may seem, If you will insist and persist and keep on gent Iy pushing toward the goal the crowd
 
 that way. It Is previous to the human wedge driven by the powerful maui of l the human will Do you want to stay on the outside and take things easy?
 The crowd will let you. | But if you are bound to get on and up neither humans nor devils can pre- vent you.
 Success requires that you get to the platform. Thousands about you in life do not care particularly to get up there, but they will not voluntarily help you up.
 If you want elbow room and a van tage point up at the speakers stand, push for it
 Be nice about 1t as you can be, but pushl
 There is a comfortable place awaiting you on the platform of life. There is better air up there-and wider vision.
 Besides once there you need no longer push the people.
 Why go through life crowdng your way and perpetually sticking your el- bows into your neighbours side? There are vacant places on the platform. Push-and keep pushing,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

Sad soul of woman.
 What supreme happiness she might have. won what possibilities of doing good in the worldl
 But
 When the diversion became mere dawdlng. when the pastme of the play palled upon her, she did not even wait for the candle to go out! One of the biggest things in this big country of big dollars and big enter prises-and one of the best of the big things-is the institution known as the Sunday school
 How many officers and teachers, most ly adults, do you suppose are engaged in the Sunday school enterprise in this country?
 According to the census, an army of l 1,459. .535 persons teach and officiate. And the pupils? When the figures are | quoted they are so large as almost to stagger belief. These figures are | 12,272657!
 Spell out the enumeration-twelve mill lion two hundred and seventy-two thou | sand six hundred and fifty-seven
 That is to say, one of every six of our entire population, and comprising those of plastic minds and future pos sibilties is engaged one day in every seven in studying the Scriptures and the tenets of the Christian faith. Besides, there is the literature of the Sunday schools. What is known as the International Sunday School series, consisting of the lesson leahet and lesson comment, has weekly circulation of more than half a billionl
 This same lesson is printed also in thousands of newspapers throughout the country and is esteemed popular fea- ture. The aggregate circulation of the Sunday school literature is beyond con- putation.
 Measured in dollars?
 Well. here is one institution that puts the human above the dollar. Yet the yearly receipts in money will run up into the millions. If each pupil were to contribute only penny at each ses- sion the receipts would exceed $6oO coo. While the figures are not at hand. 1t is believed that the schools in the United States alone collect and pay out hun dred million dollars a year But citizenship is more than dollars.