davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Economy of a Public Library

The city council of Atlanta appro- priated this year $1S,450 for the sup port and maintenance of its Carnegie library. That money sent 100000 vol umes into Atlanta homes. It also main tained reference room open to every craft and profession of the city as we'll as to thousands of school chil- dren. Every interest in Atlanta, whether it be commercial or literary is benefited by the library. l.
 If Atlanta can afford to appropriate $1S,450 annually to free public li- brary cannot Greater Birmingham and Jefferson county afford to appropriate in like manner and to like institu tion $5OOO each?
 An institution that would keep each of the 15s school districts of the coun- ty supplied with desirable volumes in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
FAR AWAY FROM PRAYING.

From the Detroit Free Press.
 Mrs. Pankhurst, conversing with De- troit newspaper man who expressed lib- eral views on the woman question, said with smile:
 "Ah, you disappoint me. I had thought American men were models in their treat ment of women. I am as disappointed in you as I once was in a little Anglo-Indian child.
 ''She had just come from India to be put to school. and one night she stayed with me all night
 After she had been put to bed, I wis., ited her room to see if she was all right In the dim light I saw the little white robed figure groping on its knees in the cot, and I whispered to my daughter:
 The little thing is saying her prayers
 "A tiny voice came from the cot:
 "'Where the debil's my dollyr"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Pellagra At Peoria

Peoria has distilleries that consume corn and it also has a state hospital in which are many persons that had eaten corn for many years. Peoria has thus become a recognized pellagra center The state hospital has long held pei lagra patients, but no one knew the nature of the disease until recently. Of late, however pellagra has been treated and considered as any other well known disease is. Last year the state hospital at Peoria had 75 cases of pellagra. From May to August 10 in the present year 26 died frop the effects of the disease.
 In Peoria diseased or immature corn is believed to implant the germs of the disease in intestinal ducts already dis eased. In other words, a person in sound health could eat unsound corn without acquiring the disease, but fee ble persons could not. Everywhere unsound corn is believed to be con nected with the disease, and it will require considerable proof to dislodge this belief
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
JOHN G. CARLISLE.

From the Washington Post.
 The following tribute to great man in the Springfield (Mass.) Republican is we'll deserved
 "The illness of John G. Carlisle, for more Secretary of the Treasury and democratic leader, continues to be se- rious, and his friends are reported to be much concerned republican member of the national House, who served in MT. Carlisle time. is quoted as saying: Tn my. judgment, he was the greatest man in the House of Repre- ever presided over the House of Repre- sentatives. His statements from the chair on any important question that arose were simply wonderful and remarkable for their terseness and intelligence. He seemed to grasp the question instantane- ously and put it pat and plump to the House. I repeat, he was the greatest speakef, the greatest parliamentarian, that the House of Congress ever had MT. Carlisle's service in the Senate was brief and his term at the head of the treasury was tempestuous and un- fortunate. He was at his best person. ality and at the height of his 1nnuence when he presided over the national House."
 In some respects John G. Carlisle was the greatest of the speakers. He not only knew parliamentary law. but he knew its spirit and its philosophy as none other knew it-not Clay nor Elaine, nor even Calhoun, the greatest presiding of ficer the Senate ever had.
 It is curious fact that Mir. Carlisle who never spoke evil of any man, was the mark of as much envy, malice and detraction as any man of our political history He never turned on his assail- ants He opened not his mouth. He spoke not a word. Conscious of his i'm tegrity. he pursued the even tenor of his course, leaving to time and to his tory his vindication.
 All good men wish him speedy and thorough restoration to health.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

that he is not the right man to have charge of the country's conservation policy. The people desire a thorough investigation. They fear rifiing of the public domain by water power hunters and other schemers, and they lack con fdence in MT. Ballinger's sincerity.
 The entire issue must be tried out. The grabbing monopolies must be headed off, and there is feeling that Mr. Ballinger is not the man to do it. But after all it is MT. Taft who is on trial. If a mistake has been made it is MT. Taft's mistake That is, how ever, no reason why the investigation should not be thorough and exhaustive. If MT. Ballinger is inclined to serve private interests at the expense of the mass of the people, let the fact be ascertained. Let the joint committee meet in open sessions. The utmost publicity is needed in this matter.
 Mir Ballinger was once a young law yer in the northwest, but he soon re- moved to the northwest, where he has ever since been a conspicuous figure. He has created the first cabinet scan- dal since the days of Bell1nap and General Grant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
WEBSTER WAS CAUGHT.

From the Philadelphia Record.
 Prof Robert Herrick of the University of Chicago desired to point out to young sonneteer the difference between the words 'astonish'' and surprise"
 Noah Webster Professor Herrick said, was once caught by his wife in the act of pressing the hand of the pretty cook.
 ''The cook, blushing like rose, fled at once to her kitchen. Mrs. Webster said in a sad tremulous voice:
 Why, Noah, I'm surprised
 But the philologist, from over his glasses at his wife. answered reprovingly: Madam, you have not studied our glor- ious language as you should. It's I who am surprised. You are astonished' ''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
PROHIBITION IN ALABAMA.
From Leslie's Weekly.

From Leslie's Weekly.
 certain criminal court official, deal- ing with tine records of Jefferson county, Alabama. told the writer that he knew of something ike J0o cases brought in his court for violation, alleged, of the prohi- bition law-and no convictions to amount to anything. Said information was given the writer on April 2S 1909. A "wet' in Birmingham told the writer that there were in Birmingham and Jefferson county 262 known places where liquor or beer could be openly purchased. Dr. Law renee insisted that that could not be true. that there were only IT federal tax receipt holders In Jefferson county. Inquiry at the United States revenue of- flee, Birmingham, and investigation of the books proved Dr. Lawrence to be mistaken, for there were, May 1, 135 li- cense holders In the city and Ill in the county, total of 246 revenue licenses is- sued by the collector for the United States in the county of Jefferson The number given in the city proper, of course, includes drug stores and whole- sale houses Later, on July 15, Sheriff Higdon of Jefferson county issued, under a state law, list of retail liquor deal CTS of Jefferson county" showing Al licenses issued by the federal govern ment.
 A person in Birmingham who is well in- formed, being close to the underground railways in the delivery of package
 NEox 1ou ft,ok he knew of e3 cases of whisky being de- livered by one concern to customers on that one day. A certain bank president, standing high in the community, wishing to purchase, or get somehow, two cases of beer for a little entertainment he was phoned the old stand-by-never mind the name! While he was attempting to get on the telephone the aforesaid stand by his telephone lines became crossed with the residence telephone lines of a certain vice president of a large coal and iron company at Birmingham, the owner of which, hearing the request for two cases of beer to be sent out immediately, joined In the three-cornered conversation, to this wise: ''-- has sent me by mis- take, the wrong day, two cases of beer. I'll just send you over what I am asking him to call for now" Another friend of the writer called up the same old standby from the formers residence, ordering a case of beer for some friends that even ing. He gave the order at p. m. Being anxious that the beer should arrive all correct, at p. m., he telephoned Qet us call him) MT. K, How about it?' The beer had been delivered at his, the pur- chaser's, residence at 2:2O p. m.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE
 LAST CHRISTMAS OF HENRY GRADY

its elixir, to reach out the hands and plunge them open-fngered through it's pulsing waves of warmth and freshness. It was June and November welded and fused into a perfect glory that held the sunshine and snow beneath tender and splendid skies. To have winnowed such a day from the teeming winter was to have found an odorous peach on a bough whipped in the storms or winter. One caught the musk of yellow grain, the flavor of ripening nuts, the fragrance of strawberries. the exquisite odor of violets. the aroma of all seasons in the wonderful day. The hum Of bees under rode the whistling wings Of wild geese flying southward. The fires slept in drowsing grates, while the people, marvel ing outdoors, watched the soft winds woo the roses and the lilies.
 Truly it was a day or days. Amid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Secretary BallInger Under Fire

A joint committee of the two houses will probably undertake the investiga- tion of MT. Ballinger's record both be- fore and after becoming Secretary of the Interior. How fair or how search ing the investigation is to be can req sonably well be determined when we see the names of the joint committee.
 The truth is, MT. Taft will be more under investigation than MT. Ballin- ger, for it was the former who ap- pointed MT. Ballinger and has stood by him against all corners ever since. The country certainly lacks confidence in his appointee, and 1t is believed Congress does also. It Is certain that MT. Ballinger's work before appoint ment does not commend him to the country.
 Aside from MT. Ballingers pre-offi- oial record, his action in the Alaska coal land cases, and Louis R. Glavis' story concerning those lands bids fair to become the chief subject of the con- gressional inquiry. The cashiering of Glavis by the President simply added fuel to the fire.
 It should be remembered that the foraaf service over which Mir PinchOt presides is not part of the interior department. The forest service is a part of the agricultural department, but when the interior department sells pub aic lands the forest service is knocked out SO far as forest preservation and water powers on those lands are con ceYned.
 It is claimed that MT. Ballingers associates and affiliations are such
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
cHRlsTUs IMPERAToR.

By the Rev. James E. Coyle. There's a legend that's told that when
 Jesus was born And laid on the manager of straw In far away city, in Rome, on that
 morn A vision the Emperor saw. He behe cid in a crystal the scene of the
 birth,
 And its meaning flashed suddenly
 clear. And Augustus the Great, though the
 lord of the earth, Bowed to earth in an excess of fear. He saw that the empire he builded with
 care
 Would pass like the leaves of the
 trees When winter winds whistle, an empire
 more fair Would be builded that never would
 cease And Rome, the eternal city. be famed
 for all time, Not because of Augustus the mild. But as seat of an empire grand. vast
 and sublime, To be founded by Jesus the Child.  Augustus is gone, and his empire oer-
 thrown, AHQ HIS paiaceS cfumDleQ aWdys And his deeds and his virtues unknown,
 or but known To the student of earlier day, While the Child, o! He lives, and today
 o'er%the earth, With holiest peans cf joy, Countless millions have gladness be
 cause of the birth Of that wonderful Cave-born Boy. The grand gorgeous temples that tow
 cred to the e,sky, With marble and gold all aglow, By Caesars once builded. now mouldsf-
 ing lie Heaps of ruins, moss-mantisd and
 low. Pagan glOries have vanished. Rome's
 standards are furleds But by Fiber, today. is . dome, And the Child. from the Vatican, rules
 all the world. Through His Vicar. the Ponti6 Of
 Rome. Birmingham. Dessmber. 1908.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Walker County Development.

"Walker county, at the closing of the year, is enjoying the greatest prosperity In it's history, said Dr. J. M. Miller, mayor of Cordova, who was in Birming- ham last night.
 The business outlook for the new year is indeed promising. All the mines are busy six days in the week when cars to carry away the coal can be secured Some of the mines have suf- fered slightly for this reason.
 "Walker county coal niiuing interests are being rapidly developed. The build inc of the Illinois Central from Haley vile into Birmingham which seems now to be more than probable, will open new and important territory both in coal and timber as well as for agriculture.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
A Good Undertone.

Henry Clews in his weekly review or yesterdays date says iu part:
 Holiday quiet prevailed in the stock market This is the season of the year when many concerns are engaged In making fresh plans for the future, and speculative attention is generally di- yerted in consequence. A good under tone exists and a hopeful feeling fs shown regarding the future. Railroads are doing a large traffic, and the volume of business is generally up to the pre- panic level, and in some cases is in excess. The country now feels the stim- ulus of agricultural prosperity. Every one is familiar with the fact that Vest ern farmers and southern planters have been receiving phenomenally high prices for their products this year, enabling them to be liberal purchasers Of cloth ing and household goods, not to speak of such luxuries as pianos, talking ma chimes, pianolas, automobiles, etc. Not a few farmers, instaed of buying more land. are making investments in secur- ities with their surplus funds, con dition of affairs which will eventually promote the floating of all sorts of ques- tionable schemes intended to entice the inexperienced
 Prosperity of the farmer is naturally followed. though in less degree by the activity in industrial circles. All our large plants are busily running on full time and over, and labor is well em- ployed In commercial circles there is a corresponding degree of activity, and the only classes who are not sharing in the benefits are those with fixed incomes and those whose work is of a profes- sional nature The latter, however, dia not suffer during the panic, but often benefited thereby in a reduced cost ot living, so cannot seriously complain. But those who took the brunt of the disaster should now have an opportunity of aver aging up."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
WHAT EVERY WOMAN READS.

From the New York Mail.
 well" suggested the man whose eyes trouble him. And then?'
 '"That's about all" The President of Venezuela or veragua, or something, is in a mixup on account of some letters-very interesting, and well written they were, too-he wrote years ago to a dancer up in the Bronx. King Leopold is quite ill. and the illness seems to be caused by worry over the Ferrer case They threatened to kill him, you know. The sugar trust was dissolved up in St. Paul the other day and they're appealing the habeas corpus on a writ of replevin. as near as I can remem- ber The subway people have been conn pelled to put on IS horse power electric bulbs. Nothing else but the shop adver- tisements. Shall read them to your"
 Don't bother. beloved said the man. You have done enough"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

it's riotous luxury surely life was worth living to hold up the head and breathe it in as thirsting men drink water; to put every sense on its gracious excel lence; to throw the hands wide apart and hug whole armsful of the day close to the heart, till the heart itself Is enrapture and ilumined. Gods penediction ca down with the day, slow dropping fl the skies. Gods smile was its light, a all through and through its superna beauty and stiffness. unspoken but ap- pealing to every heart and sanctifying every soul, was His invocation and prom ise, Peace on earth. good will to men,
 % A A
 No man appreciated him nor loved him better than did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
TO HONOR WHISTLER.
Will Have Three Monuments In Three
 Cities.

Paris. December 25.--(Special.) )-James McNeill Whistler is to be commemorated in three cities by identical monuments. Auguste Rodin, the great sculptor will shortly complete his Whistler memorial, which represents Fame holding medal lion portrait of the American impression ist. Three copies will be made-one to be set up at Lowell, the birthplace of Whistler; the second in Paris, and the third at Chelsea, the artistic London sub urb, where Whistler found many subjects for his exquisite etchings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
A HUM M ER.

From the Hartselle Enterprise
 The Birmingham Age-Herald of last Sunday was hummer from every stand point That paper has long been among the foremost of Alabama dailies, and is fast pressing it's claims as the best in the south. Her advertising patronage in last Sundays issue was a new record Long may she continue to advocate the rights of the masses of the people of one of the greatest states in the union.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Lying is a natural gift truth is an ac- quired art.
 One woman knows another is just hateful old cat to smile so sweetly.
 Next to foreign politics a man seems to find it easiest not to understand home politics.
 It's better to have been educated and learned nothing than not to have tried athletics ht all
 The number of times man can make good resolutions Is exceeded only by the number of times hs can break. them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
A NOTE FROM MAINE.
Maine Democrat.

From the MdIIIt DtIIIUCfdt'
 Make Maine really dry for six months and the state would give majority of 50, GOO for local option. Nothing keeps pro- hibition in our constitution and on our statute books excepting the fact that keeping 1t there interferes so slightly with the purchase and use of liquor by men who want It. Change that condition and prohibition would vanish in thin air.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

prices. Whin ye had less wurrk ye ate less an wore out fewer cloth es. Whin ye got a staedy job ye raided tn gro- cery store, tn price iv pork c1iops took a sudden leap, an whin tn profissol at Harvard wint down to tn forema> an got his pay check that had been ample while ye were unemployed he found har'ly enough in 1t to pay tn butchers bills. Whin ten millyon iv tn likes iv ye gets twinty-fiye cents day more pay there's just that much added to what 1t costs ivrybody to 1ive.' skjs3EE
 But what am I goin' to do about it?' said MT. Hennessy.
 "'Some pollytikal economists are in favor iv ye're not eatin',' said MT. Dooley. I wud say stop wurrkin' if it gives ye such an appetite.'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

circulating cases would more than earn the sum named The appropriations suggested would be but 4 cents per capita, and surely the furnishing of good books is worth that much.
 The people of this city and county can secure a Carnegie library costing $100,000 if the municipal and county boards will agree to pay s5000 each annually to maintain it. One central library could serve the entire county and the problem of securing books for all at small public expense is before the people of both city and county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
AT THE CLOSE.

AT THE CLOSE. T care not for the filings of fate,'' A shopper said; And yet, he seemed to hesitate And shook his head As on the outer edge he viewed The Christmas rush, While beggars. gaunt and purple-hued Crouched in the slush, T care not for the filings of fate" He spoke again, But this time he was not elate- A look of pain Crept OCT his features, drawn, as if He feared the worst. For now he suffered many Diff In crowds immersed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
A QUICK REsPoNsE.

"A new phrase has been originated" What is it?''
 The lawyer for the defendant in a re- cent divorce suit said his client was sensitive to drink"
 (Which means?'
 That when the gentleman takes a weep nip his entire system immediately begins to rejoice"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

s the sun came out at noon yes- lpU terday and made us all feel good and warm and generous, l felt like the good old days when Henry Grady was down at the Constitution office in Atlanta, and wanted to express himself in his real feeling language.
 II was at time when Henry Gray of many years of Birmingham. was cub reporter, and when the writer was doing his best.
 Grady wrote:
 No man or woman now living will see again such Christmas day as the one which closed yesterday, when the dying sun piled the western sky with gold and purple
 "A winter day it was shot to the core with sunshine It was enchanting to walk abroad in it's prodigal beauty. to breath
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

AN AGED CRONE A woman stood clothed in "unwomanly
 rags,"
 In the shade of a pawnbroker's door, While the Christmas bells rang a merry
 peal,
 As if moclSing the lives of the poor. The cold wind beat on her wasted frame And tousled her thin gray hair, While the holiday throngs sped by with
 a laugh,
 Nor thought of the beggar there. Oh, the way is long and the way is hard That leads to the valley of rest, She thought, as she shrank from the
 teeth of the gale, With her hands clasped over her breast. Iris sad enough to be old and alone And to shed @ bitter tear, But saddest of all is to freeze and starve In the midst of Christmas cheer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
2a.NGroea

In straight line." said MT. Ponsonby. ''She always zigzags"
 "oh. yes." said Mrs. 'Ponsonby, ignoring the mean fling at her sex. speaking of zigzags, reminds me of the way you came up the stairs last night. Mr. Ponsonby, you are brute. You promised me faith fully that you would come home at Il o'clock and 1t was after 3 in the morn- ing before heard you on the front porch trying to sing The Star Spangled Ban- her to the tune of My Wifes Gone to the Country''
 After 30 minutes of whitening sarcasm MT. Ponsonby made his escape, wishing he could kick himself for ever having thought of that fool word "zigzag."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
OHIO,

From the Washington Herald.
 "Ohio is ambitious to furnish both the presidential candidates in 1912" says the Birmingham Age-Herald And all the officeholders, too You cannot lose Ohio.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM

Livingston Southern Home: The law creating Greater Birmingham has stood the supreme court test, and Birming- ham now takes in a big slice of Jeffer- son county and is one of the coming great cities of the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
FEMININE.

From the Charleston News and Courier
 The Birmingham Age-H Herald says; Let Nicaragua govern herself" The pronoun shows the impossibility of it
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

The late King Leopold left $55,000- 900, thus showing that the chorus girls didn't get all of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

Carrie Nation has found an issue at last. She is going to see that mothers in-law hereafter get the respect and attention they reserve.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

Memphis News Scimitar: Birmingham is to be congratulated. The law increas- ing the city's limits and making Great CT Birmingham has been sustained by the supreme court We take it that the iron city will show large in next years s census. It is busy, pushing, aggres- sive community of wide-awakes and in a few years is bound to be. with all of it's resources. one of the great cities of the land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

The Wright brothers are proving to be good business men as we'll as ex- pert aeroplane chauffeurs.