davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Little Things That Worry

Friends frequently fall out over small misunderstanding far more than over serious differences of opinion, and little things that go wrong worry most of us far more than big ones.
 Is it that we despse little things, and so are not prepared for them: that, as we are not on the lookout, they take us in unguarded moments, and tease us out of our ordinary patience by their petty, incessant, insect warfare, buzzing about us and stinging like gnats, so that we can neither get rid of nor grapple with them, whereas we collect all our fortitude and resolution to meet evils of greater magnitude and so get them over successfully?
 The truth is. we are apt to pamper little irritations into great ones, and so resent them unduly. The great reverses of fortune seem unavoidable and remedi- less, and so we submit to them without murmuring. It is a pity we do not re- verse the process.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
A Table Shelf

'I saw not long ago a clever arrange ment in a well equipped library" said a neighbor. ''It is one that must save many steps in the course of a year. It is an attachment to aid the person who is using books of reference. In each set of shelves there is a recess about three feet from the floor. In this recess. which is about two inches in height and the width of the shelves, is a board just as wide as the shelves are deep, of the same wood and provided with a groove in the front lower edge.
 This table shelf may be pulled out to be used as a table for ones reference books. for it will hold several. It does away with the necessity of carrying the books across the room to a table.
 Every bookcase on the three sides of that room ', is provided with this table shelf"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Don't Marrow Your Life

A woman said the other day: "Im getting so I just hate to meet strang- CTS. I would rather walk around the one whom I would have to talk to for half an hour. I like my family and friends, but I don't want any outsid- CTS about"
 She was only about 30, but she was acquiring an ear mark of age. And that is unwise for any one, and partic- tlarly the woman in business.
 The matter of making new friends and acquaintances has two sides. And IL is 6 bjeot not to be dismissed ligh t1y.
 No one can afford to give all her time even to friends. And to fritter 1t away Time Is the gold that Is given us freely.
 But on the other hand, it is unwise to shut one's self away entirely from making new acquaintances, to live so content with one's present circle of friends that no message from other worlds can reach you.
 The woman who does this is going to narrow her life. Whether she is tn O mother of a family, a business wom- an, or a young girl just facing the
 
 may mean help, inspiration, happiness. Every life is a little world. And you do not know what message may come to you from the stranger you welcome to your gates.
 One grows or stagnates. Stagnation is not good for any one. To be in touch with the progress of the world one must keep in touch with the life that makes 1t progress, and every mar and women plays some part in this One may not make friend of the casual acquaintance. One may not have time for all who cross ones path. Bu: to delibe erately shut out every one is unwise.
 If there is the least inclination to do this, the tendency is apt to grow on one until 1t becomes a fixed habit It may come In the beginning from in ertia, from morbidness. Whatever the cause, if you find you are facing ir that direction, pause a while and see il you want the narrow, isolated, few-in- terests life to which it will surely lead you.
 The fuller the life with human kind ,, ly interests, the happier. Few have sucf resources within themselves that al the riches of this wonderful life i' theirs in their own experience.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Money Made Keeping Boarders

A correspondent sends me the following interesting data concerning boarders
 "I have several friends who keep board CTS and, having spent many pleasant weeks with them. thought l would write a few hints on the subject. There cer- tainly is money in it, but you will have to give good service and ask more than $1 a day Have in each room one or more easy chairs, such as a rocker; also a small square or round table; then have comfortable beds and clean bedspreads and bedding, also clean towels, three every day and if you use oil lamps have them kept clean. This will speak up for you in every way, for it certainly feels good after leaving your room for break fast to come back near noon time and find it spick and span.
 For meals how would the following help out Breakfast-Two kinds of cereal, cooked and uncooked; fruit which you can change about each morning. Then eggs every morning and milk if asked for. Have creamed fish, fshballs minced meat on toast, bacon, ham, steak or chops, creamed potatoes, baked and fried: also have hot mullins or rolls every morn- ing.
 "Dinner at noon-soups. roasts. hot or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
A Limousine

From the Chicago Record-Hera1d. The neighbors never pass us by unnoticed
 any more; They've ceased to tilt their noses high the
 way they did before. We're not looked down on by the Browns
 or snubbed by Mrs. Green There's been a sudden change since pa
 has bought a limousine. Ma gets invited out to tea or something
 every day, And boys that used to hoot at me have
 pleasant things to say; The callers come in style and show an
 interest that's keen In us and our affairs since pa has bought
 a limousine. Sis used to sit there loolcin' gum, because
 no beau would call. But now you ought to see them comei-
 they line up in the hall; Ma used to often fret, but she has learned
 to be serene, Although we're deep fin debt since pa has
 bought a limousine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
A Spoilt Royal Baby

By all accounts the young King of Spain Is. like most fond fathers, hopelessly spelling his little son.
 The other day, according to the latest story, Queen Victoria had slight cold and the doctor advised her not to go too near the baby
 It so happened that she was wearing a dress which had at the neck a gilt button. The little prince stretched out his hand for it.
 ''No, no, baby" said the Queen, keep ing at 8 distance, you cannot have that"
 At that-moment King Alfonso entered the nursery, and, hearing the little ones emphatic protest, exclaimed:
 Yes, he must"
 And, pulling out his penknife, he cut off the button and gave 1t to his son.
 "So, now" declares the Queen, with much solemnity, baby never does what I tell him, but always appeals to his father"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Pairing Off For Dinner

Here's new way of pairing off the men and girls for going in to dinner. It's to play a game according to similarity of tastes. For example, the hostess makes out a list of modern novelsts, typewriting each name in two separate slips Each set of slips Is dropped into a different basket. One basket is passed among the men, the other among the girls, and each person selects his favor ite author. Those who agree in liking the same one are partners. The names of novels, the titles of popular songs or poems can be utilized in the same way. Or penny prints of celebrated paintings can be duplicated and circulated for guests to choose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

90 dresses a year can afford to make an occasional mistake when her fancy for a trying color or q too daring line car ries her away for a moment. She can hang an unsuccessful dress in a closet and forget about it, and 1t does her no harm-helps her, perhaps, In choosing more wisely in the future. She does not suffer from her folly. But q woman of small means who meets with a mishap in her choice of her one new gown must wear 1t whether or no-a harsh rort;nen- tary on her vanity, her poor judgment or her bad taste. Yet one can only tell her to choose carefully and buy slowly"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

cold; potatoes every day and two kinds of vegetables, pie, ice cream and pud- dings.
 "Supper-Cold meats or fish,, always if possible have change of meat at night from noon time. Then some scalloped dish, such as corn, tomatoes or clans, will be pleasant. Then there are cu- cumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and so on. Have berries, jelly cake and tea, and for that fare served nicely there are lots of people who will pay you sS and s9 apiece for weeks board and lodging.
 For a single person S9; for two in room, SS, and for children S5 and $6 This is not too much, although some may think so, but foods are high and help hard to get and you cannot do all alone unless you have only few. l have thought you were going in for quite a few
 Let your boarders entertain them selves You will have care enough and if you let them bother you you will be tired out all the time. Have meals on time and make each one feel that you will not hold over meals and try not to have your guests come into and sit in the dining room unless on a rainy day. This will save extra trouble and will keep them in their places. Al ways be on hand when new guests arrive and give them a cheery welcome and introduce them to the others. First impressions are sometimes lasting.
 This is how I have seen this work carried on. and l have enjoyed boarding for several weeks at time in the sum mer very much and feel very grateful 10 the one whose hard work gave me such a coTnplete rest and change.
 wish you every manner of success and trust you will plan all your tasks carefully and make up your mind not to worry. It won't seem so hard to you. Woaid be glad to hear from you again."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Dirty Jewelry

Jewelry is supposedly worn for orna- ment, but much of it is kept fin such a condition that it is anything but orna- mental. There is no surer sign of care lessness than to wear pins, rings ard chains so black and greasy that on- lockers may be pardoned from question ing the personal cleanliness of the cne who wears them.
 There is no excuse for this dirtiness when soap and water are to he had. It is we'll to purchase a small box of lew eler's sawdust to expedite drying and pol- ishing. A rouged chamois Is also te,p- full
 It is particularly i'll adviseI fer the girl who works to wear dirty iewesry. 5n- deed, she should wear as little as possi- ble. A watch, cuff buttons and a sim pie brooch or pin at the ue:t is all that is permissible for good taste These should be kept shining.
 Remember that dirty jeweIry Is an of fense against good taste that no well bred girl will commit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

1 in this important work. You can im- agine, then, how eagerly I Joined hands with the others in pioneering this noble educational and philan- thropic work in Birmingham, the city where I first came in contact with all the elements that go to make up our peculiar social and civil conditions as a nation"
 And did you experience any dif- hculty in starting the work in its early days?" I asked.
 Tt would take too much time to go into details and rehearse the difficult ties that the work met in those days when the name Kindergarten con veyed nothing to the nearer; when our explanations of the nature and condi- tions of this work were not always accepted, and when many of the dol lars that were given were contributed on account of the faith in the men and women promoting the cause rather than in the cause itself. Well, many of these difficulties are now past, but do not think for a moment that others are not still to be met and overcome"
 Tt is beautiful work for the teacher who is engaged in 1t, I imagine, and by the way, how do you secure competent young women?' I inquired.
 That is a very important subject" said Mrs. Phillips. "In fact, the greatest stum- bling block that the Free Kindergarten has had to contend with in the past, not only in Alabama, but throughout the south, is the fact that incompetent young women, impartially and superficially trained for the work, were in charge. The result is failure under these crcum- stances and a discredit to the kindergar- ten movement"
 "Then, your training school in this con- nection strives to obviate this difficulty, I imagine?"
 "The endeavor of the Birmingham Kin dergarten association has been to stand for the thorough training of young wom- en, well equipped intellectually and nor ally to act as directors of our little peo- ple," said Mrs Phillips. Such a train ing school may become the most import ant medium through which primary teachers as well as kindergartners may be prepared for their work. The foun- dations of scholarship being equal teacher with first-class kindergarten training is preferred for strictly primary work in many leading public schools in the country to one who has taken the usual normal course. If the young wom- en of our own city looking for future po- sitions as teachers do not avail them selves Of this opportunity how can we expect those at a distance to do SO?
 AS our own knowledge of this work extends we feel that in encouraging it's support we are doing far more for our city and state than merely producing well trained teachers. With two years of scientific study and daily experience with classes of little children, we believe we shall give to the wider community su- perior type of womanhood, one that un- derstards the needs of the child and the man as a unit in the social organism one that has high ideals of the present and the future of the individual, the family and of society. A woman thus trained will become better daughter, more
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Eve Up-To-Date

White lace coats are gaining in popu- larity this season as never before. Venetian point and Guipue are su- perseding the Irish crochet, and fash . toned on the directoire lines they are extremely smart.
 Long gloves with lace tops are the latest novelties for the summer.
 The latest parasols have crook han dles of natural wood and are the shade of the gown with a deep band of a con- trasting shade stitched or embroidered on the edge.
 Coquettish toques and riot of plum mage are the key notes for the head gear of women of middle age.
 Tailor gowns of homespun are so popular that it is almost impossible for the trades people to supply the demand for this popular fabric.
 Although the woman with small face dares to wear the enormous hats
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

fingers round midsummer eve, and it was always supposed in old days that there was great efficacy in midsummer rose to find out your future
 The midsummer rose was merely one gathered on midsummer eve. The girl who gathered 1t must walk backward to the tree where 1t was growing, and, plucking it, wrap it carefully in white paper without looking at 1t. She had to put 1t carefully away, not to be touched till Christmas morning, when she wore 1t in her dress to church, and felt quite sure thlt the man whom she was to marry would come and take 1t from her on her way home.
 Another midsummer eve custom was to write the letters of the alphabet each on a separate scrap of paper. and place them face downwards in a basin of water on going to bed at night. If any of the letters had turned over by the morning those were regarded as the initials of the man the girl would marry.
 Many superstitions of this sort still finger in the country districts remote from town, and the village girls still firmly believe that midsummer eve is the night of the whole year for revealing the future.
 On St. Agnes eve it was the custom of girls to eat spoonful of salt before going to bed, and then to retire without drinking any liquid It was supposed that they would dream of some one bringing them water to drink (which was certainly probapls), and that the man they dreamed of as offering them the glass would be the man they were to marry. Brldo cake put under the pillow was supposed to nave an equal power Of pra9ucing Q dream of the future hus- band
 Cr All Halloween the girl who would behoij her future husband must SOW hemasced' in solitude.
 And by boxing three times to a new moon a curious damsel may count on her dream being haunted by Prince Charming.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Trips Over Her Thesis

From the Philadelphia T1neS-
 A fond mother of a young Germantown miss who is to graduate this year from high school tells of a conversation be- tween the daughter and a chum a few days ago.
 Dress and other beloved topics of the sex had been discussed. The daughter is an impetuous child of less years and ex- perience than her school associates The cbum is of the stately. dignified order, who chooses her words and phrases as carefully as the most fastidious Boston ian.
 Graduation was being talked of when the chum suddenly broke from the talk of dresses some of their companions were to wear and asked:
 By the way, Marie, are you going to have & very long graduating thesfs?'
 Plenty long enough" came the an' swer. 'T have to get used to it. It's so long trip in it every time try it on.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

 the girls.
 Second Big Wave-Gee! We would have to be high rollers to reach those bath ing suits.
 I'm having a brand new evening froek made but l cant say my heart Is in 1t"
 Gracious! It's not as low as that is it?"
 A foreign attache at Washington had accepted an invitation to dine at a cer- tain very fashionable hostesses one even ing aud to the surprise of the lady in question early on the morning of the day of the dining she received d note written by the diplomats foreign valet which said:
 MT. Frank regrets exceedingly his in- ability to attend Mrs. Swifts dinner this evening, as he is dead"
 He Crying to say the proper thing)- You look lovely this evening, Miss Deb utante. Why, you look sweet enough to eat
 Miss Debutante-I do eat.
 Some people had better not look far ther back than the trees of their shoes for their family trees.
 Miss Prissy-I have the loveliest new ieghorn hat auntie.
 Old Maid Aunt-Never let me hear you say leghorn again. Always refer to that article as your limbhorn hat.
 Some girls are so proper that they won't let @ young man accompany them on the piano without chaperon. Men wouldn't mind women having the last word if they d only get to 1t sooner. The Modern Mrs. Malaprop-I refuse to accept the roof on my new stable be- cause the architect says it is a hip roof and everybody knows that hips are not stylish, now.
 The Teacher to Young America-Now. Johnny, tell what you know about vul- gar fractions.
 Johnny-I can't, teacher cause they are something that you oughnt to talk about before lady.
 Look at that lovely grass plot over there" said MT. Old Boy at the pic- nic.
 "You mean that bunch of widows or the lawn?" said MT. Cynic.
 'I wants a marriage license' said a Husky African a few days ago. as he presented himself at the marriage bu- reau.
 .'where is your prospective wife?" asked the clerk.
 'I don't know, sir" was the reply. .I cant give you a license unless she comes and signs the book with you" Well, I guess I cant git no license den, case l aint decided yit which one hits wine to be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
To Book Borrowers

One should be as careful, if not more so, of borrowed books as of their own. Always put a paper cover on until read, and never let the children handle them.
 Nearly every one who has nice books loves them. Perhaps I am selfish, but I feel like saying "No" sometimes to some people when they ask for books. like to lend books and papers to any one who will return them and take care of them, but I have hidden some of my ned, nicely bound books when I ex- pected one of these chronic borrowers.
 Some peoples friends are worse than others, but nearly all have at least one of these troublesome persons I have lent books that were as nice as new, and when they were returned, after sev- eraI months, they were so greasy and soiled that hardly recognized them. The worst of it was they were gener- ally some that wanted to keep nice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

of the summer, 1t may be said en pas1 sant, that the clever one who studies becomingness rather than style never disfigures herself in such a manner. Buttons and buttons and then more buttons Is the cry from the fashiona- ble Parisian ateliers, and they are now arranged on the frock so as to be buttoned through real old-fashioned button holes.
 There is a positive furore for the yoke skirt, than which there Is noth- ing prettier or more becoming to the figure.
 For midsummer wear the all-white erin bonnet, trimmed with beautifully colored flowers, is sure to be fashion able.
 In New York the advertiser Is call ing his shop a "Whirl of White" such demand is there for everything in white.
 Cotton printed voiles in Persian de- sign are soft and lovely in eoloring and with goods called Crystalline and Marquisette, transparent and clinging, are worn a great deal by modishes.
 
 novelties of the summer, and it Is so prim and quaint that 1t attracts at- tention on any arm.
 Dotted swiss is the dernier cri for guimpes instead of the ubiquitous net. Embroidered pongee three-piece suits are very much in favor and are very seryiceable as well. as stylish.
 
 Wool rajah makes a nice, soft comfy" cape to be worn in the noun tains or at the seashore on cool even ings.
 Some of the new shades are: Peacock. Electric green
 Emerald.
 Copper.
 Cedar brown.
 Apricot and Banana.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
The Color of Gowns

A writer in the June Delineator says that the value of color is something that clever drcssmaker understands fully. She continues: Two dresses can he cut alike, line for line, but in different shades of the same silk, and one of them will make woman look slender, straight and supple. and tine other will give her an un- accountably dumpy, round-shouldered, square-cut figure. All women ought to make careful study of colors. It is es- pecially important for women cf smal!
 means who have So few gowns that they
 must live with those of their choice very intimately. A woman who can buy 20 or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
Autograph Verses

As time flies on with rapid pace,
 And brings the tolls and cares of age, This shall recall friendly face
 Oft as you scan each well-known page. In the path which lies before thee
 Banish all that seek to mar; Place thy trust in God and right,
 Let wisdom be thy guiding star. How noiseless falls the foot of time That only treads on flowers. When nature draws the curtains,
 And pins it with a star, Remember your dear schoolmate,
 Although she be afar. Within this book, so pure and white, Let none but friends p-eEunae to write; And may each thought, with friendship
 given,
 Direct the readers thoughts to heaven.