davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
THE GOLDEN HARPs OF BABYLON

Adown the wanderings of the wind An, long ago. how long ago; Where Bel and Ishtar were enshrined Was heard tn cir music's throb and
 How - What time the vermeil sunset glow Upon the hanging gardens shone Voicing the Joyance and the woe
 The golden harps of Babylon. And when the stars above were kind. And the new moon a silver bow, And torches, tossed and rose entwine1, The dancers footed to and fro, still, still through aisle and portico Their maze of lyric rapture won Loud plaudits from the high and low, The golden harps of Babylon, Alas. the ways of fate were blind, The ages come. the ages go; Where proud Belshazzar ruled we find The desert sands in eddies blow; Sooth, there are only shards to show, Pale silence has her mantle spun: Through fancy only may we know The golden harps of Babylon,
 ENVOY. Masters, the seeds of song ye SOW, The chords ye fondly play upon One day will futile seem as though The golden harps of Babylon. Clinton scoliard. in New York Sun. [
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
~LocK sTEPv FAD~1N LONDON

from the Pari5 Matin.
 Do you know the '1ock-stepY'
 If not, go to London and have a look over the principal arteries of that inn mense capital.
 In order to do the "lock-step" you jump from one leg to the other. with a firm and rhythmic movement, and you let one leg remain the air an instant. just like chicken iD distress in pool of water.
 The famous "Iock-stsp was launched by one of the big tbsatres Of tho capital, and since then all the Londoners, amused by it, have tried their best. no matter where they And themselves, 10 master the secret of its cadence, The success Of the new fsd has been such that. professors Of ioek-step'' hiro men to go about the streets marking the time of the moysmsBt and distributing prospectuses bearing ths address of the masters in the art Of the "lock-step."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

A LAMENT. I'm getting tired of gloomy days Without a gleam of sun; Oppressive tints of browns and grays And roses sweet-not one! I'd like to hear the birdies sing, Just as they used to do, When frolic airs came o'er the hills And all the skies were blue; And every field was daisy starred And every hedge aglow With silver drops of morning dew And violets in a row. In vain has toiling fancy wrought A scene where all is fair Outdoors a dreary landscape lies, Nor warmth nor cheer is there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
Reforming the United States Senate

Governor-elect Foss Is right when he says a revision of the Senate must pre- cede just revision of the present tariff. The country Is fully convinced that the House of Privilege needs a reform wave reform that most legislatures and parti- San machinery are incapable of. State by state becomes convinced that the only possible way of reforming the upper house of Congress is by direct action of the people. Senators selected by po- litical intrigue are not representative of anything except special interests or ma chine politics, while senators selected by popular vote stand for while at least by the people.
 and a subcommittee of the committee on judiciary has prepared a constitution al amendment providing for the election of senators by direct vote of the people Senators Borah, republican, and Ray ner, democrat, favor the proposition, which reads as follows:
 "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof for Dt-- nd Sf1 bou one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
 'The times, places and manner of hold ing elections for senators shall be as pre- scribed in each state by the legislature thereof"
 The judiciary committee will act on this proposition tomorrow, and in the mean Senate have matched a scheme of great cunning They propose to require a ma 1ority of the male vote in each state te elect senator. This would induce, 1t ii thought, the southern states to oppose the direct election of senators. Still an other proposition submitted by Chaunce, M. Depew has a like object in view, fo 1t provides that the qualification of citi sens entitled to vote for United State senators shall be uniform" in all states Both plans are cunning schemes to de feat direct action by the people. Tn Borah- Rayner proposition is the onl, straightforward proposition before th' senate. It may be kept back in thu present Congress but 1t will reappeal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
IN ROTEl L.OBBIEs
Impressions of Birmingham

''I spent a few days in Birmingham in the spring of 1908. when the effects of the panic were being felt" said John P. Mo Alister of Chicago. Business all over the country at that time was naturally de- pressed, and this district seemed to be feeling hard times as much as other in- dustrial centers When I came again a year later I found great improvement in business conditions The Tennessee com pany's work of developing on a scale of great magnitude was well under way and was making a splendid impression, and the future of Birmingham was brighter than ever before.
 But as prosperous as this district was in 1909 it was a small matter compared with conditions in evidence today. Not only is the Tennessee company going right ahead, but the American Steel and Wire company has entered the district since was here, and has almost complet- ed an immense plant-a plant that will cost, I am told, upward of $3,500, 000 The building of the model town of Corey is another important fact that impresses me on this trip. It was a great day for Birmingham when the United States Steel corporation came into the district I do not pretend to know anything of the plans of the corporation, but 1t may be taken for granted that 1t will spend many millions on new construction work here within the next five years.
 And then when it Is remembered that other large interests are here forging ahead, one can see that no city in the south will be able to keep up with the industrial progress of the Birmingham district. This city may never grow to be as big as Chicago but it is a safe bet that in the census Of 1920 it will far sur pass Atlanta in population. In 90 or 4e years it will probably be neck and neck with New Orleans, notwithstanding the fact that the Crescent City is favorabiy situated for phenomenal growth.
 But coming back to the present, I doubt if there is a city twice the size of Birmingham in the north, east or west. where such large new capital is being invested for development as there is in Birmingham.
 Regarding the city proper. what im- presses me most favoraby is that the business district has improved in such marked degree. Birmingham today looks ike very different town compared with what I saw when I first came here the middle of the 90s. It may need-doubt- less does need-many things, but I agree with what everybody is saying, an up- tc-date hotel is the paramount need"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
After the British Rsisrsndum-What Then

The election for the house of com mons are nearly ended, and the liberal majority over the tories will be just about what it was before dissolution, namely, 124. The change, if any, will be a seat or two in favor of the laborites who belong to the liberal coalition.
 Much Is said about the factions of the liberal party. but every nationalist or laborite is an advanced liberal in relation to the powers of the house of lords. When the new house of com mons meets next month the liberal strength will be lined up solidly In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
Fine Church Music Today

There is usually a great rush on Christmas to get seats in certain churches noted for their fine music" said an amateur yesterday. "but I happen to know that the music at St. Paul's church tomorrow-the last Sunday of Advent will be especially attractive-as attrac- tive, l think, as music on Christmas Day.
 "The choir will sing, with orchestral ac- compartment the Kyrie. the Credo and the Sanctus from Durands most beautiful mass and the Agnes Def from Gounod's s St. Cecilia. It being Advent, the Gloria in the mass is omitted For the of- fertory piece Mrs. severin, one of Br- minghams most charming sopranos, will sing an Ave Maria by von wilm-the first time in this city.
 The high mass services at St. Paurs begin at 1o:so and are concluded about 1. o'clock"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
History of the Telephone

One of the most valuable of recent books is "The History of the Telephone, '' by Henry N. Casson. copy of which has just been received in The Age-Herald os- Dee with the compliments of Evelyn liar ris of Atlanta.
 .Only the oldest inhabitant can remem- Der when telegraphy was in it's infancy. but one need not have passed middle life fo recall that when he was a youth the telephone was unknown.
 The development of this wonderful util- ity has been one of the marvels of this phenomenally progressive age. The history of it's evolution reads like a romance.
 ''Fhirty-five short years and presto. the new born art of telephony is full grown, ,' says the author of the book referred to in his preface. Three million telephones are now scattered abroad in foreign eoun- tries. and seven millions are massed here in the land of its birth"
 Mir. Casson is a singularly pleasing writer and in his book he does not seem to have overlooked any fact of general interest in connection with the telephone business. He tells not only about the men who have perfected the telephone, but the men who are now at the head of tbe American Telephone and Telegraph company.
 hand 1t has charm for every layman who desires to keep himself informed It is we'll illustrated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
GENEROUS TEXAS

From the Houston Post.
 One of the Noble Six Hundred,' who made the charge at Baiaklava is said to be dying of want in California. Shame on the Golden State. All of the 5000 or 40oo survivors of that famous charge who reside in Texas are well cared for and prosperous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

lK HY hobby-the hotel proposition-is MI up again. and two of the best
 hotel men in America have been in town for two days for the purpose of leasing a hotel if Birmingham will build 1t.
 These men want to pay a rental which will provide a good big, generous interest upon every dollar invested in the origi- nal proposition. I hope the local people will consent to a good investment and do the proper thing from real invest nent point of view.
 If so we shall have hotel of the con sequence of Birmingham-a hotel as well conducted as the waldorf-Astoria in New York.
 Birmingham Is entitled to 1t. Let us get together in a public spirit and do the work properly. The real estate dealers and spectators can make enough III ueal- ing In adjacent property. Lots of them have gotten rich in past deals-and. in- deed, anyone who buys central real estate makes money.
 Look at the increased values from the Terminal station construction. Lots of people have made lots of money; and the people who are now offering the govern nent site for the proposed postoffice are offering said sites at profits which are at least fair.
 I want to see Birmingham build up. don't care whether the new hotel is built or Second. Third, Fourth or Fifth ave- ,.....................s.s minutes In selecting a successor for MT. Carter's place. And 1t is not merely the big postoffices that make a demand on the Presidents time, for there is as much politics in $1Oo0 office as there is in frst-class offices. if not more.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

The republicans are keeping house in Portugal with all the peace and security that ordinarily goes with long possession only. Perhaps their long pos session Is prosp pective.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
White House Clerks We'll Paid

'I am glad to know that the clerks in the Presidents office are well paid" said an ex-officeholder who once lived in Washington.
 Twenty years ago the Presidents pri- vate secretary received a salary of s3250 During MT. Cleveland's second adminis- traitor the title of private secretary was changed to Secretary to the Pres ident' and the salary was fixed at s5O0o. The salary has since been raised to s75OO. In my time in Washington the chief clerk in the White House was paid only s20o0 The salaries of the other clerks ranged from s14OO to s1sO0
 Tn reading a Washington special fin a Birmingham paper find that the clerical salaries are much higher than in the years gone by. The chief clerk now re- eelves s5O00; another executive clerk gets s4ooo; another $500; reading clerk, s250o; two executive stenographers $25O0 each i; an accounting clerk s2500, and two cor respondents s225O each. These increased salaries make life worth living. They are none too high, when the responsi- bility is considered"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

There are some kicks yet left in the Mexican revolution. It may turn out that Ballot Box Stuffer Diaz stuffed them once too many.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Congressman Underwoods bill to make Birmingham port of entry may be pigeonholed in this Congress, but it will go through the next one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

The colonel would not break bread with Billy Lorimer and Governor-elect Baldwin would not dine with the col onel. The dining snubs are now even.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Sir Walter Raleigh is the man who made the Christmas box of cigars pos sible. He is dead and the entire blame may as well be laid on him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Sarah Bernhardt's drawing qualities put $4o,0OO in her purse in Chicago, and Chicago was looking when she got the money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

pr. Wiley will simply be seeking unadulterated happiness when he mar ries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
TOUGH LUCK.

She stood beneath the mistletoe, With roguish glance: Her dads the only chap we know Who took a chance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Tungsten comes from Sweden and the supply is none too plentiful in these electric lighted nights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
JUST CoAxIN, IT A BIT

For the last time we say, do your Christmas shopping early this week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
THE HILL OF LIFE.

And when we've reached the bottom slope a .s -, 7a And far behind us rears the hill, So deep the springs of human hope, At heart we'd fain be climbing still.
 PAUL COOK
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

A minnesota man sat up and said cheerily, Hello, Bill" Bill was an undertaken and he was just about to embalm the man who spoke at the right moment. Still such conduct on the part of those about to be embalmed is very irregular.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Hattie Le Blanc's speech to the jury was one of simple brevity and therefore of great wisdom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

The peace dove will fly well en- dowed. It is now the richest of all birds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Secretary of the Navy Meyer has asked the House committee on naval affairs to put an item in their appro- priation bill of s9SO.oOO to furnish coal depots and a reserve supply of coal at Panama. Therein lies hidden chance for political pull and much corruption.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Telephone rates are to be reduced in northern New Jersey on the score that talk is cheap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 At the 161st annual dinner of the St. Andrew society, held at the Bellevue, the Rev. Robert Johnston told a dialect story of the Scottist laird who caught Willie MacGregor one night sneaking around his place with a lantern and in strong Scotch invective desired to know what he was doing there. "A be a-court- in O Mary replied Willie But ye dinna court wi "a lantern, cried the an. gry laird. This is Willies reply: Tt be evident that ye dinna court wi lantern else ye had never married your missus' And he told another one about Scotch. man who was always at his wifes grave and when asked why he was there wa. tering the grass so much he replied thai Mary had told him not to marry again til! the grass was green on her grave 'Ah bay jist a coaxin it on a wee bit .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
PROBABLY BY CHAMBERS.

Clara Bell seems to be deeply ab- sorbed in her novel,"
 "Yes. She says that book describes more than 57 varieties of kisses"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Those who expect the democrats to play the fool on January 19 may get up next morning to become full of dis appointment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

They got out just before the rotten old limb broke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

MT. Carnegie really calls for more cunning and less war. more trade and less spells.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

A parcels post would prove handy this week, and the country may secure a piece of one next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

When we have to write 1911" the fig ure "9" will at first look lonesome in a bunch of ones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
SIGNIFICANT.

"Following close on the announce ment that noiseless soup spoon had been invented"
 "Yes?
 Some Kansas farmers have organ ized a dining club
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The surest way to get hated is to get rich.
 Loyalty stands true and judges after ward.
 A girl knows a man loves her if she wants him to.
 The proof that God created the world is It's motherhood.
 A woman likes to take foreign tours, SO she canl talk about them, # they are only around the block.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Andrew Carnegie worked many years in steel mill. and now he wants peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
THE MOUNTAINEER'S CHRISTMAS.
 fNantribvtad

THE MOUNTAINEER'S CHRISTMAS
 (Contributed.) Sing song of Christmas Daddy's been to town, Bought some streaked candy, 'Nough to go aroun'! Way fore day this morning Mother caught some hens Three of them were Sallie's. One was little Ben's. One was Sam's old frizzly, fOne of them was ma's). Traded them for Christmas Bought some Santa Claus. Boys have all been busy Chopping Christmas wood, Ma has baked pound cake, (Kids are mighty good). Coolers in the barn loft, Popcorn snowy white, Chinquepins and chestnuts- Things are getting right. Brown jug in the closet, Egg-nog's mighty fne), Daddy tunes his fiddle for Wish That Girl Was Mine." Christmas times a-coming- Scrub the floors all clean Boys come serenading, Want to ask them in. Sing a song of Christmas Daddy's been to town, Bought some streaked candy, 'Nough to go aroun'!
 Fred Rush. Ressemer Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
NED BRACE, TALKS ABOUT A NEW
 HOTEL AND OTHER THINGS NEEDED HERE

of the Chamber of Commerce. who joint ly are striving for upbuilding, are work ing for all the safeguards to life ard property in the district, and. regardless of cost, propose to make things not only represent corporations of great wealth and profit and are thoroughly enthused in the upbullding spirit. Suggestions ara only needed for further practical improve ments.
 And such is the general spirit of Bir- mingham.
 The tuberculosis camp has gotten all asked. More will come If necessary. The proper Tidewater franchise will be given.
 The generous Christmas spirit is abroad. and are predicting good times. The coal people haven't had kick in several months. They have made so much money they don't know what to do with 1t.
 #
 So there Is really something doing here, and a lot more will be doing this coming spring. But what we most need is com fortable places to live for the people who come with us. A great hotel is first reeded. The more moderate abodes will come with it.
 Of this present day neither man nor woman will remain wherein they may not be clean and comfortable
 z,Qt td3,oeQ>
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
FATHER ADAM.

He gave our Mother Eve kiss
 And said to her, "Old girl, I'm very glad that we shall miss
 The Christmas shopping whirl."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
SURE SIGNS.

Flora must be Daisy's best friend
 "Why do you think so?" "She just now said Daisy bought her at a drug store and looked a fright. no matter what she had on."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

Andy Carnegie's Christmas presents become vaguer as they become bigger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
,rr,.n MISS rHN FINE POINTS" !"

He reads DaHte TUT Fe1to+s'011'
 "Take 1t from mo, that ieiowA in- capable of apprsciatins baseball game.s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
TANTALIZING.

.printed a kiss on her lips. you say?' .yes. hut he was never able to get out a second edition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
HARDLY AN ALTRrIsT

You say he's a great believer in higher education?"
 "Yes. He thinks if the cost were prohibitive there would be fewer coll lege chappies."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

nues. Give us a good hotel of a size commensurate with this Birmingham.
 We want something of our size and of cur substantial self
 We want to take proper care of the people who come here and would invest with us So let us get together and make for our own the best hotel in the south.
 And right in this connection I am glad that Mayor Exum and his specially designated aldermen, under that Prince of Good Fellows, Harry Jones. have pro- v;ded for all manner of new street pav- ing. Nothing makes a city like good pavements; and nothing makes county | like good roads. We have many here abouts, but we need more in abundance and in miles. Let us al get together and get them. I am ambitious to see every street in Birmingham paved and every county road in Jefferson and every | other county in the state in thorough l condition. When we do we will find abil- | fly to earn, which brings about happi- | ness and content. Good roads make good | and prosperous people.
 Let us have these good roads just like | we are to have viaducts over our grade | street crossings which MT. Sevier is go- | ing to give us. He wants to build up | Birmingham and as the chief officer of | the principal railroads here he wants to | make everything safe and sound in the | Birmingham district. He and Mir. Ford l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
MIssINc THE FUN.

She did her Christmas shopping early And now she's feeling rather blue; While others join the hurfy-ouris' She mopes at home and says I'm
 through"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
CAN'T RE IGNORED THEN.

Few people take a blow-hard seri- ously"
 Unless he happens to be the person who furnishes wind for bass horn.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
THOSE FEW ODD HOURS

Here's an interesting book" What Is 1t about?"
 Tt tells what street car conductors do when they are not working.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
INTERRUPTED wOoING.

He sang about his dream girl,
 With passion most intense; Her bulldog made a flying leap And caught him on the fence.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1910-04-23
AT RENO

Attorney Sam Platt Was called t'
Reno last evening on legal business