davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
LITERARY MOLLYCODDLES

5000 year from the sale of his ''in-
 spirational' work?
 MT. Sinclair narrates, in his unhappy
 way, the fate of such men as Marlowe.
 Chatterton, Poe, Keats, and recently
 George Gissng and John Davidson who
 died miserably. 'If we could save one
 Chatterton or Keats" he adds 1t would
 be worth the trouble.'
 Unfortunately the genius of such men as Chatterton and Keats Is frequently gauged best after they are no more on
 this earth. MT. Sinclair appealed for opinions as to the merit of his plan. As William De Morgan, who is enjoying considerable, vogue, puts the difficulty, "the selection of the men to be bene-
 fitted would have to be placed in the
 hands of prophets"
 Eden Philpotts puts the objection this way: "It takes three generations, not
 three judges. to decide for real, live. new form and weave the laurel" H. c. Wells says: Consider the way In which the Nobel prizes are being distributed. as rewards for longevity among the securely famous"
 Yes; and consider the way in which the men who have charge of the hail of fame exclude such men as Edgar Allan Poe! The probable result of the Sinclair plan would be to breed three literar., molycoddles every five years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
Merits of the New Railroad Law

The Portsmouth conference made up of lawyers representing the leading railroads of the country met, not to fight the new railroad law, but to Interpret it and to gather hope from It's construction and application by the interstate commerce commission. The attorneys did not meet to plan legal campaign against the law. The rail- roads do, in fact, accept federal su- pervision and regulation, and they pro- nose to proceed as harmoniously and nassively as circumstances will per- init.
 The conference sat with closed doors, hut all accounts agrse that the rail- roads pin their hopes upon just and conservative action by the interstate commission in applying the law. Con- aicts will arise but the railroads anG tba administration both hope that these conflicts will be conducted as they arise in good temper, and in bread if not patriotic spirit.
 The new railroad law Is a step to- ward railroad regulation that would have been impossible 10 years ago: Il is a gigantic step, and much depends upon the wisdom of the interstate commission in giving it effect and ap- plication. It is promising sign thas the railroads accept the new law and will strive to render it efficient and satisfactory
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
RIVAL TO MONTE CARLO

From the Philadelphia North American.
 The two picturesque little islands of Brissago, situated in Lago Magiore, near the Swiss frontier. form the site chosen by an Anglo-Italian syndicate on which to create a modern resort on the lines of Monte Carlo The islands are the prop erty of an Irish nobleman, who some 20 years ago planted fig trees. olives. pome- granates, oranges, and myrtle, which fiourished in the open air so well that 1t became a beauty spot of tropical plants on the Italian lake.
 A large casino, with gambling rooms, theatre concert hall, gardens, etc, is to be constructed at a cost approximating $75O GOO. A first-class hotel and ports for motorboats and yachts are also to be built. The concessions have been obtained from the Italian government by a Rome lawyer, Signor Serao, who is one of the directors of the Anglo-Italian syndicate, and the capital required has been sub- scribed. Work Is to begin on the new Monte Carlo at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Oscar Mitchell in City

Oscar Mitchell, general southern pas senger agent for the New York Gen. tral lines. of Chattanooga, was in Bir- mingham yesterday.
 Business is very fine, and we are more than pleased with the showing this summer" said MT. Mitchell. 'The rail- roads in the south have very little to complain of this summer. as business has held up remarkably well. Added to this Is the prospect for next Saturday, when several special trains will leave Birmingham for points north and east. l anticipate the largest crowds in the his- tory of southern railroading. From every indication the excursions will be literally patronized, and will bring to the rail- roads fine source of revenue.
 Birmingham has been made the hub city of Alabama in handling these excur- sions. In fact, a gateway has been made of Birmingham. The result is that thou sands of people will pass through Bir- mingham on excursions trains Saturday that have seldom been in the city"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
38.Cent Coffee in This Country

The pulverized, or ground, mixed Java and Mocha sold in this country and also in Germany, and perhaps in many other countries, is grown in Brazil to the last can. Not a can of it is grown in Arabia ported, but it Is coffee that was grown in Brazil and from Brazil sent to Arabia to be reshipped from there as real Mocha. Mocha is put in tin canister well lab elled, and 1t is sold in that form to Amer ican housewives for 3S cents, although coffee is on the free list in this country. The German housewife buys tin can ister of like form filled with like coffee for 23 cents after the government has is really the difference between 3S cents and r cents in retail prices on a non- taxable basis.
 Now, is 1t just and right that this dsf- ference should exist between American and German prices? If middlemen do it, let them be eliminated. If combines do it, they, too, should be eliminated. If this could be done," says the Washington Post, "our housewives would buy that Ss-cent coffee for less than 20 cents.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
"sHoEs FOR suNDAYn
e Youths Companion.

From the Youths Companion.
 Some persons like one sort of shoe and some another, but the kind which was desired by Pierre, the French Canadian mill-hand, has never enjoyed a wide pop ularity.
 "Shoes for Sunday Pierre stated to tho young man who advanced to meet hin as he entered the salesroom of the big shoe factory.
 He then sat heavily down on one o the red plush seats and allowed the sales man to insert his feet In a pair of brigh yellow shoes When they were fairly on Pierre stood, moved his feet this wa, and that, took few steps. and shaking his head, sat down again.
 What's the matter?" asked the clerk "Do they hurt you? Are they too tight? 9
 Pierre shook his head violently.
 "She no tight he said, but also sh' no talk. Shoes for Sunday must talk talk, all the way up in church for t' soun' stylish. see?''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
THE MONA LISA

Mary Morris Stevens, in New York Sun: Art thou the woman Leonardo loved, And loving sought thy witchery to Upon his canvas, that thy subtle charm Might haunt men with the memory of thy face? Methinks thy lips still wear the self
 same smile They wore for him upon that far-off
 day; But as I gaze a change steals over
 them; Mysterious as mystery are they. Strange eyes were thine, cool, stead
 fast, limpid. clear As mountain pools, where lights and
 shadows play. If storms swept over them of bitter They left no trace of sorrow in their i way. Their amber depths no secret will re-
 veal Of cruel thought or deed of treachery: Discrimination taught them to conceal Hatred and love. subject to thy decree. Didst suffer pain of love. torment of
 doubt, The mortal anguish of divine despair? Tear passions mandate from thy tor
 tur'd heart, Thy victims lure with sirens song
 and snare? Ah Mona Lisa who shall ever say What part thou play'dst in life's great ~ tragedy, Did powers of darkness here assail thy
 soul. Or angels lead with palms to victoryt,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

differences in laws, and this country should not shield Porter Charlton. a confessed murderer. in order to se cure its interpretation of the extra dftion treaty between the two coun- tries, nor should it cherish the frie- ton that grew out of the New Or leans cases.
 It should extradite Porter Charlton at the request of the Italian govern ment. and then it should proceed to seek a better solution of the extra dition treaty between the two coun- tries. Surely Italy would not then be unreasonable. At any rate Porter Charlton should be sent back to an swer for his crime.
 The plea that he is insane deceives no one. He was sane enough to evade Italian officials and to flee to | country. He is sane enough to be tried in Italy. The state of his mind can be as well determined there as 1t cal here. The insanity plea of this coun- try is a device to avoid punishment, and the case of Porter Charlton is not bit exceptional. He Is insane In the sense that Thaw is, and this coun- try wants no repetition of that case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
Cambridge Dispatch to the New Tor
 World

Cambridge Dispatch to the New York
 World.
 ,s s1. "'s ss:. :: 's:' !: j: torn si.; 3, w Jealousy; when hatred of rival possesses him, he often becomes bug. !" to use an expression rather slangy. Still, 1t is surprising that when an insect IS filled with love, jealousy or hate 1t be- comes more of a bug than ever.
 Prof. William M. Wheeler of the Bussey institute, Harvard university, has been deeply interested in the question, Have insects an emotional life?' Professor Wheeler has been carefully studying erasshoppers, crckets, scorpions, butter flies and many other insects. He de- clares there are strong indications that all of them feel jealousy, hate and love, and that they display physical courage at exactly the proper moment. Besides, come of these small creatures are love- makers as expert as a nobleman with an old title and without a penny, who woos a millionaires daughter.
 .It is a mistake to think that only the higher animals have definite methods of love making" said Professor Wheeler today. ..The fact is that scores of insects have really complicated methods of at tracting mates. Some of these methods are the conventionalities and traditions of insect courtship.
 "Just as among human beings, nearly all insects seek to attract mates either 1 by their brilliant colors and good looks or by some weird accomplishment. On l the other hand, the female in every snecies of insect life affects a manner of great coyness."
 Professor Wheeler then described the method of the scorpion beau to introduce himself to lady scorpion.
 The male scorpion, having gained the attention of the female, advances toward her with sort of sidewise, hesitatine walk. As they approach. the walk slows to very deliberate advance. At little distance they halt and gaze intensely into each others eyes"
 "What beautiful eyes you have," says the human to the object of his affection, To return to the scorpion.
 Then. still seeming to gaze intently al l each other, they raise themselves verti- cally and hold this position for several minutes After this introduction the SCOT pions take sort of promenade, one oi the most serious features of the love
 making programme"
 Professor Wheeler described the wooine of some species of spiders:
 "The male, having selected his bride advances to her. gazes at her for mo
 ment, and then begins a weird dance
 He leaps into the air, balances himself
 first on his fore and then on his real
 legs, and goes through series of antics all of which the female regards with grea
 complacency. At the end of the dance th'
 spider approaches the female and claims her as his bride"
 Like love-sick swain who twangs hi 1 guitar beneath her gallery, cricket O
 a grasshopper serenades his lady love And cricket fights for her, duels witl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
FAMOUS THREE BALL SHOP
Mont de Piete in Paris Is Known the
 World Over

From Consular Notes.
 Practically for more than a century, and absolutely for more than 50 years, the Mont de Piete has enjoyed complete monopoly of the pawnbroking business in France. By Article All of the penal code any person lending money on pledge is liable to Imprisonment, 15 days to three months, and a fine of 100 to 200 francs (one franc equals JD.3 cents). There are persons called ticket brokers (mer- chands des reconnaissances) who ad- vance money tabout 20 per cent of the face value) on the Mont de Plete vouch- CTS, and charge interest at the rate of 10 per cent month. They keep within the law by making the contract a pur- chase redeemable in three months, but in practice there appears to be no time limit The sole rate of interest charged by the Mont de Plere Is per cent. plus II per cent fixed, interest being charged by the half month, at the rate of 8 per cent per annum. The valuation of pledges is performed by a syndicate of auctioneers. They are supposed to ad- vance four-fifths of the value of jew elry, etc., and two-thirds of the value of apparel, etc, but as they are liable for any loss on the sale of unredeemed pledges they seldom err against them- selves. Nominally the contract is for a year, but every effort is made to give the pledger chance to redeem his goods, and 1t is usually 19 to 20 months before they come to the hammer. Facilities are accorded for paying off the money by in stallments, at the option of the pledger, the money loaned and the interest charges thus diminishing until the amount is repaid and the articles redeem ed. The average loan Is $7. About 100000 unredeemed pledges are sold annually at an average of $3.20 to & 40 each.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
Prerocatives of sherins

'In reading about certain quaint cus- toms to be observed at King George s coronation I recall an old custom that came to this country from England,' said Judge Charles W. Ferguson.
 II refer to the prerogative of our sher- ifs to wear a hat in court. While the cus- tom is not generally practiced in these modern days, yet am told that In several counties of Alabama the sheriffs still hold on to 1t. When was circuit solicitor this circuit included Winston county and the sheriff of Winston always appeared In court with his hat on. and very likely the present sheriff of that county exer- cises the ancient privilege. It is akin to the hereditary prerogative attaching to a certain barony in England that of the baron wearing his hat in the presence of the sovereign"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
HOY WANTED
From Lippincott's.

From Lippincott's.
 A certain business man of Rochester is of opinion that he has an exceedingly bright office boy, and nothing pleases him better than to tell how ne acquired the youngsters services.
 A notice had been posted in the mans shop window, which read as follows
 Boy wanted about 14 years"
 A lad of that age, with little that was prepossessing in his appearance came into the office and stated that he had read the notice.
 "So you think you would like to have the position asked the merchant. pa tronizingly, as he gazed at the lad over the rim of his spectacles.
 Yes, sir," was the reply; "I want the job. but don't know that can promise to keep it for the full fourteen years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
Modern Sanitation in the Orient

All have heard about the electric lighting of Tarsus, that city of Asia Minor in which St. Paul was born, and of the system of water supply of Pe- kin with its settling reservoirs, filter beds and pressure towers-al modern except the selling methods, for in Pekin water is sold at street hydrants by quart, gallon or barrel. Coolies are stationed at the hydrants. A few ultra progressive Chinese householders are however having their houses piped and will receive water direct on a metered basis.
 And now comes forward Jerusalem with advertisements for bids for the construction of a new water supply system. Details are lacking, but pre- sumably Jerusalem will keep step with Pekin when it adopts modern meth ods. Rome had excellent water sup pIv methods over 2000 years ago, but sanitation was not as contagious 2OOo wears ago as 1t is today. The Romans bathed as well as they fought, but there is no record that the Persians or the ancient Britons or any other peo- ple saw fit to renovate themselves In accordance with Roman methods. san itation is, however, spreading at pres ent to all parts ct the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
Send Charlton to Italy
satisfactory.

The Italian government will strive to the utmost to gain possession or Porter Charlton for the purpose of trying him for the confessed mur- der of his wife at Lake Como, Italy. It does seem as if this great coun- try could find a way to adjust it's extradition troubles with Italy with out holding back a man who has con- fessed himself guilty of an outrageous and brutal murder.
 Friction over extradition matters has existed between Italy and the Unite States ever since a mob in New Or leans killed a number of Italian cit izens. The general government said could do nothing in relation to tho cases and Louisiana would not. Final ly Congress voted a sum of money to the families of the victims of the mob.
 The laws of Italy provide for the trial of a man for crime no mat ter where 1t was committed. Our laws are different in this respect. In or. der to be tried in this country the crime must have been committed here. The trial must, for that matter, take place in the state that was the scene of the crime.
 X Due allowance should be made for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
New York md Atlanta

Atlanta is a candidate for the Knights Templar triennial conclave in 191e but as that year will make the tooth anniversary of the organization of the grand encamp- ment, New York city, where the first con clave was held, will probably be selected as the place for the celebration" said looker-on. New York will certainly get the triennial for the asking-that Is a matter of sentiment By the way, it is a curious fact that New York has not had a triennial conclave since before the war Great Gotham Is not much on conven- tions. It is a case of being too big, per- haps, to ask for crow ds. It gets on an average of 125,000 visitors day without issuing special invitations.
 Atlanta up to this time has not been large enough to take care of a Knights Templar triennial, but that enterprising city is moving and it may be about the right eze in 1s19."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
MISS EMMIE's VISIT
From the Aliceville News.

Y rom tHe AIICeVIIIt N6WS.
 Miss Emmie Gardner, local editor of the News, has returned from a. visit to her sister, Miss Margie Gardner, and other relatives in Birmingham. A pleas- ant visit to the Age-Herald was enjoyed with an interesting trip through the me- chanical department. She saw them mak- ing the Age-Herald of the 24th. Mandy and the other Sunday features were watched with interest. She states that the News did not suffer greatly in the comparison that she was so naturally making as she watched the big machine made" publication leave the press
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
GASOLINE NIGHT"
From the New York

Ask me to go to the theatre any night in the week except gasoline night and I'll go,- said the man.
 What night Is that?" she asked.
 Saturday. Women get their gloves home from the cleaners on Saturday or else clean them themselves. the last of the week. and the gasoline fumes have not had time to evaporate. Half the wom- en you meet in a crowd on Saturday night carry a gasoline odor about on their gloves. Tn hot, stuffy place that Is pretty bad. On Monday night gaso- line still perfumes the air. but 1t is getting faint and can stand it. but not on Saturday,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
A REAL TOWN

From the Youths Companion.
 And what sort of a town is yours didn't catch the name?" said the po- lite stranger on the train to the man who had been patiently listening to a long description of Wisconsin lumber ing city.
 Bates" said the other, promptly. and she's a conner! Two months old. good band, soap factory and more English sparrows than can sit on the telegraph wire Oh, Bates is the real thing!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
WHEN BUGS POP THE QUESTION

his rival before her eyes. Said the pro. lessor:
 Nearly always these duels are fought in the presence of the desired one and in true medieval fashion The maiden concealed near by, watches the conflict with great interest until the victor con- quers his rival and carries her off as his D1ateD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Atlanta didn't ask for the Knights Templar triennial conclave in 1913, but it date for 1916. A triennial always brings a vast crowd and the question of hotel accommodation necessarily enters into the proposition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
REFLECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The only thing that will keep forever without cold storage is scandal
 A reformer gets a stroke of paralysis when it's his turn to make good.
 The only way a man can get civility from his relatives is to be richer than they are.
 The more evil there is in this world the less people want to move on to the next one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The Pan-American congress has voted to give Mir. Carnegie a gold medal. This will be better to him than library. for he has the latter to give away himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
nPIITTING ON A SHOW"

fO111NG ON A 6ilON' The player folk, a hard-worked band Are all rehearsing now; The blithe comedies no longer bland,- E With corrugated brow He cons his lines; the gay soubrette Is sad enough to cry; Some "business" she just can't get, And that's the reason why. The prima donna has a row,
 Before she'll trill a note; The leader wiHly mops his brow, Or clutches at his throat. The chorus trips this way and that While practicing a dance; One little maid has lost her rat" Another's fearful glance Appeals in vain; no hope of rest
 Until she learns the swing" The orchestra strikes up with zest, Then all begin to sing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The name of the midway at the New Orleans exposition is to be "The Canal Zone"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The democrats are helping the insur- gent republicans in their primaries, and the insurgents may return the favor on election day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Chunks of silence strew the path of and woody section of the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Vice President Sherman stands vindi- cated by Jake Hamon of Muskogee. Jake says he is sure he did not try to bribe Sunny Jim"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The organization Of a 100000 drug combine shows that the sherman act is nothing between friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Summer comes so early in Texas they are already making Christmas purchases in that state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

MERELY sURMIs1ko
 "Quiplets says he has ( N|I<ntl part ner in his joke business. F 8 t
 Who do you suppese th1f I4?" e>
 Maybe it's the perS[ XI14 Always asks the question in 16fsational joke"
 Are they in love [
 "so much so that the z5s1 of living Ina. ceased to be a considerationf'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The old-fashioned camp meeting has been lost In the shuttle of modern prog ress
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The double-breasted vest and the froclS coat went out together and they will not come back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

In some cities no one can be admitted to the best circle of society unless h. has a sleeping porch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The insurgents of Kansas are genuine rough riders whenever a standpatter gets in their way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

John D.'s whisky baths are regarded in Kentucky as prodigal, even wicked, waste.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard does not look the part of a detective of the best sellers and thrillers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The Abernathy boys, and years old, have retired to private life and to their marbles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

Pig iron prices have struck bottom and an advance is expected before the end of August.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The patient hen fears she is work ing for an incubator or cold storage plant. She is to some extent discour- aged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

The Crippen case is over a month old, and it Is still holding the center of the spot light.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-11

August is almost as wet as July but September promises to be dry and dusty.