davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
AN IDEAL GENTLEMAN

By Samuel l.. Clemens (Mark Twain.)
 received the other day letter from my old friend, William Dean Howells- Howells, the head of American litera- ture. No one is able to stand with him. He is an old. old friend of mine, and he writes me, "Tomorrow I shall be 69 years old" Why, I am surprised &t Howells writing that. l have known him longer than that I'm sorry to see a man trying to appear so young. Let's see. Towels says now, 'I see you have been burying Patrick. I suppose he was old too"
 No, he was. never old-Patrick He came 10 us 36 years ago. He was my coaehman on the morning that l drove my young bride to our new home. He was a young Trishman, slender, tall, 1.-the, honest, truthful, and he never changed in all his life. He was with us but 25 years, for he did not go with us to Eu- rope, but he never regarded that as sep aration As the children grew up he was their guide. He was all honor, hon. esty and affection. He was with us in New Hampshire. with us last summer, and ms nalr was Just dS Didch, HIS cyeo were just as blue, his form just as straight, and his heart just as good as on the day we first met. In all the long years Patrick never made a mis- take He never needed an order, he never received a command. He knew. I have been asked for my idea of an ideal gentleman, and I give it to you-Patrick McA1eer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26

nounced by the census bureau have shown
 healthy growth Cincinnati is the only city that has fallen far short of the local claims. St Louis got less than had been claimed but the estimate published on the
 first of the year was of the directory sort and was not accepted as reasonable by well informed statisteians In round numbers the census population of St. Louis is 6S7,0O0. Ten years ago St. Louis ranked a sthe fourth city in the United States and Boston came fifth Bostons population, as counted this year, has not yet been announced. but 1t Is believed that it will stand in the list fifth as before. In 1890 Boston ranked fourth and St Louis fifth. Baltimore held sixth place in 1900, and it will probably retain that position, although Cleveland is gaining on it
 In the table of 100 cities in 1900 Atlanta ranged forty-third. but in the new list it will advance. several files. It stands good chance of ranking between 36 and 40. Birmingham, which was the tailender in the list of 100 cities in 1900. will. if 1t shows 1SO,oW in the new census, rank be- tween 40 and A. While that will be great jump. it's relative standing would be higher if all the people inside the city limits had been enumerated. According to the school census Birmingham has be- tween 10000 and lso,OoO inhabitants
 The census population of Birmingham will be announced within the next few days but the relative rank of the 100 largest cities will not be known per haps before the middle of September.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
PAINTER TAKES LONG REST

From the New York Press.
 The surprise of Joseph Dixon, a mer- chant of this place, when he found a painter quietly at work on the front of his store this morning was only equaled by the astonishment he had felt when the same painter abruptly abandoned the job just a year ago yesterday. Dixon watched with wonder the dull red front of his house being transformed into a brilliant yellow to correspond with the other three sides of the building. They were painted yellow in August, 1909.
 "Hullo, Elijah, what are you doing here?' Dixon shouted.
 "Oh just finishing up this iob," replied the painter, whose last name is Ball.
 When Dixon insisted on further explan- ation, Ball said he went away a year ago to rest and "see the country" He always had intended to finish painting the Dixon store, he explained, and so on re- turning to whippany the first thing he did was to apply his brush to the red front By nightfall the whole structure was the same yellow hue, and Dixon handed the painter a s5 reward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
Result of ProgresSiYe Work

The entire south is making progress in the matter of diversified farming Ala bama is making rapid progress and it is safe to say that within the past three years no southern state has done more to add to it's agricultural prosperity than has this state
 With the improvement in good roads and the increased number of automobiles in use hundreds of men now travel over the state in every direction compared with one before the advent of the auto car. And those who remember the appearance of the rural districts ten years ago and see the farming country now can scarce ly believe their eyes
 ! Alabama's commissioner of agriculture, Mir. Wilkinson, in his annual bulletin to the governor tells of the thrift of the til- lers of the soil and says that they are learning rapidly new methors of diversi- fled farming; that they are acting upon the advice which they nave received from scientific lecturers.
 MT. Wilkinson stresses the practical benefits resulting from the farmer in- stitutes held at different points during the year. These institutes have been at tended by large crowds and great good has followed the discussions and practical demonstrations. All this goes to empha- size the remark made by an expert of the United States agricultural department re- gently that Alabama farmers were more responsive to the scientific efforts made in their behalf than were the farmers of any other state he had visited and he had visited many. This forward move ment Is resulting in vast good to every inerest in Alabama. It is this move ment, too, that accounts for the bumper corn crop this year and increase ir the total value of Alabama crops oi $40, ,OOOOOO to s5OOoO,0OO as compared witr | 1909. And the best of 1t is Alabama as diversified farming state has just got | good start It will make new records from year to year and will be known as l great corn state as well as a great cottor state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26

From the New York World.
 Sarawak-Iike all pagans in every part of the world, as well as many not count ed as heathen, the aborigines of Borneo, the Dyaks. have many superstitions. The most romantic of their beliefs regards the administering of love charm. Here is the secret prayer a Dyak maiden breathes on the eve of seeking to win a mate by a cunnngly compounded po- ton:
 "Thou art indeed not a. common phil ter. but the best and the most effectual. obtained thee from the fairy goddesses kuman, Lulong Bintang. Pantang. Mayang and the mother of Mendong. They gave thee to me on the summit of Tiang Laju mountain when l went there along with an offering. l saw them in my sleep and spoke to them in my dream. They told me it was thou who fascinated the fairy gods King, Bnnga Nuing, Laja and Bunga Java. Moreover, they told me how wonderfully effectual thou vast for even in the midst of bat tie they hurried home to look for them because the days fixed were accomplished. | love A with all my heart, night and day I remember him; he is in my heart, but he does not care for me. In the sacred names of the fairy goddesses l en- treat thee to effectually fascinate to me. I fix seven days from today for you to effectually move his heart. Wher- ever he may be. on the farm or on the warpath, sleeping or eating, make him hurry up to look for me. Make him to be like an infant when 1t cries for it's mother Be thou as sharp, as effectual as needles and the fairy goddesses be with YOU.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
THE VALE o, GLoAMIN

Gordon Johnstone in September Smart Set
 A-weary drag the hours. an me hopes a-wet with tears, Mavourneen. roamin'. an do you think O me, whin soft the mist sa- -failin' brings you down remembered years Upon wisp Q "nfornin' acrok the moanin' sea? For tis you that's far away, " But 'tis me that has to stay
 Here a-livin' on the echo O. your song O. yesterday. Thin comes to me in sorrow whin the dark is fallin' still. < MavoWneen. roamin', the nights are calln' too. The thrush has found his dearie in the castle on the hill , But cold me heart a-rovin' without the heart O you; And the moors, so break and sere.
 Whisper down the yesteryear:
 ''Tis a-faint we are with waitin' And a-longin' for you, dear,'' Oh, say you'll come Alanna, whin the flowers go to sleep, Mavourneen, roamin', an' nestle on me breast, i An put your arms around me as the ghosts O shadows creep ~ From out the vale O gloanin' where day has gone to rest,
 And we'll hold each other fast, In the clingin, clingin pAsts
 Though the dawn must wake ane take you, 4 And the drame too sweet to lasti \,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
The Iron Market

There is a better tone in the pig iron market and better prices are hoped for soon. Rogers, Brown & Co.'S. Cincinnati report says: Buyers trying to obtain iron for next years delivery at current prices for both northern and southern output, has been the feature of the mar ket. Such overtures, with prices at pres ent levels, are not profitable to the fur naces and have not resulted in business. for. delivery up to the first of January, and in many instances this has resulted in sales Locally two or three good sized contracts have been closed.
 Sales of Ohio iron are few and far be- tween, on account of prices which are being made at certain points in other districts enabling them to come into. what is ordinarily, outside territory for them.
 "We note no change in prices, although there has been much pressure brought to bear to shade southern prices for prompt and last quarter business partic- ularly. It is reported in the Birmingham detrict sales have been made at an ad- the market minimum.
 ''The outlook for the immediate future is guesswork, although consumption in the main seems 10 be keeping up and production by the first of September will show further decrease. It is estimated that consumption is proceeding now at the rate of about 24000,000 to 25,000 ,O00 tons per year"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
The National Wealth

According to present indications the census population of this country is about g., COG, 600 and the estimated national wealth is s125, ,OOo. .000, GOO In 1900 the population of the United States was 5S00,0O0, the total wealth was only a little upwards of 8, ,OoO eOO, coo The per capita wealth was $2O2.
 Ten years ago the population was 76, 300, Oo0 the total wealth s9i. .oOo, OOO, 900 and the per capita wealth sl,2s2. The Wall Street Journal in presenting the census statistics says: "The result is an average wealth per capita of sl.359, or about s6,S0O per average family of five persons, for 1910 If the nominal dollar were always of the same purchasing power, we would be nearly eight times richer than were the founders of the republic; but such is not the fact. Measured by the price of labor or of any of the great products of labor we are perhaps two or three times as rich; and that ought 10 be sufficient, gratifying.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26

that the only volumes handy were Hap py Hawkins" and Marcus Aurelius. Who Happy Hawking is we do not know, although we are we'll acquainted with Happy Hooligah." But Marcus Aurelius" we know, and are inclined to think the mayor found him congenial company. yet far inferior to his favorite Epictetus. The reporters say he did not peruse him at any length. Perhaps he sighed for his fsvorite.
 Compared with Epictetus. Marcus is as moonlight unto sunlight, and as water unto wine, as Tennyson said of woman s emotions compared with mans. A more fitting compa rison would be substantial human food compared with the mythical broma of the gods. for there is a reality aoout Epictetus which red-blood men can comprehend.
 As for Marcus, only men with a celestial chor in their veins, as Professor Huxley thought can fully absorb him all though everyone who has committed to memory Sir John Lubbock's Hundred Best Books will tell you that Mark is great.
 But don't be deceived, gentle reader. If you want a solid mental meal, sup with Epictetus, Mayor Gaynors bosom friend.
 Aurelius was an emperor and Epictetus was a slave-slave of a crony of Nero's. Yet the slaves philosophy has more nu- trment in it than the emperor's.
 Still we should not marvel that the slave surpassed the emperor. Rather let us marvel that an emperor. on the march, in camp or on his throne, found time to cultivate morality, worship the gods and aim at perfection of personal conduct For is not the temptation to be worldly stronger in the case of a ruler than in the case of a human chattel?
 Give Epctetus his due, but withhold not the laurel from that noble Roman, Marcus Aurelius.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Livingston Banker Here

l A. c. McMillan, a prominent banker of Livingston, and one of the well known citizens of south Alabama, was in Birmingham yesterday on business and to call on his many personal friends here.
 In speaking of general business con- ditions he said the cotton and corn crops looked very promising and he ex- pected the harvest would create a wave of prosperity seldom equalled in the state
 The crops round about our city are fine,' said MT. McMillan. The farmers have been able to get out and overcome rains during the early summer. The result Is that the weeds have been all removed and the cotton and corn are rearing hemselves to the sky in un- equaled vigor We expect a bumper crop down our way and from reports edly promising. We will have as a re- suit of better and more diversified crops a great wave of prosperity in which everyone from the farmer to the banker will share.
 T am very much pleased with the evident progress that is being made by Birmingham continued MT. Me Milan. We are all interested in our largest city and hope every advantage that Is desired by Birmingham will be secured"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
SONGS AND SUICIDE

From the St. Louis Times.
 A very considerable percentage of peo- ple who kill themselves willfully are found to have had poems with them when the last step was taken. Occasion ally 1t Is a book of poems; more ire ouently it is clipping or a number of clippings of verses reprinted in the news papers, Occasionally it is original verse and instances have been known where this original verse was far from bad.
 What, then is the connection between songs and suicide? Is there any?
 There are poets whose work has induced a pensive and melancholy joy. few have sung in a key of such rare minor qualities that their singing brought de- spondency. One may admire the magic of Omar's book, finding in it almost a literal perfume, as of rich tapestries and flowers kept in their vase too long. But no one ever arose from a perusal of the "Rubaivat' with new determination to fight the battle of life with cheerful ness.
 The young Harvard student, whose death by his own hand has just been reported, was found with a copy Of By
 
 ron beside him. Lest we bring the By ronites upon us in an army we hes'- tate to say that the Byronic influence was depressing. But the youth who es- tablishes his ideals of life upon the 'Don Juan' type could scarcely cope with a work -a-day world successfully
 The majority of the major singers can scarcely be charged with superinduc- ing a desire to die. Zone in love with his Shakespeare, his Milton, his Burns his wordsworth, would be sure to per ceive new reasons for prizing life Put there may be no significance at all in the fact that here and there a 1 faltering soul has elected to perish with a lovely song near him. The presence of these treasures may mean simply that they, cheapest and dearest of all the things life can place in our hands, may be kept by the defeated and the broken | even after all else that was loved is gone
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
NEW ENGLAND's BIG CITIES

From the Boston Glope.
 Although Hartford in 1900 had popu- lation of 79,S5O to Bridgeports 7O,996. she has been passed by the latter In the race for the 100000 mark In the new census Hartford falls 1S5 inha bitants be- low 900 and Bridgeport sweeps by her with a total of 102,054.
 While New England 10 years ago had five cities of more than 100000 population, namely, Boston, Providence, Worcester, New Haven and Fall River, we shall doubtless have eight by the latest emu meration. Besides Bridgeport. Lowell and Cambridge should prove large enough to gain admission to the group.
 The census now in the making will show that the United States is not only the foremost agricultural country, but we also lead the nations in the number of populous cities we possess.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
THE WISER COURSE

From the Louisville Times
 DeWolf Hopper, in the course of a visit to Coney Island, praised the 1.-the figures of the young girls who, in blue bathing suits and silk stockings, paced the eUttering and wind-swept beach.
 These graceful girls said the come dian, make me think of young lady | took down the other night to dinner.
 MT Hopper. she said, as she slipped her cup of cold consomme, did you know l was starring In musical comedy now?
 ".Why no.' said I; T didn't even know you'd studied singing
 /" Oh I never studied singing, she replied. I took a gymnastc course for the figure"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
Relative Rank of Large Cities

nounce the population of the three largest three will show large gains. The New York figures will be ready next Saturday or Monday, the Chicago figures a few days later, and then will come Philadel- phia's turn.
 The population of Buffalo, Denver and aeveral other cities were announced yes ferday. All show gains. Buffalo gets 42s,- 71b when it had only claimed i2o,ooe. With few exceptions the cities thus far an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
AS TO DIALECT WRITERS

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat'
 Q ROM the nature of the Illness or
 N which the country hears with re- A gret, the literary work of James Whitcomb Riley may be assumed to stand complete. That he has the insight and power of expression of a true poet has long been conceded, but he has had the genius to find vein for himself and to give it a fitting form. He might have pored over the classics and mythology and been a poetical figure of some note by dealing with the heroics of the past, or with imaginative obscurities, but he turned to the commonplace around him, the people and places with which he was most familiar. The audience to be thus addressed is not easily satisfied, for while not technically critical it knows well the veritable in art, and it's sympathy is not to be gained to any extent by work of secondary merit. MT. Riley is a man of sentiment but with a fine discrimination in the use to be made of it. He has been sensitive to every shade of feeling and all peculiarities in the state where he was born and the communities where he grew up, and aware that there are poetic sparks in ordinary lives and surround ings The problem is to give them true literary shape without artifice or af- lection. writer must have a quick eye and ear to reproduce the everyday scenes of life, and touch the hearts of a peo- pie by poems that, from the nature of their themes, must be homespun, and yet always vivid in their fidelity. Words worth came nearer than any other lau- reate to grasping the idea but left it mainly to e later generation.
 No country has equaled Scotland in the literature of dialect from time of Burns and Scott to that of Stevenson and Bar rie, but Scotch speech thus employed is a language rather than a dialect, and rich in words whose sounds forcibly set forth their meaning The vocabulary of Burns has distinct fascination. though
 it may need, in part, at least, to be read with a glossary. The music of the speech of the Highlands Is as striking as that of their spirit-stirring pipers, and it
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
Furnishes the Innocent

'I consider 1t an outrage upon our civilization" said D. H. Riddle of Good water last night, that In every month in the year men are convicted and sen tenced to the penitentiary while theil innocent wives and children are left al home with no means Of support. The state puts the man to work at s25 a month, and the money goes into the state treasury to educate other peoples children, and pay high salaries while the poor mother and children are Jeff without support.
 1T have had the matter called to my attention by a recent case, in which boy of 20 years was sentenced to prison leaving his aged grandmother, who hac reared him from infancy, helpless. with out a single relative 10 aid her. 1T think that at least 50 per cent ol what such a man makes for the state should go to the widow and family. have been so touched by the repeated oc currences of this outrage that I expec to do my best to get such bill passed by the next legislature"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26

international frontier, with the Chinese wall of protection rising between her and her Canadian neighbors across the river
 The great lakes constitute a uniaue feature of our map. For a long time they were hardly more to us than geo. graphical terms. They stretched away to unpeopled shores. Now, however, they are the crowded avenues of a mighty commerce. The big and swiftly growing cities which flourish on their banks tes- tify to the value and importance of this wonderful chain of vast inland seas..
 Moreover, they have a glory apart iron, their rich trade. They were the first and after century still are the only international waters to exclude all ships of war. When men learn war no more and the battle flags are furled in the parliament of the world these lakes will hold the universal honor of having been the chosen field whereon nations first practiced the precepts of peace,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
Autoing Through New England

Robert Jemison writes to a friend from Gloucester, Mass, of date August 22, and in his letter he says in part
 we have just rounded out an auto mobile trip of nearly 5000 miles in New England. We found good roads except In the state of Maine We can see more new houses being built around Birming- ham in one days ride than we saw in New England in a SOO0-mle ride. But we saw more road-building in New Eng land than we could see in all the south ern states.
 The state of Alabama must back Sen ator Bankhead in his good roads move ment. l see much good coming to Ala bama in good roads. We must get Sir mingham on the south and north and east and west Auto route.'''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-26
ANOTHER TRADITION EXPLODED

From Success Magazine.
 Two Engllshmen were resting at the Red Horse Inn" at Stratford on Avon. One of them discovered a print pictur- Ing a low tHmbling building underneath which was printed: "The House in Which Shakespeare Was Born. Turning to his friend in mild surprise he pointed to the print His friend exhibited equal sur prise, and called waiter who assured them of the accuracy of the inscription.
 "Pon my word' said the observing Englishman, shaking his head dubious. ly. II thought he was born in g mangerl'