davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
SOME FREAKISH WEDDINGS

THOUGH the vast majority of
~ brides and bridegrooms are quite
content to have the nuptial knot
tied in church, there are few who pre-
fer 1t fastened in an odd environment.
To be "spliced" on a swinging trapeze
would not be every ones choice, yet
that was the scene selected on one
occasion by two couples of circus per-
formers. The contracting parties, gor-
geously arrayed, climbed onto two aerial
perches, one on each side of the ring,
while the officiating magistrate stood
on a pyramid in the center and conduct
ed the service. In 1897 a wedding occur
red in a still more curious and dangerous
place-in a lions cage at the Boston zoo.
Something like 1000 people witnessed the
event, Methodist clergyman conducting
1t. The reverend gentleman, however,
stood outside the cage, and at the proper
moment the bride and bridegroom fol-
lowed the keeper into the cage, which
contained two large lions, and the steel
barred door was closed behind them.
The whole thing was over in five minutes
but it must have seemed years to the
couple, considering that the lions walked
round the cage staring at the unusual
sight, and then laid down, roaring and
yawning alternately. On another occa-
sion couple had the romantic idea of
being married inside the head of the CO.
lossal figure of the Goddess of Liberty,
which stands in New York harbor. The
head being a hollow chamber, the feat
was made feasible and was duly carried
out, after the bridal party had mounted
the 5000 feet of narrow stairs to reach
their destination.
Marriages have now and again taken
place on horseback, one such being be-
tween an clipping couple some years
back While service was In progress In
village church the noise of gathering
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
THE WAsTREL

Reginald Wright Kaufman. in the.
Forum.
Once, when I was little, as the summer
dark was falling,
Among the purple upland fields I lost
my barefoot way!
The road to home was hidden fast, and
frightful shadows. crawling
Along the skyline, swallowed up the
last kind light OF day; <
And then I seemed to hear YOU
In the twilight, and be near you;
Seemed to hear your dear voice cali
ing
Through the meadows, calling. call
ing
And followed and I found you.
Flung my tired arms around you,
And rested on the mother-breast, re-
turned, tired out, from play
Down the years that followed, though n
trod strange paths unheeding,
Though chased the jack-o' lanthornsl
OF SO many maddened years.
Though never looked behind me wherel
the home-lights were receding,
Though I never looked enough ahead
to see the Inn of Fears;
Still know your heart was near me
That your ear was strained to hear
That your love would need no plead.
ing
To forgive me. but was pleading
OF its self that, in disaster.
should run up,to you the faster
And be sure that was dearer for your
sacrifice Of tears.
Now on life's last summertime the Ions
last dusk is falling,
And I,fwho trod one way so long, CAR
tread no other way
Until at deaths dim crossroads watch
hesitant. the crawling
Night passages that maze me with thd
ultimate dismay,
Then when Death and Doubt shall
blind me-
Even then-I know you'll find me-;
I shall hear you, Mother, calling
Hear you calling-calling- calling:
] shall fight and follow--find you
Though the grave-clothes swathe and
bind you, l
And I know your love will answer
: Here's nx~laddie home from playt1
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
NAMING BIG LINERS

From the New York Tribune.
At luncheon a day or two ago some
men of the shipping world were DISCUSS
ing the subject of steamship nomen-
clature, and it was generally conceded
that something must be done abroad to
prevent new steamships from acquiring
the names of prominent American char
acters. cities and politicians. With the
Martha Washington, the George Wash
inton, the President Grant, the President
Lincoln, the United States, the Pennsyl-
vania and the Chicago. all owned by for
eign companies, It was said That there
was no limit to the American names that
might be thrust upon the proposed
steamships of the various foreign lines
running to this port. 1t was suggested
that the Hamburg-American line mieSt
call its new 45.Oo0-ton liner the Theo-
.aore del. Grossels the next creation * the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
Education for the Many

Governor Conner did "prope1' every
l"sparable" dollar into the education
al functions of the state" and some
thing beyond, but the dollars that he
propelled went largely to three insti-
buttons that only 5000 attend, not to
the public schools that 100000 should
attend.
The administration would have a
much better case if it could snow when
and where before its numerous legis-
lative sessions the executive had pro-
PEELED a constitutional amendment per-
self at its discretion for a better
school, or had propelled a statute pro-
viding for the selection from the ranks
of teachers of county superintendents
AT present county superintendent are
selected from the ranks of politicians
and some of them, it is said, cannot
read or write. Few of the 81 can
magnetic a teacher into better work
Scarcely one of them is adapted to thu
task he has sought by the politica
route.
4 If the administration could show wher
and where it has favored local taxation
Of competent supervision it would have
something better in its favor tha1
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

The acreage in corn was increased 40
per cent or about 100000 acres. The
crop last year was 1872. 900. 900 bushels, and
all hope the crop will this year cross the
s,ooO 100000 line
The period of hot winds has already
visited the corn belt, doing no little
damage in Oklahoma. Kansas and Ne
braska. Iowa fears visitation of similar
winds, and the next three weeks may
be considered the critical stage of the
crop in the leading states of corn pro-
duction. The frosts of September may
affect the crop in the northerly portion
of the corn bek.
Between the two dangers no one can
at present safely estimate the corn crop.
The damage already done by hot winds
has cut the prospect down to 10000 900
bushels, and the hope is that nothing will
occur which will cut the crop down to
figures below the 100000 900 line.
All the railroads and great financial in
terests are watching the corn crop, and
If it escapes material injury in August
from hot winds we may safely conclude
that it will cross the 30O0, 0O0, 900 line, and
that is the hope of general business at
present.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
sHARKEY,s WEALTHY FRIEND

From the New York Morning Telegraph.
Returning visitors from Reno are lost
with admiration to the style, not to say
splendor, wherewith our eminent fellow
townsman, Tom Shakey, covered himself
by representing this city at the big fight.
Sharkey was rarely seen on the street
with anyone whose balance at the bank
did not equal his own, which Sharkey
says runs up into six figures and never
mind the ciphers. He was making his
dignified way through Virginia street
with a man whose every movement and
look spoke of ready money.
who's the guy wit you, Tom?' asked
one of his friends casually.
'Sh!" said Sharkey, don't let him
hear you. His name is Jones. an he's a
moulted millionaire"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
WHERE MURDER IS RARE

From the Cleveland Leader.
The extraordinary attention which
English newspapers have been giving to
the case of DIR. Crippen, who appears
to have murdered his wife in London.
is very complimentary. in an important
sense, to the British nation. 1t is out
of all proportion to the interest which
would be shown in a similar case in this
country, perhaps because the difference
is so great in the frequency of homi-
cides of all kinds.
Murder is no such common crime in the
British Isles as 1t Is in America. 1t Is
not an everyday incident of life In any
big city. Even London, with it's 100000
people in the metropolitan police district.
scores of thousands of them brought to.
gether from all parts of the world, has
fewer murders than many an American
city one-tenth as large. Consequently,
when such crime takes place it excites
a vast deal of comment. It's rarity
makes It great sensation.
What is it that represses the killing
instinct, the homicidal fury. in men liv-
ing In Great Britain? Climate cannot
account for it. Blood does not tell, in
view Of the great number of nationals
ties strongly represented in great CEN
ters of population. 1t must be fear of
the sure and swift vengeance of the law.
The certainty of justice holds in check
the arm raised to strike down an enemy
or kill for gain.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
Pleased with birmingham


II am visiting Birmingham for the nrst
time and am more than pleased with 1t,
said C. B. Ryan. Jr., of Norfolk. Ihe
cities with which l have been familiar
are New York, Chicago, Cincinnati,
Louisville, Richmond and Atlanta; and l
can say without overstatement that Biz
mineham surpasses all of them in beau
tiful landscape effects.
Everybody hears a great deal about
Birmingham as an iron and steel center,
but outsiders like myself can but be
agreeably surprised to find 1t SO hand
somely built and SO enchanting from a
natural scenery point of view.
Another thing that impresses me is
the metropolitan character of Birming-
ham. This city is the most metropolitan
in the south, SO far as 1 have SEEM
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
Mobiles Wharf Frontage

Mobile" says the Mobile Register, is
Alabama's only seaport. In Alabama
originates more freight than in any other
southern state. We have heard it said
that the tonnage of the Birmingham dis
trict alone is larger than the tonnage OF
the whole of the state of Georgia. Nature
designed Alabama's waterways SO that
they should unite and flow to one outlet,
this one at Mobile on the gulf. Tine
state is like a big bottle, full of the prod
ucts of human industry. and the port of
Mobile is geographically the mouth of the
bottle
Man, however, has had his hand In
the matter, and, by means of railroads,
has turned the current of commerce to
the right and to the left and to the north,
as it has profited him to do; and has act
ually succeeded in multiplying to great
extent the advantages to the public that
could be obtained by a proper use of the
he has further placed his restrictions
and limits upon the port, because of his
interests in other ports, not in Alabama.
ooa 11xro
observer of the situation, the railroads
have tried, and in part succeeded. IN put
ting a stopper into the mouth of the bot
te
"The stopper is now made tighter by
railroad control of the wharf frontage by
means of rail rates that give a prefer
ence to commerce transacted over their
rails-ths having the effect of discourage
ing private enterprise that has provided
wharves or may in future see the neces-
sity for the provision of wharves Said
control can be used to keep away from
this port any commerce that for reasons
of their own the railroads may see fit to
divert from Mobile to some other port.
In short the control of the wharves will
be an effective part of the stopper in the
mouth of the great Alabama bottle
The Register is right when it appre-
ciates Alabama's tonnage. Ten million
bales of cotton weigh but 100000 tons,
and the tonnage of this district is fully
20,OOT0o0 TONS or about eight times the
weight of the present entire cotton crop
of the country. The Register underesti-
mates the tonnage of this district when
It compares it with Georgias tonnage.
The tonnage of more than one state is
needed to secure an equivalent of the
tonnage of this district
The Register is also right when it de-
mands that Mobile be made as free a port
as New Orleans is today. The legisla-
ture of Louisiana took hold of the mat
ter, and Mobiles difficulties may have
to be regulated in like manner. The
Register appeals to the state to take
hand in the matter, and the problem may
have to be laid before the coming legis-
lature.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

hoofs was heard. An official going to
the entrance found a man and woman
mounted on palpitating animals. After
some persuasion, as the pair were armed
with the necessary authority, the clergy
man promptly married them, the lovers
not dismounting during the process AS
soon as it was ended they put spurs to
their horses and galloped away into the
darkness.
So far, 1t would SEEM marriages have
not been performed in motor cars or fly
ing machines, although one may rest as
sured that they will soon be utilized for
such purposes. Before now the Clouds
have witnessed wedding ceremonies
Some years ago a balloon was turned
into church and a happy though nerv-
GUS couple made husband and wife there
In. During the Chicago worlds fair
some years ago the ferris wheel, of
which the big wheel at Earl's Court was
a near relative, was one of the chief at
fractions, and an enterprising couple
elected to be married in 1t. Accordingly
they were united $50 feet above the heads
as there is no accounting for tastes, it is
not surprising to learn that even the
bowels of the earth have been chosen for
wedding. Such an event in coal mine
would be a matter-of-fact affair in COM
parison with a marriage in the Mann
moth cave of Kentucky, whose wonders
and creepiness have been pictured by
many pens, until the reader has been
made almost nervous by the descriptions.
Nevertheless, this eerie cave was the
scene of knot tying. 1t was performed
by the light of torches, which made the
darkness of the cave IL anything moro
intense, the spot selected being some
thing like nine miles from the entrance
to the cave, and only reached by cross
ing Styk-like waters and crawling on
hands and knees.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
Jones Moore Di,cu.se. Road.

That the solution of the road prob
lem in this state should be made
Through a great convention held in Biz
mingham with delegates from every
county in this state, is the opinion
of Jones Moore, one of the best known
men of Birmingham, who spoke in
terestingly of the road situation yester-
day.
The solving of the road problem
should not be confined to jefferson
county," said Mr.. Moore yesterday. 81
believe each county in the state should
work in harmony on this proposition
of lettering the roads. My idea would
be that every county should hold g.
convention. To this convention should
be delegated the power to elect dele
gates to a state convention, to be held
in Birmingham. This state convention
should be so representative that no
petty politics could be played. The
men in this convention should be dele
gated to solve the plan and then should
act in harmony. The counties should
simultaneously start a road campaign.
When Jefferson county, for instance,
constructs a road touching another
county the other county should have
constructed the same kind of road and
the two arteries should meet. In this
way the entire situation would be im-
proved and solved. No county in thi,
state is too poor to work out this
plan now. The treasures are pretty
well stocked or If this is not the case
then bonds can well be issued. The
solution of the road proposition is not
local issue but should be made state
wide. I believe If this convention idea
is carried out and properly handled
that responsive sentiment will be found
In every hamlet of this commonwealth.
This plan carried to its elimination
will do more in solving the question
than all the pickering from now I'M
til the next comet"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
THE OATH OF KINGS

From the Washington Post.
The spirit of freedom in religion, i'm
planted in America at Plymouth and
jamestown, even though restricted for
a time by Puritanism, found expression
in the evolution of the constitution of
the United States Hence it is hard
for people who have never known
a religious test for President to I'M
derstand the slowness with which the
oath of accession to the throne of
Great Britain has been modified. But
the change now made in the form of
this oath Is only one of long series,
each in the direction of broader toll
erance, of terms In other official
pledges. Not until 1929 were disabil
tiles as to oaths placed upon Catholics
and Jews removed; not until 1884 could
Quakers and others affirm, privilege
extended in 1851 to criminal courts, and
in 1857 to Jurors generally. The en-
trance of Rothschild to the house of
commons in 1858, and later to the house
of lords. required a change.
All this moves London journals to
reminiscent reviews. going back to the
times of persecution. But no longer
need the King of England both affirm
his Professionalism and proclaim his de-
NAL of cardinal doctrines regarded with
reverence by Roman Catholics. The new
form recognizes all faiths Protestant
not solely that of the church estab-
lished in England; so that today If she
were living Queen Victoria need not
partake, unless she chose, of the Pres
byterian communion. as was her GUS
tom when in Scotland. Curiously
enough, there survive some pagan oaths
now of doubtful status, in English
courts. But more and more the prin-
ciple has been asserted and become
accepted that there should be no test
of creed for public trust.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
-----eS~- -
SHADE OF ANANIAS!
Media CPa) Dispatch to Philadelph

Media (Pa) Dispatch to Phlladeiphla
Record.
Pitcher Jack Krause of the Upland
big Four team, should play In pheno-
menal luck for the rest of the season, II
there is anything in the rabbit foot
superstition of ball players.
In a practice game today, at the Me-
dia League club grounds, rabbit
Jumped out of clump of grass and
started across the diamond. Krause,
who was endeavoring to catch ball
thrown in from the outfield, did not see
the rabbit but, before the ball arrived,
the little beast jumped into his hands.
Thinking he had the ball, Krause threw
the rabbit to the second baseman to
catch a runner The baseman "ducked,"
and the rabbit made its escape.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
PRIZE PATIENTS.

did your father leave you well-fxedf
friend asked a young doctor, who ID
also the son of a DOCTOR
"'Yes, indeed answered the young
doctor. HE left me three fairly well-to-
do dyspeptics and a wealth old maiu
with the rheumatism"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Where are the hideous sea-serpents?
And the silver-scaled mermaids?
And the dazzling meteors?
And the elegant college young men
who wait on table?
And the beautiful jheiresses who must
be married within six weeks or lose
their fabulous fortunes?
In short. where are the publicity men
of the seaside hotels?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR
Irrn,,a tho New York Press

FROM tile new loIk IISSS.
A woman hates people for what they
are; man for what they do.
Men howl about the world being molly
coddled to death and then want more
than their share.
man thinks he knows all about sail.
ing a boat as soon as he gets over call.
ing deck floor.
1t takes love letter to be made up OF
ten pages of the same thing said In diff.
ferent ways.
: The more man can lie to woman
about how beautiful she is the more she
will believe a lot Of his other lies.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
A CORRECTION

From the Philadelphia Telegraph.
Bacon is worth as much now as 1t was
in the days of the Civil war, when few
had time to raise hogs."-Birmingham
Age-Herald.
Just a little off the track, old pal You
probably meant to say that bacon is SELL
ing for as much now as 1t did during the
Civil war. when few had time TO raise
the price.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03


Stuart's majority was but 1868 out of
b trife over a million votes.
This year there are three tickets in the
feld, and possibly other tickets will be
put out. The socialists will certainly
present ticket, and so no doubt will
The prohibitionists.
The real race will be a strife for plu-
rality by Tener, the republican nominee
Tor governor; Grim, the democratic nom
inee, and Berry the Keystone candidate
The race is complex and doubtful simply
because all the elements of opposition to
the Penrose leadership cannot be con-
centrated in support of one ticket.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

Red Star line might be the Hughesland;
the White Star, the Loebic; the Cunard.
the Taftonia;. the Holland-America, the
Cannondam; the French line, the La Fo
lette; the northumberland line,
the Helig Harmon; the Italian line, the
Re di Gaynor; the Anchor line the Girls
comalia, and last, but not least, the
American line-if it ever builds new
steamship-the Oyster Bay.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
MERELY A THEORY.

TITS a wonder to me that some of the
old masters haven't immortalized their
cooks in verse and pictures"
Perhaps they did. Some Of the women
who figure in masterpieces of soulful cir
cumstance may have owed their infIu-
ence over poets and painters to their skill
with frying pans
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

considerably larger population than At
lanta and a larger population than Biz
mingham. I would be willing to bet that
when the census figures are announced
the three cities will rank In the order
named
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
NO sOLAcE THERE.

WHO first said, Better late than
never'?'
TIN blest If I know, but his maxim
doesn't seem to fit the painful experience
of missing a train.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Impressed By Crowded street.

Birmingham has more life in it in the
dull dog days than several larger cities
I have visited recently" said Arthur
Bateman Of Chicago.
II have been particularly struck with
the large crowds on the streets. l have
been coming to Birmingham at frequent
intervals during the past eight or nine
years, and am therefore used to observ-
ing its growth. But the city seems very
much larger than it did even a year ago.
Certain l am that the sidewalks in the
business district were never so crowded
as they are now On Monday 1 looked
in wonder at the moving mass of
humanity on the principal thoroughfares
First, Second and Third avenue and
Twentieth and Nineteenth streets.
"A few years ago / saw scarcely any
body on Third avenue, but now that
thoroughfare Is as animated as any of
the older shopping streets, OF course,
in Chicago we are familiar with dense
crowds and congested crossings, but l
little thought when visiting Birmingham
five or six years ago that so many people
would be found here in this census year.
1 hear that the population is estimated
at 125,O0O. I would guess from appear
ances that 1t would be more like 100000
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

THE individuals who busy themselves
in lacking anecdotes to prominent people
should have more discrimination"
whats the matter now?"
"a well-known anecdote has Just been
credited simultaneously to a prize-fighter
and a Methodist bishop
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

A New York schoolgirl is surrounded
does not derive from her luxurious sur
roundings as much comfort as other
girls find in fudge.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

Senator Bristow says Senator Aldrich
is a robber, and Senator Aldrich saws
Senator Bristow is liar. This is the
kind of harmony that exists in the re-
publican party.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03
A LIVE TOPIC.

The Browning club will meet today
And all will present be,
For Mrs. Flubb has found, they say,
A new affinity.