davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
ELF-INTEREsT FORGOTTEN

From the Mobile Register
 MT. Underwood is not seeking popularity at his country's expense. He has made earnest protest against the $50,OOO.OOo pub lie buildings bill. The Register knows that Mobile needs a new postoffice build ing, and that the grant has been ap- proved by Congress-, the site purchased and only the appropriation for the build
 ing has now to be made. Therefore, what ever criticism there is of the bill, an honorable exception must be made of the item covering the Mobile building, Mo- bile not having appealed to Congress on account of building for more than 60 years. But the Register will praise MT. Underwoods courage and patriotism no matter what is the effect of it upon Mo- bile. He is a big man who stands up against the pension grab and against the public buildings grab; and If he needs sup port or encouragement this is the time to give it. AS far as the Register is con cerned, he shall have 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
POTATO Ih.PHILosoPHY

From E. W. Howe Monthly.
 A hero is a man Tho hasn't had much bad luck.
 We are all probabl,too indignant when we deslike a thing.
 There never was pan so Insignificant that he could not be anoying.
 Here of late when aman is down so many people offer to lip him that he is better off than the aerage man who is up.
 Do you realize that on feature of the modern reform wave noI sweeping over the country contemplateathat in future you do twice as much wdS as you have formerly done?
 When big family row 4ts into court, people say: What funnYfamily!' Let any family's affairs get intofourt and be pred into by the prosecutionlnd they will seem funny"
 It is unfortunate that at on time there were orators who swayed thenuItitudes; it is unfortunate because eve since It,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
Musical Interpretation

'In the musical world one hears a great deal about interpretation, but perhaps comparatively few of those who attend high class concerts appreciate fully how much interpretation means,'' said a mem Der of Birmngham's musical set. One of the supplemental volumes of the Amer ican History and Encyclopedia of Music, just from the press, contains an interest ing chapter on Interpretation, by w. $. B. Mathews, the well known organist and critic MT. Mathews says in part:
 TO interpret piece of music is not simply to play it or sing it, even if ex- tremely well; interpretation begins when these points have been fully mastered; begins some time later, indeed, because interpretation consists not only in bring ing the music out of what you play or sing, and in doing this in such vivid colors that your listeners get 1t con vincingly; but more: you add to the mu- sic something from yourself, something which perhaps the composer himself no more than dimly felt.
 Interpretation does not consist in as- sociating the music with story; almost all such associations are purely>mythical and hinder the music more than they help, because they stand in the way of the listener exercising his own myth making instincts, and explaining the mu- sic to himself along what to him is the line of least resistance.
 Music stands for the inner life oi
 man. It stands for moods; moments beautiful apperceptions; high reveries great hopes and aspirations These may come perfectly into the music and move the listener, while he may not be able to formulate them in the least; because music comes into the subconscious mind and stirs there the things we dimly feel or wish we felt Music is the fairylant of the modern world; and you, if a player or a singer, are a minister in this mighty magic.
 " Interpretation belongs to the ma ture There is, indeed, what we nigh call the conventional interpretation oi all great works, such as all good teacher. teach their talented students as part O the first study or the finishing review 0 the work. But such playing or. singint does not become a real intarnretatinn nil
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT MATTERS OF
 INTEREST TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA

And this reminds me of statement
 made to me yesterday by one of the real young citizens of BirIningham-I mean young in feelings. He is no other than my good friend Bob Jemison, sr., who everyone knows has made good and done good in this town.
 He suggested that we should resolve in this New Year that coal and iron are not, by any means the only products of this district. He brought forth the fact that the mercantile interests. the lumber interests, the small manufacturing inter- ests, the banking interests, the railroad interests, and the many other interests in the Birmingham of today were pre- dominant.
 His suggestion was that we should re- solve to aid and encourage the coal and iron interests in every possible way, but we should also resolve that we shall cease to look to these large interests to support us as a rich mans sons so often look to the old man to feed and clotha them We should resolve to do, as our less fortunate sister cities do go ahead and build up our great city on other lines as other cities have done: that we should do everything possible to make Birmingham the best place in Alabama, or the south, from both a mercantile and manufacturing point of view; that the stranger should have the welcome he gets in the west. and every protection provided in any other section of the world. And that at once we should re- solve as a whole to soon have the best hotel and the best operated hotel in the south. Doing such the people of all sec- tions will flock to us.
 As he says, let us get together in great, generous and wholesome New Year resolution.
 Such is the spirit and belief Of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

minds to do 1t. They are a talkatve lot all good fellows and strong men-and as newspaper man I like it, because they make copy and enliven the columns of the newspapers. Indeed, sometimes they burden the newspapers with proclama- tions and then fail to enforce them But as a taxpayer I would suggest that we are burdened with politics and proclama- tions rather than real serious action Of course, like to see parks bought whether they be in the suburbs or in the city. I parks improved. But more than any thing else the women and children and fiome owners of Birmingham are entitled to practical consideration, and to that protection which would be given them by an increased police force. We have tre- mendous town here, with something like 10S policemen. Even the traffic squad has been taken from the streets, and every day We hear of accidents which could be avoided by the maintenance of traffic regulations.
 We people who have bought homes in the residence sections of Birmingham have no protection whatever from the rowdyl negro pistol toters and others who infest the streets in these sections and purloin our property at their sweet will.
 Of course, anybody can kick It takes a genius to suggest the finance and maln- tenance of a big city with limited reve- nue. Police and fire protection, in my opinion, come first. The Identification of the city comes next. Both are necessary.
 I sincerely hope that the city commits sioners will get together as one man. If they have difficulties among themselves, let them get out in the back alley be- hind the city hall and fight it out quietlyNI among themselves with a board of ref erees to hold them on the earth, so to speak, and then go back up into the old | council chamber and vote as one man for the real good of this Greater Birming- ham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
A GREAT ATTRACTION.

''How do you like your new flat?' "Oh, the apartment house where we arc living now is the most uncomfortable place I have ever found'
 "Why do you stay there?'
 "On my wife's account. She thinks the Blue Bird Apartments such a poetical name. PAUL COOK.
 
 tie men have attempted it and bored the multitudes nightly.
 Of all the people know anything about, telephone girls are the most polite and patient, although treated more inpatient ly than any other class. I recommend that young men marry telephone girls. You hear a great deal of mans duty to his loved ones. But a mans loved ones may treat him tolerably mean with out being generally talked about. The success of your rival is disagree able. but stand 1t amiably rather than advertise the fact that you are jealous. We are always hearing that this or that man will in time come out all right, or that he would be all right if he had a chance but the great demand is for men who amount to something whether they have a chance or fiot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
The Iron Market

The n,g iron market is in much pelter shane now than it was at the ciose oi 1910. For several weeks past there h's been an active buying movement. Laise tonnage was sold at S9.5o on a NO. hasis hut the price is now firm at slo' and tba new year will, 1t is belieVeo' brinp even g. better price. Rogers bro"h & Co.'S Cincinnati circular says i' part: , ,n
 ..Tba extent of the iron and steel in- dustry and it's close connection "i'n SD many others makes it's condltion at any given time a fair index to the "i'o'e industrial and commercial situatlon' ouo' ro,y ii is especially interesting as en'eiins on a neriod of activity, and review or tbo vear,s conditions just passed, while unusually lacking in interest IS not "''l out value. s,4,o,,
 "It is not so much that the conoition of the pig iron market in general can po roi,,ted to as the cause. or effect Of ac- t,,,itv in other industries, but 1t hoids suoh an intimate and conspicuous reia- t,on to them that 1t reflects their moVe-
 nents to an unusual degree. Ihe last vee,r of the year, holiday week, Is gen erally the most depressed or ah' mo year. however, there is activlty anu :" marked departure from previous recoros in this way.
 "The good buying movement of the iast three or four weeks. with its presage or better things to come, does not, however cause entire forgetfuness of the year as A. whole. and it's poor business, low priceS and general unsatisfactory character from, inc iron makers standpoint. To De sure, it has had bright moments wnio'' were encouraging. but were always ioi- lowed by a return to the same low scaie which had been in force prior to 'he slight changes for the better. There has been the deadly sameness throughout the vear that has meant the blowing out o1 furnaces. reduction in output and actua loss in most cases for manufacturers which kept running.
 "considering 1912 in its relation to the iron trade. it is best to state that the nrevailing thought in the metal trade ! is one of hopefulness and optimsm' Ih' year 1912 it is expected, will start In easy | and, it is hoped, will gradually improve although year of political unrest whici should be taken into serious considera | ton. Whereas a year ago the country had reached point in its productiV' capacity somewhat in advance of It's con
 suming ability. it is thought there I
 now more nearly point of balance be tween the two than there was 12 months
 ago; and this should have undoubted ef | feet on the improvement of iron marke
 conditions especially"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
Dread of Relapse

Typhoid fever is a horrible disease" " stated Harry NJ. Ayres of Anniston, who was in Birmingham yesterday, and one who has suffered from its at tack never overcomes a fear lest a re- lapse occur, or that he might again fall a prey even after tho passage of many years.
 When I was convalescing, I was possessed by a fear thai I would again become H. I watched myself care- fully all the time, and was continually feeling my wrists and forehead. l was always under the impression, too, that I had temperature, a slight tenn perature, but temperature just the same. As result, consulted the thermometer and some times as awaited it's report. cold sweat broke out op my forehead. At the present time, I sometimes fear that I will be i'll again, and I know that in the future 1 will always imagine that I am about to receive a second attack"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Miracles are when investments turn out safe.
 And the greatest charity is being de- cent to your relations
 Nobody is ever so short sighted as to be unable to see his own virtues.
 A girl with ladder in her stocking can feel worse about shower than Noah did about the flood. The most wonderful thing about a woman is how much she can think an nndeserving man deserves
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
" HE question of the state of Alabama
 going into the coal mining business
 with it's convicts as the diggers of

| going into the coal mining business
 with it's convicts as the diggers of coal has again come to the front as a live issue.
 One cannot censure, nor can he crlti- else the owners of coal mining properties for desiring to get the best results from their investments. Coal must be mined, and it must be mined by etherfree labor or convict labor.
 The operators of the Birmingham dis trict individually and as whole are do- ing everything available to protect the miner, and to make mining as pleasant as possible for the digger of the coal. But don't believe 1t right to use the convicts of the state In competition with free labor, nor do I believe that when these convicts can be used for the benefit of the whole people by building up perfect system of roads, as is now Delng uOne III the SldteS of North Carolina and Georgia, that this opportunity sshould be neglected. Of course, we can't do it now. The laws of the State of Alabama provide that the ccnvicts shall be used for mining pur poses, or words to this effect Therefore. before we can use them on the roads an- other legislature must meet and provide foi such employment of the convicts of the state.
 The time is now ripe for the people of the state and of each county and city therein to take up this matter and in- struct the representatives of the public as to what they desire.
 I am a great advocate of good roads, and I believe that the use of the con- victs for building such will be the best solution of the problems now facing us.
 E !. # Another word of voluntary advice about good things that might be done for Bir- mingham. This tripartite of city commits sioners of Birmingham have a real op- portunity to do something for this good town if they will merely make up their
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
"can,t Keep n Good Man Down.

q have read with much interest what I have seen in your paper about Hugh c. Crane, the popular attorney, including the card which he published in reply,' said James Hood of Hood x Wheeler "As l have known him for some years and have found him to be so honorable in his deal ings, it occurred to me that it might be my duty to him, as well as a matter Of general interest, to say to those who have criticised him that what he has published has served to confirm the faith that his business acquaintances have always had in him
 Tn my opinion, a man who can write what he did and make such clear cut statement about his affairs and his deter imitation surely must have his heart in the right place. It does me good to think that those who have sought to injure him return to their senses"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
Cotton in the Dying Year

The year 1911 has been an up and down one in the cotton industry. When it was opened a small crop was leading to, cotton famine and to prices approaching 15 cents. Before it's end came a great crop had been harvested and prices fell below 9 cents-really to cents at the farm, which is less than the cost of produc- tion under present methods of pro- curing supplies.
 Great as the present crop is, it will not supply the demand beyond the end of next October. In other words, the crop was two months" too large. The total visible supply of American cotton, says Secretary Hester, is 4,784,547 bales, as against 4,285, ,979 bales one year ago. The difference is about 5OO,OOO bales. The excess is not large enough to justify a price lowering around 8 cents at the farm.
 Beat meetings are to be held on January 25, and county meetings on January 27, and the hope is that by concerted action the farmers can be induced to reduce their acreage 25 per cent below the planting of the present year. This may be accom- plished, but after all the weather and individual preferences will be the deeper and controlling factors in the making of the next crop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
TIMELY ATER-THo1JGuT

Says Kansas paper: Correct attire for an afternoon funeral is a frock coat and high silk hat. If the funeral happens to be your own the silk hat may be omitted" Quite so. Uneasy lies the head that wears silk hat even though a dead-head
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
AleejR Roueo-

school of postprandail wit The only real " apologetic story I ever heard was that or man who was unexpectedly called on to respond to toast
 I feel good deal like a poor friend or mine in the asylum at Matteawan., said he. I called on him, the other day. Jimmy, l said, lis there any favor l can do your"
 Yes" said Jimmy. q wish vou,d bring me piece of toast-not too hard ana with plenty of butter on ita
 And why, Jimmie" I asked, ''do you want piece of well-buttered toast?" "a"Well," said Jimmie, you know I'm ns.~-and | want to s1,
 spondent Gin
 f'tI.s T Er
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
PROBABLY sIJITs HIM.

According to the New York Telegram, Miss Ethel Barrymore, under the advice of her physician will appear N a in the usual matinee at the Empire theatre in The Witness for the Defense.'" We presume her manager concurs in the ad- vice of her physician.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
pRAcTICAL LIrrLE GIRL.

One day last week two little girls in Parsons were hurrying to school, and were afraid they would be tardy. One little girl said: Let's kneel right down and pray that we won't be tardy.' "Oh, mo- said the other, let's hike on to school and pray while we're hikin. ."-Par- sons, Kans.. Sun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
THE LITTLE FELLOW

Frank D. Stanton In the Atlanta COnstltu- tion.
 I. The little fellow-he is gone From the dear days of old; He's put the new time trinkets on-- His first sweet story's told. He's passed from where I saw him rest, A dream, upon his mothers breast.
 II. I knew him when she used to bend And kiss his infant brow. And prayed that heaven would blessings send
 On him who leaves mo now. But God still grant him from above The memory of a fathers love.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
A DREARY INTERIM.

Ye listless fan sits round the stove
 From daybreal1 till the shadows fall; He's waiting for the spring, poor cove, To hear the umpire say, Play ball!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
Gathering News Fascinating

"It has been some years since I wrote the news of the papers of the state" stated Hervey w. Laird, deputy insur- ance commissioner. who was in Bir- mingham yesterday, but the time will never come when the memory of the fascinating work will forsake me.
 'At the present time whenever l run across a real live story, the tempta- tion is strong in me to rush 10 type writer, hammer out the details, rush to the train to mail the copy, and await with pleasurable anticipation the re- ception of the story on the following morning.
 There are several drawbacks to the profession of a newspaper reporter but the fascination of getting the news first and presenting it in a capital manner makes up for it's shortcomings"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The new year will come in with war in China, war in Persia, war in Tripoi, and war in Morocco going on. and some war in spots in Mexico.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

til the work has lain in the players mind a long time, and become thoroughly as simulated; and then, when 1t is studied up again from the very ground, 1t takes on these added beauties which constitute the interpretation. There are very few real interpreters among the concert pianists; only few have readings Which add emotional stir and new points of view. above a merely better playing of the conventional interpretations of the works they play !"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The Pittsburg editor who is going 10 marry Lillian Russell probably wants to boost his hearth and home department.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

Judge William c. Hook of the United States circuit court in Kansas is the favorlte western choice to fill Justice liar Ian's seat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The unemployment of one man and one woman in the Lancashire cotton mills has led 10 a lockout of 16O.O0o people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The panic of 1907 did the country good service when it prevented the formation of the billion dollar beef trust merger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
fC N N.

T am afraid Mrs. Mapping is terma- gant," remarked Mrs. Plcher
 Indeed said Mrs. Bluntsome, with a slight elevation of her eyebrows. Some people take up every new fad that comes along''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

Some will tomorrow chamber onto the waterwagon while the taxis will gather up an additional number and take them home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The habit of making resolutions and beginning diaries will never perish. It is very vigorous just now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
A MERE POSE

Ht had his picture taken with
 4 large book in his hand; Int s culture was the purest myth Tn sure you understand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The republicans cannot present tariff bill that will enable them to look the voters in the face in November.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

and America the Christian religion is stronger today than it ever was. Never was missionary work so earn estly prosecuted by Catholics and Protestants alike as 1t is today, and in mary directions church organiza- tion is more compact and effective than ever. To offset the agnosticism of this age men and women who cling to their faith show increasing de- votion to their church. The "Men and Religion Forward Movement" is attracting wide attention. It is grip ping the mind and hearts of men here- tofore indifferent. It appeals to the imagination, and within the next 12 months large results may be expected from this good work.
 While the unchurched classes are still legion, the power of the pulpit and the power of high Christian ex- ample are splendidly in evidence. The future of Christianity is certainly bright enough to animate all men and women who profess Christianity, and stimulate them in all their holy en- deavors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
AN EASY LIFE.

fwhen they were married she didn't rase her eyes,"
 fSnce they have been married she never lifts her hands,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The packers also are convinced that competition is expensive and undesirable, Monopoly suits them better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

One New York woman went to Paris to live because conversation at home was just one scandal after another.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

Dr. Wu certainly did launch the Chi nese republic in fine style. He held it up until pr. Sun arrived.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The colonel is now naming the charter members of the Ananias club.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

Peace dinners in New York lead to dis cord and scandals if not to war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The formation of drug and collar trusts shows that the Sherman law is not feared in all cities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
A POOR MANS PLIGHT.

''Ehy is Dubbins so cross because q friad gave him bottle of champagne for Christmas present."
 n spoiled his taste for becr.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

India will now proceed to foot the s10, eco 600 bills of the durbar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

One should welcome the new year even if he does have to take on load of new resolutions.