davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
THE BUSINESS TESTER

Cromwell Childe, in Harper's Weekly.
 It is impossible for any one man, or group of men, to know everything in any of the big American cities, especially just who will buy next or who ought to buy. This is where the business tipster comes in. He wastes no time on any gilt tering generalities of trade. Lewis & Ma cartney, 7S7 First avenue, are just closing lease for new factory. They'll want ." he states, either on a little slip he has ready for that purpose, or by word of mouth to a responsible man who is al- ways ready to buy information of him, and will at once follow up this clue.
 This news would have reached the firm in the ordinary course of affairs, but now 1t is fresh and not a competitor has 1t. The time is just sufficient to enable the firm to map out little selling campaign suited to Lewis & Macartneys future needs, pick out just the right man to begin, and have him starting out while others in the trade are still ignorant. With proper handling this means fair chance of getting the business.
 HIS DuSliltS6 OI cOlltCtlhS duNontS iii- formation as to work to be undertaken and selling it has proved itself too profit able to be neglected by shrewd organizers. and more than one big business has sprung up to do nothing else than fur nish ''business tips" The principle de- vised by these men has been to select some large field with many competing manufacturers and to send out to these a daily or weekly bulletin that covers noth- ing but trade opportunities and possi- bilities of possible business. Tipsters must be accurate, first of all, and, equally first of all, immediate. In short time those who have not subscribed will find themselves completely handicapped and will practically be forced to take the ser vice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
INGENIOUS WAY OF STEALING

From the Wide World Magazine
 Some time ago two valuable buggies were stolen from the Roman Catholic clergyman and a resident respectively at Horsham, Victoria, Australia. While the police were still searching for the missing buggies. a stranger went to a timber merchant in the town representing that he had hired a small farm three miles out, and that his father and mother were coming to live on 1t. In order to do some necessary repairs he obtained a quantity of timber and tools on credit He then constructed two cases, one of which was Il by by 4 feet, and the other about 8 by by feet, and into these placed the stolen buggies, carefully taken to pieces He next engaged lorry to take the boxes to the railway station, intending to send them off to South Australia. The unusual size of the cases, however, attracted the attention of the police, and when the ser- geant went up to make inquiries he saw the thief who at once decamped The sergeant chased the fugitive for over three miles, but finally lost him in the dark. The man was subsequently arrested, and pleaded guilty, receiving in all two and half years Imprisonment. From the timber merchants point of view it seems good thing that this ingenious rascal did not steal a pantechnicon!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
Back-wOunding cBIumny The whitest virtue strikes.
 Measure for Measure.
Juries Here and in England

From December 6 to nearly Christ mas time veniremen in droves have been examined in Chicago in the vain effort to secure 12 jurors to try the 10 packers that were indicted about 10 years ago, and are coming to trial at the present time. These venire- mems opinions were asked concerning the Sherman antitrust laws and all similar laws. They were asked what they thought about 'big business"- what their relatives do for living what prejudices they have tucked away. Under this sort of sitting a jury was at last obtained, but this was accomplished with difficulty.
 In England they do things differ ently, and yet no one fears an unfair or biased verdict in that country. Counsel are not allowed to ask wit ness if he has an opinion or has ex- pressed one. The trial of witnesses is not done in that country by the court, but by the members of the panel. It is not tedious or difficult process, and yet no one in that coun- try fears an unjust verdict so far as bias in a jury is concerned.
 The entire proceeding at Chicago is a farce. It shows how preposterous the sitting of veniremen is in this country, and we get no better results from it. We really, as rule, get in- competent jurymen. And the packers may, under this method, put re- tained man or two where they will do them the most good. It is the rich, shrewd defendant who takes advan- tage of the situation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
THE ORIGIN OF JUNGLE REMUSY

From the Kansas City Star. 1 "And.9 said the little boy, what be- came of Brer Rabbit after that2"
 "Ah doan know" Uncle Remus replied, with doleful shake of the head "Ah sho' doan know"
 NCLE REMUS is dead now-at least his creator is gone, but the mem- S ory of him remains. Were he liv- ing today. Joel Chandler Harris-and does not even the name suggest the kindly folk stories which made him famous ?-would have been 63 years old, for this is the anniversary of his birth. Joel Chandler Harris made his reputation through the fact that he delineated the real, planta- tion negro And how the career of this fable writer was influenced by accident in the building up of that character is evil denced by his life.
 A small, blue eyed, freckle faced boy, F years old, was curled up one day upon the dilapidated green sofa in the post masters office ia Eatonton, Ga, deeply engrossed in some newspapers given him by the friendly official. He saw an in-
 
 the corner of a page. Boy wanted to learn the printers trade,' it announced and closed with the address of Joe Fur ner, Macon, Ga.
 Joel Chandler Harris wrote out the ap- plication and mailed it. MT. Turner, a wealthy planter, had determined to begin the publication of weekly paper, the cl,o fc hn 1, ,ic a1a tat was called the Countrynan, and would be modelled after the papers of Addison, Goldsmith and Johnson. Young Harris, got the job of printers devil" and it was here that he learned the trade of printing.
 General Sherman on his march to the sea passed by the door of this shop sev- eral years later, found country lad in charge, whose repartee saved him from being taken prisoner, but it did not save the plant from being fired by the destruc- tive army.
 The burning of the Countryman auto matically cost young Harris his job. From here he went indirectly to the Crescept Monthly at New Orleans And it was just IeW years ldIer when ne began HIS lllS work upon the Atlanta Constitution,
 MT. Harris went to Atlanta from the Savannah News in 1876 as a yellow fever refugee. Even this could not suppress the humor of which he was chuck full. He wrote on the hotel register:
 J. c. Harris, wife and two children and one bilious nurse.
 Long before MT. Harris was ready to leave the hotel his humor and droi1 stories had served to revive the spirits of his fellow refugees, and turned the crowded hostelry from place of gloom into one of laughter. The proprietor noted the cause, and when MT. Harris ap- preached to settle his bill he was told that he did not owe a penny.
 ''Why, sir" exclaimed the hotelkeeper, i've are indebted to you at least $3."
 It was shortly after the yellow fever scare that MT. Harris began his work on the Atlanta Constitution as an editorial
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
SOAP, THE opPREssoR

Burgess Johnson in Everybody's Maga- zine. The folks at my house half the time are thinkn' about dirt; It sort of gives 'em horrors an they act as if it hurt, The sight of just little makes 'em daffy as can be- They're always washin' sumthin', an half the time it's me- It ain't because wet my feet that gives be colds an such; Faint runnin' round that keeps me thin-- it's cause I'm washed so much. It doaa oa good to tell 'em, they're so stefsa n. But I hope Tiaf e ay they'll discover what de-
 a stuff is soap. te a very often when my hands
 estan and white Ev. eano4llnlg to wash 'em, cause 1t did
 a al to fight; ssaf4a i pclx 'em in the basin 1t was 1aasis ugh to see 1he Id make the water as dirty
 sS cotiid be. f iQl.gs would give me half chance,
 V'i1's 3ap that didn't cheat, gsN 6ad be surprised to find I'm
 fschNFair neat. 5'f fea qss fesh and leave off havin'
 .nisss such, l know in pfq ould complain about the
 z2its pf sle that show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
Parcels in the Mail

This may be the home of the brave and the free, but it is not the home of cheap postage. In England man can mail package weighing up to II pounds and the postage on it is 2 cents a pound. In this country the postage on a package is 61 cents pound, and no package exceeding four pounds can be sent except by con gressmen.
 Germany has still lower postage. A package of Il pounds can there be sent at a cost of 12 cents-here such a package would cost nearly two dol lars.
 The four objections to parcels post that MT. Wanamaker discovered when he was Postmaster General still exist, namely, the United States, the American, the Wells, Fargo & Co. and the Adams express companies. They are all here and are all opposing a parcels post. It is simply a contest between the people and the four ex- press companies, and the express companies are stirring up the coun- try merchant and whoever else they can enlist to do their fighting for them. A parcels post would injure no country merchant, and in very many cases he could render it useful and even remunerative. He could ship eggs and butter at least to city cus- toners by parcels post.
 The domination of the four express companies has been carried too far. The people need parcels post, and if it is not granted by the present Congress the people will begin to ask the reason why. Postmaster General Hitchcock has asked for an appropria- tion and authority to make begin ming.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Uncertainty of Politics

Nothing is quite so uncertain as poli-
 tics, as any defeated candidate will prob ably tell you" said Philip H. Wilton of St. Paul. T have always taken pleasure in observing politicians and political movements, although I have never been an active participant in politics. l do, however, vote the democratic ticket; have done so regularly since early in the sos, with one exception-1S96 when William Jennings Bryan first ran for President. MT. Bryan is out of the running now.
 A year ago I thought Governor liar mon of Ohio had cnch for the demo- cratic nomination in 1912. Now, from what I hear, he cannot possibly get the nomi- nation. As soon as Woodrow Wilson was elected governor of New Jersey he loomed up as a presidential candidate. lie jumped into the arena and great many of us thought that he would be the win looks to me as if Wilson is now even weaker than Harmon. Champ Clark, by reason of the speakership, Is mentioned, of course, for the presidency but he lacks certain elements of strength that will make it next to impossible for him to be nominated.
 T happen to be more familiar with the personality and with the good points of Governor Marshall of Indiana than with any other democrat mentioned for the presidency, but have no idea that Mar shall will get anything more than a 'fav- orite son vote. Congressman Underwood of Birmingham is being favorably talked Of today. I would not, venture predic-- tion, but I have heard many men who take interest in politics say that Under wood and President Taft will be the standard bearers of the two great parties respectively in 1912"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
Interest in Good Music

The Rev. Dr. John Barbour's Prince ton lectures on "The Importance of Music to the Culture and Work of the Ministry" recently bound in paper cover under the title of Ministers and Music" should attract wide attention, not only in the church world, but in musical circles generally. There are nine lectures as follows: q. Music as Branch of Theological Learning. II. As an Element of Ministerial Culture. III. AS a Factor of Congregational Power. ". As the Vehicle of the Church's Praise. V. The Pastors Re- lation to the Music. VI. The Leading of the Musical Service. VII. The De- velopment of Congregational Singing. VIII. Music in Pastoral and Other Per sonal Work. K. The Place of Music in the Scheme of Redemption"
 These lectures appear in book form as chapters, and each chapter contains truth presented in attractive form. The serious discussion of church music is frightened by apt anecdote and genuine wit. Dr. Barbour is one of the few divines in this country who is musically educated. He is known to be at once practical musician and to be thoroughly grounded in the the ory of music. No one could write more authoritatively, and an authori- tative tone is revealed on every page; but the author displays such admira- ble taste that in all he says an ab- sence of pride of opinion or egotism is readily remarked. The late Rev. Sylvester F. Scovel, D. D., IL. D., in writing about Dr. Barbour's lectures, said in part:
 "The whole discussion is fresh and sug- gestive. It repeats to me some thoughts along this line which I have never met elsewhere expressed. The style is crisp; | the movement rapid. There is here and there a flash of humor.
 "The language itself shows more ac- quaintance with music, by it's allusons and technical correctness, than is ordi- narily possible to any but professional musician.
 "There is a dignified conception of mu- | sic as an intellectual art which few have cherished.
 "The practical suggestions are wise and l fully correspond with whatever experi- ence have had in long ministry which | succeeded experience as a chorister."
 There are two or three chapters or lectures in Ministers and Music" which will be not only approved, but keenly enjoyed alike by scholarly musicians and students. Many excel lent books on music, technical and otherwise, have been published in re- cent years, but no small volume with music in it's title since H. R. Haweis gave to the world his charming work, Music and Morals" nearly 40 years ago, deserves such popular recep- tion as Dr. Barbour's Princeton lec- lures.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
New York and the Presidency

It is very plain that New York does not want either MT. Taft or Col onel Roosevelt as conspicuous presi- dental possibility. The latter began the trust prosecutions and the former continued and increased them. MT. Taft did, it is true, defend the exist ing manner of tobacco trust dissolu- tion, whereas Colonel Roosevelt calls it "a miscarriage of justice"
 If the business interests are com pelled to choose between the two men they would prefer Taft to Roosevelt, because they have not forgotten that the latter stopped the Northern Secur- ities coup and later started the suit against the Standard Oil.
 Wall street and the stock market
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
HOPELESS REACTIoNARY

From tne NeW 1OfK WUIIu
 oscar w. Underwood seems to be a hopeless reactionary. He still believes in the constitution; he still believes in a gov- ernment of checks and balances; he still believes in delegated government as op- posed to direct government; he is against the recall of judges and thinks the ma jority should be restrained from trampling upon the rights of the minority.
 No wonder MT. Bryan is suspicious of him, and we shall be astonished if the Outlook and LaFollette's Weekly hesi- tate to denounce him. The man has not drop of new nationalism blood in his veins, and yet some of his friends have the temerity to suggest him for President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

writer When the revivalist. Sam Small, who had been writing column signed Uncle si,' decided to leave the paper, the editor asked MT. Harris to keep it gong. Mr. Harris said that he had never written dialect stories, but he would try. At first he did not know what name or pseudonym to use. Uncle Remus" was fixed upon that first day. Once Mr. Har- ris was asked:
 Where did Uncle Remus come from?"
 He was born at my home in Putnam county, Georgia" was the reply
 To the question of whether he ever lived in the flesh or was the crea- tion of fancy, the author made reply: Both. The Uncle Remus of my stories is the composite of three or four old ne- groes whom knew as a boy I have con- bined them and perhaps have added some thing to them. He really existed as an in- dlvidual, for can see him as plainly be- Tore my eyes as I can SC anyone" l When the author was asked if the stories which he made Uncle Remus'' tell were really some that have been told on the plantations, he said that they were Tn most cases. q suppose many of them nave come down through the ages from AIfica, he explained T am told that some of them are almost the same as the folklore of India"
 To these tales Br'er Rabbit was gener- any depicted as the hero, as the most cunning and intelligent of the creatures. Just why the rabbit should have been singled out and favored in this way when 1t is of lower order than many of the other animals, Mir Harris never professed to know. He said simply that it was so, 1 and he added that perhaps it is for the same reason that the folklore of India makes the hyena, a treacherous animal, as the hero.
 MT. Harris love of home was marked. To him it was the dearest spot on earth, and every tree, every vine, every flower, every growing and living thing on it re- ceived his personal care. He delighted to show visitors-when such persons could break through the rampant of his timidity the pet donkeys of his children, the Jer- seys which supplied the Harris home with milk, his horse, his flowers and the pair of wrens that builded a nest in the mail box And it was from this fact that his house became known as "The Sign of the Wren's Nest.
 The author of Uncle Remus never sought fame. Indeed, it was a surprise to him when he read how the London and New York critics commended his stories. Yet And many a moon Will wax and wane, Before we see
 His like again.
 The rabbit will hide
 As he always hid,
 And the fox will do
 As he always did; But who will tell us What they say
 Since Uncle Remus
 Has passed away?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
REHEARSING
m the Ladies Home Journal.

From the Ladies' Home Journal
 An amateur charity worker visiting a. family in the tenement district was alarmed to see the mother dash a cup of cold water in the face of the baby she had just finished dressing.
 Too polite to express her amazement the visitor held her breath, expecting the air to be rent with screams. When none came, the child merely whimpering, she said: Dear me, I should think he'd ob- ject more than that
 Wouldn't ye now?" said the fond mother armiringly; sure I've been prac- ticing on him for three weeks. He won't yell when he's baptized next Sunday! He'll be used to it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

heaviest patrons of the shoe stores, and this speaks we'll for them, for well shod feet are conducive to health as well as tidiness; then, too, how much better such practical use of hard earned money, rath- CT than throwing it away on trifles.
 Now, always there is for me some one feature or incident that stands out clear cut from all other on such an occasion. Saturday I saw neatly dressed young girl standing under the shelter of build ing, evidently waiting for street car. She held a pair of crutches in her hand, carefully wrapped, but still there was no mistaking what was in the package. And this was some poor cripple's Christi mas gift And then thanked God that I could walk through the streets on sound limbs, and view the happy throngs shop ping for loved ones."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
THE TOMB OF OLD OMAR

jug of the wine made famous by Omar's lines. Our messenger returned after a search around the town, only to bring a vile specimen of Russian vodka What would the spirit of Omar have said about the old familiar iuice?',
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
Wet Christmas shopping Days

Saturday, kind of pre- Christmas eve, was very much like the Christmas eve of 1909 in the weather" said a citizen who delights in noting the features of the happy season.
 q remember the day and night of Christmas eve of 1909 well. for I was again much impressed with the dripping heavens, the hustling shoppers. and the great crowd whose shoes and clothing were in many cases wet, but whose en- thusiasm seemed not dampened
 "One thing that contributed much to the comfort of large number of per sons was the early shopping. Of course, this made way in pa9t fpr 1ilat fHa throng of toilers wi 24il cn S4f urday.
 'T noticed that ut5 sf the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
DRYDocK USED AS THEATRE

Magazine.
 The huge drydock of the Puget sound navy yard, at Bremerton, Wash.s was re- gently converted into theatre for the entertainment of the crew of the cruiser ''Colorado' and their guests. Two thou sand enlisted meg gathered on the big ''altars of the dock to see a motion pie ture exhibition. The machine, owned by the crew of the "Colorado," was set up on lighter at one side of the dock, and the audience was gathered along the other side
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

No two persons agree as to what the facts presented by the tariff board teach, and the tariff question is really left where it was before.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Globe squaye-two blocks in Dey street. including the new building of the Globe newspaper, takes it's place on the map of the big town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Ambassador Leishmans gold embroid- cred trousers have been lost in transit from London, and diplomacy with Ger many is temporarily suspended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

The President indorses anything bear ing the name of Aldrich, be it currency bill or tariff bill
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

General Reyes is making himself an ubiquitous nuisance in and about Mexico. He should be eorralled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Erie railroad engines are to be equipped with extra whistles of low tone. A few like that are needed in this town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

It now turns out that William L. Ward declined to dine at the White House be- cause he was afraid to go home in the dark.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Russia refuses to blackball our sewing machines in order to get even.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Millions will be turned loose next week by the corporation in the form of interest and dividends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Hankow is called the Chicago of China. although 1t has no Hinky Dink.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

At Christmas time this is simply a great big world full of children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

When called out 1t is every mans duty to serve on the jury or run for the vice presidency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Col. Gardner Greene. member of the subcommittee of the state democratic ex- ecutive committee, passed through Bir- mingham yesterday en route from Mont gomery to his home in Pell City. MT. Greene's committee will meet in Mont gomery Thursday for the purpose of mak- ing arrangements for the state primary to be held April 1.
 Col Jesse Stallings returned yesterday from Montgomery, where, on Saturday he was engaged in business.
 Hector D. Lane chief clerk in the office of the commissioner of agriculture, passed through the city yesterday en route to Lawrence county his home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Political army posts and political navy yards are all a-tremble. They may be abolished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

A court decides that collecting tips is begging, but it goes on nevertheless.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Judge Gary repudiates the $5o0,00O neck lace, and it has not as yet been located for keeps.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

New Orleans now calls itself the Cres- cent City and Gateway to the Panama canal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

It took good part of the departing year to get King George fully crowned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Sinister and Sulzer-two great Ameri- cans of the latest vintage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

Although the McNamaras confessed the trial cost Los Angeles county s142,OoO