davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
CLEVER DETECTIVE WORK

Paris Dispatch to the London Telegraph.
 A very clever stroke of business has just been accomplished by the criminal detective department which has succeed ed in capturing a masked band of four robbers, owing to the simple information that one of them was wearing a top hat when they tried to break into house in the country in the middle of January. The house was inhabited by woman ill very comfortable circumstances, and her maid They were aroused on that night from their slumbers by the barking Of the dog, and the maid, peering out of g window, beheld several men in the gar den, one of whom was trying to pick the lock of the front door. Enjofning si- lence, he pointed a revolver at her; but she rushed up to the roof and pulled viz orously at an alarm bell which by pre- vious arrangement with the neighbors was to bring them to the spot if trouble came, Lights promptly flashed out at the windows of the houses near and men called out, Don't be afraid; we are com ing to your assistance
 The robbers took the hint and were scon speeding toward Paris in the motor car which hsd brought them. They were all wearing masks and the only clew that the maid could furnish was that one of them was a very big man and had top hat
 The sub-chief of the criminal detective department argued that there were not many very tall men wearing top hats in Paris who went on such burglarious ex- petitions so he set to work, and on learn ing that a person answering to the de- scription given was often at a certain bar in Paris he set inspectors on the track, with the result that the man was ca blurred there. He turns out to be an old offender, ani he frankly stated that he and his friends had planned the murder of the old woman and her maid. and had on 8 previous occasion started for the place. but had had to give the enterprise up that night, as their motor car had broken down on the way. The three ac- complices, all of whom are old offenders I too, are in custody.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Jesse Pomeroy of Massachusetts

Thirty-five years ago Jesse Pome- roy, a mere boy and an incurable murderous degenerate, was sentenced to the strictest solitary confinement for the remainder of his years. He is now man of about 45 years, and he has in 35 years never seen a human face or heard a human voice except the faces and voices of his keeper and aged mother His mother is permitted to visit him at stated times, and her brief calls are the only relief he knows in the awful monotony of his prison life.
 Recently a committee of the Mas sachusetts legislature visited him. The members of the committee say they found him in good health, and that he appears to be man of edu- cation and refinement. When asked l V the committee if he found the soli- tude irksome he replied: "Yes, but appreciate the little liberty I have. The bright spots in my life are the .isits of my mother. She is the only person I am permitted to see, and I have become used to it. 1 feel have recovered from all the tendencies that made me dangerous and I am glad if the legislature would make it possible for me to have a little more freedom in prison, little work to dc"
 It will be strange indeed if the legislature does not mitigate the tor ture of solitary confinement in this case. Pomeroy is not permitted to get even a glimpse of the earth or sky or trees or anything else in this world. The sentence has been strict ly carried out S5 years and the time has surely come for some mitigation of it. He should be permitted, at any rate, to see the green fields and the outer world once or twice year, A continuance of his punishment is now simply barbarous and inhuman doing nothing for the protection o1 society or for the welfare of ths prisoner. It should be modified, ant the voice of humanity should b, heard in the state that boasts of 1; high degree of culture and civiliza ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Merger of Yarn Mills

About 100000 spindles, chiefly To- cated in North Carolina, are to be merged in one corporation. The basis of the proposed merger is to be $35 a spindle. The stockholders of the merged mills are to receive 20 per cent in cash, 40 per cent in preferred stock ,and 40 per cent in common stock. The promoters of the scheme are to receive 10 per cent of preferred stock and 10 per cent of common stock. The money needed in carrying out the scheme is to be se- cured through a bond issue of $10,- 000,000. The bonds are to be placed at 82h. It is said the merger looks to the securing of one million spin dies, and huge corporation of hard yarn spindles.
 The current mergers are due to un- favorable conditions in the yarn in dustry. There is too much disparity between the prices offered for yarns and the prices demanded for cotton in bales, and the spinners are in a frame of mind to welcome any plan that affords them relief. There is a general tendency in the Carolinas to strong mill combinations, and possi- bly, such combinations can better compete with mills in New England and in Old England also.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
THE LOOM OF SPRING

By Cornelia Kane Rathbone, in the At. tic Monthly for May. Tho valley weaves her kirtle t2 With strands of April green. Fern fronds on deeper myrtle
 And willow buds between; While tiny rils laugh love-songs low A Beneath their sedgy screen. With silks her needle threading,
 Pitched from the rainbow's skein, Her robe she broiders, wedding
 Gold sunshine, silver rain. About her breast slow, golden bees 4 Hum amorous refrain. She hangs her xeil with fringes
 Of mauves and violets 4k With blue her girdle tinges, Her cloak with crimson frets, Kissing her cheek Mays wandering wind Inconstancy forgets.
 Wreathed by young June with roses,
 Flushing she dreams apart, 2 Waiting. while twilight closes, N Her spousals with my heart. o lark, that nests within her breast,
 Song of her soul thou art. ss.szsie.t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
KICKED A GOVERNOR

fTOm tno f1OWdru COurant.
 During the campaign of 1884, when Governor Click was a candidate for re- election, he made tour over all the rail- roads of tho state in a special train. When he journeyed west over the South ern Kansas railway party of Howard democrats, J. c. Burchfield, Capt. J. M. White, Capt. J. M. Walker, Nicholas Momma, John Melee and others took the Howard band with them and boarded the governors train at Elk Falls and accom- panied him as far as Grenola. The gov ernor was powerful glad of the honor shown him and his aides were generous with their cigars, etc. At every town the train would stand for five minutes and 'the governor would make a little speech from the rear platform. While the train whs running between Moline and Grenola Burchfeld approached the governor from behind and gave him a swift, vigorous kick The executive was astounded and an explanation had to be made and that very quickly, and 'Burch did 1t about as follows: Governor I beg your pardon and hope you will take no offense. I am getting along in years and I may never be able to bequeath to my children money or lands. but want to hand down to them this distinction: While their daddy may never have amounted to very much, he once kicked the pants of the governor of Kansas!' Governor Click didn't ap- pear to enjoy the incident very much, but he laughed it off somewhat weakly, and his private secretary winked the delega- tion back to She buffet, and the band played Annie Laurie This is a true story, for I was there and was leader of the band"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
IN HOTEL tOBBIES
Tampa wilb n Great Future

T spent last winter in Tampa. and was greatly pleased with the climate there and was impressed with the exceptional advantages which the city possesses from a commercial point of view said Major w. J. Miner. Tampa is the largest and most important harbor town on our main land nearest Panama, and will reap ad- vantages accordingly. It has a splendid harbor and first-class railroad terminals.
 Tampa has gotten over the effects of the long cigarmakers' strike. and seems now to be extremely thrifty. Jacksonville is large and growing city, and being the tourist gateway of Florida will con tinue to grow, but I believe that Tampa will some day get ahead of it in popula- tion. In the next few years Tampa is almost sure to be city of large size and commanding strength"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
PRIMA DONNA,s DIGNITY

From the London Sketch There Is considerable discussion here over an incident at the Court Opera in which Frau Selma Kurz, the prima donna, and Director George figure. The trouble arose because the prima donna was refused a card of admission for her sister for the general rehearsal of Der Rosencavalier" The prima don na contended that the presence of her sister was necessary, as the latter as- sisted in doing her hair and arranging her toilet. After the first act of the opera, the prima donna, finding that her sister was not present. complained to the director.
 q will not sing If my sister Is not in the house, she said, "as she is the only person who can give me advice con corning my toilet and the dressing of my hair"
 The prima donna did not receive, as she considered a satisfactory reply to her complaint and thereupon threw up her part. She then declared that she would not sing again under the present regime of the Court Opera. In consequence of the incident the prima donna became i'll and her part had to be filled by another artiste. ~
 An attempt was made to smooth mat ters over and it was announced that as Frau Kurz felt better, she was ready to resume her part in the opera; but this intimation was not conveyed to the di- rector and, the cast remained as it was without Frau Kurz.
 It is now a case of war to the knife between the prima donna and Director Gregor. Frau Kurz has declared that if effect is not given to her resignation, she will seek an audience of the Em- peror and state her case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Frank Evans At Montgomery

Frank Y. Evans, who is holding an im- portant state office is reveling in the at mosphere of Alabama's capital. Few men have seen more of the world than Frank Evans. He was at one time auditor of Birmingham, and in that position made fine record He was afterward mayor of this city, and was one of the best and ablest chief executives this city ever had. He has occupied many important busi- ness positions, and in recent years has spent good deal of time in New York.
 In the past two or three years as editor of the Walker County News MT Evans has not only been a potent factor in the county of Walker, but has been leader in state affairs. He has been quoted from one end of Alabama to the other, but just now he seems to be taking a special de- light In his Montgomery sojourn. As he says, At Alabama's government center one is afforded an opportunity to view the state as from no other point. While all Alabamians look alike there is enough diversity of personal charm among them to make intermingling with these men ex- ceedingly interesting"
 And neTe are lne f1lll bIlles, WlllSS MT. Evans to his paper-"the Piedmonters of the Alleghanies Their range for more than two centurit has been from West Virginia down t ough Virginia, North Carolina, Tenne zee, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. One of the great est of these Hill Billies was Andrew Jackson. We've got some big ones yet in Alabama. There are the Morrows, the Drennens, the Walkers, the Smiths and others of Jefferson. Then, in Walker, there are the Longs the Musgroves, the Bankheads, the Cranfords and their like. it's dollars 10 doughnuts that Tom Long and Breck Musgrove, besides all others Of my Walker county Hill Billie friends, have toes bent under by pressure brought about in their early days climbing the hills of Walker in search of-welI any old thing.
 ''These Hill Billies are climbers yet. By industry, by skill, by natural talent and inborn strength they have climbed the hills and met success. They constitute power in the affairs of this state, socially, politically industrially and otherwise; and they live in a section blessed as no other On Gods green earth. They know it. They will stay thereon; will continue to climb. to observe from the hilltops, and to prove themselves worthy of their God-given in heritance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Prohibition and Anti-prohibition

There is a decided change in most states where statewide prohibition was an issue a few years ago." said an old commercial traveller whose headquarters are in Chicago.
 within the past 10 years I have visit ed nearly every state In the south semi annually. The prohibition wave came on suddenly few years ago and rolled over a good many states. But I was in Flor ida last month and nearly every busi ness man I met there was rejoicing in the fact that statewide prohibition was defeated at the polls last November.
 ''In Alabama two or three years ago there was great hysteria among prohibi- tionists. The legislature turned this into a statutory prohibition state, but I find now that Alabama has returned to the local option column. A great many men who once called themselves prohibition ists are now in favor of high license and strict regulation for the larger cities. I do not know how it will be in this county when an election is called to de- eide whether or not the liquor traffic shall be reinstated here, but would be willing to bet that the vets will carry. It seems to me that beer, which is really temperate drink, should be sold un- der a small license and whisky sold In dispensaries"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
IMPRESSIONS OF LUXEMBOURG

From Letter by Henry watterson, in
 the Louisville Courier-Journal
 l" o return after this Aggression to
 our mutton, Luxembourg. as I was
 saying. has little about it's inner life or its entourage, to recommend it for the setting of either a comedy or a, revo- lution. The prevailing atmosphere sug- gests garden party of genteel tabbies- the aspects tea and toast. There is ev- anywhere an emulation of frayed respec- liability, not of famboyant theatricalisrn
 The DucaI family is poor and proud The shopkeepers are fat, f1orid and mat ter-of-fact. In Venice we got to sleep in languorous gondolas to dream of Cana letto and Titan, or stern doges and frai beauties, floating by the Bridge of Signs and on under the Bridge of the Rialto to- ward the setting sun. From Milan we trace the footprints of Bonaparte across the plains of Lombardy and eat trout out of the Lake of Como. Verona brings us odors of suasage, well seasoned with gar lie, and memories of the Heavenly Twins, whom Shakespeare drew. Luxembourg recalls nothing but Luxembourg-it may have seen better days, though not recent ly-quite contradicting the Chambers Davis formula of royal sirens disguised as frowzy damsels and slick Americans pretending to be knights Of old
 The little in the line of the tour de force novel attaching itself to this neck O the woods relates rather to the forbidden than the heroic. A cadet of the House of Luxembourg not long ago married a left-handed daughter of the house of Caraman Chimay. The Grand Dukedom and the Principality lie not far apart Two events belonging to French comedy were recalled by this mesalliance; the origin of the present Caraman Chimays from Madame Tallien the mistress of Paul Barnes, and the escapade of Clara
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

Ward, the Cleveland heiress, who, after season or two as Princess de Chimay. ran away with Rigo the Bohemian Gipsy violinist, whom she met in a Brussels music hall
 The bar sinister does not in such mat ters more obstruct the high-born inclina- tons of the great than the vulgar pas sions of the plebeian. The bedizened Frenchwoman carried it more trippingly than the bedraggled American. Her Prince de Chimay was grand chamber lain, and of wealth and repute: and, though she was never permitted to ap- pear at court, she lived to serene old age, loved and honored by many children and grandchildren. The last I heard of Clara Ward she was going to hell in hand basket, or words to that effect, in Paris.
 So runs the world away. In wickedness the inequalities of fortune shine as con spicuousy as in the arenas of dollars and doughnuts, stars and garters, bread and beer and cheese One poor girl runs away from home and Is found on the beach with her throat cut. Another does the self-same thing, to land first in a bagnio and then in a palace. I know an American woman struggling to keep out of the poorhouse in London who 20 years ago. having beauty and talent. journeyed abroad and made common purse and lot with female pal having neither beauty nor talent, who is now a millionairess. The called are few. The many are left at the post. VI
 It is from here to Brussels, and then onward to Paris. Inscrutabe are the ways of Providence. But, as a rule, in the city over against the Eiffel Tower and the Arch of State they are endurable. Let us take what betides with grace, if not with resignation, for hath it not been written, Thou shalt see the heavens for their glory!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
BOILED

From the Atchison Globe.
 "The last time was in New York en- tertained at dinner at swell cafe country cousin from Leavenworth. When we got outside he said to me: "Do you know you accidentally dropped 30 cents on the table just as you left? That thief of waiter tried to grab it. but I beat him to it." e4-'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Even an investor can't guess wrong all the time.
 Anybody else's children could improve immediately just by becoming your own.
 Anyhow, 1t wouldn't do an inventor any good to get money out of his invention, for he'd sink it in the next one.
 At women's luncheon any one of them has to be mighty hungry to find time to stop talking long enough to eat anything.
 A woman likes to have her husband tell her what big man he is, especially when she knows he isn't, so she can touch it up some more and pass it along to her friends as the real facts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Signed the Petition

q think Felix Mclaughlin is right when he says that the voters of Jef- ferson county should meet the threat ened boycott by signing the petition for an election on the liquor traffic question, unanimously" said an old lawyer.
 Tt was my intention, and made known to several friends, not to sign the petition, but as soon as I saw in the papers that an effort was being made to intimidate voters by this threat of publicity, I determined to do so, and, yesterday. added my name to the list
 "To ask that the election be held does not bind me to vote for the dis pensary, bar rooms or blind tigers; but to hold the election will settle the vexed question one way or the other. and that is what good citizens desire. Mature reflection convinces me that 1t is far better to regulate the sale of liquor by law than to have 1t sold scantly and without any sort of supervision or control. High licensed, well regulated saloons are far better than blind tigers, or at least, they are not so bad. By all means, let us have the election and settle the question"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
The Good Roads Convention

The National Good Roads conven- tion will acquaint highway engineers and road builders from every section methods Alabama recently has adopted for extending advice and assistance on highway improvements to the counties
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

Putting United States senators over is considered in Chicago as expensive as the keeping of a bevy of automobiles, and it is not half so honorable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

MAY. t3 0, now the skies are calling sEnd the fields. . And all the land sweeter blessing yields; With lavish hand doth smiling Nature Rejoice. torpid souls, that now ye live.
 Cleveland Plain Dealer But, though the calling of the skies and fields
 To torpid souls a sweeter blessing yields: Though smiling Nature is4a lavish giver It brings no gladness to a torpid liver. Milwaukee Sentinel. Cheer up and smell the blossoms red and bluel
 That you've, a torpid liver may be true, But you have so much else from the All Giver 44a It should not make of you torpid liver.
 Houston Post Good friend, there's no necessity for you To hang your head and go round feeling blue. post not recall for every human i'll upon the market has been put a pill?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

The woolen manufacturers should not attempt to save schedule K as the big lumbermen of Chicago strove to save their accustomed profits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

There are 6C00 words in the English Bible and 21,0oo in Shakespeare, and ev- cry word was used in both for all 1t was worth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
A TAME SUBSTITUTE.

Tt begins to look as if those adven- turous young men who went to Mexico in hopes of seeing some real fighting will be denied that pleasure. Yes. There is nothing left for them s,, do now but to come back home and jump on the umpire
 PAUL COOK,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

John Bigeiow. aged s3 returned home last week on the Lorraine The ship met stormy weather but MT. Bigelow never missed a meal He comes back to get down to work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

President Taft was right when he said the United States has territory enough. He might have said it has one arehipel- ago too many and yet been within the truth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
A TRAGEDY.

A TRAGEDY. Mary had little lamb
 when she was queen of May, which got In such a dreadful jam, It shortly passed away. The cause of this I'll now declare And simply won't be downed. torsootn' so many folk were there To see Miss Mary crowned. They stepped upon her little pet And polled it in the side. Until poor lambkin ceased to fret And just lay down and died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05
Presidential Politics

"Woodrow Wilson is very popular as a presidential candidate all through the east" said John R. Harland of Ken lucky. q was in New York recently and found a great deal of Wilson talk there. I stopped few days in Phil adelphia and day or two in Balti- more, and majority of the democrats I happened to meet said they favored Woodrow Wilson for standard bearer In 1912.
 q think the contest In the conven- ton will be between Woodrow Wilson and Governor Harmon. Harmon is, of course. very strong man. If 1t could be demonstrated that he could carry Ohio he would be almost sure of the nomination. He may be nominated any way, but as it stands now I think Woodrow Wilson is somewhat in the lead. He could carry New York and New Jersey, and, perhaps, several doubtful states in the west"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

Woodrow Wilson may say his swing around the circle has nothing to do with politics, but the people will judge him nevertheless and he cannot avoid the de- cision
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

We have had numerous million-dollar rains and now the weather clerk should give the states a chance to cash in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

The donors of the S1OOOOO Lorimer fund will have to spend more than that sum to escape the penitentiary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

The Miss Beers incident at Annapolis occurred year too early to have bear ing on the presidential contest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

A temperature above so degrees is con- sidered in Washington motion-to-adjourn weather.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

It Is to cost s9.O00,00O to remodel the AL hany capital and Tammany is ready to handle the contracts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

ohios legislative scandal logically fol- lows the developments in Adams and other counties of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

The Woodrow Wilson batting average will be considerably increased before ms western trip is ended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

Missohri has arranged to buy meats at lower ices. and the race for the peni- tentlary, able may be greatly augmented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-05

Kansans celebrated May day by show cling snow off the sidewalks.