davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
A HOTEL BEAT

New York Correspondence Cincinnati
 Times-Star
 Every hotel keeper is always on the watch against the hotel beat. Conse- quently, the average hotel man develops a seventh sense He can tell by the air, the voice, the walk of the beat that the latter plans a getaway. One man, who operates a very good hotel little off Broadway, boasted until this week that he had never been beaten except by runaway tactics. Beats have left va lises full of bricks, and skedaddled down the fire escape, and fooled my suffered and looked at the beat while took the hook"
 The beat was an elderly man, well dressed, and of calm and dignified de- meanor. He had occupied his room for four days. On the morning of the firth day he came down, valise in hand. The proprietor and the head clerk were standing talking at the desk. I'm go- ing to run over to New Haven today" said the beat. q wish that while I'm gone you would have the chambermaid change my bed, so that it faces west in stead of east. Just a fancy of mine. Good day
 He had addressed both gentlemen, smiling slightly as he did so. His ex- terior was so irreproachable that neith- CT thought to objec. But as he walked toward the door something in his car riage informed the proprietor that he ct, Ja' 11sp that gentleman said to the head clerk. "A clean get away with all his goods
 Of course. they ran and yelled, but it was no good. The beat had faded into thin air. The propretor's one consola- tion is that it never happened before. Not right in my face, anyhow" said he.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
CoNFECTIONERY.

CONFECTIONERY. She was a pretty shop girl, and one day the winsome miss Was waiting on a youth, when, lo he stole from her a kiss. She soundly scoded him, of course, but as he turned away She shyly looked at him and asked: "Will that be all today?"
 Christmas Puck. The handsome youth just smiled bit, and pulled at his cravat, And said: Well, if you please, I'd like another one like that,' "Oh, really would you, sir?" she said, and then she grabbed her comb; Well, will you take it, sir" she said, ''or will I send it homer"
 -Yonkers Statesman. Your kisses are so sweet" he said, "that none with them compare;" "Indeed?' she said, and thoughtfully she fiddled with her hair; "Oh, yes, indeed" the youth replied, they're more than sweet enough, And l have got enough of them, but give me cream puff"
 Houston Post He bit that cream puff hurriedly, then turned to leave the place: The sugar. and the whipped cream, too, was smeared all OCT his face. To call him back the maiden fair a festive hand did wave Now that your face is athered, sir, you really ought to shave"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
TO OPEN "HoUsE OF MYSTERY

From the New York American.
 A stream of wealthy society people biblfophiles, antique lovers and art con- noisseurs-yesterda flowed into the House of Mystery" at No. 66O Park avenue to view the treasures left by Charles T. Yerkes to his ward, Miss Emile Grigsby, the girl whose won drous beauty and strange personality fascinated financiers, entranced men of such genius and creative gifts as Henry James and George Meredith, and even charmed royalty.
 The chateleine of the House of Mys- tery" has decided ito cut the last link that binds her to America, and, accord- ingly, has determined to sell practically everything in the vast mansion. The sale, which will, perhaps, surpass in 1n- terest any disposal ever held in this country, will be staged in the rooms of the Anderson Auction company, No 2S4 Madison avenue, probably during the last week in January.
 Today and tomorrow cards will be issued to favored ones which will en- able them to pass the scrutiny of the detective at the door and wander at will about the Park avenue palace, which is packed from basement to att tic with draperies, paintings, sculp- lures, tapestries. rare books and all sorts of intimate souvenirs. All books jewels, jades and porcelains, altar cloths, precious rugs, rare Tanagra fig ures, marvellous furniture of mediaeval times, will go under the hammer. all except a few dear, intimate possessions.
 Among the things Miss Grigsby will take to England with her when she leaves to take up her domicile in that country is her portrait by Coppee. It's wonderful study, that portrait of a slim and graceful girl, with hair of Titan tint and eyes of softest blue. Until yesterday not a score of per- sons had seen the interior of the home. Yesterday several hundred tiptoed through the treasure house.
 The entrance hall is subdued with only the dull glow of the Jewelled altar lamps from an Italian cathedral to bring forth dull glow of tawny yell low from tapestry and Oriental hang 1 ings. To the left is the drawing room. | Upon the walls of this apartment are panels by Albert Herter, depicting the | epic movement of Wagner's heroes. Upon the ceiling the gods leap over the clouds in the retreat to Valhalla. Bear ing out the legend of the panels great marble group depicting the Triumph of Brunhilde rises from the middle of the mantel.
 | Passing through the library in which are 11.000 volumes of rare editions, first editions and steel presses" the library of Baron Munchausen was pointed out There is a mug of the Von Munchausen | family which has been initialled by the head of the family every hundred years since 1863. There are dozens of other silver and pewter pieces, all with a his torical association.
 In the drawing room Miss Grigsby has what Is said to be the largest mis- sal in the world, containing the whole of the mass as it was sung in the fiji. 1 teenth century. It is on thick vellum and in quite as good condition as when it left the hands of the mediaevaI monkish illumina tors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
New York for Underwood

''You have no idea," said State Senator C. A. Beasley yesterday at the Morris, how the boom of Oscar w. Underwood for the presidency is spreading in the north and east"
 Senator Beasley has just returned from Washington, and is en route to his home in Fayette.
 'The impression seems to prevail that nomination are very good, and that, in case he is nominated, he will carry New York, the carrying of which state is es- sential to success"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
nriaI. nnlidnr Trnde

Holiday buying is a pretty good line on conditions and the tone of the popular mind" said John Sparrow.
 Last Christmas the buying of furni- ture was chiefly of small articles. This year the reverse is the case, and the run is on large pieces and on suites. know this is the experience of all of our large furniture houses, and as- sume it is true as to other lines. I am told the sales of pianos are heavier than for several years. This would in- dicate that there is an easier feeling as to money and the future, and may be regarded as a favorable omen for 1912"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
China's Relief From War Doubtful

The Shanghai conference is of the deepest importance to China. The prevention of intervention and the stoppage of bloodshed are at stake. At this writing a peaceful settlement is doubtful, but further conferences under the armistics which has been extended to December 30 may bring better results.
 Premier Yuan Sinai Kai refuses to accept republic. He wants the Man chu dynasty retained under a consti- tutional regime that will vest the real
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

DARK AND DREARY WAS THH
 MORN" Dark and dreary was the morn, Winter raindrops falling; Did he hear old Gabriel's horn? Twas tn alarm clock calling Fain he would in Sunderland Have remained all day, Careless of life's toiling band Girded for the fray. Fain he would have dozed in peace In the world of dreams, While the tempest did increase All the gutter streams. Sweet 1t would have been to lie In his little bed, While the golden hours flew by. Oh, so blithely spedl Sad of mien, at last iA rose, Gave vent to a sob, Dolefully drew on his hose, Thinking of the job He must hold if he would eat Three square meals day. An, how many wights we meet Who feel just that way!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
Mr. Watterson Tonight

Henry Watterson, editor of the Louisville Courier-J Journal, and es- teemed by the public as patriot and man of brilliant personality, will deliver an address at the Orpheum theatre tonight on the arbitration treaties with Great Britain and France now before the United States Senate.
 These treaties were signed at Wash ington last August. The Senate is naturally jealous of it's prerogatiyes, and the majority report which came from the committee on foreign rela- tions, signed by Chairman Henry Cabot Lodge, included amendments; but Senator Elihu Roots minority re- port in behalf of himself and Senator Cullom maintains that the arbitration treaties involve no abandonment of tho constitutional powers of the Sen ate. and recommends ratification. And the New York senator's argument, as might be expected, is clear and states manlike.
 In all treaty matters of far reach ing effect there is usually divided sen timent. Not a few public men have expressed themselves in opposition to these treaties in question, and many good Americans, either from preju- dice or lack of information, are dis posed to take negative attitude. But when the arbitration treaties are un- derstood opposition will vanish.
 The January number of the Century magazine, just issued, contains an ar ticle by President Taft in which he discusses these treaties, and urges with characteristic earnestness their ratification. The American Associa- ton for International Cancellation IS 
 conducting a vigorous campaign Of education. It has published great deal of authentic information upon the theory that the public has but to be informed to take the right side, for these treaties are right. They are full lv in line with the best ethical senti- ment of the twentieth century, and It IS believed that when the Senate acts it will be for ratification.
 Mir. Watterson is not only iumin- ous writer, but he is a compelling sneaker. He delivered at Carnegie hall, New York, the first of his series of 10 speeches. The committee under whose auspices Mir. Watterson IS making his campaign left the selec- tion of cities to the distinguished gen. ] tleman who is to le Birmingham s puest today He said that he es- pecially desired to address the people of Birmingham, and that being true our representative citizens should be all the readier to give him a rousing welcome.
 No matter whether you are for or against the treaties, go and hear MT. Watterson at the Orpheum. His words will not only ring with the note of sincerity, but his address will con- tain wisdom born of keen penetration and long experience in public life; and everyone who hears Mir Watterson is sure to come away from the Orpheum with a larger mental vision, to say nothing of quickened patriotism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
X Possible Calamity

q read in The Age-Herald some days ago." said Walter Drewford of Lawrence county, where @ certain young man of Birmingham had been notified that a very rich uncle had made him the bene- ficiary of his will, and that, in the event of the uncle's death, he will come into an estate valued at $l,500,00o.
 Suppose, for the sake of argument. that the young man, after scuffling along against misfortune for a period of 20 years, should die before the death of his uncle. One cannot imagine a greater personal calamity, nor the subject of a better human interest newspaper story"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
 FNHREE or four years ago a little coal
 black picaninny, who lived in A
 \ ranshackle tenement house in West Sixty-thlrd street, heard for the first time in his life something about San ia Claus snd'his reindeer. He went home in great excitement to ask his nanny what Santa Claus looked like, and espe- cially if he was "brack."
 "Lawsy, chile doan ask me-" his man. my told him. Santa doan' come to San Juan HILL"
 But that was before the Rev G. II. Sims, pastor Of the Union Baptist church, at 2O4 West sixty-third street. and Miss Rosalie Jonas, of 5s East Fifty-sixth street, and other friends, black and white. of the pickannies in San Juan Hill, got on the job and Jagged Santa Claus. They interested Santa last year to the extent that there was a Christmas tree in the church, with mittens and shoes and dolls and things: also a good hot Christ mas dinner, served in the church, for all the pickaninnies in the Sunday school, and lots of outside pickaninnies who be- came interested in the church immediate ly when they heard of the doings there on Christmas day. And these friends are hard at work now reminding Santa that the little negroes still swarm in San Juan Hill and that their lives are as bare and empty as ever
 ''Mah li'l pickaninnies," MT. Sims said yesterday: .6ey ain't proud. We're des es pleased wiv bari of toys white chil- len has played wiv, CT cloes white chillen has wore, as if dey was new"
 Every one around San Juan Hill knows Mir. Sims church, and good many other people know the things he has done over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

pounds and underwritten with the colo nels undoubted sign manual. It is need less to say that many are the congratu- lations between Bob's numerous friends in his seeming successful encounter with this imminent deadly beast. What hap pened to him in the combat we have yet to learn, but all hope fos the best, and we may not know until he turns from the depths of the wilderness where no doubt he is in pursuit of greater quarry Wheth- CT he slew the bear with shotgun or rifle, or with his trusty bear knife we know not till he himself shall tell us.
 And it may not be amiss here to re- late how Bob gained his reputation as bear hunter. Many years ago, when some- what younger while bear hunting in the dense canebrakes of Arkansas, one early morn as the party were preparing to go out in search of bear. the chief hunter handed Bob keen knife about two feet long. Bob said to him, What is thls for? In reply the hunter said, If your gun fails to go off and the bear gets in close quarters, you kill him with the knife.' And Bob said Well, take this deadly implement away, because if my gun fails to go off, you can count on me going off just as quick as I can
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
President Taft's Latest Message

The President is sending to Con- gress series of messages, and the latest one, as one of a series, may not attract the attention that it's impor- tance calls for. This message relates primarily to the financial condition of the government. The surplus at the end of the next fiscal year is esti- mated at 100000, as against a surplus of s47,OOO,OOO in the last fiscal year.
 The President indorses the Aldrich plan for a national reserve associa- tion as a means of avoiding panics and regulating the issue of currency. It is the one plan that preserves the national bank, and the President hopes it will be considered free from party dictation. Currency reform is needed, but it will perhaps have to be deferred until after the November election, in order to receive the at tention it's importance demands.
 The completion of the Panama ca nal as early as July l, 1913, induces the President to present the subject of canal tolls. He thinks Congress should give to the President the power to fix tolls. He does not favor the plan that would relieve all Ameri- can shipping of tolls, although it is a privilege that this government has a right to grant. The President re- news his recommendation that the government keep at the isthmus sup plies of coal, oil and other necessities to be supplied to vessels passing through the canal, together with dock facilities and repairs of every sort. This is Colonel Goethals' pet hobby, and if it is granted, care should be taken that Colonel Goethals would not be permitted to confine his coal sup ply to his pet West Virginia mines.
 The establishment of parcels post is strongly urged in the message. In stead of destroying the business of the country storekeeper, says the President, q think the change will greatly increase business for the benefit of all. The reduction in the cost of living it will bring about ought to make it's coming certain" ]" So it would if the four express com panies would cease to lobby against it.
 The President desires to see the smaller and unnecessary navy yards abolished, and he desires to see all local officers, including postmasters of the four grades covered into the classified service. This is an excel lent recommendation, but it is one that Congress will not adopt until public sentiment calls loud for it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
EMBARRASSING QUESTION
rom The Searchlight.

F1Om TIC SedTCIlTlBnt.
 Representative Ben Butterworth was seriously i'll for a long time. but recov- cred. When he was convalescent his per sonal and political friends called on him and rendered hearty congratulations. Big Ben Butterworth thanked his callers and said:
 Yes, boys, l was so near the other shore that could hear the bells ringing a welcome to me-
 Were they firebells, pap?'' inquired lit- tie Frank.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 People are always firm in their ignor- ances and weak in their faith.
 The only trouble with Santa Claus is he draws drafts instead of sending checks.
 Getting. up early by the man of the house is harder on the rest of the fam fly than on him.
 woman gets through with raising her children some time, but she never gets through with raising her husband.
 There's nothing so good for the com plexion of young woman as for her father to tell how she used to have the collie when she was baby.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
ADRIFT WITH THE TIM

OUR PARTING WALLOP.
 To one darned place
 We'll never wend- That Kansas town
 Of Shady Bend.
 ASTUTE YOUNGsTER. Have you written letter to Santa Claus. Tommy?" No, but I've been doing lot of talk ing where papa could hear.p
 POOR FELLOW.
 Full fraught with woe
 This was his cry:
 T do not know
 What gifts to buy!"
 His dreadful fate
 How can we tell? For him doth wait
 A padded cell.
 SYNONYMOUS. "The critic says discriminating audi enee was present. What does he mean by that?'' He means the audience was small and bitter.,
 THE SWEETEST PICTURE
  eyes, You de sweetes' pictur' underneath do Christmas skies. Lissen ter de happy winds 'Roun' de winders lhummin', Day time an play time An Sandy Claus a-comini Sweet li'f feller, want you fer ter know Home Is clost ter heaven whar dey loyin' CT you so. Lissen ter de happy winds, Songs CT joy dey sing you Sandy Claus is comin An I wonder what he'll bring you? Prank L. stanton in the Atlanta Con- stitution. i HIS YELL GAVE HIM AWAY. Don't the little chaps at your house believe in Santa Clausg' NO, indeed. You see, last Christmas when their father was playing Santa Claus his whiskers caught fire"
 HOW SWEET!
 How sweet 'twould be
 To take a trip
 And never have
 To give tipl
 Birmingham Age-Herald. How sweet 'twould be
 To take a dip
 And never fear
 The suit might rip.
 Youngstown Telegram.
 JUST A SUGGESTION. Don't make fool remarks to the shop girl. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
THE AMERICAN SWEET TOOTH

From the New York World.
 The thirteenth census discloses the fact that Americans are annually eating more sweets and that the confec tionery business grew 54 per cent in five years The statistics relate not only to confec- tionery but to chewing gum stick licor- ice. corn balls, salted nuts and the va rious other kinds of sweets and relishes In 1909 the total value of these products was s134,796,O00, while in 1904 it was SS7,OS7, 900, an increase of $47,709,0O0.
 pr. Harvey w. Wiley of the bureau of chemistry has put an interpretation upon these figures gratifying to Ameri- cans: If country treats its women
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
Jelks and the Bear

''The many friends of Col Robert C.. Jelks will be delighted to know that he still keeps his reputation as a great bear hunter, earned at much more youthful age" said club man.
 we learn from Leesburg (Fla.) pa per of recent date that a party of hunters passing along trail in the dark recesses of an almost impenetrabe swamp, dis covered alongside the trail the body of an immense black bear, cold in death, with q paper tied to it's hair, bearing this leg end, Slain by K. C. Jellls; weight o5o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
IN EDEN

Milton. Paradise Lost" Book ". To whom thus Eve. with perfect beauty
 adorned My author and disposer, what thou
 biddst Unargued obey. So God ordains: God is thy law, thou mine; to know no e Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her
 praise. With the conversing, I forget all Time, All seasons, and their change; all please
 alike, ri11s Sweet is the breath of Morn, her rising
 sweet, With charm of earliest birds; pleasant the When first on this delightful land he
 spreads His Orient beams, on herb. tree. fruit and
 flower, Glistering with dew; fragrant the fertile Earth 4esfS ss After soft showers; and sweet the com Of grateful Evening mild; then silent
 Night, With this her solemn bird and this fair
 Moon, And these the gems of Heaven, her
 starry train; But neither breath of Morn, when she as-
 cends With charm of earliest birds; nor rising
 Sun On this delightful land; nor herb. fruit,
 flower, q Clustering. with dew; nor fragrance after
 showers: Nor grateful Evening mild; nor silent
 Night, With this her solemn bird: nor walk by
 noon, 4 Or gittering starlight, without thee sss
 sweet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

pr. Sun Vat Sen is on the soil and he will soon be in Shanghai. which is the soul and center of the movement to estab- fish a republic in China.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

The year 1911 is departing and perhaps no one mourns its departure. and yet 1t was pretty good year on the farms, and that means good year everywhere.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

From the Buffalo News.
 Chairman Underwood is reduced to be- ing another Horatius at the bridge trying to keep back his own host from raiding the treasury and footing it completely.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

right and eats more sugar per head and other country, then 1t is the greatest country"
 Apparently America has about reach- ed that proud eminence as regards soap and sugar, and it seems to be making progress in it's treatment of women-at least from the progressive woman's point of view. As to sugar, there IS reason to believe that in its varied forms it will continue to appeal more and more to Americas sweet tooth. And to Dr. Wileys credit it must be con- ceded that no more pleasant way of achieving greatness as a nation has yet been discovered
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

The Commercial Travellers league will pay no more tips after January 1. Those fellows are preparing 10 get more neglect per capita than the world has ever known.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

No invitation to Diaz to come back to Mexico has been sent or would be ac- cepted. The old man is glad to get out of horAers nest.