davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
Business Conditions Improving

The general trade of the country was
inactive during the first half of Janu-
airy, but it has been improving ever since
There has been an Improvement in the
steel trade, and steel is one of the barome-
tiers of the business world. The iron mar
ket. which has been characterized by de-
preston for longer period then usual, is
still weak in price, but there has been
a marked improvement in inquiry. Febru-
airy WILL it Is believed, witness COMPARE
lively large volume of iron sales.
notwithstanding the inactivity in the
pig iron business, Birmingham was pros
porous throughout 1910, and still more
prosperity here is promised for 1911 The
coal trade was larger in volume and bet
ter in the matter of prices last year than
the year before, and 1t is almost sure to
make a new high record in production
exceedeN Is, OO0,0 900 tons, and it is not too
much to expect that the output for the
current year will come close to 100000
tons.
The model Industrial town of Corey, adj
Joining Birmingham. Is a scene Of great
~ d
building activity. Many houses there
have been completed, and many more will
be ready for occupancy before the first
Of July. There is a pressing demand for
houses in Corey and IL twice as many as
those in course Of construction were fin
ished now they would be quickly occu-
pied. Large building operations are in
progress in all parts Of Birmingham. Mil
Lions Of dollars will be spent on substan-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
THE CORSET FOR MEN

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
American tailors announce by way of
Chfcago-save the mark!-that beginning
in the spring men are to wear corset
coats and tight trousers Only the thin
man will be de rigeur, and those who are
not thing enough must wear corsets or
other improvers to give the appearance
of a bean-pole.
Right here. in all solemnity, we utter
our protest against any such innovation.
Talors may propose. but man disposes
of his own sartorial future 1t Is quite
true that women are slaves to fashion
and are happy in wearing the most alb
surd monstrosities either on their heads
or their bodies, so long as that mys-
FERROUS institution known as 1.-THE latest
style" dictates that 1t shall be done. Just
why women should like to make them
selves hideous belongs to the realms of
psychology. If woman will, she will.
you may depend ont, even to wearing
nor breathe with comfort
But man, poor man, has at least some
thing of the spirit of '76 left in his blood.
He may be willing to wear the fash
ionable cut of collar or color of neck
tie. He may be willing to make con-
cessons as to minor details In his gar
ments, but when it comes to wearing
corsets we venture to say there will be
something doing which will sound a good
deal louder than the Battle of Bunker
Hill. There is no use in trying to make
us wear skintight trousers, either. We
will not do it unless our wives compel
us to do so. Most of us have not the
figure of an Adonis and, besides, they
are not comfortable. The principal diff
ference between a man and woman
is that the latter is happy when she is
uncomfortable, while the man is miser-
able under restrictions.
Notice is hereby served upon tailors
that it is no use in trying any new
games on the men. Most of them have
bankrupted themselves trying to pay for
their wives creations of disordered
and demoniac brain. If the tailors spring
any such game on us as is proposed there
is just one way out, and that is to wear
our old clothes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

tial buildings in the business district with
IN the newt . months, and in the residence
sections a new high record will easily be
made.
with all this forward movement IN the
o.,,,, nar+ of the wear it can be readily
imagined that when pig iron prices begin
to advance appreciably every bfanen oi
trade throughout the district will hum.
The year 1911 is going to be Birmingham
banner year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
HOW MANYi
THE "BARKEEP's" DIAGNOSIS.

THE "BARkEEP' DIAGNOSIS.
We love drink that jars our bones I'm
turret to foundation stones, but last week
we took one er two an thought we'd
met our Whiskyloo; we wilted In a little
heap too doggone missibul to sleep, our
tongue dried up an cracked in two,
our eyes felt like hot gobs of glue
our neck just where it fined our back
had taken on mighty crack, till If we
bowed our head a inch it would fell off.
that's cinch; our breath was such a
red-hot blast it scorched our whiskers
as 1t passed, we groaned an groaned
Fer heaven sakei'' We had tn back
an bellyache, our Adams apple, bless
our SOUL was just an incandescent coal,
our joints was full of melted lead, we
wished an wished that We was Dead
we longed for the fool-killer cuss to put a
swift kibosh on us. Then failin' death
we CROPPED our way back to the barkeep
an said: Say, tell us tn name O. that
there drink tibet went an put us on TIL
blink. what did tibet jorum hold tibet
floored us like a hefty piece of board?
We've gone agin all kinds o. booze, we've
drinked dope tibet has burned our shoes,
we've drinlxed booze till it's a safe bet
our breath would light a cigarette, we've
drinked booze tibet has made us run a
hull police force just fer fun, we've drink
ed booze tibet would skin a cat, but never
any booze like that we've pasted our face
to a key tibet made a corkscrew of each
leg" The barkeep gently stroked his lip
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
TO A FRIEND OF BOYHOOD LOST
AT SEA

AT SEA
Alfred Moves in Westminster Gazette.
Z warm blue sky and dazzling sea,
Where have you hid my friend from me-
The white-chalk coast. the leagues Of
surf
Laugh to the May-light. now as then,
And violets in the short sweet turf
Make fragmentary heavens again,
And sea-born wings of rustling snow
Pass and repass as long ago.
Old friend, do you remember yet
The days when secretly we met
In the old harbor years a-back,
Where admired your billowing walk,
Or in that perilous fishing smack
What tarry oaths perfumed your talk,
The sails we set, the ropes we spliced.
The raw potato that we sliced.
For mackerel bait--and how It shines
Far down, at end of the taut lines
And the great catch we made that day,
Loading our boat with rainbows, quick
And quiyering, while YOU smoked your
clay;
And took home your "Deadwood Dick
In yellow and red. when day was done,
And you took home my Stevenson? 4
Not leagues. as when you sailed the def
but only some frail bars of sleep VI
Sever us now! Methinks you still
Recall, as /. in dreams. the quay,
The little port below the hill;
And all the changes of the sea-
Like some great music, can but roll
Our lives still nearer to the goal
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
ENERGY OF MIcHELANGELo

From a description of his friend Vignero.
l have seen Michelangelo, although
then 60 years old and not in robust
health, strike more chips from the hard
est marble in a quarter of an hour than
would be carried off by three young
stonecutters in three or four times as
long, thing incredible to him who has
not seen it. He would approach the mar
BILE with much impetuosity, not to say
fury, that 7 have often thought the whole
work must be dashed to pieces. At one
blow he would strike off pieces three or
four inches thick; yet with such exacti-
tude was each stroke given that a mere
the whole work
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
Changing the Date Of Inauguration

The Washington Star urges Congress
to pass the resolution submitting to the
states a constitutional amendment post
poning the Inauguration of President
to the last week in April. The resolu-
ton is before the House and it may be
taken up at any time by unanimous con-
sent Once through the House by the
necessary two-thirds' vote its passage in
the Senate is assured. The Senate is
on record in favor OF the change.
It Is believed the necessary number of
ratifications can be procured before the
spring of 1913, for about 40 legislatures
will sit this winter The ceremonies of
1918 would prove attractive In the last
DAYS of April when Washington has a
delightful climate.
Perhaps the fact that the change would
lengthen the short session of Congress
nearly two months is more helpful than
the climatic one The short session should
be heightened, and the change. of the in
augural period would afford the needed
relief. All this is provided for in the
pending resolution in the House. The
resolution in question heed not absorb
much time in either house. for no one
seems to be in favor of retaining the
present date of inauguration, which was
adopted without due consideration Of the
Washington climate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
NEW MAN ON THE DECK
Mo Zinc

from SuCceSo MdSdAiiO
There is nothing like a lift from the
outside for the man who goes into an
story had made his peace with the man
ager, but the manager did not go around
among his boys and tell them that the
new man was all right. or a good fellow,
or that he had made good where he
came from.
AS this was not the strangers first
stunt" he did not take hold, as cy-
clone tackles it's job, but buckled to his
work with quiet earnestness.
The second day he came to speaking
terms with the office boy, but that per-
sonage, like the majority of his class.
was waiting to see how the boss and
some of the "old men, took to the new
man before he got familiar.
The third day an unknown man walked
into the office. The boy on the door did
not get in his way. The unknown was
the sort of man who would walk into the
White House and be shown In ahead OF
the waiting line; the sort that would
make a bull turn tail. Not a blusterer-
lust a man who knew his strength and
knew how far to go. Every one In the
office took notice of him when ne en-
tered. He walked straight to the desk
where the strange young man was bend
ing to his work.
"Iello. Pete" he said, as he slapped
the young man on the shoulder. There
was reflection in the young mans face
of the sunshine and courage that beamed
from the callers manner. Just thought
I would run in and see where you were
located. No. l won't stop. I'll see you
at home tonight. Hold her down" With
this he walked out as he had walked in.
Before lie had gone far, however, tho
Young man called out: Thank you. Dad,
for dropping in" and bent himself quick.
ly to his work.
80 his name is Pete, and that was his
dad" said . nearby clerk to his side
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

newspapers. what support did the gov
ernor of New Jersey have when he
fought his great fight and Won? We
take more interest ordinarily in a
Princeton. football game than in the
contest of this Princeton giant to save
his commonwealth from the blighting
effects of the old alliance between bus
mess and politics.
IF there is to be an end to moral
breakdown it must come through the
determined leadership of the religious
and moral forces of the nation, not as
has been said. that the church Is TO
offer Legislative programme of con-
stitution for the organization of society,
but that the church is to suffer no
order to persist which is based on in
equity and unrighteousness."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
EvERyBoDY,s SCARED
rom the New York Telegram.

We're so nervous! First they arrest
a couple of .Britishers In Germany, then
they arrest an American In English
waters. now they arrest an American
here for sketching fortifcations. Kind
of a world scare on. Any time the gro
GERS boy comes up the elevator the
fiat dweller jumps eight feet, and
whenever the man comes to look at the
gas meter mother reaches in the draw
er and gets the unloaded revolver
out from under his lordship's lingerie
and loosens the ribbon on the neck of
the wheezy dog.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Dynanliting stumps

To one who has never experienced
1t, the sensation attending the dyna.
hitting of stumps before a large gath
ering of farmers is very odd," said e.
7. Steele, freight traffic manager of
the Alabama Great Southern railroad,
Our line in trying to interest farm
ers whom we serve has engaged a
stump blowing expert to give demon
strations at certain points. We adver-
tise the event and at every one so
far the attendance of the agricultural
class has been very large The man in
charge of the work selects the largest
stump that 1t is possible to find in
the neighborhood and digs a small
opening under the fallen monarch of
the forest. A few sticks of dynamite
are then placed underneath the stump
and fuse attached. The spectators
are warned to back off and a match
is applied In few seconds the great
unmovable stump shoots upward and
a loud report breaks the hitherto I'M
natural silence. The stump is lifted
heavenward and then comes down, hit
ting the earth with a thud. The ground
is plowed up for a considerable dis
lance and is rendered ready for plant
ing.
THE process is being taken up rapid
ly by the farmers on our line and bids
fair to reclaim hundreds of acres. A
farmer may buy the dynamite and re-
move the stumps in that way without
much danger. as no combustion oc-
ours until the fuse burns up and this
requires some few seconds.
1.-THE removal of stumps from soil
in this manner also saves many hours
of labor where other methods are
adopted. Our company has tried these
demonstrations at various points and
will continue to use the process for
the edlfication of the farmers"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
From the Wall Street Journal.

From the Wall Street Journal.
TT the democratic party in Congress
l wishes to hold the large vote of con-
L sentative business men which was
given to It's candidates in the recent
elections, it will have to send to the rear
such democrats as the minority of the
subcommittee on the Panama bond bill,
who voted solidly few days ago against
tho measure to cut off the circulation
privilege from future issues of bonds. The
reason attributed to these three democrat
ic members was that the proposal to is
sue the per cents without the circula-
ton privilege was in the interest of the
national banks by the protection which
1t would afford to the price of the 2 per
cents, which the banks now hold in such
large amounts.
A great government does not usually
bite off it's nose to spite its face, and
this would be the character of the policy
supported by the democratic members,
quite apart from its relation to the banks.
The vital question is whether the cur
rency of the country shall be inflated by
persistent issues of bank notes upon new
issues of bonds and, incidentally, whether
by the impairment of the assets of the
banks by the fall in the value of the
2s, confidence shall be shaken through
out the entire business community. The
proposition that the privilege of circula-
ton shall continue to be attached to
government bonds is to link the volume
Of the currency to the cost of the Pan
anna canal, irrespective of commercial
needs. There would be grave danger,
under such policy, that the time would
come when the superiuity Of bond-based
bank notes would expel gold in much
the same manner as the Bland law and
the Sherman silver purchase law of un-
happy memory.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
THE ANCIENT MARINER.

THE ANCIENT MARINER.
II knew by the smoke, that so gracefully
curled,"
From the bowl of his pipe, as he sat
in the sun,
He could tell a good story of rounding
the world,
And savage encounter and doughty
deeds done.
OF islands afioat on tropical sea,
The sand of whose shores was unutter-
ably bright;
Where the cockatoo screamed in the BAN
yam tree
And the moon shone a crescent of sill
yer at night.
But when besought him to tell me his
past,
And relate some adventures, than fiction
more strange.
In the days when he sailed away over
the vast,
Where the waves of the sea were like
range upon range,
His eyes showed a CLEAN of a long latent
fire
And his mind brooded over far-away
scene;
Then he sighed, 81 can't talk, though tits
much my desire,
For I'm under contract with McDubb's
Magazine
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
The railroad. Tn the Market

Early In January there seemed to be
prevailing idea that the railroads would
not spend any money for large improve
ments until the interstate commerce COM
mission rendered its decision in the rate
cases. said Lewis IT. Witherow of Chi
eago, and that there would be no great
activity in general trade until the rail-
roads came into the steel market as
buyers on an extensive scale. But the
big lines, anticipating favorable de-
cision, are now placing large orders for
rails and bridge material and 1t is felt
in business circles that a very marked
Improvement is in evidence.
THE price of iron will advance and
confidently look for very active buying
movement within the next 10 DAYS.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
OUR LACK OF A LITERARY DRAMA
From the New York World.

Henry Arthur Jones in his Columbia
lecture very clearly defined the conditions
which have hampered the New theatre
in the performance of its dramatic mis-
sion. It's purpose has been to bring
about an alliance between literature and
the drama in America" and the stumb-
ling block to the realization has been the
absence of literary quality in our ma
tive drama. 1t has been a case of build
ing a Canterbury Cathedral before first
getting few St. Pauls to preach the
Gospel"
The truth of the statement is only too
obvious. Unlike England, France and
Germany, America has not DEVELOPED a
national literary drama No American
author of the first rank has written for
the stage. Notwithstanding the incentive
1t offers in the way of financial reward.
AS against Hawthorne, Poe and a
Whitman. We have produced no dramatic
genius comparable even with the lesser,
modern dramatic authors in Europe. such
as Maeterlinck, Sudermann or Rostand.
Whether or not the conditions are due to
ou conception of the stage as a thing
apart from national life, the fact remains
Of a lack of conspicuous literary talent
devoted to playwriting Plays with a lit
erary flavor occasionally appear. But who
reads them as literature?
In the face of these conditions 1t has
required considerable optimism to expect
Of the New theatre what all the Broad
way playhouses have not been able to ac-
complish in generation. The temple is
there, but the difficulty is to get the plays
which can pass the exacting test. When
they are found, the problem of an Amer
lean literary drama will be solved, Just
as the appearance of a great American
composer will solve the allied problem of
opera In English
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
POSE OF MIR. HEARST

From the washington Herald.
william Randolph Hearst of New York
and everywhere else, the well-known
publisher, reformer, politician, philanthro-
pist, philosopher, and candidate. was seen
at the New Willard last night. He was
reclining on a red plush divan In Peacock
alley, intently listening 20 the offerings
of serious-looking young man with a
shock of mahogany-colored hair.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
man might better forget his morals
under some circumstances than his man
ners.
Making love to girl takes only enter
prise; making love to your wife takes
genius.
Hanging to your own money first and
next to other peoples is being a genius
at finance.
Ignorance always seems to think that
the knowledge which disagrees with 1t Is
Just prejudice.
All the things in her life a woman
would like to put away with her bridal
bouquet would fill q warehouse.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
ABE's DISTINCTION

From the Kansas City Star.
Abe Hummel. of New York, who has
gone to Europe and renounced his
American citizenship, believes he has
a grievance. OF all the hundreds and
hundreds Of snitch lawyers who clogged
the wheels of justice he was the only
one ever sent to prison for his crime.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

partner. And 1t was not long before 1t
was known at every desk that the. fine
he had called in to see his boy. Some
thing in the atmosphere of the office
melted the ice under the big inverted bot
tie faster that day than usual. And the
office boy asked "Pete" if there was any
thing he wanted.
There is nothing like a boost from the
outside for the strange young man who
takes a desk. 1t Is something like the
quality OF mercy. If you are the friend
of the young man drop in on him. II
you are his dad, so much the better.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

The 11-year-old daughter of Otis Skin
ner has written a play wherein is char
actefized the noted actor himself, who
will produce the part. This little girl
is not the first to create role for Dad.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02
prohibition and the senntorship

Congressman Hobson, Ex-Governor
Conner, and several other prominent Ala
hamians, allied with the radical prohibit
ton faction of the democratic party, are
supposed to be aspirants for the United
States senate,'' said a man of consider
able experience in public affairs, and who
years ago held an office. "These candl-
dates, or near-candidates, have many
friends, but Senator Johnston, whose po-
litical shoes the gentlemen will be after,
is almost sure to succeed himself the
next time, and to remain in the senate
the balance of his days.
Prohibition has been live issue in
Alabama politics for the past three years,
and is still quite lively, but the cam
paign for Senator Johnstons place is
several years off, and when the time
rolls round, political prohibitionists will
be back numbers. Senator Johnston, like
Senator Bankhead, was against the pro-
hibition constitutional amendment in 1909,
and the influence of the two senators
was worth a great deal to the cause of
conservative ideas as against fanaticism-
to the cause OF personal liberty as against
sumptuary legislation. The men who are
running for the United States senate on
the prohibition issue are counting on a
hysterical wave that is fast petering out
Isms' do not last. In the very nature
of things they cannot. The democrat
who opposed fanaticism and the would
be tyranny of 1909 is certainly a much
stronger man today before the people
than the band wagon politician who al
lowed himself to be swept off his feet"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

The disparity in the ages of Lord De-
cies and Miss Gould bears marked re-
semblance to the disparity in their bank
accounts.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

just why Portugal should pension Man
uel is not apparent to the average cit
izen of this country. but he will probably
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

An immigrant who was terrified by the
towering buildings in New York imme-
diately returned to the old cuntry. This
might happen in Birmingham next year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

The young McLeans of Washington, who
have recently acquired the Hope dia-
mond, pretend that they are not at all
afraid of a hoodoo.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

The residents of Fish, Ca, want to
change the name of their town. Must
be afraid somebody will mistake them
for suckers
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

The grounding will be able to see his
shadow this morning; and as he is afraid
of his shadow he will crawl back in his
hole, there to remain six weeks longer,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-02

Sun spots have recently been discovered
as electrical cyclones. Perhaps the south
absorbs such phenomena through her
sunshine!