davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
Change in Form, Not Substance

The Russian tempest bids fair to calm down to an abrogation of the :. treaty of 1882 in politer phrases than the Sulzer resolution presented. There is no harm in being polite, so long as the chief object is kept in view. That object is to secure at the hands of Russia the proper treatment of all American citizens, and that ob- ject cannot be secured while Russia $ permitted to ignore the plain terms of the treaty of 1882 Better no treaty at all than a treaty that one side does not respect. By abrogating that treaty the way is left clear for an- other treaty and clear understand ing as to all American citizens who desire to visit Russia.
 Let us hope President Taft will not take advantage of Russia's objections to claim the right in himself to abrogate a treaty. Nor should the President and the Senate set prece- dent of action exclusive of the House. A trea5y once ratified is a law, and both houses of Congress and the President should act in abrogating it.
 It is not well to terminate treaty relations with any country. Russia is big country, but this country has no reason to fear her commercially or physically. Some harm might arise to trade, but this should be considered in the fact of Russia's persistence in maltreating American citizens bearing American passports.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
HOME DE RAIS-IIII

Charles w. Furlong in January Outing.
 Broad valleys of waving grain now creep away up the gentle slopes; hillsides planted with vine and olive tree ever grow thicker, then far away we sight a miniature city, like a white burnous spread out on a green sward in the lap of valley. The setting sun turns it's white and color tinted walls to a golden rose. it's palms and gardens to a golden green, picks out the shapes of it's crenal- lated bastions in dark violet shadows, makes it's numerous minarets glisten and sentllate in all the wonderful delicacy Of their colored tiles, and causes the golden crescents which crown her red and green topped mnarets to heliograph in sparkling accents the departing of the day.
 Such is Fez or Fas, meaning hoe" for it was here, so the Arab legend runs, Sidi Idress II turned the first sod, saying, Here l plant my fas." Fez, the true metropolis of Morocco, is watered by the river Sebu, which divides at the city and insiliratingly distributes itself along it's man streets and through numerous con duit pipes. Once Fez was the capital only of Sultanate by the same name, like wise Marrakash. These two kingdoms. eventually uniting, formed what is known as the Moorish empire.
 There in his mountain stronghold Rais- Uli, this Moroccan aristocrat, this writer of classical Arabic in a beautiful hand, this cattle thief, brigand and cut throat, has laughed at the threats of Sultans, the renionstrances of the Maghzens, and the protests of the legations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
underwood,s strength

"Oscar Underwood has been growing as statesman and political manager rap idly during the past F months,' said an old democrat.
 His intellectual force and his sound principles in relation to politics are clear iy shown in his public addresses. I have lead three of MT. Underwoods recent speeches and each one of them has been admirable His speech at the Philadelphia society dinner in New York was not only thoughtful, able and courageous, but there was that same note of sincerity in it which characterizes all his addresses.
 MT. Underwoods speeches are some times compared with certain notable speeches of Grover Cleveland. The main points of similarity are honesty-old fash ion honest clear insight into Jefferson ian democracy, and a realization of this country's need for tariff reform. But MT. Underwood has one important qual- ity which MT. Cleveland lacked-sl1ilhul, tactful leadership
 "As democratic harmonizer no one has measured up to Underwood in my day No matter what dssensions might arise with in the next few months, MT. Underwood, as democratic leader in the House of Representatives, will be able, l believe. to restore tranquility. He got the party in great shape last summer. It was al- most unthinkable the way he brought or der out of chaos in so short time. MT. Underwood is certainly the logical candi- date for President, and if he is nomi- mated there will scarcely be a shadow of d doubt as to his election
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
Roosevelt and the Presidency

Either Mir. Roosevelt is endeavor- ing to humiliate MT. Taft, or else he wants the republican nomination for President. His trip to Boston last week to confer at a secret meeting with the progressive republicans of that section would seem pretty plain evidence that he desires the nomina- tion and that his friends are striving to render Mir. Taft's nomination inn possible by declaring his reelection in case of nomination impossible.
 The long and short of the matter is, Mr. Roosevelt is in the race today, while Mr. LaFollette has dropped out of it. He poses as an insurgent and a progressive, when in truth he has in the past worked with every boss from Quay to Lorimer.
 The republican party is in a dis tracted condition at the opening of the campaign. It sees disfavor on every hand. It sees that it cannot re-eleet MT. Taft and 1t dislikes the third term issue and the stridency of dictator from Oyster Bay. The lead CTS are far apart and the rank and file are either sullen or apathetic. There is no room for enthusiasm anywhere, and third-termer who evades the tariff and generalizes over the trust issue cannot rally them. MT. Taft has neither magnetism nor tact. Altogether the republicans enter the campaign weighed down by adverse conditions, and this should encourage the democrats to build wisely and safely-to practice economy in pub lie expenditures while they un- flinchingly reduce the tariff to a reve- nue basis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Solid City

Many cities are particularly inviting tc young men of practical education and energy. but according to my way of thinking. Birmingham comes first in the list of cities ranging in population from GOO to 100000 said Charles NJ. Worth ington of Chicago.
 T thought well of Birmingham 10 years ago when l visited this part of the coun- try, but think much better of it today. It is solid city, and has the resources for the making of city of enormous size, for Birmingham has reached the point where it may be safely said that it will never stop growing.
 About a year and a half ago l was in Oklahoma City. There seemed to be great rush of newcomers there. That new and striding town. seemed to be on a mighty boom. A young friend of mine from one of the eastern states told me that hezhad decided to start life in either Birmingham or Oklahoma City. He set tied in the Oklahoma metropolis, but, it he had 1t to do over again, he would probably choose Birmingham l am told that Oklahoma City has had serious slump of late"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

old age pension act. Women will re- ceive but $1.S0 a week during the first 13 weeks, but after that their allow anee will be the same as that to men. A special maternity allowance of S7.50 will be made to working moth CTS, married or single.
 The states part of the outlay will run into millions. The lords, however, accepted the bill without resorting to the suspensory veto, and the bill will become law as soon as the King s assent is given to it.
 David Lloyd-George- is doing his best to bring relief to the toilers of the kingdom, and he will succeed if the finances. of the kingdom can stand the strain. The new bill is supplementary to the old age pension bill and be- tween the two bills the government and the employers will take care of all honest toilers. The two bills carry the ancient land over to the verge of, if not into, socialism. Old age pen sions and workmen's insurance have already carried consols down to ". The dangers of war with Germany assisted, however, in reducing the price of consols.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
A CHANGE IS NOT A cINCH

From the Louisville Courier-Journal
 Democrats who will not listen to the warning of MT. Underwood against the folly of extravaganza are making a mis- take from purely practical, and tacti- cal point of view as members of poiti- cal party, as well as inviting censure and deserved disaster in their own districts.
 The statement that a large public build-
 ngs bill will be passed because the rank and file demand it is not adequate as an explanation CT defense. Of course, ap- propriations for public buildings should be nonpolitical. but of course everyone knows that pensions, rivers and harbors bills and public buildings bills have long been almost purely political measures. Parties in power draft them and must be responsible for them. The democratic party gets into power in the House not because of burning desire upon the part of the public for a new party label, but because of wrespread dissatisfaction with the manner in which the republican party has traded in various kinds of pork in- stead of legislating disinterestedly for the common good. The tenure of power and the prospect of it's expansion depend largely upon Soou cohuuct uurihS uayS or probation. The democratic votes that aid-, ed in the consummation of the ''dollar-a- day" conspiracy will not be forgotten, and should not be forgotten. The ice is made little thinner by every questionable act of democrats
 The democratic partySfs offered chance in national politics, and not a "cinch." The sooner that this is clearly understood the better the chance will be. MT. Under- wood and some of the other leaders ap- preciate the fact. Some of the hungry horde do not, but the dullest and greed fest will find it impressed upon his mind sooner or later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
Peletiah Webster's Pamphlet

Mr. Hannis Taylor stands to win out. He has consistently favored pub lie and general recognition of the serv- ices of Peletiah Webster to the nation, and in the House Congressman Ayres of New York city has introduced bill appropriating $1OO,OOO for the erec- tion of a suitable memorial to Web ster iD Washington.
 Vel ,ter was merchant in Phila- delphia, and in 17e3 he published a pamphlet setting forth plan for a federal government of 13 states. There were no precedents in sight and Web ster was compelled to plan in an orig inal manner from beginning to end.
 In l787 the convention met, and MT. Taylor shows pretty plainly that Alexander Hamilton and the other men who wrote the constitution did but steal Peletiah Webster's federal thunder. The ideas of the pamphlet of 17S3 reappear in the document of 1787.
 Peletiah Webster has not been con- sidered one of Americas immortals, but, if Mr. Hannis Taylor persists in presenting his claims to American recognition, he may get his deserts. A century or so of waiting does not worry those who have departed this life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
Active Holiday Business

General trade this month has been sat isfactory, as rule, in all parts of the country said F. H. Ditson of Phlla- delphia. 'The holiday trade is very brisk. Within the past 10 days l have visited three southern cities and in each one of them buoyancy in mercantile circles has been in evidence.
 Business conditions are decidedly healthy, and l have an idea that the country will have marked prosperity next year, in spite of the fact that it is to be presidential campaign year. But no matter what 1912 may bring forth, every body is expecting boom to start up lm- mediately after the presidential inaugu- ration in March, 1913."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
FORT WORTH sTAn-TELEGRAM

The sixth annual edition of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, recently issued, was notable achievement in newspaper publishing. This edition consisted of 20i pages, the largest ever published in any city of less than 100000 in the world and larger than any other edition ever puD- lishe6 in any of the leading American cities, Fort Worth is a flourishing city and the rapid growth of the Star-Tele- gram has been astonishing, even in the southwest, where quick development is not ur'tsual The capable management of the Stav-1elegram is to be congratulated. A new record has been set.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
TIE OLD MAN SPEAKS.

THE OLD MAN SPEAKS. when you and l were young, Maggie our tastes were simple quite; We didn't ride in auto cars
 And stay up half the night. You didn't care for cocktails then, For gowns in Paris made, And 1 was not a stout old beau
 In fashions gay parade. We didn't have much money then To get 1t was our VOW: We didn't have the good times then. Old girl, we're having now. When you and I were young. Maggie An, that was long ago, Before we put on so much style
 And only lived for show. hear the mob looks up to me.
 You are a hostess grand, Who entertains upon scale
 To dazzle all the land. The press relates to all the world
 Most everything we do; Wall Streets alarmed if I should stay Abroad 6 month or two. When you and I were young, Maggie, We struggled hard to live, And few there were of humankind A helping hand would give. But things are very diffrent now, We're courted by the throng, In golden script our names are writ, The favored few among. But we had youth in those old days, No gray had strealSed your hair And health was mine. ere 1 became A multimillionaire'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
------------- --------sos------- HOW TO SMOKE \ CIGAR

r iOll lll-B1S.
 Most smokers do not know how to smoke. They not only do not understand how to prevent smoking from being on- noxious to others, but they themselves miss half the comforts of the weed. . For instance, smokers should slowly and gently blow through the cigar, driving within it's folds, especially if the purchase is an inexpensive one. The lighting, too,
 is important; the end should be igniled and no more One puff at the match 3I gas jet snould be enough to light the edges of the tip. If one holds it longer to the har1e the result is usually to make the tobacco burn faster on one side than on the other.
 With regard to pipe smoking do not forget that in filling a pipe the main thing is to make sure it is dry and clean. Press fluffy mixtures down hard for good results. With sliced plug you have a chance to use little skill Double lhe slice in he middle and roll it gently be- tween your palms. Then take the humble bowl of your pipe, keeping the nbers of the tobacco running up and down, not horizontally. This gives an even con tinuity of the shreds along which the light will travel coolly and sweetly, with minmimum tendency to go out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
MARK TWAIN AS A PILOT

Moffet the funds necessary to make I'D his first payment, and so concluded his contract.
 Horace Bixby was a lightning pilot, with method of instruction as direct and foreible as it was effective. He was . small man, hot and quick firing, though ninely, too, and gentle when he had blown off. After one rather pyrotechnic mis- understanding between them as to the manner of acquiring information, he said:
 My boy, you must get a little memo. randum book, and every time I tell you thing put it down right away There's only one way to be a pilot and that is to get this entire river by heart. You have to know it julze A B e
 So Sam Clemens got the little book and presently it fairly bristled with the names or towns, points, bars, islands, bends and reaches. but it made his heart ache to think that he had only half of the river set down; for, as the watches were four hours off and four hours on, there were long gaps in which he nac s.ep,.
 There is but one way to account for the fact that the man whom the world knew as Mark Twain-dreamy, unprac- tical and indifferent to details-ever per- sisted in acquiring knowledge like that iu the vast the absolutely limitess auan- tity necessary to Mississippi piIoting. It lies in the fact that he loved the river in It's every mood and aspect and detail, and not only the river, but a steamboat; and still more, perhaps, the freedom of the pilots life and it's prestige. Wherever he has written of the river-and in one way or another he was always writing of tive feel the claim of the old captiv- ity and that it still holds him"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
MELANCHOLY

By Keats. She dwells with beauty-beauty that must
 die;
 Ana joy. whose hand is ever at his lips Bidding adeu and aching pleasure nigh, Turning to poison while the bee mouth
 sips; Ay, in the very temple of delight Veiled Melancholy has her sovereign
 shrine, Though seen of none save him whose
 strenuous tongue Can burst joys grape against his palate
 fine; His soul shall taste the sadness of lEr
 might,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
RESTRICTIONS OF B.cuELoR

From the New York Press. What makes a woman's shoe pinch is they make i; SC much smaller than its size. Maybe tho people who write the gas bills in this world will have to pay them in the next. If a man was all alone on a desert island it would make him feel poor to have Christm IS C ming. | A womun learns to do thing around the house by watching how her husband tries 1t and then doing 1t the opposite
 way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Jchndee has ascertained that he is de- scended from a long line of French Kings, and he should by rights write his name ''Johr de Rockefellow.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
SARCASTIC.

''We have here,'' said the assistant Sun day editor "a poetic rhapsody describing how Phometheus stole fire from heaven.'
 "Umphr' snored the Sunday editor him self. Docs the rhapsodic person seek to prove that prometheus wore asbestos gloves when the theft was committed?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Sarah Bernhardt says she is mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. and she is not going to marry anybody. She has honors enough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
SAD AFFAIR.

Her thrilling voice bewitehed him OCT the
 wire, To meet that Hello girl he did aspire And after many schemes with failure
 fraught At last he had the chance for which he
 sought Yet, when ho saw the fashion of her face, He grabbed his hat and swiftly left the
 place, Nor would he ever tell the reason why, But only heaved a sad, heart-broken sigh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Arizona will no doubt make haste to recall her recall as soon as she Is a soY- ereisn state. She has no respect for holdups.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

New York has almost as much water as Venice, and next year every girl pupil in the public schools must learn to swim.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

In buying Christmas presents buy a woma all something she can wear, child something it can eat, and man some thing he can put on his desk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Kansas city's sole and only mongoose will never know what the plural would sound like.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

A two column cut is needed now when a picture of, Queen Victoria and her chill dren is presented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

In England King George is hampered by the limitations of a. constitution, but in India he is an Emperor and can do as he pleascs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

It is field of three in the republican party-ex-President Roosevelt. Senator LaFollette and President Taft.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Emma Goldman is disgusted with the way labor abandoned ''the heroic Me- Namaras."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
OFTEN HAPPENS.
NO sKEPTICs. Happy little fellows, Briinming full of cheer; Waiting for old Santa, Sure that he'll appear!
ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT


 NOW, Nora,' said the departing physi- clan to the Irish girl, who was nursing a bad case of fever, ''if the patient sees snakes again, give him a dose of this medicine. l will be in at e. The hour for his return arrived. The physician once more visited the sick pa tient and found him raving. He had been so, said the nurse, for hours And did you give him the medicine ?'' inquired the puzzled doctor. Nora shook her head. But didn't tell you to give 1t to him if he saw snakes again?' demanded the physician.
 But he didn't say he saw snakes this toime, doctor." replied the nurse, conii- dentiy He said he saw rcd, white and blue turkeys wid straw hats onr'-The Rams Horn.
 BAD SORT. 'Is she a good eonversationalist?" No. Sne's always knocking some body. PAUL COOK
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Queen Victoria of Spain has five chill dren, all born since May 10, 1907.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Santa Claus may be expected to carry a full stock of rubber boots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

December is determined that the coal dealers shall have no opportunity to start the annual coal famine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Mir Edison's cement furniture should bear guaranty against moving.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

cidedly ore of the funniest books we have ever read. The book describes the adven- lures of Newt" and his friend. san1- Parker. who made a strenuous effort to live in the wilds tho life of primitive man. What. happened to them would tickle the rlsibilities of a mummy and mako Mrs. Pankhurst smile. When Newt" tells how he spanked buck with the paddle of a canoe, how he made a great hit-we think not-by being discovered by two lady campers in a state of extreme negli- gee, how he and Sam turned the light of q carbide lamp on a lady moose how he baited Sams hook with dead salmon and how many other weird and wonder ful things happened. 1t, would take n per- son with an ingrowing grouch of many years duration not to chortle. The mar rative' is helped considerably by tha drawings of Mr. Newklrk. His sketohes must be seen to he appreciated" GLOOMY THERE Little songs of gladness
 Are not worth pin
 When the bill collector
 Cells and finds you ln.
 Detroit Freo I'rcss
 stil, If you would sing ono
 He might go away,
 Crying That's just awful
 Here Itcan not stayle
 H- aH
 OFTEN HAPPENS.
 Whats tho penalty for stealing Il kiss?
 T once knew a chap who got lifo sem tence for that.Y
 The sentence must have been imposed by hard-hearted judge" No; 1t was done by very matter-of- fo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

The 6urbar looked like Barnums show in its most spectacular moment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Dandelions are called local chrysan- themums, and they are blooming all the way from Boston to Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
"BAcK TO NATnRE. ?

Any person who wishes to laugh and laugh hard, should read Back to Ma ture." by Newton Ncwkirk, published by Cassell Co.,, 43 and 45 East Nineteenth street, New York City. MT. Newlirk is the famous funny man of the Boston Post and he is also president of the American Association of Press Humorists. The quaint and original fun of MT. Newl<iriz have given him great prominence as a humorist, and he is so prolific that his work occasionally overfows the columns of the Boston Post and gets into book.
 Back to Nature is his latest production apart from his newspaper work. It is de-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

St Louis second free bridge is to be ready January 15, and then the town will be happy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

President Taft begins to feel that repub- lies are indeed ungrateful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

Colonel Roosevelt has the ear of the country, but at present he has nothing to say.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19
ORIGIN OF HEAD HUNTING

Among those who are also running is one T. Roosevelt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

The Chinese throne should apologize at least once more before it winks out.