davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

of the days of the sos, Richmond, the Confederate congressman, and the old statehouse.
 At the southeast corner of the Capitol square, square that encloses the state house. the governors mansion, and the public library, there stood for over hundred years a majestic old poplar It was very large tree and afforded a wide space of shadow. It is gone now, like so many other landmarks of the old dominions capital Of this particular tree one of the Richmond papers had this to say:
 Away back wonder before the war, statesmen who had come from all parts of Virginia to dispute and discuss and legislate for the good of the common wealth sought shelter from the swelter- ing sun beneath its umbrageous foliage, and there they held incidental caucuses and reached conclusions that were later given force and vgor in the capitol build ing, and later still made an imprint on the history of the state.
 Tn the early days of the Civil war the old poplar was a famous resort. It is said that the first company of soldiers that passed from the state service to Confederate States service were mustered into the latter service under the old poplar. Other soldiers in the stirring days that followed rested beneath It's shelter ing limbs. These soldiers came from every part of the southland. and doubt less many are still living who remem- Der the old tree that is now budding, probably for its last time.
 Leaf by leaf the roses fall"
 And one by one the old landmarks leave us. The indications now are that before the frosts of another winter comes to whiten the Capitol Square the striped convfcts who keep the sacred ground clean will remove the old tree and con vert 1t into kindling wood for the of fees in the capitol and the library build ing"
 It was years ago in the month of June. He and she were gathering wild violets in the wildwood. The air was full of forest fragrance and the droning of insect life. The leafy branches of oak. beech. maple and poplar had interlaced. making the old woods '1over's bower" through which he and she sauntered. Thoughts of love were lodged in their hearts. and sweet dreams of a fair future. He was given to the habit of quoting the poets. and a silent old oak smiled as the young lover said,
 Not from the whole wide world choose
 thee,
 Sweetheart, light of the land and sea: The wide, wide world could not inclose
 thee,
 For thou art the whole wide world to
 gne.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

"HAT was one of the big sings at the
 child welfare exhibit held recently A in New York.
 vou who live in the wide open space of the countryside or you whose lawns or yards give room for chidrens joyful play, what do you know of child life in the tenement districts of the big cities?
 In those regions live children whose only place is in the foul dark rooms fre- quently infested with disease or in the streets.
 In single block in New York city live --or exist-23n children
 The population of a fair sized county seat town of the middle west-chidren alone, to say nothing of adults-is con- gested in a district no bigger than the courthouse square. and there is no play ground but the street.
 And listen.
 With no other playground of 717 chii- dren arrested in New York in July, 19O9 half were arrested for playing games.
 The world has wept at the sorrows of ''Poor Joe,' compelled by the burley po- liceman to move on," and here is socie- ty in the guise of big patrolmen arrest ing little children for playing games on the only playground they can have
 Another exhibit showed a sad phase OF child life-children forced at a tender age to work in factories and sweat shops For instance:
 Some of the mere tots work on willow plumes, knotting 42 separate fiilaments for cent or at the age of and } years they make artificial violets-1A for 2 cents-or they work 12 hours picking beans of coffee from the sweepings
 And they die like flies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

be, that, are as old as, or older than, these I have mentioned. We have no means of knowing the age of the giant sequoia of our western forests. Even the rings, so some scientists tell us, do not reveal the number of years the tree has lived. We may ratonally be- lieve that many of the giant sentinels of the western forests were flourish ing long before Columbus found the new world, or William the Norman found victory on the field of Hastings in 1066
 Many trees are associated with his toric events and eminent men, whose tongues tell of scenes of battle or in- trigue thatswere witnessed in the cen turtles that are gone. Up to little time back there was still standing in England "the parliament oak" King Edward I was hunting in Sherwood forest when he received news of the uprising in Wales. He, thereupon, called his barons together under this same old oak, where this parliament" determined to exterminate the Welsh. It Is also said that under this oak King John, surrounded by some of his barons, decreed the death of Prince Arthur. Nearly everybody knows the story of Charles II finding refuge in the great branches of the Tive oak"
 Many poetic concets may be found in the folklore and stories of the Orientals respecting trees. At the royal court of Akbar in the long ago, there was celebrated musician by the name of -Sein. If the stories that have come down to us be true he must havc been the greatest singer in the world. At his tomb there grew a tree, and, we are told, whosoever plucked and chewed a leaf from this tree became at once possessed of the ability to sing most marvelously. To this Moore al- ludes in Lalla Rookh, where he says, His voice was as sweet as If he had chewed the leaves of that enchanted tree which grows over the tomb Of the musician Tan-Sein." In the Ara bian Nights we read of the singing tree." whose every leaf was mouth and all joined in melodious concert.
 Just here I remembered a curious con ceit held in India and preserved by Tom Moore. He refers to the golden shafted trees of Eden," whose boughs hang with fruit, and golden bells from which trans porting music tinkles, as the breeze from the throne of God sets in motion. In- deed. Lalla Rooixh abounds with refer ences to fabulous conceits concerning trees.
 Shakespeare makes frequent mention of trees. The most ingenius use to which he puts them. think. you, will find in Macbeth, where "Birnam wood comes to Dunsnane." In As You Like It he makes the trees play an important part In Rosa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

She says.
 "I find that women are a shade too conservative. They are too timid to try. However, whatever they have tried hard enough they have done we'll"
 While she was paying off the first $1OO.- 0o0 Mrs. Leslie spent only 80 on herself
 She did what few men are able to do- cut her living expenses to the minimum.
 She moved at once to a little French boarding house and had one room four flights up under a slSyight, which I had to get on a chair to open."
 And this woman inherited the great publishing house of Leslie!
 She went to this place to escape unfav- orable comment and stares. In the for egn boarding house she was merely "the woman on the top floor" Besides" says Mrs. Leslie, it was cheaper"
 The s30 she expended was for a widows veil, gloves and needful articles for mourning garb Saving" she says. meyer an easy process, is one of elimina- tion-doing without things you would like'
 Which Is the woman of 1t.
 She eliminated everything possible-ex- pense, society, entertainment-and set up In the midst of her big printing office the goddess of work.
 Mrs. Leslie is right.
 You never can tell what is in you until you try. And converse if you never try you will never know.
 "One cannot have omelet without breaking eggs.'
 Some persons learn the habit in their schooldays of skipping the hard lessons, a habit that persists through life. They will not try.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

ever one may seem to miss the old language, the old familiar ideas, and equally far from mere rationalism or materialism. To that exposition the author devotes 15 short but meaty chapters chapters abounding in epi- gram and paradox. '.
 Dr. Patten's style lends itself to quotations, but it bids defiance to com pression. Already it Has been through the gin and the compressor and is baled for shipment, hard as a rock ribbed with steel My. figure fails in one par ticuiar, for the argument still carries an abundance of seed, so call it "con- densed milk" "extract of beef with iron,' the essential extract of lec- lures.
 Students will remember Comtes fa- nous generalization of the stages of cosmic thought-the theological, the metaphysical, and the positive. pr. Pat ten concurs in this concept but crit icises once more Comte's description and order. He says that the theolog- ical stage is really the tradtional the metaphysical stage Is better defined he thinks as the critical or skeptical stage. while the positive should be re- named the pra gmetic. Historically this order seems justifiable. But the tradi- tional faiths and usages of early races had their origin in an earlier growth, and Comte's method gives no clue to that earlier stage. The economic in depreciation however, divides history into epochs, in which individuals are affected by the new conditions that arise through economic change. Each individual tests his new environment, to adjust himself to 1t for ends of per sonal welfare. He Is a pragmatist in short. Then these personal results are formulated into general laws and are made rules of community actions. This, says pr. Patten, makes the age deduc- tive, metaphysical. Finally the changed laws become established faiths and usa ges and so comes the traditional
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

evidence elsewhere, the cause of the diff ference being not far to seek. More than hundred years ago John Foster, the great English essayist, wrote his we'll known disquisition on Some of the causes by which evangelical religion has been rendered less acceptable to persons of cultivated taste.'' That lucid but cum brous title tells the story of far diff ferent problem than that which confronts the Christian apologist at the commence ment of this new century It is mo longer question of one form of the faith being Hess acceptable" but of all forms of the faith that our fathers knew. Out of the very bosom of Rome have sprung mod ernists who are making havoc of what once they swore to defend, the very fun damentals of those august traditions that to most men are elementary Christianity
 l write with profound sympathy with those who are breaking away, and no less profound sympathy for those who are mourning and becoming pessimistic be- cause they see in these things the darken- ing of the Hast days foretod by the Apostle Paul. Dr. Patten is no less pro- foundly sympathetic. But his method of meeting the crisis is not the method Of the theologian. Rather he turns to po- litical economy in it's latest form as the brlnger Of light to our darkened under stahdgs to our confused and panic stricken apologetcs.
 In the light it brings he discovers a new and startling definition of sin, a new meaning in the word redemption, a new reading of Mill and even of William James, new conception of mental pro- cesses, new alignment of culture and faith. And all this Is for purposes not of criticism and destruction but of recon struction. Before his mind moves ons vast vision: The unity of men with MAN. His postulate is just that vision. Hence for theological terms he substitutes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

VTHAT I have to say this week is
 NAX by way of estimating one of
 W the newest books, a book of the new year, on the new religious adjust ments. Dr. Simon N. Patten, who is professor of political economy in the University of Pennsylvania, and terrible student of current things and thoughts, has written the book, and called it "The Social Basis of Religion" The Macmillan company. those prolific manufacturers of literary utilities, have added it to their "American. Social Progress" series, and sell it for l.25. Some who are strug- gling with the ogre of religious doubt will perchance seek therein some valid shaft wherewith to slay that ogre. Il the seeker is not afraid of thinking, and has the grace of continuance in even a slight degree. he will be grate- ful to know that 250 pages are here packed with closely reasoned and thor ough-going analysis, presenting at last way of faith that has the advantage of being actually susceptible of proof.
 Dr. Patten frankly starts with the as- sumption that faith has grown problemat- ical and that the more culture develops and spreads, the harder becomes the holding of the old traditional beliefs. Ob- servers of far less acumen have gen. eidiy feacheu tie sdiile coHNlctloll, ana the walls of churchmen confess 1t also on every hand Here In the south the movement away from the churches has gathered comparatively little headway; but who does not see that in spite of all activities on behalf of men and religion, however united, however forceful, an enormous number of thoughtful persons are estranged from organized Christian,- ty? These are not pleasant things to say, and I shall be blamed by some for say ing them. The fact is indisputable, how ever. and will remain a fact whoever speaks or is silent. It is much more in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

lind's romance; while Under the Green wood tree" is one of his prettiest songs. Tennyson has written an extended poem on 'The Talking Tree" Perhaps the read- CT has noticed how often in Maud" Tennyson refers to the cedar tree. Moth. ing is more natural, for the poem was written under an old cedar, whose branches were "sighing for Lebanon" In his "Vivien'' there is sentence-descrip- tion of the lightning Throwing the old oak, which, so far I know, Is unsur- passed in any of his works. Longfelow has much to say of trees. He has them swaylng to and fro in the prelude to the Voices of the Night we meet the Village Blacksmith Under a spreading chestnut tree; Evangeline opens with "the forest primeval," where the pines and hemlocks stand like the Druids of eld."
 Prose writers, also often employ trees with fine effect. Poor Betty Higdon, in Our Mutual Friend" died on the road side. Feeling the nearness of the end, she threw herself at the foot of tree, and the author says, "It brought to her mind the foot of the cross and she com mitted herself to Him who died upon it, saying, I shall be found dead at the foot of the cross" Here is a striking descrip- ton of trees which I take from David Copperfield: "The evening wind made such @ disturbance just now among some tall old elm trees at the bottom of the garden that neither my mother nor Miss Betsy could forbear glancing that way. The elms bent to one another like giants who were whispering secrets, and. after a few moments of repose they fell into a violent furry, tossing their long arms about as If their late condolences were really too wicked for their peace of mind."
 There is a celebrated picture that rep resents the grave of Napoleon, on the sea-beat island of St. Helena, from which his body was disinterred and borne tc Paris for final burial among the French people whom he loved so we'll" There stood by the grave at St. Helena a large weeping willow, whose shade fell pathet- ically upon the lone grave. I have never seen that tree, but have seen it's grand. son, or granddaughter. There was taken from that solemn old willow, by cit- izen of the United States. a shoot" It was brought to Washington city. where 1t was planted and grew. From that tree, in the course of time. a cutting was brought to Richmond, Va, and planted in the front yard of a family belonging to my parish in that city. When I last saw it, 1t was a young, stalwart tree.
 The attention of a few Confederate soldiers may possibly be attracted to this paper; if this should be tho case, the following reference will call up memories
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

Y T pleases me best to employ the above
 phrase, from AS You Like It," as A the title of this contribution, although 1t does not adequately set forth the lines of thought that I shall follow. shall take the liberty of leaving the text at my pleasure.
 Trees are singularly suggestive of series of analogy between themselves and the being and life of man. All the poets 5 call attention to this fact. But it is not only a poetic conception. It is actual fact. Trees eat and drink. They have certain quality of lungs by the action of which they inhaie and exhale; unlike man. however. they exhale oxygen and inhale carbon-doxide. In crowds they jostle one another and the stronger grow at the ex- pense of the weaker ones. The latter on this account. often grow up to be very ugly of shape and are -dwarfed Condi- tions other than proximity to other trees have this same effect. Often i'll grown trees come to look like the revolution ists and anarchists of their world. Yet other trees are like some men, who pa- tiently strive to attain the heights, though i. the world be against them. The reader will find a beautiful illustration of this thought in Bulwers "Zanoni," but not be- ing sure that it Is in 'Zanoni," I shall lcOk Yes, l have round II, though l have not read the story for 15 years. It will be found in the fourth chapter of book first. The words were spoken by the cavalier to Viola, Observe yon tree in your neighbours garden Look how 1t grows up. crooked and distorted. Some z wind scattered the germ. from which 1t sprang, in the clefts of the rock; choked up and walled about by crags and build- ipgs, by nature and man, its life has been one struggle for the light-light which makes to that life the necessity and the principle. You see how 1t was writhed and twisted how meeting the barrier in one spot, 1t has labored and worked stem and branches toward the clear skies at last" He then advises Viola to learn the lesson, and hear what the tongue of the tree teaches. Farther back than the time that I first read 'Zanoni,' read Rousseaus sentiment of the cypress Cor was 1t a myrtleO on the supposed desert island. Some of 1t can now quote. but as cannot verify the lines. not having Rousseau at hand, I forbear. But I return to the analogies.
 Trees sleep and wake. They fall asleep at sundown, as writers on den drology assure us, and awake at dawn , If an overcast sky be above them they become drowsy; and when heavy clouds lower and rain falls, trees drop into sleep at once There are many trees dying in our cities for lack of sleep and the insufficient sleep grows out of the fact that electric lights have been
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

The change is hard on him.
 I know him so well I know that to break up the routine~of the farm duties will give him both mental and physical shock. l am afraid he will lose his im- petus.
 And then he may worry
 And will come to fret, fear because of lack of incentive, because of his empty hands.
 There are few things more touching than to see a fine old fellow who has fairly earned his chance to rest and en- joy, who has long looked forward to his day of relaxation, going about restless and dissatisfied.
 In his case it would have been better to stay on the farm.
 If my friend had built a modern house on the old place and turned the farm over to a son or to a good tenant it might have been better for him.
 Departure from old habits and sur roundings at his time of life is perilous.
 The change is too radical.
 Of course there are many who retire from the farm and adopt themselves to the new conditions. but some will always pine, and I fear my fine old friend is one.
 l hope not.
 You never can tell what is in you until you try
 Which truism is by Baroness de Bazus, formerly Mrs. Frank Leslie of New York.
 When Frank Leslie, the publisher, died he owed $39O,000, which on his deathbed he begged his wife to pay. She did 1t and made a fortune for herself besides.
 Mrs. Leslie did not know much about the publishing business, but she was willing to try.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

Would you carry the message to Gar cia?
 Somebody will give you the hint that he is somewhere wonder in the island. You must do the rest.
 In other words, when some one in au- thority over you tells you to do thing, yours not to question why, yours not to make reply, yours to salute and find for yourself how and when and why.
 Moreover, there's a supplement to the Rowan story that Hubbard did not get a pretty tale
 After this exploit Rowan courted fair lady in San Francisco, and. it is related the Cuban journey was slight compared with this message carrying
 And the sequel? This message also was safely delivered and regularly receipted for.
 Pending this supplemental proceeding of Rowan, let us say that in the bright lexicon of endeavor:
 Faint heart never won fair lady or travelled a hostile field on foot through secret foe to bring a message.
 Walking one day, not long ago. through the slums of city, my friend pointed to box of plants on a window sill, over which a woman was working
 My friend said:
 Last year that window was a riot of green an dtints-one of the rare beauty spots in all this grime.'
 Then I thought of Humboldts finding of the flower on the crater's edge.
 The great naturalist tells of finding on the verge of the crater of Vesuvius 8 sweet flower. There was just a cupful of earth. Perhaps a passing bird had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07

Now it remains to be seen whether this' change of base, from Hebrew to Greek in- terpretations of nature for the sake of religion, will simply submerge all that Is now recognized as religion. In other words, will the withdrawal of faith from heaven to earth-from the will of God to the welfare of man, from the spiritual edihcation of the individual to the eco homie upbuildng of society-will this withdrawal of faith be tantamount to the surrender of spiritual faith entirely?
 The answer is in pr. Patten's book, along what seem to him it's initial lines My Jewish friends will be as interested as any in the processes laid down. I think they will smile to find everything pragma tical credited to the Greek, and everything immaterial credited to the Hebrew faith
 As to the theologian of the church. he will shudder to read sentences like this: The death of Jesus was for his own race and time, His life is for all men of all time." Is that true?
 But generally speaking the average reader will find the book too stiff, too closely compact together, and will want to spread the contents of any chapter over the whole area, thinning it out to clarify 1t. The book is, however, intended for students, and I am glad 10 record the fact that the number of economic students is everywhere multi , plying. Only a few days ago I hap pened upon as gracious a group of young ladies as may be found in any land or city, was permitted to learn the name of their club and to read it's syllabus, and found that they gather every other week to read and discuss papers on civic welfare. Similarly 1t Is now announced that the whole body of club women in Birmingham is about to concentrate on civic study for three ends-play, health and fair educational opportunity. These are signs that the