davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
TWO FAMOUS DOCUMENTS
From the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
 Open to the light of day for the first time in nine years. the Declaration of Independence ana the Constitution Of the United States were today inspected by Secretary of State Knox, and found to be in as good condition as when they were put away in their abiding place, a steel safe especially designed for their custody.
 The four pages of the constitution and the pages containing the resolution sub hitting the constitution to the states Of the Union are in excellent condition. The ink is as black as when fresh laid to the parchment with a quill pen, and is of a quantity that will outlast any ink of mod ern make.
 The Declaration of Independence, with hardly a signature legible of all those which were appended to it by the great men of the infant republic. however, IS otherwise losing nothing of legibility. Its condition is due to the fact that way
 back in 1852. when there were no other
 means known of getting a facsimile, a press copy was taken which absorbed the ink from nearly all the signatures, but
 left the script of the body of the docu-
 ment still readable, but more faint by half | than it had been before. | The Declaration has also been exposed | to strong sunlight while on exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876, and at the Chicago exposition in 1s93
 l The documents are kept in a light steel case that would offer only slight resist ance to heat and fire. Each page is her.
 medically sealed between two panes of glass, which are then bound in wooden frames of highly polished oak. Secretary Knox directed that Chief Clerk McNair make estimate for a safe repository for the documents that should
 be fireproof, waterproof, airproof and | lightproof The two valuable documents were then closed up again in the safe and the seal affixed to be opened again only for transfer to a stronger place of keeping.
 The documents will not be open to pub lie inspection. The safe is kept in the library of the state department.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
OLD WAY OF TESTING ALE
q the London Chronicle.

From the London Chronicle.
 That strong ale loved by Queen Eliza beth and Mary Queen of Scots was prob ably the kind known as "doble doble.' It came from the monasteries. And beer and Bible found their union in those marks on your beer barrel. The x, the XIX. the xxx. For though at present the marks indicate the alcoholic strength, the original of them was the sign of the cross. The monks swore on the cross that this was good stuff, fit to drink-and now the maker who swears three times by the same token demands your credit.
 Elaborate precautions were taken in the eighteenth century to insure the fit ness of ale. The official sugar seeker was an institution His post, though no sine cure, required little brain work. But feather brooches were indispensable.
 Here is his programme: He would en- ter an inn unexpectedly, draw a glass of ale, pour 1t on a wooden bench and sit down in the little puddle he had made. Here he would sit for 30 minutes by the clock. He would converse, he would smoke, and he would drink with all who asked him to, but he would be very care- full not to change his position. At the end of the half hour he would make as If 10 rise, and this was the test of the ale; for if the ale was impure, if the ale had sugar in 1t, the testers leather brooches would stick to the bench"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
THE BALD-HEADED BRIGADE
From the New York American.

From the New York American.
 TNHE sixty-second is a bald-headed
 Congress.
 A Forty-three per cent Of the repre- sentatives are innocent of hair on top oi their heads
 Forty-five per cent of the Republican minority are bald. Thirty-seven per cent of the militant majority are hair topless tco. .F
 Never since the government was found- ed has the visitor in the galleries looked down upon such an expanse of smooth and shining pates.
 Of the bald heads in this bald Congress S4 per cent are set upon the shoulders of yonug men, under 45.
 Why do we see superb specimens of young manhood like Ollie James and Richmond Hobson and Gordon Lee and Henry Clayton bald, while the gallant speaker in the chair, himself young man. loses something almost daily from the few scattered hairs that finger on his wise and loyal head?
 Is it serious thought, or early piety. or the absence of sunshine and air in the congressional chamber?
 Captain Hobson, who thinks deeply on many subjects. thinks that the skull has telescopic arrangement by which it en- larges under high and serious thought, tightening the skin and making it impos- sible for the hair to grow This may ex- plain in part. But if the theory of serious thought were complete, why, these two sessions of consecutive serious tariff de- bate ought to make the remainder cf the House bald-headed.
 On the other hand, the lack of humor in the present Congress to relax the skin and scalp sustains the Hobson theory.
 All this badness has come to Congress since Private John Allen took his droll humor back to Mississippi. Adam Bede has been the only humorist since John Aliens day, and now Adam Bede is gone The House is famished for a laugh.
 Statesmen, however. are beginning to be afraid of humor, and the outlok Is therefore gloomy. under the Hobson theory, for the hairdresser in the House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
THE VAMPIRE

By Rudyard Kipling. A fool thre was and he made his prayer (Even as you and I) To rag and bone and a hank of hair eve called her the woman who did not
 care)
 But the fool he called her his lady fair (Even as you and 1) On the years we waste and the tears we
 waste
 And the work of our head and hand Belong to the woman who did not know (And now we know that she never could
 know) M And did not understand. A fool there was ana nls goods ne spent (Fver as you and I9 4% E Honor and faith and a sure intent4 lAnd it wasn't the least what the ladv
 meanD But fool must follow his natural bens (Even as you and I) Oh, the toll we lost and the spoil we lost And the excellent things we planned Belong to the woman who didn't know (And now we know she never knew And did not understand. The fool was stripped to his foolish hide Gwen as you and D YifF Which she might have seen when she
 threw him aside (I3ut 1t isn't on record the lady tried) So some of him lived but the most of
 him died- 1 An Gwen as you and I.) M Hut it isn't the shame, and it isn't sthe
 blame a1s.. s~ D. That sting like white hot branZ- It's coming to know that she never knew
 why 1r ..s< (seeing at last she could never. know why) t-t. sf ssst z6t .f8 :, And never could undsrstand. .a 3s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
THE TEA DRINKERS

From the Journal of the American Med
 ical Association
 The chronic tea drinkers of this coun- try are generally the kitchen girls and women who remain in the kitchen and in the house great deal. The teapot is con- stantly on the stove and the strong stale brew ful of tannic acid and bitter ex- tractives is poured into the stomach at frequent intervals. Here we get not only the stimulation of the caffein, but the ir- ritation of the tannin derivatives on the stomach mucous membrance. The sooner or later result is sleeplessness, an irri- table fretty disposition, nervous dyspepsia or even. gastritis and constipation. Of course, the treatment is to stop the cause, treat the insomna. dyspepsia and constipation, and give fresh air Tea tasters show earlier than other individ- uals decap of the teeth. Children up to 15 years should not drink coffee or tea regularly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
Cotton Prices Going Up

Although the season thus far has been almost ideal for planting and working the crop yet May, June and July contracts are selling close to 16c, and spot cotton is not far be- hind them. In New Orleans Paul B. Hayne, the well known bull leader, of fers to take the entire stock of cot ton in that city at 15.48c. It may be but May corner, but the impression prevails that there is shortness in the old crop that almost amounts to a famine.
 October and Dectember contracts are selling at about 13c. The producing farmer is more interested in the new crop that he is in the remnant of the old crop. So long as there is an assurance of 13c for new crop cotton it is certain that no field of any promise at all will go uncultivated in the cotton belt. Crop prospects remain good and yet prices of the new crop months are at least steady. This simply shows that the world is cotton hungry-that a large crop would be absorbed at good prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
GIRAFFE AS WINDOW WASHER

From the Boston Globe.
 George Henry Smith of Cedar Grove m New Jersey. has been training a pet gi-
 raffe for the past fortnight and yes'eruay put him out to work by the hour washing the outsides of upstairs windows for the next door neighbors.
 This made mother happy, for she was relieved of one of the hardest jobs con Inected with the spring house cleaning. Now, if father had an educated wood chuck to dig the clutter out of the cellar | and the high school son was provided with a goat to chew the grass from the lawn. the whole emancipated family
 could loll on the piazza and enjoy the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
REFLEcTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A man will never acknowledge his bad habits, specially when they're politics.
 When the devil discovers a temper in a family he hustles away and lets it do the rest
 First bride goes off to have a good cry by herself to express how happy she is and afterward how she isn't.
 A stout womans clothes have to get mighty tight for her before she can sus- pect she isn't growing much thinner.
 There seems to be heap of satisfaction to a man in being a fool when the reas- on for 1t IS the way he has . lot of money he can spend being 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
KINGS WHO HAVE BEEN DOCTORS

From the London Chronicle.
 The German Emperor, on whom the University of Prague has conferred q medical decree. is not the first German royalty entitled to style himsf doctor of medicine. The late Duke Charles Theo- dore of Bavaria, father of the Queen of the Begians, after serving with distinc- ton in the Franco Prussian war, studied medicine at Munich, Zurich and Vienna. When he had taken his degree he estab- lished opthalmis hospital at Tegernsee, at which all patients were treated free of charge. The duke was devoted to his pro- fession and between 1874 and 1909 per- formed over 5000 operations for cataract, besides treating innumerable patients for other. diseases of the eye.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
NO KITCHEN FIRES TO KINDLE

From the New York Press.
 A Georgia woman who moved to this city found she could not be contented without the negro nanny who had been her servant for many years. She sent for old nanny and the servant arrived in due season. It so happened that the Georgia woman had to leave town the very day nanny arrived. Before depart ing she had just time to explain to her the modern conveniences with which her apartment was furnished. The gas stove was the contrivance which interested the negro woman most. After the mistress of the household had lighted the oven, the broiler and the other burners and felt certain her old servant understood its operations the mistress hurried for her train.
 She was absent two weeks and one Of her first questions to nanny was how she had worried along. '.De fines ever" was the reply And dat air gas stove-oh, my. Why, do you know, Miss Florence. dat fire ain't gone x-it
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

Why are more republicans bald than democrats? It is a fact Because. say the democrats. badness is first cousin to gout and gout Is the legitimate chiid of luxury and monopoly and the spells system, which are the synonyms of re- pubicanism.
 Why are so many democrats bald? Be- cause, say the republicans. badness is akin to drouth and barrenness. And be- cause said Martin LittIeton, "tne be- publicans have snatched us baldheaded so often that the habit has got into our hair" -f~f The baldheaded members assert that badness is an associate of brains and statesmanship, and point proudly to Champ Clark and Henry Clayton and Henry of Texas, and Hobson and James, But they forget the full raven locks of Oscar Underwood, the curly pate of Rainey of Illinois, and the hirsute glory of Martin Littleton.
 A glance through the capitol galleries reveals the fact that few if any of the elder statesmen were bald Jefferson's flowing curls were famous, Webster's massive brow shone out of abundant hair; Henry Clays locks came nearly to his shoulders. and John c. Calhoun, that vast, deep-thinking logician, had the full shaggy mane of a lion. Ben Franklin wore curls. and the two Adamses were the only bald-headed Presidents the coun- try ever knew until the thinning crown of Cleveland in his second term, brought him into line. And Mckinley, the Apos- te of Protection, was rapidly fulfilling the Hobson theory when he died at Buff falo. President Taft is a progressive" in the bald-headed ranks.
 John D. Rockefeller is, perhaps, the baldest man in all the world. There is nat hair on him from his neck to the. top of his shining dome. He has spent thousands of dollars in an effort to grow suit of hair. He has long since given up, but he told me once that among all the million remedies which quacks and savants had proffered him.. he had most faith in the daily anointing of his ivory scalp with ordinary writing ink.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

The rivalries and animosities of poli- ticians representing special interests have rendered Guggenheim the sole senatorial representative of Colorado in Congress The state did not so intend it, and it will next year endeavor no doubt to change the situation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
A TRAVELLER.

 Ills heart was filled with music In the budding time of spring, Ife rfpris of rivor sooLied sne travai, of his soul; Wei pleased was he to listen when the birds began to sing Hc conlbn boss the world and so he simply let CT roii." The golden glow Of morning g was the only gold he had EXceIt tI,e gold of western skie~ xpban day was near it's close; The flowers of the meadow, when they blcssonied made him glad, And even in the winter ,ims he dreamed about the rose. No fame or fortune came ',is way. his forth was little knos,ll And hardly anybody would have called tim a success; Rus lie found that love was beautiful. content was sweet t, own And down the winding way of life he wait.o with Happiness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
FORBIDDEN SWEETS.

Robson denounces kissing"
 Sour grapes
 why do you say that?"
 His wife is so homely he couldn't pos. sibly enjoy kissing her and so sharp. eyed he never gets chance to kiss any body else.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
The Iron Market

The local pig iron market is quieter this week than usual. The price re- mains the same but inquiries are fewer and less persistent. Rogers. Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati reports says:
 "The character of the business done last week was no different from hose Immediately preceding it. The tonnage placed was small. inquiries were of spa smodic nature and covered deliv- cries of almost every type.
 Locally there Is little interest and 1t is only shipments on existing con- tracts. which for the most part are keeping up well, that would bring pig iron to the notice of those interested
 "production of all kinds of pig iron is proceeding at the rate of 23,500, ,00O tons annually. This includes charcoal iron, and the prospect is that the pres cnt month will see sharp curtail- ment in this amount. Active furnace capacity today is about two-thrds of normal.
 "Tbe increase in stocks of pig iron on furnace banks during April was not as heavy as was anticipated and two- thirds of the total amount accumulated is attributed to the steel companies.
 .It is noted that some of the largest melters are quietly ascertaining what can be done on round tonnages for the balance of this year, but so far very little of such inquiry has resulted in actual business. However, in some lines there seems to be more conf dence. The railroads are buying in a more or less irregular fashion, but orders l for equipment and rails recently have been more encouraging and will 1t is felt sure, keep up as the railroads must meet the demands which sooner or later will be made upon them.
 Coke is without change and new buying was light during the week. In l the Conneilsviife district and other pro ducing centers a curtailment of pro- duction continues and May will un- doubtedly see a sharp decrease from preceding months.
 Texas Highly Prosperous
 Rator of Aueftp Tox onopt vou-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

The Queen of England has little mercy sh peers None of them will be honored with spotlight favors during coronation week
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

When the coal bin ceases to be a do- nestle burden the refrigeration steps in to fill the gap. One is as good at keep
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
Prosperity in tie Southwest

"The Southern Hardware convention at San Antonio. Tex. in April was brilliant success said Buford D. Cheneworth Of Birmingham. We had a large gather ing of the hardware people of the south, and not only of the south, but of the whole Limited States, for the national body always meets with the southern body. which is the older of the two.
 The next meeting of the Southern Hardware association will be held in Nashville Birmingham could have got the prize if 1t had adequate hotel accom- modations. There was a great deal of talk about Birmingham. A large num- Der of delegates were especially desirous of coming here next year But as the Southern Hardware association is a very large body the question of hotel accom- modatons settled the matter against us.
 Business conditions in Texas are splen- did. There is not a town in that state that is not prosperous. Even the north western part, which suffered from the drouth year ago. is in good shape to- day. Every travelling man like myself will always look to Texas for large re- sults and it is seldom that they will be disappointed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

The army must remain in Texas until July 1, even if peace comes sooner, be- cause there will be no money that can be used to move it until that time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

If Carnegie establishes a hero fund in Russia he will be overwhelmed with ap- plications for medals, for any one who lives there is necessarily of heroic mould.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
social Clubs and sky.crapers

"A prominent member of the Southern club said to me recently that it might be a good thing for the club to sell its home at the corner of Fifth avenue and Twentieth street and move to the Amer ican Trust and Savings Bank building. about to be erected at the corner of First avenue and Twentieth street, re- marked a well-known citizen who is also a clubman.
 My friends idea was that the eigh- teenth story of the new bank building could be made ideal from a club point of view. There could be, he said, a roof garden the entire length and breadth of the building, and being so high in the air would be free from dust and soot. He cited the Beauvoir club of Mont gomery and the Virginia club of Norfolk, both of which are quartered in sky scrapers and command large views of river scenery
 'The prospect from the club in Norfolk is certainly attractive. One looks out upon large body of water and sees ships coming and going. No view around Norfolk is more delightful than the one I have described. But social clubs seem to fit better in homelike buildings.
 T doubt very much whether the South ern club will ever consent to move from its present charming home. It should be easy. however, to organize a business mems dinner club for the top story of the American Trust building. Birming hain Is large enough today to keep up many f1rst-class restaurants, and as 1t will grow fast there is no reason why a lunch or dining club should not be or- ganized and maintained in the business district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

TAKING IT TO HEART. He all ;. Ways grins If tn home Team wins. But when
 1t loses, He goes
 And boozes. ; Birmingham Age-Herald. We do Not booze When the home Boys lose. r No, no; if we Took 1t thar hard We'd get the al- Coholic ward.
 Houston Post.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

Apparently s156 per capita has been in vested in railroads in this country, but some of the instalments were met with water only.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

terday in Birmingham. He was on his way to New York, where he will be in touch with large capital. On his return south he will stop off for 8 day or two In Birmingham While here yesterday he was the guest of Wilson Brown and Flu gene L. Brown.
 Texas Is highly prosperous" said Mir Baker We have a great state and make no apologies for boosting. Texas today is better off than it ever was. and it will be still better, off in the years to come.
 We have a good deal of politics in Texas, and just now we have the prohibi- tion campaign on. We vote on prohibi- ton in July. The prohibitionsts are pretty strong. but the -prohibitionists are probably stronger The prohibitionists want to impose statewide prohibition on Texas. That proposition will be defeated. The campaign Is going on quietly, and I am glad to see that the business interests are not as disturbed by the liquor ques- ton as they are in other states.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

The prune and peanut crops are promis- ing. Luxuries always are plentiful while the necessaries eftentimes come out slimly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
A STORMY UNION.

There were no police to keep order when they married"
 NO. But the police have been called several times to keep order since they were married.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
INTERESTED.

Another divorce in high life.'' T presume there Is 8 disgusting scan dal, as usual?''
 "Oh, yes."
 What is the world coming to? Ahem Please read me the particulars"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

The Begun of Bhopal is en route to the coronation. She is woman and she is not at all related to the Akoond of Swat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12

congress may be adjourned in time to let the members avail themselves of the last act of the ehautauqua circuit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-12
saw a picture yesterdav.

l saw a picture yesterday; Methinks l see it yet: A birdman, and, in truth say, He had no cigarette.
 Youngstown Telegram. saw a very odd thing, too; It made me stop and stare; A lady in the chorus, who Had never bleached her hair
 Springfield Union saw a town that'll take the prize For uniqueness any day; It was a town with no saloon - That the owner called cafe
 Allentown Democrat Last evening I heard something The memory's OCT me stealing I really heard church bell ring; You see, it wasn't pealing.
 Schenectady Union.