davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
How the Maine Was Sunk

A cable dispatch to the New York Sun says: "It has been amply demon strated to the members that the Maine was destroyed by an outside explosion which occurred under the ship little to port of the keel be- tween frames 2S and 30. The out side skin was blown up and doubled over toward the starboard side by the first explosion. After this the trans verse armor bulkhead was blown aft from frame 24 by second explosion and buried itself in the mud through the hole left by the first explosion, which removed that part of the bot tom of the vessel"
 This dispatch refers to the mem- bers of the inspection board who have been studying, the wreck as it has been gradually exposed, and who have started for home fully satisfied that the American theory has been vindicated so far as an exterior ex- plosion is concerned.
 But did the detonation of the ex- terior explosion cause the interior ex- plosion which confessedly took place :? This question will perhaps be answer ed when the full report of the in- spection board is published. The re- port of the inspection board will be awaited with interest, for it will probably be the end of the long TO- nance connected with remembrance of the Maine and the terrible tragedy enacted on the ship as it lay an- chored in Havana harbor. The ship led to war and considerable changes in sovereignty, and it is in- deed worth the trouble and the cost to ascertain how the ship was sunk and destroyed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Daylight Figures of the Season


 The shortest day of the year is, it is true, December 21, but the sun does not set as early as it will when the winter solstice arrives. Sunset at about 4:30 will be the rule until De- cember 21. In fact on January 1 the sun will set but six minutes later than it does now. The days grow shorter until December 21, but the difference of 21 minutes will consist in the postponement of sunrise. The sun will rise later but will not set later.
 The daylight of each day is now about nine hours and half. This will be reduced to nine hours on Decem- Der 21 when the turning point will be reached, and the sun will get ready for full years work in 1912.
 In that year it will shine on great many mortals and their various efforts, but the President makers in the United States and China will easily chamber into the spotlight. It is to be a memorable year at any rate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04

after scenes Of jealousy at home, and to her advice he appealed as to the arrangement he should make to obtain the custody of his four children.
 A large section of the public siding with Mme. Curie, their argument being that woman of her high intellect and one who has rendered and continues to render fncalculable service to science for the benefit Of the whole of human- ity, has at least acquired the right of immunity from public Interference in her private life. Sharing this opinionf are the government officials, who are careful to shield from scandal the name of such a great exponent of French science. and all the members of the Sor- bonne, who are jealous of their reputa- tion as a scientific body On the other side, we find the royalists, headed by LAction Francaise and few other free lance newspaper writers, glad to seize the opportunity for stirring up agita- ton against the government aud against republican institutions. In a word, all those who have espoused Mime. curie's cause say that In order to safe- eho iionoF or the whole or the french scnentific body which represents such large share of the whole nation Mime. Curie's private life should not be investigated and laid bare to the criticism of the public.
 The particularly bitter article of Gustave Thery has already caused a series or more or less serious duels, and the list promises to be endless. The farcical duel of Professor Langevin and 0ustave Thery on Saturday is especial " interesting, inasmuch as it is signifi- cant of the party feeling connected with the affair.
 There is some criticism of Mime. Curie apfopos of her letter to the press in reply to the article disclosing for the first time her relations with Professor Langevin, and which 1e Journal pub- lished some two weeks ago. Mme. Curie's letter gave it to be understood that the whole thing was nothing mora than an attack of some enemy which she considered unworthy of her atten tion. The writer of the article thera-
 all the papers a moss. humble apology which read very mucl, like a retraction.
 Now a section of the French public thinks Mime. Curfe here lacked the cour- age of her opinions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Banauets and Banauets

.'I understand that several newspapers published in small towns in this state have commented adversely on the price of the tickets to the Chamber of Com merce banquet, in honor of Oscar Un- derwood," said citizen. "A few days ago I came across a paper published in a town not 75 miles from Birining- ham, in which the editor was still harp ing on what he seemed to think was a fancy price-s -stO-entirely too high for the occasion He intimated that $1 would have been about right. ell said that if invitations had been extended to demo- crats throughout the state and s1 charged for the tickets 1000 men would have accepted the invitation. Those who insist on s1 dinners got the idea no doubt, from the Bryan entertainments. They fail to understand that the ban quet given to MT. Underwood was a Chamber of Commerce matter altogether. There is no banquet hall in this city that could accommodate half of 1000 per sons. A sl per would pay for smoker, but not for banquet where wine is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
. CONCERNING MIME. CURIE

Paris Correspondence New York Times. TN RENCHMEN who, only knowing
 Mime. Curie. famous as tho dis A cover of radium and regarded by many as Intellectually the foremost woman in the world through her scien- tifio achievements, had come to regard her almost as superhuman being, em- bodying all that is noble and great, have come to realize, through the pub lication of extracts from the corre- spondence between her and her sci.n- tific co-worker. Professor Langey.n, that beneath the severely frigid atmos- phere created by their imaginations around the personality of this illus trious student lived just woman.
 The letters which the petitioner, Mme. Langevin, cites in support of her suit for the alienation of her husbands af- fections constitute human documents of an interesting character, showing that Mme. Curie found in Langevin kindred soul-a companion in her scientific labors and confidant and friend upon whom she could lavish a wealth of af- lection which she herself described as natural.
 The facts cited by the petitioner show that Mme. Curie and Professor Lange- win have been close friends since July 15, 1910, when the latter rented and fur nished small apartment near the Sor- bonne, where the couple are alleged to have been in the habit of meeting al- most daily. Professor Langevin ap- pears to have taken great personal in- terest in Nme. Curie's, work. and to have occasionally suggested in his let ters, some ideas for Mme. Curie's lec- lures. All the letters published so far are couohed in affectionate terms, with clear allusions to a better time to come when Professor Langevin should have obtained a separation from his wife, with advice on the part of Mime. Curie as to how the professor should act to provoke this separation and with bits of scientific work all mingled together.
 Mime. Curie appears undoubtedly to have been the stronger minded of the two, whilst the personality of Professor Langevin repeatedly shows itself as be- Ing decidedly weak and constantly swaying between both the influence of his wife and Mime. Curie. To the latter he appears to have gone for consolation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
St. Louis Against Baltimore

i The fight over the location of the national democratic convention has been begun, and Baltimore recognizes St. Louis as her competitor, and St. Louis fears Baltimore only. The fight is really between the two cities.
 Both have fine fireproof buildings in which to house the convention. The new auditorium in St. Louis will seat 1S,000, and Baltimore's Fifth Regi- ment, armory will seat even more. Baltimore's guarartAa fund of $100,- 900 has been paid in anu e check for the full amount will be placed in the hands of the democratic national committee when it meets in Wash inpton on January 8. St. Louis is raising a like fund and the Post-Dis- patch heads the list with contribu- tion of s10,000. The needed money will be forthcoming in both cities.
 It becomes then a matter of cen- trality and convenience and hotel ac- commodations. Missouri has favor ite for the nomination, while Mary land has none, but this need not be controlling. It is a fair fight be- tween the two cities and either would be satisfactory to most southerners, who reside half way between them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
EXERCISE THAT WILL HELP
,om the chicago Evening Post.

From the Chicago Evening Post. Exercise, according to the daily rou- tine of the citizen who comes down town on a car and takes two unneces- sary steps year, is a hardship. It is hardship for the majority, too, when it comes to going to a gymnasium to pull weights and hurl a heavy ball. The hope of a definite reward, even, Is not alluring enough.
 Still, everybody not engaged In shoe- ing horses or cutting down trees needs to Timber up and in the open air if by any means possible. Unfortunately, there are many who have so little time that they can do no more than their daily work in the brief hours of the winter day.
 Manifestly there must be some simple form of exertion useful to them, and the various forms of doubling the body bring definite results. They affect the liver directly, and that sometimes sul- len organ is not always sufficiently shaken by brisk walking.
 Two minutes of work in the morning will help a lot--this before you get out of bed. Make your legs rigid with the feet together and raise yourself to a sitting position with your arms extend- ed. It is a bit hard at first, but even the unfinished motion is useful. After a while it will be relatively easy.
 The philosophy of this exercise should appeal. Around the girth there ere a number of blood vessels which flush the liver. The doubling sends the blood into it and with the strengthening up it flows back. The liver generally receives scant attention from those who eat heavy luncheons and dinners and who are liable to loginess. It is bit- ter enemy when dormant and a lively friend when aroused.
 The form of exercise suggested will show benefits in week. If it does not reduce the girth, as it may be made to do, 1t will take care of & part of the machine frequently in need of adjust ment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
served and where the decorations are

served and where the decorations are elaborate.
 "The Chamber of Commerce gave us banquet at the Country club. The ac- commodations there were adequate TOT just the number present-about 240. The $10 price produced the needed revenue to pay for the banquet, and that was all. In all large cities banquets come high. Birmingham is large city. ana the day of 'measley' banquets is past The banquet given in Birmingham to President Taft cost $15 plate. Preten- tious banquets given in northern cities cost much more than that The Under- wood banquet was a grand success in every respect"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
RUM SOLD IN BIBLES

Davis okla. Correspondence St. Louis
 Globe Democrat.
 The very latest scheme of the bootleg ger" has been exposed by Deputy Sheriff Nook. A rather sanctifed looking old cripple, with a book under his arm marked in big gold letters, Holy Bible," was seen in several mining camps in the Arbuckle mountains, eight miles southwest, and the officer supposed he was preacher.
 But booze was in evidence every where, and Sheriff Nook soon found a lot of 'empty Bibles lying around.
 The "Bible'' is of heavy cardboard and contains a short pint flask of the rankest "busthead" whisky ever sold in the state. A local chemist analysed the stuff and pronounced it brown sugar, plug tobacco, arsenic and pepper.
 One of the officers says thousands or ebonded' bottles of whisky had been sold in Oklahoma since statehood, but a poisonous liquid had been substituted for the rum The scheme was to melt a hole fin the bottom of the bottle and extract the real whisky and substitute the inferior stuff. An electric needle was used for cutting the bottle and sealing it up again
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04

1ord was depraved in his morals and in this, his first work, he wrote cer- tain descriptions so vile, so revolting ana so hagrantly indecent that he was advised to eliminate them. This he did and lived to express sense of shame that he should havd permitted his evil mind to so openly show itself. Since he did this the wishes of the dead should be respected. To open a grave is no greater offense than the one which is about to be committed
 "Vathek" is oppulent in gorgeous col, oring It is bold. but impressive in its conception. It is one of the most bril- liant descriptive works in English H. erature.
 There can be no possible excuse for publishing the suppressed parts. They are known to be offensive to good taste and to good morals. Their resurrection is entirely objectionable.
 It seems to be fad of the present time to search and ransack the relics and manuscripts of famous writers for something sensational that has not yet been published in order to pander to the public.
 The general public has no desire to read certain writings of Robert Burns, existing in manuscript, in the hands of collectors. No public demand has ever been made for these bachanalian and anacreontic- vulgarities, although they have been gathered within the covers of privately printed volumes.
 After Sheridan died his house was ransacled and the original rough draft of his comedies were studied closely to discover what parts had been eliminated and for what reason. It was hoped that something sensational might be discov- cred. The passages which George Mere- dith cut out of his novels have since been collected and published.
 This is almost sacrilege. If the au- thor desired that certain matters should be published he would have admitted them to the press. The fact that he did not is evidence that he deemed them un- fit for publication. The wishes of the dead should be respected and these liz erary ghouls should be stopped in their nauseating work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
SING, MAIDEN, SING

By Barry Cornwall. Sing, Maiden, sing!
 Mouths were made for singing; Listen--songs thou'lt hear
 Through the wide world ringing Songs from all the birds.
 Songs from winds and showers, Songs from seas and streams,
 Even from sweet flowers. Hearest thou the rain,
 How it gently falleth? Hearest thou the bird,
 Who from forest calleth? Hearest thou the bee
 Ger the sunflower ringing? Tell us, Maiden, now Shouldst thou not be singing? Hearest thou the breeze,
 Round the rosebud signing? And the small. sweet rose
 Love to love replying? Co shouldst thou reply,
 To the prayers we're bringing: So that bud. thy mouth,
 Should burst forth in singinKl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
THE LITERARY GHOUL
From the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
 A MOTHER effort Is to be made to "A resurrect the forbidden portion N of a wondarf11I Epolish noveI

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal
 A MOTHER effort is to be made to "A resurrect the forbidden portion \ of a wonderful English novel.
 It is another effort of the literary ghoul to bring before the public in discreet writings which the author, prior to his death, buried deep in his closet, far from the morbid gaze.
 The Philadelphia Press protests against the announcement of the English publishers that the biOg rapher of William Beckford has con sented to have printed the portions of "Vathek" which have for more than 130 years been withheld
 The protest is wise While 1t may not be effeotual it at least expresses a sentiment which should be approved by all clean minded readers of English literature.
 William Beckford lived in the latter part of the eighteenth century He was a man of wonderful intellect, but was, withal, degenerate. It was said that "Vathek" was written when Beck ford was but 22 years of age. There Is more than one author who, in the later years of his life, regretted the publications made in his youth. All know that youth is the age of indiscre- tion. Rockford did no more than many others have done. It was his desire that the immoral passages which, ar the suggestion of friends, he excluded from his wonderful romance before it went to press should be forever with held. Unfortunately he did not destroy the forbidden portions of his story. Now that his biographer, Lewis Melville, has discovered them among the dead authors papers he proposes to appease the morbid mind by making them pub lie It will do no good and the Eng fish censor will be wise in confiscating the book about to be placed upon the market.
 Rockford was a man of genius and great wealth. He married Lady Mar garet Gordon, who enjoyed a somewhat conspicuous reputation herself. Wa thex" is an eastern romance, written originally in French. At the time Beck
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
A GREAT READER

From December Lippincott's.
 A literary person in England was talking literature to an American yis- itor.
 DO you read much?" he inquired.
 "Oh. a. great deal" was the confident and prompt reply.
 "What, for example?'
 "A Sunday newspaper, regularly.
 "No more than that?" in disap- pointed tone.
 "No more than that?" exclaimed the visitor. Gee, man, guess you never saw one of our Sunday newspapers, did your"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
uErLECTIONs OF BACHEIoR

From the New York Press.
 What makes a man proud of himself is he doesn't realize nobody else is.
 Boys seem to go to college to learn all the things that aren't in the college course.
 When you tell a man how pretty his wife looks he acts as if all the credit belongs to him.
 A girl never wants to be boy hun dredth part as much as she wants to manage dozens of them
 When you see woman tearing around in state of excitement like a len with chickens it's sign she is new aunt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
HIS REWARD
From Puck.

fTOfil PUCK.
 Its an unsatisfactory, disappointing kind of world" said the old soldier. q fought four years for the union. I was in 16 battles, including Antietam, Gettys- I was wounded twice and spent four months in Andersonville. I tramped hundreds of miles in the dust and the mud and the snow. I got rheumatism from sleeping in the wet and I almost died with typhoid. lived two days on three pieces of hardtack, and ate salt pork that wasn't fit for dog
 q enlisted as corporal and came out of the war a private, and then they spelled my name wrong on my discharge papers,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Germany Quailed Before England

The Moroccan quarrel is settled. France owns Morocco in every sense of the word. Her soldiers will hold it and her will will dominate it. Ger many does not dispute the settlement, but she continues to fret over the manner in which it was brought about.
 The truth is, England did it. The note that England sent to Germany last July was followed up by acts that Germany could not afford to dis regard unless she was willing to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
WHICH DREw,

From the December Lippincott's.
 In one of Philadelphia's theatres John. and Sydney Drew were booked to an- pear with different companies, the for mer coming in the fall and the latter later in the season. The manager o6 the theatre visited New York one day and was accosted by colleague as fol- lows:
 T see you have played both the Drews in your theatre. Which was the better attraction?"
 Well" replied the manager, that's pretty easy. John Drew, but Sydnev didn't"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
STRANGE FREAK OF NATURE

From the Portland (Me.J Press.
 A strange work of nature has been found in forest in the town of Wool wish. Several years ago the trunk of a large tree was blown over, some of it's roots still remaining in the ground. Out of this trunk there have now grown three perfect trees, 30 feet high and about 15 inches in diameter. These trees have no direct connection with the ground, but draw sustenance from the roots of the old trunk. While they may be regarded as branches, they have all the appearance of well formed trees themselves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
PREHISTORIC

From the December Lippincotts
 The rebellious angels had just beer cast out of heaven. In the swift down ward flight Lucifer overlook Beelze. bub.
 What's troubling you, Bub?" i,t called.
 "An old problem" answered the flu. ture foul fiend. between somersaults
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Now that Mayor Lew shank of Indian

Now that Mayor Lew Shank of Indian apolis, who has swatted the middleman in the confines of his beautiful town, is known from one end of the country to the other. the fact should not be forgot that the New York Sun discovered him. The Sun began to sing Lew's praises more than two years ago, and it has been con- ducting a Shank campaign ever since. At length the Associated Press caught on. Nothing like the power of the press.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
THE NAME OF ARIZONA

H. H. Bancroft, History of the Pacific
 States. -
 Arizona, probably Arizonas in its orig inal form, was the native and probably Pima name of the place-of hill. val ley, stream, or some other local feature, just south of the modern boundary, in the mountains still so called, on the head waters of the stream flowing past Saric, where the famous Planchas de Plata mine was discovered in the middle os the eighteenth century, the name being first known to the Sponiards in that connection and being applied to the mining camp or real de minas. The aboriginal. meaning or the term is not known. ' The name should probably be written and pronounced Arisona, as our English sound of z does not occur in Spanish.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Christmas Shopping

T do not think much urging will be needed to bring out Christmas shop pers carly" said an observant business man. Everybody seems to be filled with the holiday spirit this far in ad- vance.
 T believe the present week will find retail trade in Birmingham as active as it used to be just before Christmas. The merchants, I understand, are car rying very large stocks. Our country friends will be largely in evidence in the shopping district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT

From the Rochester Democrat and Chron-
 icle. 'sGenuine hard cder' complains the Birmingham Age-Herald. seems to be as rare as genuine maple syrup" The same complaint has been heard in Maine of late. The statement that north and south are drawing nearer together is again terrific
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04
Popularity of Artistic Music

>'I read an article in the New York Post recently which told of the steadily increasing interest which the masses take in good music.' said a well known music lover.
 Concerts by symphony orchestras in New York are well attended. especially those given on Sunday afternoons. can remember when only persons of some musical culture made up the audiences at symphony concerts, but now when such concerts take place on Sunday with cheap prices wage earners of small means display an eagerness to attend, and this, indeed, is encouraging to those public spirited citizens who have made these popular entertainments possible. Everyone recognizes the elevating effect of artistic music.
 Tn all the large cities Sunday con- certs are in vogue, and it is generally felt that they make for better morals"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04

Carnegie picked out 20 great men, mostly in his own line of trade. Mushet is one of them, and he was snatched out of oblivion because he invented the steel process.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-04

Senator Stephenson has been white washed, and the country is anxious to know if whitewash is to Joe applied in the Lorimer case.