davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

on the stage never gets a girl anywhere but in the .chorus.'
 'The Major bowed his head and para phrased our friend Ella Wheeler: ''Hobble and the world hobbies with you Wear tights and you go in the chorus smiled a pretty old-fashioned glance over her spectacles and continued: What, in your opinion is the greatest asset wom- can can possess?"
 ''Cheerfulnoss," said the Major. as quick as a flash. Tt outclasses all. of the feminine graces and most of the feminine charms. It is the bedrock on which all grace and charm are builded."
 You mean just plain. ordinary, every day good humor?" inquired Miss Caroline anxiously.
 T would never designate cheerfulness by any such adjective as ordinary It ranks above beauty. It has brains beat block. It's a whole religion in itself, ? said the major
 "A cheerful heart doeth good like med icine' Miss Caroline contributed to the conversation, quoting from the proverh proudly. Isn't that from the Good Book ?' ''
 You are quite correct" replied the Ma jor. And even if the healthgiving prop critics of the cheerful person hadn't been discovered by Solomon, would have de- clared that the good a cheerful person can do by passing it on to the next one is greater than all the sermons about fire and birthstone that a dozen long, winded prosaic preachers could preach. '
 "A cheerful person lights up house like a candle. continued the Major
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Celebrating New Years Day

It has not been so many years ago that even young people cannot re- member when New Y ears Day brought hosts of warm. friends to exchange greetings and good wish for the com ing 12 months. Just why the custom of ladies receiving and men calling has fallen into disuse is long story and not a very pleasant one.
 Hostesses offered wine, eggnog and all sorts of drinks to soften the asper- itysof out of doors, to their men guests, a different sort partaken of at each house soon set brains siii a whirl and manners suffered. The hospitality was abused gentle ladies, outraged by hav- ing to receive men so far under the influence of liquor that names even were forgotten,
 So, of course, the matter rectifed itself, as all such things will after awhile Women ceased to keep "open house. when men ceased to appreciate the honor shown by their reception In warm. softly lighted rooms by bevy of fair women, daintily gowned and happy to extend greetings for the New Year.
 But have noted that in many cases the old time custom Is reviving charming women are again welcoming their men friends. but not with a val riety of intoxicating liquors to steal away ideas of propriety. It Is not ev cry man that can look upon the wine when ii is red' and partake of just enough. Better then, to offer nothing stronger than hot coffee, or to those whom one knows well the foamln g glass of we'll made eggnog, that will not leave remorse along with split ting head the next morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Revive the Spelling Bee"

The college will rightly say that the students are supposed to learn how to spell before entering college, says Les lies. But if they did not learn before entering, they should certainly learn be- fcre leaving. In the days of the spelling bee" we had good spoilers. The boy or girl who could spell down. everybody else in the school or community had all most as much distinction as the star player on the football team has today, and that is saying good deal for the ct ',se of orthography. Modern educators riGicule the three Rs' but the college graduate who is unable to read pas sage of English intelligently. to do sim pie, figuring. and to write a letter that is fairly correct. as to spelling, punctua- ton. etc., lacks the fundamentals of an education. Nature studies, drawing, mu- sic and smattering of literature sound big for our elementary schools; but if the Three Rs'' are not taught as thor oughly as in other days our schools need reforming. e7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Another Route

It is not always through the medium of the servants hall that information of an intimate nature gets about in society. Children are often the medium of com- munication, and odious as 1t may seem, their dear mammas do not scruple to cross-examine them after a visit to a neighboring playroom for this very kind of news, which some of them are quite adept at cleaning The children, of course, are not to be blamed, for unless questioned and told beforehand to re- member everything to tell mamma what they hear would quickly go out of their minds The harm that the traning in spying and gossiping does them cannot be estimated. Much better would it be if women who crave items about their reighbors would get them from their servants. for the characters of the latter are already fixed, and little tale bearing moro-or less will make no particular dif- ference in their moral status.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Mother In Law Rule In Chin
 csc Homes

In China the mother-in-lawss position in the family admits of no doubt; she rules the sons wife.
 "A short time ago when in Canton an illustration of this was forcibly brought home to me-, writes Frederick s. Isham, author of ''The Lady of the Mount from the far east.
 "A wife was found murdered. The husband was accused and would have been convicted and had his head taken off, when--most obviously-his mother, the mother-in-law in the case. came forward. '1 did 1t myself,'' she said calmly; the woman. had bad temper and answered back. So punished her
 "The judge acquitted the son. and, in accordance with the Chinese law, infiict- ed mere nominal fine on the mother in-law.. She and the son left the court with look on their faces which seemed to say there had been much ado about little"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
What the New Year Should
 Bring

This may not mean what it does bring, but where possible 'let the dead past bury it's dead and grieve not over the mis- takes. If they can be rectified, let them be so if not, waste no vain regrets over what cannot be helped, but 4 determine that exactly such mistakes shall not hap pen again. isf
 Because what is experience for if not tc teach. Harsh and seemingly without any feeling of pity. experience is indeed the .sohool for fools" and yet we do not learn Like the inventive mind of the active child who does all sorts of things. nobody on earth ever thought of as posi- hie, we mortals are forever. forgetting les sons that may have been burned into our souls by this not-to-b -be-escaped teacher, and going into troubles anew, quite as bad, even If different
 ' By the time we learn 1t is time to die, usually. but we are fortunate to learn at all. It requires all the clearness of brain all the activity of mind; all the fortitude
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
New Year Customs

| As Christmas is the sholiest of all days, the first day of January may be considered as emblematic of the hap piest s- So it is that in some countries, nota- bly, France, the day is observed differ ent1y; all the younger members of fam lilies pay their respects to the older ones; grandparents sit In: state to re- eeve the children, and each of the lat ter. down to the tiniest babe, carries either bonbons or flowers to the rev cred elder ones. trsss fr.t It is such pretty fashion,; one the American mother migh well adopt, in snubbed and rebuked if they venture to express an opton, so coneeited are the youth of today.
 The Occidental can learn nothing more worth while from the Oriental than the reverence with which old peo- pie are treated in those so-called heather" countries.
 Where the Latin races are so much in evidence. as In some of the South ern states, this custom holds, and the French babies are taken to visit grand pore ct grand mere" with all possible ceremony. Flowers. either in bou- quets or growing in small pots are greatly favored as gifts to these dear old people, who, having tasted of the best life offers, are surely passing down hill with memories sad and sweet as their .companions.s
 ----> s.-------.. l 4 <. .,. . 2 The Woman O fthe Future.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

ies in mile?' I believe those are the lnes'' said the Major.
 Tn other words, a full-aedged opti- mist suggested Miss Caroline. 0r"d'gu-h hmtairf hmtairf hmtai
 Not at all,' said the Major. There Is vast difference between cheerfulness and optimism. One Is innate, the other IS artificial"
 Have you never heard the real defini- ton of a pessimist?" asked Miss Caro- line.
 The Major declared he hadn't.
 "A pessimist is a person who has lived six weeks in the house with an optimist . quoted Miss Caroline. There is a sub tlety underlying that definition that ex- plains your idea of the difference be- tween cheerfulness and optimism. pre- cisey." 'Yse -
 "Cheerfulness has more value than
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

 Married Four Times Always Gieved For Wie-"Joy'

merely a social one,'' declared the Major. "A business man recognizes the potency of this quality more than nearly any one else. A man who believes in himself and the world in general and the goodness Of God in particular Is the very man to start new business and build it up. Peo- pie come to him as fly to a, magnet. Some one has said that good cheer is a great lubricant; 1t oils all of life's ma chinery' Do you happen to recall the story of the kings son." said the Major, who married four times and yet grieved all his life for. his first love?" NO; I've {never heard it. said Miss Caroline. Wont you tell me about it?''
 When he became so gloomy over wor- rying about her they asked him why he could never forget her, and he wouldnt t tell" related the Major.
 Was she so beautiful?'' one asked.
 "Or accomplished asked another
 Or so clever" some one else inquired.
 ITO none of the questions did he make answer.
 Then said his father, the king:
 Why can't you forget her and be happy? @ s
 She had such cheerful disposition, said the son pathetically. Beauty and cieNtillesS dfu fdccolIipllsllIlleIlS are ids nothing to that. have tried to console myself with those things but T cannot. I only remember her. Her name was "Joy," and she was all that her name implies
 Then the Ancient Chamberlain spake these words to the boys father:
 '' Thou mayest build palace. o King, and inlay it with rare wood and precious stones; but unless the little maid. "Cheer- fulness." be the bride who is brought within it's portals, it will never be a home to thy son..
 Shes never been classified as one oi "The Three Graces." or even catalogued with the >,lses,'' said the Major. refiec- tively,t after he had told his little story but In all ages 1t has been conceded that 'cheerfulness' is the very salt of the earth and the most desirable quality that a woman can possess-or man, either for that natter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Jane Austen type" says writer in the London Truth. She is far too busy to be womanish, but she will never grow out of being feminine. She is shedding her smallness. She will be the Meredith woman softened by reality as Galatea softened into life. She will not glide about with upHfted finger like Agnes, nor drive tired men to, distraction with her prattle like Dora. nor weep eternal
 y when George is unkind like Amelia.
 -" Blessings on the woman of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Towering Plants as Gifts for
 the New Year

Among pretty growing plants the dwarf peach trees in full blossom are lovely: after the fruit blossoms are gone tiny leaves appear and the little trees will live long while with care.
 Only in the time of their blossoming are these especially pretty and florists man age to have them ready at this season of the year as gifts.
 Where fresh flowers are so expensive, as in more northern climes, a single hand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

And now they say" said Miss Caro- line, as she folded her paper and looked at The Major" who was sitting near, that the women who have achieved fame on the stage are unanimous in their opin- ion that beauty counts for very little be- hind the footlights."
 Beauty is only grease-paint deep" responded the Major emphatically. "Who is it talking in the paper now?'
 "Nazimova' or Maxine Elliott or some body-I don't remember, said Miss Caro- line. But the news comes from those who know and they declare that beauty
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Have you ever noticed the difference, a call from a cheerful neighbor can pro- duce and that of a grouchy, pessimistic one?"
 "Of course l have" said Miss Caro- line. "The cheerful kind of person Brown ing describes when he wrote Gods in His Heaven and alrs well with
 the world.'
 And don't you remember what Shakes peare said about 'Fhe merry heart that singeth all the way and the sad one wear
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
The Age-Herald's 1911 Cuisine

Scrape and slice the oyster plant and plunge immediately in cold water, to which a little vinegar has been added
 This prevents the vegetables discoloring
 Cook in boiling water, to which salt and vinegar have been added, and when ten der drain. Season a cupful of rich milk with salt and pepper, and thicken it with tablespoonful of flour wet with cold milk. Add the oyster plant, boil up we'll
 and serve sprinkled with minced parsley
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

of endurance to enable us to steer clear of the pitfalls of life anyway, and If we have not learned the lesson of caution by and through experience, how can we hope 10 escape these pitfalls again?
 It, is not in the making of good resolu- tions, but. the determination to do the right thing that our best course lies for this New Year, that brings again the chance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

penSlVe, are the Emplre waste DdShels made of an enameled ware in soft, cream white and decorated with festoons of flowers in the most delicate pastel colors. more exquisite thing for my lady s boudor cannot be imagined.
 One of the very latest things in hair ornaments is the bandeau barrette. It looks exactly like bandeau. but is much prettier than any I have ever seen. Some of these barrettes have two bands, some three, and they are made with some lit- tie concoction on the end that catches in the hair without breaking it, as ordi- nary barrettes do. The bands in some are inlaid with gold, and here and there have a tiny rhinestone set in. They sell from 150 to $5. On festive occasions these can be worn on the top of the head like an ordinary bandeau and make | charming finish to the evening toilette. The styles of sewing-bags are many and various, but declare I have never seen one quite so sweet as this one. It is a dolly dressed in the fashion of 1S12 wi Il pleated fchu, poke bonnet and a full gathered skirt, all of some sweet old-fashioned material. Hung on the wall or corner of the sewing-table. Dolly would be very pleasing addition to a room, and when you want to sew. just give the "crinoline' skirt a little pull and there is your sewing bag all ready for use.
 "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" and if you want to give joy for an in- definite time to one of your beauty-lov- | ing friends just present her with one of these Empire picture frames. To look at them you would think their price was far beyond the reach of ordinary pock- etbooks, but this is not true upon inves- | tgation.
 My New Years Mademoisselle
 Frou-F'rou
 Beads are very fashionable in various sorts of dress trimmings.
 Velvet is a favorite trimming at pres ent
 The Cuban heel is higher than ever
 The sailor collar is one of the new notes.
 Never was such a season for silks Voile and marqusette are favorites for frocks and blouses.
  | Satins of the glace class have an enor- nous popularity.
 Embroidered starched linen collars are back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Some JHousehold Wisdom


 Tubes or round sticks like broom ham,
 dies, are invaluable if one would keep
 the: table linen In the best condition Have one long roll for the tablecloths.
 Keep runners, centerpieces, doylies and
 bureau or buffet covers rolled. Linen
 treated in this way wears longer, in addi-
 tion to looking better, for constant fold ing wears the threads and results in
 Loles. ,s.
 Gloves that are used for sweeping and other housework should be occasionally
 washed in gasoline, inside and out, for they become soled quickly. Do all work
 with gasoline away from fire.
 r When next cooking lentils, substitute
 soup stock for water in boiling them. When ready for the table season with pepper and add few tablespoonfuls of thick cream
 Lima beans andk sliced onions, moistened with olive oil and seasoned with pepper and salt are delicious baked in covered dish. Lima beans have more fat than almost any other food save butter. Oak furniture may be kept in good con dition If wiped off occasionally with soft cloth dampened with weak solution of vinegar and water. When dry, rub 1t well with a little paraffin oil on colth and then polish with a piece of chamois or soft silk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Free Rheumatism
 Cure
A Home Cure Will Re Given FREE
 By One Whs Had It

n k1Ohnc. NuHc VIII ne UhVcm 1AHuI
 By One Whe fad It
 In the spring of 1898 I was at- tackled by Muscular and Inflamma- tory Rheumatism. suffered as only those who have 1t know for over three years. I tried remedy af- ter remedy, and doctor after doctor but such relief as I received was only temporary. Finally I found remedy that cured me completely, and 1t has never returned. have given it to number who were ter ribly afflicted and even bed ridden with Rheumatism and 1t effected a cure in. every case.
 I will send a free trial of this precious remedy by mail, postpaid to any sufferer who writes for it. Just fill out tho coupon below and mail 1t to me today.
 Mark H. Jackson. No. 6bs James Street. Syracuse. N. Y. '.is
 Mir. Jackson Is responsible. Above placement true-Pub.
 Yame -................... ............ fAooress ....................
 f1,....s.'. .ss.s .. ss.s....
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
New Year Bells

BY FLORENCE E= B.. Hear the changing of the bellsl Electric bells. What a world of misery their melody
 foretellsi Tradesmen's bells. Worse than all the children's yells Worse than cooks and buffers spells o, how I hate these awful bells These tradesmen's bells! Hear the loudest of the bells L. J. and L.'s" Adown the street the chorus of 1t
 swells
 Familiar bell It rings for me each day through
 out the year And oft I haste to give it best of
 cheer. But now. somehow. it's tones seem to As with three strokes insistently it
 spells
 "L. J., and L." Hear the quick alarm bells, Doctors bellsi The baby has the worst of all his
 spells!
 Oh, how he yells His parents bo T were out last nigh And nurse stole off-in sorry plight So baby cried and cried with fright And even now the noise he makes
 excels Most urgent of the bells:
 The Doctors bell!
 IN. 5a Hear most frequel. of the bells! Postman's bell I rush to meet 1t with a joyous yell My spirits fell This time it brings no tender billet
 doux Just little note to say: 'fouiVe over
 drawn a few The bank would like an early call from
 you!" Oh! worst of all the bells, this one Don't tell, Hear the tinkling of the bells. Florists bellsl The house is perfumed now with fra
 grant smells!
 Dear Bellsi Some one has sent to me from flowery A wealth of violets so now there
 dwells Within my heart a joy which soon
 expels The memory of those other hateful
 bells. Most welcome of the bells. ,a The florists bell.
 VI Hear the chatter of the belles
 Society belles Each one the "Old Old Story tells. Triumphant belles Oh. do not their sweet dreams derlde But think upon thine own flood tide When youth, her portals opened wide To wait the tuning of the Jubilate
 Bells, The maddest, merriest of the bells The mellow, mellow, wedding bells! Oh, the belles. the belles, the belles Each one of the society belles
 Herads a wedding-pell.,l Birmingham, Ala, January, 1911.
 A New Year Thought Keep faith with all men; keep faith with myself; this wins all battles even the greatest and last-Cardigan The Latest New Year Shop
 Talk Not less artistic, but rather more ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

l. Hear the changing of the bellsl Electric bells. What a world of misery their melody foretells
 Tradesmen's bellsl Worse than all the childrens yells Worse than cooks and buffers spells o, how I hate these awful bells These tradesmen's bellsl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

To avoid the unslghtly fold so often seen on top of sleeve of starched shirtwaists, fold at the seam, iron the upper, then the lower side, not letting the iron pass with in an inch or two of the edge; then open the sleeve folded with the unironed part in the center of the sleeve and press care- fIIlly ssa-Ati iS' ttfft
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Fasten firmly at the center of back, tape or ribbon. which Is run through beading in underwear. This keeps it from being pulled half out or etirely lost in laundering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
Here and There About the
 House

Bristle brushes, if merely dusty, can be cleaned by rubbing them In cornmeaI.
 - W Powdered boracic acid or French chalk sprinkled on lace yolSes or collars, then laid away for a day or two when they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

A small broom made of stiff wire is con venient in cleaning skillets and all cook ing utensils.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

future. She is going. to be perfectly de- lightful." .t1as. a-s-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

pensive. are the Empire waste baskets made of an enameled ware in soft, cream white and decorated with festoons of flowers in the most delicate pastel colors. more exquisite thing for my lady's boudoir cannot be imagined.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Embroidered starched linen collars are back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

some blossom suffices, and in it's stead l box Of bonbons may be the gift. But the baby bears 1t in it's rosy hands, and pre- sents it with courtesy and delight to the aged ones. Is it not a beauntiful custom? ? And may not all the mothers--and fathers -of little ones see that the dear older ones adopt 1t with true understanding of how much, how very much, it means to the old to be remembered?
 I have heard dear woman say that among her recollections the most satisfy ing Is the one wherein she gave an aged aunt on a New Years day lovely old fashioned geranium in pot for 1t made the old lady happy the entire year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
A New Year Thought

Keep faith with all men; keep faith with thyself this wins all battles, even the greatest and last.-Cardigan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
TIE SOUTHERN COTTON OIL co. New York Savannah
 New Orleans Chicago

eaas Ask your dealer for the famous Wesson Snow-
 - drift oil COOK BOOK. If h!s ki,iply Is ex- III hapsted, write at direct Atlanta Office uee and VIC Will mail 1t free with splendid testimony "se ifon leading wemens Clubs, etc.. .s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

win Jane Austen type says a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Satins of the glace class have an enor- nous popularity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
The Woman 0|f|the q h Future.

.-rhe woman of the future Is not Of tho
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

Not less artistic, but rather more ex-
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-09-09

IF you want to know who's who"
i in Omaha look through the business
personals on this want ad page. There you
will find the Invest classified business di-
rectory of any paper in the west---live deal
ers who are bidding for your business.