davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
Mona Lisa

The Louvre inherited Da Vinci's famous painting from Francis I, who died in 1546. The portrait was be- gun in 1501 and presumably was soon finished, when, no doubt, it went into the possession of Francis I, whose reign was begun in 1515. No portrait of woman was more admired and no portait has, perhaps, better withstood the changes of time. The face that Leonardo painted has remained in Paris nearly five centuries before a thief carried it away on his back, for the canvas was securely fastened to a firm back of wood, and the thief took all but the frame and the glass that covered the picture.
 Reinach has refuted a great many of the stories that have arisen in con- neetion with the picture The artist painted a somewhat commonplace young woman of Florence, who mar ried the middle-aged widower Fran cesco del Giocondo, in the year 1496, and bore him daughter in 1899. Two years later the daughter died. In . that year Leonardo, who was friend to Francesca, began to paint Lisa S portrait The smile in that portrait, which has charmed the world five centuries, is the smile of a young mother bereft. This takes away a great deal of romance, but Dr. Reinach has not robbed the picture of any of it's beauty.
 It is scarcely correct to say that "Mona Lisa" is the most valuable painting in the world. It certainly is not more valuable than the Sesture Madonna that all European travellers see in Dresden, nor did it in value, perhaps, outrank Marillo's "Immacu- late Conception" which is one of the great attractions of the Louvre. All great paintings are considered price less, and Leonardo's representation of the dignified woman sorrowing for her little daughter is, perhaps, the worlds greatest portrait, and the world sorrows because it does not know where it is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
THAT FRENCH GLOBE TROTTER

counted on, and that meant giving up the have landed me in Paris August 24, or maybe 23 with luck. You see what a couple of hours means on a trip like this.
 Funny experiences? A score. but can't recall them at the moment. One do remember. I entered shop in Har- bin and saw some elegantly decorated masks hanging up. I wanted to buy one for a souvenir, but the shopkeeper looked at me in surprise and said: No, no, 1t is not the season.
 'I didn't understand then, and thoughtC him stupid or a fool, few inquiries among others elicted the fact that these masks were those worn by people when the plague was in Harbin. The rich peo- pie wear very fancy masks-ela borations of the masks surgeons and nurses wear in some hospitals during operations. had to laugh at myself when I thought 1t over and at the shopkeeper who grave ly assured me that the masks were not in season.. H "No, I didn't burden myself with much clothes All took was contained in the two yalses I had-one Gladstone bag of large size and the other canvas roll I wore one pair of shoes and one suit, 1 this gray mixture. I had spare pair 1 of khaki riding brooches and puttees, | necessary odds and ends and a dinner 1 jacket, trousers and pumps. I knew I'd need those on the ocean. As to linen when it got dirty I threw it away and bought new stuff. I didn't bother about having any laundry done
 "The cost of my trip? I haven't really
 anything but a vague idea, for I kept
 no account save in a general sort of way.
 l would wire my paper whenever my funds got low, and that was often. But
 venture to say that the cost will be much
 lower than anyone would guess. l don't think it will exceed S3000. You see my idea was. and I carried
 it out, to take no special trains, no yachts
 or other means of 1ocomotlon that would
 involve a great expenditure Not that
 I was handicapped about expenses for I
 could have all the money I -anted, but 1 the plan was to take no means of ocomo-
 tion save those readily accessible to every
 around the world by the generally ayail- able routes My effort to make a 40 day l trip was to show how time tables could l be combined, not to show what money could do.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
PoMPADoUR's FAN

By Austin Dobson. Chicken skin, delicate, white, Painted by Carlo Vanloo, Loves in riot of light,
 Roses and vaporous blue; Hark to the dainty frou-frou Picture above, if you can, Eyes that could melt as the dew This was the Pompadour's fan. See how they rise at this sight, Thronging the Oeil de Boeuf through Courtiers as butterflies bright, Beauties that Fragonard drew, Talon-rouge, falbala, queue, Cardinal, duke--to a man Eager to sigh or to sue
 This was the Pompadours fan. An, but things more than polite Hung on this toy, voyez-vous. Matters of state and of might. Things that great ministers do; Things that, maybe, overthrew Those in whose brains they began; Here was the sign and the cue- This was the Pompadour's fan.
 ENVOY. Where are the secrets it knew? Weavings of plot and of plan? But where Is the Pompadour too? This was the Pompadours fan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

From the Washington Post.
 Peru is one of the favored nations of South America" said John H. Shapiro, formerly resident of Chica go, who has spent the last 10 years in South Amer 'fea He is at the New Ebbitt. Lima, the>Sapital, Is a city of So,000, and while not alodern city in any way it is a pleasant ptace to live and mighty in- teresting.
 Peru is not lies. Argentina and Bra gil, and, therefore, pnQbably has not ap- pealed to the peopleN the United States, but I believe that in years to come Peru will prove more attractive to Americans than either Argentina or Brazil The two latter countries are purely agricultural. Agriculture at this time appears to be the mainstay of the people, and insures a safe investment. These times are not like the time of AZ, when men were going across coun- try to California, carrying with them only an adventurous spirit and enough to keep the soul and body together. Peru is going to furnish the field for prospectors in the days to come.
 Any one who has been in that coun- try and in Chile comes 10 learn the mineral possibilities. There is untold wealth in both countries. hundred years ago Pura was the mecca for prospectors. and there are today hun dreds of abandoned gold mines that. in the opinion of men who ought to know, have been only half worked. There is placer mining, too, and the fields of copper and other minerals
 have not been touched. Some Ameri- cans and Englishmen are going into the country, but it will be some years before Peru Is developed. Probably the opening of the Panama canal will give an impetus to the emigration to South ATnC rican countries"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
THE wETNEss OF DRY MAINE

From the Portland tMaine) Argus.
 Despite the fact that some $SOOO worth of malt and spirituous liquors. including whisky, rum, gin, brandy, cocktails, ale and beers, were seized by the sheriffs deputies Saturday, it was not difficult for those who wished to get intoxicated over Sunday, as there appeared 22 charged with that offense Monday in the municipal court.
 It was also noticed that in one in stance liquors seized by the sheriffs were consigned to Portland man prominent in or at least identified with the mo license" league, so called. This, of course, was for medical pur- poses, and may have been ordered be- cause the liquor agency here is out of business. There is as much if not more drunkenness in evidence about the city streets today after several weeks of alleged enforcement as there ever was.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
AIRsHp WITHOUT PRoPELLERs

From the Technical World.
 A new idea in the propelling of dirigible balloons is now being tried out by a western inventonr. He has installed a 10-foot model driven by the force of air, which is sucked in at the front end and expelled with great force from the rear, driving the model forward at the rate of 25 miles an hour. The model is equipped with two No suction blowers and the motive power is supplied by a 10-horse-power electric motor.
 The model has weight of one and a quarter tons, and is suspended upon one end of an Iron frame, the center of the frame resting upon pivot on the top of a 1O-foot post, while the balance the model. When the current Is turned on the device whirls like a merry go round, emitting a whistle something like that of siren.
 Besides forcing air from the rear under great pressure a cone-shaped body of air is forced backward from the .prow' of the airship,l the object of which is to form an aerial sheath to lessen the resistance of the atmos- pyhere. The inventor claims that by sucking In the air from the front a partial vacuum Is created, this also lessening the resistance, so that he fig ures on reaching a speed of 200 miles per hour when the device Is in use in full-size dirigible balloon.
 The proposed balloon will be of the rigid frame type, the machinery being nclosed in an air-tight jacket within the envelope The motive power will be gas engines, and the steering Is to be effected by box rudder in the rear, subjected to the pressure of the jet of air. Gas expansion Is allowed for by additional chambers, when the main envelope is strained The new idea for propulsion by jets of air Is interesting, though it is up to" the inventor to demonstrate that it is a practical success.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
Higher Food Prices

In Kansas City the prices of beef have been marked up three cents in the last sixty days, and the price of pork is also advancing. All know that we must soon begin to import white potatoes, and the duty of 25 cents bushel will be paid by the con- sumner.
 It is idle to attempt to ascertain why the cost of living is going up. The corn crop was hurt by hot weather, and yet it will be fully up
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
The Iron Trade

The local iron market has shown some activity this week. Quotations are reported firm at s10.50 on No basis. Matthew Addy & Co.'S Cin- cinnatis circular says:
 "All the current developments in the iron market are encouraging. Con- sumers without exception are buster. Trade is reviving in a wholesome man. ner, the steel mills leading the way This week one of our customers, who had put off ordering some special cast ings until the eleventh hour, told us that he had been told by four different concerns that they were so rushed they could not supply his needs in less than from five to six weeks. This may be an unusual experience, but it is q true one and sounds good. Of course, the improvement In the situation is coming slowly but there has been a genuine betterment and it certainly seems as if it were here to stay. Prices are higher In the south and firmer everywhere. There is a growing feel
 ing that the ruinously low prices which have been prevailing are unnecessary. Everywhere there is a disposition on the part of sellers 10 try and get some thing like a fair return for their prod uct
 During the week there has been steady buying of all kinds of iron. In the valleys there has been selling on q wholesale scale, but elsewhere the or ders have mainly been for small lots However, the situation is healthful ana consumption is increasing. There is much more demand for quick shipment and in some instances customers are asking to have iron sent forward fas. ter than at contract rates"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
Better Times Ahead

The result of the local option elec- tion Thursday means better moral conditions, and from a business point of view, it is worth millions of dol lars to the Birmingham district. All realty values were on higher levels Friday than they were the day be- fore the election.
 Those of our well-meaning people who were carried away with the pro- hibition idea did not take a far view of the liquor question as it related to city of Birmingham's size. They were bent upon voting dry regard less of any consideration aside from prohibition. But the great majority of Birmingham's public-spirited and successful citizens, men known here for their civic pride and upbuilding spirit, voted for the high licensed, regulated saloon rather than for the dispensary.
 Prohibition will do for country towns. Many a business man who was working for the saloon side in Jefferson county on Thursday would, 1 if he were living in county contain ing no cities, have voted for prohibit ton. The dispensary for the handling of beer and light wines, as we'll as strong drink, seems well suited for cities of the smaller class, especially such cities as have a strong dispen- sary public sentiment. Huntsville, a dispensary city prior to statewide prohibition, has voted back that sys- tenn of legalized liquor traffic. The city of Tuscaloosa, which has had dispensary experience, may still pre- fer the dispensary to the open saloon.
 But Birmingham is city with a population of 150,000 or more. It is ambitious to get into the 30O,000 class by 1920. Now, prohibition is never the sign of large city, and all cities having population of 200,- 900 or more have the licensed sa- loon. No matter what may be said about the evils of the liquor habit, there has always been a demand for alcoholic beverages, and there all ways will be. Cities of metropolitan character have, as a rule, well-regu- lated saloons, and there is no reason why Birmingham, with a first-class excise commission, should not have the strictest regulation.
 At any rate business conditions are felt to be better here, and even some who voted for prohibition from habit are looking exceptionally bright and happy over the open saloon majority. In this connection The Age Herald in behalf of the winning side, commends right cordially Jones G. Moore, chair man of the local option committee, for his efficient campaign manage ment and the large majority which he helped to roll up. His large political experience and his business like training combined with a cool. quiet manner, gave assurance of vic- tory from the start. The business men of Birmingham feel grateful to MT. Moore, and he is, as matter of course, being showered with felicita- tions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

master. but his oblliging spirit has made him extremely popular with thousands who enjoy the concerts.
 The summer being about ended the open air music will soon be discontinued. year ago Birmingham had public con- eerts three times a week for 10 weeks. This year we have had six concerts week, which marks a very decided ad- vance, of course. In view of the gen. eral interest in open air music It should be easy to raise fund in 1912 for daily concerts during a season of Il or F weeks instead of 10 weeks. The con- certs should begin not later than the middle of June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
REFLECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A mans house is his castle and his Wife's cage
 Experience is a teacher that sends in mighty big school bills.
 The reason a girl doesn't really mind being kissed Is she says she hates it.
 Green apples seem to hurt as much after Sunday school as any other time
 All boy seems to be able to learn in college is that he knows 1t all, and 1t takes him all the rest of his life to relearn that he doesn't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
OMELETS OR BRILES

From the Washington Star.
 Senator Maritime of New Jersey. the farmer senator" as it is his pride to be called-was relating in Washington mem ories of his farm life.
 What quaint minds," he said. have those New Jersey colored folk who work New Jerseys farms. remember an old uncle who once paused in job Of potato |hoeing to sing in my ears the praise of chicken.
 Chickens he said. is so accommo- datin Dey's so accoinmodatin', sur. Yo' can eat 'em befo' dey's bawn, an yo can eat 'em ahftahs dey's dead
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Aviator Beachey reports the weather two miles above Chicago as strictly arc- tic. Water freezes solid in a short time, and there are those who say such weather must be induced to come down in small commercial lots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

No man has ever been found who has so little confidence In himself as to think that he could not edit newspaper bet ter than the editor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

THE TERRIBLE LICKING. There is a river near our house What little boys should shun; If I should ever see it. my. You bet your boots I'd run. My papa sez that orful things Happens to kids what goes Down 10 that dreadful valley where The Licking River flows. Fer onct boy named Willy Jones Jes sassed his teacher dear, N wouldn't mind CT say his prayers, N sez HE didn't keer N nen--that river come right up N GOT him, n HE knows What happens in that valley where The Licking River flows. N so you'd better jes be good IN mind your P's and Q's, N not wear out your pants, n not Kick holes in your new shoes, Fer ef you don't behave yourself Well, what do you suppose Will happen in that valley where The Licking River flows?
 -Covington, Ky, Post.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
Concert nt Corex

Nappi's band will play at Corey Sunday afternoon. A fine programme has been arranged and weather permitting, a large crowd will he in attendance. Sig nor Nappi is not only an excellent bafd-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

While Attorney General WiclSersham looks foolish. Secretary Wilson should hie himself back to Iowa and then all will be well again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The billboards will continue to carry the familiar names. "Sothern and Marlowe." !" A wedding has small relation to theatri- cal names.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The continuous rise in food prices will put the consumers pocketboolk into the presidential campaign of next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The monetary commission believes in keeping the peoples money in circulation at any rate Its extravaganza will be rounded up March 31 next.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The Americans detained by the strike in Liverpool will not be in condition to enrich either the bartenders or the stew ards on board ship
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
TRAPPED IN THE DARK

| Have you ever read The Light That Failed ?'
 No, but I once knew a young fellow who got engaged as the result of a light that failed"
 '1ndeed?''
 Yes. There was an accident at tho power house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The house Of governors. which is to meet in New Jersey next month, will be but an assemblage of candidates for pres idential honors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Elijah was the first aviator, but there there was plenty of fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

And Uncle Joe was adjourned, too. He is very acquiescent in these democratic days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

The man who cannot afford to buy an auto tells his friends he is waiting until the airships become little safer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Four hundred and one helpless babies have been named Hoke Smith in Geor- gia Elsewhere the name 'Hoke'' is con- sIdered a joke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

A message has been sent around the world in 161a minutes. Puck is out classed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

No aviator can well fly from the Pacific to the Atlantic, for he must cross noun tains that do not keep gasoline on tap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

An ideal political fence in Iowa is horse high, hog-tight and bull-strong. The state has but few.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Society may be recruited from debu- its babies in the end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Seattle's mayor is the latest victim of the recall. Official life out there is no cinch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
THE SCIENCE OF srRpENrs

According to an old belief. to dream of snakes is sign that you have an enemy. To see snakes when wide awake and there are no real snakes about, is also a sign that you have an enemy-what our pro- hibition friends consider mans worst en- emy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Torty-eight American states! This wipes up the mainland, and the fate of the rest is not determined.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Lord Camoys is coming, but he has se- lected his heiress and no social flutter is in order.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

Man now flies higher than the birds. The latter are not spurred on by gaso- line.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
A GREAT RELIEF.

We didn't waste much of our time
 On either dry or wet" But heres the reason for this rhyme, We're glad it's OCT, you bet!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

NUI A BIT. "In getting married MT. Sothern and Miss Marlowe showed very little consid- eration for the publlc.' Why so?" There's no fun in watching a man and his wife play Romeo and Juliet.'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
PERL Us GROWING

Congress has adjourned, but the inves- legations will at their convenience go on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
A TIP TO WARBLERS.

TIP TO WARBLERS.
 The young lady was on the platform singing solo, and singing it well. There was little or no applause after she f1n- ished. The philosopher by our side whis- pered, If she had closed on high note there would have been lots of applause So. young ladies, if you wish to bring down the house.. come in on the homo stretch with screaming notes in the region beyond upper C.'-Western School Jour- nal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
A BLOW TO PRIDE.

My ancestors came over in the May flower"
 That's nothing to brag about I dare say there are rats in this country whose ancestors came over in the Mayf1ower."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
NOT A BIT.

And no one ever comes to say,
 About this bill-when can you pay?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
ELYsIUM.

Foorsooth good friends, how strange
 seems
 To meet q wight who's had no dreams; Who's never wished that he could be From all life's cares and troubles free,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
PREcocIoUs.

You say honors came to him early in life?" ''Oh. yes. When only three years old he was decorated for 1y-swatting.
 A COMMON SIGHT. These days we're not
 Blase at all,
 Unless we've seen
 An airman fall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

To finger on some golden isle, Where every prospect doth beguile
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
knew he was alive.
A FAULTY TOUCH.

AJI4I1 lOU0fI. Don't you think she plays with a great deal of feeing?" ,sYes She seems to be groping for the keys all the time.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
PART OF THE GAME.

Why do you say Jaggs is a successful golf player? He frequently foozles."
 ''Ah. But he has unlimited capacity for highballs.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE. Don't ever mind what people Say bout you. Just so you know yourself it Isn't true. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

DISORDERED FANCY. Poor Pipps, a hearty eater Did wake and loudly cry, s'I dreamed l saw a meter That could not tell lie!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
HIS ERROR.

Each time I faln would win success The cold world turns me down, Or laughs to seorn my proffered claims To honor and renown. IT know that I could wealthy be, If I but had the chance That lesser men around me have, My fortunes to advance" Twas thus he plained from day to day How twas he failed to thrive And blamed the world, which, truth to
 say,
 Srarea lxrHxu bn uoo live
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26

In every thing, the purpose must weigh with the folly.
 -2 KING HENRY ",