davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Population of Engllsh Cities

Birmingham. England, after which our Birmingham was named, made poor showing in growth Tn the English census just completed" said a man who takes an interest in statistics.
 Greater London increased from 65s1,- 4o2 in 1901 to 7,252,96s in 1911, being gain of 1O.2 The city of London proper dropped from 26.s2s to 1s,657. can re- member when the city of London. that part of London which contains the lord mayors mansion, the Bank of England and St. Paul's Cathedral. had popu- lation of 100000 It has been losing rapid ly, and now it's population Is made up chiefly of small merchants, porters and care-takers.
 Manchester, England, increased in population 1o.79. Portsmouth 22 .36, Bourn- mouth s1 .65. Sheffield 11.14 South Hamp- ton 1856, Liverpool 6.os and Birmingham only O53 Birmingham's population in 1901 was 522.1S2
 "The total population of England and Wales is 36,o75269. against 32.527,s4S in 1901 Returns from Scotland show a population of 475s.521, while those for Ireland 4,3S1,- 951, thus the grand total of the United Kingdom is 45.2l6, 741."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
FAMOUS DIAMOND

Bulletin of the Pan-Americnn Union.
 The story of the Star of the South," one of the largest diamonds ever found in Brazil. is typical of the vicissitudes through which these stones sometknes pass. Found by negress in the mines of Begarem. Minas Geraes the crystal weighed 2541k carats, was--of irregular dodecahedron shape. with strongly ob- tuse angles, and with "A natural facets. The conf1guration of the facets, showing deep depressin. suggests that 1t was one of a group o<> crystals.
 It was sold for s15,OO0. and the negress received her freedom and a pension as a reward. The first purchaser borrowed $50O0O on 1t from the Bank of Rio de Janeiro, and afterward sold it to sym dicate for either s17ooOO or s24o,0oo. It was named 'Estrella do Sud-" and was cut to an oval brilliant of 125 carats. Thus it made a clean, fine stone of first qual- ity. Because of it's size and beauty 1t was exhibited at the exhibition of Lon don in 1882, and Paris, 1887, when an In- dian rajah offered over s50o.0Oo for 1t, which was refused. Later It. was bought for the Gaikwar of Baroda for 8 laos of dupees, or $40O.0co. This royal persona age of Hindustan had the habit of admin istering powdered glass or diamond dust. or both. to subjects whom he judged su- perfuous. He pursued this pastime be- yond his own Immediate sphere and pre- scribed for the British resident. one Colonel Phayre. but his art was detected, lie was tried. found guilty. and deposed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
Beer Popular Beverage

.sThe more see of Atlanta the more favorably impressed I am with the com promise which was made after the iegis- lature enacted a statewide prohibition law in allowing beer to be sold under license." said W. L. Mccarthy of Phila- delphia. ''There may be some illicit whis- ky traffic in Atlanta. but if so it Is too small to be noticed. Modern beer has so little alcohol in 1t as to be to all extent and purposes temperance drink, and the great majority of drinkers, even those who are in the habit of drinking high balls. would be satisfied, especially in the summertime, if they could buy beer.
 "A beer compromise would have been a good thing for Alabama, but am told that when the prohibition faction of the democratic party got in power few years ago they were so radical and so hysterical that they would listen to no argument in favor of exceptions to the general rule of legisIeting the state dry This is the first time I have visited Bir- mingham since prohibition became effec- tive. and as my business keeps me here only a few hours can get along with out beer.
 "A friend told me that in spite of the fact that the lid was on tight he had bought beer, but had to pay an exorbitant price. This, it seems to me. would hurt an ambitious and progressive city like Birmingham. and I can readily imagine that whenever the people come to vote on the quetsion of wet or dry again the vets will win"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
Fines and the 4O-Cents Rate

ANSS 0itu bttC fV-AtHtS Ndtc In case coming up from the city Troy the act of 1907 which per- |its convicted persons to work out hes at the rate of 40 cents day Is been pronounced unconstitutional the state court of appeals. Just |lere this leaves the system of cre- ing costs to be worked out in this |ate is not clear. No costs can be orked out at the rate of 40 cents a lt, although they perhaps may be at le rate of 75 cents a day under a lction of the code.
 Tabor sentences seem to have re- lived at the hands of the court of
 Deals good shaking up, and the k decision of the court is needed be- e it's scope and meaning can be ENy ascertained.
 Ae court unanimously decided that #10-cents law is unconstitutional, t is therefore to be crossed off Statute books. The fee brigade y be able to devisoa new line of ion against weak and helpless pris-
 rs, and it can be. trusted to let no
 go unutilized.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

to the ancient custom of Eskimos lending
 their wives to sailors aboard whaling
 ships in the arctic.
 Inspector Pennings is stationed at Fort
 MacPherson. in the Canadian north, and
 he has sent an interesting report on the
 Kogmollocks and Nunatalmutes, two
 tribes of Eskimos inhabiting the region
 under his charge. Regarding restriction
 of the practice of wife-lending, he further
 says:
 T have talked over this question with
 the Bishop of the Yukon. and he agrees
 with me it is a quetsion that must be handled delicately and with tact. The solution of 1t is a matter of time, together with the teaching and example of mis- sionaries and other white men in the country
 It appears from the report that the Nunataimutes are the superior of the. two tribes, that they have high moral code and look down on the Kosmollocks for their loose custom in this respect.'' The report further says:
 "The girls of the Kosmollock tribe ma
 ture at . very early age. and are gen-
 erally married at 15. The percentage of female children born far exceeds that of
 males. Native parents are kind and in- duIgent to their children. These people cannot now do without tea and breed- stuffs Since their association with whal- CTS the coast natives have never lived or dressed so well. Also they have learned much of the white mans ways. his lan- guage, cleanliness, cooking. and houses keeping Most of the igloos are clean. Every family has q bath at least once . week. and every Sunday they appeAr in clean clothes They take plenty of exer- else ,and are very fond of football They have no marriage ceremony. the consent of the brides father belng alone euffis cient Last summer four native coupled were legally married at Herschell."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
IudustrseI Activity

with the starting up of the Tennessee company's steel works and raIlN mill at Ensley Friday this district as the south's great industrial center will be again em- phasized," said an old citizen.
 Before the Tennessee company started to make steel this district was known only as the south's iron center. but in very recent years millions and millions or dollars have been spent on the steel in dustry here. and many millions more will be expended within the next five years. Few people realize what great thing 1t was for the United States Steel cor poration to enter the Birmingham district. It has done more in three years than had been done in all the years before"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 No girls pretty ankles could ever be weak enough to need high boots.
 To be asked to dinner by millionaire most people would pay for 1t.
 As sign of mans superior intelligence. woman can pack more things in trunk than he can in house.
 When a girl has a beau 1t is sign she can make him believe he Is the real one and everybody else that he's one of a col lection. '
 The first time either of married cou- pie has to go away they suffer over the parting; afterward the more over the coming back.
 Begging letters make a man feel worse than being robbed. Every once In so often the straight and narrow path seems to pitch over a preci- pice
 If man has anything that is a marvel be is not satisfied unless you think 1t is a miracle.
 girl is so naturally sincere she can be wildly excited over a mans hobby that bores her to death
 When man tells with pride how he re- signed from good job it's sign he was put or kicked out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
Life Insurance in Alabama

The Insurance Press shows that people in Alabama received last year from life insurance companies 14,150,- 900. Mobile received $4Ss,500; Bir- mingham, $360,0OO; Montgomery, $so5, ,oo0; Selma, s275,Ooo; Huntsville, s134, ,750, and so on down to the last town in the list. The amount credited to Birmingham is to some extent misleading because several suburbs that became last year a part of the greater city are listed independently.
 But the chief omissionAof the Insur- ance Press is a parallel statement showing what Alabama paid to the life insurance companies in 1910. The difference between what she paid to land what she received from those companies in calendar year is the direct and comprehensive way, freed
 of all technicalities and mysteries, te
 ascertain just what life insurance 1T
 a given state costs.
 The chances are very good that Alabama paid out in 1910 over twelve million dollars to gather in $4, 150, ,000. The exact figures should be published freed from all technical fol-de-rol. The amount paid out and the amount paid in tells the whole story of profit and loss from the states point of view.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
EVAPORATION DE LUKE

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 The enlightenment of darkest Africa since Stanley's day is strikingly illus trated in report from Our consul at Sierra Leone. He says that the round trip of 2Ooo miles along the Congo from Yeopoldville to Stanley and return re- quires at present a month. By the end of this year it can be done in two weeks. King Albeit of Belgium is having an ex- press boat for this service constructed at Antwerp. The vessel will be 25O feet long and 40 feet wide; 1t will carry 100 cabin passengers and much freight on it's three decks. Its triple screw will be driven by three petrol engines each of 500 horsepower. The boat will be lighted by electricity, and 1t will have staterooms de luxe, refrigerating plant, a disn- fecting room and a pharmacy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
ENTERTAINING TO THE CHIGGER
From the Indianapolis News.

From the Indianapolis News.
 HOW delightful it might be in these
 early days of summer to hie far 4 ! from the madding throng's igno- ble strife to some cool, sequestered spot under the green leafage of an oak or maple, to stretch ones limbs upon the fragrant grass, where the lawn slopes gently down to murmuring brook-with no reason at all for its murmuring-and there in careless idleness while away the fervid afternoon.
 But stop! One may not too briskly break in upon this charming bit of land scape. The somewhat trite advice of Punch to the young man about to be married embodied in the single word 'dort!' will apply to the situation There Is an enemy lurking in the grass an insidious enemy, ready to insnuatc himself beneath ore's cuticle, there to register his incarnadine monogram, which, though no larger than a pins point, is diminutive volcano in it's heat units.
 Nay, rub not the spot; twill but add to the sorching agency. It is the sign man ual of the chigre or in Hosierese, ''chig- ger" -aptly Latinized as the Pulex pene- trans, which usually attacks the legs and arms-the open lisle thread stockings greatly tighten It's labor; or the invader may not tarry at the outposts, but push on to some more remote and, to the vic- tim, less accessible locality. So that all one may do is to grin and bear it. in which case one may obtain the desired view of the ravage over his shoulder in the looking glass. And when 1t is found, make note of it. Apply to the place a piece of fat bacon, we'll salted, or in de- fault of that, salt water, for the chigre has been using the space directly be- heath the skin-the audacious insect,- as an incubator. The chigre himself--or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

easy 1t is to perpetuate myth. but It is hardly fair to unsophistieated tourists. Richmond has many historic landmarks- St. Johns church, where Patrick Henry delivered his impassioned speech in which he exclaimed, Give me liberty or give me death'-is surpassed in interest by few buildings in America. Of course. the stone house in question is a very old structure. No one can say just how old It is, but it was probably built before the revolution"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
the Congressional Record

USuAHS tuC SVu8 c5ShVuoA ANcSOAu Representative Taylor of Colorado IS introduced a bill to make every )stmaster suscription agent of the Congressional Record. Its price is to !: $1 year, and the public printer < to begin to fill orders when one 7llion subscriptions are listed. The |ge-H Herald regrets to say that the lblic printer will never in this world }gin to fill orders for copies of the 5ngressiona4 Record under the terms the Taylor bill.
 Either Congressman Taylor is un- tinted with the newspaper busi- E r else he does not know the Nh of his favorite daily. He at it has no cartoonist on 10 sporting page, no society
 ygorst of all, no particular ! for 1912f No paper weight with so many deficiencies 2 q: Instead of a million sub
 do Nocord would do well to
 ,rle thousand in broad
 V[See Po1f1naeter Montgom-
 1I1 6a . hot morning in
 2 } ]! ssasspe \! .!:R
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

herself-is not there It's purpose has been accomplished. and it has gone. The proverbial agility of the flea is not to be compared with the volatility of his little relative, and Pulex penetrans. While tho bee sips honey from every opening flower, the penetrating pulex is more discriminat- ing, and, it is said, seldom gives his min- istrations to elder bloom that is old per- sons. An, the brave little bugl With him the adage holds true. "Only the brave de- serve the fair" and he is ever for the fairest and the tenderest.
 If one will chase up the Pulex pene- trans in the dictionary or in the cyclope- dia, he will be more likely to capture him there than in the open field. It will he found that he is a species of flea rather smaller than the common flea. and with less powerful limbs! found in the West indies and in South America, where it Is exceedingly troublesome. attacking any exposed part of the human body, and af- fecting lodgment between the skin and the f1eh.
 Now that is all very well for the chi9re of the far south. but from this descrip- ton the insect seems to be lamentably lacking in the vigor of the Indiana "chigre,' which, under our benef1cient in- stitutions. and in our invigorating cli- mate. has developed far beyond his rela- tives of the subtropcs in all that should go to make a Pulex penetrans effective in it's particular walk of life
 It is said that on a wide lawn in one of our beautiful suburbs which the signs
 kf.- the dog failed to protect from the loiter- CT and lounger the new sign just erected furnishes the desired immunity from all trespassers. No better illustration of the force of the laconic is afforded in central Indiana. for it bears but the single word "Chiggers!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
----
1ission Government in Small
 Towns

AA6chVkt 0VNCAhAhkh AAA AAhaAA
 Towns
 l, small towns in the various
 do4 not suffer so much from
 nest municipal government as
 do from no government at all in y important respects. Weeds go
 t, sanitation in general is neg d, sidewalks are either lacking or are laid in hit-or-miss manner, ping is unknown, and storm water 5 gutters at it's own sweet will. in Ter to regulate these and similar tters, none of them expensive, the kll towns are awakening to the
 that they need proportionably commission form of government Rn beyond the large towns of a |te.
 Fo make a small town attractive is add to it's population. Good side- lks and we'll Shaded streets in- ,e people to move in and become idents, and the small town is we'll h helpless in procuring surround IS that are attractive unless it first ablishes concentrated form of This is why the small Tn is beginning to turn to a munx
 rule that is quickly responsive
 ,blic sentiment and tb2.T has pow
 'ugh to introduc2shd carry out
 :l1efvfhs ~
 'eA commission form of govern !; bids fair to spread rapidly to small towns of the state. The big kns have it and the ambitious small vns are hungry for it. When the erendum and recall go with it its ''onsiveness to the popular will is ,afed, and that is what the small vn wants and needs above anything
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
Red head Gingerbread!

There was always the consolation that red-headed kids were supposed to amount rednes being regarded as the token of an rednes being regarded as the token of an aggressive disopsition. So 1t was only . question of time when they should be sought out as the most desirable sort of children to rear. Doctor Matthias Is hereby proposed for election 1s president of the Red Headed league.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The woman mayor of Hunnewell, Kan, is endeavoring to induce the city council to sit out of sight of bar, but thus far she has not succeeded. That council ac quired the drink habit in dry state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The passengers of the steamship Gel tic as well as the landlords at Atlantic City have seen the sea serpent equipped with wings, and only the willfully incred- ulous are now standing out against the new arrival.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
vI0LETs

By Robert Herrick.
 welcome, maids of honor! You do bring
 In the spring,
 And walt upon her. She has virgins many Fresh and faire: Yet you are
 More sweet than any. r Y'are the maiden posies, And 50 grac't. To be plac't
 Fore damask rosss. Yet though thus resbected By and by
 Ye doe He,
 Poor Giries! neGlected,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The list was supplied off hand out of a fund of "reminiscences by sufferer. He hadn't been called any of them for years. But the memory was vivid still How many little girls have gone home crying because the boys insisted on gathering about and pretending to warm their hands over their red braids! How many boys have been put to shame by the de- risive query, Where's the fre?" with it's manifest reference to sorrel poll!
 The owner of red hair could never get away from the references to 1t. "What do l see?'' inquired a minister in an im- pasisoned account of the escape of the children of Israel, pointing at the same time to the red headed girl in a front pew. ''The burning bush!' And the con gregation saw, too, and laughed. And then there was the rhyme that used to be called, singsong, after the victim as he went down the street to school:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The president of Cuba sent King George 10000 cigars made from the best tobacco grown on the island. Queen Mary has not been heard frop touching the con- sumption of these cigars
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Edison predicas that in another cen tury the horse and gasoline will become extinct and electricity vii reign supreme. Right you are, MT. Edison.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The preliminary campaign of 1912 is not normal and natural because no one seems inclined to start a boom for Judge George Gray of Delaware.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Tetrazzini defied the opera monopoly in this country and now she is to be one of the coronation warblers. The good are just naturally promoted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Now that former Senator Clark of Mon
 tana has installed a s125,ooo pipe organ in his New York house. he is in the market for golden cuspidors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Those show girls in New York who 22- calibered the legs of millionaire should explain why they did 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The reproduction of restaurants and corner drug stores goes on in all cities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

The noblemen who are rehearsing for the coronation can at any rate apply all the knowledge they acquired at the stage entrance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
LIVING IN HOPE.

LIVING IN HOPE. Let's dream of rosy pathways That lead us to the dawn; Up from the night, Where phantoms fright And grisly caverns yawn. Let's dream of rosy pathways That lead to happiness, From wales of care And bleak despair And depths where sorrows press. Let's dream of rosy pathways That lead us on to rest, When work is OCT, Upon a shore Where every heart is blest
 WON'T SINK. T wish to insure my legs" "On land or water?'' Only on land. They're cork"
 A SAD END.
 Deep. deep he dived
 Into river,
 Of hope deprived
 By sluggish liver.
 BOUND TO SMILE. uaIe say MISS MopSon Will be more amiable now than ever before" Why do you think soy' She has. recently had a gold tooth put in."
 MARY HAD -
 Mary had little bird;
 She kept 1t in cage
 One day cat espied it there
 Let's turn another page.
 Milwaukee Sentinel.
 Mary had a busy flea
 Alight on her one day
 You will excuse us now for we
 Must look the other way. Houston Post.
 Mary had chigger bite
 I cannot tell you where.
 Oh, don't you think little rain
 Would cool the atmosphere?
 PASSING STRANGE. Deacon Brown seems to have mania for looking at billboards.'' .Yes?' T can't account for 1t. either" ''No?" There will be no burlesque shows in town until next winter.'
 HARD TO HIT. Behold the merry little fly, Who seems to have happy lot And still doth finger gaily by, No matter how I swat and swat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

When the aeroplane is perfected France and England will become real chummy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Former Queen Alexandra is watching her incubators and chickens instead of the ladies at court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Kansas is cutting winter wheat. It Is the one thing the drouth did not affect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15
LENDING ARCTIC wIvns

Ottawa {ont.) Dispatch to New York Herald.
 "A question to be handled with tact" is the description sivea by Inspector Jsn- nines. of tho Northwest mounted police
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-15

Kansas has a crowless rooster, but there is no guaranty that his descendants will have throats fashioned like his.