davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Scnrued fhc Hose

q am an old man and have great grandchildren said the head of one of the departments of a steel and iron corporation, but in spite of my eXperi- ence, I made sad mistake on Christ mas eve.
 Tn my department are six stenog- raphers, five between the ages of IS and 20, and one whose age, I would surmise, is in the immediate proxim- ity of 40.
 Desiring to remember all the young ladies on Christmas, 1 purchased a dozen pair of silk hose and dispensed them qeually among the six. The fol- lowing day the eldest of the set, scorn- fully rejected my present.
 But, my dear young lady, I said, T am old enough to be your grand father.'
 In spite of that fact. she rejoin- ed. I refuse to accept the gift I have lived this long without having received silk hose from a gentleman, and pre- sume that 1 can carry out the contract to the end of the row.
 ''She was eventually persuaded that l meant no offense. My "A years might not otherwise have saved me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Piano Trade Brisk

"The Piano trade here is quite brlsh and this is a good sign. of course of general prosperity" said B. B. Bur ton, manager of the Cable company.
 T have talked with the heads of the various piano concerns in Birmlng ham and they tell me that their Decem- Der business has been unusually good' Not only have sales been large this month, but my experience is that more pianos of high class are being pur- chased than formerly. This shows at once increasing interest in music and an advance in taste as well as thrift on the part of those who buy musical instruments.
 Although piano houses are able 10 report a decided increase in new bus mess, collections are somewhat slow CT than year ago. This is account ed for chiefly by the fact that farm CTS are holding their cotton, believing, as they do, that they will get good deal better price for it later on. The outlook in the piano trade for 1912 is very bright indeed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

By Carolyn Wells in Judge.
 Resolved, That in the coming new year I will try to be less frivolous and try to write more for the uplift of the hu- man soul, more for the extension of the higher plane and more in vein that shall tend toward the expansion of the ethical culture of my fellow beings. l shall strive for fundamental sincerity and sincere fundamentally, and thus, on a higher biplane, endeavor to soar aloft.
 Resolved, That l will not, during the whole new year, even once parody "Abou Ben Adhem," "The Blessed Damozel'' or the "Rubaiyat."
 Resolved, That I will not write jingles on bridge, the suffrage or hobbe skirts.
 Resolved, That will write fewer stuff, anyway.
 Resolved, That I will not life points or ideas from the published work of my literary friends.
 Resolved, That my work shall appear oftener in our best journals ,and that shall ask higher rates. Resolved, That I will economlze on paper ink and ? cent stamps. Resolved, That Consequently l will economize on candy, willow plumes, opera tickets and taxicabs.
 Resolved That will never allow any thing of a personal nature about my self to appear in print.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
"ALI.-soUTHERN BoGIE,

From the Atlanta Constitution.
 In the current issue of The Saturday Evening Post Samuel G. Blythe, national political expert < + < names four southern born men who now loom as presidential possibilities, even the south'I giving it's reluctant assent: oscar Un- derwood, Woodrow Wilson, Champ Clark and Joseph w. Folk.
 The Constitution has often pointed out the strength of these various southerners from time to time. But there can be no question that the case of Oscar Un- derwood rises as phenomenal. Scarcely more than two years ago he did not stand out conspicuously from the great body of congressman, save as a steady attendant upon the sessions, upon com mittee meetings, and as man with mastery of any subject he selected. But the special session of the Congress, called to consider Canadian reciprocity developed Underwood as leader of wonderful abil- ity, in handling both situations and men. As chairman of the all important ways and means committee of the House, which framed the new tariff schedules, and as floor leader of the House, he displayed a brilliant ability to resolve ,party diff ferences within the organization, to se- cure concerted action, to steer the party clear of mistakes and in every way to exhibit qualities of statesmanship sec ond to those possessed by representatives of no other section.
 If any final argument, of the most practical sort, were needed to explode the last shred of the bogie of sectionalism in politics. it is furnished by Oscar Un- derwood. He has shown the country, and the country today is discussing his presidential availability in a manner lit- tie less than marvellous.
 In the face Of such a showing, not to mention the northern interest in the other southerners cited, it is about time for the south to relinquish its finger ing grasp of an old ghost, and join in the national chorus that today forgets the birthplace of men, so long as they have capacity There is gratifying evi- dence that the south is waking up to the fallacy of delusion that is now only southern.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Progress of the Chinese Revolution

Dr. Sun Vat Sen, speaking after his arrival in Shanghai, says IA of the IS provinces in China favor republic, while two are neutral, leav- ing only two tied to the Manchu dynasty. Every additional days news confirms this story of republican success. The Manchu regime is vir- tually repudiated. It has lost all hold on the giant country, and repub- lican sentiment is increasing through out the country.
 At this writing it is probable the road to a republic will be through 8 national assembly convened by an edict of the infant Emperor. It is believed that Yuan Shai Kai is smoothing the way for the change.
 All foreigners, including the mis- sionaries, continue to be protected and the powers can find no decent excuse for intervention. The Chinese for once will be left free to settle their own affairs.
 The uprising in China may be the prelude of a new China. In the last century the world was treated to new Japan, and in this century a new China may stand forth. If so, it will prove no doubt the most important event of the century. No event in the last century is proving more far reaching than the rise of Japan.
 The Chinese will determine the form of their government to their own satisfaction if outside influence and outside. loans be withheld. This is really the only doubtful point left in the contest, for the Manchus arc practically repudiated, and the repub licans are well established outside ol Peking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28

and violent agitators have cleared the atmosphere; and the business of the country is in a healthier condition to- day than 1t was year ago, or even three months ago.
 Eight cent cotton has checked the buoyant feeling in towns depending very largely on the prosperity of the cotton farmers, but owing to di- versified farming the agricultural south is far better off today than at any previous time. Pig iron has been low-almost down to the cost of pro- duction-but the market is active aft CT more than two years of inactivity, and some advance in price may req sonably be expected. Steel products are low, but the recent brisk demand is highly encouraging. The United States Steel corporation has more orders on its books at the close ot the year than has been the case at any time since 1909. The business world is not expecting boom until after the presidential election, but new rec ords in prosperity will surely be due in 1913. In the meantime, according to conservative business men, 1912 will be anything but lean year.
 In the Birmingham district the coal trade has been active during the last half of the year, and a new high record in coal production can be safe ly predicted for next year. There is a great deal of activity in the build ing trades, and the outlook for large building operations in this city in 1912 is bright indeed. Optimism is the rule hereabouts, and the new year will find few, if any, pessimists in this town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
------'e'------- TURNING TO UNDERWOOD

New York Special to the Washington Post
 The political current sentiment among the democrats is flowing strongly in favor of the Hon. Oscar Underwood for the nomination for the presidency.
 Three weeks ago Governor Harmon of Ohio seemed to be the favorite among the party leaders, but it Is evident his strength is past it's maximum, and the talk of the conservatives at this time is extremely favorable to the gentleman from Alabama.
 New York democratic leaders are far more coAsderate now of the sentiment of the party in other states than they were prior to 1896 and 1904, as defeat has taught them that the country is not al ways of their opinion in political af- fairs.
 There exists in this state an exceeding ly strong, independent vote that is in mar mony with new leaders rather than with those who have had control for years, and, knowing this, there is here a dis position to move very carefully in the selection of a presidential nominee, so that both the conservative and progress sive voters can be united for the demo- cratic ticket upon election day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Tariff Revision the One Great Issue

Tariff Revision the One Great Issue
 Every day renders the issue of 1912 plainer. It is to be a well defined, clear cut battle between the consum- CTS who want the necessities of life at lower prices on the one hand, and the manufacturers who want protec- tion for profits no matter how large they may be or may become. The former have more votes while the latter have more money, and thls means that huge campaign fund will be rolled up by the tariff beneficiarles to be expended in doubtful and con tested states to buy votes in the slums of large cities very much as Hartman did in 1904.
 The issue will remain the same whether Taft or Roosevelt be the re- publican nominee. The waverings of Taft over the tariff question are met by Roosevelt's silence. The latter dis cusses everything but the tariff. Neither can change the issue. Oscar Underwood, the leader of the demo- cratic majority in the House, will push through bills that will present the is- sue in concrete form. These bills will be the democratic platform, no matter whether they are killed in the Sen ate or vetoed by the President. A tariff for revenue only is to be pre- scented on the one side and a tariff for manufacturer profits on the oth- CT. We have no infant industries now As a rule they are full grown, and some of them are giants.
 The antitrust issue cannot be pushed to the front by either Taft or Roosevelt. There is no quicker way of minimizing trusts than by lower inp the tariff wall which promotes and shelters them. Get ready then for a great tariff campaign, and in such campaign no name will shine so bright as that of Oscar Underwood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
As to Christmas Celebrations

''While I heartily indorse the sentiments expressed by Mir Hrsch in his open letter to The Age-Herald, I do not concede that the American people are more boisterous than the Europeans in their holiday cele- brations,' said citizen who has been abroad several times Granted that the recent Christmas celebration was noisy, yet it must be remembered that the American youth gets few opportunl- ties to let off his superfuity of life and spirit. On the other hand in most of the European countries every important
 feast day is holiday and every town and hamlet has it's numerous fairs and festivals.
 q do not hesitate to say that the Amer ican youth is more clnvalric even Tn noisy celebration than the roysterers who parade the streets of any European town during a 'mardi gras' festivity or like holiday.
 'I would much prefer to celebrate the Christmas season with less hustle and noise, but when one reflects on the few opportunities, by reason of much fewer established holidays, I think there Is some excuse for the exuberance of the spirit displayed in this country. Then again. think I can safely say withou' fear of successful contradiction that most | of the reveling. if I may apply that term come from thoughtless boys who took the 1 opportunity to get rid of their super
 abundance of carnival spirit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
ALABAMA COAL

From the Mobile Register.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald asks that there be another coal test made by Colonel Goethals, with a view of estab- fishing the grade of coal best suited for use in the tropics. The colonel has had a test made and reports in favor of West Virginia coal. It appears, however, that Alabama coal was not taken into consid- eraton. The Age-Herald says: "The Ala bama coals are as tropical and, as good steam makers as West Virginia oals. but thus far they have secured no friend at court-no powerful friend on the canal zone at any rate,' and asks: Shall Ala bama step aside to let Colonel Goetnals monopolize the coal trade of the greatest coal market In sight? Shall West Vir- ginia be permitted to drive all other American coals out of Panama? Ger tain it is that unless some effort is made to get a showing for Alabama coal, the patronage is going elsewhere. The coal men of the mineral district should not Tel the matter rest in it's present state
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Farmers Store Cotton

"In DeKalb county stated Back Tax Commissioner Lloyd of Collinsville yes terday, the farmers are holding their cotton. There is no way of telling just how long they will be able to swing to their bales, but they certainly did with stand the Christmas season without turn ing them aloose.
 Practically every farmer in the coun- ty has from one to 20 bales stored away. They state their determination to hold their cotton until prices go up. The ma jorty of them are hoping for 15 cents, but after recent experiences, hardly be- leve that they would turn 10 cents down As a result of the farmers holding cot ton, collections in the county have been just a trifle slow"
 MT. Lloyd was appointed back tax commissioner by Governor Conner and on account of previous good service was re- appointed by Governor O'Neal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
uNDERwOOD's PLUCK
From the Jeffersonian.


 oscar Underwood was the only South ern congressman who had the robust manhood to vote against the $l0,000,0O0 pension grab. Champ Clark wilted and voted for it. Eighty odd democrats went over to the republicans after hav- ing pledged themselves to economy and retrenchment Last year they were widely advertising advertising the fact that they had fired a lot of clerks-one Of them was a little girl of F years and had thereby saved the country nearly two hundred thousand dollars.
 At this session. however, the very same gang united with the republicans to in crease the taxes of the people by $O- 000,000 year.
 And the only democrat from, the south who acted consistently and courageously was Oscar Underwood.
 Such man would make president to be proud of; he has conviction and he has sand in his gizzard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
TRAILING UNDERWOOD

From the Buffalo News.
 Wall street lies heavy on the heart of William J. Bryan. Some men have an obsession about one thing. Others have a bug" about another. MT. Bry- ans black beast is Wall street, and he has an idea that all he need say to blight any statesman is to accuse nm of being a Wall street man.
 In the current number of the Com moner there is a return to the attack on Congressman Underwood, majority lead- CT in Congress, and MT. Bryan doesn't scruple to say lone candidate has made a high bid for Wall street favor by de- claring that the masses are more like ly to select honest men than an honest measure"
 MT. Bryan declares that the idea is very essence of aristocracy, the undem- ocratic doctrine that the people have not sense enough to decide questions, but must content themselves with se- Iecting superior men to think for them.
 If MT. Bryan would spend SO minutes studying the history of democracy he would know that MT. Underwood spoke the exact truth in the remark quoted
 
 about about it being easier for the masses to choose men than measures. The success of a democracy depends on its ability to choose the right men for leadership, for every organized society has it's leaders, and in proportion that they are high minded and capableis the success of the democracy they serve. MT. Bryan has no historic basis to stand on when he challenges the Underwood doctrine. But sheer is an easy thing in the world and the Peerless has be- come reduced chiefly to sneering at al most everybody in his own party who grows to be much more than foot high
 If it only were question between MT. Underwood and MT. Bryan to be submitted to the country at large, ii would be easy to see that MT. Under wood would have about four-fifths of the votes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
ATTACKING THE CANDIDATES

welt was President We recall when he went about the country braggng of the crooks he had "cinched" and he had beaten big business" to it's knees and made it beg for mercy. Then, there was only one just man, all who opposed him were tools of the corporations The country Is a little more experienced iii judging political claims of this sort than it was eight years ago.
 The friends of Governor Wilson hope to get the delegations. which will go up uninstructed for Clark, for Dix, for Har- mon and for various other candidates if 1t should prove necessary for their can- didates to be withdrawn. If they present these leading democrats as stalking horses and as the tools of ''the machine politi- cians." they are going to make it inl- possible for their friends to go to Wilson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
Business Ahead

The new year promises well from business point of view; much bet ter certainly than was promised a few weeks ago, There has been a great deal in the year closing to dis turb capital and industrial activities. On the one hand political demogogy and on the other lawless acts on the part of a few labor leaders had a depressing effect on legitimate busi- ness. But the noise of politics has been discounted, while the confession of the McNaInaras and honest la bor's condemnation of dynamiters
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Old yirginia's Prosperity

Richard o. Morris. chief of the con tract department of the Southern Bell Telephone company, has returned from visit to Virginia, his native state.
 Virginia is prospering greatly said Mir Morris "Those who visit the old state only occasionally are much im- pressed by the wonderful progress ID evidence. There is a steady tide Of new corners and capital to Virginia. Albe- marie county is filling up fast. Among those who have recently purchased homes there are a number of wealthy New Workers. The whole state of Nlr- ginia seems to be on a boom'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
rum sl.54. He then went. after the

drum $154. He then went after the remaining 46.
 "The charitable instinct was not very highly developed in the crowd about the squad. and the evidence tended to indicate that the remaining 46 cents would never be collected so selecting a moment in which no one observed, I tossed 50 cents on the heao of the drum. The captain was dei- ighted. However, he said, we are now in another quandry. We have cents too much He solved the situation by endeavoring to collect 8. When l lett the captain was urging someone to make the sum s5, and I understand that he was successful in his effort.
 I'm great believer in the Salvation Army, and take pleasure in making small donation whenever l am able to do so."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
uy.utcd 1G Cents

q was interested in the Christmas collection of the Salvation Army said Harry Jones yesterday, and especialiy interested in the effort of the captain of the squad to collect 46 cents.
 "The captain, after the singing or several songs, started out to gather from the audience the sum of $2. It was a hard set of citizens to whom the man was addressing himself, and the collection of nickles and, dimes was eN- cccdingly slow. But finally, after counting the spells. the captain an nounced that lie had on the head of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
RErLECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Kisses aren't like wine for improving with age.
 A hard way for a man to win a girls love is to deserve 1t.
 mother believes In her children be- cause she has learned from their father nobody is to be believed in.
 It takes girl to be willing to admit men don't care for her when she thinks about 20 are crazy over her
 If a man knows better than to get into debt, all the good J,e gets out of it is to help some other man who doesn't know better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
UNIQUE CHRISTMAS CARD.

UNIQUE CHRISTMAS CARD.
 A cheery Christmas greeting comes from MT. and Mrs. Newton Newkirk of Bos- ton. Brother Newkirk Is president Of the American Press Humorists and does men tai acrobatics for the Boston Post The card is 'illustrated'' by Newt" himself. On the left side is a sketch of Mrs. Newt" standing coy1y meath sprig of mistletoe and calling "Newt's" attention to the fact that she is ''in loco l<issibus." On the right side is drawing of Newt" which grossly flatters him, no doubt, joy fully hastenng to do his duty as he sees it. Newt" will never get across the card, however, for there is stanza
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
KENTUCKY LORE

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 An Englishman asks if juleps can be made with a good brand of Scotch whis- ky. Hardly, but it is said that a tight shoe may be made comfortable by the application of Scotch whisky to the leather, and a comfortable hat may be made too tight by applying a sufficient amount of Scotch whisky to the problem of how to pass the evening.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
RECIPROCITY

From the Houston Post.
 The Birmingham city commission mas purchased 55 acres of park property. While Birmingham is coveting Houston's million dollar hotels, Houston can put in little time coveting Birmingham's parks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28

Tn between which reads as follows:
 : GREETINGS! we wish you health, we wish you joy Ana happiness without alloy we wish you Merry Xmas, too, And merriness the whole year thro'- we wish that every wish you wish hou Il land in your net like a fish we Wish you fifty times, then plus, All wishes that you may wish us Aiiu now We feel we've did out 'doot.
 LOVEl BLESSINGSi ess MT. and Mrs. Newt ;"
 ENOUGH SAID. What sort of man is Dubbins?" Ills wlfe hires all his stenographers."
 THE CIIAMBERMAID.
 There's nothing makes
 Her weep, I ween,
 Like reading stuff
 By Laura Jean.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
INFORMATION WANTED.

At an inquest in Elinwood a doctor was testlfying. Where did the motor car strike him?" the coroner asked. At the junction of the dorsal and cerebral yer teprae, replied the medicine man. will you please point that out on the map?" said the coroner, pointing to a map of Barton county on the waIl.-Kansas City Star
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28
LOVE SONG AT CHRISTMAS Frank l.. stanton in the Atlanta Consti, tuition.

Sweetheart. the Christmas time is mine And children's voices. sweet and dear, And children's eyes that brightly shine. But you, Sweetheart, you are not here.
 II. Voices of land and over sea, Glad echoes from the world so wide, And this one joy denied to me; Sweetheart that you were at my side,
 {. III. No word of love, no clasp, no kiss, No sweet voice, silencng the strife. But only this, and only this: The death in llfe-the death in life, I could be happy, bowed and poor, Brave of the bravest. splendd-free. If you stood at a cabin door And your two arms would necklace mel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-28

The President of Amherst college comes to the support of Dr. Oster by declaring that mans mental activities cease when he is 65 years of age. Who. will support the Presidept of Amherst?