davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
Local Taxation For Public Schools

State Superintendent of Education Henry j. Willingham has recently pub lished a brochure entitled Some Facts and Figures Relating to Local Taxation for Public Schools It is published by the Alabama education committee at Montgomery and is without cost to the state. Typographieally the publication is high-class, and the matter contained with in it's 20 pages is of great interest to the people of Alabama. MT. Willingham has shown both taste and ingenuity In presenting the cause of education. He stresses with convincing effect Alabama's lack in the public school field; and in presenting statical data he shows broad knowledge of the souths needs. His sta- tistics are indeed, clear and compre- hensive, and in relating facts with each other our superintendent of education has been altogether fair
 MT. Wnlinghaml in a concise preface addressed to the public, says among other things: tThe facts presented in this pamphlet were obtained for the most part from the last report, volume II, of the United States commissioner of education at Washington. That the tables are ab- solutely reliable we have no reason to doubt These simple facts are presented without any lengthy comment. They speak for themselves My purpose in arranging these tables and in publishing this pamphlet (without any expense to the state) is to try to convince any one who may not already be convinced that the people of Alabama are entitled to have the privilege of supporting their own schools through local taxation by dis tricts and by an increased county rate"
 Of all the measures to be considered by the present legislature few are so im- portant as that seeking a constitutional amendment giving counties and districts the right to tax themselves adequately for the maintenance of public schools. This measure is indeed of far reaching and vital importance. In the list of states illiterates Alabama is near the bottom The percentage of white illiterates accord ing to the government census of 1900 was in Connecticut only 1 per cent; in Mas sachusetts 9-10ths of 1 per cent in New York Is per cent; in Illinois 2.s: in In- diana Al; in Alabama 13.s in Tennessee Al.
 In Alabama the average number of days attendance for every child of school age in 1eo7-s was smaller than that of any other state-4o7 per cent, as against the highest-147. 6 per cent in the state of Washington.
 In view of Alabama's bad showing in the matter of illiteracy and the serious harm that this bad showing is doing us in the outside world, to say nothing of the question in it's higher ethical aspect, the legislature should be quick to adopt a measure looking to the only practical remedy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
Mobile to Have the Cardinal

Cardinal Gibbons is not much past three score and ten but he was never robust and his visit to Mobile to partiei- nate in the celebration of that city's 200th anniversary will probably be the last time he will be seen in a great cer- emonial outside of his home. Baltimore, said an old layman.
 "The Catholic church will have prom inent part in the bi-centenial, and Bishop Aliens cathedral, with a large seating capacity, will be thronged when Bishop Shaw, native of Mobile, and for years secretary of this diocese, but now CO., adiutor to the bishop of San Antonio, celebrates pontifical mass. Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Blenk and other dis tinguished prelates will be present In their robes of state. Cardinal Gibbons has passed through Alabama frequently on his way to New Orleans and back to Baltimore, but he has never stopped off so for as I can recall The occasion or his eminence's visit to Mobile will there- fore be a notable event in the history of that city and the ceremonial in the cathedral will be the most imposing af- fair of the sort ever seen in the south outside of New Orleans"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Regarding Constitutional Prohibitio


 "Thousands of men who voted for the prohibition amendment in the mem orable campaign of 1909 now acknowl- edge their mistake, and under no con ditions would they vote that way again." said an old Alabamian
 Many of those who were amendists, but who are glad in looking back over the situation that the amendment was defeated, are still classed as prohiol- tionists Now. I can readily under stand how men living in rural dis- tricts are strongly against the liquor traffic being licensed in their respective communities. and can readily under stand, too, that many citizens of BIT mingham would always oppose saloons in this community; but only fanatlcs or impractical persons will say that drastic laws such as we now nave should be retained Hotels and res7 taurants should certainly be allowed to serve beer and wine, at least to thelr guests. The great harm growing oul of the, liquor business comes from the over-induigence in whisky drlnkins' Cut out whisky and we would have little or no incompetence. Modern beer that is to say, beer made during the past 10 years. Is so mild that an aouit could not drink enough of It at one time to become intoxicated.
 q have no idea what the legislature will do toward giving us relief rom the Fuller law. but am satisned thau it will do something reasonable-solhe- thing that will keep millions or ool- lars of money in circulation at nome instead of letting it go to other states to pay for beverages that are shipped here"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
DISCARDED AGAIN
l the Boston Traveller.

From the Boston Traveller.
 There, now, you've gone and dis graced me again. said Mrs. Henpeck after they had returned from dinner party. peck.
 What did you mean by making such a noise drinking your coffee?"
 Well. it was hot, and I was only slipping it,'' replied Henpeck:
 Slipping it? Why, it sounded like you were gargling it."
 "Woll, 1t was hot. What could l do?"
 "Why,'' said Mrs. Henpeck, If 1t was hot, why didn't you do like I did, pour 1t into your saucer and blow on it? l got mine cool"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
EXAMPLE OF WIFELY DEVOTION
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 HEw of the many historical char
 acters that strut before us for 4 our amusement in the pages of the extra ordinary Diary kept by Sam uel Pepys are more interesting than Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle. A book just published in London focuses attention anew on this eccentric but amiable women, and on the husband to whom she was so enthusiastically, and even quixotically devoted.
 When the civil war broke out, New castle took the kings side, held the an infantry regiment of White Coats, who gave proof of their mettle when they defeated the Fairfaxes, father and son, at Adderton Heath Newcastle did his best to dissaude the fiery Prince Rupert from engaging the parliament tarians at Marston Moor, but, when overruled, did his best to stem the tide of defeat on that fatal field. Retiring to the continent, he there met Mar garet Lucas maid of honor to Queen Henrietta Maria. and married her in Paris in 1645. The disparity In their ages-he was 53, she 21-did not stand in the way of a most ardent devotion. For the 2S years of their married life their admiration of each other was of a most exaggerated character.
 Both had literary tastes and aspir- ations, and the husband aided the wife in her compositions, and was ridiculed for doing so by Horace Walpole in his Royal and Noble Authors" Wal pole speaks of the duchess as a fer tile' pedant," with an "unbounded pas sion for scribbling," the truth of the charge being substantiated by the fact that the output of the noble pair filled more than dozen ponderous folio tonnes. So indefatigable was the duchess that she had bevy of maids to register her thoughts, and kept bell by her bedside, so that If she woke in the night with an idea she
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
Pay Your Poll Tax

The poll tax books in this county make a poor showing in view of the fact that tomorrow is the last day for paying the 1910 tax; and unless this tax is paid be- wise qualified, can cast ballot during the present year. Several important cleo tions are likely to occur in 1911 and it is always desirable that a full vote should be boiled.
 Let those who have already paid re- mind their neighbors who have not at tended to this matter that the time is short. There should be a great rush to pay poll taxes today and tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
RATHER WEAK

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 A Cleveland man went out into the country to spend week. His host, a frugal swain. took him into the cellar. shortly after his arrival, to test the cider.
 How many barrels of cider did you make this year?" asked the city guy, slipping his beverage from a gourd.
 Jest II barrels" answered the farm er Why, did ye want ter git some ?"
 "No-oh, no, was just thinking that 1t was 8 pity you couldn't find another apple-you'dS have had an even dozen barrels!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
New orleans and San Francisco

'I will be sorry to see New Orleans lose in the fight for the Panama exposl- tion but it looks to me as if San Fran cisco had it, said J. F. Rosser of Gin cinnati.
 "I was in New Orleans last fall and everybody there was confident that the governments indorsement would be se- cured for that city. The business men of New Orleans not only subscribed $1,00O,0 coo to the exposition fund but did it with great alacrity. There is no city in the country which can raise big money for a big enterprise easier than New Orleans. The Louisiana legislature voted $6,50O,000 to the fund.- San Francisco and Califor- mia. respectively, matched New Orleans and Louisiana, ard politics will do the balance.
 '.As New Orleans is so much more easily reached from population cenlers than San Francisco the east naturally wants the Crescent City to have the ex- position I am in favor of New Orleans going ahead anyway and get up an un- official worlds fair. It would draw crowds even if Uncle Sam should put his imprematur on the Pacific city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
The Cotton situation

Henry Clews in his last Saturdays discussion of the cotton trade from financial point of view, says in part:
 The general situation remains unchang- ed from recent reports. No new factor has developed and trading continues al- most entirely professional. Bulish manip- ulation is occasionally in evidence, but the public are still skeptical of the bull position, believing that conditions are against the success of any aggressive operations which have for their end the marking up of pricesi
 "rhe weather generally throughout the growing section is reported as much warmer than last week and scattered rains have. been falling for several days with every evidence of continuing. A week or two more of such weather will go far toward relieving the moisture de- ficIency. especially in Texas and Okla hona. and will put the ground in fine shape for ploughing next month. not only [ In these states but throughout the csn-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
TREASURE TRovE IN THE SOUP

From the Boston Traveller.
 A guest was eating in a hotel din ing room. He was getting outside of some soup. By the way, he was not eating with the "noiseless soup spoon," either. Suddenly he stopped eating and scrutinized carefully the contents of his spoon. With frown he called the waiter.
 Waiter, I've just found a collar but ton in my soup."
 The answer came snappily back. " ou didn't see anything of an umbrella, did you? A guest lost one here last week."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
nNFLECrIoNs OF A RACHELoR

From the New York Press.
 Income Is pennies; outgo is dollars.
 Liars and hatterers make big army but small firing line.
 A man with a sore finger can't help thinking he deserves public honors for it. A girl likes to have her lips spok en of as ripe cherries, specially if they are like slits in white plaster. After all, what's the difference be- tween a woman putting false hair on her head and. rthpQnsa, spsnkles and jewols?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

tral and eastern portions of the belt. Planting in Texas in the extreme south ern part will begin about the middle of February and should become general by March 15. Under the stimulus of present high prices the next acreage will in all probability be enormous, and with favor able climatic conditions during the grow ing season the coming crop should be record breaker"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

quaintances. Miss Terry's American tour should be source of satisfaction to the many who read good literature, and like to see the giants kept upon the boards. Her talks upon Shakespeare's heroines will be edifying to students of Shakespeare, and to others who are .in- terested in players and plays repre- senting the best there is upon the stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

might summon waiting woman to
 write 1t down lest perchance it should
 be lost to the world
 She had, however, more industry than
 inspiration. and of all the plays. poems.
 orations, histories, philosophies and
 stories that she turned out, she is re-
 membered now by only one work, her history of her husband under the title
 of "The Life of the Most Illustrious
 Prince, William. Duke of Newcastle" So highly was this book, as well as
 others of her compositions, esteemed that the dons of St. Johns college, Cambridge, fulsomely wrote to her that they would mot only survive our uni versity, but hold date even with time itself and incontinently this age, by reading of your books, will lose it's barbarity and rudeness, being
 made tame by the eloquence of your style and manner.
 Very different was the opinion which Pepys, in his own downright and un-
 compromising way, expressed: "Staid at home reading the ridic-
 ulous history of my Lord Newcastle, wrote by my wife. which shows her to be mad, conceited, ridiculous wom-
 an. and he an asse to suffer her to write what she writes to him and of him."
 Pepys was not, however, a f1rst-class critic, as witness. for example, his re- peated attempts at reading "Hudibras" so that he might bring himself to think it witty; and time has dealt more leniently with the duchess' work Charles Lamb considered 1t a jewel for which no casket was rich enough. To us 1t is valuable as a vivid pie
 ture of a stirring age, and, besides, it
 has the rare charm of showing us a
 wife who saw in her husband nothing
 but perfection. We may smile when
 she ranks him above Julius Caesar,
 but we must admire the love blindness
 which enabled her to perform so pro- digious a feat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

New Orleans is still keeping up it's fight for the Panama exposition in 1915, but it looks as if San Francisco had prac- tically won the prize. New Orleans is the logical place for the fair, but California has the best of it politically. President Taft is working for a renomnation in 1912 and his influence thrown to San Francisco will strengthen him in the far west
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

LORDS OF A DAY.
 "A good man gone'-
 The world rolls on.
 Another makes
 The same mistakes.
 Is prominent
 And so, content
 A few years more,
 His race is OCT.
 Another comes,
 With sound of drums.
 Assumes a pose,
 Tells what he knows.
 Enjoys the view,
 His honors, too.
 Then lays him down,
 Forgets renown And quits the scene,
 Scarce missed, I ween.
 Thus men succeed
 With fatal speed.
 The slave, the chief,
 Like fallen leaf,
 Both gathered in
 Deaths dusty bin.
 And those who go
 At last must know
 How slight the fame,
 How brief the name
 They've sorely won,
 When life Is done.
 THEY TOLL NOT Are all these houses boarding houses?, "Yes, and this is Easy street." "Why do you call it Easy street?" Because of the tranquil lives led by the husbands of the women who conduct these boarding houses"
 EVER BEEN. THERE? Although 1t has no great renown, Its designations rather catchy; In Texas there's little town Hold tight!-whose name is waxa- hachie.
 THRILLING ENCOUNTER. Did you hear about Pipps' latest ad- venture?" No. Tell it to me- While on his way home last night he bumped Into Venus of Melos." Stuff and nonsense!" Nothing of the sort. Pipps tried to take short cut across old Gotawad's lawn"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

President Taft might be able to pre- opher to act as assistant to the Pres ident." That type always knows how to run the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
THE PLEASURES OF X LIBRARY


 By John Fletcher "The Elder Brother" Give me leave 1a 5A To enjoy myself. That place, that does contain 5.,S My books. the best companions, is to me A glorious court, where hourly I con- verse A. sss.t, With the old sages and philosophers; And sometimes. for variety. tconfer With kings and emperors, and weigh their counseIs; Calling their victories, if unjustlys got, Unto strict account. and, in my fancy, Deface their ill-placed statues. Gan I then
 Part with such pleasures to embrace Uncertain vanities? No. be 1t. your care To augment your head of wealth: 1t shall be mine a r To increase in Knowledge Lights thera. for my studyl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

The cause of true temperance appeals to all right minded people. Radical pro- hibiton laws never make for temperance. Local option is the democratic doctrine and it is a sound moral doctrine as well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

J. A. D. McCurdy's attempt to break all aviation records by flying from Key West to Havana, was near enough suc- cessful to make this plucky Canadian a hero. The lubricating oil gave out and McCurdy's biplane came down and hit the water but the aviator was picked up unhurt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

Miss Gould will marry Lord Decies in dress that will cost $50, 900. If she couldn't afford anything better than a calico dress, it is safe to as sume that his "ludship" would not be with us
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

Maine has had constitutional prohibit ton for more than 50 years and a great deal of illicit liquor traffic all that time The democratic party in Maine is com- mitted to a resubmission to the people and now that the democrats are in power their relief from prohibition fanaticism is in sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
ALMOST roo GOOD
From the Tuscaloosa News.

From the Tuscaloosa News.
 Senator Atlee Pomerene of Ohio does not drink, smoke nor swear. His par ticular weakness is unknown" says The Age-Herald. From these statistics one would guess that he is henpecked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
wouEDN"r INTERFERE

From the New York Telegraph. EN
 Harry Rowe Shelley loves an Irish story and can tell one.
 The parish priest was going ghis rounds when Marty Sullivan ran up; to him with his eyes-the size of saucers. Sure, father,"s said he, Pat Driscoll has hanged himself in his barn."
 The priest said, You cut him down, of course" 20
 "No." said Marty; "he wasn't dead yet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
sKEPTIcAL.

1T see where a literary man rendered $50 bill in payment for a meah"
 Tn a play?' sA
 "Why do you ask?" f
 T thought it might have been stage money.'' r
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

A man was sent to a hospital in New York for examination as to his sanity because he thought himself a fish. Maybe somebody told him he was in the sWnn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

In the red blood' sort of short story two husky brutes beat each other up and then one saves the others life at the imminent risk of his own.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

The proposed trouser reform has raised a great howl in the ranks of the knock -kneed. pigeon-toe and thin shanked Apollos.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

We are anxious to know the state of Mrs. Nations nerves. Can she come back?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

It is now possible to go around the world in less than half the time it took Jules Verne's hero to make his trip
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

Senator Jeff Davls of Arkansas is back in the spotlight again because he asked. What is a jack -pot?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

A Chicago girl has run away to mar ry an Indian. Moving picture shows are blamed ty the Chicago News
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

When J. P. Morgan pats wobbling bank on the back it straightens right up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

According to the latest report, King Alphonse has falen in love with the gay life of Paris. He knows Gaby.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

Poll tax can be paid tomorrow but to- morrow is positively the last day so far as this year goes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

Madison Square Garden is for sale but it isn't a good place. to raise truck.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
sCoRNED.

Iauy OIaTa we're de we're,
 Although you're something of ffirt, You can not win my heart away
 Because you wear a hobble skirt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

felt in every state. No primary deci- sion can safely be ignored and none perhaps will be hereafter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
TOTALLY BETRAYED

This. cooling spell in the winter time is most welcome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31
ROUGH ON POETS.


 ROUGH ON POETS.
 Contributed. t~
 A TEN-TO-ONE SHOT. The poet Is a noble man. I read this in a book; The man who wrote it may have been A cousin to DOC" Cook.
 WORSE AND WORSE. The poet is, noble man, His soul is without guile; But every time I look at him, smile and smile and smile.
 THE PRICE OF POETRY. The poet is a noble man, NJ With words he's full and fat, But bread and meat the poets eat ll It would not fill a cat.
 A GENEROUS cUss. That poets ALL are noble men, I'm sure I do not know; The best I'll say for them right now Is this: It may be so. e
 ME TOO. The poet Is a noble man, But now my rhyme is OCT As, I'm no bard this sort of stuff Doth make my noodle sore
 Gordon Hamilton
 FIRE AND FURY. "A popular musical comedy star devel- oped latent emotional powers last night that the public didn't think she pos- sessed'
 How did 1t happen?' "She had a row with hotel clerk,
 VERY ANNOYING. ... VI "I'll motor,' saved
 The Lady Clare;
 Two punctures made s
 Her want to swear DOESN'T WEAR MANY BEADS. "A noted dancer says she became q bankrupt as a result of having spent so much money buying beads to wear in her dances" That being the case, she must have paid fancy price for each bead"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in naughts world.
 Merchant of Venice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-31

EVER BEEN THERE? Although 1t has no great renown Its designation's rather catchy; In Texas there's a little town Hold tight!-whose name Is Waxa hachie.