davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
Minister Ospina's Letter

If the Colombian minister at Wash ington had not given his personal let ter. to the state department to the newspapers he could not be considered censurable in any respect. He simply as an individual told the state depart ment that the Secretary of State would be wise not to include Colombia in his South American itinerary, as a visit there may happen to be consid- cred as inopportune. ," He meant that while the United States refused to listen to Colombia's desire for arbi- traitor in connection with the seizure of Panama, that the people and the government would not welcome the man who thus snubbed their country
 Senor Ospina had right to do all this, but he did commit a breach of diplomatic etiquette when he gave his letter to the newspapers. This is the extent of his offending. He probably sought publicity because he wanted the world to know how badly the United States had treated his coun- try. This country refuses to arbi- trate the Colombian claim. If Colom- bias claim lies against Panama in stead of the United States, would not The Hague, for example, say SO? Surely Colombia has right to have her claim adjudicated.
 Now that Seao, Ospina has been recalled and MT. Knox has been in- yited to visit Colombia, the way is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
PLAY
From Golfers S.

TOfu SOlileT S.
 Self improvement societies that have tried to find the best way to live have never discovered anything more valu- able than play. A man may shake up a continent by his energy or build king doms by his brains, but so far as his per sonal life is concerned, he has been a failure if he has not learned to play. Play, of course, Is not confined to games It may be. a walk in the woods, a. row upon the river, a sail upon the lake. To some, making garden is play, as to oth- CTS is chopping wood. TO play is to fol- low the Irresponsible inclination which gives the most pleasure with the least mental strain and bodily wear. Ideal play is a. brief period of care free living snatched from the regular routine of bread getting. It is enjoying the pleas use of being active; 1t is absorbing from the earth and air and sun without con- scious effort. More and more we are try ing to teach the children how to play; but we grown ups in America do not know how ourselves. Before us always
 sthe bogy of wasting time; and the devil of disease, old age, misery and failure never invented falser bogy. Then we have a feeling that it is not dignified or manful to play. We send our children to the public playground, and go on our selves getting soggy and heavy and gloomy and nervous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
ALABAMA IS IN EARNEST
From the Jackson clarion-Ledger.

From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. If anyone has any doubt as to whether
 the Alabama people are in earnest or
 not in the advocacy of the nomination of
 Oscar Underwood as the next democratic
 presidential candidate, they have only ito read the papers of his home state
 They are unit for him, and are engaged in campaign of education in their en-
 deavor to convince the people of the south | that the prejudice against the nominaN | tion of southern man exists only in the southern states.
 | Not since the war between the states
 has the democracy of the south presented the name of one of it's own men for con- sideration before a national democratic convention, content to furnish the votes
 and let the balance of the country fur
 nish the man. But Alabama has decided
 to break the monotony of such a pro-
 gramme, and give the democracy of the north, east and west an opportunity to | make good their oft repeated assertion | that sectional prejudice has passed away. l In other words, they have placed Un- derwood in the race to the finish, and | are endeavoring to get the support of as many other southern states as possible, determined to push him to the front and make him the standard bearer of the party if possible
 In this connection it is encouraging to
 note the many good reasons given in the
 northern press why a southern man should be nominated encouraging one to believe that the people of the north are
 sincere in their declarations that sectional prejudice and feeling is thing of the past, and that they have the same faith in the patriotism of southerner that the people of this section have ia that of those of the north.
 The war has been over practically half a. century. Oscar Underwood was an in- fant when the armies of the two sections closed the conflict, and is today just as | loyal and patriotic a citizen of the United States as any man within her borders. It ] is agreed that he has the ability and other requisites to a successful filling of the presidential chair. He has demon- | strated his capabilities for leadership in the way he has handled the democratic
 majority in the lower house of Congress, and the simple fact that he is south- erner should be allowed to cut no figure in the selection of the man.
 The Clarion-Ledger has announced no
 favorite for the democratic nomination, it
 is for the most available man be he from
 the north, east, south or west, and will
 support him with equal ardor wherever
 he resides, but has written the above
 simply to show that no longer any neces-
 sity exists for the nomination of a man
 simply because he happens to live in a
 certain state, or to fail to reward merit
 and party service because he is a resi- dent of one particular section of what ev eryone comedies is a reunited country in every sense of the word.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26

As yet the panic of the steed had given his unskillful rider an apparent advantage in the chase. but just as he had got half way through the hollow the girths of the saddle gave way and he felt it slipping from under him. He seized 1t by the pommel and endeavored to hold it firm, but in vain, and had just time to save himself by clasping old Gunpowder round the neck when the saddle fell to the earth and he heard it trappled under foot by his pursuer - For moment the terror of Hans Van Ripper's wrath passed across His mind for 1t was his Sunday saddle; but this was no time for petty fears; the goblin was hard on his launches; and (un- skillful rider that he wash he had much ado to maintain his seat; some- times slipping on one side, sometimes on another and sometimes jolted on the high ridge of his horses backbone, with a violence that he verify feared would cleave him asunder.
 An opening in the trees now cheered him with the hopes that the church bridge was at hand. The wavering re- fiection of a silver star in the bosom of the brook told him that he was not mis- taken. He saw the walls of the church dimly glaring under the trees beyond. He recollected the place where Brom Bones ghostly competition had disap- peared.
 If I can but reach that bridge" thought Ichabod, "I am safe"
 Just then he heard the black steed panting and blowing close behind him; he even fancied he felt his breath Another convulsive kick in the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprung from the bridge; he thundered over the resounding blanks; he gained the opposite side, and now Iehabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish. ac- cording to the rule, in flash of fire and birthstone.
 Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, and in the very act of hurl- ing his head at him. Icha bod endeavored to dodge the horrible missile, but too late. It encountered his cranium with a tremendous crash-he was tumb led headlong in the dust, and Gunpowder, the black steed and the goblin rider passed by like a whirlwind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
THE PURSUIT OF 1CHABOD


From Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'
 II CIABOD, who had no relish for this
 strange midnight companion, and A bethought himself of the adventure of Brom Bones with the galloping Hes- sian, now quickened his steed, in hopes of leaving him behind.
 The stranger, however quickened his horse to an equal pace Ichabod pulled up and fell into walk, thinking to lag behind-th other did the same. His heart began to sink within him; he en- deavored to resume his psalm tune, but his parched tongue clove to the roof of his month and he could not utter a stave.
 There was something In the moody and dogged silence of this pertinacious companion that was mysterious and ap- palllng. Tt was soon fearfully accounted for. On mounting rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow traveller in relief against the sky, gigan- tic in height, and muffled in a cloak, Icnabod was horror struck on perceiving that he was headles. But his horror was still more increased on observing that the head. which should have rested on ms shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle. His ter TOT rose to desperation; he rained a shower of kicks and blows upon Gun powder, hoping by sudden movement to give his companion the slip-but the specter started full jump with him. Away, then, they dashed, through thick and thin; stones flying and sparks flashing at every bound. Ichabod's fimsy garments futtered in the air as he stretched his long, lank body away over his horses head in the eagerness of his flight.
 They had now reached the road which turns off to Sleepy Hollow, but Gunpowder, who seemed possessed with demon, instead of keeping up it, made an opposite turn and plunged headlong down hill to the left. This road leads through a sandy hollow, shaded by trees for about a quarter of a mile where 1t crosses the bridge famous in goblin story, and just beyond swells the green knoll on which stands the white washed church.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
Tribute to Manager

"A fine tribute of esteem and affec- ton was paid to Eugene Shultz, retir- ing manager of the 'Everywoman' com- pany. which played in Birmingham Fri day and Saturday," said a newspaper man. MT. Shultz is a veteran man. ager, having been with Henry w. Saw age for a number of years, and for the past seven mAnths he has been direct ing the tour of the 'Everywoman' com pany in which genial Fred Warde, Miss Jane baker and Miss Wainwright are the featured players.
 When the company reached Blrming- ham MT. Shultz, who had endeared him. self to the members of the company by his kindness and consideration for their comfort, received a telegram call ing him to New York. a new man be- ing sent to take his place on the road When they heard the news MT. Shultz's associates quietly got together and bought a handsome silver service, which was presented to him on the stage of the Jefferson theatre at the conclusion of the performance Saturday night. "Frederick Warde presented the serv- ice with graceful littlez speech. MT. Shultz expressed his thanks. Manager Douglas of the Jefferson theatre also made a short talk. The occasion was one of those pleasant incidents which do much to brighten the lives of the- atrical people and unite them in closer bonds of friendship"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
WHAT UNDERWOOD IS TRYING TO DO

Hon. oscar w. Underwood in the March Worlds Work, gives utterance, through the pen of Thomas Logan, to certain in teresting ideas and plans that he hopes, as chairman of the ways and means con- mittee, to accomplish.
 ..I do not think there is any doubt" he said, "that my best qualification as public man will run along the lines of work that come before the ways and means committee. l have more informa- ton and more Knowledge of the subjects embraced in the. general question of tax ation than of any other subjects. and my work has always been along those lines.
 ''If ] could aid in0writing on the statute books laws that would equalize the bur dens of taxation. make the wealth of the country carry it's fair share of the taxes to support our government, and lift from the backs of the masses of the people the ineuuitable load of taxes they are com pelled to carry, d6 to the fact that our taxes are levied on consumption and not on wealth, l should accomplish a vast deal of good for the American people,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26

From the Mobile Register.
 Oscar c. Turner, president of the Under wood Marching club, is back from cleve- land, O., bringing with him the convic- tion that the fight for the democratic nom- nation has narrowed down to trial of strength between Underwood and liar mon He tells the Birmingham Age Herald:
 ''I am thoroughly convinced that but two candidates have a chance to acquire the nomination. They are Harmon and Un- derwood Wilson, in my opinion, Is elim- mated Harmon, I found out, Is much stronger than l had previously supposed. Of course, realize that the convention was held in Ohio, where the governor of that state is stronger than in any other commonwealth; but the conservatives from the east think well of Harmon, and there is no doubt but that he will have to be reckoned with. l hold that he is the man whom Underwood must beat in Baltimore"
 Mir Roosevet's announcement that his hat is in the ring makes 1t possible that the republicans may nominate a progress sive candidate, a radical; and therefore the democrats will be inclined to select for candidate a man who at least is not a radical, while he is progressive. to-wit, Mir. Underwod. Governor Harmon's fine qualities are generally recognized, but democracy of the time is closest represent ed by Mir. Underwood. It is probable that the situation may be just as MT. Tur- ,,ar Savs and that the choice is between Underwood and Harmon, with. in the opinion of good judges, MT. Underwood occupying the advantage ground.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
MY NATIVE LAND-GOOD NIGHT

Childe Harold, Canto I. 'Adieu, adieu! my native shore Fades OCT the waters blue: The night winds sigh, the breakers roar, And shrieks the wild sea mew. Ton sun that sets upon the sea We follow in his flight; Farewell awhile to him and thee, My native land-good night! "A few short hours And he will rise To give the morrow birth; And I shall hail the main and skies, But not my mother earth. Deserted is my own good hall. It's hearth is desolate; Wild weeds are gathering on the wall; My dog howls at the gate. And now I'm in the world alone, Upon the wide, wide sea; But why should for others groan, When none will sigh for me? Perchance. my dog will whine in vain, Till fed by stranger hands; But long ere I come back again He'd tear me where he stands. with thee my bark. I'll swiftly go Athwart the foaming brine; Nor care what land thou bearst me to. So not again to mine. welcome. welcome, ye dark blue wayeal And when you fail my sight, welcome, ye deserts, and ye cayesi My native land-good nishtg
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
A NATIONAL EIGuRE

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 The intentions of the friends of Hon.
 Oscar Underwood, who are urging his nomination on the ground that he is a southern candidate. may be good, but they are rendering their candidate doubtful support. The Advertiser is for Oscar Un- derwood, not because he is an Alabamian, and not because he is from the south,
 but because he has the greatest record of achievement of any democrat of his day, and because his ability, his charac- ter and his sound common sense have won for him the confidence of the country
 We are for Underwood because the party could nominate no greater democrat,
 either from the north, the south. the east or the west. If any Alabamian doubts the availabil- ity of MT. Underwood as a candidate he
 should read the praise bestowed upon him
 throughout the country for his wise and
 level headed utterances at Philadelphia on a Washingtons birthday dinner cele-
 bration. He struck a sound, clear note,
 not often heard in these violent and irre-
 sponsible times. and commended himself
 to every man who opposes the effort to
 break down existing American institu- 'ions We quote couple of paragraphs
 from the masterly address of Mir. Under
 wood:
 "At time when so many of us are disposed to put upon the state books nos- trums for relief from our industrial and financial and economic evils, it will be well for us to call to mind the striking contrast between the moderate volume
 and temperate character of laws enacted during his presidency and so much of | our present day legislation of the experi-
 mental sort.
 There is great need for us in this day, when constitutional restraint has become irksome to many, never to turn a deaf ear to the stirring appeal of Wash irgton to his people-that the departments into which our government is constitu-
 tionally divided shall be kept with deter-
 mined hand within their respective boun- daries."
 It is man like this, 1t matters not whether he is from the north or south,
 who will appeal to the level headed, pa- triotic people of the United States when they come to choose President. After all. when the clamor and the shouting dies, the conservative, thinking people step forward and throw their influence in the balance when a President is elected. They will gladly throw their support to
 such man as Oscar Underwood, who.
 with them, has a sincere care for our in-
 stitutions of government and as The Char
 lotte Observer says. would rather fall with them than to attain personal tri- ! umph over them and in spite of them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26

ceived $500 a year. Of this number the United States sent 89, the British colonies TT and Germany 10.
 It is interesting, to know how the Rhodes graduates have thus far gone at the serious work of life. Thus far 84 have become teachers, 68 lawyers, 19 preachers, 9 physicians, and busi- ness has attracted 8.
 The next qualifying examination takes place in October next, and the successful candidates from the various states will enter on residence at Ox- ford in October, 1913.
 Just what the great South African leader hoped to accomplish by his big gift is not quite clear. He hoped no doubt to unify, or at least to bring into sympathy the English speaking world, but the task is much too big for a single endowment, generous though it be. Englishmen are not Americans, and Americans are not Englishmen, and newer will be. How ever, no harm is done in the effort, and the endowment stands as one of great usefulness to individuals, and that is certainly worthy of consider ation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIto
Technical Education

| The Massachusetts Institute of Technol- I ogy, famillarly known as the Boston Tech" has an international reputation. l It is rated by technical men as the lead l ing institution of its kind in America,
 if not in the world. The visit of Pres | ident R. c. MacLaurin to Birmingham at this time affords great pleasure to the Tech" alumni here for it's gives a stimulus to technical education in gen.
 eral.
 Tt is curious fact as pointed out by
 President MacLaurin that the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology was found- ed by a southern man-the late Professor
 Rogers-who occupied one of the scientific
 chairs at the University of Virginia, '
 said man who had the pleasure of attend ing the "Tech'' alumni banquet at the Turn Verein Saturday night. Professor Rog- CTS moved from Virginia to Boston in 1858. In 1861 he established the insti- ute of technology. Of course, 1t had
 a small beginning, but it has grown
 steadily, and today it teaches almost everything in science-everything that a technical man needs know. It has
 about 1900 students and would have more if there were more class room.
 "The institution has acquired 50 acres of ground upon which the new build ings will be erected. The site was bought at a bargain price, something like 0 half million dollars. The new buildings
 will cost several million dollars. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
 not only turns out well equipped men in the various branches of engineering, but it pays great attention to pure science. It has been in advance of European schools in electrical engineering and in some branches of chemistry; also in san itary engineering. By the way, biology
 has become an important study at the Boston Tech" as 1t enters largely into
 the work of sanitary engineering. It used to be that the highest man in
 chemical work was the chief chemist. Now in addition to the chief chemist
 we have the chemical engineer. We will
 doubtless have the biological engineer before long.
 President MacLaurin said that he ap-
 pealed especially to southern young men
 who were thinking of taking technical courses, on sentimental grounds as we'll as practical; sentimental because the founder of the Boston Tech was a southern man, etc."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-26
Friendships full of dregs.
 Titus AndrOnicus.
Rooseyelt's Candidacy

Theodore Roosevelt announces his willingness to accept the republican presidential nomination if it is ten dered to him. The public had sus- pected that the ambitious and restless ex-President would not decline. Some observers had thought that it was a case of "Barkis is wiling" but it has been much more than case of will ingness. ;rl
 Roosevelt is a shrewd politician, and he has been working his wires ever since he left the White House in March, 1909, to get back again. His declaration, made in 1904, that under no circumstances would he be can didate for or accept another nomina- tion, declaration which he afterward reaffirmed, is said now to have meant that he would not be a candidate for a third consecutive term.
 The deep seated prejudice against third-termism defeated General Grant for the republican nomination after he had been out of office four years, and it will play large part in defeat ing Roosevelt's nomination. But what will probably prove even greater ob- stacle to the realization of his present ambition will be his extreme radical ism. Personally Roosevelt is an ex- tremely popular man, but in view of his recent utterances he is not re- garded as safe man to put at the head of the government again. He is more cratic than ever, and he pan ders more to the ignorant and the turbulent.
 There is wide spread opinion that if Roosevelt were to get to the White House on March 1, 1913, he would strive to hold on to the presidential job for life. He would be a dictator of an-on-horseback" type. But this country is not ready for an em- peror. It looks now as if Taft would be nominated, but the fact that Roose- welt is an avowed candidate will make the fight lively from now until the republicans act in convention next June.
 The democrats will enjoy the sit uation, for Roosevelt's candidacy spells violent dissension in the repub- lican ranks. There has been great deal of disaffection among the repub- licans for some time, but now there will be serious defection from the G O.P. Certain it is that the democrats could have asked nothing better than for the republicans to get themselves in the fix they are in right now.