davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29
Styles in Jokes
Change NTH Years
ence Between Nom and Thirty Years Ago-They
Come in Waves, Then Gradually Die Out.

John Ames Mitchell has been leading
the gay life for thirty years. says the
New York Sun. To be exact, his name
appeared as the editor Of that repository
of native-bred humor when the first
number was published. January 4. 1883 1t
adorns the latest issues also. Conse-
quently, Mr.. Mitchell may be regarded
as the dean Of the Nimrods whose busi-
ness It is to hunt the elusive joke.
Methods have changed somewhat"
said Mr.. Mitchell. There used 70 be
men who made business Of writing
jokes remember that Philip H WEIGH
used to send us In a batch of perhao s
fifty slips at q time, each containing q
joke. We went through them, picked
out what we wanted, and returned the
rest. These he would send to some other
editor Probably he sometimes sent his
grist to another paper first, but we paid
rather higher price than was usual in
order TO get first choice of matter.
Il don't know of men to-day who are
doing the thing in the wholesale fashion
of WEIGH and others Of that period. At
lease. we don't receive invoices of forty
or fifty jokes apiece from them. Our
price for this form OF humor hasn't gone
up. Perhaps that has something to do
with IT. Perhaps they realize that the
jokes which are wanted nowadays can
not be turned out in that way. At any
rate, We get our supply from much
wider variety Of sources than formerly.
Subjects Also Change.
The subjects have changed. too, at
least TO some extent. Naturally much Of
the humor over which people laugh is
what might be called current comedy
1t is almost as ephemeral as a news
article. What we thought very funny
Ten wars 90 is t1ninferesffnr now What
We are chuckling over to-eay Will have
no meaning to the next generation. Run
through the pages OF any so-called comic
paper and you will find that a good deal
Of the fun is of this variety.
''All the political jokes come under this
head. So do good many Others. al
though they have a somewhat longer life.
Twenty years ago there was no such
thing as an automobile joke for the SIM
pie reason that there were no automo-
biles. Yet to-day the motor car comes
into every issue We print. and this winter
We got out whole bubble number.
Five years ago there was no airship joke.
for the humorist.
A Wave of Scotch Jokes.
Jokes come in waves A few years
ago we had a flood OF them in Scotch
dialect I suppose Ian MacIaren was re-
sponsible for II. Everybody was reading
his books and weeping over them. Peo-
pie began to cry before they fairly opened
a book. But after a while they found
out it was pretty much of a trick, merely
pathos- When they got to that point they
turned the thing into a joke. There was
an avalanche Of 'Hoot, mon humor which
gave much joy at the time. but that too,
passed away.
There is one change which I think is
perhaps more definite than any other.
Pictures used to have several lines Of
reading matter attached to them; the
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

usual He and She exchanges, or Au-
gustus and Arabella. Baker and Barker,
or something OF that sort. The pictures
might have gone with almost any one OF
a hundred of these conversational cpl
sodes. Now the picture itself tells the
story. The humor is in the situation.
not in something that is being said by
the persons pictured.
Mother-in-Iaw Given Rest.
"of course, domestic life Is a perennial
source OF jokes. but the fashion changes
even there. The mother-in-law is at last
on the retired list. The suffragette In
turn has become boon to the humorist
II to no one else. Suffrage came to our
rescue in connection with picture In
the current issue. 1t was a good pic
ture, with a perfectly good joke attached
to it We happened to discover, however.
that the Joke was an old one. The artist
hadn't cribbed IL, but had happened to
think of the same thing some one else
had evolved q long time ago. That hap
pens not infrequently.
''Well. the picture was too good TO turn
down. so we all got busy trying to At II
with joke. 1t Is a picture Of an old
man smiling quizzically at youngster
who has evidently been asking him &
question. Not the kind of sketch / just
now referred to as the most modern de-
velopment Of pictured humor, for this
does not tell its own story. So much the
better in this case, for 1t gave US the
chance to make up a situation to Mt It
Mr.. Mason finally fitted 1t out with this
caption:
"In the Home of a Suffrasette."
Say. grandpa, who't the news in the
papers about mother? ..-
That's good for this Gay and genera
ton. but It would have mad no point
thirty years ago. The very word SUI
fragette' was not invented then"
Jokes of Thirty Years Ago.
This prompted the inquiry as to what
jokes did appear thirty years ago. and
Mr.. Mitchell sent for the early files, so
that his visitor might see for himself.
Sure enough, the very first picture in
women. one OF them yisibly disturbed.
Otherwise there was absolutely nothing
on which to hang any Interpretation.
Underneath was printed:
"Bella-So you were engaged to both
of US at once? Very honorable, / am
sure: and as for me
'.Augustus-O. well, what's the use OF
making a scene! Father says our house
is going TO suspend payment before
March. and I knew one of you at least
would break of with me then and things
would have been all right again"
In the same issue was an editorial
paragraph. beginning:
On New Years Day Gen. Butler be-
came Governor of Massachusetts. We
confess that We have a feeling of pleas
ure in seeing a person who has known
his mind so long get what he has
wanted"
But an examination of the vintage of
1888 reveals the fact that outside OF poll
tics the subject which drew the efforts
Of most OF the jokesmiths was the anglo
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

cause he thinks that the best .worknen
are the ones who are best fed.
When any one in the bureau Is III.
there are orders that he report to Mr..
Ralph, who has made arrangements with
the government hygienic laboratory to
examine them free of charge. Tubercu-
losis has been his chief care. Sick en-
ployes know that they will not be dis
charged If they take proper measures
against contasion. He has also planned
for cooperative lunchroom for ali the
workers In the bureau, where good food
can be furnished at nominal cost"
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

hut trifies make perfection and that is
the motto of the bureau.
Mr.. Ralph, moreover. was one of the
first men in the country to introduce
scientific management. He himself
learned to save energy in twelve years
Of hard physical labor. First he told
the workers little about it; then he
began to increase their daily task. The
women in the numbering room sent an
indignant delegation TO protest
Very WE'LL said Ralph, 81 won't force
you TO do anything that's exorbitant
Public opinion rules In this bureau
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

Author Of "A Mans World. tPubhsned By the
Macmillan Company
There Is always a story connected with
a pseudonym. One which is entitled to
q high place among the interesting ex-
plantations is that Of how the author Of
"A Mans World came to choose Al
bert Edwards for his pen name Like
the others 1t is a bit OF test to ones
credulity. Mr.. Edwards was In Russia
writing a series OF articles for a New
York periodical on political subjects.
When the editors were ready to go to
press the question came up as to what
name II was to be published under. To
bring 1t out with the authors real name
attached was impossible, for he was still
In Russia and his life would be In dam
ger. One of the editors called UP q
friend who was good at suggestions and
asked him what combination OF names
to use with the Russian articles. The
friends reply. after a moments hesita-
ton. was Albert Edwards" It was
just at the time OF the death Of the late
King OF England. and his name was upon
every ones lips.
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

The great saving of time and money
that came from transferring several
functions from the Treasury to the bu-
reau is the result of his suggestions. He
found politics in the bureau and crushed
1t out with no uncertain hand. He elm
mated favoritism among the foremen
by discharging them. He introduced ap-
prentices, and gave them training The
first task for a young engraver is to
engrave 100 times, Perfection is no trifie.
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29
No Wife for Him.

From Judge.
What do want with a wife," snorted
Bachelor Bockwedder. on reading an old
maids reasons for not wanting a hus-
band. II have a game rooster that is vain
about his fine feathers, a goat that chews
the rag, an aeroplane that gets me UP In
the air, and an automobile that keeps me
all the time broke,"
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

Another book by David Graham Phil
lips Is to appear this fall. George
Helm is the title, Cd. Appleton &
Coz. The new story Is a political
novel of the kind that Phillips could
write better than perhaps any other
American author.
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

PANsY MEAREs: By Horac, ". C. Newts suthor
Of ''Sparrows." The Ealing Mtrscie," &c Pub
lished by Johnhanet & Co. New York. Price.
S5 net.
In this story OF London shop girl the
author takes as his heroine a simple
country girl Of great beauty who, TO es-
cape from an undesirable step-father and
the boredom OF country life, makes her
way to London and, starting in as a
waitress in teashop. passes through all
the phases of hardship that await the
penniless and unsophisticated young wo-
man in a great city.
Despite her vigilance, she falls into the
various traps set for her. but is rescued
at length by her country lover Of olden
days, once held by her in contempt. but
ultimately appreciated for his true
worth.
The white slave trafic. an important
topic OF the hour. plays prominent
part in the story. -
JUST BEFORE THE DAWN; the Life and Worn
Of Nimo Mira sonoobh: By Robert Cornell
Amstrunr CKobet). Published By the Mscnil-
Ian Company. New York. Illustrated
The work here presented to the pub
lie is one Of the most important hith-
erto coming from the field Of missions.
Christian missions in Japan, China, and
India have to deal with problems very
different from those presented in mis-
sions to the native tribes Of our own
country or of Africa. These nations
have an intellectual, moral, and religious
history which cannot be ignored by
those engaged in the work Of Chris
tan missions among them.
The utility of such studies as are here
presented is not confined to the mis-
sionary and his work. The scientific
student who IL interested in the study of
man, especially In his moral and re-
ligious development. will find most i'm
portant material for his purpose In this
work. Here We have almost within our
own times one OF those moral move
ments which have at various times 90
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

Where Socialism Failed" by Stewart
Grahame. soon to be published by Nc
Bride. Mast & Co, shows a recent eX-
ample OF an actual experiment in applied
Socialism 1t gives a comprehensive &C
count of the colonization Of a tract OF
land in Paraguay by Socialists who
looked forward to a modern Utopia
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

and of friends both old and young,
furnish many beautiful pictures and give
an atmosphere to the whole that is de-
lightful to breathe In.
The hero, Francois, the son of a thrifty
peasant, has in childhood been knighted
chevalier by the great Napoleon himself,
who has also prophesied that he will one
day be marshal Of France under another
Napoleon. The accolade has been given
by chance and in jest, but 1t has served
to shape the destiny of the lad. who
with the star of Napoleon as his guild
ing light, grows to manhood, fearless.
honorable, and firmly inbued with the
idea that he will one day realize his
great ambition.
Attracting the attention Of General
Gourguad, Francois is Informally
adopted into his family. to become the
companion and playmate OF charming
little Alike, the generals motherless
daughter. But another member Is also
added to that family in the person OF
Pietro Zappi, a lad Of noble Italian
birth, whose father has been the gener-
ais bosom friend during the days when
both were followers Of Napoleon. Both
lads, firm friends as they are, grow to
love Alike, and, although the peasant
boy holds the place of son in the
affections OF the general. II 10 Pietro he
wishes as the husband of Alike.
Loyal to his patron, Francois accepts
commission with the Bonapartist fac
ton in order to leave the field clear for
Pietro. and as the friend and counsellor
Of Louis Napoleon, he is plunged into
a series of adventures that do not lack
in dramatic moments. And these the
author manages tellinsly, though with
the same simplicity that marks the more
tender scenes
1t Is not the peaceful life Of Virginia
that appeals to Francois, and soon we
find him back in France, standing
shoulder to seoulder with Louis Napos
leon. in the fruitless effort to win back
the crown Of the empire. That he does
not succeed is owing to overzeal and
that he meets death in fighting for the
The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

A limited number Of copies OF the oom-
plete Citizens Atlas OF the world,~
have been imported by the Scribners-
The editor is J. G. Bartholomew. carto-
grapher to the king. The maps ara
beautiful. they are clear. and as accu-
rate as is humanity possible. There are
l5s pages OF them, and an index. a ga
zetteer. and a table OF geographical sta,
tistics as well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
the yard like children, nothing but time

the yard like children, nothing but time and a plenty of that"
 This home may hold some faithful ser wants of our parent home. In our charities can We afford to overlook their needs2h
 You seldom see one of the old-timers that cannot give you some real stories of events that make the sum total of a history, and thus link a wonderful past with struggling present of these time- worn old folks of the negro race. While they are dependents their nat ural instincts seem to drive them from the county shed''--one old woman said when asked on the street why she did not go there. No, ma am. never there if l could find my old Miss chillern, dey sure would take Aunt Hannah home. I rocked dem chillern. and when they used to wear dem flounces way up the skirts and lace the dresses in the back l was the one that laced their mas dress, but ny rheumatism done crooked these fingers now. Can't hook nothing, let lone see the eyes,
 And so it is, they are by the waysde waiting, and the members of the Sojourn Truth club have a great work fin giving care to the remnants of the "old colored mammy of the south" Somebody's nanny is waiting in the home for old negroes in Birmingham, and as their voices die away, so will pass out of mem- ory such songs as we used to hear By little baby-by and just to sleep Mama gone to town. nanny got you to
 keep,
 Shut the little eyes now, tuck ye tiny
 head
 Nanny gwy stay here by your truodle
 bed
 Gwy stay till de white folks come Aint no hurt 10 you
 Hear dat dog bark some He will bite de "booggers." too. Hush now, little baby, hush, don't you
 fret,
 Nanny pats and rocks you And aint never gwy forget Her little man, she aint forgot him yet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

satisfied with fate if he could only know l 1t was the work of God and not the result of an unchristian spirit. He knows near ly all the old settlers and pulling back his coat he pointed to his good clothing and with the greatest expression of hap piness said: "Marse Lize and Miss Ruth Chandler aint gwy let dis old ngger suf- Ter. l worked for them when l had eyes"
 A little further there was another very old man, nearly 80 years old and very feeble. but he had the blessing of sight and tho childish he appreciated this blessing. As he was feeble we naturally thought the one could lead the other. but as 1t was Suggested he very earnestly said, NO mann, ain't gwy lead dat nigger nowhere; go stay here till dey tells me come get something to eat I can see you and he Just hears you talk thus the poor old frames each have their blessings, the one can see and the other can walk. The last mentioned when asked where he was from-true to folks-he frightened up as he said, Virginia" Abner Will Hams came to Alabama with Staunton to work on the railroad before Birming, am was layed off. He Is very childish, but his face as he spoke of "dem days" and he said there was nothing like it now" but if he could just find another wife
 like the other two he would not mind staying away from home so long
 These are two of many such objects for the benevolence of their race, worn and old they are helpless forever-these charges alone make the home for the old negroes a necessity. There are af- flicted children. too, and the men and women of their race are active for their welfare When asked if they were well treated-they replied In the affirmative. 'Yes, marm, dis here househeeper bosses, but she is kind and gives us plenty to eat and bed to sleep, den we go about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

for this purpose. which at time when anaesthetics were undreamed of must have been, to say the least, painful.
 According to Dr. T. Rice Holmes, the operation of removing pieces of bone was performed long before historic times. The effects on the skull are easily seen after death and are visible so long as the bones are preserved.
 From inspection of certain skulls of the later stone age in ancient Britain, pr. Holmes has come to the conclusion that some of these had undergone the opera tion,, which must have been performed with stone implement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
THE WAY TO MAKE HENS SET
Experiences of Poultry Expert With
 Ambitious Fowls
From Farm and FlreaIde.

i From Farm and Preside. oN
 My experience In setting hen ia s.seu a very successful one, aEu I snrckrt. .A | hope this little article will be of benefit to many readers. First. select a suitable place where there are not rats. Don't try to set hens in the house where you keep your other fowls. No matter if they are shut in, the other fowls will bother them and cause them to become uneasy and break their eggs, with the result of a poor hatch.
 For nests l use cheese boxes, which can be procured from the grocers at cents each and in some instances for tho asking. These boxes being round anAi low insure the eggs from being broken by the hen jumping down into the nest. In the bottom of the nests 1 place some slightly moistened earth. Then I fill 1t as full as l can of fine hay packing it very firmly and sprinkling a good lice powder thoroughly through the hay After every hatch destroy the hay by burning and replace it with fresh supply to guard against lice and mites.
 After filling the nest with hay, I place some eggs thercin. After dark I get the setting hen, dust her thoroughly with lice powder, place her gently on the nest, cover her with a splint bushel basket and let her sit. Then I put n box of road dust for dust bath In the room and have plenty of clean fresh water, corn and grit always accessible. On the following eve- ming I unc4Xer her. In tho morning she will come offsto eat and will return 10 her nest. let her sit until she thorough- ly makes up her mind to stay. then place from E to IT eggs under her. according to the size of the hen.
 I have had as many as IS hens sitting in the same room with no disturbances and no broken egSs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
Ancient Surgical Operations
m the London Standard.

From the London Standard.
 There is no doubt that some rough form Pf surgery must have existed from very |Rncjent times, but 1t is strange to find |hat so complex and delicate an opera lion as trepanning is one of the oldest. So far as actual records go, Hippocrates gives us the earliest account. He wrote treaties on fractures, dislocations and wounds of the head, in which he described l he method of procedure to be followed In the case of a fractured skull. His di- Fection was to cut away a piece of bone
 Do that the pressure on the brain might
 be relieved. There are also records about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

R. II. ELLEDGE pr. Caldwell;
 Your sample and soc bottle fixed me in good shape from an awful backache, constipation. poor appe- ttts and nervousness. used e plas- ter on my back and your Syrup Pep sin and I came out all right. My bowels are regular, nerves steady and have good appetite, no back ache and no pain of any kind. Your Syrup Pepsin is a grand medicine. pleasant to take, and should be la every home at all times.
 H. Ellsdge. Dothan, Ala pr. Caldwell:
 I received the sample of Syrup Pep sin. It has dono for me all that you said 1t would. My bowels move every morning. I have bought two 50o bot ties since you sent me the free sam pie. 1 would not do without 1t in my house. Mrs. M. F. Jones, Sbi3 Howard St. New Orleans, h.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
SURE WAY ED CURE CONSTIPATION

who have suffered long constipation know hard 1t
  pences the yourself This cALDWELLs SYRUP PEPeIN genuine merit positive sipaton and WELLS SYRUP PEPeN gentleman relief will this salts powders whether manufactured will SYRUP PEPsN scientifically compounded gradually that in time  You will feel relief assertion but
 
 
 
  bestsuit Q o children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
Let Me Send You THIS
 BOOK Free

Fill in. the coupon: let mo send you at once my free booklet in plain sealed envelope; it is profusely illustrated with hah-tone photos: keep it in your pocket for easy reference: read the chapter Vitality: read the chapter on De- bility; read the chapter on these subjects which
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

SOUTHERN HALFWAY TRAINS FOR ATLANTA LEAVE 6;30 A. M-, 9:3O A. M., 3;55 F. M., 5:50 F. M., 12;lJ A. M.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

interest every man. young old. who would be strong in manly vigor. It is word of hope. a carefully written. interesting book which should be in every ones possession. Therefore send to- day. If in or near this city call at my office. Hours. to 6; Sundays 10 to l. All con- mltations free
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

wshne In regular way of druggist at fifty cens dollar large bottle fam
  addressing Dr. w. B. cadeI 4o Washington addrsss . postsI will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

Dr. Caldweil:
 was almost wreck from nervous dyspepsia and tried many rem edies. but to no avail until I procured sample of Syrup Pepsin. It did me good and l began taking 1t in earnest. Have taken one Sl.00 bottle and a 500 one. can truthfully say that I feel like another person. shall continue to take 1t until am cured,
 Cordie Brown. Timbervllle. Miss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12

pr. Caldwell:
 Your sample and 60c bottle of Syrup Pepsin fixed me in good shape. I had the baokache, was constipnted. had poor appetite and was nervous. My bowels are regular, nerves steady. and have n good appetite. I have Your Syrup Pepsin Is a grand medi- cine, pleasant to take. and should be in every homo at all times.
 II, F. Elledse. Dothan, Ala,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
FOR EVERY FAMILY
MEDICINE CHEST

To the head OF every family the
health of its different members is
most important, and the value of an
agreeable laxative that is certain in
it's effect is appreciated. One of the
most popular remedies in the family
medicine chest is a combination OF
simple laxative herbs with pepsin that
is known to druggists and physicians
as DIR. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin. This
preparation is mild and gentle in its
action on the bowels, yet positive in
It's effect. A dose of Syrup Pepsin at
night means relief next morning
while its tonic properties tone up and
strengthen the muscles of stomach
liver and bowels SO that these organs
are able in a short time to again per.
form their natural functions without
help.
Druggists everywhere sell DR.. Cald
wells Syrup Pepsin in SOC and S1.OC
bottles. If you have never tried this
simple, inexpensive, yet effective
remedy, write to DR.. w. B. Caldwell
201 Washington ST., Monticello, Ill.
and ask for a sample bottle. DR.. Cald
we'll will be glad to send it without
any expense to you whatever.