davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Increasing Number of Appeals

Humane institutions have multiplied considerably within the past two or three years" said an old citizen.
 Birmingham has always been prov erbially responsive to charity calls. We have had mine disasters in this district that brought distress to many families and relief funds in this city have been quickly and easily raised and the amounts have been large. In addition to those special calls we have appeals from well known institutions here and these institutions receive aid from the generous public at various seasons ot the year, especially at christmas-tde. l can remember when there were only a few such institutions: The Mercy Home, the United Charities, managed by a com mittee of good women, St. vincents hos pital and the East Lake orphanage.
 q have contributed recently to seven or eight worthy causes and I have been solicited to contribute to several more. As a result of the increased num- Der of charities some of the older insti- tutions have received less aid recently than in former years Although the PoPuidtioh VI IdS SIONH rapidly and the present year has been one of prosperity the sum total given does not seem to be larger than 1t was last year, but I have no official fig ures.
 "The Thanksgiving offerings to St. Vincents hospital, published in The Age Herald, amounted to only about s70O, whereas in other vears the amoiInt had always gone over 5000. The orphans did not receive as large sum this Christ mas as they did last.
 'I am wondering if our philanthropic work hereabouts is becoming too scat tered. Concentration is the rule in most branches of the business world. But it may not be feasible to concentrate in charity work any more than has been done. simply call attention to the factsl."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Tick Eradication

Dr. Bahnsen, state veterinarian of Georgia, says the insect known as the tick is costing the people of the United States $1OO,OOO,O0O year. It is factor in the high cost of living "This little insect" says Dr. Balm sen, Causes every man, woman and child in the country to pay tribute to it in dollars and cents It directly in creases the cost of all kinds of meat by the great damage it does to cat tle."
 Eight species of cattle ticks exist in this country, but the best known and most destructive one of the en- tire number is the Boophilus annula- tus which transmits the dreaded Texas fever. This is the one that should be eXterminated.
 Commissioner of Agriculture Kolb will appear next month before the llOuoC Oi u promote the tick eradication bill. He will be accompanied by Dr. c. A. Cary of Auburn.
 The bill now pending before the committee on agriculture carries an appropriation of $400,000. This sum will, it is hoped, eradicate the tick throughout the south. Favorable ac- tion upon this bill is hoped for at the short session. The Senate and the House are both inclined to put ii through, and no one stands ready to oppose bill that will almost certain ly operate to reduce the cost of liv- inp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Inauguration Day

Mckinley went into office on a bright, warm day, and a blue sky overspread Cleveland on the day of his first inauguration, but rain, snow or sleet was the portion of Garfield, Harrison, Cleveland on his second in auguration day, Mckinley at the be- ginning of his second term, Roosevelt and Taft. Two days out of eight were bright and pleasant, while six out of eight were either cloudy or stormy.
 Washington, however, ignores the weather record, and it is preparing for a great outdoor festival regardless of the fact that only one in four of the day named in the constitution is springlike and balmy. The constitu- tion does not say that the President shall be inaugurated on March 4, but it does say that the vice president shall on that day act as President if there has been no legal election of President This is why a constitution al amendment is needed to advance the inauguration date to a late spring day.
 The democrats have been out of power 16 years, and they will gather at Washington in large numbers to celebrate the inauguration of Wood row Wilson with perhaps unequaled enthusiasm, and they will not listen to the weather prophets or to the weather records to the contrary. The parade and all the other events will be pulled off" with eclat and ap- plause reaching all the way from the White House to the capitol and back again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
DANGER IN CHANGING HABITS

Doctor Herschell in the London Mirror.
 Those who form sudden resolutions to break off their habits, no matter whether they are good or bad, may be laying themselves open to an illness.
 A man who for the last 12 years has made a rule of spending one week of his holiday each year in bed de- parted from the custom this year and for the first time throughout that period has had an illness which has kept him from business. The human body can shape itself to practically any conditions or habits, but if those con- ditions are discontinued suddenly one is almost sure to be ill.
 Unlike the lower animals, which take generations to alter their environment and diet, the person is marvelously adaptable. A man can become used to living on meat and water or eggs and milk or green vegetables, but he must keep on that food or he is sure to suf- fer. The same rule applies to habits one might form-drinking so much whisky or smoking a certain quantity of tobacco every day. He must con- tinue with these habits or he is bound to be i'll until the body has again be- come used to the altered conditions.
 Here is a common instance of how the body adapts itself to environment. A man is kept to his bed for two or three weeks. When he gets up he finds it difficult to walk for the first day or two. He puts down this trouble to weakness. But his legs are not really weaker It is simply that their mechanism is upset.
 After recovering from a broken arm one has difficulty in using the arm the reason is chiefly that the arm had got out of the habit of movement. Pro- vided he had suffient food, drink and air necessary for the upkeep of the body, man would be able to live un- der practically any condition-even if he was strapped to q chair all his life.
 De Quincy is a notable example of the way habits become chains. which, If broken, bring illness and often death The famous writer had accustomed himself to taking four ounces of laud- anum a day. He would certainly have died if he stopped this daily dose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
PRISON-A BLESSING

The American Magazine has been holding contest and offering prizes for the best letters on the subject My Biggest Piece of Luck" Following is one of the prize winning letters taken from the January number:
 You wouldn't expect to strike luck through being sent to jail, would you? Nevertheless, that is what happened to a friend of mine. For obvious reasons I use a fictitious name.
 Robert Fulsome was an exception ally talented young man. He was ad- mitted to the bar in New York, and his future seemed bright and assured. But he went into politics, fell into bad company. and took to drink He lost his practice and descended literally 10 the gutter. The taste for liquor once acquired, it is almost impossible to free ease. It did with F'ulsome. sapping his will-power, and he had not the means to be treated for 1t. There seemed no
 
 hope for him, and he gave up to despair. The last blow came when he got into a drunken brawl and was sent Ito Blackwells Island for three months. But the penitentiary proved his saving and making. As long as he was free he was able to get liquor-the vilest sort of stuff-in some way. We watch close fly the adulteration of foods, but we Iallow saloons to exist which sell all legged whisky at prices that on their face prove the stuff they dispense is Terribly adulterated and rank poison.
 'In the pen Fulsome was compelled to lead a regular, clean life on whole- some, plain diet, and 1t was impossible for him to obtain any intoxicating liquor. At first he suffered terribly from the deprivation, but at the end |of two months he was new man in mind and body, and had entirely lost the craving for drink. Now he was a very handsome. attractive man. and fell under the notice of wealthy charitable woman who one day visited the prison. She learned his history from the deputy warden, and determined to
 
 She visited the prison again, and had a long talk with him, the result of which was that upon his agreeing to take the pledgc--though he felt now it was un- necessary-and go west to her home city, she promised to look after him and provide literally for his necessi~ ties until he should become able to provide for himself
 This happened five years ago. To- day Fulsome is her son-in-law, is wealthy, and is one of the most prom inent lawyers and respected citizens in his state. He has never again touched a drop of strong liquor, and the very odor of whisky sickens him. He told , me that the pen cured him more ef- Actually than any sanitarium could have done, and that the luckiest thing that ever happened to him-and it cer- tainly was-was the thing that at the time seemed the climax of his mis- fortunes-being sent to jaili It proved la blessing in disguise, as do so many things that at the time they occur crush us with despair
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
TuRTLE RInING


 William Brown in the Wide World
 Magazine.
 It was o'clock in the evening when we landed upon Peak Island, Queens land and by 10 o'clock we had turned some 4s turtles. It was a bright moon- light night. and after partaking of tea we crawIed up to the top of the island and pitched our tent We were up soon after sunrise next morning, all ex- citement, for we were about to indulge in the novel sport of turtle riding. Our camp was situated some 400 feet above sea level, and from this point of van tage we had a clear view of the island, which is only about a mile or two in circumference. After hurried break fast we repaired to the beach and found our "steeds" upon their backs, just as we had left them the night before.
 Some donned bathing suits, while others were in their pyjamas, ready for the fun. Quickly we turned our mounts, when they at once made straight for the water We jumped upon their backs, and it was a queer sensation to find oneself upon q slowly moving mass, aiming for the sea Immediately in front of you. The turtles seemed pleased when they sniffed the water, and then we began to wonder what would hap pen next. You cannot stand upon these steeds once they have reached the water, so we had to change our stand ing position into sitting posture the moment the creatures got into about a foot of water. If travelling over the land was slow work, it was different when the water was reached A turtle is by no means slow in the water; he can travel at good pace.
 Our troubles soon commenced. Squat ting on a turtles back and grabbing hold of him where his collar ought to be demands at first little snerve. It was an operation, too, that had tofbe performed quickly. and at the same time 1t is necessary to exert an upward pull, or the animal will sink under water Meanwhile the creature's fins are work ing furiously, making terrible splash, while the head is continuously being jerlxed forward. followed by ominous grunts The least movement of the steed to right or left upsets ones bal ance and causes both turtle and rider to literally turn turtle" We had hard ly reached open water before this hap pened to all of us. The moment I found myself going over I dropped my hold pretty quickly, and made off in the opposite direction to the one which thought the turtle would take.
 Although these creatures are harm less enough if handled with care, the turtle possesses a beak which would shame a parrot of the same fighting weight and what is more, if you give him the chance he can make good use of it. One accordingly felt little un- comfortable when under water with a turtle on top of one.
 However, after a little practice and a few tumbles and exciting incidents, we got the knack of things, and had grand time in riding around upon our queer mounts. At first we experienced a little difficulty in getting the turtles up tosthe surface again when once they. had reached deep water, but we soon discovered how to do it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
ONLY ONE JOLT LEFT

From the Chicago Record Herald.
 A Chicago man who has son at Cornell took occasion while on the way home from New York recently to stop off for the pur- pose of seeing how the boy was getting along. It happened to be just after the Cornell football team, which has under gone many humiliating experiences this season, had been beaten by Colgate
 How are things going with the Cornell football team?'' the father asked, pre- tending to be seeking information.
 "The Cornell football teami' the young man exclaimed with all the disgust that he could put into his tones; ''it has been beaten by everything except the Colonial Damesi"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28

J. P. Morgan recently visited a den- tist, and while the dentist worked on his teeth he told the magnate about a washerwoman whose husband had died leaving her 13 children to support. The dentist omitted none of the harrowine details and the next day he received a letter, as follows:
 Dear Doctor: You hurt me like the devil yesterday, but your vivid story about the widow and her 13 chil- dren helped some. Enclosed find my check for si0,Oo0. which please turn over to the washerwoman, and tell her for me that she was fool to ever have 13 children" The dentist complied with MT. Morgan's request.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Peace Terms Before the Conferenct

Peace Terms Before the Conference
 Today the proposals of the victori- ous allies and the counter proposals of the stubborn Turks will be con- sidered in the conference sitting Tn London. The allies ask Turkey to give up everything in Europe except Constantinople and strip of territory about it 25 miles wide. The Turks on the other hand demand, it is re- ported, an effective sovereignty over the territory east of the line of de- markation between the Maritza river and the Black sea, including Adrian ople, while west of the line govern ment would be content with the recog- milton of Turish sovereignty, with an autonomous regime. The government, however, refuses to entertain any idea of pecuniary indemnity.
 It is not easy to see how these terms can be reconciled, and yet line drawn from the Maritza river to the Black sea would not include much that the allies demand. Gallipoli and Ad- rianople would be about all of great value. The Turks seem to be willing to surrender Mesapotamia and Epirus and necessarily Albania. The Maritza river empties into the Aegean not far from Gollipoli.
 The proposals are far apart, so far as indemnity is concerned, but still it is believed in London that the pressure of the ambassadorial conference will be exerted to compel peace. No one wants to see resumption of the bloody conflict in which a cholera epi- demic plays an important part. Peace will be forced on the two exhausted parties to the war in the near east, but no one can at present say what the terms of peace will be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
years:

In 1910 large stock was accumu- lated. This is not the case at present, although the years production will outrun that of 1910 by about 2,300,- 900 tons. "For several weeks," says the Iron Trade Review, "there have been practically no stocks to draw from, while it is quite certain that no stocks are being accumulated. Con- sumption is up therefore to 29 ,OOO,- 900 tons year, and the indications are that it will stay at least that high throughout the coming year.
 The exact totals of the year will be ready in about 10 days. But those pub- lished herein are approximate figures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

quently causes strange answers. "A child who had been taught that Socrates had wife who was unpleasant to him, and that the great philosopher drank hemock, when asked the cause of his death, re- plied
 Socrates died from an overdose of we'd lock. ."-Strand Magazine
 THE FASCINATED PARENT. Little Thomas Bickeldorf Is the best of little boys: Doesn't seem to mind q bit When his pa plays with his toys. Santa brought a railroad train Just the gift he wished to get; Pas so busy with that train Thomas hasn't run it yeti
 HARDLY. Whatever else it brings about, Inc march to Albany will never go down in history as a vindication of French cor. sets and high-heeled shoes.
 SENSIBLE.
 Dad has no burns
 Today, because .
 He was a fire
 Proof Santa Claus.
 SUCH LANGUAGE Such an angelic creature' "Ah, but did you overhear what she just now said to the young man at her side?' 'I did not" He said she looked sweet enough to kiss and she said she would poke him p the slats if he tried itn ALWAYS SOMETHING wRoNG.
 A man may live
 On Easy street
 And still have eorns
 Upon his feet.
 TOO BAD. What makes Willoughby look so woe begone? Disappointed in love?" Yes" ''Who got the girl?" ''He did, PAIJT, COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Duty of Parcels Post Patrons

All who propose to use the parcels post at the outset can promote the work and prevent congestion by secure packing, correct addressing in clean, clear writing, and by studying the new rules carefully. The government will no doubt have to contend with poor packing, and this will especially be the case until packages made of paper are within the reach of ship pers. Errors in directing are common, but errors in penmanship are still more common. Directions should be plain, distinct and correct, and the people can aid the government by doing their own part of the work properly.
 Granted accurate directing and Ascking it is not believed that any
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
aaR,cHr IS THE RING OF woRDs'

By Robert Louis Stevenson. Bright is the ring of words
 When the right man rings them, Fair the fall of songs
 When. the singer things them. Still they are caroied and said on wings they are carried After the singer is dead
 And the maker buried.  Low as the singer lies
 In the field of heather. Songs of his fashion bring
 The swains together And when the west IS red.
 With the sunset embers, The lover fingers and singf
 And the maid remembers ~-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28

an answer in that language, hoping at least that the cadence might be more agreeable to his ears. Although neither or us understood the other, yet my meaning was easily known, for the peo- pie saw the distress I was in.
 They made signs for me to come down from the rock and go toward the shore, which I accordingly did; and, the flying island being raised to con- venient height, the verge directly over me, chain was let down from the low est gallery, with seat fastened to the bottom, to which I fixed myself and was drawn LID by pnlIeNs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Record Pig Iron Production

Production and consumption in pig iron are running along neck and neck. Stocks are small, and any increase in consumption would mean the mark ing up of prices.
 Assuming that the December out put will be equal to that of Novem- Der, we have this table covering six
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Coke and Iron

The local iron market is quiet and will be until after the holiday season. The price remains firm.
 Coke is playing the part of the villain in the drama of the iron trade" say Matthew Addy & Co.,, Cincinnati. Tt is making a lot of trouble. The price of apke is jumping at a rate that makes the cost of manufacturing iron out of all proportion to the prices obtainabe for iron. Either coke must decline or iron prices decidedly increase if the iron masters are going to operate at profit in the futu0 The price of coke, of a tremendous demand. In the past six months iron production has greatly in- creased and it has not been possible tu expand the output of coke as rapidly as the iron masters nave wanted it. Hence the present situation. A year ago furnace coke was selling at about s1.6C a ton; today it is s4 to s4.25. And even at this price it is not to be secured in large and regular quantities, so that scores of furnaces have been obliged to stop for a day or two every now and then. In fact 1t is probable that not a furnace in the country, depending on outside supplies of coke. but has had trouble, and this great and really un- looked for advance in coke means heavy losses to the iron makers. The worst thing about the situation is the fact that there is no immediate chance for an i'm provement.
 ssfs.. frar, hos haar large and there have been good sales Prices are firmer and the tendency is | upward
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
pEFLECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New fork Press Maybe it's so hard to inherit a big brain because it's so easy if it's a big nose. What makes a girl so sure of the man she is engaged to is she never will be when they are married. What makes the baby look so much like it's father is it is never going to have luck in anything. A woman never needs to make up her mind when sine can make up her hus- bands. man will spend money on borrowed cigars that the lender can't afford to
 Smcke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Nfissisninnfnn,s Visit

W T. Armistead. prominent business man of corinth, Miss, is in Birming- ham.
 Business in my section is very good, said MT. Armistead yesterday. We have a large cotton trade and other substantial mercantile interests. and my home town grows steadily. Our popula- ton now Is about 1000.
 "I visit Birmingham from time to time, and note it's rapid growth and it's splendid improvements. This was quite a solid city when I first saw it, but it's stupendous strides fill me with amaZement" 7"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Regarding BusIness Conditions

This country has had a prosperous year and business at bottom was never 'sounder than it is today said Presi- dent W. ". Crawford of the American Trust & Savings bank
 "The business world is eager to keep right on and if it were not for political probes and the trust busting habit at Washington the new year would start off on record-breaking boom. As it is, look for good times in spite of any disturbing influences of temporary pa- turen n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28

out MT. Wilson's term the democrats will win another victory in 1916. but should We have hard times then I believe Roosevelt would become President again.
 "We have seldom had such activity in the manufacturing and mercantile busi7 ness as we have witnessed recently, and I have strong hopes that prosperity will continue u
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28

The New York papers show that Joseph Bryan of Richmond, who died in 1908, was a heavy speculator in Wall street where his indebtedness far outruns his assets. His liabilities in New York exceeded, says the New York World, his assets by s6s4,S99. The biggest item in his New York indebtedness was stated to be $5s2SS1 owed to w. II. Goad- by X Co, stock brokers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Goosebone Prophets Forecast

"A month ago I predicted that we would have little cold weather, but great deal of rain in December said a goosebone prophet. ''I further predicted that we would have a good deal of rough winter weather in January and February, and l still stick to that forecast.
 "rhe north will be full of ice in Janu- ary and the travel southward will tax the railroads to their utmost capacity. We will have cold weather in and around Bir- mingham on Mardi Gras-February 4-but Mobile and New Orleans will probably be favored with springlike temperature. Un- less I am very much mistaken in goose bone signs, New Orleans will have ideal Mardi Gras weather
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28

A Lucky" Baldwin heiress spent in one day s2oo,ooo for yacht. sS5o.- 900 for diamonds. s1o0.0oO for dresses. S2O,O0o for automobiles, s3O,OO0 for si1- yerware and ssO,OOO for a residence in Los Angeles. And then she took day off"