davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
LODGING HOUSE LIFE

New York Letter in the Cincinnati Times
 Star.
 q can always help the man who has gene down and out in hurry said the city missionary the other day. T can help the man who has met with hard iuck' or has made a mistake But l cannot all ways help the man who has lived in Bowery lodging house. They are usually hopeless"
 A first blush that sounds like harsh Judgment. But the other day ruddy- faced clear eyed man was discovered at the corner of Twenty-third street ana Broadway, carrying the banner of a cheap restaurant. He was 60, perhaps, but ne was muscular, healthy and chipper. There was nothing of the downtrodden and TOT lorn about him. He watched the pano- rama which unfolded before him with wide eyes, interested In every detail as child might be in new toy. T can get you a better job than this,' said man who was interested in him, at nrst sight. q can find you a place where you car. make s12 a week, and the work is not hard"
  promptly. 'Is having the best time or my life right now"
 He had been a farmer all his life. For years he had struggled with hillside farm in Vermont. Ills one recreation was to read city paper. By and by his four sons grew up, left the farm and nave been modesty successful. When my wlfe died I came to the city said he. My boys send me 8 week, and I make enough more by odd jobs of this sort to keep me And. sayl I'm living for the first time in my life, I'm enjoying myself tell you. There's man living down at the lodging house where l get a 25 cent room every night who used to be a bank burglar, and he tells me the stories of his life. And there's fellow who says he's count-he talks like one, anyhow-and there's a major in the Eng fish army, and a sea captain, and pro- lessor who got fired by his university they say for cheating at .cards-and man they say used to be a minister, and killed man. Every night fellows like that come in, and there's always something happening. It's exciting-and I spent all my life hard at work on a hill farm. I'm 20 years younger than l was when came to town, and as long as l get couple of meals a day and a place to sleep, I'm happy. What do I want with SIP week job? Mister, I would mt change places with the mayor.'
 The city missionary heard the story.
 That Is why you cannot reform a man who has tasted life in a lodging house, said he. Excitement is in the air. Every newcomer has a life history that is more interesting than fiction. Little wonder they will not come back ''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 'TNHE subject of heavy drinking in the
 colonies which has been brought
 \ up in the German reichstag is one that has been a good deal discussed from time to time in Great Britain. It has been argued by investigators of the Brit ish colonies, especially those of the trop- age of British trade and the German ad- vance has been the dissipation of English men and their inattention to business.
 Numerous books have been recently written about the conditions in Great Britain's Asian possessions in which com parisons have been made between the hard working, money making German and the club loving, race going, cricket playing Briton.
 Numerous prominent British clubs in the Orient close their doors at the hour at which the grill rooms of American clubs begin to become lively. The object of shutting up at sundown is to prevent registering fellows from sitting up all night But the fact that the clubs four ish in immense numbers without selling drinks after dark indicates the enjoyment of an amount of leisure unknown among business men elsewhere than in the Orient. Cities such as Singapore, with a European population no larger than the American country town" which supports one club, or none, have a dozen, most Of which are at least nominally athletic. In addition to the social clubs there is the jockey club, whose meets are nu- merous and long The result is that the young business man is constantly in debt in a country where credit is as easy to acquire as leisure, and much time that might be devoted to work is wasted.
 But the discussion in the reichstag in- dicates that the Germans in Africa are as dissipated as the British in Asia. The statement that the conventions of colony life compel German civil servant to spend half his income for alcohol is doubtless an exaggeration. But so great an amount of smoke indicates at least little fire Why is it that persons residing in colonies. and especially in the tropics, are. more than others, inclined to drink more than is good for them? The ten dency is observable in Manila among Americans and other foreigners, although certainly the conditions described by the German travellers as existing in the Afri- can colonies are not duplicated. It is said bv the speakers at the rechstag that the natives of Africa do not drink as much as the Germans and that the African
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
THE FLYING purcHMAN

Fletcher ]. Bassett Legends and Super
 stitions of the Sea-"
 The legend of the Flying Dutchman Is the most picturesque and romantic of the many tales current among sailors half a century ago. It is also, perhaps, the best known nautical legend. Novelists have used 1t as their theme; poets have embellished the tale with their verse; dramatists have familarized the public with 1t, and 1t has been the subject of modern opera
 Tho usually accepted version Of the story Is thus:
 An unbelieving Dutch captain had vainly tried to round Cape Horn against a head-gale. He swore he would do It, and, when the gale increased. laughed at the fears of his crew. smoked his pipe and drank hls beer. He threw over board some of them who tried to make him put into port. The Holy Ghost descended on the vessel. but he fired his pistol at it, and pierced his own hand and paralyzed his arm. He cursed God. and was then condemned by the ap- partition to navigate always without put ting into port. only having gall to drink and red-hot iron to eat, and eternally to watch. He was to be the evil genius of the sea, to torment and punish sail- ors. the sight of his storm-tossed bark to carry presage of Ill fortune to the luckless beholder. He sends white squalls all disasters and tempests. Should he visit a ship. wine sours and all food be- comes beans-the sailors bete noir. His crew are all old sinners of the sea, sailor thieves towards, murderers and such His ship is the true purgatory of the faitLess and idle mariner"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
Madero's Credit in New York

President Madero has just floated a S10,000,000 loan in New York, and it is said he can get more money in the same American city if he needs it.
 This renders success on his part well assured. He can buy and import guns and ammunition, and the rebels cannot, and he can pay his troops regularly, keeping them well equipped and we'll supplied at all times. The side that has plenty of guns and plenty of money will certainly win in Mexico, and already Orozco is on his last legs. Zapata will be crushed as soon as Orozco is put out of the fighting.
 Mexico needs peace, and Madero cannot work out the reforms he prom ised to bring to the people while civil war rages. Peace will come and Mex ico will have a good many additional obligations to shoulder, but in times of peace these obligations can be met and cancelled. Madero's crowning victory will be due in part to the good sense of the Taft administra- tion and in part to American capital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
Concerning Liquor Drinking

"The casual observer can see that
 there is less whisky drinking among business men and clerks than was the case 20 or 30 years ago." said an old
 citizen.
 "In many small cities-cities Of the 5000 to 10000 class--it was considered extremely bad form for a man of busi-
 ness prominence, or of social or church standing, to drink in a saloon, but In the larger cities 1t was customary for representative citizens to drink at the bar.
 When I was a boy I knew several men who seemed to be successful Tn | business--in fact they got rich-who
 were groggy every day in the year In my youth I visited small furnace town in Kentucky, and three or Tour rich men there had the drink habit bad
 "The other day I met lady who was born and reared in this valley in tho Elvtou neighborhood--and she called over some of the prominent farmers and well-off merchants Of Jef- ferson county. Whisky drinking among men was very common when she was young lady. There was great deal of wickedness-profane swearing and the like.
 "One cannot help commenting on the contrast between those early days and now. Total abstinence Is the rule with many of the descendants of the old timers. While there is large volume of liquor consumed in this and other populous centers, very few men Of my acquaintance ever take a drink In saloon. Many of them are total ab- stainers, and those who drink at all, drink in moderation, and only at home.
 T have never yet voted for prohi- bition, and probably never will l am
 not sure that prohibition has done much toward the minimizing of the liquor habit among business men, but habitual whisky drinking has certainly gone out of fashion in respectable cir cles.
 Beer drinking is in vogue in fami- lies-much more in vogue than 1t used to be-but modern beer containing less than per cent of alcohol Is almost as innocent a drink as cider or coco cola.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Marked Development

Traffic is increasing steadily along our line" said Alex Bonnyman, general manager of the Atlanta. Birmingham and Atlantic railroad There has been real ly a wonderful development considering the comparatively short time that our line has been in operation.
 We pass through a territory In Ala bama that was badly in need of trans portation facilities. Chambers, Randolph Clay and the other counties through which we run are favored with productive lands. These counties are, indeed, among the most fertile in the state, but before the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic was built many farmers had to haul their crops in wagons 25 or 30 miles to reach railroad.
 When we were constructing the road our camps made a large demand for eata- bles. We bought eggs at to 10 cents dozen; large chickens at 10 cents apieee' and other articles of food in proportion' Now the same farmers who sold tnelr stuff so cheap a few years ago get So cents a dozen for eggs and S5 cents apiece for chickens.
 Home seekers from the north are ouy- ing small farms in the territory traVersed by our road. In the past two or three years there has been marked increase in population. Nearly everybody LOOKS prosperous.
 Tt goes without saying that the Allan ta, Birmingham and Atlantic Is very important road to Birmingham. It opens up new trade to this city, and the best of it is this trade will be growing fast all the while.n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
TIME BETWEEN DRINKS

From the London Chronicle.
 The drinking habits of Gladstone once astonished an enthusiastic water drinker. He saw Gladstone mix his drinks--port after champagne. This astonished well wisher expressed his wonder by hazarding guess as to what Gladstone's doctor would say to such tamperings with precious health.
 But the far seeing statesman had sought medical advice before he ven tured. 'The physicians assure me-" he replied, that If let IS minutes elapse between two kinds of wine there is no mixture" Gladstone was a careful drinker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
Before and During the Convention.

-t'N tSeAAhto tAtO 0Oitf
 A movement has been started in the Senate to postpone action in the Lori mer case until after the national con- ventions have been held, simply be- cause a full vote cannot be secured either now or in the convention time. "Politicating" has already become ac- tive, and virtual suspension of im- portant business beyond the conven- tion period seems to be inevitable. Other important matters will no doubt be shelved, and Congress will not at tempt to dispose of the big bills be- fore it until July comes around.
 July and August are pretty hot months in Washington, but it is plain that these months will be full of legis- lation. All bills that pertain to the campaign will be pressed in one branch or the other, and when Con gress adjourns the great issues will be pretty fully made up.
 The democrats propose to stay un- til the Senate acts on all five of the tariff bills, and the tacking on of preposterous amendments will not aid the republicans. It is more than prob able that the metal schedule loaded up with a print paper amendment and q proposition to repeal Canadian reciprocity will not be disposed of un- til after the two conventions have met and acted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
THE SOUTHERN CANDIDATES

From the Chicago Evening Post.
 One of the grateful things in the pres ent campaign for the democratic presi- dential nomination is that there has been no northern objection worthy of note to the nomination of either Woodrow Wilson or oscar w. Underwood on the ground of their southern birth. upbringing and their Southern sentiment" Both Dr. Wilson and Mir. Underwood are national men in the broadest sense of the word. Any democrat and any republican aside from the mere matter of his party faith can support either of these men for the high office to which he aspires without any feeling that he is aiding the cause of a sectional candidate.
 Without any intention of making sug- gestion as to the man whom the demo- crats should choose for their standard bearer, it might be said that the naming of a southern man would go long way toward 'perfecting the union" Democ- racy is afraid that if it should choose 2
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
IF THE TRUTH BE TOLD

From the Chicago Tribune.
 "Whoever made you think you look well on horseback Throggins lied to you most shamefully."
 'Yes, I'll be at home next Thursday evening, MT. Pschucks; that's why I'd rather not have you call"
 Bobby, you must not be uncivil to MT. slocum; he's only going to stay a few minutes"
 "Officer, l don't mind being arrested by cop that's got some sense. but you're a darned bonehead."
 Mamma. you won't need to listen at the keyhole this evening; it's my second best young man that's coming.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

southerner as it's ehieftain in the cam paign it's course would be resented by the north. It probably can give over such fear in advance. There is no sane reason to believe that the northern press or the northern people will advance the south ern birth of Woodrow Wilson or Oscar w. Underwood as an argument against the election of either. Neither need the democracy fear that it's share of the old soldier vote will desert it if a southerner is named.
 A year hence the fftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg will be marked by a common reunion of the Union and Confederate veterans who fought on that field The committee on arrangements for the commemoration met recently in the city of Washington. It was composed of men of both armies. The feeling which once existed has gone from the breasts of all save few irreconcilables who har- bor resentment simply because they like to have something to talk about, and like to have something to talk about, and like to be different from their fellows. There are many states, but only ore country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
south Best Place for Negro

While the negroes have migrated in considerable numbers to northern and western states. the vast negro popu- lation of this country Is in the south and will continue here" said a prom inent citizen, who has taken much in- terest in movements to advance the colored man industrially and morally
 of the 9.ss2,294 negroes in the Unit ed States, according to the last census, about 9,000.000 live south of the Ma son and Dixon line.
 ,rhe negro has made progress. Many individuals have accumulated property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

Oscar w. Underwood will be in good company when he receives the deg rec of IL. D. from Columbia university. The time can be recalled when colleges in this country conferred degrees infls- criminately. Many men, who had more vim than scholarship. were honored by institutions of learning with doctorates. but that time is passing. IL. D. don ferred by Columbia is an honor tq be prized
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
GENEROUS HOY

From Judge.
 Little Harry's parents always kept a barrel of apples in the cellar. Not long ago they moved next door to an orphans home. Shortly after moving, Harry s mother noticed that the apples disap- peared with great rapidity.
 Harry" she asked one morning, what is going on with our apples?"
 Mother, he replied, T have to eat great many apples"
 T am willing that you should have all the apples you want. But why do you eat so many lately?'
 Why, I have to eat a great many cause the orphans want the cores.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
A. to Presidential Candidates

Tn view of the serious split in the republican party no nominee of the Chicago convention will be able to poll the full party vote," said s. L. Dunlap of Chicago.
 T usually vote the republican ticket, but unless such a man as Hughes Is the candidate I will probably not vote next fall. President Taft may possibly get the nomination. I do not believe that he would poll much more than half the vote he received in 1908.
 Roosevelt certainly could not poll the full republican vote. He will get d few democrats, but not enough to give him any material help. Hughes could come very nearly polling the full strength of the party, but no matter what is done in Chicago the democrats will have a golden opportunity. If they put out strong ticket and adopt conservative platform they would be very apt, to win in November
 Ut is a mistake to think that Raose- welt. because he usually succeeds in politics. could sweep the country this year. The people have never yet had an opportunity to pass on the third term question. believe there are fully 2, 1000 900 men In the republican party who would refuse to vote for Roosevelt simply because of the third term proposition.
 "In the democratic party, neither Champ Clark nor Wilson would carry more states than Bryan carried. Un- derwood or Harmon would be strong. believe either of them could carry New York state as against Taft or Roosevelt. I spend good deal of time in New York. and am in close touch with business interests there. Many business men are talking strong iy in favor of Underwood"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

The last census credited JefeFson county with a population of nearly 327- OOo The biennial school census, to be taken in July. will give us reliable basis upon which to estimate the c oun- tvs present population. There has been a considerable increase within the lpast two years, and the school census will probably indicate populationf of 260, 1000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

Many negroes own their own farms and are thrifty til1ers of the soil. There are far too many trifling. thieving ne- groes in the large cities All such should be driven out. and made to go to work believe the time will come when the negro will be reckoned with as even a more important factor in the industrial field than he is today It Is up to the negro to behave him. self and work out his own destiny.
 "The Atlanta Constitution recently published an interview with a well known negro leader. the Rev. Dr. Rich ard D. Stinson. principal of the Atlanta Normal and Industrial institute. He talked in a very practical and com mon sense way when he said to the people of his own race: Stay in the south. Here is where your fortune lies
 "'The south. continued pr. Stinson, is by far the better section for the intelligent, progressive, honest and hard-working class of the negro race. pr. Stinson said further, The climate is in his favor; the soil is conducive to his needs and to a great yield
 "Dr. Stinson then went on to tell the negro that all must not become over anxious. The youth, he says, should be impressed above all things with this fact; character and good name. are his best assets, and will always be so, regardless of other things. whether he accumulates little or much"
 Next Month for Business Activity
 "Business this month is waiting on the national conventions," said Charles F. Farnum of Buffalo, N. Y.
 Trade is much better than one might have expected to find it. There was great deal of brisl1ness in general busi- ness two or three weeks ago, but as there is so much mud singing and radical talk in the republican party, and so much uncertainty in both parties as to plat forms. investment capital Is going slow After the Fourth of July, however, 1t IS generally felt among business men that this country will start on great boom.
 'If the crops turn out reasonably well prosperity will move up to new hlgh record. No matter who Is elected Presi- dent, this country is going to have good times for at least two or three years. believe 1913 will be a banner year In ev- cry part of this country. With a year or bumper crops after the next presidential inauguration nothing could well hold ousl- ness back.
 Birmingham is already very prosper ous center, but two years from now It should be vastly more prosperous than 1t Is. Before this time next year the big mill here will certainly have been com pleted and in operation"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
Condition of the Cotton Crop

The government reports the condi- ton of the cotton crop on May 25 at about three points below the average condition of the last 10 years on May 25. No acreage report will be issued until July, new law requiring the change.
 The prices of cotton in the New Or leans and New York markets were
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
GOING FURTHER HACK

From Lippincott's magazine.
 A man who had suddenly become very rich went to live in New York and be- gan to spend money with lavish hand. He decided that his name needed ad- vertising, so he visited genealogist.
 q suppose" he said. If I pay you enough you can trace my family back to Adam"
 My dear sir" replied the genealogist. If you're wiling to put up the money we can prove by evolution that your family existed before Adam
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
neea in Yuicnn,s Hnnd

"A swarm of bees have made their hive in the hollow of vulcan's uplifted hand said D. R. Grace.
 "The bees showed their true instinct when they went to Vulcan, who is the type of this busy bee hive of industry. Forth from the strong shall come the sweet. It was said of a famous Roman orator that the bees from Mount Hermes touched his lips with honey when he was in the cradle.
 Vulcan has attracted to Birmingham many busy bees, not the least of whom is now developing the unlimited marble resources of Alabama which possess the potentiality for wealth beyond the dreams of ayarice."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
REFLECTIONS OF \ BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The politest conversation is listening to the other fellows.
 The reason people go visiting is they wouldn't if they were welcome.
 There's no way to be a bigger nuisance than always to be consistent.
 It looks as if the greatest fun million aires get out of it is the things they can do to those who aren't.
 A woman would rather her husband came home to dinner on time than stay down town late to be elected president of trust.