davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

court was usually attended with a rugged and somewhat incoherent method, and 1t seemed that he had some difficulty in getting under full way but when he did finally reach the point where his words would begin to warm by the friction of his own thought, his was as overpowering oratory as was ever heard in an Alabama court Reused to pitch where the cause came to possess the man, fl was like a temptest crashing through a forest. Absolutely transformed In appear ance, his manner his voice. his logic
 would seem to catch on Ire and all the elements of the great orator would re- spond to his bidding with electrical facili- ty A series of the thunderbots could not have been more terrible and the cogency of logic more overwhelming than when this remarkable man was at his best. 1t did not in the least savor of the rant. but the combination of the terrible and over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

chattel mortgage on pound of flesh, and his own flesh at that, as security. Bum peece of bizness. He borrowed these dewcats for his yung frend Bassonyo, bandy shanked individual who parked thro' his nose expecting him to have a fire and collect the in surance mummy, or sumthing and pay it back, but old Shylock had a grouch against them both and put Sherlock Homes on there trail and there was nuthing doing. This Bassanyo be- longed to the Upper Crust and was sum Heavy with the Ladies. He looked sumthing like Chauncey Depew if he was dressed in Basket Ball suit. and he was stuck on Fare Jane named Persia, who had lamps like a three munths old calf and a cracked soprano voise in high c, but who was a hybrow all rite when it cum to deel-
 ing with the oppersite Sex. Persia
 had enuff coin to choke an elefant,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

back nine times by sed Old Skates. Then couple of Onions will Cum out and hand us sumthing like this: Hello my frend where air you frum ?"
 Me, why I'm frum Providence" "Oh you air frum Providence R. U." No, I'm frum Providence R. l." (Skreems of applaws and Latter rum the Audiense).
 Well evvery boddy to there own taste, but so far as 1 am conserned I don't beleeve that verry menny of our moddern plays air much elevating to the stage. But in plays like poly ticks, the peepul get exactly what they want and pay for and when they begin to turn them down the Think Fac tories will get bizzy and hand us a new line. Shakespeer rote plays for the verry love of riting them. They are ritten now strictly for the Ma zuma. Big difference. Yours trooly, BILL VINES.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
BILL VINES ON SHAKESPEARE

tice of the Peeee for presinkt IS, who didn't know enny moor about the law than graduate from the law de- partment of one of our bizness col leges. Bassannyo who now had his hooks on Porsia's roll and being dewly gratful rushed into court and offered to settle with Shylock two or three times the amount borrowed but old Shy was struck on that pound of Rare Stake and there was nuthing doing. Persia hearing of the trubble dis guised herself like Dr. Mary Walker and cum into court as a lawyer and put one ovver on that bunch that would do credit to the counsel for the Beef Trust.
 Now l call that sum play, it's way wonder ahed of enny thing handed us by Booth Birmingham, or Hans Wag- her. In one of Shakespeers plays you will see big fat feller with a voice like Willyum Jennings cum out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Fire Departments Needs

From the New York Sun.
 When one considers the size and scope of the New York fire department it is very apparent how many supplies aie needed and the great diversity of those needs There are torses 10 be fed and their harnesses 10 be looked after. They must also be shod IL Is d curious sight for those who remember the village black smith and his forge seen through the open door of his wooden shack to ob- serve the city blacksmith going about with his portable apparatus. taking his tools and the articles of his trade with him.
 The fire department automobiles need all those accessories which are so neces- sary for the machines upkeep and there niEst be constant repairs for fire ma chimes do not go through the city at tho lcisnrely speed of private conveyance New hose must he kept constantly on hand, and only the hest is used, for the department makes severe tests before n single length is purchased. To have a hose burst at a fire may entail serious coiseuisences and it is a thing to be avoided.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

a force of boldness of view that gave him one of the first places in the able body which constituted the legislature of 1sio. Three marked elements of strength were his-great ability in debate, remarkable oratorical strength, and the tact of leader ship. These at once won the station of the headship of his party,
 At that particular time, the whig party in the house stood in the need of a strong champion. The Hon. James E. Saunders, of Lawrence county. was the leader of the democratic forces. and it never had an abler. Himself a remarkable man. he was regarded by no little degree of fear by his whg opponents. but he found in William M. Murphy knight worthy of his steel MT. Murphy met the giant of the mountains in debate, was amply able to parry his well-directed blows. and was entirely equal to the suavity for which MT. Saunders was noted, while he would deal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

nicipal government. MT Goodman per
 haps the leading authority in this country, has said. That as compared
 with the larger and best govern ed
 cities of Europe the larger and best governed American cities are unwisely, inefficiently and extravagantly admin istered." Some of the defects that have been pointed out in the government If our cities are: The sale of monopolies in the use of public thoroughfares, sys- tematic jobbing of contracts, enormous overcharges for necessary public works, cities compelled to buy land for parks and places because the owners wished to sell them. grading, paving and sew ering of streets without inhabitants being consulted in order to award cor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

ride in six sylender car and ware silk Union Suits from Seers & Roe bucks at S1.9S hadn't been doing much bizness at the store, and owing to the low prise of cotton the farmers weer behind in paymints and he was kept constantly on the hump to keep three jumps in frunt of the Sheriff and evvery time he'd go down to the First Nasinal Bank the Cashier would give him the Frozzen Ease, and the Pay ing Teller would hand him a Pink
 Slip marked ovverdrawn. Old Tommy was Up Agin it and that's no joke and that 90 day note was about dew and it looked like reductsion in Wait for him, for Old Shylock wanted his mummy or good hunk of stake from rite under his Chest protector, so stipulated in the Bond. When the note fell dew old Tonny was promptly yanked into Court before the Duke of Limbergur Cheese, who was Jus
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

birth. and was brought by his father as a lad of 10 to Alabama two years after the state had been admitted into the union. Ills educational advantages were without stint, his father being amply able to furnish him with the best equipment for life. First student at the Alabama university. he afterwards completed his course al the university of Virginia which was at that time the most famous of the literary institutions of the continent. Adopting law as profession, the gifts and qualifications of MT. Murphy brought him into speedy notice.
 He was for number of years devoted to the practice of his profession before he entered public life. At the age of 34 he represented Greene county in the State legislature. He brought to the office of a legislator an experience seasoned by years of study and court practice, with a native courage and coolness, coupled with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

breakers ahead. "The wIse man lore seeth the evil and hideth himself, the simple pass on and are punished" The failure in law enforcement has been conspicuous and fragrant. Any govern ment, municipal or any other, that al- lows any of It's laws trampled under foot by any class of its citizens Is playing with fire. It is slumbering upon the brink of a volcano.
 The remedy for all these evils Is cas- fly available. Honest, capable men In office will settle the question and save us from the reproach that is upon us and the danger that Is ahead of us. There are two difficulties in the way of securing such mon that must be overcome. As a rule such men are not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

TyOR solidity and strength of charac- ter, forcefulness. and impressive | ness of presence especially before a jury or an audience. the Hon. William M. Murphy was hard to excel. He was re- markabe for antipodal elements of char acter. That is to say. the active and pas sive virtues were so set over against each other as to give him an unique combina- ton of clements. While morally and phy- sleally courageous, he was gentle as a tender woman. and while he was a most formidable contestant in debate, he was just as remarkable in his generosity, and spurned any suggestion or opportunity to take undue advantage. While dread in risputatious combat, he was respected for his uniform fairness. According this to others, he was not slow in demanding the same in return.
 MT. Murphy was North Carolinian by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

courage was equalied alone by,hisaniform generosity of spirit. There was nos . small quality that entered into his char acter. Open, frank. noble. brave. bold, gentle. courteous. and tender. he was all of these. His sympathy once enlisted made him one of the most loyal and de- voted of friends and supporters On the other hand. his opposition when once stir red was the invitation of a storm. But he never forgot to be generous even to the sternest of foes.
 This galaxy of virtues with which his character was adorned awoke universal confidence and won him popularity not She frequently among his opponents. Set over against every stern or strong quality was a check or balance that held his character well In pose. This gave him ponderouy influence among those who knew him, as he was regarded as fair at any cost of advantage to himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

his heaviest blows. It was battle royal between the champions. the one from the hill districts and the other from the black belt. The sparring of these mighty men was a matter of interest, and became memorable for many years They were equally matched. yet very dissimilar in a number of respects. Later. MT. Murphy was the choice of his party for congress. but was defeated, after remarkable campaign, by his kinsman, Hon. Samuel W. Inge.
 In 1s4s. Mr. Murphy represented his district in the senate of the state, and three years afterwards removed to Texas, but his stay in the state of the Lone Star was brief. for he returned to Alabama, and located as lawyer at Selma. While never recognized as a profound jurist, he was without an equal as an advocate. His elements of oratory was singularly unique. His initial approach to cause in the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

of this condition the government of the cities becomes live question with all the people. It cannot be denied that to very marked degree in the large cities of this country municipal govern ment has been a failure. MT. James Bryce, who is an altogether disinter- ested and quite distinguished student of our institutions and manner of do lug things. says:
 The government of cities Is the one conspicuous failure of the United States. The fault of the state govern ments are insignificant compared with the extravagance, corruption and mis- management which mark the adminIs- tration of most of the great cities
 Another eminent authority on mu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

fairs of our cities. Are they true? If they are true, how long can such state of affairs continue? If these con ditions really obtain in the cities and the time comes when the cities dom mate the country, what Is to become of our boasted republican form of gov ernment? How long would the stock foders in a corporate tolerate in the officers of the company such conduct as Is charged against the officers of the corporate interests of the cities of this country? There should be the same honesty and efficiency In the one set of officers as in the other
 Lightly as the statement may be es- teemed, without an improvement in the character of the men elected, there are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

rupt contracts for work, to purchase
 worthless property at eStravagant prices. sbolishing one office and creat- ing another with the same duties, or 10 vary the functions of office for the sole purpose of redistributing official emoluments, to make or keep the sal arv of an officer unduly high in order that its tenant may pay largely to the perty funds, to lengthen the term Of office in order to secure corrupt or incompetent men, when increasing tax atson begins to arouse resistance loans are launched under false pretenses and often with the assistance of falsified accounts" Quite long list of sers-
 ous charges to be brought against
 those who administer the municipal af-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
~ oafr years ago wrote what caiIr-1
 my creed. In one shape or another - that creed has appeared in various

~ oarE years ago wrote what caiIr1
 my creed. In one shape or another o that creed has appeared in various ,. newspapers.
 It has been changed in some particulars and no doubt considerably improved. However that may be, have not changed my confession of faith and append here with the original subscription:
 What do I believe? This:
 I believe in cleanliness of body, mind and soul, because cleanliness is not merely next to godliness. It is godllness. I relieve in kindness to man, woman, child and animal, because God is kind to me.
 [ believe in truth because it makes me free.
 believe in the charity that begins at home, but does not end there. ]. believe in mercy as ardentiy as hope it may be extended to me.
 l believe in moral courage because IL distinguishes me from brute.
 I believe in righteousness because it is the shortest and best line between two eternites.
 | believe in patience because 1t is the swftest way to accomplishment
 believe in that sort of strenuous in unstry which takes an occasional vaca- ton.
 believe in the kind of economic saving that does not hesitate to spend money freely for a good purpose
 I believe in honesty not for policy s sake but for the sake of decent prinei- pies.
 l believe in hospitality because it puts a roof not only over my head, but my neighbours head as well. ' l believe in obedience because it is the only way I can learn how to command.
 I believe in self control because 1 want to influence my fellows for their good s I believe in suffering because 1t is the best means the eternal can use to chasten and purify.
 I believe in God because I am not spirit nally blind - I know a home from which you would scarcely be able to drive the children with club.
 IL is rot d fine home nor expensive in l,s upkeep. It Is just comfortable And It Is presided over by a woman of rare sense end great tact She cares more fo; her children than for fine clothes or solely or tbc voman's club. She wants aer children to have good time and knows Low te give it to them
 To illustrate
 There are two boys. fine young cubs. sho never go Grumbling to their tasks. Mother knows how to make sport out of druGgery And if the task Is hard .here is a sure reward at the end.
 There s,A a big yard and garden. The boys weFk hard in the garden and ,nac. high 1inks in the yard. There are big tree the barn the alley. Noisy? 1t course. And hard on clothes? Surely tsut-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

willing to serve. To correct these evils men must realize that the economic interests cannot be suhordinated to any other interest. Capable men must bs willing to sacrifice something for the, public good.
 Another difficulty that presents dt- self is, how, in the average large city, to get such men elected when they are willing to serve. Enforce the election laws. Eliminate the vote of the slums and the floating population. which, In the hands of interruptions demagoguca is a menace to good government. Great Britain has eliminated this vote and SO can we All that is necessary Is that men who stand for civic righteousness shall assert themselves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

\ 1ISTUR EDDITUR: There was
 M certainly sum class to Willyum 1VA Shakespeer when it cum to rit- ing Plays. Willyum maid hit the first time up, and his fame rose rite up on the spot and evver cents has
 been walking rite on down thro' the middle of posterrity. Willyum rote moor plays than enny man who evver lived outside of Inderanny. Uthers
 tryed to rival him in his day, but they fell down, Willyum brought home the Bacun. He didn't have the Chorus Curl bug much, but he was sum stout on the heavy stuff. He rote one he called the Merchint of Vennis; sum class too you bet, but this Merchint feller was a bonehed all rite. He went security for feller for bunch of long green that they borrowed frum old man Shylock the three ball man and was fool enuff to give him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

l" HE above question may raise
 smile, but it cannot be disposed | of by a smile. It is quite seri- rus question and one that aHec's not .nly the cities themselves but the en- ire population of the country reach- ng down through the small towns to he rural population It has been fig nred out and the statement is made on good authority that if the ratio of change in population from the coun- try to the cities continues as It has changed in recent years that in less fhan three decades the cities will hold lhe balance of power and dominate the whole country. AS there is a prospect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

You will find lot of neighborhood boys thero, which is an infallible test of the sort of mother young fellows have.
 The boys have a room of their own. It happens there are two windows on the west. There are striped awnings over the windows. A lot of people in that neighborhood are richer. but they never think of buying awnngs-"just for the boys room."
 Besides
 Down in the basement are plenty of tools and soft pine boards. Things are bit topsy turvy there. You should see the .contraptions'' the boys make. And if by any means they may contrive and make something for mother-why, that is best of all
 In tLe yard are a swing and a ham mock. To be sure, they break down oc- casona'ly when too many kids tumble in at one time Ropes and hammocks do not cost much. And nobody is ever seeded
 There is a girl also.
 She is something of a romp The neighbors cal her "a tomboy." She is as 1.-the as the family cat, and there are frcckles on her nose. It Is noted when the neighborhood girls play with the dolls and mimic their mammas they do so at
  rttnple things and incur remarks.
 More than all else
 In the vocabulary of this mother there Is no such word as don't
 How does she keep her children at hcmeY
 This is the recipe: A little good sense, few ounces of patience. a pinch of tact Mix with real mother love.
 If you will go over the list of the men in your city that have done things you will discover that most of them were brought up in the country.
 Why is it?
 Because boy needs wide spaces in which to grow into man. He needs elbow room. The natural swath of the boy is a wide one. He is attuned to expression and needs to bubble over. He wants vent In tine city he is more or less cabined. crbbed and confined.
 Poor city chap
 For him are no great fields or shady woods where wanderlust may lead him. For him no company and touch of na- ture.
 He is rude and destructive? What won der?- If he is all boy and worth his rearing he spells Force. And if it is op- pressed force means explosion.
 His mother scolds. He spoils the fur niture, leases the cat and worries his niture Give him a dime and he will go to picture show or to the streets streets that often lead directly to hell. A boy unspo:led is the finest thing on legs.
 The normal boy, under his vest. is af- fectlonafe. His heart if you know where to find if. Is bigger than his head. He Is. by primal instinct. honest.
 The normal boy s four square to all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
HEART TO HEART TALKS-By Edwin A. Nye

the hardships you knew whsn you were a boy? That is natural desire, but in carrying it out you may coddIe your boy and weaken his character. For instance: You let the chap sleep late while hls mother keeps the breakfast warm for him. and he comes downstairs to find fault with his food. Look out You arc hampering that boA You are padding things to give him an easy impact
 Which may be fatherly lsss very unwise. Because you are taking away his chance to become man. You let him spend money he does not earn. You make the going easy instead of hard. He ought to strive against odds. He ought to work to win. How shall he learn to swim without going into the water? You want to save him from suffering. but suffering perfects character If your boy is to know the worth of a dollar he must earn it: if he Is to know the thrill of success he must win it.
 And mark this:
 Your boy can never get into touch with those who strive if he does not himself go through struggle. Lacking the struggle, he lacks sympathy with those who contend. And without per- sonal touch and sympathy with other folk your boy cannot be the man among men that he ought to be.
 Hard lines?
 Even so. 1t is hard lines for you, my friend. and for me, and for all of us. but 1t is the way by which we get fiber and forcefulness
 The world will give no man place un- less he climbs up to get t. Would you keep your boy from climbing. perforce, be- cause he must blister his hands on the rounds of the ladder2
 Please remember
 Your boy is made of the same sort cf putty you are mcAie of. You were mold ed into what success you have achieved while the putty was soft.
 When the putty of which your hoy is made begins to harden it Is too late 10 try to mold it.
 Do you employ young men?
 Has 1t occurred to you that you owe these young men more than their wages ?
 or-if you fight shy of moral consider atlons have you considered that by rais- ing tho standard of honor and conduct of these young fellows you might profit thereby?
 They pattern after you.
 Consciously or not, those who work for you look up to you and follow your ev- ample. What mre natural? You are their ideal. You have succeeded in your business They hope to succeed in the same business. Why should they mt initiate your ways and follow yohI neihodsf
 Therefore
 Your standards of business and If life. your habits and purposes win become theirs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

The bridegroom was attired In conventional black-News Item.
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-23
Stevenson's Keen Comment.

The hit that Treasure Island" made
Is one OF the most pleasant episodes
In literary history. Tie story that
Gladstone got a glimpse Of the book
al Lord R~osebcry's house. and spent
the lei day hunting over London for
q secondhand copy, is good enough
TO be u Stevenson own comment
on his success IL levoiheaded, II point,
ed: This gives ont strange thoughts
Of how very bad the common run OF
books that the wise.acres think toe
bad TO print are TIRE very ones that
t,u ~ ue praise and pudding"
Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-23

An inexpensive and excellent
too,hpowdcr is made OF equal paris
of powdered CASTLE soap. powdered
o-ris root and precipitated chalk.
",wdered charcoal will sweeten the
i..a,h After eating onions if a little
IS ,aken into the mouth the offensive
odor will be taken from the breath.
The habit of biting the nails may be
{, nTuersd by will power in an older
but with chi!dr'n cut the nails
very close and dip TIE ends OF the
fingers in auiniue or a little extract
OF quassia.