davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Alabama Insurance Money

During 1911" says the Montgom-
cry journal, alabama received back
from life insurance companies total
of $4,000, 900. Payments made to ben
eficiaries in Montgomery amounted to
1929, $50; in Mobile, $433, 900; in Bir-
mingham, $3.50, $50, and in the smaller
towns Bridgeport came next with
$112,500; but in that town there was
one single policy claim of $4,000, paid
to beneficiaries, which was the largest
single claim paid to any town or city
in the state. In this connection it is
interesting to note that our neighbor-
ing city of Troy received the sum of
S95, ESQ, being larger than that re-
ceived by Selma, which was only
S57, $50, but perhaps it was not a
good year for Selma policy holders in
insurance to die"
This statement would have beer
much more business-like if it hac
stated how much money Alabama IL
1911 poured into the golfers of life
insurance companies, nearly all OF
which belong in the foreign" class
The chances are that Alabama paid
out in 1911 over twelve million dol
lars to get back little better thar
four millions. This is kind of taxa
ton that has been going on a long
time and it is kind that drains away
the resources of the state. 1t goes fal
to keep the state poor. If all insur
ance moneys, fire as well as life
could be retained in the state, there
would soon be more prosperity here
Mr.. Julian long ago said this cure
for hard times in this state would
be ample. These are not his exact
words, but this is the substance Of
what he said after he had studied
Alabama's insurance figures.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Three Counties Instead of One

This city cannot go on mourning an
nually deficit of fully S250,0O0, and
yet have no money for more school
houses, more parks and more other
extensions continually demanded by a
rapidly increasing population.
Capt. Romano Boyd, city attorney,
does not think the tax rate can be in
creased or that the city can be made
a separate taxing district. Each of
these plans would require constitu-
tional amendment which the voters of
the state would in all probability re-
fuse to sanction.
Mr.. Boyd's plan consists in the
formation of three counties instead of
one-Pettus county, with Bessemer as
focal point; Birmingham county con-
tanning 100 square miles, and Jeffer-
son county lying east and north of
Birmingham county.
The plan would enable Birming-
ham county to institute great num-
Der of money-saving propositions.
This plan is by no means tentative.
The city as unit, equal to county,
has for a long time been tested in
Richmond, Baltimore, st. Louis and
Denver, and it has worked well in
every instance.
The subject is one that cannot be
acted on until the legislature meets,
and in the meanwhile it should be
discussed from every angle until
every pro and con has been brought
out The welfare of $780, 900 people is
involved at the present time, and the
welfare of twice that number in 10
or Is years to come.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Jasper In Leslie's.
1t was the day after the national holt
day, on the fifth of July, in the early
morning. I was going up In an elevator
In a large office buildis,g in New York
Two young men entered. we'll dressed
nice looking and apparently wel-to-do.
One remarked to the other. after the Gus
tomary morning greeting. well, what do
you think of Jack Johnson" There had
been a prize fight, Il appears. on the
Fourth, in which the negro pugilist had
vanquished his competitor
This negro prize fight was the thought
uppermost In the minds of these young
men. They were not interested in the
Glorious Fourth. in the presidential cam
palgn, in the high cost of living or in
any of the great problems that perplex
and disturb mankind.
Undoubtedly If 1 had asked them the
question, they would have said that they
belonged to the great army of discon-
tented and dissatisfied, who have thrust
themselves to the front In this country.
and who are largely responsible for the
unrest, unreason and unbelief which are
jeopardizing American prosperity and
making us contemplate In the eyes Of
every other great commercial nation.
In the good old days, when | was a
boy negro prize fights were not dis
cussed in the family circle. There were
other things of great consequence to
the welfare of the family and of the peo-
pie. We believed In the Declaration of
Independence and in the sacredness of the
American constitution. In those days
when wages were low, the necessities of
life cheap, and everybody contented, the
nation was chiefly proud of the fact that
II was called "A God-fearing nation. :"
Happy days! Let us get rid of the
muckrakers, demagogues, and self-seek-
ers and bogus reformers that have tor
mented us too long.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Demand for Good Coal Lands

1.-The coal mining business in Alabama
has improved In every way during the
past IL months, and there is a better out
looi: now than ever before" said a man
who has been indirectly identified with
the coal trade many years.
'g2he price of coal property in this state
has been low and is today much lower
than it will be year or two hence. The
few mineral tracts of good value that
are on the market, or will be on the
market. will be appraised 10 years from
now at 500 an acre or more; and some
of this very land may be purchased now
for SIS to s25 an acre. I know of one tract
of 60 acres that was offered few months
ago at so or 81 which could not be
bought now for less than s15"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
WHO BIDEs HIS TIME

By James Wilitcomb Riley.
Who bides his time, and day by day
Faces defeat full patiently
And lifts mirthful roundelay
However poor his fortunes be,
He will not fail in any qualm
OF poverty-the paltry dime
1t will grow golden in his palm,
Who bides his time.
Who bides his time-he tastes the sweet
OF honey in the safest tenr;
And though he fares with slowest feet,
Joy runs to meet him, drawing near;
The birds are heralds of his cause
And like a never ending rhyme,
The roadsides bloom in his applause
Who bides his time.
Who bides his time and fevers not
In the hot race that none achieves.
Shall wear cool wreathen laurels wrought
With crimson berries in the leaves;
And he shall reign a goodly king,
And sway his hand DER every cline.
With peace writ on his signet ring,
Who bides his Tina
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
DROPPING THE ENGLISH al.

From the Strand Magazine.
In the days when packet ships ran be-
tween New York and London a youthful
passenger asked the English mate of the
christiana what there was In the leather
tubing around the gunwales of the life
boats. /
Hair, SIR he answered.
as there anything peculiarly buoyant
about hair?" asked the American youth.
IF you don't know that. you don't
know much,'' replied the mate. with
look of contempt, as he moved to an
other part of the ship.
The youth was Inundated and a few
days later asked the captain why hair
was so buoyant in water That author
ity replied that he didn't know that it
was. and inquired why the youth thought
1t was so.
why, sir, your mate told me that
there was hair in the tubes of the life
boats to make them float when capszed.'
"Ah.' answered the captain, laughing.
He's Cockney; he means air.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Local Politics

THE city democratic executive COM
mittee has had long rest, but it will
have important business to consider next
year when a city commissioner will be
elected to fill the place now occupied by
President Exum," said an old democrat.
MIR. Exum may be his own successor,
but It is understood that two or three
other men will be In the race. 1t is I'M
derstood that all candidates for the COM
missionership will have to submit their
claims to the people in primary. 1t Is
said that the executive committee will be
asked to give the people an opportunity
of voting again on the question of a COM
mission form of government believe In
the commission and would oppose chang
ing back to the board of aldermen, but
find that many of my friends are COM
planning of the present tendency of too
much referendum. 1t seems that Of the
people had to vote on the question of
whether there should be a return to the
board of aldermen or whether the COM
sion should remain there would be many
a reactionary vote. Politics always has
been uncertain; never more SO than
now"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Literature and Politics In Europe


THE European newspapers and periodi-
Gals are having much to say about the
20oth anniversary of the birth of Jean
Jacques Rousseau said a professional
man. And. as matter of course, essay
lists of the free-thinking and revolutionary
class are warm in their praise of tile
French egotist, who made a great mark
in letters. and who did much to SOW the
seeds of the French revolution.
"One of the most luminous articles on
Rousseau appeared In a recent number
of the Musical Courier. of New York.
Besides being a free-thinker and bril-
liant litterateur Rousseau was something
of a composer; and he was as revolution
airy in discussing the theory of music as
he was in bele-lettres, politics and ne
ligion
Lord Morley, the English statesman,
orator and author, delivered an address
as chancellor of Manchester university
the other day, in which he was character
stically trenchant. His discourse took
broad sweep. but in touching upon many
topics nearly every sentence was terse.
and some were distinctly epigram-
indllt. hOfics Spoht VI IAbuSStdu,
quoted with touch of sympathy, an
eminent English author who sad: 'Rous-
seau has stamped himself intellectually on
history by the force of a vivid imagination
and genuine love for his felowmen for
which much will always have to be for
given him.
Among many other historic themes
Morley referred to the American declara-
ton OF independence. and to Tom Paine
and his influence on the young republic.
The ideas and words that seem SIM
plest turn out most complex" said Lord
Morley. IF anybody doubts ask him to
try his hand, say, on Liberty. Equality.
and Fraternity. He will be very lucky
IL, besides being complex, he does not
| find their contents and applications di-
| rectly contradictory. Take Cavour's ia
nous formula "A free church in a free
| state" What could be simpler, more di-
rect, more pleasant and easy music to the
politicians ear; yet of what harsh, af-
1cting. and intractable discords was not
this theme the prelude? OF liberty, we
have been told on the best authority,
there are 200 definitions. Even the con-
seorated name of public opinion has many
shades. One constitutional writer in
whom learning has been by no means IA
tai to wit-and neither law nor politics
is without possible points of humor-puts
it that the opinion of parliament is the
opinion of yesterday, and the opinion of
judges is that of the day before yester-
day. That is, the judges go by precedent
and old canons of Interpretation, while
parliament makes laws, imposes taxes.
regulates foreign relations. in response
to movements outside. and the ebb and
flow of political tides outside seem to
obey the motions of an inconstant moon.
In politics, is it the voice of the electo-
rate? Beyond politics, is it that favor
able balance of leading articles which is
called a good press?
| i" Let nobody suppose that speculations
as to the state and its various relations
to the individual are immateriai. 1t is
sheld that the attempt Of certain French
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Pathos and Humor

Four or i've years ago | happened 10
be In company at private house lis
tening to Dvorak's 'Humoreske' played
by young lady violinist-a fine artist"
said a music lover. when a literary
woman of strong intellectual develop
ment and large experience in life, re-
marked. I do not see why the composer
called 1t "Humoreske" l was surprised
imaginative faculty and poetic temper
ament. had heard .Humoreske' played
often. and I thought the name appro
pirate enough.
II had not given the question much
attention. however. until recently
when I heard several persons comment
ing on the title. A gentleman of Gull
ture and musical education on hearing
Nappfs band play Humoreske few
nights ago, said I do not understand
why that name was selected by the
composer And on Sunday a school girl
of Is or Is, who takes lessons on the
piano and harp, and who has very de-
cided talent. said to me: Dvorak's
"Humoreske," which is so popular
is the most pathetic thing 1 know.
Whenever I play it. or hear it played I
choke up with tears
'Dvorak, Slav of Bohemia, spent
several years of his life in the United
States He travelled through the south
for the purpose of seeing something of
the darkey and of, plantation life. He
utilized plantation melodies for themes
in some of his larger works. In the
American symphony the adagio' Is
redolent of plantation quarters One
of his string quartets or quintets has
plantation themes, and as for 'Humor-
eske' nothing could be more plantation
like. 1t is pathetic, but philosophers
tell us. l believe. that pathos and hui
NOR are very close; that the dividing
line is sometimes barely appreciable.
'Humoreske' calls to my mind tho
picture of happy hearted negro boy
standing in front of a cabin singing
this melody which Dvorak has given
us. Humor does not mean rollicking
fun. 1t is not always connected with
side splitting laughter. This pathetic
melody sung by darkey might pro-
woke a gentle smile; might produce a
bit of humor in the mind of the locker
on At least that is my idea. 1t might
have been that Dvorak entitled his
composition 'Humoreske' as a joke, and
that perhaps is where he thought the
humor would come in.
THE piece was written originally for
the piano. Violin virtuosos began to
put it on recital programmes several
years ago. Now It is played by orches-
tras and bands, big and little.
"Mr. oberhoffer. conductor of the
Minneapolis Symphony orchestra, a
scholarly gentleman, orchestrated 1t and
gave 1t twice in Birmingham last May
once as an encore and once as pro-
Crane number. l do not like his ar
rangement He interduced Down on
the Suwanee River and put on too
many frills."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
EXCITEMENT AT MONTE CARLO

AS-Ati uON1E 1AhbO
From the Strand Magazine.
1t is always a mistake to jump to con-
clusons and here is an instance in
point. One day last summer a wealthy
American who lives in Paris was play
ing baccarat at the Casino at Enghien.
The gentleman in question has a simple
system of his own. He loses only a
fixed sum, and when this is gone stakes
no more.
On this occasion he had reached his
limit losses, and turning to a woman
who was sitting next him, remarked:
There goes my last louis. shall not
play any more" At the same time he
took little tortoise shell box from his
pocket, opened 1t, and slipped small
white lozenge into his mouth. Next
thing he knew was that he was in the
hands of four stalwart attendants, who
caught him from behind. swung him
out of his chair and carried him out of
the Casino into small room adjoining.
Refusing to listen to his angry protests,
they hastily laid him on a sofa, forced
his Jaws open and poured a strong eme-
tic down his throat.
The consequences were so immediate
and disastrous that the poor man was
beyond speech for the next quarter of
an hour. By that time 1t was too late
for his explanation that the lozenge was
merely sulphate of quinine. and that the
Casino authorities were idiots for jump
ing to the conclusion that he had lost his
last penny and taken poison
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Mobiles Exports and Imports

The Age Herald is glad to read that
Alabama's one port had total COM
merce in the fiscal year of 1911 total
ling $35,S72, 526, a gain in exports and
imports over the previous year of
81 ,687, 5S1. Both imports and exports
were increased, and this sustains the
belief that our port will not lag be-
hind when the Panama canal is
opened. The establishment of new
steamship line to South America will
doubtless promote the imports of the
present fiscal year.
Mobile" says the Item, "has not
alone retained its lead in Cuban trade,
but has materially increased it during
the year, and the exports from this
port to Cuba now exceed by 100000
the combined Cuban exports of New
Orleans, Philadelphia, Boston and
Baltimore, New York being the only
rival Mobile has in the Cuban trade. "
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
DRINK AND DEATH



Drink Is it possible that 40 persons
were killed and 60 desperately injured by
the accident on the Lackawanna railroad
because an engineer drank too much on
the Fourth OF July? The testimony to
that effect. at the coroners inquest,
seems almost incredible. The Lacka-
wanna has gone along for nearly half a
century without a fatality. Its manage
ment has been conceded to be the most
conservative. and its equipment included
every device for the safety of the passen-
gers. All safety devices on any railroad
or in any factory or private home would be
Of no avail if at the throttle of the en-
line Of the establishment were the tremb-
frix hand Of a man addicted to drink.
We pesd not dwell on the moral lesson.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
Tolls in the Panama Canal

The railroads, acting through the
intercontinental railroads of Canada,
have succeeded in making the British
government the catspaw to pull their
chestnuts out of the fire. They natu-
rally do not wish our coastwise
service to enjoy free passage through
the canal, and the British government
takes the position that the Hay
Paunceforte treaty does not supply
relate to all foreign shipping but that
it includes our merchant marine also.
In other words. we cannot pass
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
ADRIFT WITH THE TINES

piled to souls and SO they go through life
blaming first one thing and then another
for the WEAKNESS that makes every step
hateful Other people know what is the
matter with their souls, but lack the
means or the opportunities to satisfy
their soul-cravings. Their plight is Just
as bad. or maybe worse than that of the
first class. This sad state of affairs can
only result in the most profound pessi-
mism and a lethargy of spirit that is fatal
to all good impulses. Feed your soul on
something. even If it doesn't happen to
be just the sort of food your soul desires
most Don't let 1t pine and droop and
become a colorless. anaemic thing with
no excuse for existence.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The PresidentiaI Question

1T looks anything but bright for Pres
ident Taft Just now" said p. E Arnold
of Philadelphia. But the democrats
make great mistake If they think the
republicans will go to defeat without
mighty fight.
Il am republican, and in the primary
voted for Roosevelt, but l pride myself
on always voting straight and shall
vote for Taft In November.
THE democrats have nominated very
strong ticket, and I think all observant
men must admit that the democratic
party has a much better show than 1t
had four years ago. or in fact, than at
any time since 1892"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
A girl always knows too much to pre-
tend she does.
He laughs loudest who gets in his
funny story first.
Worldly knowledge sneaks into a girls
head it's hammered into a mans.
It's beside the straight path that the
devil turks to throw on the briers and
tacks thickest.
When a woman is out and it grows
cloudy. she can tell it. is going to rain by
how there is hole in her stocking.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
SPEAKING OF THE FRA.

The Springfield Union, commenting on
Elbert Habbard's remark to The effect
that 'ff one has a pain 1t is proof that
one is alive says. for a good many
years now Ebert has been supplying us
with proof that we are alive" 1t
strikes us that that para grapher takes FL
too seriously. We never regarded him
as much more than a slight irritation
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Nothing Ebert ever did irritated us
so much as the creaking shoes he used
to wear.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
EASY.

If there is any woman in this country
who wants to get herself crowed over by
the majority of the male population, all
she has to do is to announce that she
Doesn't want to run for office because she
thinks her place is at home with the
"childer'' and the dear old washtub and
the kitchen sink
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Two dreary looking specimens of hui
mainly, of the itinerant type, stopped
before the plate glass window of an au-
tomobile eompany's display rooms.
That's a fine car, Pete" said one of
the dereliets. pointing a griny forefnger
at sloeo beauty. whose polished sur
faces and cleaning brass fixtures shone
splendidly.
The other observed the envious look in
his comrades eyes and the note of long
ing In his voice. Come away from here,
Bill he said softly. plucking at the visit
iul ones coat sleeve. First thing yer
know, yer'll be one er desc anarchists"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
POETRY VS.. pRosE.

A Chicago man pleaded in court that
he had an aesthetic temperament and
that was why he could not support his
dearly beloved wife. The judge, how
ever, was practical man, hence the
fine.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
LONESOME.

ONESOME.
Strange to say.
He's far from gay,
Though IS wife's away.
One would think
He'd smoke and drink
AT soubrettes wink.
Stead that,
Life seems so fiat,
He's like a cat
Barred from home,
The streets to roam,
Meath heavens dome.
-
Friendless quite,
A dreary wight,
Who marks times fight,
~
Wishing she
Were back, though he
Would not be free.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

A republican nominee for elector in
elected, he will not vote for Mr.. Taft.
This sort of thing is becoming monot-
onous
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Prof. jerks of Cornell has been asked
to go to China as an adviser to the
government. He will probably accept
the offer.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

When plutocrats cease to finance ma
tional campaigns the bosses will retire
in disgust.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Every railroad should be judged by its
semaphore system. Those railroads that
have none at all-what shall be said
about them?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Four hundred thousand pounds of
opium are brought to this country every
year and consumed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Women are wearing mems socks. and
mere man is becoming alarmed over this
form of progressivism,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Philadelphians carry whisky in their
walking sticks rather than in their all
mentary canals.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

Really, they should tell us what the
governor of South Carolina said to the
dictagraph
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23

The girls that wear mems socks and
mems garters say they are trying to keep
cool, and they are cheaper.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-23
STARVED SOILS.

There is nothing in the world more
pathetic than a starved soul, and yet the
world is full of starved souls. Some
people don't know what is the matter
with their souls; they have no conception
of malnutrition and under-feeding as ap