davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
MARcoNrs REFLECTION

From the New York Times.
 The affliction which has befallen Gug- lielmo Marconi will be felt by the whole world. It is perfectly true rNat a man may see as much with only one eye, with effort, as he could normally see with two, but he cannot see as easily, his vision is permanentlSe impaired, and he will bear with him throughout the re- mainder of his life a keen sense of loss. As 1t is likely that the surgical opera tion will avert all danger of the inf1mma- ton extending to the other eye, it is well that it was performed without further delay. Few men ofthe present hour have been as useful to their fellow men as Marconi, and he will doubtless be able to continue his labors in spite of his af- fiction. He is in the prime of life, and he may find consolation in the knowledge that many men suffering from defective vision have accomplished work of vast importance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
THE TRUTH ABOUT PEKING.

really felt like hero imperilling my life in the cause of science.
 It is impossible to describe in printable terms the noisome atmosphere of these places or to indicate the very obvious sources of their odors. Here, as in every thing else, Picking takes the lead in loath- someness. Never shall I forget the reek- ing mass of semi-nude humanity (all male) with which found myself rubbing shoulders. Most of the audience were
 drinking tea and consuming strange sweetmeats and other edibles-and smell ables. I was a good dear puzzled at first to see whitish missiles speeding through the air ((evidently in q friendly way) from one bench to another. They ultimately proved to be damp towels, provided by a
 considefate management to enable it's patrons to rub each other down.
 As to the performance, I must not be- gin to describe it. Suffice it to say that
 it was far more acrobatic than dramatic: that warriors in gorgeous costumes and with faces painted to pitch of diabolcal hideousness went through an interminable series of conventional evolutions sup posed to represent fighting, while an or chestra at the back of the stage kept up an unhrolSen and truly internal din.
 Admirers of China are fond of reminding us at every turn that tine Japanese have borrowed from that country all their art and civilization. Roughly speaking, this is true: you see in China the germ of
 hundreds of things Japanese. But every
 thing the Japanese have borrowed they have turned to favor and to prettiness." They have genius for beauty as con- summate as the Chinese genius for ugl.- ness; and whatever of grotesque and bar barous Survives in Japan, has its still more barharous prototypes in China. fancy this holds in the intellectual sphere as well; but in the aesthetic sphere it is palpable beyond all question. You can not thoroughly appreciate Japan until you have seen China-until you have com pared tsay) the Temple of Heaven at
 Pelling or the Temple of the Five Genii at Canton not with the gerat temples of Nix ko or Kyoto, but with any Of the unnum- bered local shrines or Japan, of which it is scarcely too much to say that each is a gem of dainty loveliness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
BARS ROUGE AND LOUD HOSE

From the New York Sun.
 Miss Oldham, who has charge of tho girls in the Bayonne, N. J., High school, made some head to foot criticisms Thurs day. She addressed the girls, saying:
 'You girls are too prolific in the use of paint and rouge ana you will have to stop the practice at once. We do net care to be treated to moving pictures in this school, and neither do we want any Galateas or living oil paintings around here. This is public school and not an art gallery. Besides, l think the com plexion of the average American girl is such that it is harmed instead of im- proved by artificial devices.'
 Then Miss oldham lectured the girls on their clothing. She said many of the girls had got into the habit of wearing hose of too loud a color, and announced that in the future hosiery and shoes would be confined to black and tan colors.
 Several of the school gir;s will take up the matter of black and tan shades with the board of education
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
Royalty i'm England

'In recent years England has i'm pressed me as the most democratic country in the world and it's monarchy in the midst of democracy seems like an anomaly,'' said a travelled man. "Az q modern English writer said. Our sovereigns reign but do not rule.'
 The British masses seem to be as loyal to royalty as they were 100 years ago. The last reform which re duced tlis house of lords to almost a nt eligible quantity was epoch making, and it may be safely predicted that the British peerage will. before many years
 be no more than the so-called French nobility of today-empty titles But no land will be without hereditary ruler
 King George is doing much to pop ularize the monarchy and the heir ap- parent will be educated in accordanc, with modern ideas. As one of the many evidences of the interest which Eng, | fish people take in royalty is the amount of space which the London pa pers give to the Prince of Wales ma circulation at oxford. The Times says
 The universities have hitherto playee no great part In the education of Eng fish princes. There are tradition. which connect the Black Prince ane
 Henry V with Queens college at OK. ford. but from the days Of the Plan | tagenets to those of Queen Vietoria l successive royal houses avoided the contact with their subjects which tn, free life of an undergraduate mus
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
National Political Outlook

Within the past week or 10 days sen- tment with regard to the presidential election has undergone some change in favor of Roosevelt, but democrats who are well informed say that nothing can beat Wilson," said s. w Brockton of Philadelphia. "I believe Roosevelt will get more votes than would have been the case had not an attempt been made on his life But, after all the electoral vote that he will get has probably not been increased.
 Tn New York the other day I was told by business man that there was strong undercurrent of sentiment in favor of Taft. but I do not believe that the President will get as large vote as Roosevelt Twenty-four years ago, when I was first voter. I cast my bal lot for the republican ticket, and I have called myself a republican ever since, although I have failed to vote several times. If I vote on November ,, next, my ballot will be case for Roosevelt It looks to me, however, as if Wilson had such cinch that scarcely anything which might happen between now and election day would not change the re- suit
 Business is remarkably active now and I believe we are going to have a good winter. There may be a little slump the day after the election-assuming that the democrats win-but I do not believe for moment that trade will be seriously retarded. Business conditions are too sound at this time for anyone to pre- dict business depression on account of politics."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
To Land the Exposition

The one hundredth anniversary of Alabama's admission to the union is to be duly celebrated-that much is assured, and today the state centen- nial committee will decide where the celebration is to be held and how broad and big it is to be.
 The members of the state centen- nial committee live largely in places that are not candidates for the honor of housing the celebration. This ma jority will decide the whole matter, and is in a position to do so with out prejudice of any sort with an eye single to the fair fame of a prosper ous state.
 The position before them seems to be this, "Where can an exposition of great breadth and careful prep aration be held to the accommoda- ton and convenience of the greatest number of people of this and other states ?"
 If this be the question, as it as- surcdly should be, the celebration of 1919 will be held in the largest city in the state, for in it are centered more large interests, more hotel ac- commodations, more railroad lines, more of everything else that goes to make up a great exposition than can be found elsewhere in the state.
 It is a public question to be de- cided by fair-minded men who know what is needed in order to insure the holding of an exposition that will long be credit to the state and the south, for the entire south is involved in this effort. It is a public ques- tion and it is also business question. The business elements cannot be kept out of it, and should not be.
 Money will be needed in large sums, and there should be no building on state or federal aid for both may be lacking, and the capacity and the guarantees of the city selected to carry the entire load should be the sole consideration at Montgomery today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Large Expeditions

If we are to have the Alabama cen tennial exposition in Birmingham in 1918 it should be on a scale sufficiently large to attract national, if not international attention" said an old citizen. T attend- ed an exposition in Cincinnati in the early '7os and l thought 1t was a highly cred itable affair I was a youth then and l could not well imagine how any exposi- tion could be better. But in 1876 I attend- ed the centennial at Philadelphia and that was a real worlds fair. though not. of course, up to the two great world s fairs we have had later-Chicago and St. Louis. After the Philadelphia centennial I attended expositions in Atlanta, Louis- vile, New Orleans, Richmond and Nor folk. The one in New Orleans in 1885 ranked next to the Philadelphia exposi- ton. I believe If our public spirited cit izens start out to have an exposition of the larger sort we can get one equal to the New Orleans show.
 Birmingham is growing very fast and we can count on having a population in 1919 of fully 250,o00. We will have as much hotel accommodation as any other city of that size"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
How tartIy that gentleman looks. never can see him but l am heart burned an hour after.
 Much Ado About Nothing.
MT. Barber on the Fee System

Arlie Barber is a good ousiness man. He understands the drug bus moss better than he does lawmaklng' As the constitution stands no change in the fees of the officers of Jefferson county can be made unless those of Winston county, for example, are also changed in an exactly similar manner. The proposed constltutional amendment would enable the law making branch of the state govern ment to deal with the fees of Jet- ferson county without regard to the fees of Winston or any other county
 This does not necessarily mean that the legislature would name the salaries that would supplant present fees. for that task may be entrusted to the board of revenue to be voted on by the people. The legislature hands would no longer be tied oy Section 96 of the constitution, and it would no doubt act in accordance with the will of the people of Jef- ferson county. At any rate Section o6 must be amended before any re- lief can come to this county Tn the matter of fees. Surely Mir. Barber will see that Section 96 is the obstacle in the way of reform in fees at present and the amendment that lifts Jeffer- son county out of it is the first step to be taken.
 The election of really represen- tative legislative delegation in No vember, 1911, is the next step. MT. Barber surely has not lost confidence in the people. ~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
EARLY ITO RISE
.om the Chicago Post.

From the Chicago Post.
 A young chap of the city has been go- ing the route, and his father resolved to correct him, He was shipped to unele's farm to work along with the hands
 He had been in the habit of going to bed at couple o'clock and staying there until noon. His first night at the farm saw him in the hay at g. and it was some time before Ae got to sleep. He had not been overpowered by work at that time.
 Around daybreak he was aroused by uncle. who came into the room and stood over the bed.
 Come, come. my boy,'' he said. You've got to get up. You're on the farm now, you know
 The light was not secure, and the sleepy city chap raised himself on his elbow and rubbed his eyes,
 What's up?'' he asked
 Were going out to cut the oats.''
 Holy mackerell Do you have to sneak up on them in the dark?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
TO K. Y. DE c. s.

By Robert Louis Stevenson. The unfathopable sea, the time, and
 tears, The deeds of heroes and the crimes of Dispart us; and the sea of events Has, for an age of years, to East and
 West More widely borne our cradles. Thou to me Art foreign. as when searnen at the dawn Descry a land far off and know not
 which, So approach uncertain; so l cruise Round thy mysterious islet, and behold Surf and great mountains and loud river
 bars, And from the shore hear inland voices call
 Strange is the seaman's heart; he hopes. he fears; Draws closer and sweeps wider from that coast. Last, his rent sail refits, and to the deep His shattered prov uncontrolled push back. Yet as he goes he ponders at the helm Of that bright island. where he feared to touch, His spirit readventures; and for years Where by his wife he slumbers safe at home, Thoughts of that land revisit him; hs sees i The eternal mountains beckon, anc.
 awakes
 Yearning for that far home that might
 have been.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
VIBRATION ys. GENERALIZATION

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 Another scientist sobs up and says that musical vibrations will extingush fire. And what is more, he proves it.
 But is there any probability that this means a rehabilitation of existing fire departments? Will the coming alarm be followed by quick seizure of violins and cellos and French horns and bassoons, and a rapid ride to the scene of confiag- ration? Will the fire orchestra line up in front of the blazing building and under the leadership of a baton waving chief produce those vibrations which are cal clAated to discourage the fire in the briefest tempo?
 If so. why shouldn't every factory, or other important structure, have it's fd- dler. or it's bassoonist, and do its own vibrating?
 In short. if vibration is to be the rem edy for fire waste. let's vibrate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
GRIM JOKE ON A RED sOx

From the New York World.
 For pr. M s. Carney of Bellevue hospi- tal life has been both this and that dur ing the last nine days. The only Red Sox in the hospital, he gloated when his favorites won. and committed mental hara-kari when they lost.
 Early yesterday morning he went to his room. Pressing the light button h., almost in his terror. turned hand spring, fof-
 His room was draped in black. In his bed lay a skeleton It's right hand was covered by a tattered fielder's glove, one finger of which touched much worn baseball At the head of the bed, over the skeletons skull, was a placard half covered with crape, bearing the words: Smoky Joe.
 pr. Carney refused to sleep there yes terday morning. But. last night,
 Well. you can picture his revenge,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

THE RACE OF MISTER RABBIT. Hi, h'P chilluns
 You talxin' il fer fun Kaze Mister Rabbit runnin'
 Fun de white mans gun? He knows de fros' is comin'
 An he 'bleege ter show his head, Kaze his family connections
 Is a-wantin' meat an bread. Mister Squerrill see him runnin',
 An he holler fun de tree: Bet you dat he wishin'
 He could climb ez high ez mel De hunter sight Brer Squerrill
 De time he holler so, An he say, ez down he fotch him:
 Mister Rabbit, you kin go.'' Frank l.. stanton, in the Atlanta Con- stitution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
uNcoNvENTIoNALIT1Es.

"Oh, you needn't apologize for stepping on my dress, young man; 1 can make al- lowances for people that haven't any sense"
 NO. sir; I don't object to smoking. as a rule, but that cheap thing you're puffing at makes me sick
 ''Ciot your divorce. did you, Ghmley2 Well, l must write and congratulate Mrs. Glumley.'
 .'Tf l had your nose, Fladger, sup pose I'd poke it into other peoples af fairs. same as you do.'
 "I don't mind waiting a couple of trains more, madam; make the ticket seller change your BIO bill if 1t takes all day Chicago Tribune.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
EAyoRITE FICTION
pm the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
 "Money Is No Object.'
 Honest to Goodness, Lil, Thought I'd Die Laughin'3
 Mister, I Amt Had Bite t Eat fur Three Days.n
 My Friends, I Value Your Good Will Even More Than l Do This Substantial Testimonial9'
 "Yes, Indeed; !. Fido Understands Every Word I Say to Him.
 "You Could Have Knocked Me Down with a Feather"
 "Divorces Secured Without Publicity" Terms Strictly Cash
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
cnncerninr n Merger

T have no idea what those who are interested in the organization of the Southern Iron and Steel company or the Alabama Consolidated may have in mind' but I would think it well for both con cerns if a merger could be effected, said a business man who is not in touch with the industrial situation. The Ala bama Consolidated is rich in raw ma terial and the Southern Iron and Steel has a valuable steel plant, including a large and up to date rod mill. A mer- ger on an equitable financial basis would be a good thing for all parties inter- ested ''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
Weather in the Cotton Fields

The date of the first killing frost in the cotton belt is still a live topic among the bulls and bears in the cot ton trade. It will decide whether the crop is to be 14,000,000 bales or 15,000,O00 bales-whether top crop shall be gathered where the boil weevils do not exist or whether the crop is to be gathered without it.
 A great many additional bolls will be opened if no general frost occurs until November l, and this is today the most interesting subject in the cotton trade. The crop in Texas is well out of the reach of freezing weather, but much depends upon the crops of Alabama, Georgia and the two Carolinas. The crops in these southeastern states did not get an early start and frost before No vember 1 would put out of commis- sion many 8 boil in them.
 A 14,000,0 ,000 bale crop should be worth to the farmer Il cents, for the 140,000,000 spindles of the world are actively employed with orders that cannot be speedily filled. The truth is, 15,000,0 ,000 bales of American cot ton is needed to clothe a naked world comfortably and fully.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
nnFLEcrIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A girl catches man by making him think he is catching her.
 The best way for girl to daub color on her cheeks is with a mustache.
 If, instead of walking. woman wad- dles she knows she does it gracefully.
 It's a pity it isn't against the law to save money. for then everybody would do it.
 There's kind of man who can pooh- pooh Cromwell and Napoleon because they didn't have steam heat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
Active Business Conditions

There has been practically no Hull
 .. in business activity since it got a @% good.sstart in the early summer when 7 big crops had become assured. Mid ' summer business was booming, early : fall business was booming and late : fall trade in nearly every part of the !. country will make new high records z It will be difficult to recall presi- ]. dential campaign year when there was z Sc little excitement over politics two z weeks before the election as now < Some large investments that have = been pending may wait until afte, :. the election, but such are compara- ' lively few Within the past two ' months vast amount of capital has . gone into building operations, rail ' road betterments and industrial ex- ; pansion.
 q Here in the Birmingham district we ' have had great summer and fall :. and when the American Steel and :. Wire company's extensive mill is put : in readiness for operation, which will . probably be shortly, business here 7. abouts will hum as never before. The
 year 1912 will long be remembered
 as a banner year in the history of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
Near Side Stops of Street Cars


 On November 1 reform in the movement of cars in the congested section of this city will be inaugur- ated and very good little reform it is. It simply means that DO passen- gers in car shall not be delayed in order to accommodate one or two people who did not or would not cross a street. After November 1 the street cars will be stopped on the near side only of street intersections. The off side of the streets as a car ap- reaches will after November 1 be dis regarded and the grumbling of the passengers on board will be sensibly decreased.
 The rule means more rapid tran sit in and out of the city and the quickening perhaps in other ways of the schedules. The rails and roadbed are in fine condition and the power is ample and there is no reason why the cars should not be moved as briskly as they are, say, in Cincin- natl. It is the matter of small delays that interfere with quickened sched- ules. A few seconds lost here and there means minutes in round trip, and the stoppage of the extra stops in the business section of the ciN is an indication that the schedules are to be quickened.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
DETECTIVE MEMORIES.

There are a great many rich men who can remember the time when they wore patched trousers"
 NO doubt that's true, and yet they can't remember a few years back the sums they contributed to campaign funds
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

Birmingham. More large buildings have been erected than in any other one year. Many more are projected and not even the most ardent prophet can overestimate the greatness of this city five years hence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
who's never tempted

The man who's never tempted
 To stray from honors path Should not be praised for probity In fulsome epitaph. But that poor devil tossed and torn, Who still clings to the right, Deserves the crown the victor wears, Who s won a splendid fight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
IN A CRITICAL MOOD.

Miss screecher has a very good sing ing voice." s@F M
 What does she use 1t for?'
 "Why, singing, of course"
 "wel, I heard her sing once, and if she has a good singing voice it is my opinion that she must use it for some other purpose
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

Mme, calve says she il, not tall and thin enough to succeed on the operatic stage in America. She and President Taft are about to retire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
A MERE TRIFLE.

Barbers in Haverhill and Lynn have raised their prices and announce "Frst-C Class Hair Cut 30 Cents" What if their customers haven't frst-elass ?"-Boston Globe.
 What does a little thing like that mat ter to a first-elass tonsorialist?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

dent of Paris, has been heard from He says he does not intend to return to Mexico and is not, he says. connected in any way with the Felix Diaz movement at Vera Cruz.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

The Germans have found a new remedy for the high cost of living. They are eat ing dogs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

Chairman Hilles of the republican cam pajgn committee stands ready to concede the election of MT. Taft and even of Sunny Jim Sherman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

The Cubans elect president on Friday of next week and the race is between pr. Seayas, liberal. and General Monocal, conservative.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

Let us be glad Colonel Roosevelt pre- ferred Macauley in the hospital to Epictc- tus. The latter did not ward off the Becker case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

The parking of automobiles, like the fundamental issue, but still it relates to public convenience and it should have attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23

Albany, N r., has d telephone service that has developed Central who was busy an hour while a great fire was going on. It is a sensation in that city. And there are others.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
THE PREcAUTIoN OF PA

'Pa, do you believe women ought to vote?"
 Where's your mother?" 'Out at the front gate talking to Mrs Jimkin"
 'Naw!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-23
OH. RLIssi

The stage would be extremely slow Without the girly-girly show.
 grip, Each time we see the chorus trip.