davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
XV1 AsHINGToN. October 2o.-(spe- " clal)-Democrats all over the
 W country are so cocksure of Will

XUI ASHINGTON, October 20.-(Spe- A/ claL)-Democrats all over the W country are so cocksure of Will sons election that already cabinet jobs
 are being figured on and other federal
 plums are being sized up by the promi-
 nent members of the party, who have
 worked so long and faithfully-and "un-
 selfshly'' for the scause.
 Congressmen and senators of the dem ocratic persuasion are getting lots of
 mail these days from constituents who are taking the liveliest interest in the campaign, and who never fail to refer to their continuous service to the party, and incidentally mentioning that little reward, in the way of the postoffice at Punkin Center, would come in handy. There will. however. be some dsap- pointment, as there always is, to great
 many people in the event of the election of the democratic candidate. In the first
 place all postoffices below the third grade
 have been put under the civil service
 rules and regulation; therefore, these
 postmasters will hold their jobs subject to good behavior, and their successors
 when appointed will have to stand certain
 civil service examinations It is not go- ing to be a general clean up of federal
 officeholders all over the country as used to be the case in the changing of the po- litical complexion of an administration. Postmasters, who draw pay from 5000
 per annum up, however, and other fed era& jobs on the same footing and out side of the civil service, will come in for a shakeup. Unfortunately these Jobs are far too few to go round. It is very trying for faithful follower of the party who has worked in harness for years and witnessed with fortitude the defeats of his party, to see, when at last the party comes in power some other fellow get the grapes when he has all the qualifica- tions and surplus of inclination for the job.
 Of course the President will appoint the postmasters, who are to be appointed, and all the other federal offices which will be disposed of, in Alabama for instance. There are not so many, but among them are some very soft snaps and it is quite likely that there will be three or four statesmen for each job--all of them clam
 bring for recognition.
 Of course Alabama was for Underwood prior to the convention, and just who Governor Wilson will harken unto with reference to Alabama offices is not known, but it is safe to say, and is said by those who know him that there will be no arbitrary referee job for the dis posal of federal pie in Alaabma, or else | where, in case Governor Wilson is elected President. It is believed that he will
 advise fully with the senators and repre-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
Storage Battery Trains

Mr. Edison has improved his light storage batter until he is now able to run a train of three cars, carrying 40 passengers, a distance of 65 miles without recharging the battery. Power can be supplied from any source, third rail or feed wire where electricity may be obtained.
 One motorman in the forward car ran the train as if it was a single car. The cars were built to go to Cuba and are of light construction. Each seats but 40 passengers, and they are much lighter than the ordinary passenger car.
 The system may not fit all places just at present, but once independ- ence of the locomotive, the trolley and the third rail is made manifest, we may be sure the storage battery will be developed until it becomes a prac- tical motive power in many places. The world has waited long and pa- tiently for just such a motive power one of light weight that would not seriously damage railroad tracks. The Edison battery train meets all these needs, and company has been organ ized at Silver Lake, N. J., to build storage battery trains for the whole world.
 A recent trial trip extended from New York to Long Beach, Long Island, distance of 251a miles. The trip out was made in 56 minutes and the return to the Pennsylvania station in New York in 52 minutes. The speed was approximately 30 miles an hour, and rate of speed as high as that will answer, at least at present. Altogether the promise is excellent that the storage battery has been re- duced to practicality and that the loco motive can begin to see it's finish ap- preaching.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
A Successful Music Leader

q have been interested in watching the steady rise of Nahan Franko, vio- linist and conductor" said an old mem- Der of the musical set.
 Tn the early sos l was thrown in- timately with Franko. He was an artist then, although his brother, Sam, also a violinist, was more widely known. At the time of which I speak Nahan was in some demand as con- cert solist. I was living in a southern city and the musical association to which 1 belonged engaged him twice for solos. On one of these occasions, Franko being a friend of the best mu- sician in the place, spent week and played solos every day in the musi- clans parlor. He never grew tired of playing. I remember one night that he stood up and played four solid hours. l was struck then with his prodigious repertoire. Everything that had ever been written for the violin he seemed to have memorized. I recall es- pecially the Beethoven concerto. l was familiar with the music but had never heard violinist play It.
 
 under Theodore Thomas, under Dr. Leopold Damrosch and under Anton Seidl But in his young days he was very much of a scrapper and did not remain with any one orchestra very long. While playing with Thomas he got in a quarrel with one of the vio- linists and broke a valuable instru ment over his head. When Franko had reached the age of 30 he had settled down, so to speak. He then began to attract attention as conductor He had a concert orchestra of his own and was recognized as an important factor in New York's musical life. At one time he was conductor at the Met ropolitan opera house. When Grau brought the Metropolitan opera to Bir mingham some years ago and gave Lohengrin, Nahan Franko was concert meister and Walter Damrosch was con- ductor. Recently Franko achieved a triumph as director of the Toronto music festival. The last Musical Cour- fer has handsome picture of him on It's artistic cover and editorially 1t has this to say about him in connection with the Toronto affair:
 "'One fact in particular stood out in the work of Nahan Franko, and that is. his familiarity with all the scores he interpreted. He led them from mem oiy and through his accurate knowl- edge of them, based on many perform ances, was enabled to achieve results at rehearsal which saved incalculable tune and trouble for the solosts, the cerned."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
THE LITTLE BOY

By Eugene Field.
 Some time there ben a lyttel boy
 That wolde not renne and play,
 And helpless like that little tyke
 Ben alwais in the way.
 'Goe, make you merrie with the rest, '
 His weary moder cried,
 But with a frown he catcht her gown
 And hong until her side.
 That boy did love his moder well,
 Which spake him faire, I ween; He loved to stand and hold her hand And ken her with his cen: His cosset bleated in the croft, His toys unheeded lay He wolde not zoe, but. tarrying soc, Ben, allwais in the way. Godde loveth children and doth gird His throne with soche as these, And He doth smile in plaisuance while They cluster at His knees: And some time, when he looked on earth And watched the bairns at play, He kenned with joy lyttel boy
 Ben allwais in the way. And then a moder felt her heart How that it ben to-torne, She kissed eche day till she ben gray | The shoon he use to worn: No bairn let hold until her gown 1 Nor played upon the hoore 1 Godde's was the joy; lyttel boy l Ben in the way no more!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
Music and Ragtime


 Music being one of the fine arts the terminology of the music critic is bor- rowed largely from that of the paint CTS studio and from the realm of let ters. There is a very striking analogy between music and literature. The same adjectives used in discussing books and orators are used in com ments on musical works and musical interpretation. Never was music so seriously studied or artistic music so much in vogue throughout the world as it is today. Yet, ragtime still has its votaries.
 This music of limping rhythm and ribald smack originated in America. It has had great run here but it does not seem to be in quite so much de- mand now as it was a year ago. Like all inartistic things, it cannot perma- nently hold it's own among intelligent people, especially when there is so much real music that is light and catchy, and which is at the same time grammatical. Folk songs and folk dances come within the province of the true musician and if they origi- mated with the plain people one might suppose that they would appeal to the multitude more readily even than popular ragtime.
 Just as ''rag" is waning in the land of its birth all England is smitten hy it. That was an interesting article which appeared in the London Stan dard on the psychology of ragtime and which was reproduced in yesterday $ Age-Herald. In this country ragtime was never taken seriously, but in Eng land it is; so seriously that psychol- ogy, it seems, must be invoked to get at the mystery of its wide appeal. But no matter how much it may have been the rage in the United States musi- clans never thought it important enough to have any psychological side.
 In the book world we find ragtime's parallel in mediocre melodrama or frivolous stories. The printing presses on both sides of the Atlantic turn out volumes of inane stuff every year. There is ready sale for all banal books but at the same time there is a stead ily increasing demand for works of real merit; an eager demand for real literature.
 Those who have striven earnestly to promote the musical art by rais, ing the standards need not feel dis couraged because ragtime still sells in this country and is making great hit in London. True art will always live and the best in music is certain to assert itself. It has been appre ciated for long time and so it vii be to the end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

From the Washington Star.
 President Taft favors the suggestion that some of the Notifications of the Pan- anna canal zone be named after the be- roes of American independence. And, coming down to later day-to the day of the canal-should not one of them be named after John T. Morgan of Ala bama?
 For a long time Senator Morgan stood almost alone among American statesmen in keeping the canal project a live issue. He never lost sight of it, and often made opportunities for introducing it in dis coursing upon our future and our obli- cations as a nation. If it seemed to have dropped out of the calculations of oth- CTS, it never for even the briefest period dropped out of his calculations Neither the failure of the French at Panama, nor the difficulties attending the negotia- tions with Nicaragua discouraged him in the slightest. Ever, and in all places, he urged the work of connecting the Atlan- tic and the Pacific with a canal.
 To the end of the controversy about the two routes MT. Morgan advocated Nica- ragua. He considered that the better, and in several elaborate addresses in the Sen ate gave his reasons. He was of tenac- ious spirit, and especially on subjects into which he had looked with care.
 Nevertheless. he remained after Pana- ma had been chosen a towering figure in the canal cause: and no student of our history taking up that feature of our de- velopment will fail to take note of him, or. taking note fail to appraise him at his great worth. Not only should one of the Notifications be named after him. but, as the Star suggested at the time the Panama route was acquired, heroic statue of the man should be erected either at Panama or Colon. He is worthy of all the honor that could be paid him. And not this business alone marked MT. Morgan's large views and compre- hensive nationality. He was an Ameri- can in the fullest sense of the word. He believed in and supported our course to- ward Hawaii. He scorned the suggestion of scuttle in the Philippines He advo- cated navy large enough to meet our obligations to ourselves and to the peace of the world. Indeed. there was no aues- tion raised while he was member of the Senate having to do with a great and always greater America that did not develop in him an ardent love of coun- try and sincere desire to serve.
 He lived to great age, and retained his mental health and vigor to the last. and. fortunately for them. as for all oth- CTS, his constituents kept him constantly in commission, and had given him a fresh evidence of their confidence and admira- ton only short time before he died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

be either formal or informal. Set speeches at them are not necessary. They may be held either in the after noon or in the evening.
 The object of these meetings is to mobilize the democratic forces against the coming Tuesday. If meeting is held in every precinct great demo- cratic vote will certainly be cast on election day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
SAME OLD FEET

From London Answers.
 Seventy-nne pairs of shoes had been shown to the stout customer, and still he wasn't suited.
 Producing the eightieth, the shop as- sistant said, blandly:
 Now, here's pair which l think will suit you to perfection
 The customer eyed them closely, and than said:
 NO; I don't like them. They are too narrow and pointed in the toes.'
 But. sir said the assistant, in a last desperate effort everybody is wear ing these long, narrow pointed toes this season.
 May be-, said the stout man quietly, but s'm still wearing my last season's feet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
IT WAS A PITY

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 They have a wise 10-year-old boy in an East End family and some of his say ings are really worth peddling. At least his father thinks they are. or he wouldn't tell this one.
 The other day the youngster ap- preached the father, and stared at him for some time
 Daddy" he finally said, you think mamma is the most beautiful person you ever saw, don't your
 "Of course, replied the father with great promptness.
 Again the boy scrutinized his parent.
 Gee. daddy" he finally said, its an awful pity she can't say the same about you, ain't it?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

the following from their recent orders by the chief justice of that state: NO case will be reversed on errors in the conduct of the case in the court below, unless it is an error that prejudices the case against the appellant. The supreme court is not going to try the judge Of the court below, but the cause
 Now, with like action by our supreme court. and firm stand taken by the judges in the courts below against con- tinuances, we can remedy more than halt of the grievances which the ordinary cit- izen has against the methods of taking several years to get final decision on any question, where either party has enough money to get continuances or re- versals. It takes money to appeal and continue to pay for new trials. In crim- inal cases the methods that have pre- vailed have been much criticized from the point of view of the common man who wants to see justice speedily administered.
 "A lawyer in discussing the manner or procedure in criminal cases said # he could get a continuance for his client whom he was defending, he had more than half won his battle.
 There may be some law that requires a continuance by the court. but l have never had it pointed out. The United States court has no such practice, and the manner in which cases are disposed of in that court is a relief to the business man who has been often exasperated by She dilitory and ridiculous manner of put tipo off f,o our other courts,
 .1s there any law to prevent one or all of our judges from having 1t under stood that cases will be tried when set9 I do not understand that we need any new laws at all or any waiting for a ses- sion of the legislature.
 Possibly l am wrong, but l think the reforms mentioned have been instituted by the courts of their own motion, there by saving the state and counties large sums now paid witnesses and jurors who attend from day to day while delay suc- eeeds more delay.
 "A ray of hope may be seen In the significant sentence in recent article by the Hon. John Pelham in which he calls the attention of his brothers to the fact that the common people were beginning to demand some reforms. l hope his warning may avail
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
DRURY LANE THEATER

and more comfortable than at any pre- vious point of it's career. The purely dramatic side of Drury Lane has been much criticized Any student of the theatre, observing the class of play now finding favor in Lon don, must be amazed to recollect the furore created by such piece as For mosa" 40 odd years since Today 1t would be scoffed at by problem" lovers las meat unfit for babes.
 But Drury Lane will continue to live with Tennysonian persistency, an Eng fish writer says. and the thousands who love it will echo the 100-year- old hope of Lord Byron:
 May our stage unfold
 Scense not unworthy Drurys days Of
 old
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New fork Press.
 Beauty unadorned begs for the trinkets just the same
 A youthful giggle is cold sanity com pared with an ancient smirk
 Next to not getting married the safest thing is never to gamble.
 When a woman has best friend. it's sign each Is afraid the other talks about her behind her back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
EasiIy Remedled

'1 am no lawyer" said an old business man. but I venture my opinion about the proposed remedies for our present methods of slow practice and tardy ad- ministration of the laws.
 "I see that the Mississippi supreme court has taken common sense view of the situation in that state. read
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
stock Market

Henry Clews in his Saturday review says in part
 "rhe stock market has exhibited excep- tional resisting qualities. As in evidence the outbreak in the Balkans forced heavy European liquidation ais the result of overspeculation in some of the foreign bourses. This induced large foreign sell ing of American stocks, estimated at be- tween 600 to 500.000 shares for the evi- dent reason that these were the best se- curities on which to realize.
 "As to the immediate future of the mar ket, not little depends upon political de- velopments between now and election day What is of almost as much importance as who will be elected, will be the con gressional results. The great question Is, will the prevailing political unrest in cer- tain sections result in materially chang ing the present character of Congress! The country has had more than enough of unreasoning attacks upon capital and c1rporations which are not the only evil doers in the country and have in the last two years received more than their share of criticism and persecution. For this reason the congressional returns should be closely watched after election day as an indication of political tendencies during the next two years. What the country may reasonably hope for is a more tenn perate and rational treatment of our po- litical ills, consummation devoutly de- sired.
 "A feature of some encouragement IS
  the improvement in the bond market; a better demand for the more desirable is- sues, especially those on per cent bas- is, having developed since the beginning of the month. There is no lack of cap ital in the country awaiting safe invest ment and the country is facing period of exceptional prosperity, provided Con- gress does not interfere by nasty, i'll con sidered and injurious legislation or dead locks on important and necessary meas- ures."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
Mid-O October Forecasts

political thermometer and straw VOL political thermometer and straw vot- ing indicates, according to some inn partial statisticans, that the states will go as follows:
 For Wilson-Twenty-three. New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota, South Dakota, Maryland Delaware, Kentucky. West Virginia, Arizona, New MeNico, New Jersey. Missouri. Oklahoma,
 For Taft-Two.
 Utah, Wyoming
 For Roosevelt-Five.
 Idaho, Michigan, Illinois Connecticut. Washington,
 To the 23 states named is to be added the II states in the absolutely solid south, making 34 states all told. The democrats claim that they will carry Connecticut, Michigan and llli- nois, and also Montana, Oregon and Maine. They are willing to concede Taft will carry Utah, New Hamp- shire, Wyoming and Vermont, and that Roosevelt will carry Idaho, Wash ington and perhaps North Dakota.
 Forecasts are mere guesses and straw votes are tricky. The noisy young voter hastens to cast straw ballots while the thoughtful citizen is reticent and shy when straw votes are being taken. The better way is to sit steady in the boat and await the req lballoting of November. It is not very far away. The time to rejoice will come then.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21
THE UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENT.

From the Aniston Star and Hot Blast.
 Few men in the history of Alabama have gained in so short time a high place among the great men of the state as has Dr. George H. Denny, president of the University of Alabama. He is making himself felt immensely for good in civic righteousness, as we'll as in educational circles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

America. A steamship entered Baltimore carrying six cases of beri-beri, and a case of yellow fever from Brazil has been while the plague fingers in Porto Rico.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Forty-one years ago Chicago was nearly burned down. The city had then but 9o0.000 people. But a city need not be burned down in order to grow fast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

The Czar of Russia writes poetry and no editor with the fear of lese majeste before his eyes rejects his contributions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

It is conceded that Colonel Roosevelt is exceptionally strong in Illinois. but it is scarcely possible that he will carry that state with a divided party behind him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Cornell has $500 students this year, and if they would all put up the college yell together they would shake the surround ing hills.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

President Taft was hedging for the rank and file when he put s6,08s fourth class postmasters in the classified list.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Trenton, N. J., may soon be over whelmed with the messages of congratu- lation that will pour in upon it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

When the new ice age predicted by a Cornell professor actually arrives tho price of ice will surely be marked down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Columbus would be astonished if he could see his discovery as it stands to- day, loaded up with politics and football.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

The right to the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed to all in this country. but few succeed in getting a strangie hold on if
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Some of the Greek walters and boot blacks who are departing to fight the Turks may come back full fiedged gem oraIS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

A silk petticoat firm in New York has failed with liabilities of s1,oo0,ooo The tight skirt did it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Wireless operators will have to be H. amateurs can be employed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

Any change of underwear at this sea- son of the year Is uncomfortable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

The machine in New York has new commandment, '"rhou shalt not squeal'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

It is proposed to give the professors at Williams college one years vacation in seven.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

China has celebrated the first anniver- sary of the revolution that burned the country into a republic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

The tickets of one Japanese steamship lifeboat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-21

The Balkan states have, alas, no Cara baldi, but they may after a while de- velop one.