davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
The New Postoffice

When the government first began to look for site for a much needed new postoffice here I was in hopes it would buy the block, or rather the half block bounded by Twentieth and Twenty first streets and Sixth and Park avenues but as the appropriation was only $200, ,000 that ideal property was out of the ques- tion," said an old citizen. "The archi- tect sent here by the treasury depart ment was very much taken with that site but 1t could not have been bought then for less than $4000O0. Major Tut wiler Is erecting his handsome apart ment building on the Twenty-f first street of the block and what might ago Is worth today $500. 900 or S600, ,000
 "Congressman Underwood, believe Is well pleased with the site at the corner of Nineteenth and Fifth avenue -250x190 feet. There are other excel lent sites east of Twenty first street available at a price that should seem not prohibitive. A postoffice occupying a whole city block would be none too good for Birmingham with its great
 
 MT. Underwood will be able to get an additional appropriation for the pur- pose of purchasing the 150 feet adjoin- ing the governments Fifth avenue site. That would give a full block frontage on the avenue from Eighteenth to Nine- teenth streets. I think people gener- ally would be satisfied with that out Of fha bt1f Ra too bad if the government started to build on a site only 250x190 feet.
 When the government puts up mill lion dollar buildings it has an eye to the beautiful as well as the useful. The artistic as well as the utilitarian is kept in mind and a building extending from Nineteenth street only 250 feet on the avenue would always look un- finished It would have a Topped off of beauty it would be esthetically defi- cient-decidedly deficient.
 q was much interested in reading the correspondence between MT. Shelby of this city and a representative of the business interests of Denver The gov ernment bought an entire block in Den- yer for which it paid s500,OO0 and it is erecting a postoffice that will cost ulti- mately-the building alone-s2, 900, 900. While Denver had a larger population in the last census than Birmingham it's rate of growth is not as great as Bir- mingham's and its future is not in the Birmingham class. However it takes long time to get these big projects through and rather than wait several years longer for start I would be glad to see ground broken at Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street. And I will con- clude by saying that no matter how large a postoffice we have in the near future the government will find it out grown in thirty years and will be fig uring on a s5,0O0,000 postoffice."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

the line which was being operated was finally put out of business by the railroads, who owned the terminals, for the reason that they realized the potential influence of this water transportation on the rates to and from Montgomery, to say nothing o1 the large business that they were losing on account of the great saving in freight rates to the shippers
 This is perhaps an old story. When the railroads control terminals they will brook no water transportation that they do not own, and that does not serve them. New Orleans has pub lie wharves and a belt line and the railroads do not control it's commerce.
 When the coal and iron of this dis trict is barged to the sea such prod ucts can be transferred to ocean-going ships at Mobile or carried to New Orleans through the protected inside route, and our products would not therefore come within the power of the railroads at Mobile. In the long run Mobile will find method of mak- ing it's commerce free, and until it does the products of this district can be transferred directly to seagoing ships in the harbor of Mobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Christmas Giving

'1 think all the humane institutions de. pendent upon public charity have fared well this Christmas. but as the numbei has multiplied some of the older institu tions have not received as large a tota of cash donations as in former years. said a business man.
 ''I had thought well of the anti-tnber- culosis work ever since it was started out only recently have l become alive te the far reaching good that the association is doing It is indeed a great work. Tho sale of Christmas seals has not brought in as much money as is needed for equip ping the camp on Red mountain, but per sonal contributions made between now and the first of the year will probably be on a generous scale. hope so, at any rate.
 ''I think 1t is safe to say that the peo- pie of Birmingham, proverblally liberal in aiding worthy causes, have been par ticularly so this month. We have had 8 prosperous year and people who had fot felt able to give liberally in former times have opened their purse strings in re. spcnse to many charities during this hol- iday season."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
Ready for the Parcels Post

On Wednesday next the parcels post system from Brownsville, Tex, to Bangor, Me, and back to Ballingham Wash, will become effective. It is not alternative, however, and its zones cover all towns and all sections of the country.
 It is a stupendous task to put a package system into operation in a great and populous country on a sin gle day. Some think it should have come zone by zone, but this, too would have presented difficulties, and Postmaster General Hitchcock has buckled down to the task, and the en- tire zone system will be put into oper- ation next Wednesday.
 Delays will occur at the outset. The weight of the mail matter will be largely increased largely no one knows, complaints will perhaps be multiplied. All these things must be in the beginning, and the people who are creating for themselves this system will naturally be patient. It is their business. The system has been or ganized for them and by them. In the long run it will serve them well. Get ready to hear of delays and blockades and pebbles in the first three months of the service. All things will come all right later on. Congress will be in session and if more money is needed no doubt it will be voted almost on the spot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

appreciation of a product of the still that becomes harder and harder to procure as the years roll by.
 'I am told that the best peach brandy resaining in barrels at the present time is to be found h Arkansas. That Arkan- sas liquor Is said to be finer than any ever distilled in Virginia, North Carolina or Kentucky. One Arkansas man has five barrels of brandy that he claims to have made in his peach orchard ten years ago. One drink of that liquor mingled with honey would no doubt make ones hair curl"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
WITH AND WITHOUT CARUso

From the Century Magazine.
 "Rossini, in an oft quoted epigram, used to say that the qualifications of the opera singer were just three in number and ca silly remembered-the first was voice, the second was voice, and the third was voice. The epigram, like a great many other epigrams, says less and more than the truth: but the validity of Rossini' remark has been proved to me over and over again during a managerial career or nearly r years,' says Giulio Gatti-Ca- sazza, manager of the Metropolitan opera house, whose views are reported in the January Century by Algernon St. John Brenon. ''Voices are among the chief quests of impresarios, just as the proper and artistic use of them is the principal aim of the conductor.
 How important they are to the pub lie may be inferred from a very strik- ing experience of mine in an American city. During a short season, .Ponchielli' s opera, La Gioconda,' was given twice with only a few days between perform anoes. The whole resources of the Metro politan had been devoted to the staging and interpretation of the work. The principal parts in each case were sung by the best and most ceieprated artists in the company. Caruso, for instance, was the tenor. The receipts for the first rep resentation amounted to close upon s11000, The second performance was the same as the first in all particulars save one-Ca- ruso did not sing. The receipts were s9O0O'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
Terms of Peace

Turkey has waived for the present the revictualIing of Adrianople, Scut- ari and Janina, and the fighting ot Greece. and steps in Oriental diplo- macy have been taken. The allies laid down these propositions:
 1. The cession by Turkey of all the territory west of line starting from a point east of Rodesto, on the Sea of Marmora, to a point in the Bay oi Malatra on the Black sea and exclud- ing the peninsula of Gallipoli, Alba nia's status to be decided by the powers.
 2. The cession of the Aegean islands occupied by the Greek forces in the present war and by the Italians in the recent war.
 3. The cession to Greece of all Turk ish rights in the Island of Crete.
 This would leave to Turkey Con- stantinople and its line of defense at Tchatalja. Turkey in Europe would then be not more than enough to make an Alabama county, and 1t would practically cease to be serious fea- ture of Europe. Turkey in Asia would, however, continue to exist, and Con- stantinople would perhaps continue to control the waterway to and from the Black sea. Any map of Turkey shows where Rodesto on the Sea of Mar mora is, and a line from 1t to the Black sea would be far south of Adrianople. Should this plan go through Turkey in Europe will be but a spot on the map.
 The demands of the allies go over until next Saturday. All feel, however, that the map of eastern Europe is to be revised, and that the demands of the victors can not be materially set aside. Aside from territorial ques- tions there are financial propositions that may prove difficult. All of the allies want vast sums to cover war expenses. But difficult as the ques- tions to come before the conference are the opinion prevails that peace will follow and that the war is ended
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
scarcity of Peach Brandy

When I was youth peach brandy was plentiful in Kentucky, and l suppose in many other states, but the real article is scarce today" said an old timer.
 T was never much of a drinker, but 4, years ago I indulged occasionally in peach and honey--a drink for the gods. Nowadays the stuff sold for peach brandy over most bar counters is chemically made and neVe.' saw a peach--so l am told by men who claim to know. A well known liquor dealer in Birmingham bought seven barrels of six-year-old peach brandy from a friend of his in Ken lucky, who made 1t on his farm, but it was quickly sold to citizens who had an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
RANK STUFF
1, Newark Star

From the Newark Star.
 Ma wants two pounds of butter eX- aetly like what you sent us last. If it aint exactly like that she won. take it. said the small hoy.
 The grocer turned to his numerous customers and remarked blandly: Some people in my business don't like par tieular customers, out I do. It's my delight to serve them and get them what they want I will attend to you in a moment, little boy"
 Be sure and get the same kind.' said the small boy, while the storeful Of customers listened to him. "A lot of pas relations are ~isiting our house, and ma doesn't want 'em to come again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
THEN AND NOW

 By the Rev. J. F. Coyle. Long ago q am telling the story oft
 told, The story that comes from the long ago
 days), Long ago, to poor shepherds, a-watching Sudden music outrang ITO the Highest
 be praise. Glory to God" over valley and hill Sang the angels, "and peace be to men
 of good will" Long ago ctis but telling the same olden
 tale), Long ago, through Jerusalem passed the
 Wise Mem Three Magi passed on, without falter or
 fail, They followed star to the hillside
 cave. Then They entered the stable. What was it
 they saw? Babe newly born in manager of straw. o shepherds! Gods music led you to the
 cave. o Magi! star from the East led ye on. And shepherds and Magi, ye offerings
 gave To the swadding wrapped Infant, to
 Marys Sweet Son, The Virgins Sweet Son, yet the Lord
 God of all. Of prince and of peasant, of shielding
 and hall. o Shepherds and Magi, that sought the
 sweet Child, That offered your gifts on that dim dis
 tant day, Well ye acted your parts, ys were simple
 and mild, Ye followed Gods call, nor in aught did
 delay. Ye frightened the Cave where the Savior was born With the gifts that ye brought Him, that q first Christmas Morn. We, living today in these modern days. Great days of achevemer\ of science. We today to that gentle Babe offer our
 praise, To Him who redeemed us, in travail and
 pain, Sweet Child. make us simple as shepherds Or as Magi. who offered myrrh. insense and gold. For gold, may our love be as erst was the gold. For incense, our prayers be sweet in- cense. May we By the myrrh of our penance, Gods glory behold III the happy hereafter. the Heaven to be. st. Joseph the Just, and Mary. meek, mild, Deign to lay these our gifts at the Crib of the Child. o, would that the world were ahame with His love. Would the world to. your teaching, sweet Jesus, were true. O bless us, dear Savior. boah now and above In Heaven forever. May VI .ye ,'v You, : Only You, Babe so helpless. Aiuigiliy God. Then, Bless on this, Your glad bir,h1aY. iAs children of men. 5 Birmingham. December 25. 9-l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
A Musical Artist

"A notable acquisition to Birming- hams musical contingent is John J. Scull, member of the Klenk orches- tra playing at the Florence cafe" said gentleman of the musical set. He is not only flute soloist of national repu- tation. but he is a composer of decided merit
 MT. Scull was a pupil of the cele- brated flute virtuoso Charles T. How'd Of Columbus, O.. and studied instrument tation under Otto Langey of New York. For a number of years he travelled with the famous Innes band. Also for time he was a member of Liberati's band and was assistant director of the latter or ganization.
 MT. Scull Is a first class saxophone player but he is best known asNa f1utist and those who hear him at the Flor ence greatly enjoy his artistic playing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
CRABBE. THE NEGLECTED POET

Maurice Barring in the January Metro-
 politan.
 Dante was a great traveler and the greatest pen impressionist who ever wrote. He describes landscape Tn a line so that it stays with you forever He uses the fewest possible number of words. hardly any adiectives, and the picture leaps up before you, immoftal and unforgetable. Who can do this among the moderns? Keats could. Ten nyson gives you English landscape. II you read Tn Memoriam" you have lived year in the English country and seen the march of the English seasons. Crabbe can do it. Who reads Crabbe! Nobody. And yet he is wonderful poet, as realistic as Tolstoi and Arnold Ben nett Byron called him the best painter of nature: Natures sternest painter, yet her best
 He writes about the poor as they are, without sentimentality and without ex- aggeration. and as a painter of English landscape. he still remains the best lie may not be read by the modern genera ton; but he is not forgotten. A French man wrote long and excellent book about him not long ago. He is sale in the temple of fame, which place you have pie is like wheel. It goes round and round and some of it's inmates are in the glare of the sun, and sometimes they are in the shade. but they are there: and they never fall out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The perfect cat has also been found. The ideal eat won the first prize at the show of the National Cat club at the Crystal palace, London. It is an orange colored tabby named Torrington, with a red frill. It is valued by it's owner, Mrs. Horace Cook, of Bdeford, Devonshire, at s5o0o Tine color is not marred by a suspicion of white eyes, which consist of alternate circles of light and dark red. The coat is also of alternate streaks in two shades Louis Vain. the judge, said he had never before, at any show, seen such perfection Of shading
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
Montgomery's Former Barge Lin,

In the Augusta Chronicle Mr. Keal- hofer, the then manager of Montgom- ery's barge line, tells the story of it's failure. Montgomery" he says, "ded- icated lot on the river front in the heart of the business district of the city, issued bonds and constructed a terminal which includes warehouse and electric loading and unloading ap- paratus which will take cars of the freight at any stage of the river, and
 practically revolutionize the river bus mess at that point. But they did not control the, terminals in Mobile, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The attempt to kill Baron Hardinge, vieeroy of India, by a bomb will empha- size the diseontent that prevails in India. The escape of the baron and baroness was almost miracle. The bombthrower may have been a Hindu but it is believed he was Musselman, because the Moham- meGans do not relish the transfer of the capital to Delhi.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
Large Retail Trnde

Without question Birmingham has had the greatest holiday trade in it's his- tory" said a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Tn talking with a dozen or more merchants each one of them has remarked that his trade was exception ally good this month.
 T heard a bank president say yester- day that as he saw it the mercantile business of Birmingham had made a rev high record during the holidays. Cash deposits have been larger in the az gregate than ever before"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
VAIN WISH.

How sweet to dream of summer time,
 When blighting blizzards blow, And all the world is white with rime
 And rivers rudely flow! O for day so wondrous mild,
 Sc rich with iare perfume, My weary soul would be beguiled
 And lifted from it's gloom! O would that ! in soft repose, Could stretch along the grass And watch aloft, where sunshine glows, The cloud ships as they pass
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
TOMORROW"

Some sweet day in the future when We're all on Easy street, There'n be no clouds of trouble then, No sad mishaps to meet; Our hearts will brim with happiness, We'll wear a cheerful smile, And life will be most fair, I guess, And sunny all the while. Some sweet day that may never come Inspires our gladdest dreams, Doth keep us still from being glum And so rose tinted seems That cases have been known where years Went softly slipping by, And still men dreamed, although the!i
 tears
 Were hardly ever dry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
CHILDREN OF DRINKERS

den of responsibility for this national evil will be increased rot frightened. Seen by this new light, the problem will no doubt show many aspects of difference from our present apprehension of it, but all its seri- ousness and all it's insisteney will still be there; nay, in fact. they will be re- doubled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The dam across the Mississippi river near Keokuk is nearly completed, at a cost of 25,OoO, 0oO St. Louis has contract ed for sO,0oo horse power from 1t, and that city is dreaming of cheap hydro electric ity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The steamer Bellerophon brought to Ta- coma last Saturday 15o bales of raw silk valued at s2,0750OO The cargo was brought from the Orient, and when it reached Ta- coma 1t was put on a special train and hurried toward New York.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
MOST REGRETTABLE,

q understand you have sold your beau tiful country home, Mrs. wuffles"
 'Yes. We hated very much to part with it, but there was nothing else to do."
 Tt was charming place."
 Undoubtedly, and it pleased us in ey- cry way. but 3e were unable to decide on a name that was sufficiently bizarre to look well in the society column"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
REFLECTIONS OF BACHELOR

From the New York Press. A girl decides a man to decide to marry hel. There's big rivalry in everything except he lping the poor A woman always has clear enough conscious 10 call couple of stickpins her jewels.
 A lucky month to die in is carly in De- cember, aud not have to send any Christ ,uas presents. .
 A man who doesn't shave himself can never get the full enjoyment out of cuss- Ing that is possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

Thomas Nelson Page has been men toned for the ambassadorship to the court of St. James. Mrs. Page was Mrs. Henry Field of Chicago, and they have money and culture enough to meet the social ob- legations of the position.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

Ground is to be broken on New Years Day for the machinery hall at the San Francisco exposition. It is to cover eight acres, and 1t will be the largest structure ever erected for exhibition purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The Greeks have one up to date armored cruiser and the Turks have one effective battleship, and both take precious good care to keep their respective treasure in safe place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
The Usual LuiI

There is naturally a lull in the iron trace; it is always so during the hos days said a broker
 The market remains firm and l look for activity again after the 10th or 10th uf January. I would not be surprised to see iron selling for s15 on No. basis before spring'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
SURFEITED

SJRFEITED. Lifes woes increase When people sigh For just one piece Of homemade pie. And we ourself Would scarcely mind A respite from The factory kind.  THE NATIONS ADVISERS. There's a friend On whom to lean; Write a note To Laura Jean.
 Birmingham Age-Herald. If you and That she's huke Tell your woes To Luke McLuke.
 Cincinnati Enquirer. When fell misfortune Makes you writhe, Invite the aid Of Betty Blythe.
 Indianapolis Star. If with too much Flesh you tussle, Take a tip From Lillian Russell.
 Detroit Free Press. HONK! HONKi Who goes afoot Is soon run down In what is known As "Horseless Town"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The New York Sun and Colonel Waiter keep MT. Bryan out of his cabinet, but such warnings may work in inverse or- dn..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The perfect woman of Cornell university is not only Venus de Milo. but she is student of horticulture. and she pro- poses to apply her knowledge on her fath- ec's fa arnAa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

Senator Lee Overman says Governor Wilson is a good listener but a poor talk CT; When, however, he Is talking about gibbets he makes himself understood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
MosT FAIR SHE WAS.

MOST FAIR S1E WAo' The landlady's daughter was wondrously fair, She's trim little ankles and sunny gold hair; Her eyes were the color Of heaven Ill June And her voice was sweet as lullaby tune.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The approaching completion of the Pan- anna canal Is booming lands on the Pa ciic coast in California, and large tracts are being cut up into small lots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The Edisonia company of Newark, N. J., became bankrupt, and it's stock of second hand pianos was sold at auction. Fifty-fve were sold at 47h cents each.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25
Death of Mir. Klenk,s Mother

Clarence l<lenk, the well known vio- linist and leader of the music at the Florence hotel. was called to Vinemont, Cullman county, yesterday morning on account of the death of his mother. Mrs. Klenk had been an invalid for some time and her devoted son paid her a visit a few days before her death.
 MT. Klenk will have the sympathy oi his many friends in his bereavement
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

It is estimated that east Tennessee alone has sold in the two months covering Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys to an approximate value of s5O0000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

All gifts are better made and are more appropriate than they were even year ago. The gifts of 10 years ago would not find purchaser today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The Montgomery Journal does not hesi- tate to say that another constitutional convention is imperative in Alabama. It Is needed, among other things. to enfran- chise 2oo,oeo white men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-25

The suffragette army marching on AL bany is not progressing up to the modern standards.