davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
SERVED HER pieHr

New York Correspondence Cincinnati
 Times-Star.
 This is a story of the manner in which the social sidewalk flew up and hit very prominent woman. She is a well known writer, she lives in New England, when it comes to public speaking she has Sem ator LaFollette looking like tongue tied bound boy, and If few more particulars are furnished she can be identified by this ingenious narrative and will try to make me lose my job. She came to New York not long ago at the invitation of the ladies of the Circle for Severe Suffering, say. They paid her expenses, of course, and she was the guest over night of leader in real society. The leader wanted to be kind to her, but she didn't get a chance. The writer attended to all that herself. ''I want a room with southern exposure" she said, when she reached the home of her hostess after the oratorical gorge was over 'I will retire at once. Kindly see to it that I am not awakened until 9 o'clock, and have my breakfast served in my room. Order the carriage for 10 o'clock. Good night"
 ''Well!" said the hostess to herself, breathlessly. "Wen! We'll"
 That was all she could say, for the very prominent writing lady had mounted the stairs to her room. The hostess wondered that her dictatorial guest should have or dered the carriage for 10 o'clock, when her train did not leave until noon for her New England home. But she did not put that wonder into words The next morning the icy writer bade farewell to a frigid social leader at 10 o'clock, and the carriage rolled away behind a pair of fat bays. A few blocks from the house the very prominent woman writer prodded the plump coachman where he could be most easily reached, with the tip of her umbrella. T have changed my mind" said she. 'I will not go to the Grand Cen tral station as yet. Drive me downtown"
 q beg pardon. num-" said the coach- man. insnuating a hand rearward to find if the puncture were dangerous. T ave me horders, mum. Hi was to tyke you to the Grand Central stytion, mum. Ged-dap."
 And he drove her to the Grand Central station, where she languished during the two hours before her train pulled in Her plan of driving about the shops in the social leaders carriage during those two hours had soured on her,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Politics and Business


 Tn less than two months the republican convention will have met and adjourned. and just two months from now the dem ocratio convention will be organized and ready to proceed with business.' said an old democrat. "The republicans having the majority rule, their convention will be soon over. If neither Taft nor Roose- welt can be nominated on the first or second ballot then look out for dark horse But even if dark horse is brought into the running a nomination Will be reached before the third day. The dem ocrats having the two-thirds rule will probably be in session three or four days. Three months ago it looked as if Wood row Wilson would be the strong man on the first ballot, but now I think that Champ Clark will lead and that under wood will finally be nominated.
 Tn presidential years business Is usual ly very dull. This year Is aR exception. While prosperity is not in full swing all over the country, it will be, r think, after June; provided, however. the crop situation Is satisfactory. If the grain crop in the west and the cotton crop in the south are promising the, country will start on an era of prosperity that will be a record breaker"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
SHE MAS so SURE

From the Cleveland Press.
 A woman who may be called Mrs. Smith placed her umbrella against the counter at which she was making some purchases in department store, the other day, and when she finished picked it up and started away At least that was the way it ran through her mind.
 Pardon me-" said Q strange woman, ''but it is mine"
 T guess I know my umbrella said Mrs. Smith, beginning to show fight. "If you have lost your umbrella I am sorry, but I can't give you mine."
 "Did you carry two umbrellas when you left home?" asked the stranger.
 Then Mrs. Smith discovered that she had an umbrella in each hand and she surrendered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
Of Present Interest


 "The recognition of sex in filling the life- most notable occurrence in the midst of the prevailing discussion of the rights of woman in the structure of society" said an independent observer.
 "We learn that while the gallant Major Butt was employed on the edge of the deck loading boat with women, all strangers to him, some Of one degree and condition in life some of another first cabin passengers and steerage all alike, a craven male sought to inject himself into a place aboard. Butt, with all his might, cast the fellow back, exclaiming. Stand away. or I'll break every bone in your carcassv
 "The leading argument on which Miss Johnston seemed to rely for the innova- tion of equal suffrage between the sexes was the obligation of government to pro- vide equality of representation of tax payers A tax is not privilege; repre- sentation is an adaptation of means to the end sought Representation deter mines first the necessity for the tax and next the subject of taxation and the limit of the burden. There are differing neth- ods of representation of classes or d. visions of society in the organism. For example, in the great shipload amidst the icebergs, the other day, the female sex was represented in. sthe moment of su- preme emergency by tn instinct of Cap tain Smith, who ordered that the scanty supply of lifeboats should be reserved exclusively for the rescue of that sex, and by the instinct of Major Butt and Colonel Astor and other men who assist ed in enforcing the captains order. "We have great deal yet to learn oi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
Farm Demonstration and Farm Pam
 phlets


 phlets
 The changes of the last five years in farm methods have been very great. Deeper blowing, rotation of crops, adequate spraying, and a more inten- sive system in general have been adopted. The old time farmer is has been, for the farmer of today is se- curing larger and more regular prof. it's.
 It is difficult to trace the great re- form in farming methods to it's source. The federal department of agriculture has alone placed in the last five years 99 ,000,000 pamphlets in the hands of farmers. In the south such pamphlets have been given practical application through the efforts of demonstration agents, and the result bids fair to be- come a revolution in agricultural knowledge and practice. The prog ressive farmer is reaping rewards that were out of reach generation ago, or even 10 years ago.
 The money that the government spends is money well invested. It is saving millions of dollars to the farm CTS, and the work is but fairly begun. The farmer of 10 years hence will indeed be scientific. All planting and growing and doctoring are to be put on a scientific basis, as the country will become twice as productive at the very least when the scientific point is accepted by the great majority of farmers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
PRISONERS WE'LL GUARDED

From Why the World Laughs, by
 Charles Johnston.
 Nine Chinese were arrested at a British treaty port and native policeman de- tailed to guard them until court con vened As no jail was available, the consul was curious to see how the police man would manage. z{
 He followed his policeman to the yard, There he saw the nine prisoners dancing around the consulate fiagstaff. Whenever the dance showed signs of lagsinr the policeman stirred the prisoners with a long pole. They seemed at first to be hold- ing one another's hands. but looking closer the consul saw that they were handcuffed together
 Well" said the consul, 'if they are chained in ring around the flagstaff they certainly cannot get away. But why do you make thens dancer"
 An answered the Chinese policeman with infinite cunning, ESQ they cannon climb up the pole and get away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

human nature. The proper study of man. kind is man is profound propositioh- Somehow or other I have no aspiration to take a train that is scheduled to cross the Rockies with disciple of Miss Mary Johnston at the throttle Again, I bear in everlasting remembrance the different impression left on. my infantile mind by words spoken to me by parents, respec- lively, in the same language with the same intent. Because it was not good for man to be alone'-not good enough-it seems to have been within the scheme of nature to produce supplemental factor, an enlargement of the original plan. Sex, merely as an agency of precreation. was not aimed at evidently. An influence upon life in it's moral and intellectual reach was established. This fact of influence, sex upon sex is not limited to the human genus. It pervades within narrower 1in- its the brute creation. It is an indispen- sable force. Treason to nature alone would sacrifice 1t.
 ''Whereas men could not if they would
 rock the cradle the result of equal po- litical power bestowed on woman must turn over to them the monopoly of things mundane, assuming that the cradle is not to be abandoned or abolished.
 Alabama has been a state with equal opportunities to both sexes to accumulate taxable property for 30 and odd years about three generations. For two gen. crations the law here has defined and protected the separate estate of women. What proportion of women in Alabama who would be enfranchised by any statute are owners of taxable property acquired by their individual efforts? Hav many women taxpayers in Alabama, where the opportunities of the law to accumulate and possess taxable property know not sex? If the roll of non-tax paying elect DTS be increased 75 per cent. is the prin- ciple of the interdependencc of taxation and representation promoted thereby?
 ''Women create conditions; men legislate for them. Mrs. R. D. Johnston created; the legislature sustained. division and distribution of labor and responsibility Is the sine qua non of human organized effort. The natural and the artificial are interdependent. Already the electorate is overloaded. The electorate is not the whole thing Above it is the influence of woman. The little hole in the hull of the Titanic did the catastrophe work. That bit of white paper we call ballot may reverse the law of nature and curse the world.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
VISION OF DREAMY SUMMER

From the Theocritus.
 And from aloft, overhead, were way ing to and fro poplars and elms; and near by sacred stream kept murmurng as it flowed from cavern of the Nymphs, and the bright cicadas on the shady branches kept laboriously chirping; while in the distance, amidst the thick thorn bushes, the thrush was warbling. Tufted larks and goldfinches were singing; tho turtle dove was cooing; tawny bees were hunming round about the fountains. Everything was redolent of golden sum- mer and redolent of fruit time. Pears were at our feet and by our sides; apples were rolling for us in abundance, and the bough hung plentifully weighed down to the ground with damsons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
Helping the Sufferers

The officers of the Birmingham chapter of the Red Cross society, who are soliciting aid for the flood suf- ferers, felt greatly encouraged yester- day at the number of contributions, both in clothing and money. People who had been slow to respond when the Red Cross appeal was first made issued garments. A great deal of clothing is now on it's way to the des- titute and money contributions yes- tcrday amounted to nearly $12O0, but this is just the beginning.
 A car load of clothing from Bir- mingham will not be too much, and several thousand dollars in money will be expected. Never was there greater suffering in the Mississippi valley than now, and all generous hearted citizens will be glad to contribute something.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
PERIL OF ICEBERGS
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times
 A | EXT to fog, icebergs are regarded
 M as the source of gravest peril to vessels navigating the North Atlantic According to all ae- counts brought by incoming ocean steamers this menace has been greater during the last few weeks than in any recent year. The presence of a great number of icebergs In the lane of trans Atlantic traffic just now does not, how ever, necessarily indicate any extraordi- nary conditions in the Arctic during the past winter. According to the most reliable estimate of scientists it requires as a rule from three to four years for an iceberg to drift across the polar basin and reach that region of the At lantic in which disaster overlook the White Star giantess on her maiden voy- age.
 The greatest precautions are taken on board the big ocean liners to guard against collision with icebergs. Not only are the officers on the bridge and the lookout in the crows nest impressed with the fact that they must exercise the vigilance when vessels approach the Newfoundland banks, where tho danger from icebergs Is the greatest at this time of the year. but the tempera- ture of the water is taken frequently, and any striking drop indicated by the thermometer is certain to be accepted as warning against the presence of icebergs in the vicinity.
 This. and the lowering of the temper ature of the air-if one should happen 10 pass to the leeward of an iceberg are about the most reliable of all the danger signals set against this peril. To the eye, indeed, an iceberg is not easily preceptible at night, even though the weather should happen to be clear and the moon, perchance, shining. Most Of the icebergs have an intense white and bluish hue, which blends with moonlight in fashion that may confound tho post seasoned and vigilant of mariners
 In report issued by the Photographic office in April. 1909, the following signs are enumerated as indicating the prox- imity of ice:
 Before the ice Is seen from the deck the ice blink will often indicate its
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
WHY TEACHERS BLOW UP

From the Chicago Tribune.
 "The family of King Harold was pres ent at the coronation obseques of Will liam the Conqueror.
 king Henry VIII, mostly by his own efforts, increased the population of Eng land 40.OO0'
 ''As a general Caesar is without a peer, and almost without an equal"
 "A regular polygon is one you can use every day"
 'The favorite occupation of the medita- tive man was reading Pluto"
 "A lyric is generally poem. It is al ways written about something"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
WHY HE STOLE HOME
From the American Magazine.

From the American Magazine.
 Hugh s. Fullerton tells some wonder full stories of freak plays that have won big games sOne of the funniest stories he tells is the following:
 But of all the strange things that provo what a vital element sheer luck is in the national game, the thing that seems to mo the strangest, is the play which gave tho bartenders of certain Chicago restaurant victory over the walters of the establish ment. Every waiter and barman in the place is a baseball fan and the greatest of these, perhaps, is Bill Dorgan. president of the Dugan club and head barkeep. The annual games are played at o'clock in the morning on the lake front, that being the only hour at which all are free. In the ninth inning the score was Il to Il and the struggle ragged feverishly. With two out, Dorgan was on third base earn estly imploring George Plant. who was at bat, to deliver a hit and give the bar men a year of gloating. The spectators. mostly hoboes who had slept in Grant park all night and had been awakened by the sounds of strife, sat around on the grass, while a swarm of them perched upon pile of lumber about 40 feet to the first base side of the plate. Suddenly, with two strikes called on Plant, a roar went up from the crowd. l gazed awe struck toward third, the pitcher hesi- tated and stood gaping. Dorgan, who IS fat and weighs 220, was coming up the line from third base like Ty Cobb at his best. He didn't slde-he beat the ball to the plate, scored the winning run un- touched-stealing home as brilliantly as ever it was done. The bartenders went wild They were for lifting Dorgan on their shoulders and parading with him up Michigan Avenue. But Dorgan didn't stop or slacken speed after he had scored. He put on more and more speed, sprinted to the lumber pile, jerked his coat and vest from under two tramps who were roosting on them, made nasty exam ination and came back, breathing heavily, but smiling. to receive congratulations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
CROSSING THE BAR

By Alfred Lord Tennyson. Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for mel And may there be no moaning of the bar. When I put out to sea. But such a tide as moving seems asleen. Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from oue the
 boundless deep
 Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell,
 And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell. When I embark; For tho from out our Bourne of Time
 and Place
 The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When have crost the bar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

n
 We were now in the bend of the Niger, and approaching Lake Niangaye, a fine sporting country, writes Capt A. Fl. w. Haywood in the May Wide World Maga- zine. Here I spent nearly three weeks shifting my little camp as circumstances dictated. It was near the site of an in undated village that I made my head quarters for elephants. These fine beasts used to come and drink at the lake every three or four days, and was fortunate enough to get two good tuskers here. My first view of these animals was never to be forgotten one. It was beautiful moonlight night, and had sent out my hunters in different directions to bring me early news of elephants coming to drink at the lake, which is a very large one Suddenly man appeared, saying that herd was approaching rapidly. and soon I heard the thud of a multitude of huge feet on the sandy ground Making 0 wide circuit to avoid giving them my wind, I cautiously drew close to the lake.
 Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of the scene that met my eyes. Some 40 elephants were disporting them selyes in the moonlit waters, bathing and douching themselves with water taken up in their trunks. Knowing I should get my chance later, I had plenty of time to single out the best tusl5ers and mark them down. In the meantime, I lay per fectly still in my concealed position. en- toying this remarkable picture. Having bathed and drunk their fill, the elephants proceeded to retreat 1eisurely homewards. With little maneuvering I had no great difficulty in shooting one of the animals i had marked down. Now arrived a dan gerous moment. The huge herd, fright ened rather than enraged at the report of my rifle and the fall of their comrade. stampeded in all directions. Some half dozen came careering toward me; there was neither time nor space to evade them, and for a. moment thought I must inevitably be trampled under their mas sive feet. I had flung myself on the ground to be as inconspicuous as possible, when fortunately something made them turn aside. They passed within a few inches of my prostrate body, screaming and trumpeting in terrifying fashion as they thundered by.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
nErLECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

There's no bigger gamble than relying on your best friend.
 What makes woman proud of her husband is for him to be proud of her.
 All a girl needs to write love letter is reams of paper; a man needs fit of lunacy.
 Even a man with a wart on his cheek can be tickled to death with it for not being on his nose.
 Marriage is thing to be thought over very carefully beforehand, and that's why everybody does it afterward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
AGES IN THE WRONG PLACE

From the Popular Magazine
 Private" John Allen went to visit an old friend at hospital in New Or leans. The invalid was being fed on a diet of egg and sherry, and Allen asked
 "John," said the friend sadly, Tit would be all right if the egg was as new as the sherry, and the sherry as old as the egg
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

concerning the confused and impossi- ble situation. The railroads are block ing the way and nothing less than public sentiment plainly expressed can turn them down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26
A SPRING IDYI..

A O1 1llI$AT ILL Asbird's song thrills the valley. A wisp of cloud now and then floats lazily across the blue sky above. Over messy stones a stream is mur- muring. It sleeps in dappled pools, whirls through miniature rapids and meanders lazily past level, grassy banks, starred with April violets.
 The trees in new spring coats toy hap oily with the south wind, fain of it's soft caresses and warmed by the genial rays of the sun.
 The scene is one of peace-of perfect peace and tranquility. Nature appears in all her fairest forms. The heart of man is uplifted. His soul more purely aspires. Suddenly the air is rent with wrathy and profane words. On rocky, hillside patch of ground mountaineer is plough ing. Again he spits and swears and bel lows with all the strength of his lungs, Whoa, muler
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

presence. This is readily understood when it is known that it is caused by the reflection of the rays of light from the sun or moon. On clear day over the ice on the horizon the sky will be much paler or lighter in color, and is easily distinguishable from that over head, so that sharp lookout should be had and changes in the color of the 1 sky noted
 "On clear day icebergs can be seen at great distance owing to their brightness, and at night owing to their effulgenee. During foggy weather they are seen through the fog by their ap- parent blackness, if such a term can be applied.
 They also can be detected by the echo from the steam whistle or fog horn. This should be remembered, since noting the time between the blast and the whistle and the reflected sound the distance of the object in feet may he approximately found by multiplying with $50.
 "The presence of icebergs is often made known by the noise of their break ing up and falling to pieces. The crack ing of the ice or the falling of the
 
 pieces into the sea make a noise like breakers or distant discharge of guns, which may often be heard at short distance.
 '"The absence of swell or wave mo- tion in a fresh breeze is a sign that there is ice or land on the weather side.
 The appearance of herds of seals or tiocks of birds far from land is an in, dication of the proximity Of ice. "The temperature of the air falls as ice is approached, especially on the lee- ward side; but generally only ut ar in- considerable distance from it. The fall of the temperature of the sea water is sometimes sign of proximity of lee. although in regions where there is an intermixture of cold and warm currents going on, as at the junction of the Labrador current and the gulf stream. he temperature of the sea has been known to rise as the ice approached. Change of temperature may therefore serve as warning and frequent ob- scrvations both of the temperature of ;he air and the sea should be taken and l considered"
 I for his nerve and daring as well as bril- liant execution.
 " Fact is confesead Ioo,.,a,, x,,1,o,, L.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

John Arbuckle and Edwin Hawley, rich New Workers, both died without making wills Both may have been superstitious. They may have thought will making was equivalent to signing their own death war rants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

Loyalty to the old guard Is fatal com plaint in Washington. No one who cher ishes it survives politically.