davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
ABOUT SOME DANCES

dancing of the Hindu Nautch girl It may be somewhat disconcerting to par ents who have tried to bring up a daugh- ter in the way she should go to find her doing a slightly modified Nautch dance with her beau under the. beating white light of the ballroom, but the mere fact that she is unembarrassed. while undenia- biy not ''unblushing'' in a general sense, shows that what the ballroom has caught from musical comedy is unconscious vul- Garity rather than actual degradation. And very probably the coarseness of the. gymnastics will cause it's elimination smuch sooner than crusade from pulpit and press and parents combined would dc
 Aristotle ranked dancing with poetry, and the ancient Egyptians attributed it's invention to a leading god The dane ing that may be ranged with poetry or attributed to divinity, even by persons with elastic imaginations, survives. There is little likelihood that such bor. rowings from the slums as the turkey trot" and grizzly bear rag will survive the period during which they strike the funnybone of thoughtless young folk who think little of their significance and whose dignity is more impaired than their nor als by a ballroom interpretation of a red light dance.
 1t will be remembered that the fan dango, which Byron refers to as having shocked Sancho was condemned by the clergy of Spain only because they had not seen it. When it was danced before the sacred college. whose members wished to see 1t before prohibiting it. it was unanimously approved. The charm of the fandango that so wrought upon its judges would not be found by body of clergy men inspecting a couple 'ragging'' in ballroom. Nor will it be found by polite society, although a few of the junior members may give the style of dancing temporary approval
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Activity After Disaster

why is it." said Robert E. Murphy last evening, "that after death the city authorities start a campaign for the rigorous enforcement of law?
 "Why should we lock the stable door in other words, after the horse has escaped?
 If number of arrests and convic- tions for automobile speeding had oc- cured prior to last Saturday night probably the man who was run down in front of the Metropolitan hotel would now be alive.
 And the same is true concerning the construction of viaducts. We have been talking viaducts for years and years. But still the old time death traps remain.
 Are the officials awaiting horrible catastrophe to occur at the railroad crossing on Twentieth street? If they wait long enough. heavily loaded car will be smashed to smithereens. After which we will instantly agitate for the purpose of constructing a viaduct
 "The foot of civilization moves across the bodies of the unnecessarily dead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
------'ss-- AVE ATQUE VALE

By Rosamund Marriott Watson. Farewell. my Youth. for now we needs
 must part, For here the paths divide; Here hand from hand must sever, heart
 from heart I,iversence deep and wide. You'll wear no vtthered roses Tor my
 sake, ,. ,... Though I go mourning for you all oay
 long, Finding no magic more in bower or brake, Nc melody in song. Cray Ed must travel in my company ro seal this severance more Fast and , ,oyless fellowship. f faith, t will be, Wei nmst we fare together, l and he. Til shall tread the .footpath way no
 more. But when a blackbird pipes among the
 boughs, On some dim. iridescent day in spring Then l may dream you are remenibeIinS Our ancient VOWS. Or when. some joy forgone, some fate
 forsworn, Looks through the dark eyes of the violet, I may recross the set, forbidden bourne, may forget Our long, long parting for little while. Dream of the golden splendors of your
 smile, Dream you remember yet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18

sooner will the reproach of deadly grade crossings be removed.
 If Fifteenth avenue, Norwood, would not be good example of a deadly grade crossing, certainly First avenue at Twenty-eighth street is, and the entire issue can be raised and tested over the latter proposition. It does not so much matter where the issue is to be tested. What the city needs is quick settlement of the problem in the hope that it will lead to a solution of the gravest danger to be encountered in our streets. The opinion of MT. Boyd should be pushed to a logical conclusion-to a final judicial opinion-and if it be in favor of the city the matter should result in action on the part of the commissioners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
THE WORLD OF DICKENS

From Hildegarde Hawthorne's BOOKS
 and Reading" in February St. Nicholas.
 People may or may not like Dickens books, and there are plenty of both classes. but no one can escape him. The countless characters he created have be- come part of the makeup of our minds and expressaon, and he is incorporated in the language. Who is there that has not heard of Little Nell of 'Traddles,
 of 'Scrooge' or "Sqeers," of Bill Sikes' and MT. Mcawber," and "Uriah Heap?' Why, we know them as well as we know whom we meet every day; better, for
 nat matter. since they have become types Iy winch we measure the living world. To call man a ''Pecksniff'' is to label him lretty clearly, and even inanimate things, like the "Old Curiosity Shop have given their name and character to pumbe-less followers. No, we can't es. cape from | ickops, even if we want to. The world he made has come to be part of the world we all live in; We usc the names he used, and speak the phrases in our every day intercourse; in fact, it Is hait to think of a world with all the Dickens characters left out of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
The Candidates Busy.

"The corridors of the courthouse pre- sent busy appearance these days, remarked citizen yesterday. This is partly due to the number of wit nesses that are summoned to appear before the grand jury, hut possibly due more to the fact that an election is approaching and the ever present can didate with his cheery smile and warm handshake finds the courthouse an ex- cellent place to meet the dear people
 Tt is quite a study to watch the various candidates as they hail Dick or sBilr or Jack and note how solicit ous they are about the health of MT Voter and his family.
 'trhe candidates find men from every part of the county attending court, ana it is amusing to see them call to mino some old acquaintances while giving their little spiel. There is one wore that is almost worked to death by thf candidates, and that is the word 'ap' preciate.' It appears on the announce ment cards and Is certainly used it every conversation between candidate and voter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Sessions To,ls About Underwood

Walter L. Sessions, Birmingham man. ager~of the Prudential Insurance com- pany of America, visited New York, New Jersey and other eastern states in De cember and Tennessee this week.
 'I am not politician. but l am nat urally greatly interested in our distin- guished congressman, oscar Underwood. as presidential probability said MT. Sessions last night. Tn New York l found that practically all the democrats were for Underwood Not only did the democrats I met say that Underwood was their first choice. but came in con tact with scores of men from different parts of the state who said that Under wood was the general favorte for the presidential nomination.
 "I expected from what I had heard 10 find a great deal of Underwood sentiment in the east; but can say without exag- geration that New York is solid for the Alabamian. A prominent business man, one of the most prominent in this country, tcld me that he had never voted the dem- oeratic ticket in his life. but that if Un- derwood were the democratic nominee he had made up his mind to vote for him.
 T was agreeably surprised to find in New Jersey, the state of which Woodrow Will son is governor, many advocates of Cn- 'derwood for the presidential nomination. Delaware is another state that is solid for Underwood.
 Now in Tennessee it is different, and in Georgia, with which l am in touch, it is different. I found that in Chattanooga and Knoxville the democrats were diyid- e1 in sentiment between Harmon and Wilson; but there was little enthusiasm for either one of those candidates. Geor- gia is a Wilson state today, but if Under- woods friends will only go to work &C., lively, Georgia can be got in line for Underwood. l believe and I know that Tennessee can. The Tennesseeans are not against Underwood. As for that matter, no democrat in our section is against him, but many of them have an idea that because he is a southerner 1t is too much to expect that the Baltimore convention will place him at the head of the ticket. I wish to stress the point that organza- tion in Tennessee is all that is needed to change the situation. It is really amaz- ing, in view of the enthusiasm for Under wood in the east to find fere in the south any indifference or doubt as to Under woods availability. We have the first opportunity since the war to put a south err man in the White House. We must rise to the occasion and embrace this golden chance"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Prohibition in Nashville

Mayor Hillary Howse of Nashville, who spent yesterday in Birmingham, speaks freely of the prohibition laws" fin Ten nessee That their enforcement is not accomplished is admitted.
 "The enforcement of the prohibition laws in Tennessee" said he. lis imprac- ticable. In Nashville the places selling liquors are licensed and are segregated.
 "I am in favor of local option bill similar to the one in force in Alabama at the present time. I am a hearty ad- vocate of the excise feature.
 'I predict that such a law will be en- acted in Tennessee within the next few years. There is little doubt but that the people of the larger cities are thoroughly mbued with the idea of the impractical blity of enforcing the present statutes" :"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
The Arlington Monument

The Board of Education is to be commended for it's action in authoriz- ing collection to be taken Tn the public schools tomorrow-the anni- versary of Robert E. Lees birth--for the Confederate monument to be erected in the National cemetery at Arlington. This monument is being modelled by Moses Ezekiel, native Virginian, and who as a cadet at the Virginia Military institute saw active service in the Confederate army. Ezekiel has studio in Rome, and has achieved worldwide fame.
 The monument is to cost 50,000. Of this amount $25,000 has been con- tributed, and the Daughters of the Confectionery, who are to erect the memorial in Arlington, hope to raise the remainder of the necessary funds this year. Arlington was the home of General Lee and as many of the Confederate dead lie buried there in the section set apart for them by the federal government nothing could be more fitting in the nature of tribute from the people of the south than the proposed monument.
 The local chapter of the Daughters of the Confectionery will offer Confed- crate seals for sale today, and large sum should be realized from this source, and parents should see that their children carry contributions to school with them on Friday. If each child of the thousands attending school in Birmingham contributes something, no matter how small the amount, considerable total will be turned over to the Daughters. For so worthy a cause there should be prac- tically no difficulty in raising S25,0 in sthe south within the next few months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
PUTTING IT UP TO BEN.

 Don't you remember last summer, Ben Bolt, Last summer, so hot and so dry, When not Q north wind would remain on the jcb And not a cloud dotted the sky? Oh, think of those days in mid-August, Ben Eolt, As the frost nips your hands and your feet Those days when you sat on the porch at the club, Aggrieved by the blistering heat
 Chicago Record Herald. And don't you remember this morning, Ben Bolt, How you wished that old winter would come Last August, when people complained of the heat And you sat in the shade and looked glum? You swore that you favored cold weather. Ben Bolt Jack Frost was your very good friend But now you are wailing, Please turn on the steam, Or else shall soon make an end."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Blanche Bates Tonight

One of the greatest amusement attrac- tions offered to Birmingham theatregoers this season is Blanche Bates, who will appear at the Jefferson theatre tonight In the farcical romance "Nobody's Widow
 "Al regular theatregoers are familiar with Miss Bates reputation, and they know what wonderful success she has had in New York in Avery Hopwood' 8 'Nobody's Widow " said a critic. but I wish to call the attention of those who see play only occasionally to this at traction. All theatregoers who have seen 'Nobodys Widow in New York are un- stinted in their praise of the cast and the production as whole A great treat is certainly in store for Birmingham so- ciety."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
ADMIRE UNDERWOOD
, Montromerv Ionrnal.

From the Montgomery Journal. If the women of Alabaam could elect a president of the United States. Oscar Un- derwood would certainly be the man. The distinguished Aabamian possesses that asset, 'gool looks,'' which is attractive to most of the fair sex, and besides his personality is equally as alluring Under
 wood has never yet failed to gain the admiration of women on acquaintance ship, and as for that. the men, too, fairly love him.
 The other day a framed picture of MT. Underwood was received at the capitol.
 He has the finest face 1 have ever seen,' said one of the young women at the state house.
 q wish l could vote,'' declared an- other, "he would surely get my support.
 Underwood buttons are not worn now exclusively the men in Alabama. Ev- cry woman at the capitol has one of the Underwood buttons pinned to her waist and she is proud to wear it. They are talking and working for the Alabamian.
 It is suggested that, if Underwood se- cures the democratic nomination, it would be wisdom for him to tour those states where woman's suffrage is permitted. It might be well for him to go into oregon, Colorado, and other states where women vote If the fair ones see him, meet
 him and hear him, it is thought they will
 carry these states soidly for the Alabama statesman.
 Although MT. Underwood is admired
 much by women, he is still dignified, and not in the least presumptious, and that is the reason why he fascinates them the more. He is just one of those men thai any woman could look up to, and be proud of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Shingle Roofs and Chimney Sparks

Sparks falling from chimneys on shingle roofs constitute the chief fire danger in this city. Possibly two- thirds of all the fires that occur here are due to sparks that are hospitably | welcomed by fuzzy, well worn shin \gles as dry as finder. It is idle to say fhat fires can be materially lessened br rates of insurance lowered while buildings in this city are covered with shingles. In many other cities the use of shingles is discouraged, and in some such roofs are prohibited.
 Fireproof material for roofing is no longer expensive, and when insur- ance is considered it is no more ex- pensive than shingles. It outlasts shingles. There are many kinds of roofing that sparks cannot ignite, and builders in this city should seriously begin to substitute for the combusti- ble shingle something safer and more enduring. The shingle is a relic of early days, and the time has fully come when it's use in cities should be minimized, to say the least When the republic was young shingles were excusable but in the twentieth cen  4nry the finder like shingle is sadly cut of place. Sparks will fall from chimneys. This is unavoidable, and they should fall on roofing that can rot be ignited by any spark that a chimney could throw out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
DICKENS FAvoRlTE SPOT

From The Land That Was Dickens
 oscar Friehet. in National Magazine for
 January.
 Among the many ancient remains round about Maidstone is Kits Coty House, favorite spot of Charles Dickens It is a massive stone dolmen, and is situated in field overlooking wide expanse or kentish scenery. It's two sides measure by 7ls feet and by s1s feet, and to- gcther they weigh no less than 16ls tons A flat stone which forms the roof meas ures 12 by 9A feet, is 2z feet in thickness and weighs 1012 tons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
WATER DRINKING WITH MEALS


 WATER DRINKING WITH MEALS From the Journal of American Medical
 Association.
 Pursuant to a tradition of long standing it is cornmon custom to forbid the drink ns Of wafer at mealtime. There was a time when such advice appeared most reasonable.
 Professor Hawk and his pupils at the University of Illinois have been inVesu- gating. during the past few years, the correctness of the current attitude toward this question, with results quite at va riance with the traditional idea. When the influence of water drinking with meals was examined by direct experiment on man the alleged direful consequences were found missing There were no ap- parent ill effects. On the contrary, the general conclusion from all the findings was that If water is taken with meals there is a better digestion and more competent utilization of food. pro nounced Improvement in the digestlolllty of fat was also observed
 Since there is constant tendency, at least among persons whose knowledge of the given subject is slight, to carry to extremes conclusions derived from experl- ments, it seems worth while to add warning against the indiscriminate and excessive use of large quantities of water. Furthermore, nothing that has been said is intended to lend any support to the American custom 5f drinking water that is ice cold. The experiments of Hawk and his pupils indicate that our ideas with regard to the drinking of water must be revised, but we must wait for reports of observations from a larger body of observers. In the meantime, We may allow water more freely with meals, sub, ,eet to the individual ex2eo;ioas ~hich experience h:.rss out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
The World Loses Gracefully

In another column on this page will be found an article from the World in which the popular New York news paper gives the decision to Henry | Watterson in the matter of an im- portant wager Mr. Watterson had bet the World that Theodore Roose- welt would not remain loyal to Presi- dent Taft. It is a little early for presidential campaign bets, but the editor of the Courier Journal was ever a game sport, and it seems that the editor of the World is sport enough not to be backed down. The fact is that the World man thought he had a cinch and eagerly took the bet.
 The distinguished Kentuckian has long been noted for his fine insight. No one understands men better than MT. Watterson and as a political seer he is well nigh unerfing. The World is something of a prophet itself, but judging from it's own admission it's prophetic processes were badly out of keter this time.
 The wager was a dinner. The World loses to Mr. Watterson most gracefully. It leaves it to the winner to nominate the time, the place, the dishes and the guests. It goes with out saying that the dinner will be a corker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
nEr,ECTIoNs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 All a woman needs to appreciate joke is 10 discover 1t Is one.
 One thin; that keeps a man from get ting along we'll is how we'll he thinks he is doing it.
 The baby knows too much to begin to talk tin it's parents get over some of their foolish language to 1t.
 The more virtue there is in minding your own business the more satisfaction there is in meddling in other peoples.
 The man who makes love to his wife in public wouldn't be in danger of being divorced by her II he were a Buebeard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
JUST IN TIME
the Success Magazine.

From the Success Magazine.
 Mamma said Johnny. If you will let me go just this one time, won't ask for anything to eat"
 "Ail right, said his mother. Get your hat Johnny. perched on the edge of big chair. became restless as savory odors last he blurted out:
 There's lots of pie and cake in this ho,se.' The sdmonshins face of his mother re- called his promise, and he added: .But what's that to mel"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
THE MANILA TIMES.

From the Philippines by recent mail comes copy of the Thanksgiving num- Der of the Manila Times, the pioneer daily of those distant islands. The edi- tion consists of e pages, generously filled with advertisements and there is an il- luminated cover displaying a turkey of ample proportions. Martin Egan Is man. aging director of the Manila Times, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
BOOKS.

BOOKS. A five-foot shelf of books he got. Somehow his courage fiinches, For though h. much admires the lot He hasn't read three inches.
 es--Washington Star The ordinary man who's got A five-foot shelf of books Spends lots of tune in reading-not. He keeps them for their looks.
 Milwaukee Sentinel or books he bought himself yard And strafghtway took a seat; "Chiropody'' he tackled hard, And read about two. feet.
 Youngstown Telegram. He bought a five-foot shelf of books, And wears a learned mien But when he wants to read he takes A ten-cent magazine.
 Houston Post And furthermore the truth to tell, His choice of magazines Is one with many full-page views or lovely aetorines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Attorney Boyd on Railroad Crossing

Attorney Boyd on Railroad Crossings
 City Attorney Romaine Boyd de- clares in an opinion laid before the city commission that the city has the right to compel the railroads to build viaducts or subways wherever it con siders them necessary for the protec- tion of life and property. There can be but little doubt that this is the law, and that the railroads know it is the law on the subject.
 The question arises over the con saruction of new crossing at Eff tednth avenue, Norwood, and the mat ter \may be fought out in connection With that crossing. A test case is needed and the quicker one is pre- sented \ he sooner the commissioners Will know where they arc at, and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
GET TOGETHER

From the Chicago Tribune.
 You will be interested to learn that Mir. yankinghou housenboughenlSlatzer of Madison, Wis, and MT. Pappatheodor- acknowledgements of Chicago lave formed a partnership for the man efacturing of oxybenzylmethylenglyc lydrid. a synthetic insulating material.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Bank official convnIescent

John W. Sparkman, who was recently operated on for appendicitis at the Me Adory inarmary, was able to walk about yesterday. He will probably resume his duties as assistant cashier of the Mer- chants and Mechanics Trust and Savings bank some time next week
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
nu.lness Con,litions

General trade is somewhat slow in starting off this month, but I feel sure that we will find q good deal of activ
 itv a little later on" said D. NJ. Norton of Philadelphia "The first half of Jan uary is usually very quiet in business circles. and l have known the whole
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
AFTERWARD.

 Who fain would be From troubles free. Must learn to make the best of life; With heart content Take what is sent And neer be known for counting strife. A cheery chap In sad mishap Will yet some consolation find; Will plod right through His days of rue And come at last to peace of mind
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
ADRIFT WITH TIE TIMES

he has been very, successful with his paper He now has, plant that is capable or turning out first-elass newspaper. 'Ihe Times is an excellent example Of pluck and industry overcoming conditions that were at first, no doubt, rather un- favorable. Congratulations to MT. Egan and his stsf for a noteworthy achieve ment,