davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

as possible they erect houses for their
homes out in the country.
Some of them buy back the old farm
where they were brought up. and build
lordly mansions there, and In many an
hour of wholesome revery see themselves
through the msts of years as a bare
footed boy, with un-browned legs, driv
ing cattle to the pasture or leading them
home towards nightfall. You sail up the
Hudson from New York. ON the Jersey
side and on the New York towering
hills,s you see magnificent houses that
have taxed the skill of the architect
Who lives there and there, and yonder?
Some man of enormous wealth who went
from the country to New York as poor
boy and is now spending his last days
where he began the race of life, is the
answer. given TO your question.
As men advance In years, think. the
more do they long for the quiet OF the
country. They may never have lived
there, but they have passed through It,,
and the memory of the green fields. Of
the dark old forests and of the deep val
eys with their softly flowing streams of
apparent silver, have followed them
through the years.
As a young man Charles Dickens was
called to go into the country often, In
the character OF a newspaper reporter.
There came a time when he was able to
buy home In Kent. SO he shook the
dust of London from his feet, and spent
the last days of his life at beautiful Gads-
hill, among the simple folk around his
house, and with flowers and birds. Here
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

corpse in this instance was all that was
left of very mean and Improbable cit-
izen, whose crude selfishness had es-
tranged his nearest relatives, so that not
single redeeming trait could be hit
upon by the assembled villagers. Then
spoke up, sweetly, modestly the voice
of Lady Charity. "fIe was a very tall
mani"
1t may possibly be that there are Off
Gals in Birmingham whom no one can
praise But on the other hand 1t would
be gain unspeakable if there was an
end of growing, a cessation OF the gibe
and the kick. at least for period Of
weeks
Generally speaking II requires no knowl-
edge. no specific equipment of intelli-
gence for a man to become a growing
kicking, unthankful citizen. You may
hear him on the street cars or at the cor
ner of the local Rialto any day or hour
heard him last Sunday morning on the
street car. going to Fountain Heights, and
he was sure that the commission system
OF governing Birmingham has proved
rank failure immersed from hea4 to heel
In personal ambition and petty politics.
But there was no word OF proof of these
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

inconvenience, Gwen to poit, and of
course this had dampening effect on
my effusions; sumhow after that |
could newer get the same enthusiasm
into my verses as before. 1t takes a
lot of enthusiasm to be Poit and not
much of ennything else. | have seen
Potts who if enthusiasm had been
mummy could have maid j. Peerpoint
Morgan look like Piker.
A Poit usually beeums Janus after
he is dead. Strange as this may seem
it has not encouraged Potts to dye
yung in order to achieve fame at
once. A poit will continue to live rite
along in spite of the fact that he has
EVERY inducemint to dye. His friends,
if Poit has emmy trends, would like
to see him dye in order that they mite
live to see him Janus, also so he
won't always be hanging round reddy
to reed sum of his poims to them. Ed
diturs sum times try to help them to
fame by kicking them down a long
flite of stairs in sudden and abrupt
manner, with the hopes that they may
end there career by sudden contact
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

ter or member of the Legislature.
If it is allowed to grow upon him he
becomes six-cylender freek.
Parents should watch there suns
and daughters in early yuth, and at
the first symptums of POETRY, they
should use drastick measures. A hot
mustered plaster SCIENTIFICALLY ap-
piled will usually divert the mind of
an embryonic Poit, if this is not eff
fective, years active pursoot of a
hard-tail in a stumppy new ground
has been known to knock the poisy in
the thrilling sole of a yung lad, gally-
west. =
If Parents grow careless and let
the disease work unrestrained they
air sure to live to regret it. 1t is a
sad sad fate to be the Farthur or
Muther of a reguler Is karret Poit,
who spends his time dedicating
verses to Maudie one week and to
Evveline the next. 1t always starts
with verses to sum Jane or uther
who has turned the poitick sole of
the authur into lier of sweet song.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

things. to say nothing of appreciation for
what good has been done by the COM
mssoners
The truth is that these officials of ours,
in city and county alike, are for the most
part doing as well as men could under
the limitations which beset them, Do
we want to depress and devitalize their
service? Let us be thankless, boorish,
grumpish and uncharitable. That will fill
the bill. Men respond TO cheer and ap-
probation gust as horses do. Curse them
and they may kick back, but their work
will wear them needlessly and will be
done without enthusiasm. Thank them,
praise them, find them doing something
we'll AMI acknowledge 1t. Smile in their
faces and express your thanks with a
handshake; they will go back with new
intelligence to all their task.
Few men have the real genius to gov
ern. Let us for the time being at least
agree that the city and county have men
at the helm whom we can help do their
best. until their conditions are ameiorat-
ed and they can do better.
But II our praise is hollow pretense,
we had best shut our lips. In religious
circles have heard the worshipper thank
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

rs II true that the chiefest enemy of
= sister woman?
II II Is true there are exceptions.
In proof Of which is this story of the
ignorant foreigner and the woman who
cared.
The poor foreigner was kept in Jail for
ak years, charged with murder. and three
times she stood in the shadow Of the cleo
trio chair The woman who cared was
the wife OF the sheriff in charge of the
fail at Hackensack, n. j.
When the foreign woman entered the
Jail she could not speak a word of En-
elish Indeed her crime was largely
caused by her ignorance of American
speech and ways.
Taking pity on the forlorn creature, the
eheriffs wife taught her the use of
English; also she gave the woman u
chance to learn housekeeping, sewing
the arts of embroidery, etc.
And then
Urged on by the woman who cared, the
prisoner took up the study of stenogra-
ply and typewriting. So great was her
proficiency, in spite of the depressing
conditions of her life and the great ner-
yous strain of the various trials, she was
woman, to take rapid dictation and write
q good letter.
Moreover, the sheriffs wife stimulated
IN the prisoner a desire for reading, so
that she is now an unusually we'll in
formed woman.
The transformation was complete
While she was in prison and was beinG
given the opportunity to change herself
from crude. ignorant foreigner to a
woman of intelligence her husband had
been free.
He had worked with construction gangs.
lad learned little or no English and was
Just about where she left him Now she
has undertaken to educate and American
ize her husband.
Fine?
/ know nothing finer. No school couiti
have done for this prisoner what the
woman who cared did for her. She gave
the prisoner chance. and. whAt was
better, she knew her needs and sympa-
thized and helped Underneath the ig-
norant criminal she saw the possibilities
Of the woman.
Now
lit is great thing to preach the gospel
= the heathen-no doubt about that. but
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25
HEART TO HEART TALKS-By Edwin A. Nye

But IL you have lost your first little
fortune do not let the small matter
brighten you And II you have no little
It is a fine thing to be young and
strong-and poor.
Eight years ago a young man-call him
Jones-was sent to the pententiary foi
killing man in Colorado mining camp
1T Is said Jones did the killing in self.
defense However that may be, he be
came a model prisoner and at the end OF
the eight years was paroled. the terms
being that he should not leave the con
fines of the state
Jones got job ON farm.
The farmer knew the ex-convicts bis
tory and took advantage OF It. working
the man numerically. Jones found life
outside the prison harder than 1t ha1
been on the inside and after IS months
rebelled and quit. He tried 10 get new
job.
Remember Jean Val Jean?
Jones discovered. as did Victor Hugo's
hero. that II is difficult for an ex-conyici
to get a job.
Finally he determined to quit being ar
sumed another name and went 10 Montana
where he took up a homestead.
Inside of two years Jones, who hac
prospered. became a leading citizen oil
his settlement. lie eourted the daughter
of a neighboring farmer. and to her he
told his full story The girl promptly ac-
cepted him.
. Enter Javert.
Remember how that astute officer of tbs
law bounded Jean Val Jeany A detective
who had been searching for Jones since
he had violated his parole recognized him
Luckily, however, he permitted the latte.
to return to Colorado without publicity.
Jones told his story to Warden Ty
ran. who Investigated and found 1t to be-
true. What impressed the warden MOI
than all else vas thai Jones had tolt
| the truth to the girl he wanted to marry
Well
lyman. who figures in this real stors
ar did NJ Myriel. the good bishop of ID. II
Hugo's masterpiece. got the parole boarc
together. They listened to lyman and go
out a permanent parole for Jones. per
hitting him to live wherever he nigh
choose.
The sequel?
The sequel il as fine as any in the Ole
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

with the sidewalk. but the poit usually
escapes with few bruises and goes
sadly away and composes moor verses
on the harshness and. eruilty of Ed
diturs.
You can't Gwen starve Poit to
death. The average Poit can live
three weeks on dill pickle and a
boot strap. At the same time he can
turn out enuff copy to run the Lady's
Home Jurnal for six munths
Potts air the originaters of the At
finnity bizness. A reel 1912 model
Poit has a new Affinity EVERY two
or three weeks. He newer gets up
to the point of shaking hands with
his Affinity, or emmy thing like that
you understand, he simply sees her
sum phase and rites sonnets to her
eyes, or her curves or sumthing. He
may compose a few choise stanzas
about ringlet which nestles on her
snowey neck Nestles on her snowey
neck in the day time, and on the
Dresser at nights. He may, in his
ardor, long to be sed ringlet, so that
he could affectionately rap himself
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

An ardent democrat he was on the cleo
toral ticket of Breckenridge and Lane in
1850, at which time he spoke throughout
the state in company with Hon. William
L. Yaneey. AS an orator, he was gifted
with a freedom of utterance and poetic
Imagination, while his delivery was one
of gracefulness and magnetism. No one
more admired the witchery of his oratory
than Mr.. Yancey himself, whom General
Battle accompanied on his tour to the
north. and spoke with the south's peer
less orator from the same platform IN
Boston,. New York, Philadelphia, Chicago
ST. Louis and Cincinnati.
At the outbreak of hostilities, IN ieol'
General Battle raised company OF vol
unteers at Tuskegee. which company be-
came a part of the Third Alabama regi-
ment. of which Tennent Lomax became
the colonel and Cullen A. Battle the
lieutenant colonel. This regiment repre-
scented in part the pick and flower Of the
Young chivalry of the south
The Third Alabama regiment was under
fire at Drewry's Bluff, but engaged first
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

To the vague they say" boldly ask:
Who says
BY doing so you may save some one
from a stab in the back.
II you were starting out in the world
as a beginner would you begin by throw
ing $1,000 into the river?
That is what John I.avery. the Scottish
artist, did.
When he set out on his journey to sue
cess as an artist he deliberately threw
Cleo note into the Clyde.
Why? Because he feared his money
might prove A handicap. He knew he
needed the spur OF poverty in order to dc
his best work.
TO say the least. the cure was he
foic one And perhaps he was logical.
He knew himself better than any ono
else and doubtless was wise inf concluding
that so long as he had money to live or
ne would lack incentive
However that may be, the rare logic oil
tie Scottish artist may contribute to the
encouragement of the poor boy who Is
struggling through disbursement OF
failure.
You have no money handicap?
The rich mans son usually fails be.
cause of his money. Having plenty
there IL too much temptation to take
things easy. 40 put off the disagreeable
10 loiter on the way toward achievement
whats the user? queries the man wis
Is not obliged
He who is driven to accomplishment
by no other incentive than that Of his
mere inclination is a rare man.
Moreover. some one has said 1t Is q
good thing that man should fail in his
first business venture. Certain il is tha
most successful met have come uf
through failure.
Failure Is experience. And experience
educates.
Blinded by the dust of the battle which
he has lost, the young man concludes
that when the battle is lost all Is lost
lie has yet to learn tina: the battle Il
only one in the series of the campaign
BY and BY, pondering over his first de
feat. he discovers where his line wal
weak or where he failed to move at the
right moment. Having learned his mis-
take. ere long he Is u, and at 1t again
no less Jealous. but more wary.
You need not throw away your none,
in order to begin properly.
There are a lot of people vfo will ait
you IL you desire to do that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

fiercely in battle at Seven Pines where
the brave Lomax fell and Battle led the
regiment through the fight. In the series
of battles below Richmond he was at the
head of the gallant Third Alabama, hav-
ing been promoted meanwhile, to the
oolonelcy of the regiment. He received a
slight wound at Boonsboro and at Fred
riclssburg was seriously injured by his
horse falling on him, Later. we find him
serving on the staff of General Rodes in
the battle Of Charlottesville. At Gettys-
burg the whole brigade was quickly re-
pulsed with great loss, all giving way but
the Third Alabama regiment. but rallying
later and fighting with renewed power.
Under conditions like these Colonel Bat
tie attached his regiment TO General
Ramseur's command and rendered con-
spieuous service in checking the tide of
temporary defeat.
So pleased was General Ewell with
the timely gallantry of Colonel Bat
tie that he promoted him to a briga-
diership on the field, which act was
soon after confirmed To him were as
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

the open market. If chicargo will
just encourage them enuff for them
all to go there. it will be CRATE boon
to the rest Of the country.
Already they air riting verses about
Woodrow Wilsun. It's pretty tuff on
Presidential eannydate to have to
look pleasant ever time kid Ia.
named for him and ioyfully rite a
letter to its fond and doating par
rents and tell them he is honored plum
to death by there distinguished con-
sideration, and one thing and anuther,
without having sum cheerful IDIOT
riting POETRY about him. Here is
sample:
Eyes, Wilsun is a teecher,
And he can teech us Moor,
It's time the White House was as
wide,
As is schoolhouse door,
Pretty classy stuff that-what7
There ought to be law agin it. Yours
trooly, BILL VINES.
Washington, D. c. /
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

II is greater to be the sort of home
missionary who is able to carry the gospel
to the heather in your own house.
One venomed word
That struck its coward. poisoned blow
In craven whispers, hushed and low,
And yet the wide world heard
Twas but one whisper-one-
That, muttered low for very shame,
The thing the sland'rers dare not name,
And yet its work was done.
For the reason that the SANDER is NUT
tered low in craven whispers 1t is always
hard to trace the origin Of the caiumny
back to the malicious tongue that first
gave it utterance,
Gossip passes the report from mouth
to ear under the impersonal and indefin-
lite phrase
"They say"
The gossiper Grapes his story with the
glamor of secrecy and hides its origin in
anonymous authority
Gossip is eowardly
1T proceeds to murder regulations with
the. concealed weapons of an unctuous
whisper. accompanied BY wink. nod
or shrug.
Oftentimes when the slanderous work is
done the reaction comes. The community
wakes up to understand that the tale
had no authentic origin and the whole
matter was no more than mere gossip.
And sometimes the understanding comes
too late to save the victim OF the yenomed
tongue.
A gossiper thrives best in an atmos-
rhere of ignorance and idleness. The well
Informed are not apt TO be credulous, and
the busy will not wait to have their ears
stuffed, willy nilly.
The best way TO stop the gossipy tale IL
to stop it in your mouth.
II your soul is big 1t will be generous
and charitable. II is only the little soul
that cannot hold "a secret" The big soul
forgets The big soul knows how sharper
than a two edged sword is the venomed
word: that. once spoken 1t cannot be re-
called; that the farther II goes the blacker
| 1t grows.
| If for no other reason than charity,
withhold the word.
Or
II you be brave enough challenge the
sossiper and brand the story as lie
| Open your mouth and demand that the
victim be confronted BY his accusers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

wealth and prosperity are given before
there grows the united heart of nobility
and fidelity, to use that wealth. The
shame and humiliation of many a city
have sprung from the wicked spirit
which has put wealth first A new relig
ion, a civic revival, Is now taking place
in all these great centers of American
population. 1t has been revealed every
where. from San Francisco to New York,
from Des Moines to Galveston, that
money is the deadliest foe of civilization
unless held In absolute control by peo
pies conscience. 1t is like fire, a good
servant or a cruel tyrant. It's tyranny In
the New York police system is the talk
of the newspapers today. Tomorrow its
tyranny will break out into headlines for
some other fateful municipality. Nothing
is more divisive than prosperity unless
controlled by the right spirit.
Those shrewd observers of the human
heart, the travelling evangelists, are wont
to start their revival meetings with a
praise service. IL corrects disunion in the
church. 1t brings tears of contrition to
eyes too long dried by selfish emotions.
And so Brothers Smith and Jones and
Sister Brown stand up to express their
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

around your brigade which your assoc
ciates in arms Will recognize to envy.
and which time will never DIM
This communication from Major Cen
eral Rodes was reinforced by joint
resolution of thanks by the Confederate
congress, in which resolution the name
of General Battle is conspicuous as the
moving and ruling spirit of this conduct
on the part of his brigade.
Resuming the practice Of law at Tus-
kegee after the close of hostiites, Gem
eral Battle was elected TO Congress from
his district but the republicans denied
to him and to others their seats, and he.
and others like him. We're disfranchised-
He never again appeared in any Off
cal capacity, but lived a life of retire.
ment to the close.
His death occurred at the age of "a
at Greensboro, n. c., and he was. buried
at Petersburg, Va. The closing utteranee
of this hero of many battles was; All
is bright. there's not a cloud in the
sky
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

1t puts in your pocket. Take a large
view of their work. Of the needs of the
people. Of off n efforts to do well. Who
ever praised this commissioners for the
new Jail. or for the neineration plant?
How do they know you want the garb-
age handled IN covered wagons Have
you ever said So What do YOU think Of
the stree- sprinkling? Have you ever
heen 10 talk it over with the chiefs?
What 80 YOU know of the education prob
lem Have you ever gone Into il? How
can u intellgently appreciate or sug-
sest2
So also with the county officials Here
Is chance 10 discover our benefits and
TO give praise. | respectfully submit
that these people, who are our brothers.
want to do the best they can for US. and
should be surrounded by kindly expecta-
tion instead of the wild and fierce winds
of scorn. the intense frost of carpng and
unrea senahle controversy.
Birmingham united by a new conf
dence, brotherly cheer. spirit Of grut-
itude. cordial effuonce of praise In all
things worthy would he Very well in
formed Birmingham. whom to serve
would be a great JOY.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25
The Sieuth

From London Punch.
or the romance OF life behind the scenes
IN London few men could tell SO thrilling
story as that of Detective Inspector
Baggem, who yesterday celebrated his sill
yer jubilee in active service. While In
spector Baggem has often been taken
for the custodian of a picture palace in
multi. nobody ever suspected this quiet
unassumlng man (slx feet three of being
one Of the most alert and energetic OF our
detectives.
The inspector has number OF good
stories to tell of his varied experiences.
Yes. / have been in some tight corr
ners." ne admitted modestly. For in
stance, when arrested the Muligan gang
single handed in 81. the other hand got
a nasty bruise on II. Yes, thanks, il bet
ter now. Mullgan one of the most
inconsiderate criminals have ever had to
deal with"
The part the Inspector played in the
Faryland street affair viii not readily be
remembered Disguised as a policeman
he came suddenly upon the uasuspectine
pickpockets, the arrest of whom was but
the work of a moment
Then who does not forget the notorious
forger, Checknb? Inspector Baggems
share in tracking down this consumn1ate
rogue makes a story too long to tell in
detail here: suffice 1t to say, however. that
the ndefatigable detective, after a long
and interesting tour through France, Mo-
rocco and Spain. arriving at Rio de Jam
GIRO. and not finding his man there, went
on to New Zealand, Japan. Ceylon and
so returned to old England once more,
where he had the satisfaction of learning
that Checknib had just been found in
Pimlico attic where he had lain for
months suffering from writer's cramp. II
shall never forget that journey" said the
inspector impressively. "Checknib 20
three months, and well deserved it."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-25

Cured the hottest fighting of the
ing the Third. Fifth. Sixth, Twelfth
and Sixty-f first This brigade was the
first to encounter General Grant in the
Wilderness and in his report on the
battle of Spottsylvania, General Ewell
says: Battles brigade was thrown
across Hancock's front and there oc-
Cured the hottest lighting of the
war" The contest was hand hand
fighting, the opposing forces using the
payonet Al Winchester, Battles bril-
gade entered the action just in time to
allow Evans brigade to rally. while
driving the enemy before him. BY
this time Battles brigade had be-
come so conspicuous factor In the
army of Northern Virginia as to be
signally named for its gallantry At
the battle of Cedar Creek General Bat
tie led his brigade with singular cool
ness and courage against the formid-
able front of the Eighth army corps of
the federal forces, which corps was
commanded by General Crook. In this