davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
Democratic Campaign Funds

Contributions to the democratic na- tional campaign fund amount to about S300,000, but something like $700,000 more will be needed. At the begin ming of the campaign the finance com mittee estimated that S1,000,000 could be used profitably to pay for legiti- mate expenses, and as the date of the election draws near the same estimate is regarded as right.
 Democrats all over the country may we'll be proud of the character of the contributions. Many individuals have contributed generously, but it is par ticularly gratifying that the contribu- tions are so widely distributed. Every state has been heard from and in every i, state the work of collecting funds con- tinues. Former Gov. w. D. Jelks, na- tional committeeman for Alabama, has forwarded $5036. This is doing very well, but three or four times as much should be collected between now and the 18th of October. Of those Alabamaans who have not yet made donations there should certainly be 5000 well-to-do men who would be glad to contribute S2 apiece A good time to "pass around the hat" will be at the convention of democratic clubs to be held here next Friday. In that convention alone, fully $3O00 should be raised for the national cam paign fund.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
THE RAT-CATCHER

From the Journal of the American Med
 ieal Association.
 With the plague at our doors the ancient
 if not specially honored profession of the rat catcher may come again into vogue, at least until science and invention have solved the problem of eliminating the rat altogether. In the congested and insani- tary cities of centuries az? it is easy to imagine the utility of such a functionary The profession still exists in most of our larger cities, it's representatives, sort of non-criminal member of the underworld claiming special skill or mysterious pro- fessonal secrets in his way of working. Il is not to be doubted that such individ- uals are better acquainted than the rest 'of he community with the ways of the pestilent rodents, and the success of some has passed into tradition as little short of sion should make it more respectable at this time than it has been considered in the past Boards of health and sanitary authorities might well utilize this class of workers as a temporary means of vardpg off a threatening crisis like the Impending epidemic of plague. Catching the rat, to he sure, like swattng the fly, is a lame and unsatisfactory expedient. compared with the method of building and starving both out of existence, but so long as such an arlachronlsm as the rat exists. there is no inconsistency in fighting it with medieval institution like the rat catcher.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
A HIyING TOWERr

What is known ls the Living Tower, says A writer in the October Wide World Magazine. stands on the very summit of hill more than 200 feet high at Camp Meel<er. A summer resort in Sonoma coun- ty. California It was Captain Meeker, an old pioneer who first conceived the idea of constructing the remarkable tower. Captain Meeker conceived the plan of building a tower on the very summit of a high hill near his hotel and while looking around one day for suit able site he found four young redwood trees standing about 12 feet apart, repre- senting a perfect square. Then the idea, suddenly came to him to build a living tower" The trees were each about loo feet high Fifty feet of each top was lopped off, and the work of building six stories was then commenced. From top to bottom the Living Tower is 100 feet high. Each floor is about 12x12 feet and rests on strong timbers, the ends of which are securely attached to the four trees by means of steel cables and bolts. So strong ly was every part braced that the whore structlire does not move as mucn as one would naturally suppose. even when rocked by heavy winds. The tower has been carefully examined by builders and engineers and pronounced perfectly safe. In the building great care was taken by the worlxmen to cut only the branches growing on the inside of the square, and the trees were not chopped, mutilated or weakened any more than could possibly be avoided Leading up from each story are broad stairways, so that one may ascend and descend with ease and per feet safety, while around the edge of each floor are strong railings. to prevent accidents. Since this tower was com pleted the trees have grown and four ished just as well as before. As time goes on, this very unique looking obser- vatory will become literally embowered in foliage. This Living Tower" is claimed to be the only one of it's kind in the world
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28

thought then that the market was be- coming feverish and that prices would shoot up out of sight, so to speak. But the runaway market did not materi- alize. Instead of that the Birmingham district has had the sort of market that all iron makers prefer. No. 2 foundry has reached $13.50 for deliv- cry in the first quarter of next year and it will probably be firm at $14 within the next week or 10 days. We will probably have s15 market be- fore the holidays.
 The iron market was never in a healthier condition perhaps. One hears talk of big crops and prosperity every where. The west has produced enor- nous hay and grain crops. The south's cotton crop will be normal in size, and iron, safe barometer, is not likely to decline for some time to come; all of which means much to the Birmingham district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
Longevity in England

'I have no statistics by which to com pare the longevity of men in this coun- try with the longevity of men in Great Britain, but from my acquaintance with Britishers I would say that more men of distinction in England, Scotland and Ireland live to an advanced age than do men of distinction in America" said a well known citizen who has spent some time abroad. 'In this country many of our eminent men live to be 80 and oc- casionaly we find some whose faculties are strong at the age of s5 or even 9o But I know several Englishmen who are upward of 90.
 ''The Duke of Grafton is in his sgd year He met with an accident on the ice last winter. and recently he fell down sone steps and broke his thigh, but he still keeps fairly we'll The duke has never been to America, but his son, the late Earl of Euston, toured the United States two years ago and attended the triennial con clave of the Knights Templar at Chicago. The old duke is one of the wealthiest men in England, and in his early life dis tinguished himself as soldier. He served with the Coldstream guards in 1889. was In the Crimean war and was severely wounded at Inkerman."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us anstn'"S'
 Julius Caesar.
In His New Role

The distinguished scion of the well known Bulloch family of Georgia, who is touring the country in behalf of the progressive party and incidentally himself as the head of the ticket, IS fin our midst" and is today the guest of the people of Alabama.
 In his new role, the colonel seeks to enamour us with his policies or policy toward the negroes in the southern states, and has frequently said that it was his ambition to break the solid south. As means toward furthering his chances toward office The Age2Herald has no doubt that the colonel is sincere in his desires to break the solid south, hence his negro policy, which is a poor makeshift un- worthy of so great political genius as Roosevelt is.
 The south, and particularly Ala bama, cannot forget his attitude to- ward the republican party of the state right after Alabama adopted her pres ent constitution, at which time he was President. He declared that it was his purpose to support the building up of a white mans party in Alabama, and taking him at his word the repub- licans met in convention-the most enthusiastic convention in the history of the party in this state-and it was addressed by special envoy from the President inE the person of Judge Pritchard of North Carolina. The ne- proes were not allowed to even look on. A very short while after the Pres ident proceeded to cut off heads of every office holder that participated in the lilly white" movement, and the federal patronage again fell into the hands of the regulars and Booker T. Washington.
 The colonel, therefore, should not feel peevish if the people of Alabama are little bit inclined to be from Missouri regarding his sudden con- version to a white mans party in the south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28

Arnold Bennett, in Harper's Magazine
 for October.
 The etiquette of Harvard is nicely call culated to heighten the material splendor of the rlace. Thus it is etiquette for the president, during his term of office, to make a present of a building or so to the university Now buildings at Harvard have adopted the excellent habit of never costing less than about half million dol lars. It is also etiquette that the gifts to the university from old students shall touch a certain annual sum- they touch it. Withal, there is no architectural os- are artistically modest; many are beauti- full, scarcely one that clashes with the sober and subtle attractiveness of the whole aggregation. Nowhere is the eye offerded One looks upon the crimson fla ca1es with the same lenient love as marks ones attitude toward those quaint and lovely English houses (so familiar to American visitors to our isle) that are all picturesqueness and bathroom. That Is the external effect. Assuredly, entering some of those storied doorways, ouc WOuiu dnlitlpdit iitOINtnitICeS dl | what is called 'Old World charm' within.
 But within one discovers simply naught but the very latest the very dearest the very best of everything that is luxurious. I was ushered into most princely apart ment, grandiose in dimensions, superbly furnished and decorated, lighted with rich discretion, heated to a turn. Portraits by John Sargent hung on the vast walls. and score of other manifestations of stranger. No club in London could match this chamber. It was, believe, a sort of lounge for the students. Anyhow, a few students were lounging in it; only a few there was no rush for the privilege. And the few loungers were really loung ing, in the wonderful sinuous pastures of youth They might have been lounging in a railway station or a barn instead of amid portraits by John Sargent.
 The squash racket court was an exam rle of another kind of luxury, very differ ert from the cunning combinations of pie tured walls, books, carved wood, end deep-piled carpets, but not less authentic. The dining hall seating q thousand smul- taneously was another. Here I witnessed the laying of dinner tables by negroes. I noted that the sudden sight of me in stantly convinced one negro, engaged in the manipulation of pats of butter, that a fork would be more in keeping with the Harvard tradition than his fingers, and l was humanly glad thus to learn that the secret reality of table laying is the same in two continents. l saw not the dining of the thousand In fact, l doubt whether in all l saw 100 of the 6000 stu dents. They had mysteriousy vanished from all the resorts of perfect luxury provided for them. Possibly they were withdrawn into the privacies of the thou sands of suites-each containing bed room, sitting room, bath room. and tele- phone-which l understood are allotted to them for lairs. I left Harvard with a very clear impression of it's frank well coming hospitality and of it's extraordi- nary luxury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28

so-called reform wave has made us give up our plans and decide not to build there Atlantic City has become too pious for us. Down there they Will not let you take a drink of whisky on Sunday. To me, an Englishman. this restriction of liberty is incomprehen- sible. This ruling makes it impossible for us to run a hotel there prontaoly' Not enough people will come to AL lantic City as soon as this condition of affairs becomes generally known. The action of the local government or that city will come pretty close to ruin- ing it as a seaside resort
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
ONE NIGHT
From .Iudge.

From Judge.
 He was a very poetic and impression able youth, and. though she was very prosaic maid, there was something very attractive about her and he often asked her to accompany him on moonlight walks along the country lanes. He was some- times nettled at her interruptions, but lost in revere as he often was, he all cred the thread of his discourse.
 They were crossing a small bridge over a creek, when he said.
 Don't you admire a little bridge
 Yes she interrupted; bridge is a great game. I often play with Mrs. Van Duser as my partner-
 As she gossiped on. he became lost in meditation Coming to broad river, they paused at the margin and he exclaimed,
 How wonderfully entrancing this isl Just to see the gleam on the waters! Don't you like the moonlight dancing-'
 Yes. she chimed in; dancing in the moonlight is so fine! l attend all the l open platform-'
 He betrayed no disappointment at her lack of interest in their surroundings as they stood by the edge of the stream. and he wandered on with her into the open country They fingered by low stone wall as he said, impressed by the scene;
 .How wonderful is nature in all her aspects, How inspiring the lofty trees and the grassy levels. Is it not a boon to get away from the city's heat? I pine so for the country zephyrs. Do you not feel yearning in you for a cool-' 1. 'Yes.'' she said; "Id ever so much like to have an ice"
 And sadly he took his way back with her to the hotel, and ere long he disap- peared into the narrow confines of his ! room. 10 get what comfort-he could from l his poetic musings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
The Strong Iron Market

One of the best things about the iron market is that it is advancing without any feverish symptoms. Early in the year Birmingham iron was quoted at $10 on No. ? basis, but considerable tonnage was contracted for at s9.5O. The market had been dull for longer period than usual, but when it did start up the advance was slow but steady.
 When the prices reached Sl1 for No. the buyers became very eager to purchase for forward deliveries, and by the time it got to SIP some trade statisticans sounded a note of warn- ing against runaway market. It was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
ISLE OF THE LONG AGO

By B. F. Taylor. Ohl a wonderful stream is the River Tim As it runs through the realm of tear With fa,,itiess rhythm and music
 rhyme And a broader sweep and a surge sublim As it blends in the ocean of years! How the winters are drifting like flakes
 snow,
 And the summers like birds between. And the years in the sheaf. how the
 come and they go On the rivers breast with its ebb al
 flow.
 As it glides in the shadow and sheen! There's a Magical Isle up the River Tim Where the softcst of airs are playing. There's a cloudless sky and tropical clim And the Junes with the roses are stra.
 ing. And the name of this isle is the LOT
 Ago. And we bur, enr treasures there: There are .rows of beauty ana bosoms snow, There are heaps oi dust-chl We love she
 And tl.e:e sle tinkets anu trsssc. .,aif.
 There are fragments of songs that nobot sings,
 There are parts of an infants prayer, There's lute unswept and a harp wit out strings. There are broken bows and pieces rings,
 And the garments our dead used wear. There are hands that are waved whs the fairy shore By the mirage is lifted in air. And we sometimes hear through the tu bulent roar Sweet voices we beard in the days goi before, When -he wind down the river was fai Oh. remembereds for aye be that blesss isle.
 All the day of life until night: And when evening glows with its beaut full smile. And ,our eyes are closing in slumbe awhile.
 May the greenwood of soul be in sist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
Steel Corporation and Politics

'I have always considered myself democrat, although I have not always voted the democratic ticket in presiden- tiaI elections-never voted for Bryan," said well known Birmingham upbuilder.
 T was an ardent Underwood man when he was a candidate for the presidential nomination. l believe that he would have made an ideal standard bearer. It has been my intention to vote for Wilson, but if he is disposed to attack the Steel cor poration for acquiring the Tennessee com pany, then I will transfer my political af- factions to Roosevelt. who made it pos sible for the corporation to enter the Bir- mingham district.
 T have never been connected with any corporation, but as citizen and an ob- server Of industrial development think it was 6 good thing for Birmingham when the corporation gained control of the Ten nessee company. The Gates-Schley sym dicate was doing a good thing for this section when it rebuilt the steel plant at Ensley, and appropriated money for open ing new mines and doing a variety of new construction work. But the Steel corpora '-S'' "''s e'AN '' No SNSii biSScA eiiihSS, and it has done all it promised and more. What il has spent here since 1907, and what 1t will spend in the next two or three years. if it is not hampered, will total S25,ooo,0oo or s30,oO0,0OO. Wilson is Q very smart man, but his environment has not been such as to make him a practical man of business. I may be mistaken, but think the attacks on the Steel corpora- ton in it's relation to the Birmingham district belong to a species Of cheap poli- tics.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
BENNETT ON AMERICAN SCHOOLS
 Arnold Bennett, in Harper's Magazine


 for October.
 The individual class rooms, in some of which l fingered at leisure, were tonic, bracing. inspiring, and made me ashamed because I was not young. l saw geography being taught with the aid of a stereoscopic magic lantern. After a view of the high street or village in north Russia had been ex- posed and explained by pupil, the teacher said, If anybody has any ques- lions to ask, let him stand up." And the whole class leaped furiousiy to us feet, plotting out the entire picture with black shadows of craniums ana starched pinafores. The whole class might have been furnishing. In an other room I saw the teaching or Eng lish composition. Although when went to school English composition was never taught, have gradually ac- quired certain interest in the supJec'' and feel justified in asserting that the lesson was admirably given. u "as' in fact, the best example of actual pea agogy that I met with in the United States Now can any one tell me began the mistress. dozen arms ol boys and girls shot up with excessive violence. and having shot up, they wiggled and waggled with ferocious impatience in the air; 1t was miracle that they remained attached to thelr respective trunks; 1t was assuredly an act of daring on the part of the in- trepid mistress to choose between them.
 How children have changed since my timei" said to the principal after ward. '.We never used to fling up our hands like that We just put them up s But perhaps it's because they're American"
 Its probably because of the ventl- lation," said the principal, calmly cor rective. I've never have the windows open winter or summer, but the venti- lation is perfect"
 I perceived that 1t indeed must be because of the ventilation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
No MORE GREAT PoETss

From the New York World.
 Edmund Gosse, himself one of the minor poets, with ample time as librarian of the practically unused House of Lords library
 to devote to literary reflection. has ex-
 pressed the opinion that there will never again be a great poet in English, French
 or any other language worn and rubbed
 by use'' Tn his opinion the poetry or
 the future will be largely written in lan-
 guages which have been subjected to less
 wear and tear-languages which have not
 so extensive and complicated a literature and in which simple things can still be
 said without affectation and without repe-
 tition."
 Such a reflection is natural to a man
 whose chief business lies in the library
 and who has just passed his 6Sd birth
 day. But it fails to take into account the
 most obvious fact concerning the real
 poet--namely, that he Is a creator. With out that indispensable faculty the so- called poet may write verse that is mus teal, pleasing and mildly inspiring, but
 he can no more write genuine poetry than an English sparrow can initiate the night ingale or the skylark, though all are birds and have wings. One can readily imagine English sparrows. which by the sheer force of numbers have practically driven away our song birds, holding a council and gravely concluding that there never again will be nightingale or slSylark, and yet perhaps the next morning, over English meadows, joyous, clear and fresh, magical notes will be dropping from the blue from skylark saluting the sun. There are clines and times unpropitious for slSyarks and nightingaes, but at the right time and place they will be heard again, and so with the poets. Possibly II MT. Gosse were to listen more intentiy ne might even now discern among the young CT voices the note of some real poet who will yet take our worn and rubbed words and fashion them into something new and strange and divinely beautiful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
From the London Mail.

From the London Mail
 ~ cIENCE and shadows, a vast
 emptiness and great loneliness, 0 a place for ghosts and uncanny mysteries of the night. Such is the London Coliseum when audience, ar lists and staff have gone and the build ing is given over to solitary watch man, who three times in six hours tramps from gallery to stage, peering into every corner, testing every door. listening for burglar~. shifting for fire and guarding against surprises of the night.
 And every night brings its alarms a section of scenery falling, stray cat scampering over the boards, sleeping and forgotten patron discovered in a box-small things in themselves, but the night. Every noise must be inves- tigated every movement traced.
 An hour before the curtain fell at the Coliseum I was standing at the wings watching the stagehands juggle with scenery and listening to the chorus of laughter from the unseen audience. Here, amid the music and the merri- ment, the dazzling lights and the swift animation, was the Coliseum as the audience knows it--a laughter factory, a palace of forgetfulness, a crowded hall dominated by the spirit of gayety. But 1t was not the Coliseum as the night watchman knows it. He sees only a gloomy cavern filled with hid- den dangers and harboring suspicious, place of painful silence and dread loneliness.
 Swift the great hall emptied and soon the night watchman and I were alone in the building. With knob kerry in one hand, lantern in the other and bundle of keys jingling in his pocket he introduced himself. Mounting many steps, opening many doors and turning many corners, we came into the deserted dress circle and faced the silence. That was how it seemed to me--nothing but deep, wide, uncomfortable silence. It was as if all noise had died and been buried in this tomb of silence. l found my self listening to the silence, strainfng my ears to meet 1t even as l strained