davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
The Rhodes Scholarships

Young Mr.. Bennett Harvey Brans-
comb of Birmingham, who was the
successful candidate Friday for the
Rhodes scholarship for Alabama, can be
counted upon to make good record
at Oxford. He is the son of the Rev.
DR.. l.. c. Branscomb, presiding elder
of the Methodist Episcopal church,
south, for the Birmingham district.
There were several applicants for the
scholarship, and it is understood that
all passed good examinations; but the
Rhodes scholarship committee after
careful consideration concluded that
Branscomb was best entitled to the
honor.
Cecil Rhodes, the British colonial
statesman distinguished for his con-
structive capacity, died in 1902. He
was born in Hertfordshire, England,
in 1858, and at the age of II went to
Natal. On the discovery of diamonds
in South Africa, Rhodes took up his
residence temporarily at Kimberly,
where he laid the foundations of his
vast wealth. After spending three
years in Africa he returned to Eng
land and entered Oriel college, Oxford,
where he received his degree.
His active participation in the poll
tics of South Africa began in 1881.
For several years he was premier Of
Cape Colony He was a great be-
lever in local self government for the
colony; and while he showed weakness
at the time Of the Jameson raid and
was severely censured for not per-
emptorily ordering DR.. Jameson to
refrain from crossing the Transvaal,
he was an honest, broad minded man.
He resigned the premiership in 1899,
but when the South African war broke
out he took part in the defense of
Kimberly.
Cecil Rhodes was princely in his
benefactions. In 1883 he contributed
$50, 900 to the funds of the Irish home
rule party. By his will he bequeathed
most of his fortune, estimated at
$3O,O00,O00, to the public service. To
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
MOON MAKES r1ISCHIEF

these effects OF the moon, if true, depend
upon the we'll established fact that the
light of the moon. since it is a reflected
light, from the sun, is more or less polar
lied. Polarized light, or the scholars
say, polarization" is the quality or pow
er that light has of having its rays
turned away from the zenith or north
pole. 1t Is a sort of turning round of the
waves of light similar to what the hands
of clock make when they leave l
o'clock. Twelve o'clock is the pole, ard
the rays are repealed from such point
when light is polarized.
If reflected light is examined by a phys
icist with an instrument called the polar
iscope, it is always found to contain some
polarzed light. The polariscope is mere
ly a glass made of quartz or some SIM
liar material, which easily filters out and
shows the different directions in which
light is turned from the poles When
light is fully polarized it's rays are all
turned one way or one plane. Ordinary
light has its waves going in all planes
or directions at the same time.
1t so happens that some minerals and
substances will only permit rays of light
to pass through them as those rays come
in one plane To all other rays of the
same light the crystal or mineral Is
OPAQUE. Thus, as light is transmitted
through such substance 1t shows or Sc
iects only those which correspond to its
preference. Quartz is only one of many
such things 1t is used in a polariscope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
An Appealing Sight

THE most pathetic, appealing and
beautiful sight l have seen this en-
tire Christmas season. said w. b.
Everett. assistant secretary of the
Chamber of Commerce, was the Christ
mas exercises OF the Mercy Home chill
dren. The ladies had invited me
to be present and l am not ashamed
to admit that there We're tears in my
eyes as the exercises progressed.
ut gets next to fellows heart to
see those dozens and dozens of little
tots, everyone without a soul to pro-
vide for them except the public, stand
up there and sing Christmas songs
When Santa Claus came into the room
| never saw such a scene before in
my life. The expressions of joy on the
faces of those little boys and girls
were something rarely seen. They simp-
ly ran UP to the old fellow, crying,
Santa Claus, Santa Claus and caught
him about the legs so that he could
hardly move.
"It was real Christmas scene, and
one which / shall never forget. Any
one who is not acquainted with the
Mercy Home should pay it a visit, for
the chances are that it will help both
the visitor and the children of the
home"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
from the New York American.

From the New York American.
"HE poets have always said the devil
was in the moon for mischief, and
/ the amatory effect of the neon
upon loving SWANS and maids is
etoo well known for comment. Fol-
lowing close upon the work of
Professor Wood of Johns Hopkins,
who found that moonlight exerts pecu-
liar influence upon certain chemicals,
comes Professor Bryant, a British scien-
tist, with new proof that the man in the
moon is a mischief maker.
There is scarcely any region on this
globe, from the equator to the newly
found continent of the Arctic circle and
the lately discovered south pole, where
there is not a general belief in the pow
erful and deleterious effects of moonlight
on fish. on newly planted seeds, and to a
lesser extent on meat which is to become
food.
Many analogous and related beliefs
have to do with dangers to persons who
are forced to sleep out of doors exposed
to the full glare of the moon, especially
a tropical moon directed fully in the face
of the sleeper. 1t is unnecessary to dis
cuss this as only tropical effect, because
the very next farmer you meet here
abouts will tell you of damage done by
moonlight to newly sown seeds, and how
sheet must be thrown over young bulbs
at night of full moon.
Suddenly, in his laboratory, it occurred
to DIR. Bryant ito test the idea that all of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
After 10 Years

Il expected to find Birmingham a much
larger city and more elegant. city than
it was when l last saw it, about 10 years
ago." said Walter NJ Breslin of Phila-
delphia, but in appearance it far ex-
ceeds my expectations.
Il read the census bulletin of 1910, which
announced Brminghams population as
nearly $4,000. That was prodgious in
crease over the 1900 census, but | marvel
now at the beautiful improvements in the
residence sections and the magnificent I'M
provements in the business district
I'm the 90s 1 was here frequently. AS
l was standing a day or two ago at the
corner of Fifth avenue and Twentieth
street / exclaimed at the wonderful trans
formation that had taken place. Tie
present club building was new to me, and
the two imposing hotels facing each other
and both nearing completion made me
think l was in strange city. Birming-
ham is unquestionably a great city now"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
TEN YEARS OF THE AERoPLANE

From the New York Evening Post.
1t was with definite sense for the
dramatic that Orville Wright chose the
tenth anniversary of the now famous
fight of - seconds over the North Caro-
lima sand dunes, to announce that the
real problem of the aeropane today the
question of automatic stability, is on the
point of being solved improvements i'll
mechanical invention do not always
come from the hand of the original in
ventor. Yet it will seem the eternal fit
ness of things if the problem of making
flight in heavier -than-air machine nor
mally possible. The achievements of the
aeroplane need not be rehearsed in de-
tail We have travelled far from the first
successful experiments at Kitty Hawk
The European seas nave been forded by
the aeroplane. The land area of Eu-
rope has been criss-crossed from north to
south and from the Atlantic to St Pc
tersburg. The Alps have been surmounted
and attitudes higher than the tallest OF
Alpine peaks have been attained. The
aeroplane omnibus has carried nearly a
uOAcA ilti Will Sdlctys <ht thc PicSNit
moment an ambitious airman is on his
way from Paris to Australia by way of
ndo-China and the East India land
bridges. The conquest of the Atlantic
is predicted for the near future.
But it has been process of devel-
opment not devoid OF viccissitudes. With
continuous Improvement in the gasoline
motor, the radius and lighting power
of the aeroplane have advanced rapidly
The element of safety has not kept pace
1t is a regular feature of the days news
that the story of another triumph of air
manship in the matter of distance COW
cred or altitude attained, or a difficult bit
of navigation accomplished, should be
by another of the disasters such
as have marked the present year In the
public mind the question has remained
whether the achievements of the aero
plane are specially qualified or exception
ally daring navigators. This suspicion is
justified, though only in part. in reading
the almost daily record of aeroplane mis-
haps, one must keep percentage in mind
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
The Democratic Administration

have never taken an active part in
politics, but have voted the democratic
ticket whenever | voted at all, " said +.
v Reynolds of ST. Louis. Il voted for
Wilson and Marshall last year, and be-
gin to feel considerable enthusiasm over
the excellent record the democratic ad-
fnlnistration has been making. Mr.. Wilson
is making a great President. Some men
who voted for him thought he would be
too academic, but he has surprised them
by his wealth of common sense and his
knowledge of politics.
Mr.. Underwood comes in for large
share of praise in connection with the
success of the administration. Underwood
IS evidently a great party leader. Had it
not been for his splendid leadership in
the House of Representatives | doubt if
his tariff bill would have got ON the
statute books in the extra session. Peo-
pie in my part of the country are mani
Testing interest in Mr.. Underwoods can
ddacy for the United States Senate. 1t
seems to be taken as a matter of course
that Underwood will be elected over
Hoeson by a big majority"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
Making Restitution

Few men who have. been convicted
of robbing an employer are able to
brace up and start life over again on
a high, manly plane.
Defaulters usually throw away the
stolen money on hazardous speculation
or profhgate living; but Paul Stenz-
land, former president of the Milwau
kee Avenue State bank of Chicago,
who absconded with $500,000 of it's
funds several years ago, was caught
and convicted, and after serving
four-year term in the penitentiary,
is now we'll on his feet again and is
paying back the depositors who lost
by his crime. He is reported to have
paid back already more than 100000.
He says that he has "come back and
that he is happy in the thought that
he is a thoroughly reformed man.
Many men of good rearing who have
yielded to temptation and committed
thefts would be glad to make restitu-
ton; but they have not grit enough
or moral stamina enough or capacity
enough to go back to work after
serving term and make money legiti
mately and in large amounts. Stenz-
land proves that he has great deal
of the manly man in him, and his e6-
ample of felon reformed should en-
courage convicts who are paying the
penalty of defalcation to do all possi-
, BILE after leaving prison walls to make
restitution; in other words, to "come
back"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

progress in the United States and the
churches on the whole have not been
tagging. 1t was year of prosperity
and accomplishment, and it should in
spire to greater efforts for 1914. There
are number of pleasing features to
the church year, chief among which is
the increased impetus toward church
unity. Under the leadership of the
Episcopal church nearly every church
has manifested a disposition to CO.
operate.
Methods of work improved greatly
during the year; old methods were dis
carded and new ideas adopted. Many
churches are coming to recognize that
in certain ways more efficient organ
ization is needed. There is a saying
frequently quoted that eff any busi-
ness was run as the majority of
churches are it would be bankrupt in
less than 10 months" This is coming
to be more generally recognized and
innovations are being made which
would have caused an exclamation Of
borrow few years ago.
Numerically there was a slow but
steady increase, while financially the
church fared we'll In America thera
are 40,000,000 connected with some
religious organization. They gave
$40O, 100000, or nearly $40 each to
support those bodies.
There have been few things to mar
the year from a religious viewpoint,
and even greater things may be ex-
pected in 1914.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
LOCOMOTIVE PERFECTED
I'm the Pittsburg Post.

From the Pittsburg Post.
Answering a question asked by Pitts
burg engineer relative to the compara-
tive achievements of American and Eng
lish inventors in locomotive designing,
must be admitted that George Stephenson
an Englshman, built the first locomotive,
but the high pressure, essential to rapid
steam making and efficient, is an in
vention of Oliver Evans, an American;
the tabular boiler, so essential 10
rapid steam making and without which
no train could be kept running at rate
of more than 10 miles an hour, was IN
vented by Nathan Read, an American; IL
in turn is carried in compact form by
four coupled driving wheels and four
wheel truck, a combination invented by
John b. Jervis, an American, while the
drive wheels themselves, of cast iron,
made hollow are the invention of Thomas
Rogers, a Jerseyman. who, also, was
among the first to use weights secured
in the wheels to counterbalance the re-
ciprocating parts.
Allen paper wheels--a thoroughly
Yankee notion, the invention of Rich
ard Allen, an American-carry the en-
gine truck The tender Is sustained by
cast iron wheels with chilled tread, in
vented by Ross Winans, of Baltimore
and the single bar frame holding cyl
nders placed horizontally and bolted
together in the center is another COM
bination designed in part by Winans and
perfected by William Mason of Taunton,
oil a
connections are secured against leakage
by the ground joint. invented by w. M.
Baldwin of Philadelphia, while expan-
sion braces, designed by Thomas Rog-
ers. already referred to, give the firebox
secure hold on the frame, yet permit
ting the boiler to lengthen or shorten as
change of temperature requires.
Continuing the list, the weight of the
engine is distributed evenly to the axle
boxes by means of equalizing levers, In
vented by Joseph Harrison, Philadei-
phian, while two fixed eccentrics, in
vented by William James of New York,
give movement to an Allen slide valve,
balanced by a device invented by George
Richardson. an American, who also de-
vised the pop safety valve, the most per-
feet device known for relieving boiler
pressure. The slide valves are operated
by Baker Piliod motion, by a Detroit lu-
bricator. Spark throwing is restrained by
an extended smoke box combination, in
vented by e. NJ Reed once general man
ager of the New Haven system. and COM
bustion is promoted and smoke making
prevented by specially devised firebox
burg by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
of Philadelphia, the enginemen all the
while sitting comfortably in convenient
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
An Absurd Theory

Developments in Calumet, Mich,
following the disaster of Wednesday
night in which 72 people, mostly chill
dren, lost their lives are regretable in
the extreme. Christmas Eve night a
bearded man, as yet unknown, thrust
his head into a door of Italian hall,
where a Christmas tree celebration
was in progress and shouted Fire"
There was a stampede with tragic re-
suits.
Now come Representatives of the
Western Federation of Miners and
charge that the panic was precipitated
designedly by a member of the Citi-
zens' Alliance, an organization which
has combatted the federation in a
strike which has been in progress in
that field during the past five months.
Such thing is unbelievable and
| but little credence will be given it by
She country at large. Aside from hu-
Manitarian considerations there is an
other point which refutes the theory
of Charles H. Meyer. No one who did
not hold a union card or who was not
definitely and beyond question identi-
fled with unionism was admitted to
the hall. 1t would have been extremely
difficult for any man to have forced
his way into the meeting unless he
held union card or was known to
union leaders.
But it is unthinkable that any one
for any purpose whatsoever would
have knowingly caused the panic. Such
a charge is preposterous. 1t is an out.
growth of the bitterness of the strike
and the added anguish of the disaster
rather than common sense.
The only way by which the situa-
tion can be effectually cleared up is by
the apprehension of the guilty per-
son and the establishment of his guilt
beyond question, which the authorities
are bending every effort to do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
: --i-'t" in Religious World

laeIr t6 the end of the
81 east up la progress made
sg IS pra aing 12 months and
@sT oni rat 'ii smplation lessons
wAsa aag be profit .ble in the coming
AINfe iant 8set more interesting
in the retIcSpscG IN the accomplish
ments in the church world. The Age
Herald prints this morning brief
survey of the work done during the
year just expiring by the various re-
ligious bodies of the United States.
There are some remarkable facts set
forth in the article, facts which it be-
hooves the thinking man to ponder
deeply.
The year 1913 has been a year of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
In Spite of Calamity Howlers


Some of the leading republicans
who have been calamity howlers for
year past will continue in their
pessimism, but prosperity will return
Notwithstanding the efforts of those
who are trying to discredit the demo-
cratic administration.
The great majority of business men
take an optimistic view of the future
and see nothing in present conditions
that makes for depression. The men
who still talk and act "panicky" are
few indeed compared with the stout
hearted, successful men of the up
building class.
The great crops Of this year, many
of them with new high records in
money value, form the basis of thrift
for the next few months; and if the
1914 crops look good in June when
the government makes careful esti-
mates, great wave of prosperity
will sweep over the country. Invest
ment capital may be hesitant for a
while; but when the business field be-
comes as inviting as it is fast be-
coming, money is let loose in large
volume
Of course, no one can foresee just
what crop conditions will be six
months hence; but the agricultural
resources of the United States are so
varied that nothing short of general
disaster could prevent the farmers
from making at least fair average.
In the meantime, there is enough to
go on to bring renewed activity in all
legitimate lines of industry and COM
merce.
1t is not easy to silence those who
would be alarmists. Some men seem
to revel in calamity-howling, but VIII IN
prosperity is in evidence the alarmist
is only laughed at. The new year is
almost upon us, and the outlook is
certainly bright enought to make sane
and well disposed people look and fee.
cheerful, and better still to put their
shoulders to the wheel and help oil
good times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

his alma mater, 0riel college, he be-
queathed S500,000 for a system of
free scholarships. These scholarships
are widely distributed. Germany has
ID, and the British colonies have all
the way from 1 to Is. By far the
largest share of the distribution
came to the United States. The first
appointments were made in 1904.
Each state is entitled to two, and the
maximum from this country will soon
be reached.
Alabama now has Rhodes student
at Oxford, young Mr.. Carmichael Of
Goodwater. lBranscomb, who is in his
senior year at Birmingham college,
will graduate there next June. He
will proceed to Oxford in October.
American candidates for the scholar
ship must be unmarried; must be
under the age of "a; must be citi-
AeHS OF SOnSf OF clLlZenS, anu lluSC
have completed two years of their
college course. Cecil Rhodes was a
great believer in muscular exercise,
and it was his expressed desire that
chief Importance in selecting canli-
dates for Oxford be laid on the possess
sion of manly qualities, ambition ard
love of outdoor sports" Each Ameri-
can student receives about $1,000 a
year during his term at Oxford, which
should be more than enough to sup
port any young man in good style.
Rhodes conceived the idea that by
having bright young men from the
entire English speaking world edu-
Gated at old Oxford far-reaching re-
suits along peace lines would follow.
1t was generous impulse, at any
rate, which prompted Mr.. Rhodes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

cab, first designed by David Matthews
an American, but since improved by many
builders.
And last, while the locomotive thun-
ders along the steel highway at high
speed over chasms spanned by traceries
of steel and down steep mountain grades,
the engineer sits calm and steadfast, Sc
cure in the knowledge that locomotive
and train are entirely in hand, since a
turn of lever will cause every wheel
TO be gripped by yiselike brake shoes
applied by the greatest life-saver of mod
ern times, the Westinghouse automatic
air brake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
ART NOMENCLATURE.

From the Pail Pail Gazette
"The ignorance of the masses on ar
tistic matters is appalling" said Wal
ter Emmanuel, speaking at a discus
sion on Execution in Literature and
Painting" at the Authors club
He was passing through one exhi .
bition recently when he saw a group
of persons. One of them said: 1T is
droring?" The reply was: mo, stupid
it's an itching A third person m
terrupted and said: mo, you are both
wrong; it's q paStille."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Mobile and birmingham

j. Bion Beftwich. prominent lum-
Der dealer of Mobile, is visiting relu-
tives in Birmingham. He comes from
time to time and always meets with a
cordial greeting.
The lumber business has been dull
the outlook is Frightening and l be-
lieve the trade will become active in
the spring" said Mr.. Leftwich. I'm
a general way Mobile is prospecting
and it is growing steadily"
Mr.. Leftwich spoke enthusiastically
about Birmingham handsome improve
ments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

The California courts have been called
upon tn decide whether a woman, a ma
was entitled to a vote. The court held
that the citizenship of the husband de-
termlned that of the wife, and that there
fore she had lost the ballot A suffrage
problem: If an alien woman weds a ma
tive of a suffrage state, is she entitled
to tho. franchise2 If so, what a golden
opportunity for the English suffragettes
who seem to be willing to go to any
lengths.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

Maj. Charles E. Hagadorn, military at
tache to the American embassy at st.
Petersburg, has been courtmartialed and
officially lambasted fof leaving his post
without permission. 1t may be set down
as & moral certainty that the Hon. Jeems
Ham Lewis will not be called into con-
srltation over the appointment of the
majors successor-at least while the
Pindell pleasure-trip- Russia is hanging
fire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28
EVE AND THE RAINBOW

From the New York World
c'Eve saw the first rainbow" ----5
a New Jersey divine, refutlnk d sifep-
teal weather prophet)
Her heart leaped up when ht hnlg
That rainbow in the skies
And still its colors unexcellf
Dwell in her daughters fsn
The rosy hues of living hopF
True blue of every shade
Rare yellow flecks with gold ttat 600
And witching green's lniates
And still the hearts OF later ANes
Leap up when they beholc
The promise passing showers n
or bright hours to unfold.
The lie-,. - s-->s ~-xse r~egea through
.,iGts
OF doubtIns - ri nain,
The light of faith that I'LL 3 lists
No loving is in vain
These set the arch of living hues.
Like glories of the skies
That With each gladdened dat reasss
The soul in woman's eyes.
1t is so through her girlhood Years
And through her days of strife,
And after showers of cleansils tears
Wash bitterness from life.