davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
The Public Library

Birmingham needs large central
library building, and it will have it
some day. In the meantime it is en-
couraging to note increasing interest
in the public library system here.
Books are added to the library from
time to time and many new books are
soon to be purchased.
Now that the. library is beginning
to be understood and appreciated by
many who had not been frequent visi-
tors, the incentive to individual con-
t1ibution will naturally become strong
er. And in addition to individual gifts
of books associations are beginning to
vote money out OF their treasures for
the purchase Of books for the library.
Recently one organization voted $25
to be expended for books to be selected
by one of the officers known for his
culture and literary experience.
Birmingham is great lodge town
a fraternal order town. There are
scores of fraternal societies here, and
while sick benefits and death benefits
come first in the object and scope of
fraternal orders, they would be doing
helpful work if they were to follow
the example of the society which re-
Gently voted $25 for public library
books. Twenty-Five dollars is not
much, but multiplied by many such
gifts the result would be large and
far-reaching.
Since this renewed interest is being
taken in the public library, and since
the people see that it is for the use
of all the people, and that the board
of directors and President J. w. Don
nelly, and the new library supervisor,
Mr.. Milan, are striving to popularize
the institution more than ever, SUBJ
stantial popular support is sure to be
forthcoming. Those citizens who have
not been particularly enthusiastic
about the need of great library will
show more interest, and it is probable
that within the next year or two a
"whirlwind" library canvass for
money to erect suitable Structure
will be undertaken, and when it is un-
| dertaken it will be successful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
LOSING JOHNSON BY A WHISPER

From the Popular Magazine.
When John w. Carberry, the star writer
of the Boston Globe, was In Idaho cover
ing an important special assignment
somebody took him to see a baseball
game.
That night he wired Tim Murnane, part
owner of the Boston Red Sox, this mes
sage:
"Have found the greatest pitcher known
to history. Saw him work this afternoon
You'd better get him. His name is Walter
Johnson
Tim showed the telegram to a lot OF
fellows in the Globe offices. and all OF
them nearly laughed themselves to death
"Poor old John Carberry," they said
between their gusts of hysterical mirth
"He couldn't tell curve pitcher from
tub of pretzels.'
Then they sent him whole lot oi
very funny, exceedingly sarcastic, tele'
grams. ~ 4a al4
One month later Walter Johnson made
his debut in Washington, having beer
purchased from a jerkwater western team
for $50.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09

From "Fireproofiing a City" by Joseph
Johnson. Fire Commission of New
York, in the American Review of Re-
views for December
Experience had shown that many OF
our fires were caused by careless smokers.
In fact, carelessness in handling cigars.
cigarettes, and matches was responsible
for more than 1900 of our fires in 1911 1.
was high time that something be done to
curb such preventable fires. | found that
under our new penal faw a person who
jeopardized the lives of others could be
held guilty of committing a public nui-
sance. This same law construed pub
lie nuisance as a misdemeanor, punish
able by fine or Imprisonment. Here was
another handy club lying idle.
Certainly the smoking of cigar cigar
ette. or pipe in factory was jeopardizing
the lives of the factory workers. I con-
suited the corporation counsel and learned
that my surmise was correct. / lost no
time in getting after the smokers. There
was an outcry at this. Personal liberty
was being curtailed, some said. l could
not see the logic of an argument against
preventing smoking in any place where
human lives We're endangered. l enjoy
smoking as well as anyone, but were 1 "A
factory worker 1 would confine my indul-
gence to the lunch hour or the time spent
at home. The Triangle Waist company
fire was caused by careless smoker
At any rate we went after" the factory
smokers, hammer and tongs. Soon we
placarded the factories and stores with
signs which read: Smoking prohibited
in these premises under penalty of fine
or Imprisonment, or BOTH A hundred
thousand of these were tackled on work.
room walls. / appointed a woman inspec-
tor to seek out the vioators of this order.
Several hundred yioators have been hailed
into court and fined. The magistracy of
the city has given us splendid support.
In several instances factory smokers have
gone to Jail. The smokers fires are on
the Wane.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
MAKING IT UP TO Us.
From the Kansas City Times.
Remember Emerson5s Law of C

From the Kansas City Times.
Remember Emerson5s Law of Com
pensation?"
Well, here it is, right under you.
nose The summer was long and hot
and so dry that there wasn't much fur
in 1t. And now look Mild, growing
wet weather for late pastures and fol
the next years wheat-wheat that;
certainly made" right now.
1t is as if Providence was ashamed
of being so harsh in the hot spell. i
is as If Providence felt like "the ole
man" who has given sonny boy pretty
stiff larruping and then relents ant
makes it up to him by taking him t.
the circus and buying him some pinl
lemonade and peanuts.
Compensation Out irfthis country is
where you get Though mostly
there's so much to the credit side OF
Providence that the real problem u
how to make 1t up to him.
AT least we can be grateful
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
WoN'T NEGLECT DUTY

From the Savannah News.
Representative Underwood does not in
tend to permit his campaign for the Sem
ate to interfere with his duties in the
House. He has set at rest rumors that
he intended to resign to push his contest
for the senatorship for the term beginning
March 4. 1915. So there is no cause to
fear a change of House majority lead
ershlp for the present. Mr. Underwood
has shown such ability to keep his party
in the House together and to get action
on legislation, that it might not be the
best thing for the party If new leader
had to be put in charge at this time, when
so much important legislation is pending.
His term in the House ends on the day
before the Senate term for which he is a
candidate begins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
MAKING THINGS EQUAL

From Answers, London.
Pat and Murphy, since both had fallen
in love with the same woman, became in
volved in deadly feud There seemed
to be only one way of settling the matter
"a duel
Pistols were agreed upon-at twenty
PAGES.
But when the stout Murphy saw his
lean adversary facing him he began i'm
mediately 10 raise objections.
"Bedad." he said. I'm twice as. big a
target as he is, so I ought to stand twice
as far away from him as he is from me. .
Pats second treated this amazing propo-
sition quite seriously, and for long while
stood thoughtful and puzzled. Then:
There's no need for that" he said
BE aisy now. I'll soon put the matter
right.
Taking piece of chalk from his pocket
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
It's a wise old saw that possesses wis
dom teeth.
What some people need is more pure
food for reflection.
Many a man has been deceived by a
fiirt who acted sincere.
A friend indeed is one who will listen
to your troubles.
Anyway, it's better to be disappointed
in love than in marriage.
Too many of our coming men are un-
able to catch UP with their great futures.
Nearly all men are too lazy even to
think for themselves. Thinking is hard
work. ,
A house of mirth is one in which the
wife laughs at all her husbands stale
jokes.
But the girl with a small foot may be
able to set it down hard on a mans neck
after he has faced the parson with her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
GETTING EVEN WITH THE BULL

From the December Lippincotts.
Governor Glynn Of New York tells
story concerning one Casey. hod carrier
who during the summer was employed at
a country place in Westchester county. In
order to reach the railway station to take
the train home it was necessary for Casey
to cross an extensive field.
One evening there was bull in TINS
field, and 1t gave Casey terrible chase.
He sprinted for about half mile and
only escaped by a wonderful leap over a
five-foot fence.
Next evening on his homeward journey
Casey carried hod with him to serve as
a weapon should he again encounter the
bull. This time, however, the bull was
absent. Only playful, harmless calf was
in sight. Approaching it. the vindictive
Casey gave it a sharp blow with his hod,
at the same time exclaiming excitedly.
"Take that. and tell your father Patrick
Casey done it!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
THE LAST STRAW

From the Boston Globe.
Members of Congress at Washington no
longer measure troubles by the peck. as
did Cervantes, but by the bushel, and
their baskets are full to the brims.
First, they had to stay in session all
summer when other folks were down at
the seashore or up in the mountains en-
jc ying vacations. ~
Then they lost their mileage.
Finally, yesterday or day before, the
sergeant-at-arms announced that as a
committee of one he would act as fed
eral collector of income taxes, withhold
ing the same when, as paymaster, he
handed over their salaries.
The lot of congressman of late, 1t must
be admitted, has not been a conspicuous
ly happy one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
TnIks of Fine Marble

G. Moretti, the sculptor and owner of 4
nne marble quarry near Sylacauga, Is
registered at the Empire hotel. He will
proceed to New York today and will
shortly sail for Havana.
I am doing well in my marble busi-
ness. said Mr.. Moretti. THE high quail
ity of marble is now being fully appre-
eiated and there will be a steady demand
for it. 1t is especially adapted for sculp-
ture. 1t is equal to the highest grade OF
foreign marble.
Il am glad to see Birmingham looking
so prosperous. 1t is evidently growing
now at faster rate than ever
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
TURNING G THE TRICK.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
1t happened in a one-ring circus of the
long ago, an the old circus man who
lives out Lakewood way IL responsible
fer the story. The clown had IL trick
mule which nobody could ride. At least,
that was the popular supposition. so
the man in motley made an offer of $40
to any man or boy who would ambie
around The sawdust circle once without
being spilled. At each performances two
or three boys attempted the feat and
were ingloriously unseated Then
clumsy appearing .yokel would stumble
into the ring and by riding backwards
and clinging fast to the mules tail would
contrive to stay on while the tricky AMI
NAL trotted around.
This always delighted the audience and
a shrek went up when the clown re-
luctantly pretended to draw $40 bill
from his pocket and give to the yokel.
OF course the fellow was confederate
and belonged to the show, but the happy
audience knew nothing of this.
One night the usual challenge was
made and the usual programme carried
ont. But when the awkward countryman
approached for his money the clown
failed to recognize him.
"Wh-why. I don't knew you, he stam-
mered. "Are--are you taking Bits
placer"
"rm takin' me own place SAID the
rough rider Couple of me fren's is
holdin' your man Bill over dere outside
de tent, an I'm here fer de money-see!
Cough 1t up
There being no help for 1t, the clown
paid-and then went over and begged the
mule to kick him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
The Red Cross Seals

The sale of Red Cross seals, now in
progress, will continue until Christ
mas. The proceeds are to go to the
Anti-Tuberculosis Association of JEFF
ferson county and it is hoped that a
million or more will be sold. The
association is sorely in needs of funds
with which to carry on and extend its
important philanthropic work.
The little seals serve as beautiful
Christmas tokens and as they sell for
a trifle everybody should buy some of
them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
TRUTH IN NEWSPAPERS
Alleyne Ireland in the metropolitan Mag

Alleyne Ireland in the Metropolitan Maga-
zine
"oU do not know" said Mr. Pulitzer.
what it costs me otry and keep
= the World up to a high standard
of accuracy-the money, the time, the
thought, the praise, the blame the con-
slant watchfulness do not say that the
World never makes a mistake in its news
columns. l wish l could say 1t.
What I say is that there are not half
dozen papers in the United States which
tamper with the news, which publish
what they know to be false. But if 1
thought that I had done no better than
that would be ashamed to own a paper.
1t is not enough to refrain from publish
ing fake news, II is not enough to take
ordinary care to avoid the mistakes which
arise from the ignorance, the careless
ness, the stupidity of one or more of the
many men who handle the news before
1t gets into print. You have got to dc
much more than that. You have got to
make everyone conencted with the paper
your editors, your reporters. your cor
respondents, your re-write men, your
Observation-Disclosures that accuracy is to
a newspaper what virtue is to a woman.
II do not say that the World is the only
paper which takes extraordinary pains
to be accurate on the contrary. l think
that almost every paper in America tries
to be accurate. / will go further than
that. There is not a paper of any im-
poEtance published in French, German or
English. whether 1t is printed in Europe
or in America, which l have not studied
for weeks or months, and some of them l
have read steadily for a quarter of a
century; and | tell you this, Mr. Ireland,
after years of experience, after having
comparisons made by the hundred from
time to time of different versions of the
same event, that the press of America
as a whole has higher standard of ac-
curacy than the European press as n
whole. l will go further than that. will
say that, line for line, the American news
papers actually attain a higher standard
of news accuracy than the European
newspapers; and | will go further than
that and say that although there are in
Europe few newspaper, and they are
chiefly English, which are as accurate as
the best newspapers in America. there are
no new spapers in America which are so
ha bitually, so criminally stuffed with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
PRAYERS Answered

'The merchants of Birmingham who
have been praying for seasonable weather
for the holiday trade have had their pray
ers answered." said Felix NJ Drennen
yesterday.
This weather is simply perfect, and i
has had splendid effect on business Of
every kind. / cannot recall a Monday
that was more crowded with business
than this Monday has been. we mer-
chants should certainly be thankful
Business will continue active from now
until Christmas"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Congress Should Provide Pension

Col. David Dubose Gaillard, the dis
tinguished United States army engi-
neer who died few days ago at the
age of 81, had achieved much in his
profession, but his signal distinction
was gained in the Panama canal zone.
He was in charge of the excavation in
the Culebra cut.
He was a tireless worker, and it
is said that the heavy strain upon him
was the cause of his death. Had he
lived until the retirement age, he
would have reached doubtless the
position of chief of the engineer corps
with rank not less than brigadier gen
eral. Colonel Gaillard was South
Carolinian and was graduated from
the military academy at West Point in
the class Of 1884.
1t is understood that this brilliant
officer left little if any property. His
widow should receive a pension from
the government sufficient to support
her in fitting style. Soon after the
cival war Congress voted such pen
sicns to the families of officers, but
there have been few such pensions in
recent years. Colonel Gaillard's case
was exceptional and bill introduced
in Congress for Mrs. Gaillard's bene-
fit would be passed with practically
little or no opposition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Predicting Prosperity

81 have been struck with the fact
that pessimists in the business world
are not so numerous as they We're a
few months ago" said Jacob Town
send of Rochester, N Y.
81 was in New York city in October
and met many men of the commercial
world who took a gloomy view of the
business situation; but week or two
ago I found these same men much moro
cheerful The optimist, as rule, may
sometimes exaggerate in his appraise-
ment of trade conditions, but he is d
more interesting and a more helpful
factor in the business community than
the alarmist or pessimist.
1.-The general impression seems to
be that 1914 will bring us genuine
prosperity The year now closing has
not been bad year by any means
Business last spring and during the
summer in many sections of the coun-
try was exceedingly brisk. We have
had good crops and there is every rea-
son to predict good times ahead.
| believe there will be a very mark eo
improvement by the middle of Jan
uary."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Speaks Highly of Commission

Il have just returned from trip t.
Louisville, KY" said T. S. Settle, secre
tary for the southern division of the Ma.
tional Fairgrounds association, with Of
fees in Birmingham and 1 still hold t,
opportunity for park and playground de.
velopment is the best od any city / have
ever seen.
Louisville is ahead of Birmingham il
some features of her park system, bu,
| taken all in all, Birmingham has decided
advantage. Louisville may have speIf,
more money on a given park, but thai
city is handicapped by the almost univer-
sal condition of American cities, in hay
ing little available space left for parks
which is centrally or conveniently To-
Gated.
THAT is what Birmingham has. All this
city needs is the money to develop its
park and playground sites and I have nc
doubt about that coming in time.
"I am great believer in the commission
form of government, and my visit tc
Louisville emphasized to my mind the
advantages of the new form. Louisville
has the old aldermanic system and ii
was so clumsy and unweldy that could
not help noticing the wonderful difference
in dealing with it and with the board OF
commissioners here in Birmingham.
took up. with the Louisville government
the establishment of a board of park OF
| playground supervisors, practically the
same thing as / have had up before the
Birmingham city government, and the
difference in the way the proposition was
handled in each instance-the dispatch
and the way the matter was thrashed out
here and in Louisville, would make long
story i'm detail, but it has made me .
stronger advocate than ever of commits
sion form of government"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE

From l1pplncOtts. ..
1.-The British custom of locking passen-
ges into compartments in railway car
riages," says an American railway man,
.is productive of all manner of curious
and amusing results.
ION one occasion / was a witness OF
this one AT one station woman with
a lorgnette entered. She gazed sternly
upon the man opposite. Before seating
herself, she opened the carriage window
and sent it down with a bang. At the
next station another woman entered. AS
she sat down, she gave a look at the open
window and shivered patheticany. Then
she shot an appealing glance in the direc-
ton Of the male person. shall be frozen
to DEATH! she cried.
If that window Is closed. l shall suf-
focate!' retorted the woman with the
lorgnetts.l <4ssi.se
lust then the porter came around. AT
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
FAIRY SONG

BY John Keats.
Shed no tear o shed no tear
The flower will bloom another year.
Weep no more! o weep no moret
Young buds sleep in the roots whit
core ssA
Dry your eyes! o dry your eyes!
For 1 was taught in Paradise
To ease rpy breast of melodies
Shed no tear
Overhead! look overhead
'Mong the blossoms. white and red
Look up, look upl f1utter now
On this fresh pomegranate bough.
See me! ills this silvery hill
Ever cures the good mans i'll.
Shed no tear! Q shed no tear!
The flower will bloom another year,
Adieu, adieu--I fly-adieu! n
4 varssh In the heaven . blue
Adieu, Adieui
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Christmas Eve Celebration.

I'm southern cities there is more
noise and rowdyism on the streets OH
Christmas eve than one finds in the
north, but there has been a noticeable
Improvement in Birmingham and iii
some other cities, I am told, within the
past two years. said citizen who
spends a portion of each winter in
travel. =-s.
az was here last Christmas eve in
Birmingham and recall with pleasure
the absence of rowdyism. There was
less horn blowing than in former years
and | saw only two or three men un-
der the influence of liquor. hope we
will have absolutely nothing to com
plain of on the coming Christmas eve.
II boys and men must be hilarious and
ohjectionably noisy once year let it
be on the Fourth of July"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
SINGS IN STREET CARS

From the Electric Railway Journal.
Instead of painting or frosting signs
or rules on glass, the Montreal Tram
ways company uses a, process similar to
that of the co1ored transfer pictures so
popular with children. These signs cost
only cents to cents each and re-
main on the glass despite any number
of washings
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09

The Hon. j. Hamilton Lewis, sometime
is not entirely dependent upon pink whisk-
ers for fame. Whether or not Editor
Pindell- Of Peoria lands the st. Petersburg
vacation plum, the Hon. Jemes Ham. is
assured of cozy little niche to himself
in the Hall of Immortals
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
PREVENTING FIRES IN NEW yoRE


From ire-Proofng a City" by Joseph
Johnson, Fire Commissioner of New
York, in the American Review of Re-
views for December.
Until recently the talent and ingenuity
of fire engineers We're expended almost
entirely upon putting out fires. Some er-
fort is now being made towards prevent
ing them. The ''ounce of prevention" is
beginning to supersede the pound OF
cure
For many years the annual fire loss in
the United States has ranged between
$200. .00ooo0 and S2500o0,00o. The "ounce oi
prevention is helping now to cut down
that loss. Last year we reduced our fire
loss in New York city nearly sS,50o,00O, as
compared with the preceding year.
There We're 2O67 fewer fires in New Yorl,
during the first three-quarters of the pres
ent year than during the first nine months
of 1912. The fire. loss between January
and September 80, 1913, was about $2,3 ,00t
less than during the corresponding period
last year. Those figures show what fire
prevention is accomplishing for us. They
show that the work of 'fire-proofing
New York has started well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
DEBATABIE
From the Boston Globe.

From the Boston Globe.
Representative Hobson. who aspires to
be senator from Alabama, says that the
liquor interests have raised $5.0OO,00O to
accomplish his defeat If true, this is
good evidence that they do not regard
him as small beer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
TELEPHONE
TELEPHONE
Bell tprivate exchange connectns ah
departmenfs), Main 1900.

what q piece of work is man! How
noble in reason! how Infinite In facui-
Ties. In form and moving, how express
and admirable! In action, how like "n
nngeI! in apprehension, hoSs like god!
the beauty of the world! the paragon
of animals. -Hamiet'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09

The colonel is a good rider-no
ranehman better-and the prancins
gift horse which he is bringing from
South America will afford new excite
ment at oyster Bay.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
HIS CHEF oBJEcrIoN

From LlpplHcUtt s. - ~
Turning to the newspaper reporter who
was his passenger, the aviator exclaimed: !:
Its all of: the propeller is broken, and
we are doomed to fall six thousand feet.'
r"Great guns.' cried the reporter. Il
hope we don't fall into the water. 1 can't
swim stroke! 3E
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09

Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo
estimates a large increase in internal
revenue receipts at the end of the fis-
cal year, June 80. The liquor tax, 1t
is believed, will cause some increase.
the last fiscal year will be from the
income tax.