davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
ALL ARoIT PRIMES

Henry p. Dimond, in Leslies.
The prune in its fresh state Is beau
tiful blush plum, either lusciously sweet
or tartly sweet. according to the variety.
The very sweet are the French, and the
tart the Italian and German. While any
variety of plum having the requisite
amount of sugar and solids will make a
prime the great mass of production is
confined to the varieties above named.
California is the home of the prune in
America. although large quantities are
now produced in Oregon and Washinton.
But it is the climate of California, with
its dry, rainless summers, warm days and
cool nights, that makes il ideal both fo-
producing and drying.
The first large ,prune orchard in
California was planted in 1870, and today
the states crop is gathered from thou
sands of orchards, representing nearly
100000 trees in the aggregate, and the
production in California alone has reached
the enromus figure of 200,000000 pounds,
to produce which 5O0O00,0 600 pounds of the
fresh fruit must be gathered and dried,
for 1t takes about 2ts pounds of fresh
fruit to produce one pound of the dried
or cured product.
Some idea of California's prune crop
can be arrived at if We imagine the in
dividual prunes laid in a line with the
ends closely touching. This line would
stretch more than 100000 miles. and if laid
around the earth at the equator would
circle it nine times with something to
spare. Strung on string less than 4
inch apart this chain would reach from
the earth to the moon and part way back
again. if piled in solid mass 100 feet
square, the pile would mount more than
$50 feet in the air, rival to the modern
slxyscraper.
Think of all these Individual pieces
dropping from the trees and gathered by
on wooden trays and placed in the sun
to dry in a climate where it rarely rains
during July, August and September. the
fruit drying season. Think of the thou
sands OF, orchardists and their helpers
.emptying this vast product into bags and
boxes and the lines of wagons deliver
ing 1t at the packing houses Of the COM
mercial packers and shippers. where, not
only is each variety (sweet or tart kept
separate, but every prune is passed
through mechanical graders t oseparate
the commercial sizes, for prunes the
world over are bought and sold on what
is known as the point system Tor size).
that is, 80 to 40; 40 to go and SO on up 20
100 to 100 to the pound, the S0-40's being
the largest and the 100-120 and over the
smallest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15

From the Journal of the American Med
ical Association.
Some weeks ago considerable publicity
was given a case of accidental poisoning
from bichlorid of mercury tablets. The
case was so featured as to lead the
public to infer that corrosive sublimate
poisoning was rot only sure but also
a painless route to the other world. Since
this accident, the papers have chronicled,
almost daily, cases of suicide in which
bichlorid of mercury was the drug used.
There is no doubt that many unstable
persons who. in fits of depression contem-
plate suicide are restrained from talk
ing the fatal step by the dread of the
unknown agony they may suffer in COM
hitting it. To such, the knowledge of a
sure and painless method of death re-
moves the only restraining influence left
1t is fitting, then, that the public should
know that there are few modes of suicide
more painful and in which the agony is
longer drawn out than that due to the
taking OF bichlord of mercury. If this
fact were given the same spublicity that
was accorded the case of accidental pois-
oning, there is little doubt that the COR
rosive sublimate method of self destruc-
ton would cease to be the fatal fad it
has recently become.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15

there Is distinctly less disposition to tear
up the established order of things than
was the case some months ago.
The Improvement in the monetary sit
uation is already an old and oft-told
story This Improvement continues. and
there is no prospect of any monetary
crisis now in view
The stock market is really in fairly
satisfactory position. There is scarcity
'of stocks for sale, and prices are notice.
ably more sensitive to favorable than to
unfavorable conditions. The money out
look is clear and more encouraging There
is less monetary doubt on this side of the
Atlantic than in Europe where the Bank
of England is keeping up an unusually
strong reserve in caes of needed assist
anee to either Paris or Berlin, bouh
centers having been under special strain
from financing the Balkan war. An
easier feeling, however, is shown in Lon
don, where there is better investment
demand and where new issues ar again
being ioated with more freedom. On this
side there has been sharp curtailment
of security issues and the result has
been beneficial Our railroads. however,
are still in urgent need of new capital
and this is an element which should not
be ignored in future operations"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
AN INDIAN SPELLBINDER
by BILL VINES

seen that Mr.. Gray was just getting
wound up, and beseached the speaker and
the House to grant unanimous consent for
the gentleman to have five more minutes
in which to soar some more But the
base and unfeeling republican party as
represented in the person of Leader
Mann was obdurate. He refused his per-
mission, with fiendish delight he took the
advantage of the rule of the House to cut
Off this flight of eloquence and now we
VIII never know what Mr. Gray was GO
ing to add when he said 'and--'' and
was cut short by the time limit.
Anyhow, the House applauded uproar-
iously during the one minute that Mr..
Gray forgot sordid things and communed
with nature and the passing seasons.
Occasionally Mr.. Gray does this way. it
is said, and when he does the boys all
come in from the corridors and cloak
rooms. To look at him no one would be-
lieve 1t either, for he is tall, gaunt and
as solemn visaged as an undertaken, never
smiling and rarely ever indulging in ora
tory.
Mr.. Gray as before stated rarely ever
starts anything like a burst of eIoquence.
but when he does he is right there He
strikes 10 up in Indiana where they are
wise as to his ability. Vice President
Marshall who halls from the same state,
has the reputation of being able to throw
the English language at large audience
for two hours and pass out leaving the
entire crowd in great doubt as to what
ne was talking about, and remaining in
the happy position of taking any side on
any great political question in the fu-
ture that seems wise at the time and
prove that it was his. position all the
time.
Vice President Marshall however, we
predict, has nothing on the solemn men,
ber from the Sixth Indiana district If he
would only avail himself of his real tai
ent.
Some of these days I hope that Mr.,
Gray win get at least 15 minutes of the
time of the House. 1t would be entertain
ing to see the various and sundry SUBJ
jects he could touch upon in that time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
Practical Reasons

'One of the best arguments that /
have seen in favor of George B. Ward
M his candidacy for the office of presi-
dent of the city commission was in a
letter in Fridays Age-Herald by Mr..
Fred M. Jackson said a prominent citi-
zen I'm favor of Mr. Ward Mr.. Jackson
wrote concisely. Among other things he
said:
My reasons for supporting him are
based:
1. On Mr. Wards success in his for
mer administration as mayor of this city,
his steady fight for better conditions,
both morally and physically.
''2. Mr.. Ward has financial ability and
the city's need OF such man at this
time is paramount.
3. After a personal acquaintance of
more than 20 years l know Mr. Ward
is worthy of the confidence and esteem
OF every man, woman and child in this
city
a | believe that his interest in the
whole city will calse him to insist on
every ward in the city receiving fair
treatment and consideration, that he will
not be lax in having the laws o. the city
enforced, and that he will do so without
fear or favor 20 anyone
.. And by no means least I do not
think it wise to have three lawyers on
the board at one time. A man of busi-
ness experience will give more stability
to the affairs of the city"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
Music This season

Now that the fall of the year has
come music lovers are naturally asking
what high class attractions we are 70
have here for the season of 1874" said
member of the musical set
II understand that Maud Powell the
great violinists who appeared here two
or three seasons, ago in one of the Sun
day concerts. has been optioned for No
vember. Paderewslxi will certainly be
here early next ycar-in February prob
ably-and the F1onzaley quartet is COM
ing about the first of March. Christine
Miller will also be one of the Sunday at
fractions.
Il hope the Music Study club or some
other organization will have at least one
symphony concert during the winter sea-
SON. For several years past symphony
orchestras have been available only A.
April or May. but plans are now being
made by. the manager of one of the
eastern orchestras for southern tour
in February or March.
1T is hoped that Memoli and his fine
band will give a series of Sunday con-
certs at the Jefferson theatre this sea-
son. This band was in fine form last
summer and gave great delight to the
thousands who heard it in Capitol park.
1t would be pity not to keep the or
ganization alive and the only way this
can be done is by arranging for Sunday
afternoon concerts. Only on Sunday
could the full band be assembled, as
many of the performers play in the
theaters during the week days and
nights
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
Just Drifting

Senior Manuel de Zamacona comes
for money. It is hardly possible that
he will get it. The bankers of Wall
street are not partial to President
Wilson, but they are wise enough to
know that the future of Huerta lies
largely in the hands of the Washing
ton administration.
Huerta had made arrangements to
borrow a goodly amount from Paris
bankers, but about the time the money
was to be paid over John Lind ar
rived in Mexico City with Wilson's
ultimatum that the complete elimina
ton of Huerta from Mexican political
affairs would be insisted upon by the
United States. The negotiations fell
through, and since then the provisional
governments funds have sunk lower
and lower.
The effectiveness of the "hands off,
policy of President Wilson is daily be-
coming more apparent. The Huerta
government at the present time is
"just drifting" There is no money
available for the purchase of war
munitions or the payment of the
troops. Discomfort is becoming more
and more manifest in the army, and
open revolution seems certain in a
short time.
The administration at Washington
is entirely willing to negotiate with
Senior de Zamacona. But the nego-
tiations must be along new lines. The
terms put forward by Lind will be adj
hered to by President Wilson. The
Huerta government will not be recog-
nized, and the usurper must not be
candidate for the presidency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
The City Election

The election today for president of
the city commission will bring out a
large probably between 5000
and 5000. Although there are three
candidates in the race the campaign
has been comparatively quiet. 1t has
been so quiet indeed that up to two
weeks ago the average citizen scarcely
realized that anything of unusual in
terest in municipal politics was soon
to occur.
Former Mayor George p. Ward has
been generally recognized as the lead
ing candidate for the commissions S
president. The other two candidates
are Vassar L. Allen and Clement R.
Wood. Mr.. Wood was an early aspir-
ant, but it is believed that Mr.. Allen,
although late in entering the contest,
will beat Mr.. Wood by thousand
votes or more.
Mr. Ward is business man and the
other candidates are lawyers. There
could be no ideal commission without
at least one business man on it. Presi-
dent Culpepper Exum, who declined to
be a candidate for reelection, enjoys
the reputation of being one of the best
business men here. The other two
members of the commission are law
yers of high standing, but it is obvious
that an all-lawyer commission would
not be thoroughly representative, even
though each happened to be lawyer
of large experience in affairs.
Mr.. Ward is not only business
man, but he made-a splendid record
as mayor. His equipment for NUM-
cipal administrative work is excep-
tional. He is thoroughly familiar with
all the large problems that will come
before the commission. He has prac-
tical knowledge of men and his hon
esty of purpose is unquestioned by
those who know him personally or
who have watched his public career.
1t will be surprising if Ward does not
poll two-thirds of the total vote.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
Sic Transit Gloria

No man in New York knew more
thousands than "Big Tim" Sullivan.
For 13 days he lay unidentified in a
public morgue and was about to be
carted away to the potter's field when
recognized and rescued by his. friends.
Winfield Scott Schley, rear admiral,
u. S. NJ, hero of Santiago and the
darling of an affectionate nation, was
stricken in the. streets of the coun-
try's metropolis and died while the
curious peeped and peered. In his
pocket was found watch presented
him by his native state of Maryland
for heroically risking his life to sue
cor fellow humans in the bleak barrens
of the Arctic circle. The watch iden-
titled him.
Frederick, King of Denmark,
strolled along the streets of the
mighty city of Dresden. A sudden
shortness of breath, quick clutch at
the heart, death--and the coming Of
the police to carry him away to the
undertaker's, there to occupy a slab
between, it may be, thief and beg
gar. Hours elapsed before it was
known a monarch was no more.
You often console yourself with the
SNUG idea that you are somebody"
Actually, near neighbors are some
times undecided whether to class you
as preacher or bank burglar. And
| you are just as ignorant of them as
they are Of you.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
THE LOVE CHARM WORRIED

From the Confessions of an Assistant
Clairvoyant.' in the outlook.
Some of the cases we had stand out
very clearly in my memory. l think it
was | who first noticed that two of our
regular clients were related to each other
husband and Wife. He was a Bronx
policeman and had had a violent quarrel
with his wife, and he had feared, that
she had ceased to care for him. Not long
after young, pretty woman came in
with an almost similar complaint. Com
pairing their names and stories. there
was no doubt about the relationship. So
for some time the professor would Inn
press the one with the facts he had got
from the other. Finally. when the pro-
fessor believed he had bled them enough,
he determined to bring them togethr.
On day he said to the man:
II think l am near the end of my ef-
forts In your case. Your wife's mind be-
gins to respond to my treatment He
half closed his eyes and looked at the
running sand in the hour glass. Il see
your wife, he continued; I've never
seen her so plainly. She's crying-yes,
she is crying because she is just beginning
to realize that she does love you. But
you mustn't act too quickly or you'll spoil
everything. | shall make one more big
effort. but itll cost you $40. This will be
the last reading, and 1 guarantee success.
When you see your wife wearing a blue
ribbon in her hair go up and kiss her,
and you'll be Joined together again. Re-
member, now. don't go near her until
you see the blue ribbon, even II it takes
some days.
The policeman paid his $40 and went. A
few days later his wife came in.
II have a charm here that will work
without fail" said the professor. 1T will
cost you $5, but the moment your hus-
band sets eyes on It he will come to you
at once" She paid the $5 and went with
the blue ribbon. For more than month
we saw neither of them, but finally the
woman came again, bringing friend.
This time she had other troubles to con-
suit about, but il the professor had
wanted her TO kiss his hand she would
have done it, / never saw such blind
faith and gratitude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
VV7AsHINGroN, September IA.
M tspecial)-Congressm Finlay
w GRAY of Indiana fullv mindful

w tspeciai)-congressman Finlay
~ Gray of Indiana, fully mindful
OF the reputation of that great state for
poetic sentiment and real Star Spangled
Banner oratory. and wishing to draw the
attention of the general public that Vice
President Marshall was not the only son
of the Hoosier commonwealth who could
make a noise like a big speech without
saying anything, took the occasion in the
House when there was a motion to send
the tariff bill direct to conference pend
ing to put himself on the map, and at
the same time to give due notice to j..
Thomas Helm and Claud Kitchen and
other spellbinders of equal reputation that
there were others.
Congressman Gray threw back the lapel
of his long and perfectly statesmanlike
coat and shook his ample locks at the
opposition. assumed a dramatic pose and
spoke as follows:
'Mr. Speaker. 1t has always been my
practice to vote against the previous ques-
ton where there has been no opportunity
for full discussion. This tariff discuss
sion began In the springtime and has con-
tinued through the long and weary sum-
mer The birds have nested and flown
away, the flowers have bloomed and fad
ed the harvests have ripened and been
garnered. the fall has come in the sere
and yellow leaf, the winds are singing the
dirges of the dying year. the first blasts
of winter will soon be upon us-loolSing
squarey at our platform pledges cried
Mr.. Gray with great enthusiasm. fixing
his eagle eye on the portrait of Thomas
Jefferson above the speakers desk and
waving his arm in the general direction
of Portland and points north, looking
squarely at our platform pledges, I am
ready to vote for the previous question,
and
THE time of the gentleman has ex-
pired'' announced Speaker Clark regret
fully. Instantly there arose several gen.
tlemen who had begun to fall under the
spell of Mr.. Gray's oratory and had been
soaring with him, or at least just begin
ming to get ready to do so, for 1t could be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
WHY MEN DRINK

somewhat extended. 1t Is not enough,
that is, to provide some equivalent for
the saloon. because the drink which the
saloon offers provides relaxation which
is normal and wholesale ways Is not to be
had so easily and quickly. Thus the
temperance movement is seen to link itself
with all efforts for social betterment,
and in particular with all those which
promote wholesome relaxation and amuse-
ment 1t is hopeful. that while. as the fig
Vres show, the consumption of alcoholic
drinks increases, larger proportion is in
the milder form of beer. The desire
for artificial so-called stimulants may. as
Professor Patrick says, be increasing,
but it does not follow that the injury
done keeps pace. On the contrary, there
seems to be "a considerable Improvement
in this respect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
An Auditorium and the Suburbs

An Auditorium and the Suburbs
The suburbs claim that they are just
= tail to Birmingham's kite. They are
called upon to bear their part of the
city's burdens, they say, and do not
share insan equal distribution of the
benefits. Why should the inhabitants
Of the suburbs vote for bonds for an
auditorium that will be built in the
center of the city? Paschal G. Shook
has answered this question in man
ner that ought to be conclusive.
+ If the suburbs are called upon to
pay the fiddler without being per-
mitted to participate in the dance,
they clearly have large sized COM
plant to make. If they meet in their
respective localities, only those living
IN the immediate neighborhood are
Impressed. The city at large knows
Ancthing of the point at issue. The
fnewspapers cannot always send repre-
sontatives to report these community
gatherings.
What is needed is place where the
suburban citizens can get together and
discuss matters with assurance that
e their complaint is just it will not
only be heard, but needed by those in
whom remedial powers are vested.
Ihors win be plenty Of publicity given
GvnrY mass meeting Of protest held
1evn town. The newspapers are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15

ready to herald the grievances of those
Disseminated against if any unfair
ness exists.
If the, suburbanites are really in
earnest, let them carry the war into
Africa. Let them hale the commits
sioners to a defense of the actions
of the official body. Let all the peo-
pie know all the facts. The bringing
of these things about would be vastly
furthered by the erection of an audi
toriunl.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
THE COMMON TOWEL
From the Journal of the American Mec
ical Association.

From the Journal of the American Med
ical Association.
This household injection spreader is alb
horrent and repulsive to person who
has been used to an individual towel. It
is difficult to understand how any one can
wipe his face on a soiled, damp towel
that has been used by all the other
members of the household. But custom
is a great factor i'll molding habits and
allying prejudices, hence the necessity of
pointing out at least one reason why the
common towel is dangerous. There are
many germs which will attack the eyes
and cause Inflammation, providing the
eyes are in a favorable condition for the
germ to develop at the time of it's intro
duction. A germ which at one time will
grow in the eye and cause inflammation
will at another time be perfectly harm
less Germs which are harmless to one
self may be- exceedingly poisonus to AN
other person and cause dangerous inflan-
nation of the eyes. For hygieiiic reasons
the common towel should be abolished in
every home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
SON NNEr

On the Authors Fifty-ffth Birthday.
William Watson, In the Independent.
For three things give ! thanks this Au-
gust morn:
Deep thanks, that there hath been
vouchsafed to me
A perfect spouse. pure as the perfect sea;
Deep thanks, that unto me of late was
born
A. radiant daughter, perlously torn
Out Of her mothers woful agony,
Yet joyous as the flowers that fill with
Her gray-blue eyes, or as the festal corn:
Deep thanks, that have now at last re-
gained
That faith in God which I did lose so
long;
The God who ofttimes with bewilderng
gloom
Muffled His beams; who darksomeIy sus-
tanned
And guided. when knew not; and from
had at birth the heavenly dover Of
August 2, 1913 London. England.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
LUXE M,LuKE SAYS
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.


OF course the Right viii Prevail But
you will starse to death waiting for 1t to
happen. sf sl5-lAe
What has become of the old-fashioned
woman who used to shoot her husband?
Stepchildren and defeated candidates al
ways exaggerate their wrongs.
If we all accomplished as much as We
expected, 1t would only take one man to
build the Panama canal.
Why is it that about year after a man
gets famous he wants divorce?
II a woman was as old as another wom-
an thinks she looks. she would be at
least hundred and ninety-three.
When a man buries the hatchet he goes
down in the cellar and digs up the ham
mer.
The reason a woman knows she has a
good figure is because she is so fat or SO
thin that the stores don't carry her sizes
ready made.
Job was patient man. but he never got
up in the morning with a sea lion in his
mouth and found the beer opener miss
ing
When woman is so happy that she
can't think of a thing she wants she sits
down and has a good cry.
Any man can run typewriter until he
marries her.
Modesty in woman is all a matter of
avordupois.
If you want to waste about two hours
of your time just ask young husband
how his first baby is getting along.
What has becomes o. the old-fashioned
man who said that a boil was worth So?
The girl who wears store hair always
wonders il the girl who uses peroxide i'm
agines people do not know the difference