davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Sentiment and Business

Since it was generally said in busi-
ness circles that with the currency
legislation out of the way there would
be a quick revival of industrial ac-
tivity, such doubtless will manifest it.
self speedily.
Large business affairs are affect-
ed often by sentiment. When the
President or leader in Congress says
something touching the business
world that may be read between the
lines as favorable, then cheerful COM
ments are made and the stock market
starts upward. In many cases the
wish is father to the thought. There
may have been little or nothing in the
tip from Washington, or nothing sig
nificant in what the President or
someone close to him said; but the
very fact that some person of recog-
nized leadership in finance said that
information from Washington looked
good was enough to turn croakers into
prophets of good times. So it is COM
ing to pass that the adoption of the
currency bill is having stimulating
effect on the financial district of
Americas metropolis.
One of New York's best newspapers
has shown pessimistic tendencies for
the past three or four months. A
few days ago it printed interviews
with business men, and many, if not
most, of those interviews were pes
simistic; but it was plain to see that
the men talking were opponents of
the democratic policies. The same
paper day later gave prominence
to interviews with manufacturers in
which the note of prosperity rang
clear These manufacturers said in
substance: Our business is already
good, and has been good all the year;
but we are expecting even better busi-
ness in 1914,
The consensus of opinion among
business men is that new period of
prosperity is right in sight; and WHEN
roseate sentiment is pronounced, as
it is now, capital will loosen up and the
wheels of industry in every section
of this country will be in brisk mo-
ton. Early in January one will hear
little talked of but prosperity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
NAMING THE TWINS

From the Atlantic Monthly.
Like Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage
Patch, Mis- Dane" had taste for
geographical names, and Mis- Dane"
is very loyal, so she wanted to call the
little frstborn Missouri" Mr.. Dane said
she might, but that If she did he would
call the other one Arkansas" Some
times Inconsistencies would almost mas
ter her. She would hug up the little
red baby and murmur Missouri" and
then daddy would growl playfully to
Arkansas" 1t went on that way for a
long time and at last she remembered
that Sedalia was in Missouri, so she
felt glad and really named the older
baby Sedalla. But she could not think
of nothing to match the name and was
in constant fear that the father would
name the other baby Little Rock"
For three years poor Gale was just
"t'other one." Then the Danes went to
Green River where some lodge was hav-
ing a parade. They were watching the
drill when "bystander that was stand
ing by said something about the fine
regalia. Instantly Mis- Dane" thought
of her unnamed child. so since that time
Gale has had name.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29

| is progressing at a tremendous pace, and
the year 1913 will go down into history
as one of the most marked in social and
political changes in several generations.
The striking feature of this movement
has been the rise of democracy, and an
almost universal effort TO bring govern
ment and people closer together. Educa-
tion has been the handspring of this
movement. New ambitions and new
wants have been awakened by this silent
but uplifting force; while art, science,
industry and capital are doing their ut
most to satisfy ever increasing demands.
New ideas have been spread broadcast,
few of which might be classed as
sound, but large proportion of which are
certainly illusionary, dangerous and un-
workable while human nature continues
what it is. This movement toward de-
mocracy. usually styled social unrest, like
all social movements, is exceedingly com
plex and has many reasons for its ex-
istence. Chief of these is the desire for
material betterment.
Mr.. Clews continues in part as follows
ITO those in the thick of the battle it
is not always easy to see the progress
already made. Nevertheless, within the
past decade big forward strides have been
taken. In spite of popular denunciation,
business standards were never so high as
today.
1.-The nation enjoyed one great blessing
and that was good harvest which proved
better than earlier reports indicated. The
total value of agricultural products for
the year has been estimated at s9,000000.-
COO, which about equalled the previous sea-
son. The value of 12 leading crops was
given at nearly $4,000, 100000, or more than
$3.50, 900 coo ahead of year ago-a very
satisfactory result when we consider that
the comparison is made with a bumper
corn crop in 1912. Our corn, cotton and
wheat crops all proved to be large, and
brought good prices This indicates that
the agricultural classes, the backbone of
the west and south, are enjoying pros
perity
In Europe business shows reactionary
tendencies, which will tend to relieve
monetary strain. The situation, however,
in Paris Is improving and the refinancing
of Balkan loans as well as placing the
new French loan will probably now go
through without difficulty.
I'm spite of all drawbacks, however,
there are sufficient changes for the bet
ter to warrant a much more cheerful at
titude toward the future, and we can
consistently wish all our friends and
patrons happy and prosperous new
wear"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Amusement for Enlisted Men

AS a preliminary step toward solv-
ing the problem of the increasing
number of desertions of enlisted men
in the United States army, $S2,500
will be expended for the purpose of
providing harmless and instructive
amusement for the men. The sum of
$1245 will be placed in the hands of
each chaplain and he will purchase a
phonograph, records, moving picture
machine, slides, views, and large
tent with chairs and lighting ap-
paratus.
At first glance $S2, 800 seems rather
a large sum to spend for purely
amusement purposes, but all things
taken into consideration the nation
will regain thrice the value of the
money in increased contentment
among the men.
Perhaps the most serious problem
which war department officials are
facing at present is that of desertion.
The men are tied down to army posts
at which there are scarcely ever any
towns, with little or no amusement,
and an endless round of routine duties
An English writer who made a
special study of the regular soldier
of the United States says that his
greatest fault is in lack of esprit
d'corps. This spirit will be cultivated
by the provision of amusement de-
vices which are not only in them
selves harmless but which also keeps
him from vicious pursuits. Aside from
the amusement there is a fine oppor
tunity for instruction by the means
which it is planned to provide.
Secretary Daniels has alread :
recognized this in the navy and was
quick to provide instruction and
amusement for the jackies That
"all work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy" is just as true of the "boys
in olive drab."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
A GIRLS GIFT TO A MAN

From the Baltimore Sun.
II she gives him book, hand-em-
broidered handkerchief. a sofa pillow
or a calendar-they are just acquaint-
ances.
If she sgives him a fountain pen, a
leather wallet, or a box of monogramed
stationery-they are friends.
If she gives him tie clasp, a watch
fob, a silver topped hat brush or a
match box--they are good friends
If she gives him set of brushes,
cuff buttons, or silk umbrella--they
are very good friends.
If she gives him her photograph in
tiny silver frame. locket watch fob,
handsome scarf pin set with his birth
stone. or some of the new wide ties
knitted by her own fair hands--they are
engaged.
If she gives him a box of cigars. a
smoking jacket or that mahogany table
she has been wanting for the front hall
they are married. ~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Father Kerrignn,s Visit

The Rev W. A. Kerrlgan formerly of
Birmingham, but now the head of the
McGill institute in Mobile and a men,
Der of the cathedral staff. is visiting
the Rev. Father Coyle. Yesterday he
was the celebrant at ST. Paul's, where
he had been at one time assistant pas
tor. During the day many of his old
friends called to shake hands with him.
Il made a flying visit to Birmingham
In connection with ceremonies at the
convent in the Blessed SacramentNpar-
ish; but with that exception, had not
had the opportunity of seeing Bir
mingham for two years." said Father
Kerrigan. THE city has grown very
much since l lived here, and it's pro-
gress within the past two years has
been cery noticeable. l expect to re-
main here two or three days longer
and hope to meet all my old and new
acquaintances"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
THOMAS HARDY.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
A report is published to the effect
that the 1914 Nobel prize for literature
will be awarded to Thomas Hardy. May
the report be true, and may Mr.. Hardy
live to enjoy this recognition which
his work deserves.
Thomas Hardy has been the victim
of Snug Victorianism His work, grow
ing ever broader. deeper and more
powerful was too strong for the stom-
achs of the critics of a past generation.
They labelled Hardy naughty" And
this label still sticks, though the Vic
torian age of English literature is
past and its ideas and standards are
happily dead.
1t was Hardy's misfortune to work
in an era of dullness and stupid artifi-
ciality 1t is his good fortune to live
to, see his ideals of life and litera-
ture received as sane and proper by
a generation which has grown to in
tellectual manhood since he has prac-
tically ceased to write. Few men who
are ahead Of their times have the
pleasure of seeing the times overtake
them.
Hardy's work is the work of gentle
philosopher. Cruel though he may ap-
pear at times, he is cruel only as the
apostle of gentleness. He has attacked
shams, prudery and shameful tradi-
all his intellectually, was a Victorian.
for Meredith, with all his daring and
all his Intellectually, was Victorlan.
Hardy. though his productive period
was contemporary with the later victo-
rian era, is ost-Victorian.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Corn Clubs and Hog Clubs

Among the notable achievements in
Alabama in this year 1913, the work
of the boys corn clubs must be ac-
corded high rank. When Alabama
boys began to show what could be
done to increase corn production emu
lation sprang up in many counties,
and the result has been of far-reach-
ing benefit.
If boy could produce, by inten-
sive farming, more than 200 bushels
of corn to the acre, the grown-up
farmers could do better than they had
been doing. The general average of
corn production per acre has been
materially increased; but this inten-
sive farming is just getting a good
start. The boys have helped to lead
the way, and it is reasonable to expect
that within the next two or three years
Alabama will become one of the great
corn and as well as great cotton
states.
The boys are now full Of enthusiasm
in organizing hog clubs. Weather
conditions favorable, the coming year
will witness new high records in Ala
bama corn, hogs and hay. All honor
to the boys who have done so much
to stimulate agriculture. f
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Population of Cities

Il am awaiting eagerly the New York
World Almanac for 1914 which viii be
out early in January, and one of the
parts 1 shall glance over with interest
is that containing the estimated popu-
lation of the larger class OF cities
said c. w. Shay of Cincinnati. Il al
ways like to compare the size and
growth of cities. Among southern cities
Birmingham seems to be making most
rapid strides In the last Almanac this
city's estimated population was stated
as l recall it. at 10000. Atlanta ap-
peared with an estimated population of
225,000 Birmingham's figures were mod
est, while Atlanta's were excessive. In
the next census Birmingham will have
probably 100000 Atlanta may have
100000 then, but l doubt it,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
luxe M,LuKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
When a man can sit with his mouth
open and enjoy listening to a girl pound
a near-piano and yell the words of "The
Curse of An Aching Heart'-that is
love
A wife is person who will tease you
for So so she can get you a new tie and
then bring you one home from the ten
cent store and get mad because you
won't wear it.
And lots of men are lost because they
didn't hesitate.
woman knows just what she wants
as soon as she finds out that she can t
get it.
The old fashioned man who used to
pay dollar a bottle for Prune's Sarsa-
parilla now has son who pays 15c
a throw for it and calls 1t by its right
name.
The old fashioned girl who used to
sleep between a straw mattress and a
feather bed while the frost sparkled
on the floor of her room, and who >had
to thaw the ice out of the wash pan
in the morning. didn't have to buy much
Fashion authorities say the hustle is
TO come back next spring. Huh, How
in Sam Hill are they going to get a
hustle under one of those tight skirts?
The reason Princess knows that a
Pool Parlor Prince would make a fine
husband is because he smokes enough
cigarettes in week to supply her with
patches for complete sofa pillow.
Etiquette is good stuff. But, some
how or other a man sometimes gets
tired of dabbing with a napkin, using
in a finger bowl. These High Brow
meals never taste as good as the ones
in the old days when your mother
tucked a towel around your ears and
let you mop up all you could hold from
the oilcloth on the kitchen table,
What has become of the old fash
ioned boy who used to have to turn the
grindstone for his father every sat
urday afternoon?
once in a while you meet a woman
who is sorry her husband cannot find a
combination job as day watchman in a
tunnel and night watchmas in a powder
mill.
Cleanliness is next to Goodness. And
some men figure that II they take "A
bath once a week they don't have to
go to church.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
Christmas Charity

While the exchange of Christmas
gifts among friends is fast going out
of fashion, it is gratifying to learn
that the poor and needy were more
generally and generously remembered
during this Christmas-tide than in for
mer years. More Christmas donations
to the poor and fewer gifts to friends
In good circumstances characterized
the holiday season in New York, Chi
cago and other great cities.
Giving to the poor and making
Christmas cheerful for the widow and
children living in penury fulfilled the
spirit of the great Christian festival
this year in Birmingham as never be-
fore. In all modern social service
earnest efforts are being made to i'm
prove permanently the condition Of
the poor; to minimize the number of
persons depending upon charity. But
the time will never come, perhaps,
when there will not be hundreds of
families in every large city that will
need sympathy and substantial aid
from those who have prospered. As
Christ said, "The poor you have al
ways with you"
Certain it is that every man in
Birmingham who, by remembering the
afflicted and moneyless at the joyous
Christmas time; who has filled the
larder and the fuel bin; who has
brought sunshine into desolate homes
has got more out of life than the rich
who received gifts from their rich
neighbors. Verify, it is more blessed
to give than to receive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
SAD VICTIM OF CRUEL WAR
BY BILL VINES

matter of precaution he might have sold
some of his stuff at cut rates and scs.
the money to the United States and notI
have been entirely destitute. but he did
not do so. Having plenty of time to take
ia birds eye view of the situation, and
being fully warned, he only deposited
$S,0oo,00o in banks in the United States
This paltry sum is all that is left of a
once magnificent fortune and now, nearly.
so years of age, and several children
looking to him for food ard clothes, this
inoffensive old Mexican aristocrat is ex-
PEELED from his native land, and must
take up the burden of earning living in
a foreign country with only 100000.
In the language of the late General
Sherman, war is indeed tough 1t is to,
be hoped that the American people will
sympathize with this aged and bankrupt
old man, and encourage him as much as
possible. Some benevolent person sought
to suggest and promote benefit Think
of all that land in Mexico that he left
behind him now In the hands of an un-
scrupulous rebel outfit. Tomorrow 1t may
be in the hands of someone else. They
nave Sutne trOuple III MEXICO III BellluB
deeds recorded before there is a change
in officials.
The only thing that has caused US to
ponder is, why man with $S,0O0,000 in
real money would want to tarry in Mex
leo. or course, we are ready to admit
that $S.00o,000 is not SO very much, but n
is pretty fair start in the United
States. In fact, it is above the average.
A young and ambitious person with a
start of sS0O0,0o0 ought to do we'll in this
country. Still Don So and So, accord
ing to the dispatches, is an old man.
Ie probably worked hard for that land
too. In times past, 40 doubt, it was
squatted on by persons who might have
been suffering under the delusion that
1t belonged to them, and perhaps 1t was
necessary for him to use real harsh meas
ures to get possession of 1t. The average
Mexican native Is quite frequently unreas-
enable, and is calculated to give trouble
over small matters. Something ought to
be done to stop this cruel war, and re-
store the hard working tllers of the soil
in Mexico to their own. Some of them
have not even got the $s.0u0000 to go on
temporarily, which certainly would be
tough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
sunday Moving Picture Shows

I'm some cities moving picture shows
are allowed on Sunday; and as far as
have heard the effect is uplifting
said A. J. Clark, proprietor of the
Freezer cafe.
81 believe Sunday afternoon movies
In Birmingham would be a great thing
for this city. They would certainly at
tract hundreds of families from the
mining towns of the Birmingham dis
trict. / have lived in mining towns
and know how dull Sunday afternoon
seems to many people who go to make
up such communities.
IF Birmingham had Sunday moving
picture shows many men, women and
children would come here Saturday
night from radius of 40 or so miles
Some of them would attend church and
all of them would see the movies in
the afternoon. Moving pictures are cd
ucational. Only such should be exhibit
ed on Sunday"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
south attracting AttentIon

For years past the south has been
attracting attention as a homeseeker's $
section and as field for investment in
large enterprises but it has attracted
more attention within the last u
months than in any similar period
said A. B. Ashburton of Philadelphia.
Il spent several weeks In the north
west early in the fall, and In causually
talking to men l heard many references
to Alabama as good state in which a
farmer with small means could settle
and make money. The south as whole
was invariably spoken of as a great
section. One may hear the same kind
of talk in the east but naturally there
is more of it in the middle west and
northwest
''I do not know what has been done
in the way of organized effort to in
duce homeseekers to buy land in this
state, but 1t is safe to say that within
the next few years thousands of north
ern settlers will be living and thriving
hereabouts"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
THE DOGS OF WAR

BY Katherine Baker in The Independent.
Thus you may tally the dogs of war;
(You pay the kennel fee)
Tending your borders they range afar.
The barriers of the sea-
Grim in gray water, steel on steel,
Squat battleships sit low,
Their great guns are the bulldogs teeth
That close upon tho foe.
The armored cruisers are strong -ribbed
hounds,
Swift on the trail they go.
AS burrowing terriers follow the fox.
The submarines hunt below.
Sinking into the mist of dawn,
Black hull and raking stack,
The fell destroyers skulk along;
Mad dogs in deadly pack
Every ship with bone. hs 85i h
Travels the watery tr
Guarding your goods IT. tie Ga ana
South.
Till the keeper calls the
He whistles them off, and '.s ..s hirs
Come sullenly to heel:
He slips the leash, and hi ga r tsnrd.
Leap forth on rushing X
Thus you may tally the d -.
(You grudge the kennel =
Guarding your borders. the a0tFs s.r
TIE barriers OF the sea.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-29
U1ASHINGToN. Beeember 2s.
w tspecial.)-Wheu we read of the
w atrocities committed In Maxico

= ~ Il -NhSAAt~N ~ OANs BGttiiDef q.
w Especially )-Wheu we read of the
atrocities committed in Mexico.
both by the insurgents and the federals.
committed, so they say, in the cause of
freedom, our blood boils with indignation;
our blood has been boiling with indigna-
tion for some time and few more afro
cities and it will probably register about
2S0 degrees in the shade
We have read many touching and pa
thetic incidents in connection with the IS
OF 20 revolutions now going on in Mex
tteo. but the one which wrings the most
sympathy from us Is the sad fate of Don
Something or other of the state of Chi
/ huahua. His untlmely and pathetic fate
Should be lesson 20 Us, over which
We should ponder. Ever since I have
read of it l have been pondering quite
good deal. This patritoic old gentle
man owned something like nine-tenths of
the state of Chihuahua, although born a
poor boy. Still he was not happy. lie
Was toiling day and night to get the
other tenth, so he could retire from ac-
tive life and spend the remainder of his
days in trying to stand in With the admin
istration-when 1t could be located. 1t is
absolutely very necessary that one be
very versatile to stand, in with the adj
ministration in Mexico; frequently it is
the case that one gets very heavy with
the administration and attends great
state function and becomes conspicuous
by kissing the administration on both
cheeks only to wake up next morning and
find the administration languishing in
jail This becomes embarrassing and re-
auires much diplomacy to satisfactorily
explain to the opposition party which
has Just come into power.
Well, any way, the rebel general, Villa,
all OF a sudden swooped down on this
old Don, who had cornered all the Wis
ible supply of land In Chihuahua, and
conflscated his lands, grabbed his build
ings. burned his barns, took his tobacco
away from him and expelled him from
the country. This trembling old man,
who was about to realize his ambitions.
loaded down with a big family, all in the
hrief interval of a few days had his
earthly possessions swept away. Too long
had he rested In comparative security
without providing for the future. As a