davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
FORGOTTEN TROPICAL COLONY
m the Boston Transcrint.

fTOfn the bOsIOn ITdnScT1pl.
 That the impulse of the northern white
 man to take a personal hand in reaping the riches of the tropics is no new thing,
 and that 1t Is fairly certain to make an extraordinary showing under modern tropical sanitation, is suggested by the
 pathetic history of the famous Scotch colony at Darien in the closing years of
 the seventeenth century. This first at
 tempt at white commercial colonization
 of the American tropics reyolves about
 one William (not "Billy") Paterson.
 Paterson was Scotchman, and he
 founded the Bank of England. His part ners in the bank, considering him too much of an adventurer, finally busted him. Then he conceived the idea of en- riching peyerty-stricken Scotland by founding a great trading colony in Cen tral America. He formed company, to which the Scots contributed of their scanty coin, and four ships carried Pat erson and his colony to the shores of Darien, where it was planned to trade with the Indians, and transfer ship freight to and from East India overland across the fsthmus. There were some weak spots in the scheme as for in- stance that they provided for the basis of trade with the Indians quantities of Scotch plaids in wool Also, they knew nothing of combating tropical diseases, and in very short time yellow fever and malaria had practically destroyed the colony. Paterson and his ships returned to Scotland, where the subscribers to the venture were absolutely incredulous of failure. fresh lot of colonists set out. Again disease swept the colony. A few of the eolonists reached ports farther to the north, in this country, then the Brit ish colonies, and Paterson himself was rescued, if it may be called that, in- sane.
 The certainty of United States exploita- ton of the South American tropics lies in the new safety of such ventures, and in the fact that capital can earn more there than in most of the other undertakings open to it. Modern medicine has conS verted a gamble into a sure thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Not 8 JeraI Holiday

Good Friday comes in two weeks, T said a lsyran, "hut 1t is not now a legal holiday in Alabama as it was a few years ago.
 The New York World Almanac is accepted authority on nearly every thing but errors will creep in in spite of all the editors painstaking. On page 32 headed Legal Holidays in the Unit ed States, Alabama. Connecticut Della ware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ten nessee and Porto Rico are set down as observing Good Friday by law. In the other states named Good Friday is legal holiday and as d large per centage Of Alabama's population keen Good Friday as one of the most sacred days of the year-Lutherans as well as Episcopalians and Roman Catholics observe it--it should be restored to the list of the states legal holidays. The next legislature will probably make il legal holiday again, even if one of the other days has to be dropped"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

The new Prussan Royal Library was dedicated in Berlin in the presence of sembly. The library, a magnificent structure of Silesian sandstone, cost 5000. 900 and nine years were required to build it. At present the library holds ,500, ,OOC books, but has capacity of 100000 vol umes. It occupies the largest city block sacred to the memory of Frederick the Great. The famous theologian and friend of the Kaiser, Otto Hernack, is director.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
As the Disciples Ate

A company has just been formed to catch, can and ship to all the marts of the world the fish that dwell in the Sea of Galilee and it is not to be doubted that sentiment will for most people add a decided flavor to the oriental product.
 The sea has been alternately spoken of as the Sea of Gennesaret, the Sea of Chinnereth and the Sea of Galilee, and it is a body of fresh water thir- teen miles long and eight miles wide at its broadest point. The canning plant will be established at Tiberias, a town of 5000 population upon the banks of the sea. In the time of the Savior the Sea of Galilee lay in a most populous district, there being no less than sixteen cities of importance upon the shores of that body of water Tiberias was then not only cele- brated for it's excellent wines, but was famous as we'll on account of it's warm healing springs and was quite fash ionable resort But it was wicked; so wicked that Christ refused to enter it. It was also regarded by the Jews as uncleap for the reason that it was built over ancient tombs, and this dissertation may have been an ad- ditional reason for the Masters ignor- ing it.
 Among the other cities were Mag dala, which gave it's name to the re- pentant Mary, and Capernaum, which Jesus called His Own City," and where He began His preaching. Of these hallowed spots nothing but frag- ments of debris remain and recent ex- cavations at the latter place have brought to light ruins of the structure in which lived the centurion who deemed himself too unworthy for Christ to visit. The holy cities have vanished but wicked Tiberias still stands, an exploitation of the bitter irony of fate.
 The miracle of the loaves and fishes was performed upon the Sea of Galilee and as the lake today swarms with sardines, it is to be presumed that such were the species which inhabited it when Simon Peter, his brother An drew, and James and John were there busy with their nets.
 The enterprise will unquestionably prove to be remunerative and after all there is much satisfaction in partaking of the same food which nourished the disciples and which come from local ity which was the scene of their labors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

The announcement comes from the Secretary of the Navy that the six new torpedo boat destroyers about to be launched will be named for Ameri- can naval heroes. They will be called respectively the Porter, Tucker, Conyngham, Wadsworth, Jacob Jones and Wainwright.
 It is certain that none of the mid dle-aged citizens of the land, and it is extremely doubtful if many of recent ly graduated pupils, could tell us all about these men after whom the boats are to be named, and yet they were heroes and at one time in our history the idols of the hour.
 Of these none was more prominent than Gustavus Conyngham, and yet no deeper mystery involves the origin, early life and place of death of any of our public characters than that which shrouds he name of this once adored man. Such terror was he to British shipping and so disastrous were his activities that in consequence thereof insurance rates upon sea ves- sels were advanced 25 per cent.
 He was the commander of the Sur prise, which the agents of the Ameri- can commissioners in Paris purchasd at Dover, Eng, in TIT, and the plac- ing of Conyngham in charge thereof was regarded as a most signal honor. With this vessel its commander made the waters fairly boil and his prizes were seized from the coasts of Eng land. Scotland and Holland. He cap
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

were. in his opinion, subordinate. In the meantime Parnell and his friends left nothing undone to secure full evidence as to the forger of the letter. It was
 finally traced to renegade Irishman by the name of Dick Pigott. He was clev- erly fooled into coming to London by agents employed by Parnen. Here in the office of MT. Labouchere, he was con- fronted by Parnell He was charged point blank with forgery. but denied the i accusations. After show of fight Pigott finally collapsed and confessed his guilt.
 It was arranged that the following day he should make a clean breast of every thing in writing. But next day Pigott
 was in different frame of mind, and in- stead determined to brazen it out. On Wednesday, February 20 1889, Pigott went into the box as a witness for the Times. The following day he was cross-examined by Sir Charles Russell person present at the trial said: T went into court with the feeling that | would like to see Pigott pilloried but be- fore he had been an hour under the har- row of Russell, it was not impossible to pity the doomed wretch
 When the trial was resumed the follov- ing day and Pigotts name was called, he was nowhere to be found. He had led to Paris and as soon as mail could be car. Tied between the two cities, Pigott wrota to the Times, confessing the forgery. \ warrant was issued for Pigott's arrest. He was traced to Madrid, and when about to be apprehended, the report of a pistol was heard in his room, and when tue door was opened he was found on the floor with bullet through his brain He died by his own hand. So ended the trial and the elaborate plot to destroy the Irish leader.
 Sittings were continued to be held by the Parnell commission up to November p, and on February 13, 1s90 the report was made. Parnell was completely ex- onerated, the commissioners giving judg- ment on every pjoint for Parnell. In fine, the Irish statesman had weathered the storm and came again into the sin- shine with more friends than ever be- fore.
 The London Times did not contest the Parneh action for libel, but paid s25,0oO into court, which Parnell accepted as damages without pushing the charges to trial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Will He Lose His Grip.

President Wilson made distinct im- pression in his address to Congress ask ing that the toll exemption clause in the canal act be repealed, but thousands of democrats regret that he saw fit to take the position he did said a party man who was once noted for his political ac- tivity.
 up to this time President Wilson has been markedly successful in inducing a democratic Congress to support the admin istration solidly in all it's measures, but the party is now divided on this important question-that of toll exemption for American coastwise vessels. think it safe to say that a large majority of dem ocrats throughout the country think the President has made a mistake. If he loses his grip on Congress, will he be able to regain it? It is sincerely to be hoped that there will be no repetition of the split that characterized Cleveland s second administration"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
The Iron Market

The local iron market remains un- changed. Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cin- cinnati report for this week says in part:
 'The buying end of the pig iron busi- ness appears to be waiting for the proper stimulus, which apparently can most readily come from the re-entering g into the market Of the railroads and others whose business is largely rail- road supplies. It is generally ac<nowl- edged that the railroads will make lit tie effort in this way until rate ad- justments have been settled and ap- plications for advances in rates have been acted 1pon.
 "Some buying of railroad equipment has been in evidence recently, but it has been of the absolutely essential kind ana the quantity kept down to the smallest possible amount consist ent with maintaining the rolling stock to a working standard
 Finished steel business in both the larger lines of rails and structurals is quiet, although 1t is stated that the smaller lines are in fair demand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
MODEL HIGHWAY

From the Tuscaloosa News
 The directors of the board of trade and county board of public works will hold a joint meeting Saturday. at which will be present Dr. Denny of the university and pr. Searcy of the hospital. for the purpose model road from the city limits to the en- trance of the hospital grounds. The state hs 5 placed at the disposal of the county si000 for this purpose, with the condition that the county make like appropriation, which matter will be discussed at this meeting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Progressive Southern ci,,e,

Everybody naturally expects a new growing city like Birmingham to be full of hustle and boosting spirit, but ii Is worthy of note that Old Richmond on the James is now as progressive as any city Of approximately it's size in this country said Harry G. Bromley of Philadelphia.
 Fifteen or twenty years ago I was In close touch with Richmond and wh .le It was attractive as a tourist place and charming socially it was, I thought, rather slow from modern commercial point of view. It is very different to- day. Richmond has grown wonderfully within the past 10 years. It's business district has been handsomely improved and as for wealth and banking activity no city in the south except New Or leans measures up to it. Richmond is extending it's boundary lines again and the census Of 1920 will probably find II with population of fully 100000
 All the southern cities are progress slVe these days, but Birmingham will outstrip tlem all in population in the not very fai distant future.n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
WORLDS LARGEsTlPIER
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sum
 What is claimed to be the only two story or double declked pier in the world will soon be opened for business at Bush Terminal along the South Brook lyn waterfront. Big Six" as the pier is called, has cost $1,000,0OO to build. It extends out into the river from the
 foot of Forty-second street HOO feet
 From stringpiece to stringpiece the pier
 measures 270 feet, and from the main deck to the ridge pole 50 feet. Though not the longest pier in the world its storage capacity is the largest of any pier in use. 1t has floor area of HE acres. The pier will be used by the Hamburg-American line for Panama trade created, or greatly increased by the building of the canal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF PARNELL

"HARLES STEWART PARNELL, the eminent Irish political leader O of the second half of the nine teenth century, was brought before the English bar of justice at various times and for various offenses. He was tried in Dublin for conspiracy in 1880; he was imprisoned at Kilmainham during parts of 1881 and 1882, but the most important of his trials occurred in 1888.
 On March :, 1888, the first of series of articles entitled "Parnellism and Crime appeared in the London Times, which were written to prove that the Parnell movement was revolutionary in character and designed to overthrow British au- thority in Ireland. In the middle of the summer the same paper printed the fac simile of d letter supposed to be in Par nelfs penmanship, in which he excuses and condones, over his own signature, the Phoenix Park murders.
 This publication produced an extraor- oinary amount of excitement, and the letter was the talk of the town, and every one predicted it meant the death-knelI to home rule and the liberty party. The saint cNculuS ol tHe udy or puDbYatlOn Parnell dealt with the subject in the House of Commons, and told that body without any apparent anger that he could not understand how a respectable and careful journal as the Times could have been imposed upon.
 Parnell promptly on July 6, asked the House of Commons to appoint a select committee to inquire whether the fac simile was a forgery. The government would not consent to this proposal, but agreed to appoint a special commission, composed of three judges, to investigate all the charges made by the Times.
 In September, 1888, the special commits sion met. 1t consisted of Mr. Justice Hannen, Mr. Justice Day and MT. Justice Smith. Each party in the case was rep resented by eminent counsel the attor- ney general, Sir Richard Webster, lead ing for the Times. and Sir Charles Rus sell, later chief justice of England, lead ing for Parnell. By a remarkable coinci- 6enee Webster, as Lord Alverstone sue eeeded Lord Russell as chief justice of England.
 Parnell concentrated all his attentions at the hearings on the fac-simile letter. The general charges against the league
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
ANNIE LAURIE

Maxwelton braes are bonnie
 Where early fa's the dew And it's there that Annie Laurie
 Gie'd me her promise true Gie'd me her promise true-
 Which ne'er forgot will be: And for bonnie Annie Laurie
 I'd lay me doune and dee Her brow Is like the snowdrift.
 Her throat is like the swan: Her face it is the fairest
 That e'er the sun shone on That e'er the sun shone on
 And dark blue is her ee; And for bonnie Annie Laudie
 I'd lay me doune and dee. Like dew on the gowan lying
 Is the ia O her fairy feet: And like the winds in summAr sirbinx Her voice Is low and sweet Her voice is low and sweet
 And she's a the world to ma: And for bonnie Annie Lauria
 I'd lay me douns and dee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Why wns Birmingham omitted.

"In beautifully illustrated and i, handsomely printed booklet gotten out by the Southern Railway company en- titled. Winter Homes in the South. Birmingham has been omitted" said a gentleman who is always watching for occasions to boost this city.
 This omission would not appear so bad if it were not for the fact that other cities less prominent had been given space in the booklet. A few years ago Birmingham got out fine descrip- tive matter illustrating this district and Alabema and by some inadvertence Mobile was left off of the diagram map that accompanied it. The Mobile Cham Der Of Commerce promptly took excep- tions to it and gave Birmingham good call down for leaving Mobile off the map but here is a carefully pre- pared booklet, intended to give pub winter tourists can visit and find pleasant winter homes and Birmingham is overlooked. This hurts the worse be- cause all the surrounding cities are mentioned, such as Chattanooga, Mem phis, Atlanta, Montgomery and Mobile, with profuse illustrations of the ho- tels in each of these cities and an at traetive little 'write-up of each and yet the hub Is not mentioned. I think this sufficiently important for the pub licity committee of the Chamber of Commerce to ask what was the req son for this omission"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

day heap of signatures weighing 20 pounds has sometimes accumulated
 The mutilated notes are kept at the bank for five years, and are then burned in furnace. This expensive bonfire con sumes 42o,000 notes per week. and the five years supply of redeemed notes wait ing to be burned totals about 90,000,0e0
 To balance this, however 5000 notes are printed daily, and the value of the notes in circulation at any one time ia rarely les sthan eso,Ooo,ooo sterling.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

A former curator of the University of o.ent inhabitants of Mexico used a glaz. iaS process in making their pottery. The ancient Egyptians did not glaze their pot tery, and the Chinese adopted this pre- caution in a latter stage of their civil ization. It is thought that the glazing to some interesting discoveries regarding ceramics
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

l new serum that has proved successful
 in 90 out of 100 pneumonia cases has been discovered by physicians at the Rock efeller Institute. It is made from the blood of a horse into which pneumo-cocci germs have been injected. The serum is injected intravenously and causes relief by bringing about crisis in from 12 to Is hours. Medical authorities say that the fatal termination of pneumonia Is due to delay of from three to seven days before a crisis is reached. The new ser um was used experimentally in treating about 100 cases at the Rockefeller Insti- ute. The first use of it outside the In- stitute was made last week when the ser um was administered to Dr. P. NJ. How and of Bellevue, who is now recovering from what was thought to be a fatal at tack of pneumonia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
ROAD coNTR ACT AWARDED

Y TUII IfIe tUpftS 1fUVUtdlt'
 At a meeting of the board of revenue here last Monday, Newell Bros of Bir- mingham were awarded the contract tc complete the state highway in this county from Keystone to the Jefferson county line. They also received the contract to build the county highway from Vincent tc Montevallo, by way of Wilsonville, Co- lumbiana and Calera There were sev- eIal bidders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
FIDDLE FEET.

I've written this in measure
 That will keep time to your feet As nanny rocks the cradle
 Or the reaper cradles wheat Get up and try the shuffle
 Until swinging is the floor; You'll find it's fiddle music
 Of a rhyming troubadour. I know you can't help dancing,
 For you really can't stand still; You won't need any fiddle
 Save that of my rhyming quill. And when head couples forward
 Or they call your partners swing" know you'll say this measure
 Is as good as fiddle string. Let your feet make the shuffle
 While my feet I set in rhyme. And when they're put together
 We will have a fiddle time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
BURNING BANK NOTES
From London Tit-Bits.

From London Tit-Bits.
 bank notes life averages 6s days. Once the Bank of England receives note back from the public it is never put into circulation again. The moment it is &C., cepted across the counter the cashiers signature is torn off, and it automatically becomes cancelled. At the end of one
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
THE NIGHT WATCH.

Mrs. Blinkenstein: "For heavens sake, Isaac, what have you been doing?"
 MT. Blinkstein: "oh, just having a ht- tie game of poker with Nose Rothbaum and Abe Winkler."
 Mrs. Blinkstein: "But look at your vest: it is covered with tobacco iuice. While playing joker can't you turn your head when you spit? ?"
 MT. Blinkstein: Not with them fel- lows.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
A LARGE EGG
"A AAEacE E<Iu From the Dothan Eagle.

From the Dothan Eagle.
 Old Uncle Booker Scott, a negro living on East Burdeshaw street, was exhibit ing large egg downtown this morning The egg weighed quarter of a pound About half tbe eggs laid by this hen which is "a big yaller one" according to Uncle Booker, are as large as the one he was proudly. exhibiting. When asked if the hen had a pedigree he said he hadn't seed nary one.'' but said ."she had feathers on her laigs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

Having imbibed a little too freely of beer. a citizen of Munich halted King Ludwig of Bavaria by seizing one of the brass buttons on the royal coat and be- gan to argue wit hthe King about "those the joke so much that the drunk man es- capped being arrested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

Certain politicians have discovered that an easy way to be elected is to swat the liquor traffic. To see the way some of them fight the demon rum'' you would think they really meant it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

BEGINNING THE DAY-i thank Thee. Q God, for this marvel eaiiea forgiycness. I have lain among the pots; yet Thou bIddest me sit at Thy side, and look into Thy face with out eopfusion 0 Thou, who for geftcst what I have been and cnllest to my mind what l may be, l bring Thee my humble praise. Amen.- H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

In Portland, Me, supposed to be abso- lutely dry" SS men and women were arrested last week for being drunk. Pro- hibiton in Maine seems to be as big a farce as ever.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

Material for at least seven sex novels sort is to be found in the high life scan- dal that is just now turning Paris upside down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
TROUBADOUR AND JESTER
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.YHf????? When Hobson rides that cycle y5 l To make his many spiels, 1 Can't we say that Hobson l Really has got wheels? With his lengthy harangues Full of puny jokes, l Doesn't he for speaking Depend upon his spokes? And when he's finished spouting. Now which do you think feels or the bunch-the most tired, His audience or his wheels? WHEN THE ROAD IS ROUGH. Will she welcome back the bustle2 She wore one long ago. But how can she manage it
 In an automobile tonneau?
 DANGEROUS. Sometimes We find man so blind,
 ThiclS-headed dull and dense, He thinks he ought to help a girl
 Get through barb-wire fence Galveston News. But how can it a difference make
 Since in slit skirt she's garbed? Shes just the same as when she tries To pass a. fence that's barbed. AT OLD TRICKS
 She: 1T see Villa says he is determined to execute justice"
 He: T hope he is not another English. man." A PERVERTED VIEW.
 silas: Uncle Billy surely has a power. full field glass;"
 Jonas: Why so?"
 slas: T turned it upside down yester- day and when looked at a vinegar barrel with it, darned if all the vinegar didn't run out'