davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

ferent or an unworthy end. But when good soul becomes married to good prayer, we may say categorically that the prayer will be answered. Time may be required for entire fulfillment, but the eternal foundations will have been laid. Real spiritual labor cannot be lost.
 But there is more here. We have sometimes thought that perhaps after all the only good in prayer is the re- flex influence, the spiritual uplift that we ourselves get. That may be alto- gether true; but if it is we shall some day be able to couple with it the reali- zation that soul, white-hot with God and tremulous with a passionate de- sire, can reach and influence the ends of the earth. That may be called the operation of the subjective self, or anything else that anybody pleases. It is some sort of self. But it is self plus God.
 HENRY M EDMONDS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
Mobile and Birmipxham

The financial depression incident to the European war has affected Mobile more seriously than it has Blrmin gham. according to Maj. W. r. Tebbetts, who is visiting this city.
 The reason is apparent, added the major. For Mobile Is dependent in part on cotton Birmingham is depend ent on coal and iron. Mobile has sui fered more than Birmingham has, but not by any means as severely as has Montgomery, Selma and other cities de- pendent absolutely on cotton. In Mobile we secure quantities of lumber, and we have our shipping industry. From what can gather, inland towns in the cot ton belt are greatly depressed, and will fervently join in the general prayer for European peace.
 Mobile has another advantage which should not be overlooked We have the festive oyster, and our oyster is the most delightful grown In the waters of the world There are only certain months in which inland towns may eat the oyster. But in Mobile. we pull him fresh from the water and devour him every day in the year. His food value is great and he does not increase in price whenever cannon booms.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
Young Negroes Deported

One occasionally 'reads in the news papers about very young negroes be- ing sent to Judge Murphy's juvenile court for correction. Just what dispo- sition the judge makes of the many cases has been more or less of a mys- tery. He declared yesterday when asked the question direct, that whenever he can. he sends the young culprits out of the state.
 There is comparatively little trou- ble," he added. Tin disposing of negro boys. There are several places where I can send them l have had trouble with girls, however. There is Catholic con- vent in Ohio which has taken a con siderable number from Alabama These girls are cared for with food and cloth ing and are taught in the school con- ducted by the convent. And, of course, they are required to work
 "In all, I have sent out of Birming- ham more than 400 negro boys and girls who, for some criminal act of which courts could not take cognizance on account of youthfulsyears of the offenders, were put in my charge. Everyone sent away 4has been given opportunity not only to reform, but to receive certain education and learn a trade. And, in the last analysis Bir- mingham has lost nothing" >
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 The old-fashioned woman who used to make all of her own clothes on the sew ing machine now has a daughter who couldn't thread bobbin but who knows all about fixing carburetor.
 Some girls are so afraid that you might not know that they are modest that they paint on permanent waterproof blush before they go out.
 Virginia has decided that one-half of her voters have no rights and that if they get thirsty they must drink what the other half of the voters dictate. It was proud day for the Old Dominion when liberty and the pursuit of happiness was denied her citizens. I'll bet that a lot of the signers of the Declaration of Independence rolled over in their graves when Virginia went prohibition.
 When the other fellow starts to gab about the war and the chances of the allies. it might shut him up to remind him that he is wrong and that allies is not pronounced. alleys" But, on the other hand 1t might only start another fight.
 It isn't so hard to be an optimist when you have a couple of cases of beer in the ice box and an opener on your key ring.
 Most married men are obedient hus- bands because their wives won't let them act aEy other way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

in an article in the Outlook recently. said: There are 66,000,00o Germans; 65;00000o of them did not want war; the other 100000 are the war party But he adds that now Germany is absolutely united and that the Germans will not stack arms 'ti1l the last among them capable of shouldering a rifle is incapa ciated. till the last copper pfennig capable of :pur- chasing ammunition of war has banished from their impoverished grasp. "latiaa el
 There is in this nothing extraordinary. Whoever is responsible for bringing on the war the interests. the welfare and In some sense the honor of Germany, are apparently involved in it. And y{t 1t may be true, and I believe it is true, that the defeat of Germany will be its saliva tion, for it will be the overthrow of the spirit of miltarism inherited from Fred erick the Great, and this has been the bane of the German empire.
 In our civil war there was at first only minority in most of the southern states in favor of secession, but when the tional troops invaded Virginia the south was as united for state independence as the north was for national union, and yet today it will be difficult to find anywhere in the south an intelligent man who does not recognize the truth that the defeat of secession and the emancipation of the slave have been of inestimable benefit to the southern states
 l make no attempt here to apportion the responsibility for this war between the several powers engaged in it. However this responsibility must be shared among them. l can see but one meaning in the awful campaign. The victory of Germany would mean the victory of Prussian mil- tarism. The defeat of Germany will mean the defeat of Prussian militarism. the re- mobilization of Germany as great indus trial and educational power in the world and probably the practical overthrow of military autocracy in all western Flu rope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Ground Swell in Walker

According to J. H. Cranford. the well known citizen of Jasper, Walker eoun- fy is in excellent condition. i.
 Tt Is true" added Mr. cranford that the price of cotton is low. How ever, our farmers raised great auanti- ties of peas and corn and the ground ls simply bursting with potatoes. ouI farmers gave their attention, too, to hogs. Therefore, we are in fine shape
 Our crops are excellent. We raised more than our share of cotton. The farmers are holding on to their staple, however. and there is no question but that they will not sell for less than 10 cents. Our firm, the Cranford Mercan- tile company. has decided to offer 10 cents per pound for every bale of cot ton brought to town. Farmers in this way can discharge their obligations and. secure new supplies. Business men4 throughout the country are rallying to the support of the farmer and this means we'll
 "As whole Walker county is all right, especially since the political sea son has seen its wane.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

LOG, ,000 British troops under General French were attacked by superior
 force of Germans at Mons, General French soon saw that his army was In
 danger of being overwhelmed unless endorsements were sent to his as- sistance. After the first days fighting when the British commander saw his troops about to be surrounded by the Germans of General Von Kluek's army he sent an urgent message to General Joffre for French troops to support the left wing of the allies line, where the British were entirely alone. Gen. eral Joffre immediately wired instruc- tions to the governor of. Lille to send his garrison of 10000 men to the aid of the British. This sapient official thrust the telegram into his pocket and kept it there for 4S hours, claim ing that he did so to allow the women anu tDllQIt1f lo eNdCudIt 1iliCs ihV dN- lay almost resulted in a defeat of the allies. The British, however, managed to retreat with heavy losses.
 General French sent bitter com plaint to Lord Kitchener. This doughty l fire-eater is said to have become furi- ous. He went to France and laid the complaint before President Poincare and the French war minister. The min ister was friend of the accused gov ernor and refused to punish him. Ac- cording to report, Lord Kitchener threatened to withdraw the British forces from France unless the gov ernor was punished. Anxious to con- ciliate the English government, Presi- dent Poincare is said to have forced the resignation of his entire cabinet, which was inclined to support the min- ister of war. The governor of Lille was "sent to an obscure post"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
SHE KEPT COOL

A man employed in a large steel Eiant was struck fon the leg by sirler. No bones were broken but he was badly bruised, so taxicab was called to take him home His foreman accompanied him. Hadn't we better go to hospitale" asked the foreman. "Oh. mo-" answered the injured man My little wife would be frightened to death. Take me home" The chauffeur was given the mans address and on the way there he kept talking about how terribly distressed his little wife would be and how he hated to alarm her by coming home hurt. The sym pathetic foreman had visions of frail creature who would cry and wiring her hands and maybe fall to the floor in a swoon. Arriving at the house, he got little wife" He was met by woman whose enormous bulk entirely filled the door of the cottage. With her hands on her hips. she waited for him to speak. Your husband got hurt at the plant ma am. He's out here in a taxi cab said the foreman. The woman looked at him calmly a moment, and then said in a brisk. matter of fact tone: Well, bring him in.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
The Fortunes of War

The story of how Lord Kitchener forced the retirement of the French cabinet is related by New York physician who claims to have received it from "well informed official of rank" to whom he was introduced at Boulogne. The story has been pub lished by many reputable newspapers, but great deal of "news" is published these days that veers somewhat from the facts. Whether true or not, this story illustrates in an interesting way how trifling incident may cause a tremendous amount of trouble, par ticularly in official circles.
 It is said that when force of about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
Prayer

Let me mention two things about prayer. They represent no treatment of the subject; indeed they have no definite connection one with the other, except that they both lie in a fre- quently neglected area
 1. God moves through intermediary agencies. When He wished to have the new continent America known, He did not simply declare to the world or to some chosen persons that wonder was waiting land. He presented the lure of nearer India to a man and led him across the sea. And when He wished the new country settled, He did not create fresh race over here; nor did He appear in vision to other races commanding them to move west ward. Slowly, and in a dozen ways, through dozen agencies, He accom- plish His end. When He decides to move house He doesn't pick it up in great fingers and set it down again in the new place. He sends wind, or swollen stream, or changed inten- tion of residence.
 Thus with prayer. God uses prayer just as any other agency. In some later life when we see differently, prayer will appear as substantial and matter of-fact in the world of agencies as winds and streams and tools and men.
 2. God answers prayer through those who pray. There are other ways, perhaps, but this way He uses much. And it is possible that He uses no other. It is commonplace, of course, that when we pray earnestly for a thing we give ourselves to. it's accom- plishment. Thus is the prayer an swered frequently. And if we give our. selves, heart, soul and all, along the line of our praying, it is difficult to set limit to our power. That is true even when the prayer is for an indif'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
TOO LATE
 From the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
 Dr. William Osler, at an American din ner party in London, referred with a laugh to his old joke about scrapping the man of 40.
 Tt was joke, only a joke" said Dr. Osler. Yet man, after all-well, man is a good deal like an automobile. By the time he gets himself in satisfactory running order, finds out his weaknesses and his good points and learns how to get a de- cent days work out of himself in com fort, why, he is considered old-fashioned and 8 back number, young people laugh when he goes by, and nobody wants him for love or money"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
A DIET PROBLEM SOLVED

From the Pittsburg Chronicle.
 The doctor told him he needed carbohy- drates, proteids and, above all, something nitrogenous. The doctor mentioned long wabbled into a Penn avenue restaurant.
 How about beefsteak?' he asked the waiter. Tt that nitrogeneous?" The waiter didn't know.
 drates or not?"
 The waiter couldn't say.
 Well, I'll fix it, declared the poor man in despair. Bring me 8 large plate of hash"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
The EuropeansWar and After

Austria has been distinguished for culture and commerce, but Its war record has been very weak. The Aus trians are poor fighters as fighters go these days, and at the beginning of present hostilities it was generally seen that Germany would have to fight the allies virtually alone.
 How long the war will last is mat ter only of conjecture. No one can tell. Lord Kitchener still talks as if it would last three years or more. It will not continue so long as that. It may be over in a few months, but the longer it lasts the more certain it would seem that the allies must win in the end.
 Germany started with a whirlwind cainpaign, and it's "On-to-Paris" dash made a glamorous impression on the world and caused many admirers of the Kaiser to think that he would conquer as easily as Prussia con- ouered France forty-four years ago. But no matter what may be said of the military efficiency of Germany fher foes have such superior numbers that the allies. need only time to triumph.
 When the war is over Germany will not be entirely crushed. It will not be wiped off the map. It is a country of splendid resources and the work of rehabilitation will proceed rapidly. Even Kitchener admits that much. Germany has been for many years the best educated nation in the world. In letters, in science and in all those pursuits that make for culture and progress Germany has been leading the way. Its downfall as a nation, there fore, would be nothing short of calamity to civilization. What the al- lies intend to do and will do is to curb "war-lordism." When settling day --comes and the spells of war are be- ing distributed the Kaiser's nation will not be without friends among the neutral powers. As the Philadelphia Public Ledger says:
 The German people are quite right in resenting a great deal of the unrea-
 sonable criticism of the Fatherand.
 It would be pity if fair-minded men
 could have no love for a nation which fin the last half century has amazed the world by it's material accomplish ments. That England and her allies have been jealous of German achieve ment is too obvious to require com ment. It would be entirely illogical, therefore for American citizens to grow bitter over German miitarism and not consider England's navalism. German preparation on land has not
 been one whit more destructive of the peace of the world than Englands preparedness on the oceans It is six of one and half dozen of the other.
 The Kaiser's long reign of peace is
 at least presumptive evidence of his
 sincere aversion to war. The Father
 land is entitled to a fair show and
 there is every indication that it will
 get it.
 President Wilson's proffer of the good offices of the United States to arbitrate between the Delligerents and restore peace will be eventually ac- cepted and that will mean absolutely fair treatment to all the nations now at war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
A DIRE THREAT
From, Judge.

From Judge.
 At county fair in small inland city several hundred men were engaged in holding down a large balloon which was rapidly being inflated with hot air. The smallest man of tho lot looked about him nervously, and then yelled at the top of his voice, Hey. come and take my place. somebody! I've got to go!''
 No one paid any attention to him. A few moments later the little man bawled.
 eff somebody don't come and take my place right away. I'm going to let the old thing go upi''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
WHAT DID HE MEANT


 A gentleman, while at club in Wash- ington short time ago. became engaged in a desultory conversation with 8 promi- nent f1nancier and representative from the south. The great man is of most economical habit. and it is difficult for him to talk for any great length of time without touching upon the subject of economy. Sure enough, he suddenly in- vited attention to the suit of clothes he was wearing.
 q have never believed" said he, open- ing his coat the better to display the de- tails of the suit, Tin paying fancy prices for cut-to-measure garments. Now. here is a suit for which paid 3s.sS. Appear ances are very deceptive. If told you purchased 1t for sa6 you'd undoubtedly be- lieve that to be the truth"
 His friend viewed the suit critically for moment as he replied, T would if you told me over the telephone"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

There was a time when a war in Mex leo such as thls fresh one that is in prog caused 1io little commotion throughout America, but the European fuss over- shadows all else and reduces the Mexican conflict to guerilla rank
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

BEGINNING THE DAY-My father may | compare myself not With other people. May I satisfy myself "ot with what I can easily do or De, anu not with what will merely pass me honorabIy among men. May '"e rather measure myself ny me "es' that lies in me and yearn to"""s it every d.x. Amep.-H. M. 10.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

The submarine has much to commend it as a means of naval warfare. It may sink battleships that cost millions, but if it is destroyed the loss is compara- lively small. both in money and in human life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
ENOUGH SAID

"Jndkins tries to create the impress sion that he is devil of a fellow
 ''Oh, piff1e! Judkins is the sort of fellow who uses B Parisian ivory toilet set.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

The czar has made a number of prem- ses that mean liberty and happiness to millions of people. They are the kind Of promises that he may be compelled to keep by the sheer weight of public opin- ion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

The Kaiser told a clergyman that ev-. erybody had to make sacrifices. The im- pression prevails that the Kaiser is mak- ing entirely too many.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

After a man has read page full of con- tradictory war news it's relief to turn to the sporting page. The dope thare can be relied on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
BAD PLACE TO BE

.sDo you realize that you are lucky to be living in this enlightened age?'
 T fear the age Is not so enlightened consider myself lucky to be living with several thousand miles of salt water between me and Europe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

Judging from recent developments down in Mexico. President Wilson may have to do some more watchful waiting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

There is a bright side to everything. A number of American heiresses who mar ried titles may lose their husbands in the war and still keep the titles
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

Berton Braley says he writes the kind of poetry people want. What is even more to the point, he writes poetry that editors want.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

Blood is said to be a good fertilizer After this war is over certain parts of France ought to be more productive than ever before
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
PROVIDING FOR HIS FITTIrRn

So you have decided to send your boy to college. MT. Wasserby?,'
 Yes. My boy is too modest 10 make his way in this world. Judging from the effect college has on other youths. I figure that three or four years of it will give my son such d good opinion of himself it will last 3 lifefimeo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

Since the war began crime in London has decreased. Why not? The militants are knitting socks now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

A republican voter preceded President Wilson at the poll where the President voted in Princeton Personally, we don't believe in signs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

Even poetry can be forgiven this glori- ous weather" says a paragrapher. Not war poetry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

There is good reason to believe that the grim reaper is drawing close to the Elm peror of Austria. but he hasn't cut him down yet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

We can't form any opinion as to how badly the Cathedral of Rheims is dam aged until we see a moving picture of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

It looks as If the mint julep has been banished from old Virginia. The prohibi- tionsts have much to answer for.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
DEPARTED SIMMER

With purple mIsts shroud hill and dale
 And autumn breezes blow, ana oead leaves Hurried by the gale - Fresage the whirl Of snow, however light our hearts may be, our days by laughter sped, " oan put mourn June's melody
 And all her roses dead me Ileids where we were wont to
 roam ,, VIII soon be brown and sere, ne sun who beamed on oceans foam III clouds will disappear: ine storms tempestous voice will roar
 Along the land and sea. Where there was only iov befora
 And mirth and revelry'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
NOTHING TO FUSS ABOUT

NOTHING TO FUSS ABOUT I've been a model husband for six months"
 That's fine record
 And my poor wife finds life so dull she's about to die of ennuie
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27
A MENTAL PROCESS

"A MENTAL PROCESS My! How those two women chatter at the next tablem
 What are they talking about?" If they were comparing their ages You wouldn't hear a sound"