davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
Recent Electrical Wonders

Among the electrical wonders shown at the annual electrical and motor show in the Grand Central Palace, New York, are electrical de- vices for milking cows and for making cheese out of the milk in very short time after it leaves the cows.
 There is also bath tub on exhibi- tion which fits under bed when fold ed. It is set up by pressing a few springs and it's manufacturers gdaran- tee "a ten-minute bath for 10 cents worth of electricity" The washing is done by electric lights and the eff feet is that of a Turkish bath. A be- wildering array of electric cooking de- vices are shown, on which and in which a great variety of food is pre- pared with celerity that makes the average quick lunch room seem slow
 The National Electric Bulletin com pany installed bulletin board on the ground floor to announce the latesl war news to visitors. The operators typewriter is connected with the bull letin board and there is no waste o1 time in communicating the news.
 The United States government and the state of New York have extensive exhibits. Twelve processes in making coins are shown. The United States army exhibit includes machinery fol making rifle cartridges, also telephone and signal apparatus used by the sig, nal corps. The navy exhibit offers demonstration of gun firing ant steering by electricity.
 The state of New York shows [ three-mile section, accurately repro duced, of the new barge canal iron Waterford, N. Y., to the entrance O the Mohawk river.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
SONG OF PIERROT
Margaret Widdemer, in Everybody
 met Pierrot once very long ago

Margaret Widdemer, in Everybody's. l met Pierrot once very long ago. Heigho, Young Pierrotl All the trees were glad with leaves, and
 little birds arrow; All the winds were blowing sweet with
 flowers they had swept, Oh! Pierrot was singing gay to match the
 world that leapt. Hey" I said, and "Ho!' said. "Tako
 rest a bit from song This is mefry summer, lad! Take rest
 while days are long!' Nay" he said. 'in merry times you
 would not have me sad? I must pick my lute," he said, Ito tell
 the world 'tis glad!'' And off he went a-down the road a-sing-
 ing out like mad Heigho, Pierrot! met Pierrot afoot not long ago Heigho, old Pierrot! Bent he was and old he was and scarce
 hjs lute would go; All the world was black with frost and
 leaves were dead with fall, But old Pierrot sang down tho road and would not mind at all 'Heyr' said, and ''Ho!' said. "You
 are not singing still? "surely I must sing." he said. "till sum-
 mer days como back; must cheer the folk" he said, flor all
 the world 10 blackv' And off he went a-singing down tho
 weary winter track Heisho PieUct'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
BAYREUTH AND THE WAR
From Musical. America.

No more striking example of the devas- tating impact of war upon artistic cul- ture and civilization could be found than the sudden termination of the perform ance of "Parsifar' at the end of it's first part, at Bayreuth on August 1, when the announcement of war was made, and singers, members of the orchestra and of the audience left on the instant.
 That war should demolish valuable works of art of any kind is unfortunate enough, but when it levels blow at art of the most humanistic tendencies and ideals, the circumstance is more tragic. At the end of the first act of "Parsifal' the dominant emotion is pity-frst for a wounded swan. and second for the suf- fering and the wounds of man. There is something peculiarly shocking in the cut ting off of the artists vision of ultimate redemption by an actual reversion to the infiicting of wounds in the most horrible manner, There Is small compensation to be found in the fact that Wagner's work | is not actually destroyed beyond the power of reproduction. as would be the case if 1t were a painting or a work  | The tragedy Is complete in the fact that 1 despite the human endeavor for better
 things. war exists and prevails.
 | It is to be remembered, however, that
 there always remains an element of pos.
 sible good in the destruction of art by
 war or any other agency. A too rigit
 perpetuation of past ideals Is not good l thing. and it is sometimes only by a de
 structive cataclysm that the way of pro.
 gress can be opened. Wagner himself em- phaszed this need of art being ever C fresh and creative thing, when he pro
 posed the idea of producing his still un
 heard ''siegfried" once under ideal con ditions. and then destroying it. It is mol in the loss of works of art. once theil
 message has been fully carried to thu world, that tho heart of the tragedy lies
 but in tue existence of conditions unde which the activitieS of art. and of al the arts, cannot go forward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
CORRECT SOCIAL USAGE"
By DILL VINES

1 the pocketbook of the groom or the asa sets Of the bride, or in lieu of the bank note the groom gives check to the best man for the sum for the clergyman. If the best man can be trusted the bank note is the best form. Some grooms, however. hold that it is safer to draw a check pay able to the clergyman. and date it ahead until they can realize on some of the brides securities.
 It Is very difficult to get married strictly according to the prescribed rules and regulations as laid down in ..Correct Social Usage" by 15 distinguished au- thors. I am personally very glad indeed that I was married before this book was published, otherwise am not certain that l would take a chance. After describing the ceremony. Correct Social Usage" by '15 distinguished authors" says:
 Then comes the child-bridesmaid pre- ceeding all others with her basket of flowers like a cherub escaped from heaven
 One will see at once that in many cases it will be extremely difficult to get a 'child-bridesmaid' which will fill all re- quirements of ''cherub just .caped from heaven" Then there may be whole lot of difference of opinion on a matter like that You can't go out and pick up bridesmaid who looks like a cherub every day. It looks like. at least to me. whole lot of bogus cherubs would have to be put over in cases of emer- gency, or the wedding might have to be indefinitely postponed
 Correct Social Usage" by 15 distin- guished authors positively forbids the bridegroom from buying the bride any thing whatsoever prior to the wedding. except jewelry, bouquets, fans, lockets and such other bric-a-brac. After tho. wedding, however. it is agreed that he can go as far as he likes, so long cs he can borrow the money.
 Some of these days I should like to write a full and detailed account of the many useful things one can read in an afternoon in Correct Social Usage" by 15 distinguished authors, for the benefit of the carping public who are deprived of this pleasure, but space prevents any thing further at this time. All I can say is, that anyone contemplating mad social career should look these volumes over before purchasing elsewhere. They are great boon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
Great Is Baseball

The tremendous interest taken in the worlds series of baseball games at Philadelphia, not only in the lm- mediate vicinity but in every nook and corner of the land, shows what remarkable hold baseball has on peo- ple in the United States. Every year when the sale of seats opens for these pames there is a mad rush to buy the precious bits of pasteboard that mean more than gold to hosts of fans.
 Reports from Philadelphia indicate that there was no lack of preliminary excitement last week. Women stood in lines all night to be present when the sale opened, despite the fact that some of them couldn't help wondering whether or not they closed the win dows before leaving home. There were fifteen women in double line of fans estimated by the police at 5000. Men and boys who stood near the front were willing to sell their places for $5, while places at the rear went for a song, in this case 25 cents. About 1000 representatives of ticket [. ,cula- tors were in line, which was to be re- gretted. They were handed money to purchase tickets when they neared the booth and as soon as they had bought they were bounced upon by their em- ployers, so that there was little chance for them to do any grating. The spells naturally went to the spectators.
 Orders by long distance telephone came from Washington, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Chicago, New York, Balti- more and Nashville, Tenn. George M. Conan and Abraham Erlanger were the first to telephone to Philadelphia hotels for tickets, where they had been put on sale. Mir. Conan paid $210 for 21 seats. Long before noon all the tickets on sale at the hotels were gone and fancy prices were being offered.
 Of course excitement is at fever heat in Philadelphia, but there is hardly village in the United States that is not keenly aware of the great struggle being waged by the Mack men" and the Braves" Even that bloody struggle along the Aisne is for the time being given secondary con- sideration by the multitude of Ameri- cans who like baseball.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
IN HOTEL LOBBIEs
Inquiry for Farms

There is very brisk inquiry for Ala. bama farms-especially farms within 4 or 50 miles of Birmingham" said B. F Eborn.
 During the last 10 years many northern homeseekeru have bought farms in this state. and as far as I know all of them have prospered. Many of the thriftiest small farmers in the Birmingham district are from the north. Our good farm lands gre very cheap compared with those in other parts of the country, and I be- lieve that the next year or two will wit ness a large homeseekers movement .n this direction.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
Coming to Steel Meeting

Richard H. Edmonds, editor and gen eral manager of the Baltimore Manu- lecturers Record. who has been urging q full attendance at the American Iron and Steel institute scheduled for Bir- mingham this month. writes to a friend here as follows:
 Tt has not been my privilege to be in Birmingham for some little time, but hope to attend the American Iron and Steel institute meeting. It so happens that I was one of the charter members of that organization and am. there fore. always especially interested in at tending it's annual meetings. The Bir- mingham meeting ought to be of very great value to the whole south, for 1t will bring to this section many of the foremost metallurgists of the world. Birmingham has never had gathering fraught with such great possibilities of good to the district as this meeting of the iron and steel institute"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12

of himself and a number of senators. Senator Overman criticised the vice president, and the latter in turn was severe in retort. Later on Senator 0verman withdrew his criticism. He found that "no one was to be criticised, certainly not the vice president"
 One or two other unparliamentary personalities were indulged in, but with the evening shades and cooling breezes Washington congressional life became serene once more. The public is disposed to be easy on fractious statesmen when the mercury rises close to 90 in the month of October.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12


 " cial)-Nobody in Washington is nobody unless they have in their possession volumes 1. ?. g. and , of Correct Social usage'' by '15 dis tinguished authors" and have assmilated and digested and otherwise absorbed con tents Of said volumes and can carry out the precepts of same instantly and on the spot.
 One must positively be familiar with the entire contents of these books or else be in constant fear of committing some awful blunder which would result in last ing humiliation. One cannot convenient- iy, you understand, carry five perfectly fat volumes round in ones hip pocket provided one Is of the sex that usually wears hip pockets-and if not in some other way. in order that they can con- suit an authority in case of emergency so there is nothing left but to learn the contents of these books or be a genuine dyed-in-the-woo redneck
 But they are worth the money. What ever the price asked for these volumes one should pay it without whimper They give full and detailed information aDOul every COHceiFdDie lnlng WnicQ may or may not happen In society" They tell in just what key one must eat his or her soup. How to hold the spoon. the fork and the knife. You are told that ii is not good form to tuck the napkin un- der your chin, or the silver spoons in your pocket It--is not considered good breeding to toy with your nearest neigh- bors pearl necklace or wrist watch.
 They even have rules about how to marry. l am not just certain that all 15 of the distinguished authors collaborated on the chapter devoted to weddings, but l am certain that 1t is worthy of their united efforts. Nothing is omitted. Full instructions are furnished to everyone interested-the bride. the groom the mother-in-laws, father-in-laws and all relations The best man has outlined for his information just what he is SUD- posed to do, which is. take 1t from me, a plenty. The best man is general all round, handy man at wedding accord ing to Correct Social Usage" He has to stick around and make a noise like a hat rack. hold the groom's gloves, carry the ring, pay the clergyman andN bother little useful things. The groom is supposed to the best man can be trusted the bank note of certain denomination, in keeping with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
NOT IMPRESSED

From the Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph
 Nat Goodwin told of an experience he had with juvenile deadhead in a west ern town. Standing outside the theatre
 a little time before the performance was due to begin he observed small boy with an anxious. forlorn look on his face and a seedy looking pup in his arms.
 Goodwin inquired what was the mat ter, and was told that the boy wished to sell the dog so as to raise the price of a
 seat In the gallery. The actor suspected at once dodge to secure pass on the sympathy racket" but allowing himself to be taken in. he gave the boy pass. The dog was deposited in a safe place and the boy was able to watch Goodwin as the Gided Fool from good seat in the gallery. Next day Goodwin saw the boy again near the theatre, so he asked: Well. sonny, how did you like the show"
 I'm glad didn't sell my dog was the reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12

According to the 1s1s-1sl4 report of co- lnmbia university. New York students earned in round figures s15o.Ooo last year to help defray the expenses of their ed- ucation. which was 1000 more than was realized the previous year. In order to earn this money many students used their spare time in the afternoons and even ings for working. Tn the academic year 665 students sought work through the em- ployment office, and during the summer bs9 more applied. The total of 1205 shows that approximately one-tenth of the total number of students registered in the uni versity depend either in whole or in part on money they can earn. Many obtained work without the help of the office and did not report their earnings there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
People Getting Wise

There was a time when an orator, de- siring office, could fool all the people all the time'" said a member of the Mont gomery colony last night. That time has gone, however, and now one must go before the people with d record. We had an example of this fact in the re- cent campaign in Alabama in which Us- car w. Underwood won a seat in the Senate over R. P. Hobson. In that race, We saw record achieve where oratory fell down.
 Further Illustrating the point I am attempting to make. here Is clipping from one of the Alabama weeklies:
 "'The record, President Wilson says in his letter declining to take part in the campaign, speaks for itself
 "It does. In comparison with what the record says, the promises of politic> ians, and their explanations. are all empty words. The record is what counts
 Yet that is a fact which politicians never will comprehend. They go on, msking promises, and breaking them, in the same old way And they expect to be able to smooth over their deficiences with smooth words, and get away with it.
 But the people are on more and more. The record is what counts"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
Germany,s Prowess

My sympathies have been and still are with the allies, but I cannot but admire the fighting qualities of the Germans, as we'll as those of the nations against her, " said Isaac IT. Sharon of Philadelphia
 Both Of my parents were born in Eng land, and while I am an American through and through, 1t would distress me to see Great Britain whipped in the terrible war now in progress. But the German victory at Antwerp will make everyone talk of Germanys great prov. ess. The Kaiser's men will win other big victories, no doubt, but in the end Grea, Britain. Russia and France combined will crush the Kaiser's empire"
 New Orleans Commercially and Socially
 Commercially New Orleans just now is suffering from the effects of the Flu ropean war. as are other elites of the south whose interests are closely iden- tifed with the cotton industry" said Oskar Lenlokken. newspaper man from the Crescent City, who is visiting Birmingham. This period of depres- sion antedates the war and Orleanians have sought in many directions for the causes.
 New Orleans today possesses excel lent facilities for handling cross seas freightage, but just at the time that this system had been brought up to 9 high degree of efficiency the European war has placed an embargo on inter- national commerce.
 Socially, New Orleans is just as at tractive and pleasing as ever. That city always will possess the quality of hos pitality, and this hospitality is rein. forced by that pre- eminence in the culi. nary art which has made the city tn. delight of the gourmet.
 New Orleans possesses charm iron an architectural point of view that Il not to be found in other American cities There have been pleas for the elimina
 tion of the galleries which overhant Canal street, and some of the newe buildings lack these appurtenances, bu Canal street has not greatly changed Other streets have been even less af fected by the modernist movemen
 among builders Better pavements ar,
 to be seen, but the old cobble ston
 pavements still are used.
 sanitation is the pressing problem
 in New orleans just now, as resul of the bubonic plague scare. Now Nev Orleans people pay no attention to tn
 few cases of plague occasionally re ported
 | '"The city's sewerage system has beel greatly improved in recent yeara bu lowing to well nigh insurmountabl
 physical difficulties 1t has been nsces
 sary to maintain open sewer canals
 These serve their purpose excellentl,
 New Orleans is hopeful and Mard
 Gras next year will afford the pleasur
 loving tourist all the joys traditional identified with that famous carnival
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
The Anti-TuberculOsis Work

The success of the automobile raffle at the State Fair for the benefit of the Jefferson County Anti-Tuberculo- sis association was not only most gratifying to those who assisted in selling the 4000 tickets, but gratifying as well to all the people who appreci- ate the far-reaching work that is be- ing done in the Anti Tuberculosis camp on Red mountain.
 Money was needed especially at this time to purchase and install heating equipment for the hospital quarters. The sum of 5000 was cleared, and this will more than pay for the heat ing, but other comforts are needed. The automobile contest has aroused renewed interest in the Anti-Tubercu- losis association, and Mrs. Eugene l.. Brown, who had charge of the auto mobile canvass, concluded her state- ment of appreciation which appeared in Sundays Age-Herald as follows:
 My hope is that this will be the means of making the people realize the great need for this association in this county and inspire them with a willingness to continue their efforts for it's success"
 Much is contained in that little para graph. It should be laid to heart by all humane citizens.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
Hot Weather and Temper

The long, wearisome session of Con- gress, through an exceptionally hot summer has been trying upon the strength and spirits of government of- ficials, and especially members of Con- gress. Some weeks ago our national lawmakers made united effort to get the Presidents consent to an adjourn ment of Congress, but Mir. Wilson had very definite notions about the matter and kept Congress on it's job.
 With touch of autumn weather in September the temperature of Wash ington became delightfully."- cool, and representatives and senators seemed more reconciled to the long drawn out session; but the summer heat has re- turned, and several congressman who are usually even tempered have given way to fits of irritation.
 The temperature in Washington Sat- urday was three degrees higher than it was in Birmingham. It was an ex- tremely hot day. In the House Repub- lican Leader Mann used offensive language in referring to Representa- tive Heflin, whereupon MT. Heflin called MT. Mann liar. In the upper house Vice President Marshall and Senator Overman, chairman of the rules committee, had a wordy alter cation. The vice president had allowed . photographer the use of the Senate chamber for taking moving pictures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
THE RESERVE BANKS

such enormous consequence New 1ork banking has performed most of the neces- sary financial functions.
 The honor which has been conferred on Mir. Strong may be regarded as an ex- pression of the good opinion in which he is held by the banking community. As such it is an earnest of success in' his new field which is increased by his prompt preparation to separate him. self from all other business connections so that he may bring to bear on the problems which await him a judgment absolutely free from any possible inter- ference by extrinsc considerations.
 On the whole the great experiment pro- vided for by the banking and currency legislation undertaken last year wears an increasingly promising appearance. The appointments and elections. made and making. of the men who are going to operate the new banking system heighten confidence in the outcome of the venture. How real this confidence is can be inferred from the prevalence of eagerness to have the facilities of the fed eral reserve machinery made available for business and financial uses as quickly as possible.
 Only few months ago there was a good deal of apprehension that the inaugura- tion of the federal reserve system would provoke a disturbing Arrangement of trade and industry. The outbreak of the, European war has changed many points Of view. and the federal reserve banks are now counted upon to afford immense relief from the disturbance and derange- ment which the war itself has caused.
 The present optimistic attitude toward the new system. however, expresses only in part an appreciation of the mechanical improvements about to be placed at the disposal of commerce and finance It is quite as much, indeed it is probably more, an expression of the favorable im- pression produced by the choice of men to operate the improved machinery for banking really Is not a matter of statutory contrivance but of knowledge possessed and judgment exercised by bankers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12

ton One runs from the Atlantic to New Mexico taking in the states of North Carolina, Tennessee. Arkansas and OK lahoma. with Mississippi serving as an ex- tension to the Gulf of Mexico and Kansas making a bulge to the north. The second strip is composed of the states of Vir- ginia and West Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, making a sweep of the Att lantic coast from Washington to Florida, with the exception of the break along the seashore produced by North Caro- lima. The two others of the Il prohibition states, Maine and North Dakota, stand out all by their lonesome like foreign fortresses in hostile territory, but there will be a desperate effort not only by the drys to protect them and annex more territory. but also by the vets to re- duce them. With number of elections this year on the saloon question. the liquor map of this country may undergo as considerable changes as the map of Europe at the close of the war.