davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

of the impure in heart are to be more than
temporary. Before the curtain Is rung
down the good fairies will have distributed
the gifts where they rightfully belong, and
Nemesis will have overtaken the guilty.
Further. there is the astounding fertility
of the man. History, tradition and pure
fiction he uses as threads with which
to weave a carpet of enchantment
In the days of his crippled childhood he
imbibed copiously of the romance and
legend with which later he was to fas-
cinate millions. That these tales poured
into the eager ear of the child dealt
largely with witchcraft and superstition
is evidenced in his novels. Edie Ochil-
tree, Wandering Willie, Madge Wildfre,
Meg Merrilies, Norma of the F1tful Head.
these and others are but amplifications of
old wives tales heard at Sandyknowe.
1t was when he was little shaver that
the foundations of his mind were laid,
and it has been well said that his early
and delighted familiarity with the ballads
and legends then floating over all that
part of the country did more than any
other influence to determine the spheres
and modes of his future literary activ-
ity.
The masters of Edingurbh High school
and the fellows of the university did
not look ur,l Scott as promising pupil.
Despite occasional flashes of talent, we
are informed, he shone considerably more
on the playground as a bold, indomitable,
high-spirited boy with an odd turn for
story telling than he did within as
student. Scott himself later referred
often to his failure to take advantage of
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

that to end his days without a little
fortune in hand is a confession of dis
astrous defeat and that covetousness
OF certain sort. duly modified by
charity. is the very foundation of COM
mon sense.
This is not to deny the beautiful lives
lived by the clergy and the doctors. 1t
Is not intended even to single them
out for special criticism or special APP
probation. What we are doing is the
study OF Christian civilization In the
light of an Oriental criticism. These
two great professions. dedicated to
kindly service and the passion of al
truism. adorned with vast numbers of
magnificent martyrs. either are or are
not tainted with the worship of sue
cess, monetary success. success meas
ured by acquisition of wealth and the
power to get more wealth. Even doc
tors and ministers must bend the knee
to this golden image which civilian
ton, that modern Nebuchadnezzar, has
set up In Babylon. Instead of being
dedicated to humanity for its own
sake, we expect them to make 1t pay
And the practice of that double stan
dard sicxens the heroic soul of the
youth and he turns aside from the
ministry both because he hates to ac-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

Justice" what relation has it to BUSH
ness? In what way, for instance. does
the history of Standard Oil connect IT.
self with Christianity? But Standard Oil
is represented by a great typical church
layman. And If Rockefeller willis in the
presence of this searching light, what of
J. p. Morgan and his operations? We
have heard of these things, and we know
that America is today the land of wealthy
men largely because it is a land of double
standards. a land where Christ's teaching
concerning the hereafter is glorified in
thousands of churches. while His teach
Ing about present conduct is fiouted by
the most eminent men in those churches.
We may as well confess our sins.
But If we do confess our sins. we
must admit that Rockefeller and Nor
gan are only examples of general at
titude Like Mont Blanc or Chimborazo.
they are high peaks of mountain range
The truth is that modern men have glori-
fed covetousness. the very vice and pas
sion against which the Lord SO lovingly
warns his disciples! To get as much
as possible in exchange for as little
as possible is the crude statement of
our notions as to the commerce of the
world. 1t Is a principle inspiring your
negro servant, perhaps shamelessly. But
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

Thackeray we meet real people, drink
of their cup, eat of their dish, and with
them sorrow or rejoice. With Scott we
take an upholstered seat and watch a
magnificent pageant pass in review. We
are enraptured enthralled. for the time
being, but after all those we see love
and fight, laugh and weep, live and die
are not the kind of people that we have
ever known. The glamor and the tinsel
are strongly apparent, but not particu-
larly impressive
OF course it must not be understood that
Scott drew no characters that stand out
in bold relief. Dugald Dalgetty is a
specimen of the soldier of fortune that
will ever linger in memory. But, then,
Conan Doyle, has given us Decimus Sax
on, and it is of him we think when the
thought of those hardy warriors VINO
sold their swords to the highest bidder
is brought to mind Richard was the
epitome of chivalry, but do we mentally
rank him above Bayard, or Chandos, or
Du Guesclin? The comparisons could be
continued indefinitely, but think it safe
to say that any type pictured by Scott has
been done with more vigor and deftness
by some one else.
These things being true, wherein lies
scott's acknowledged charm? 1t lies in
many things. His pen moves with a
majesty that none has ever exceeded. His
theme is ever lofty and wholesome. Right
is always rewarded and wrong is always
punished. There need be no fear that the
troubles of Scotts heroes and heroines
are to be unending; or that the triumphs
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

IN HACKERAY is reported to have
once remarked that he would not
4 mind being the father in-law of
any of Sir Walter Scott's heroes. Indeed
they were an exceptional galaxy. Chi
various, courageous, honest, with phys
iques of wondrous strength and minds
of marvellous loftiness. it is probable
that their equals have never existed
outside volumes of romance.
Wilfrid of Ivanhoe, Henry Marion,
Julian Peveril, Damian de Lacy, Qune-
tin Durward, Allan Fairford, Darsie
Latimer, Mordaunt Mortoun, Harry
Bertram, Kenneth of Scotland. Reuben
Butler, Halbert Glendenning. Markham
Everard, Edward Tresillian and so on
though the entire list for probity and
hardihood it is unlikely that their
peers have ever trod this earthly EARTH
And as for his heroines, they are more
ideal than human. They are painted as
women ought to be, rather than women
as she is Effie Deans is an exception
to the rule. perhaps, but 1t is her elder
sister, JEANNE, who absorbs our inter-
est and our concern in the sorrowful
story of 1.-THE Heart of Midlothian
Sir Walter had not the art of Great
ing types which cling to the mind All
of us have Pecksniffs among the circle
of our acquaintance, as we have Uriah
Keeps, wilkins Micawbers, J. Steer
forths, Mark Tapleys and opportunity
only awaits the revelation to our
knowledge of Sydney Cartons. With
Dickens, and Balzac, and Fielding and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

4 MONG the books I prize most is
u a wonderful little volume, thin as
y pamphlet, but written with ex-
IRENE care and finish, and containing a
most pungent criticism of western eivili-
cation from the point of view of
"Chinese official" The author claims
to be simply a finished product of the
mandarin class, and of that education
in the Confucian philosophy which till
recently was all that trained govern
ment servant needed to know in the Celes-
tial land. He writes with admirable
clearness and beauty of style, and has
produced a book which arrests the whole
imag ination of candid readers. Perhaps
the most startling contrast he draws is
that between the honesty or sincerity
with which the Chinese obey their
teacher and practice his doctrines, COM
pared with the insincerity and dishon-
esty with which we Christians profess
to follow the teachings of Jesus of
Nazareth, but build up a whole system
of conduct fundamentally in opposition
thereto.
The particular point of emphasis In this
criticism is our abject devotion to money
making, while the whole scope of the
Christ's doctrine concerning wealth is
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

are you sure that 1t does not inspire
his master or mistress?
The double Standard In high school
and in college the boys and girls see
visions of an unselfish world. Pres
emily they are plunged in competitive
efforts to establish themselves in busi-
ness or society and the CLEAN of gain
full ambition gets into their eyes, The
life of society is covetousness modified
by charity, and the charity is our orna-
mental virtue, as butcher might wear
a diamond ring on finger clutching
his knife.
The two great professions that at
tempt to escape the reign of covetous-
ness are the ministry of the church,
what is called the priesthood, and the
medical profession. But does anyone
suppose that these have escaped9 1t Is
the lamentation of the churches that
they have no first class men seeking
entrance to their pulpits. 1t is the la
mentation of the medical profession
that pecuniary considerations are so
often final in mans working life.
OF counsel They are driven to 1t. The
fearful logic of civilization and society
Is proving that man must take care
of himself, that his real life does con-
sist in the things that he possesses,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

the educational opportunities offered him.
Neglect of more solid mental pabulum
had, however, afforded him time for the
indulgence of an indiscriminate and insa-
table appetite for reading, which, after
all perhaps. was the best training for
the work he was to do in life. His was
a tenacious memory, and what touched
it was held.
Scott never hesitated to twist history
to suit the convenience of the course of
his narratives. For his perversion of
facts and dates he was attacked often
and vigorously by the reviewers of the
day. He defended himself trenchantly
and good humoredly. He hoped, he said,
that his reference to historical incidents
would cause his readers to turn to his
tory itself for true information. If it
failed to do SO, 1t were better that his
readers have an incorrect idea of mighty
events of the past than to have no idea
at all.
At Abbotsford. that romance In stone"
for a number of years. Scott lived the
been conferred upon him and his income,
aside from the large sum derived from
his literary labors, was ample. To his
palace In the Border country he loved so
well, summer after summer came crowds
of the noble and distinguished to partake
of the princely hospitality he delighted to
lavish. 1t was the ambition of his heart,
one writer tells us. to recreate and leave
behind him, in the founding of a family,
some image of the olden glories which
were the life of his literary inspirations.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

eept a false position in such limeliehts
and because the rewards of SUGGEST
there are so problematical.
Take heed and beware of covetous-
nessl'' What the Master meant was =
too earnest seeking OF your own rights.
And We may let the saying ruggedly
confront the standard of our daily ethic.
In the Masters eyes there is only one
use of money, and that is present serv-
ice In preparation for the coming age<
1t is not a question Of what we can spares
but of what we can use. And the emf
nent use of money is not as selfish capt.
tai, but as unselfish capital. When Wa
get our eyes adjusted TO clear spiritual
daylight we shall find that the only pay@
ing investments we're those used for hus
manity. and that no lost opportunity wan
so deplorable as the opportunity to EN-.
ploy the ''Mammon OF Unrighteousness"
for wiping away tears. giving employs
ment to the idle. relieving blighted lives
of their plague. But in this new age OF
wealth, the whole proceeding Is lifted to
the level of a national enterprise. Means
time 1t is a question OF personal interest
whether of us individually II is true, as
the Chinese official says. that we profess
a discipleship to Jesus while we practicu
a covetous civilization.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

used to this method. and though his army
was well equipped and disciplined. and
though his troops were the pick of the
English army, he could not compete with
Comics Beers hidden away in holes along
the banks of streams. The English would
melt away, and there was often no means
of knowing whence came the deadly mis-
siles. For days together COME held at
bay the proud army of the English. which
army was commanded by the most IL
lustrious of the British generals.
None recognized more readily the de-
ficiency in existing tactics and strategy
than Napoleon, and genius as he was.
he made his own tactics. suited to the
demand of each occasion. He literally
shivered the tactics and strategy which
he found existing and in the creation of
new methods he completely astonished
the old European veterans. It was this
that gave him reputation when he took
command of the army OF Italy. When he
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
At THE INDIANS TAUGHT US-By B. F. Riley

ments may take place. but these are. in
advance, provided for. Portions of ar
mics are moved here and there, but, for
the most part, troops are expected to
fight in the open, while preserving in
tact their lines, and the idea of shooting
from behind improvised protection is
not once INDUCED. American methods are
quite different, for portions of an Amer
lean army will now and then fall be-
hind trees, rocks houses, fences or any
means of protection within easy reach.
and that without respect. to the preserva-
ton of due order in the ranks. According
to the European conception. this IS UNI
scientific warfare, and American meth
DDS are often ridiculed by strategists be-
yond the seas, just as Emperor William
laughed at the idea of the rough riders
during the late war with Spain. But
Americans care but little for the scientific
feature, If a place can be found be-
hind which to protect ones self while
dealing out deadly execution.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON"-By George Eaves D D.

that it is an enemy of noble manhood,
a hindrance and peril to the highest spir-
ritual character.
Whatever may be thought of the con-
trast here illustrated, it must certainly
be confessed that the accepted attitude of
Christian America and Christian Eng
land is such as to suggest that the vast
majority of us either do not believe in the
authority of the teaching of Jesus or else
refuse to consider it as of any real i'm
mediate significance, or possibly that we
have never paid attention to 1t in any
serious way, since others regard it as a
dead letter.
Further it must be confessed that when
we do take time frankly to study the
teaching of our Master concerning wealth
and money, we find startling antitheses
to the common estimate of values. Who
has considered the awful force of that
parable about the camel and the needles
eye? Our stupid liberalism comes prowl-
ing along and says something about the
needles eye being not a tool of the seam
stress but a narrow gate, of the city.
where camels could barely pass with their
burdens. But the undiluted parable holds
the field. The needle is just plain.
everyday matter of fact needle, and the
camel real quadruped. The meaning
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
FRANKLIN's LONDON HOME
Place of Beautiful Associations to
Make Way for Restaurant

From the Youths Companion.
Lived here: Benjamin Franklin,
printer. philosopher and statesman" an
nounces a modest tablet affixed to the
dingy brick front of Craven street. Lon
don. now threatened with demolition to
make room for new restaurant. Many
Americans have viewed the spot with in
terest; many will respond to the appeal
for its preservation.
Franklin's capacity for friendliness, es-
pecially his aptitude for winning the re-
gard of women, made the Craven street
house truly homelike place during his
residence there. He who in Paris was
the admired pet of great court ladies,
with whom he exchanged on equal terms
pretty batteries and witty trifling, be-
came. In London, the equally good friend
of his worthy landlady, Mrs. Stevenson,
and her married daughter Mrs. Polly
Hewson. to whose little son he stood
godfather. Pleasant messages to Polly
and her mother came from his wife and
daughter In America, and were cordially
returned, as his letters show and Mrs.
Stevenson often went shopping to exc
cute their commissions for household pur-
chases, or accompanied and advised
Franklin when he chose stuffs or gar
ments to send them as gifts. 1t was
kindly, serviceable, practical friendship to
which Franklins playful wit lent a touch
of grace besides. He nicknamed Mrs.
Stevenson "her majesty" and once when
she went on a visit. leaving him alone in
the house, he issued to his friends. I'M
Ger the ttle of the Graves Street Ga
zette, sort of mock court journal:
"At o'clock this afternoon news
IN bU that a n boH
rived safely at Rochester on Saturday
night The bells Immediately rung-for
candles to illuminate the parlor; the
court went into cribbage, and the even
ing concluded with every demonstration OF
JOY"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

their peculiar method of warfare. came
wen night destroying Braddoclx's force.
and ended the career of Braddeek HIM
self. From behind rocks and trees. the
Indians fired on the advancing British.
who were unable to return the fire for
the Indians were fully screened. But
for Washington the entire British force
would have been destroyed. washington,
understanding the Indian method of war
fare, led the troops beyond the range of
the guns of the savages and thus saved
them from annihilation
Braddock's idea of the science of war"
is one that still largely controls the con-
servative European commanders. Bat
ties are scientifically planned, failures
and successes are provided for in ad-
vance, movements are made dependent on
certain contingencies and at certain
stage of battle its fate is determined by
the result, just as game of chess is
played. Maneuvers or strategic move
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

came a synonym for right and fairness
throughout the world. Stern and in
domitable he was, but his rule had JUS
tice for its foundation stone.
Charles III Is known in history as tho
Merry Monarch" Yet during his reign
the right of the people were outraged
and trampled upon, while about the
court were maintained a coterie of dis
solute favorites and lewd women which
would have disgraced Turkey. But
Scott shows Charles as a King, gay.
gracious and royal, while Cromwell lis
disclosed to us as a gloomy fanatic
without any attributes of attractive-
ness The genial lord OF Abbotsford in
all this no doubt was utterly honest
according to his lights. but birth. rear4
ing and environment rendered him in>
capable of being wholly fair.
All should read Scott. Any of HID
novels are more than worth while.
Harp of the North. FAREWELL The hills
grow dark,
On purple peaks a deeper shade de4
scending:
In twilight copse. the glow worm
lights her spark.
The deer, half seen, are to the covert
vending.
Resume thy wizard elm. the fountaiu
lending,
And the wild breeze thy wilder mln4
strelsy
Thy numbers sweet with natures ves-
pers blending.
With distant echo from the fold ana
lea,
And herd-boy's evening pipe. and hum
of housing bee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21

The method here alluded to, does not
embrace that of breastworks or ordinary
Notifications. which are features in all
civilized warfare, and are included in the
science of war, according to the Euro
pean conception. But the American de-
clines to be so scientific as not to place
under tribute any obstruction to DEATH
dealing bullets. while he can from the
same covert mete out destruction. It
violates precision and Involves serious
break In the ranks. which would cause
dismay TO a European commander, but
where the execution is so efficacious.
Americans care but little for preserved
ranks.
To no more small degree was the sue
cess of the Beers In the recent South
African war due to this irregular mode
of fighting. They would hold at bay
large force of English by the strategy of
concealment, not unlike that of the
American savage. Lord Roberts was I'M
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21


i, iag, So took him fishing a rowboatv
at the bottom Of which we had stored
lunch, expecting to D. gone most OF the
day
The bunch wished him on me one NOR "a
ing SO ! took him fishing In a rowbnat.
at the botto moi which we had stored
our lunch, expecting to be gone most "
the day.
Just about noon stir wind sprano
up and blew so hard that II kicked up =
considerable sea against which couldn't
make any Roadway. The spray came
over our low gunwales, wetting US to the
skin, the bottom of our boat was awash
and our lunch was ruined. There VAS
nothing to do but keep out OF the trough
of the sea and try to make either shore
of the lake, which was about mile wide
After an hours killing work I succeeded
In Bleaching the craft, which had sprung
a leak. on h rocky shore good Is miles
from camp. There we stayed for five
hours while the gale ragged. We were
wet miserable and hungry, dusk was ap-
preaching and the prospect for spending
the night In the hign grass was the only
safe bet in sight.
Ignatius sat on rock and checked with
emotion.
I'D give a hundred dollars" said he.
Ito any fellow with q gas boat to tow me
back to that rotten camp with its tough
grub and concrete bedsl''
We spent the night in the woods and
tried to keep warm by battling with the
mosquitoes. They sent a launch for us
at daybreak, and when Ignatius got back
to camp, the way he absorbed leather
bound biscuits, Tapped up muddy coffee
and slowed away bacon would have re-
minded you OF one of those show window
demonstrations of vacuum-cleaner in
full action.
He slept that night like a babe in it's
mothers arms-and several nights there-
after-and he didn't go home at the eri
of the week. He had his first taste Of
adversely. came out alive, and even the
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