davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
SIZE OF BATTLE

From the Boston Transcript.
 Mexico having neither the military or ganization, resources of capacity of the southern confederacy, we may expect that if we do not have military prom enade" we shall escape very heavy losses. The time may have gone by when such exploits as Scott's march from Vera Cruz to the capital are possible. Scott started with only about 12,0O0 effectives, and by the time he had reached his goal the necessity of guarding communica- tions and the wear and tear of cam paigning had reduced the fighting force available to the neighborhood of 5000. These were pitted against four times their number. yet they fought their way into the halls of the Montezumas. Scotts losses killed and wounded, dur ing his operations around the Mexican capital aggregated 27O3, approximately a heavy price to pay for the victory. There are more people in Mexico than there were in 1s47 but whether the Mex can soldiers are better than they were then is open to question. We. too, have grown in population and in knowledge of war and it is to be expected that should the worst come our government would employ forces powerful enough to bear down opposition and so minimize blood shed.
 Of course, all great battle have not been attended with long casualty lists. Battles may be gauged according to their effect as well as according to the forces engaged. In the Spanish-Amercan war which changed the world history, the total number of deaths on our side dur ing the entire contest was but 20l0, of whom only 306 were to be credited to battle Nine of our soldiers died of dis ease where one fell at the hands of the enemy. The navy lost in all its engage ments only a very few officers and men,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
Sahara Once Inhabited

Hitherto supposedly well estab- llshed theories as to the evolution of the worlds cosmography will have to undergo change if the conclusions of Colonel Roulet, Frenchman, are to be accepted as correct. It has always been supposed that the desert of Sahara was once at the bottom of the ocean and that it's vast sweeps of sand are what was once the bed of a submarine area.
 Colonel Roulet has been spending sometime in the Sahara making ex- tensive research and upon his recent return to Paris he placed before the Anthropological society of that city the results of his investigations and his conclusions based thereon. He asserts that some months ago he dis covered Walata, the religious capi- tai of the desert, which, in the mid dle ages, was town of great wealth and architectural beauty. It lies some 300 miles west of Timbuktu. and still preserves all the appearance of an ancient citadel. Most of the houses are built of stone and are but one story in height but they are orna- mented within and without with curi- ous arabesques and rich tracery.
 But this is not all. While the newly discovered relics do not ante date the iron age, Colonel Roulet has made other excavations at Taodeni, some 400 miles north of Timbuktu and his finds, among which are stone weapons of the neolthic period, prove that the Sahara was inhabited from the earliest times.
 Whether the desert became the abode of man after it ceased to serve as the bed of the sea, or whether it was at one time a populous area whose inhabitants were overtaken by such catastrophe as deluge of many centuries duration is question for the savants to study and answer if they can; but the finds and the con clusions of Colonel Roulet furnish a savory pabulum for thought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
Author of East Lynne

Thousands of theatregoers have wont over East Lynne" It has been played up and down the land by ten twent- -thirt" companies along the "kerosine circuit" and in popular priced theatres of cities, until there Is hardly anybody with the mildest in- terest in the theatre who has not seen this "throbbing" story of illicit pas sion and mother love unfolded to the concomitant shedding of buckets of tears" And, what is more to the point, E this play still has hold on the pub 2 lie. Like "The Two Orphans" 1t seems destined to outlive many more ambitious pieces. Yet, how few of the multitude who have seen East Lynne know the name of the author. Mrs. Henry Wood, an English woman who wrote this story of "heart interest, as it is called by press agents, never did anything else that attracted atten- tion. It was her one idea, but an eX- tremely profitable one.
 egsEYne novel, says critic, combined the domestic with the melodramatic in such way that it made an irresistible appeal to readers, who were moved by the picture of maternal love purify ing woman who had sinned. It also appealed to the Hast infirmity of the respectable,' a lurking interest in il- licit love. Mrs. Wood was fortunate in combining these various properties of her remarkably successful story in such proportions that the conventions of the mid Victorian era were not sen sibly violated. 1t IS sad that no other work ever had the success of East Lynne," as a book and play.
 The plays that live, just as the books that live and the songs that en- dure, may or may not be produced by mighty intellects, but they all combine a certain simplicity-an underestimate ble quality that does not put them over the heads of the masses. There are masterpieces that inspire the elect and win a degree of immortality, but the crowd knows them not. It is the sim pie things that make the widest and most lasting impression.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
Test of Wars New Engine

In the event of actual and prolonged hostilities between the United States and Mexico no feature of the conflict will be of more interest than the test of the intelligent use of the aero plane in the skilled hands of Ameri- can operators.
 This new engine of warfare has never been given an appreciable trial for while the airships were employed during the Balkan war they were util- ized to but limited extent and under conditions that handicapped the ma nipulators. Such conditions will not obtain at Vera Cruz in the event of warfare as the machines of the United States army and navy are the most modern pattern, are the best that can possibly be constructed and are manned by brave, intelligent and we'll trained aviators.
 Admittedly the United States has not kept pace with the European pow CTS in the development of aeronautics, but the desideratum is in the number of airships only, not in the perfection of the machines nor in the skill of the crew. So long as General Maas holds his fortified position fifteen miles beyond Vera Cruz he will be unable to secret a single movement of his from the air scouts hanging over his camp and it is questionable if the bombs that may be dropped by the hjrdmen will not compel him to change his position.
 No movement in the interior can be hidden from the Americans and from their swinging perches the aviators will be enabled to map the country in every detail, thus facilitating the progress of the United States army
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
SERVED HIM RIGHT
From London Tit Bits.

From London Tit-Bits.
 Eustace had a bicycle. Eustace had something else, too-he had profound contempt for ''yokels," he called the inha bitants of the country.
 Eustace was on his first bicycling tour. and felt quite an adventurous dog. One morning he was leaning against a gate, smoking a pipe, which he tried hard to believe was as pleasant as it looked. when one of the despised yokels came along.
 That there things bike, aint it, mis- ter," said he.
 "It is. my man." answered the paron- izing adventurer. Do you think you could ride it?'
 "Ay." replied the bucolic one Any body could!'
 "Or, indeed. Well, you try 1t and ride this one and see how you get on. it's not as easy as you think, my man'
 Up jumped the yokel and rode off. When he had gone about 20 yeards he turned gracefully in the saddle and called to Eustace:
 You'll find the bike by the church. yard, three miles down the road! I'm in a hurry!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29

2,465,o00. are found in the immense thinly peopled states north of that line, which by reason of their vast mineral wealth constitute the part really de- sirable to us, and in which much the greater part of more than a billion dol lars of American capital in Mexico Is already invested, besides immense for eign investments"
 MT. Parsons points out that the vast territory referred to would have been civilized and developed as we have de- veloped Texas. New Mexico, Arizona and the Pacific coast states. He says that this territorial adjustment would not only have been to the best interest of Mexico itself, but that it would be today a far better and safer solution of the Mexican problem. than to- leave Mexico in possession of the territories 1t cannot control"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29

The Poetry Shop of London" is located in Devonshre street. It has a signboard representing stars and a flying flame. The interior is somewhat dim, as befitting a romantic spot All about are shelves full of poetry, both ancient and modern The visitor may take down any volume at will and read it while sitting on a com fortable oak bench. On Tuesdays and Thursdays meetings of the votaries of Apollo are held in a small cha mber more like a shed. which is reached by a tor tuous passage leading from the poetry shop. Two tai mounted candles give light and there is background of blue curtains which adds to the "hushed air of mystery" that prevails in this ex- elusive place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
BROADWAY DANDyv IS GONE

From the NaSnlnglon POSt.
 That French woman who referred to New York as the land of beauties and beasts was rather brutally frank in her comments, but she was not far from be- ing right remarked S. Walter Baron, g New York lawyer, who has made that city his home for many years, at the Shore ham. Tn complimentng the New York the French woman was rendering only just praise, and in describing the dress of New York men she was exceedingly forceful. but not altogethr wrong. I do ot Xactly subscribe tothe statement that New York men dress like a lot of rag pickers,' but it is a fact that the New York men have become slovenly in their dress There was a time. not so many years ago. when New York was famous for her Broadway dandies,' and deserved ly so. One could stroll along upper Broadway almost any hour of the day or evening and see scores of fashionably dressed men, all garbed in good taste. Today it is next to impossible to find any men on Broadway who could correctly be described as representing the glass of fashion and the mold of form They have disappeared. The Broadway dandy of 20 years ago has gone. I don't know where he has moved to, but he is no longer to be seen on the promenades of New York.
 New York business men, on the other hand, have not deteriorated in the matter of dress. Tn the business sections down. town. in banking circles. you can find your well-dressed New Yorker just as you could a quarter of century ago. Of course, the French woman was rather harsh in her criticisms. I do not agree taches.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
IMPEACHMENT OF WILLIAM BLOUNT

decided to consider the case of Blount but as it was midsummer. the sessions of the first session of the Fifth Congress adjourned on July 10, but the committee that had been appointed to prepare and report the case for trial against the senator were authorized to sit during the recess of Congress.
 The second session of the Fifth Con- gress was begun in Philadelphia, which was the capital at the time, on Nov ember 1S, and among the first things that was done was to take up the ques- tion of the Blount impeachment. The House considered the question until the following February :, when the findings were carried to the Senate by Repre- sentatives Sitgreayes, Bayard. Harper, Gordon, Pinckney, Dana, Sewall. Hosmer. Dennis, Evans and 1mley, who were appointed to conduct the said impeach- ment.
 The purport of the five articles was as follows: l. That Senator Blount had con- trived to set on foot a military hostile expedition in the Floridas and Louisiana against Spain in order to wrest this land from that country. ?. That he, in dis regard of the treaty between this coun- try and Spain, conspired to excite the Creek and Cherokee Indians living within the territory to commence hostilities against Spain.
 g. That Blount had tried to alienate these tribes of Indians from their friend- liness to Benjamin Hawkins, who had been appointed by the President as tenn porary agent. 4. That he had contrived { to seduce James Carey, the governments Indian interpreter in Tennessee, to assist in the promotion and execution of his criminal conspiracies. 3. That he inn: paired the influence of the United States by exciting the Indians against the gov ernments representatives who had been sent to mark the boundary lines be- tween the United States and the Chero- kee nation.
 When Blount was expelled from the United States Senate the vote stood 25 to l, Tazewell of Virginia voting mo" On January A. 1799 the court then in' session in Philadelphia decided by a vote of l4 to Il that as he was no longer a senator they had no jurisdiction. He was never spoken of as a traitor by the people of Tennessee, and was held in high honor to the end of his days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29

as it progresses inland in its march upon Mexico City.
 The possibilities which the position of the two armies affords will con- tribute to the aeroplane a test far more practical than has ever been ac- corded it and the campaign in the air will be watched and studied by the powers of the world with unprece- dented and concentrated interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29

THE first trial and impeachment in
 the United States after the for
 A nation of our government was that of William Blount, during the pres idency of John Adams. On July 8, 1907, President Adams sent to Congress a number of papers on the relations of the United States and Spain. Among them was a letter from United States Senator Blount of Tennessee, to an Indian agent among the Cherokees, from which it ap- peared that Bount was engaged in a conspiracy to transfer New Orleans and the neighboring territory from Spain to Great Britain, by means of a British fleet and land force to be furnished by Blount.
 On receipt of this information the House gave Blount notice of its inten- ton to impeach him. The Senate at first put him under $50,000 bonds to appear for trial but afterwards expelled him on July 9. His sureties then surrendered the senator to the Senate, but he was again released on decreased bail. The whole of the next session, from November IS, 1797, to July 16. 179S, hardly suffered for tue pleDdTdtlo0 DI lnt i've dTlicltS Ol impeachment, which were prepared to bring him to trialfon December "A, 179S.
 Blount who had in the meantime been elected to the Senate of his state, did not appear, but his cousenl pleaded First that as senator he was not a civil officer liable to impeachment, and, second, that since his expulsion he was no longer a senator. The Senate sus- tained the first plea, and Blount was ac- quilted for want of Jurisdiction.
 The ground for the impeachment of Senator Blount was based on the fol- lowing clauses from the constitution. "The President Vice President and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office, on impeach- ment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misde- meanors.
 Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to a re- moval from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor. trust or profit under the United States. But the party convicted shall, never theless, be liable and subject to indict- ment according to law"
 Upon this constitution clause it was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
TIPS FROM TEXAS

From the Dallas News.
 One of the strangest paradoxes in this world is how a man hits the ceiling after he starts down hill.
 As a general thing 1t is no sign that a big girl doesn't love her little brother just because she doesn't introduce him to her beau.
 Even the lxintF of man who forgets on which side his bread is buttered can re- member lot of worthless things.
 When a man is too lazy to shave him self he says he cuts his face every time he tries it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
NOT THE FRIDAY ODOR

From the Atlanta Journal.
 Our contributors small friend. little Rollo, aged D. had always observed that fish was the big dish at his home on Fri day. And he had observed that the rule held in the neighboring households.
 Recently little Rollo was sent out to visit his grandma in the country. And after day or two he missed something
 Grandma" said he, "ain't tit ever Fri day in the country
 What a question:" she laughed. "Of course 1t is. Today is Friday, dear.
 We'll" said Rollo. Tt don't smell like Friday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
THE PRESIDENTS CRITICS

From the New York World.
 Naggng the President will not help solve the Mexican problem Denouncing his Mexican policy will not help solve it. Abusing MT. Bryan will not help solve it. Rejoicing over the defection of Carranza will not help solve it. Calling Villa a murderous bandit will not help solve 1t. Attacking the administration for what it did last year or last month or last week will not help solve it.
 It is easy enough to say that the Presi- dent "blundered into war" Thousands of disinterested and honest Americans be- lieve it to be a fact. But we shall not blunder out of war, and nothing is to be gained by finding fault with the President for what no human power can now rem edy. What is past is past.
 The Indiana republicans at their state convention Thursday assailed the Presi- pledged their precious support to the gov ernment in whatever "it may undertake for the vindication of the nations honor or the nations rights in Mexico or else where' This represents the cheapest and shoddiest brand of patriotism which can be put upon the market.
 The World is by no means convinced that a different Mexican policy in Wash ington would necessarily have had diff ferent ending. The crisis might have been postponed; but it is not lack of states manship and patriotism in Washington which has brought about the present sit t; manship and patriotism in Mexico.
 Whether We like it whether we dis like it, we are all in this mess together, and nothing remains but to see it through. Critcising the President for what he does or does not do today is proper enough, but criticsing him for what he did or did not do last week or last month or last year is only making difficult task more difficult.
 As the case now stands, the effect of their nagging is to delude Huerta into the belief that the American people as a whole are not united in support of Presi- dent Wilson, and that the government av Washington can be b.dffed by coalition of Mexicans and anti-Wlson Americans. Such delusion might add to the list Of killed and wounded, but it is certain to be exploded whatever the cost.
 It is too late for doubts and misgivings. We have already appealed at Vera Cruz to the drumming guns that have no doubts,'' and the job cannot be done too quickly or too thoroughly for the good of both countries. If the President is dis posed to hold back because of hostile crit icism, he is making deplorable error. This is the time to strike, and to strike hard. There is only one man in all the world who can now establish peace in Mexico. His name is Woodrow Wilson, and the only tools that he can use in the establishment of that peace are the army and navy of the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
First Visit South

J. G. Staats of Chicago, representing a large laundry machinery company is here installing laundry equipment in the Hotel Tutwiler.
 This Is my first trip south" said MT. Staats. Tt Is a great section, and Bir- mingham is fine city. While I ha l heard a great deal about Birmingham as an industrial center, I am amazed to find it so handsomely built up. It seems to be progressive from every point of view. The Tutwiler is a mag nificent. hotel and it Is to be conducted on strictly high class lines.'
 The company that Mir Staats repre- sents has recently closed a contract for installing the laundry machinery in the Geyser in Yellowstone park, which is one of the greatest hotels in this coun- trN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
ToMoRRow-TRIALO OF THE sTAUNToNs
,sssssssss
A TEETOTALER

From the New York Tribune.
 The late Shelby Cullom, said a Springfield veteran, was a bad man to argue with.
 ''I argued with him once on war. He accused me of being weak-kneed in my principles. He said I reminded him of old Cal Clay.
 He saw Cal rolling along home one evening, he explained, full of applejack. and so he said to him:
 Why. Cal, you told me once that you were a teetotaer.
 So ah is, Mars Shelby,T said old Cal, so ah is: only, sah, ah ain't big oted.' '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
The Approaching Music Festival

AS the music festival draws near" said Frederick Gunster yesterday, T am reminded of the many festivals I have taken part in, particularly in Maine. There they mean more to the people than anything else musical which takes place in that state during the year. In fact, the music festival in Maine is a state affair. For a solid year the musical folks of various towns renearse the chorus work under local directors and when the time for presentation comes they gather in Portland or Bangor and under the director general, MT. William R. Chap man, who Is the director of the Rubin astein club in New York, the oratorio is rehearsed for the first three days of fes- tival week and then performed
 "Of course the Cincinnati Music Fes- tival and the Worcester Music festival are acknowledged to the best that are given in this country. but 1 like the idea of the entire state being aroused unsteady for a festivaI each year as in Maine. Well known artists are en- gagged for the occasion, besides local talent, and one evening a group of con tralto singers will be presented, another evening tenor soloists, and another even ing soprano singers. Madame Jomeli and Geraldine Farrar appeared on the programme at the last festival l sang in at Portland and it was a wonderful gathering of musicians.
 T believe the music festival here could be made state affair, just as it is in Maine and 1t would bs Of great edu- cational advantage to music students and music lovers if such could be the case