davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
A Significant Dispatch

|
 German troops continue to press
 forward in Belgium and the occupa-
 tion of Brussels was announced yes
 terday from London. The importance
 of this victory is more apparent
 than real.
 Brussels is an unfortified city and
 it's fall was forecast several days ago when the seat of government was re
 moved. The German troops have therefore taken an undefended town while exposing their flank to the at tack of the allies, with strong base
 at Antwerp should they advance further.
 An extremely significant event of yesterday was the inquiry from the Chinese government if the United | States would accept the trusteeship of the German protectorate Kiauchau in the interim between the evacua-
 tion of the Teutons and it's formal transfer to China. The Washington
 government was non-committal in it's
 reply.
 Unless Japan and Great Britian ex-
 press a willingness to agree to the
 proposal, it is assured that the Pres ident will refuse. To accept under
 any circumstances would prove un-
 wise, because tending to involve the United States in complications which
 might arise in the far east in addition
 to the already grave danger of such
 an eyentuality.
 Germany cannot accept the ultima tum of Japan and as the Kaiser has
 shown no previous hesitation about
 declaring war it is certain that unless Germany can find some honorable way to meet tHe SltudllOu HOStlitleS will result. Peace between Japan and
 Germany is of great importance but
 not sufficient to justify jeopardizing the neutrality of the United States.
 The general war situation on the
 surface appears little changed. The
 French have reoccupied Muelhausen at the point of the bayonet and in con- junction with their possession of Sar- reburg gives them a foothold suffice iently strong to strike at Strassburg.
 In the far east, as yet the slow nov ing Russians have not concentrated in sufficient force to bring on a seri- ous clash but the indications are that
 very soon they will be heard from.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
A Feeling Tribute

"On the pages Of history there are many names that claim the attention and admiration of mankind to a far sreater extent than does that of Pope Plus X but none that claims and wins the heartfelt love of the s5o, OOO, 900 or 4cO, G00 900 who constitute his flock than does this gentle Gueseppe Sarto, who lies dead in Rome" said r. l. Monks
 While by no means lacking in great mental qualities, his greatness really l lay in his heart; he really loved man. kind with a love that made his life sad as he saw the suffering and sor-
 row that the world endured and all of its own making. From his lonely chamber he looked out upon the war
 ring world and bethought him of the
 words of his Divine Master. Jerusalem.
 Jerusalem, how often would have gathered thee. even as hen doth
 gather her chickens and still tho,, wouldst not -iFhe last words of the
 expiring pontiff express the whole feel
 ing of the mans life. the thought of the
 impending horrors that threaten Eu-
 rope and the woes to follow
 | Not only was Plus X the holy fath
 err of the Catholic church: he was the good and loving father of every mem
 Der. His encyclicals are personal ap-
 peals to his children to seek higher rewards than this world can give. 'Pool land content is rich. and rich enough
 he would have men understand. ant | his own life was an example. He wa.
 known as the pope of the poor ant all his sympathies went out to thos,
 whose lives were hard. He did not en-
 courage the poor to grumble or be moan their lot; he gave them words O.
 comfort of announcement. words tha strengthened.
 Amidst the clash of arms and roal
 of cannon it is hardly possible to spar a tear for fallen brother, but whei the war drums heard no longer ant
 the battle flag is furled' mems thought will revert to the memory of a mai who vainly tried to save the slaught cred millions and whose heart brok
 when he failed to do so."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
JOYS WORTH THE WHILE

By Walt Whitman Know'st thou the excellent joys of youth Joys of the dear companions and of the
 merry wood and laughing face? Joy of the glad light-beaming day, joy of
 the wide-breathed games? Joy of sweet music. joy of the lighted
 ballroom and the dancers? Joy of the plenteous dinner. strong ca-
 rouse and drinking? Yet. o my soul supreme! know'st thou the joys of pensiv '
 thought? Joys of the free and lonesome heart, the
 tender bloomy heart? Joy of the solitary walk the spirit bowed
 yet proud. the suffering and the
 struggle? The agnostic throes. the ecstacies, joys
 of the solemn musings, day and
 night?
 Joys of the thought of death, the great
 spheres. time and space? Prophetic joys of better, loftier love g
 ideals. the divine wife. the sweet
 eternal, perfect comrade? Joys all thine own, undying one, joyf
 worthy thee. o souls For not lifes joys alone I sing, repeating
 -the joy of death. The beautiful touch of death, soothing
 and benumbing few moments, for
 reasons.
 Myself discharging my excrementine
 body to be burned, or renderedes
 powder or buried. My real body doubtless left to me for other spheres My vofded body nothing more to me, rec
 turning to the publications, further
 offices. eternal uses of the ca
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
LUKE M'LJrKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 Isn't it strange that poor people do not
 need as many surgical operations as
 wealthy folk?
 Almost every man has flock of preju-
 dices that he calls his principles. Maybe a man would quarrel oftener with his wife if it didn't cost so much to make up.
 There was time when young man took drink and went to the dogs when a girl turned him down. But nowadays
 he says good-by, lights a cigarette. walks around the corner and runs into an other girl.
 Most men have to suffer for their crimes. But Edison invented the phono- graph and he is as deaf as a post The old fashioned man who used to wait around for years for some one to die sc he could get a promotion, now has a son who does undertaking as a side line. Mother does lot of indignating be- cause sugar has gone up cents pei pound. But father can't see anything tc worry about as long as beer is only Indians per copy. And how is a fellow going to get inter ested in the war news in his paper wher l he is sitting in a summer street car ant the girl in front of him is wearing 2 l transparent waist and an x-ray corse | cover that doesn't come up higher thar the middle of her back? 1 The fellow who hollers murder if hi wife asks him to carry an eight-ounc' package home for her is the same la, who would cheerfully carry a 1S0-poun, trunk anywhere strange girl asks hin
 to lug it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF MONTHLY

had removed his moustache the evenip8| before On his person was found bailk note for 1000 francs and 2000 francs in gold. He was taken to prison at Orleans. Notwithstanding the proofs against him he denied his guilt and affirmed that he was not at Orleans on the morning of the 2lst. The police investigated his past life and found that he was greatly in debt. They also left nothing undone to trace his movements about the time of the crime. 1t was ascertained that after taking the room in the hotel he sent a message to Boisselier expressing a wish to see him. They had been seen together at cafe and the murdered man was not afterward seen alive.
 Notwithstanding all these overwhelm4I
 ing proofs, Montely persisted in denying everything. On February 26 1s43, he ap- peared before the court of asszes of Loiret, charged with murder An immense crcwd was attracted to the trial as every one wished to see the wretch who had murdered his friend in cold blood.
 In the course of the trial Montely de- clared that he would confess the whole truth. This is part of the confessions: "f had loaned 300 francs to Boisselier. who begged me to say nothing to his wife came to Orleans on November 27 to collect my money I went to the hotel and sent messenger to the bank for Boisselier. He came. but brought no money. I had been shaving and had accidentally cut myself with the razor.
 ''Boisselier, who had his bills for fol- lection in his hand, said: I have no money, but I have a cousin who is a bookkeeper, who will perhaps loan me some I said to him, You wish to put me off again as you have done before Fl snatched the bills from his hand and threatened to tell his wife and the man. ager of the bank. Then seizing my razor, he exclaimed: If you do I will kill my self I moved away toward my bed. He uttered a cry and I turned and saw that he had cut his throat. I endeavored
 to take the razor from him."
 Montely then stated that after this frightful occurrence he lost his senses and knew not what he did when he found that his friend had killed himself. Then he said he purchased the trunk and cut up the body to prevent exposure. This stathA ment was creditable enough, but the m,su7- cal testimony introduced to controvert it showed it was not probable. Many witt nesses testified as to the character of Boisseier, his happy home life and his sunny disposition.
 Montely was ably defended, but after deliberation of three hours the jury returned a verdict of guilty without ex- tenuating circumstances He was con- demned to death and the court ordered that the execution should take place on one of the public squares of Orleans He was executed on April 8, lS43, and persist ed in his innocence to the last.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
War Prices Prevailing

Since the beginning of the Euro pean war extraordinary advances have occurred with great rapidity in quotations on almost all of the sta ple groceries sold in Birmingham. Reports, however, show that these ad vances have not been confined to any one city or locality, nor to retailer, wholesaler or producer alone; but have been widespread, affecting pro- ducer, middleman and consumer in 8 marked degree.
 Consumers of Birmingham as well as those of New York and other large cities throughout the country have ex- pressed indignation concerning the record breaking prices now prevailing on many commodities. The public ex- pected an increase in prices as a re- suit of the war and would, no doubt, have submitted without protest to a moderate advance in quotations on wheat products, but an advance of al most 75 per cent on sugar proved too much for the most "easy going" oi consumers. Exorbitant sugar prices now in effect should not be paid with out convincing evidence of justifica tion on the part of dealers and re liners.
 If the sugar men have justice on their side and conditions really war
 rant present prices there should be nc hesitation on the part of represents tives of these concerns in placing all
 the facts before the public. If this is not done popular indignation will be come thoroughly aroused and public wrath will be quickly vented upor any interests which may be found tt have a monoply or be acting in re
 straint of trade. The government a
 Washington has already taken tn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
A Festive Resort

In spite of the fact that Europe is
 engaged in deadly strife and prophets of evil are croaking throughout the land, while the prices of foodstuffs soar and many sailorman is cooling his heels in port with nothing to do, the joyous atmosphere of Atlantic City continues to be it's most dis tinguishing feature. Last Saturday and Sunday it is estimated that 300,- 900 men, women and children from all parts of the United States and Canada visited the famous resort. With a nor nal population of 55,000 Atlantic City entertained the throng in such accept able fashion that all were pleased and not few were delighted. From the Inlet to Chelsea the shore was black with bathers and near-bathers, while
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
CASEY AT THE BAT

From tfp Popular Magazine. De Wolf Hopper. whose name will ever
 be associated with Casey at the bat is
 something of a batsman himself when it
 comes to a game of repartee.
 At a dinner party he had finished his
 speech, and Jas he sat down a lawyer arose, showed his hands deep into his trousers pockets-as was his habit-and laughingly inquired: Doesn't 1t strike this company as a little unusual that professional comed- ian should be funny?' When the laughter that greeted this sally had subsded. We Wolf Hopper drawled out:
 Doesn't it strike this company as a little unusual that a lawyer should have his hands in his own pockets?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
BANGi

Fido found cannon cracker, Fido grabbed it in hIs mouth; t1do's hair turned ten shades blacker. Fido's left us-headed south.
 Cincinnati Enquirer. Bridget grabbed the can of coal oil And she poured some on the fire; Biddy is no longer with us The poor girl has gone up high'r.
 Allentown Democrat. Bruno thought the mule was leeping, And he thought he'd cut dido; At the mules heels he went leaping: Now he's most caught up with Fido.
 Houston Post. Bobby said. ''The guns not loaded And looked down the tube in jest, Pulled the trigger, and went hiking, Along with Fido and the rest.
 Memphis Commercial-Appeal Carlo never impulse quelled, q Vivid his ina agination; ~ Wondered how the third rail smelled: Now he's full of information.
 Marion, O., Tribune. Algy on the lake went rowing Said. Just watch me rock the boat!' Now he's where the lakes are glowin And no woman wants to vote.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
THE ART OF NAMING BOATS
the Cincinnati Tribune.

From the Cincinnati Tribune.
 Individual yachts and launches almost
 always carry individual names. Often
 times the owner follows the name of
 some woman member of the family. That practice is common. I saw one named Julia III. to show that at some time three Julias had figured in the family history.
 Quite the oldest name ever saw or little launch of family nature was EEEE. That puzzled me for long time I asked no questions, preferring to gel solution. One evening I watched ths pretty boat with party who were hay ] ing a good time and the significance ol l the capital Els came to my mind. l
 meant Ease"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
many other thousands promenaded

many other thousands promenaded the Boardwalk.
 The crowd was ''out for good time' and easily diverted. If toy balloon escaped from the hands of small boy tremendous interest was aroused and thousands of necks were eraned in an effort to follow the toy in it's flight. If balloon merchant lost his grip on his entire stock and they scared aloft the visitors were in transports. A dog worrying a rubber ball drew hundreds of eager spectators, young man who tucked his best girl in the surf was sure of large and appre- ciative crowd to applaud him and a bevy of beauties overwhelmed by a hungry wave brought forth swarns of potential heroes.
 Meanwhile the happy hotel men wear the smile that never fades and collect toll with a light heart. The war is not hurting their business at all. On the contrary, they predict that the crowds will be augmented this year by tourists returning from abroad who will visit Atlantic City to forget amid it's manifold delights the nerve-wracking experiences they met with while abroad.
 Atlantic City flourishes, but Os- tend? That's another story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
Question of Humanity and Right

Tn reference to the working of con- vets by. the state and the state ap- lpropriating the revenue made by the convict to the exclusion of the con N'ct Wife and children. too much cen sure should not be passed on Ala 6ana, said J. W. Forbes a well known traveling man. Tt is q well known
 fact that the federal government treats l its prisoners with the utmost care and consideration and provides means by Whlch the federal convict can improve
 hIihseif, morally and materially, yet the great government of the United states makes no provision for the care of the wife and family of a federal prisoner. The department of justice sees to it that United States pris- oner, both before and after convic-
 ton, Is properly cared for. but is silent
 on the welfare of those dependent on
 the convict
 Vt Is deplorable that innocent wom-
 en and children should be made to suf-
 Fer for the misdeeds of the husband
 ana father, and 1t is reflection on our
 hoasted civilization when the state
 should place the burden of the punish
 ment on them.
 l here is no greater injustice, and, 1 To my mind. no greater crime than for
 this or any other state to place in it's treasury the earnings of a convict and at the same time let his wife and
 babies siarve. The difference between | the federal government and that of the
 state is that the government derives
 no revenue from the earnings of the
 convict, while the states does and to
 it's shame boasts about it.
 T sincerely hope that the time is
 near at hand when county, state and
 the federal government will make some | provision for the innocent dependents of wronsdoer, especially when prs- oEers are made a source of revenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Prosperity Ahead

Early in the summer there was much talk about prosperity scheduled for the autumn and business men IS a rule are still expecting it." said L. T. Cart right of Chicago.
 The European war has been a dis turbing factor in many branches of business in this country, but the effect Is only temporary. I believe that we Will have prosperity spelled with DE r. The enormous crops form the basis of our thrift and the fact that stocks of commodities have run low VIII certainly tend to make a business boom There will be a demand for ev- erything. No one pretends to know how long the foreign war will last: but when the fight is over there will be great rebound, which will mean the greatest measure of prosperity this country has ever seen'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
In the Musical World

The Treble Clef club, the Music study club chorus and the Arion club will unite in rehearsing beautiful 'oratorio and one or two short compo- sitions for next springs festival" said a music lover
 MT. Rienzi Thomas, who conducted last springs festival with such bril- liant success, is the musical director of each of the clubs named and will have splendid consolidated chorus for the 1915 festival While definite ar arrangements have not been made, it is understood that there will be two night performances and symphony matinee. There was no deficit from the last festival and there will be no deficit next spring provided the same good work Is done by members of the Mu- sic Study club in selling tickets"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21

~ N November 22, 1S42, a curious
 of the messageries generates, at Orleans, France. The procurer of the King, a commissary of police, several agents and numerous gendarmes had just made a descent upon the building of that establishment devoted to the storage of baggage. While the procurer was ex- anining registry of departures, man named Bernard. who kept the Hotel de Europe in the Due de la Hallebarde' approached the commissary of police and pointed out an enormous trunk, and said;
 There it is." Upon forcing the lock a terrible discovery was made. A human body. horribly mutilated, was discovered to the eyes of the spectators. Upon sign from the procurer man who had up to this time, kept in the background, ap- preached and at the sight of the body cried: .'It is indeed our clerk at the bank. our poor Boisselier.''
 An investigation was at once set on foot and it was learned that on the morn ing of the 21st Boisselier had departed from the bank to collect the amounts due upon eertsiV expired bills. Hours passed and he did not return. It was learned at the bank that the moneys had been collected, but assuredly not by Bois- seller. The description was that of a person short, thick set, of dark com plexion with black hair and mustache
 Boisselier lived in the banking house with his wife. Upon the wife being ques- toned she averred that she had not seen her husband since the morning of the 2lst and she was ill great distress at his mys- terious disappearance. From her 1t was learned that among her husbands friends was one Montely. who was clerk in the office of an insurance company. Her description of the man corresponded with that given of the individual who had col lected the money in Boisselier's place. Ev- idence was also forthcoming that an inter- view had taken place between the hus- band and Mcntely on the Fist
 When the investigation was in progress the hotel proprietor related of a singular discovery he had just made of evidence of a tragedy in his hotel A traveller calling himself Morel, he said, arrived at his house and had large trunk taken to his room. He had afterward had the trunk taken to the messageries, whence 1t was 1 to be forwarded to Toulouse. The pro- 1,rietor described the man Morel ana the description exactly fitted that or | Montey.
 1 The procurer went at once to the hotel | and Secured full evidence of the crime | At once he dispatched the police to saint Germain en Lave with a warrant for Mon- | .e,v,s arrest. which was served in his house m, the morning of November ?. He
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
roMoRRow-TRIAL OF ARBUTHNoT AND AMBRIsTER

other in Europe shall fight as tenaciously as Americans fought, the casualties on each side should reach 10000.
 But it seems highly doubtful if 100000 soldiers will ever be sent into action on one day by either commander/ Armies of such magnitude reach across scores of miles of territory
 official reports show that during the entire civil war 67,000 Union soldiers were killed in battle and 4S,OO0 more died of their wounds, making a total of 10000.
 But during those four years 199,0O0 Union soldiers died of disease. We shall see if medical science can now prevent dis case from killing more soldiers than bull let and sabre.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
matter up. and if conditions are not speedily explained to the satisfaction of the administration, decisive action will be promptly taken

The largest United States flag in exis- tence has just been finished by the Amos keag Manufacturing company. It is s' feet long and 50 feet wide. Each of the 13 stripes is nearly four feet high or fl inches The stars on the flag are con structed within a s9-inch circle, and are about three feet from point to point. The blue field is B feet in length and lit- tie over 25 feet in height. The stars alone weigh nine pounds, while the completed flag weighs 200 pounds. In making this huge flag the government regulation that the nation banner shall never be allowed to touch the ground was complied with, although this was difficult on account of the dimensions A pole 2S5 feet high has been prepared to hold the flag. Un- usually strong bunting had to be used to prevent the flag from being torn to pieces by the strain it will be subject to. Mathe- nautical persons are now trying to esti- mate How much wind pressure will be re- quired to make an Ameriean flag weigh ing POO pounds and containing 4750 square feet of bunting fly out straight from the flag pole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
BULLETS vs. DISEASE

Girard, m Philade1phia Ledger.
 In the 12 bloodiest battles of the civil war there were in round numbers 2S00o killed outright and 1190OO wounded on the Union side This does not include pris- oners.
 The aggregate number of men engaged in all these battles was less than ,OO0. coo 1t would appear, therefore. that if those two unparalleled armies now facing each
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-21
A WEEKS WASH.

Rather queer looking curtain hanging at that window across the way. It re- minds me of Japanese portiere." That isn't curtain. Miss Ballroom has tied a string across her window and hung up her stockings to dry
 PLENTIFULLY SUPPLIED. 'Im going' shopping today, Henry skinnum & Co. advertise a cut-price sale"
 "All right. my dear, but if you are tempted to buy another 'varz' please re- member that we already have 27 or more scattered about the house."
 NOT APPETIzING.
 I hate to dine
 On cakes and tea.
 With blowsy blonde
 To wait on me.
 A SHORT STAY. "A tramp told me curious hard luck story yesterday" What was it about?' He said he went to Mexico to. work on rubber plantation and he hadn't been there week before he was bounced"