davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

work for them are still trailing through mire and mud or plodding over stony paths while those communities which relied upon their own resources and called into play their own ener- gies are enjoying smooth roadbeds and spinning along modern and i'm proved highways.
 The present cotton problem is a knotty and difficult one, but it's solu- tion may be depended upon when to that solution personal consideration and individual energy are devoted by a people who proudly and successfully emerged from the reconstruction era, as dark a period as ever confronted self-reliant people.
 Do away with the idea of large gov ernmental patronage, rely upon per sonal effort and bigger, brighter, bet ter than ever will the south rise from it's present beclouded predicament.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
WAR ECHOES

Louisville Courier-J Journal: The criti- cism, streaked with abuse, which attend ed each retrograde movement of the French General Joffre before the German advance-a series of master-strokes in strategy borrowed from the Johnston sherman campaign in America of 50 years ago-will recall, especially to southern men, another parallel found among the annals of our sectional war.
 In the late autumn of 1861 Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was sent from Richmond to take command of the Confederate forces of the middle west. He fixed his headquarters at Bowling Green, Ky, and at once proceeded to organize an army. We now know that he was an eminent soldier who had framed an all-embracing and far-reaching plan of campaign, which but for his untinely death on the field of battle. might have changed the fate and fortunes of that great conflict
 But, from the outset, General Johnston was met by detraction. His failure to advance to the line of the Ohio was her aided far and wide as proof of his lack of genius enterprise and courage. The fall of Fort Donelson was laid to his account He ultimately retired to the line of the Tennessee and, in April, 1862, fought the battle of Shiloh.
 The morning of the 9th of that month he literally surprised the federals under General Grant and at o'clock that after noon, when he was killed, had Grant s army doubled up on the rivers brink. His
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
Which Shall We Believe?

So contradictory and confusing are the reports coming to us from the war , in Europe that host of newspaper readers are in despair as to what IS true and what it false. This is es- pecially the case in regard to the al leged atrocities committed by German soldiers in France and Belgium, par ticularly in Belgium. The same news papers publishing on their front pages a resume of the findings of the Belgian commission of inquiry appointed by King Albert, which was presented to President Wilson, also carry lengthy dispatch from an American newspaper man, representative of the trust worthy Associated Press, who declares that he has been unable to find any grounds at all for the charges made against the Germans.
 This correspondent was in Brus- SelS WllSu Clit bSllldio llNduSu tuS city He writes: "In less than "A hours the Belgian citizens were chat ting comfortably with the German in- vaders and the allegations of German brutality and demoniacal torture dis solved into one of the myths that have accompanied all wars" He states that he was unable to discover single of fensive act committed by a German soldier, either in Brussels or in it's en- virons. He could not substantiate any of the stories of atrocities practiced at Louvain and although he travelled with the Germany army, as prisoner, for days, marching along with a column of troops only one mile behind the actual fighting, he saw no evidences of brutality on the part of the German soldiers.
 On the contrary, he states that the troops were uniformly kind and con- siderate, some of the officers even tipping literally in the inns they patronized. He says he saw only a few cases of drunkenness in an enor- nous army of men. That houses were burned and property destroyed he does not deny, but explains, as the Germans have steadfastly maintained, that this was done only when the troops met armed resistance on the part of civil ians and "snipers." Other American newspaper men have recently come to the defense of the Germans.
 Yet, we have the Belgian commits sloners at our doors with a most hor- rendous tale to unfold.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
The Philosophy of Life

"Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and thy neighbor as myself. ."-Matthew 22, 37-39.
 Not very long ago I was asked by friend of other days what my phi losophy of life was now. In an instant l was snatched back to the callow years in which l struggled through the theories of how life ought to be conducted. My answer was that had no philosophy of life; that I had been so busy living life l had not had time to theorize about it. And that is true with the most of us. About all we can do is to make sort of stagger at living day by day. Duties crowd so fast, responsibilities press so hard, weariness comes so soon.
 Yet, as I thought about it after wards, realized that man must have a philosophy of life, that action must have some co-ordinating princi- pie. Otherwise living would show no coherence, the days would have no sequence, the years would be unre- lated.
 What then shall one lay his finger on as an adequate and permanent basis for life? 1 finally decided that if anybody ever asked me again what my philosophy of life was, I should know what to say. My answer would be the text at the top, if I could bring myself to say it without cant. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself."
 It all sounds very easy to us be- cause we have had it these years, but 1t cleaves to the bottom of things with an unexampled simplicity and di- rectness. If Christ had said no other word l believe this one sentence would have stamped him to the end of the ages as the greatest of all teachers about life. Wade through the indi- rections, complexities, cloudy vapors limitations, half truths, vague striv- ings of the philosophers, and then gaze on this crystalline statement. Theirs is burden of books. But when you are through with them, though you may be amazed at their labor, sur prised at their insight, inspired by their earnestness, you are never theless desperate with the futility of ! it all. You are lost in the maze. His
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Business Here and Elsewhere

Business throughout the east was inn proving steadily up to the breaking out or the European war, but there seems to be considerable hesitation now" said ". J. Damon of Philadelphia.
 The situation. however, is not as bad as some croakers say it is. One thing ca couraging to all of us engaged in mercan- tiie pursuits is that business will improve Tn the fall and that when the war is over 1t will boom
 Birmingham looks to me remarkably busy. It is about the most prosperous looking city of approximately it's size that have seen within the last six m, ,s.ths. and l have made extended tours of the middle west and vest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
King Georges Speech

For long time past the speech from the British throne has been pro- verbally colorless, but King Georges speech Friday proroguing Parliament, which was read in the House of Lords by the lord high chancellor and in the House of Commons by the deputy speaker, dealt with the war situation and although it was brief, even briefer than usual, it had a great deal of meaning in it. It was a fine specimen of English, too; impressive and elo- quent-eloquent in it's simplicity.
 The speech of the British sovereign, according to an unwritten law, must be approved by the prime minister be- fore it is delivered This particular speech was probably written by Pre- mier Asquith, but no matter who wrote 1t, 1t was a masterpiece of it's kind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
Monday Election Day

While the people of Birmingham are intensely interested in Mondays com mission election, many of us have been interested in the Virginia prohibition campaign and are wondering what the outcome of Mondays election in the Old Dominion will be-" said a memb CT of Birmin Shams Virginia colony.
 "The Anti-Saloon league organized. I believe, the Virginia campaign a year attracted very little outside attention. Now. however. it seems to be of ab- sorbing interest.
 T was in Virginia a few weeks ago and it ooked then as if the state wide prohibition cause would win, but sev- eral disinterested men who have been in Virginia recently tell me that the local optionists will have a majority of probably 5000 or 10000. The contest seems very close. The business men of Richmond and Norfolk are working earnestly against statewide prohibi- tion and it is thought now by the local optionists that thousands of men throughout the state who vote dry at home under the local option law will cast a ballot in favor of keeping the old commonwealth in the local option column.
 "We have here in Alabama about the same situation--a state almost dry, but still when the issue comes squarely on statewide or local option, local option wins"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
KEEP GOING.

When the road lies dark before you When the storms are bursting OCT you And it seems the shadows ne'er will
 pass away, Pay no heed to wind or weather, Only pull yourself together, For the battle may be yours some
 other day. Oh, 'tis hard to keep on smiling, All the cares of life beguiling, When misfortunes follow fast upon
 your trail, But the fellows who have tried it. And no one has e'er denied it. Will tell you that it's never known
 to fail. Soon the way gets bright and brighter, Socn the burdens are much lighter And your heart is ever ready for a
 song; And the ills that come to vex you And the problems that perpleX you Cease to trouble as you bravely plod
 alongi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

1 over the counter. Name the price and il it's right we'll take the goods"
 There is not better or purer watei supply system in this country than Sir. mingham's and should Harry Jones be elected commissioner I would almost bel that the city would own it in a year and get It for much less than they could build one or hluff the owners of this one into selling.
 It is human nature for people who own things to fight back when they are being fought.
 I don't believe in lawsuits and the transaction of business with chips on ones shoulder. Weatherly has been a lawyer so long that he seems to want to take everything into the courts. But for this he has made good commissioner and should he be reelected he may get over his present ailments" and do business straight off the bat. But, he's in very serious danger with that active Harry Jones in the game.
 # < <
 This buy-a-bale of cotton movement has shown what a great and generous spirit there is in the southern people. The farmer and the country merchant is to be saved by the unanimity of his brethren of helping to bear his burden.
 A splendid spirit e
 And I observe that good Alabama woman proposes that every woman buy a bolt of cotton cloth and make it up into clothing and household necessities or keep it for next years use. This will pull the suffering cotton mills through and keen them going, as well as help the farmer and country merchant
 wise suggestion that should be widely adopted
 Germany is undoubtedly pointing her ears forward listening intently for sounds
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
MOVING PICTURE AUDIENCES.

From the Christian Herald.
 Few people have any adequate notion or the actual extent of the moving picture business in America. Chair man E. c. Howe of the national board of censorship of motion pictures gives these figures: Sixteen thousand to 20, oo0 theatres daily entertain from 7,0OO,- = OOe to 12,000,000 persons, an aggregate of 2,000,000,000 to 5000. 100000 yearly The capital invested is estimated at $l50, 900, and the public spends an- rually something like S300,00 ,o00. This gigantic business has all been devel- oped in less than 10 years, and is still growing with amazing rapidity Churches and schools are becoming well represented in it. and the moral character of the films Is steadily ris- ing to a higher standard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

of peace suggestions She Is even wink-s.y ing her weather eye towards the White House in Washington as sign that she's ready to talk about winding the thing un amicably
 But Germany has gone too far and she will have to take her medicine now
 England is determined that this war. into which she was forced. shall be fought to a finish. She proposes that Germany shall be made to .'cry enoughe and sue for terms of peace.
 And then-perhaps after many months yet-shan come the division of spells and territory and indemnties. The indemni- ties will run into the hundreds Of millions to Belgium and France. And then. of course. England will want and probably get the German colonies, except that Bit that Japan will insist upon
 Russia will probably take and hold on to Gallcla and require the Independence of the Balkan states, and France will have restored to her Alsace and Lorraine and. perhaps some other territory, besides tremendous indemnity.
 And the allies may in view of Italy's neutrality, require Austria to cede to her that territory along her northern borders in which the Italian language prevails
 Then Germany and Austria can jointly form such government as they see fit
 It may be long drawn out contest but England Russia and France will con tent themselves now with no less than a fight to finish and the complete destruc- tion of the great power of the German Emperor. It may cost a million lives but it will insure the peace of the world for century.
 Peace now would mean another great war few years hence, is the way the English view it-and that's the way it looks to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
The Eastern Railronds

The reopening by the interstate commerce commission of the freight rate case on the petition of the east ern carriers is significant and encour- aging to the public, no matter wheth- CT the right to advance rates is grant cd or not" said a business man.
 'It will be recalled that the commits sion authorized an increase of per cent on the lines between Pittsburg and the Mississippi river, but denied an increase on the lines between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic seaboard. The heaviest traffic. of course. is on the roads which the commission de- clined to favor. These roads have suf- fered considerably of late and if the commission finds that an increase is necessary to prevent heavy losses in earnings a favorable decision will be rendered. but even if the decision be otherwise the reopening is at the in- stance of President Wilson and that very fact shows that the democratic administration is doing everything that ca.n be reasonably expected to help business along. I feel quite sure that the interstate commerce commission will grant the big eastern railroads the right to advance rates per cent The original hearing was long drawn out. It is believed that the pres ont hearing will consume only few weeks. If the railroads are allowed to advance their rates 5 per cent and if the European war should come tos an end about the same time, we certainly would have a business boom in this country"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
LUKE SI'LUKE SAYS
he Cincinnati Enouirer.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
 The man who said beauty is only skin deep lived before face powder was in- vented
 We never think of erecting a monu- ment to man until he is dead and doesn't care hang whether we honor him or not.
 The feminist movement may be pro- gressing. But 1t will be a long time be- fore we will require a device that will transmit kisses by wireless.
 A woman's way of making up for lost time is to waste few hours painting her face.
 Married women know that all men are alike. But married men imagine all women are different.
 If all men were as good as every mans wife tells him the man next door Is, this would be mighty good world.
 Ananias wasn't the biggest liar. The champion ..ar Is the man who tells you that he always tells people to their faces what he thinks of them
 The corn-fed girl may have her trou- bles. But she can eat a mess of peas and know that she won't be covered with little Jumps. And that's more than some of the thin girls can do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

fall checked the pursuit of the routed federals. Next morning Grant was re- inforced by the arrival of fresh army under Buell.. Except for these two events, Johnston would have won an overwhelm- ing victory and advanced his lines to the Mississippi and the Ohio, embracing West Tennessee and perhaps the whole of Ken , lucky.
 He did not live to achieve the fruits of movement considered by competent military critics masterly in conception and in execution as far as it went and to receive the vindication of public opin- ion Joffre is more fortunate Already the Fabian movement pursued by him has vindicated itself. Paris knows how it was saved. France knows it has a general. Sir John French is witness to the wis dom of the design and the brilliancy of it's execution.
 Philadelphia Public-Ledger: The latest British white paper,'' the report of the British ambassador at Vienna, throws much light on the initial causes of the war and deepens the impression that the responsibility, while it may lie with un- equal incidence upon several of the actors in the tragedy, cannot all be placed upon one nation. Going back to the beginning, | ii the Servians had been less given to | intrigue and if the assassination of the Austrian crown prince had not taken place. the Austrian government would not have felt itself under the necessity of pun ishing it's turbulent neighbor. Russia
 would not then have felt it's Slav interests menaced by Austrian aggression, and if | the Czar had held his hand Germany could
 have had no excuse to move, and so the
 whole chain of tragic circumstances might
 have been averted.
 It becomes perfectly clear, however, that Austria would not have gone to the
 extremes she did in dealing with Servia without a previous understanding with
 Germany, and it is equally clear that
 while the Kaiser did unquestionably worl;
 for peace, it was to be had only on the
 condition that his ally should have free
 hand in dealing with Servia. At a mo-
 ment when it seemed possible that Austria
 and Russia might reach an agreement
 without resort to arms, the German ul- timatums were sent to Paris and Petro-
 grad in such terms that war was inevita-
 ble. Both Austria and Germany were | too precipitate. The latter underesti-
 mated the seriousness of the Russian pur-
 pose as we'll as the preparedness o1
 France, and did not calculate that Eng
 land would attach such vast importance ] to that "scrap of paper" the treaty guar.
 anteeing the neutrality of Belgium. Thus
 while it would be unfair to call it thu
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

is alive. But it is as if the Maker of life Himself had simply given away the secret.
 This goes into all the realms of re- lationship-God, neighbor, self. It provides for all necessities worship, association with ones fellows, the care and culture of personal character. It meets all dangers self-love and self-hate, introspection, morbidness. self-pity, crankisms and abnormalities of development. It answers all the thronging social questions. It lays the only proper basis for all reforms.
 HENRY M. EDMoNDS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
THE woMAN,s THANKS

n By Theodosia Garrison in Harpers Bazar. There is so much strong men are
 thankful for, A nations progress or slow strife's
 end;
 And though I join my praise with Grave things are these I scarce can
 comprehend.
 So vast are they; And so apart, dear God, I pray Thee
 take My thanks for these. Thy little bless
 ings sake. The little common joys of every day. My garden blowing in April wind, A linnet's greeting and the morn-
 ing fall Of happy sunshine through the
 opened blind.
 The poplars tall That guard my threshold. and the peace
 that falls Like Sabbath stiffness from my humble
 walls The little, simple joys that we forget Until we lost them; for the lamp that
 lights
 The pages of books love the best The. hearth's red welcoming on win
 ter nights.
 The kindly jest That moves within it's circle, and the
 near Companionship of those the heart holds
 dear. The dear. accustomed joys we lightly
 take Too much for granted sometimes as
 child
 His fathers gifts; and, so remem-
 bering, For these my thanks, for these my
 treasures piled,
 Each simple thing Those wiser may forget, dear Father.
 take My thanks for these. Thy little bless
 1ngs' sake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
Southern self-Reliance Needed

That heaven helps those who help themselves is an excellent motto to which the individual or a community may pin its faith, and the precept may well be put into practice by the planters of the south during the prevalence of the present sensitive condition of the cotton situation.
 Wade Stackhouse is president of the South Carolina division of the South ern Cotton congress and in a recent address to that body he displayed re- markable sound sense in employing a slight variant of the motto and de. claring that the sooner the southern cotton people eliminate from their cal culations all ideas of federal aid the better will it be for them and more easy will be the solution of the indus trial and commercial problem with which they are now confronted.
 The soundness of MT. Stackhouse'. position needs no more forcible demon stration than a comparison of the progress effected by communities which have depended upon government aid in the good roads movement anc that of the localities which placed their own shoulders to the wheel, ant took up the work of improved high. ways independent of paternal assist ance. The counties which sat idly by and waited for Uncle Sam to do the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
WILLIE's COME-DOwN

From the Baltimore American.
 Little Willie, after flattening his nose against the outside of the bakers window for about half an hour at last entered with his mind evidently made up.
 T want to know he said in de- termined yet hopeful voice. "how much those wedding cakes are?"
 Well" answered the enterprising proprietor, T have them at all prices. Tell your mother that I can do her a beauty for $20. The cheapest is s10.
 "Ah. we'll" he murmured. in a re- signed voice, 'let me have one of those one-cent gingerbread rabbits"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
LOVE.

From the Washington Star
 Love is an overrated passion" said an essayist and critic. at a dinner at the Players club in New York.
 "A fat, bow-legged clerk of middle age, earning $25 a week meets a beau- tlful girl, a peerlessly beautiful girl a girl for whom he well knows there's nothing good enough--and he conff- dently offers her himself"
 The critics eyes twinkled behind his pince-nez.
 And that" he said 'fs love"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
GERMANS POOR TARGETS

From the Brooklyn Standard Union.
 An invisible gray Is worn by German soldiers. It is a gray with a greenish tint and Is said to blend with the ground, or with houses; or, in fact, With almost anything better than any other color. Not only are the Kaisers men clothed in these suits. but their rifles, the cannons and field pieces and carriages upon which they rest are similarly colored. The German war chiefs are confident that their troops are the least easily seen and therefore offer the poorest targets of any sol diers in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20
Decatur Thriving

Decatur has been prosperous all the year and ie very prosperous today said Harry Hughes, manager of the Hotel Lyons of that city.
 'The Louisville and Nashville shops arc being operated at about full capacity There was rumor that work would be cut down to three days week, but that has been officially denied. We have a fine hotel, one of the very best in the south, and it is doing excellent busi- ness.