davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
BUTTERNUT DISAPPEARING
ON the Wabash Plain Dealer.

From the Wabash Plain Dealer.
Now that nutting time is here it is OBJ
served probably for the first time that
the white walnut better known as the
butternut, is about extinct. at least IN
this part of the country. About all the
older trees have died off, and there seem
to be very few younger trees of this spe-
cies. The passing of the day when but
ternut was a common sight is very much
regretted, especially by the schoolboy, as
he hears his father tell of days when he
went to the woods and gathered them by
the bushel. Many of the older folk are
also sorry to see these trees disappear,
as the kernel of this nut is considered
rather delicious as well as very nutritious
This tree is a native of America, and
grows to a height of from so to so feet,
having gray bark and compounded pubes-
cent leaves, oblong. ribbed, green nuts
which ripen in September and October.
The wood of this tree Is more exempt
from insects tina many other nut trees,
thus making 1t valuable for shipbuilding.
gymnasium stocks, cabinet work and in
terror finish of houses, but it is still less
popular than the black walnut, which is
also rapidly disappearing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati enquirer.
May the New Year be so kind to you
that you will forget the taste of castor
oil and forget how to spell trouble.
You never heard of a man applying for
a divorce on the ground that his wife
wouldn't go to church with him.
During the first year of married life
paw gets two whole bureau drawers to
keep his things in. Then years later he
Is lucky to get to hang mis- duds up on
the floor in one of the closets.
You can't change the shape of your
nose But it is different with the
color.
1t is about time some of the kindly re-
formers organized Society for the Pre-
venton of Cruelty to TaXcabs.
There are a whole lot of people in the
world who imagine 1t would be pie to
be able to lie awake all night and worry
over the income tax.
You can dream that you are out of
debt, but you can't sleep yourself out
of it.
When man isn't a hero to his wife,
and his wife isn't a saint to him, some
how or other they manage to get along
and keep out of the divorce court records.
The Chinese respect their ancestors, but
we Americans regard monkey as some
thing to laugh at.
Nowadays a woman's snoe isn't stylish
unless the heels are longer than the toes,
Mere man imagines he is some big dog
as an inventor. But A woman can take
a couple of old awnings and an old ham
mock and turn them into a fashionable
gown.
They won't let you stand on the rear
platform of a p. A. Y. f. car. That
gives you a choice between the Flor de la
Sewer liz the motorman's doghouse and
tho angora bouquet in the main cabin.
| Some men who get their names in a
grand jury indictment imagine it would
be dsgraceful if their names were in d
bankruptcy petition.
You may not believe it, but a girl s
complexion can look like peaches and
cream and taste like kalsomine.
Remember that when you do fall off
the wagon, your good intentions won't
soften the dull sckening thud so you
viii be able to notice it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03

little more than an adjunct. or auxviliary
corrupt or biased prosecuting officer can
manipulate the average body of laymen,
called to serve on this duty, about as
readily as he DESIRES despite the priv
leges and latitude supposed to be allowed
TO the members. BY minimizing evidence,
by failure 10 call essential witnesses for
one excuse or another. or through exas-
geration of the effect of testimony. the
adroit prosecutor can generally have bills
found true or ignored almost as he wills
The very secrecy which cloaks actions in
the inquest room may be made a cover
for outrageous partially with little
chance of the public finding 1t out. some
times shifting the responsibility for mis-
carriage of justice to the shoulders of .he
Jurors themselves when 1t should rest
on a venal or INSCRIPTIONS attorney for
the people Fortunately, though, the per-
oentage of such cases has been SO small
as to be exceptional or comparatively
rare.
But Notwithstanding the fact that many
of the grand jurys functions are now
virtually obsolete and others are subject
to abuse, it may be doubted whether the
public in this country would be willing to
see it abolished and it's place taken solely
by magisterial body permanently sit
ting to pass ex parte upon charges against
persons brought before it at the lightest
will Of private prosecutors. Certainly
there would be an unmistakable cutlery If,
for instance, reliance were placed entirely
on the Judgment of the committing police
magistrates in this city, or even if de-
cision were reposed alone in single
court, after the manner of the historic
star chamber, without the coordinate ac
quiescence of some direct representative
of the citizenry at large. In this regard
1t would be most likely found that the
public prefers to endure the evils where
of it knows than to risk others that 1t
knows not at all
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
TELEPHONE
Bell {privare exchange connecting AL
hepartments), Main 1900.
Sclf-Iove Is not so vile sin
A. self-neRiecting. Henry
Not to Be Long Session

With the approach of the time Tor
the recovering of Congress after the
holiday recess there is consideration
If the measures which will have atten-
ton.
That the antitrust programme VIII
not be radical but will be marked by
common sense is apparent in the re-
cent agreement by which the Western
Union Telegraph company and the
American Bell Telephone and Iele-
graph company sever their connection
The question will be taken up by the
Judiciary committee, of which Henry
D. Clayton is chairman, when Con-
yress reconvenes, and it is probable
hat there will be speedy settle
nent.
The remaining work of Congress
will be largely in the nautre of rou-
inc. The appropriation bills must be
passed anu provision iiidue 4oi 'iiN
operation of the government. The
,attieship question must be settled and
numerous routine business transacted
before adjournment can be thought Of
Congressman will make every effort
o hasten adjournment as the present
session of Congress in connection with
ne extra session will seem unusually
ong, and members are anxious to get
Jack to their districts, view the politi-
al situation and make preparations
COR their campaigns for reelection.
There is nothing in prospect over
which there might be a deadlock and
rs the democratic party has fulfilled
is pledges to the people it does seem
hat the legislators might be given a
title rest before long.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
----------------sNs-----@
HEN PAYS FOR HERSELF

From the Philadelphia North American.
Miss Purdue is the latest assignment to
the poultry Hall of Fame not so much
because of her laying record for one year,
but because of her two-year profit.
The poultry department at Purdue uni
versity recorded the cost of feed and sale
of eggs with a certain lot of Leghorns,
and Miss Purdue contributed her mite in
the shape Of 443 eggs in two years, at a
cost of 81. 9S Q32 pounds of feed, or s052 a
dozen eggs. The market price of these
eggs in Lafayette. Ind. Miss Purdue s.
home was a naverage of SPA dozen, a
total sale value of s10.66, and a profit
above cost of feed of 1878, or yearly
profit of $4.39
The average heavy laying pullet is n
profitable two-year old investment, and
should be held for the egg production in
her hen or yearling year, and can be sue
cessfully used for production purposes in
her second hen year. The propensity to
lay is fixed. and cannot be destroyed
through heavy laying In one or two or any
other number of years, and good care is
q guarantee of continuity of stamina.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03

during the past two years the supply
of oranges, lines, acovadoes, bananas
and mangoes had been steadily de-
creasing, and what limited amounts
now come from Jamaica, upon which
dependence was formerly placed, are
of an inferior quality.
1t is thought the influence of the
tariff will make itself felt in this
branch of industry and bring to the
United States importations of the
best quality of the Jamaica product
especially as the shortage of the Cali
fornia crop has effected the preva-
lence of the high prices Of the fruit.
Uncle Sam is going to raise oranges
on his 275 acres and also bananas as
well as other tropical fruits. He is
pretty well advised as to what variety
of oranges he will raise, but among
the bananas he will experiment. The
banana gardens are called walks"
and there is a considerable number Of
walks" upon the government farm,
but Uncle Sam is already buying and
importing banana seed from Jamaica
so as to obtain the best stock possible.
All of the better known varieties will
be tried to test their capacity for ac-
and the undesirable
species will be gradually eliminated
so as to obtain the very best results.
The oranges from the United States
do not thrive we'll upon the isthmus,
consequently the budding of this fruit
will be done from native pedigreed
stock.
After supplying the government en-
ployes with the product of the farm
at reasonable price, passengers
along the Frijoles railroad will be fur
nished with the fruit from station
provided for the purpose of temporary
storage and eventually it is purposed
to disseminate the product throughout
the republic of Panama.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
-
TIPPING IN JAPAN
From the Denver Times.

FROM the Denver Times.
Every little japanese railway station
possesses its quaint looking teahouse.
These teahouses correspond to our Amer
lean lunch counters. where visitors halt
for but a short time 20 rest and partake
of light refreshments. Oftentimes the
managers of these native teahouses will
attend to the checking of your baggage
and even the purchase of your railway
ticket.
The most conscientious service is af-
fcrded the traveller. But In every in
stance-a gratuity is expected. The custom
of tipping prevails in Japan ju't as in
any other country. If, therefore, you
will secure the most willing and prompt
service you must produce the "chadai'
or .teahouse money tip.
The larger and more frequently you
present the "chadai'' the better the extra
service which will be rendered to you.
TIL 'chadai' varies with the amount of
service which is rendered to you by the
Japanese host and his servants.
Oftentimes you will make the almond
shaped eyes of the smiling Japs open
vide with amazament with a l or 2-yen
tip go cents or Sd.
Many of the higher class teahouses de-
wise the most unique design in their
printed bill of fare. You can, if you
wish to carry it away 4 souvenir, have
your Japanese host write your name at
the head of one of his picturesque menu
cards. and he will take great pains to
give you the very best skill his painting
and lettering art can produce. This
type of souvenir has lately become very
popular with tourists.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
WANTED-A NEW PLOT

From the Washington star.
ASK anyone you chance to meet on
the street what he is doing and he will,
in nine cases out of 10, tell you he is
writing a play" said Eugene Walter
Everyone has Joined the play writing
handicap now. / asked motorman on
tbe street car the other day how his
play was getting on and he said:
I've got it all finished except the
climax of the last act. That's been both
ering me a great deal. Now in the Sec
ono act l have the hero"
'Forty-second street. yelled the con-
ductor, and l had to get off the car just
as / was about to hear how the hero
saved the girl in the second act.
'All of which reminds me of some
thing I heard an amateur novelist say
one time in Cincinnati. 1 met this young
newspaper man. He, like rine-tenths OF
all other newspaper men. was bug on
fiction. He had the script of novel
tucked under his arm.
GLOW are you making out?' I asked
him.
Rotten he answered.
What's the trouble?
Nothing he went on, only the
trouble is nowadays that us novelists
hatch a plot. spend a lot of time writing
II and then find that. uur plot had been
used as a short story by the late O.
Henry
"And." continued Walter, ''the young
novelist is absolutely right.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03

Among the unique Christmas cards re-
ceived by Col. w. B. Leedy was one from
Charles A. Leedy and family of Youngs-
town, The Ohio Leedys are not closely
related to the Leedys here, If at all; but
they are DESTROYS of keeping up friendly
relations. These lines, which came from
Youngstown, were signed by Mr. Leedy,
his wife and the oldest girl, but one OF
the children, not being old enough to
write, made her mark, and the youngest,
an infant, signed with her bottle, SO to
speak. This is a copy of the card:
II wish of ours could turn the trick,
So opulent, dear friend, you'd wax
That in your back you'd get crick
From figuring your income tax.
Here's quick fruition to each PLAN
With dawning joys a million plus;
Contentment through q long life's span
To you and yours from all of us.
CHARLES A. LEEDY.
"MAUDE b. LEEDY.
MARJORIE.
LAURA cher mark.
HARRIET cher bottle)."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
sPONGEs AS FERTMIzER

From the Washington Star
In its search for a cheap fertilizer of
higl; potash content the department OF
agriculture has had its attention drawn
to the loggerhead sponge of southern
Florida. The attention of the department
was first called to this sponge by Thomas
W. Reedy of Key West, who says the
farmers of the Florida keys have beer
using it for years as a fertilizer with
marked success. Tho sponge grows by
the ton-and a ton of sponge is good
desl-in the shallow waters of the keys.
Some of the experts Of the department
anslyzed the dry sponges and found they
carried per cent of potash, 40 per cent of
humus and some other elements of value.
The sponges are so abundant that it is
thought they will prove valuable fer
tilizing asset wherever the farmers and
fruit growers are close enough to have
easy access to them. :,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
Mock Trial at Y. NJ, c, A,

birmingham is still chucklng over the
humorous scenes witnessed at the mock
trial on the occasion of the New Years
entertainment given by the Young Mems
Christian association" said club mem
Der.
The reception was highly successful IN
every respect The great building with
its spacious and tastefuliy decorated
lobby, well equipped subway, great gym
nasium and balconied auditorium was
thrown open to the distinguished guests
of the association.
"A distinct feature Of the occasion was
Murray Browns trial for vagrancy. The
stage was set for a good time, and the
wheels of justice began to grind amid
laughter and applause. Proceedings
moved with precision under the guidance
of skilled and brilliant judges and attor-
neys, and it seemed at one time that Mr..
Brown, alias Murray Hill, would be sem
fenced to serve long term of ma trimony,
but the able and witty counsel for the de-
Tense rallied valiantly to his support with
n:irth-provolling eloquence.
THE social and civic prominence of the
good-natured ladies and gentlemen COM
posing the court lent zest to the oc-
casion. | mention ladies, for three ladies
of social prominence occupied seats in the
jury box; and the nine chivalrous gen.
tlcmen of the jury tried and true de-
felred judgment to the feminine members,
who, although not agreeing. were inclined
to verdict of mistral. As the defense
declared itself satisfied with this de-
ciNion, court was formally adjourned"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
HUNTING THE HIPPOPOTAMUs

From the Southern Workman.
As hippopotamus hunters the Shuilas
of the Sobat region, North Africa, stand
alone. A native hippo hunt is an exciting
and dangerous sport. The hunters are
In dugout canoes; two or three paddle
spear to which is attached a stout rope
and float of ambatch. When the hippo
cones to the surface to breathe, an at
tempt is made to steal upon him with the
harpoon; when this is accomplished the
hunters make a hasty retreat from the
enraeed beast, and in turn engage his
attention while attempts are made to
spear him by those in other canoes. When
severely wounded a hippopotamus goes
ashore to rest or to die, and not to at
reported. The native hunters wait for
this, and when the animal goes up out
of the water volley of spears is thrown
into it, and slowly the huge beast bleeds
TO death. The hunters do not always es-
cape. Sometimes the life or the limb of
one of them is sacrificed to their daring.
The hide of the hippopotamus is cut into
strips and dried to be sold to Arab trad
ers who in turn sell it to the whip
makers of Omdurman and Egypt Ger
as shields. The flesh is cut into long,
narrow strips and dried in the sun; it's
taste resembles that of coarse beef.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
Mr.. Wards Generosity

Whatever his critics have said of
him, no man has ever accused George
Ward of being little, and his action
in signing the bond of M. L. Moore
when Mrs. Moore had been unable to
find anyone else to do so merely en-
phasizes his broad mindedness and
magnaminity. Mr.. Ward announced
Immediately after he had been struck
by Moore that he would not stand be-
hind his position as commissioner in
the prosecution Of his assailant; as
matter of fact he has interfered in
his official capacity to secure the re-
lease Of Moore.
George Ward the commissioner, and
George Ward the citizen, are two
entirely different men. Mr.. Ward is
striving for the uplift of Birmingham,
for a better city, for a more beautiful
city, and while he may do peculiar
lllluSS SOlll6llIneS ne Is lOO generous
to take advantage of man who has
apparently been deserted by his
friends by whom it is not impossible
that the attack was inspired.
The opinion has been expressed that
the attack on Mr. Ward was result
of politics. If this is true it is all
the more deplorable. Alabama and
Birmingham have been afflicted by
politics for years and rest would be
exceedingly welcome. With the ex-
ample of the harm wrought by parti-
san politics in Tennessee and Missis-
sippi, the state should be careful lest
it find itself in a similar situation.
Mr.. Wards action will long be re-
membered for its graciousness; prob
ably no man was more impressed than
Moore himself. The signing of the
bond in itself was a small thing, but
the spirit which prompted Mr.. Ward
is striking example of manliness by
which it would benefit others to profit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
Uncle Sam as Truck Farmer

People love to speak of our govern
ment as Uncle Sam, and really he is a
iovable and most paternal old gentle
man. Indeed SO much more paternal is
70 yearly becoming that we will soon
el like referring to him as Papa
san. While for years he has been
col ducting a partnership farm with
out agriculturists, he has Of late gone
INFO the hotel business on the Panama
|iAhmus and now he is about to en-
gage in truck farming.
The subsistence department Of the
canal commission has just acquired
title to 275 acres of land lying be.
tween Gatun and Gamboa in the cana
gone and will by cultivating It attempt
70 keep down tho cost Of living to thu
government employees.
American experts have found that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-03
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF MARTIN LUTHER

said his writings were of three kinds
some were gospel truth which all admit
ted, and which he could not retract some
were against papal laws and customs
which he claimed had tried the peoples
consciences. If he retracted these he
would cover himself with shame In a
third he had attacked particular persons
and had been too violent. Even this he
declined to retract simply, but would adj
nit his fault If fault could be proved.
Luther gave his answers in clear voice,
first in Latin and then in German. Eek
claimed h1 had spoken disrespectfuliy.
To the Diet he said: let him retract
on these points and he shall have consid-
Grafton on the rest" lie asked for a plain
yes" or mo" from him, without horns"
This taunt aroused Luther's blood. To
this he replied: 81 will give you an an
swer which has neither horns nor teeth
Prove to me out of Scriptures that have
erred and l will submit. Till then my
conscience binds me- Here l stand
can do no more. God help me- Amen"
All day long the storm rage@. Night
fell and torches were lighted in the hall
before the sitting closed. Luther was dis
he was to be placed in dungeon. But
the hearts of the members of the Diet had
been touched by the courage he had
shown. They would not permit a hand TO
be laid on him.
When Luther reached his lodgings ne
threw up his hands and cried out: II am
through. I am through If / had a
thousands heads to lose they would all
be struck off one by one before / would
retract.' The same evening the Flee
tor Frederick sent for him and told Luther
he had done well and bravely. But though
he had escaped SO far, he was not ac-
quilted.
At the session the following day The
Archbishop of Travers told Luther that
If he would acknowledge certain infalli-
bilties he would not be punished, bur
Luther stood firm, and the Elector Or
dered him home until the Diet should de-
eide upon his fate. A majority of the
councils, it was now clear, would pro-
nounce for his death.
On his way back through the forest of
Thuringia an armed force set upon him
and carried him to Warrenburg castle
There he remained under the name Of
Ritter George, who was supposed to be
some captive knight. On the Sth of Nav
the Edict of Worms was issued placing
Luther under the ban of the empire. hut
he had become as vulnerable as the air
and the trial of Martin Luther had mis-
carried, that is, SO far as those who con-
spired against him were concerned.