davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08

navigable rivers to their trade. While at that time the United States had treaties with Chili and Brazil, there was trouble brewing between us and the latter relative to damage to American shipping in the war between Argentina and Brazil. No treaty then existed between the United States and Argentina.
 Today the United States suzerain- ty over Latin-America is taeitly recog- nized by all of the European powers and though the interests of Great Britain in Mexico are second only to ours she has not interfered with our policy nor molested the enactment of the programme which we have mapped out. On the contrary she has guarded the safety of American citizens,> in which she has been assisted by Ger man officials.
 In 1S46 Slidell finally guided the ship of state safely through the trou- bled sea of diplomacy, and today President Wilson is hopeful of steer ing the craft to the port of peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
The Time to Eat

Quite ignoring the fact that great many people nowadays don't know when they can eat, and must eat when they can, a French savant, Professor Bergonie of Bordeaux, has contributed to the Academic des Sciences some in teresting views on the proper ordering of meals. In his opinion big break fast as soon as one gets up should be the principal meal of the day. Lunch should be eliminated in favor of after noon tea. There should be no dinner, but light supper an hour before re- tiring.
 The scientific basis for this regime is the belief that meal does not be- gin to yield energy until it is digested, about three hours after being eaten. When one wakes he should eat big meal as the principal "stoking" for the days work. It will provide energy at time when the need is greatest, the energy stored during sleep having oeen exhausted in the first three hours after waking. At or o'clock in the afternoon the body requires second "stoking' on smaller scale for the evening hours and the light supper provides fuel for the storing up of en- ergy during sleep.
 M. Bergonie says that the least de- sirable hours for meals are between noon and p. m. and between and IS p. m, which is precisely contrary to the usual schedule for meals. It is almost universal custom to eat the heaviest meal of the day after work ing hours, when the processes of digestion may be neither hastened nor retarded by the scurrying about nee essary to provide the wherewith to pay for the next meal.
 Although M. Bergonie advocates a plan opposed to the generally accepted views on the subject of eating, he at least indorses the theory that one heavy meal day is enough. Most peo- pie find that heavy meal makes them sluggish and for that reason is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08

From the New York Evening Post.
 Under the caption. The Truth About the Friedman Tuberculosis Treatment. the board of health has issued bulletin concerning the condition of 47 patients treated by the Berlin ''discoverer of tur- tle-serum cure for tuberculosis" The report reads as follows:
 Requests for information concerning g the effectof the so-called Friedmann tu- berculosis treatment prompted the de- partment of health ascertain the recent status of 77 cases, treated in hospitals in this city at the time of Dr. Fried mann's dramatic and widely advertised visit.
 Of the total of 77>patients, 1s could not be found, while II were reported to have moved out of town permanently, so that nothing could be learned of their present condition. The department was therefore able to obtain reports on but 47 of the 77 cases in question. The reports .are sum- marked as follows:
 At home. 5; in hospitals end sanatoria Indicating failure to cure), 22; attending clinics Showing need of further treat- menp, :; attended by private physiciaIf. l.; died. 12. Total. 4.
 Comment Is unnecessary; the figures tell their own story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
The Impending Responsibility

Many are prone to criticise those Americans who refuse to leave Mexico and by so doing render it incumbent upon the United States to see that they are protected in life and property and yet these same critics are proba bly, not aware that American owner ship in Mexico exceeds that of the Mexicans themselves.
 United States Consul Marion Letcher at Chihuahua has recently is sued a table showing the wealth of that country according to the nation ality of ownership, based upon govern ment reports and other reliable sources relative to Mexico's economic status.
 The table presents these interesting figures of ownership: American, $1 ,057, ITO, 0,O00; Mexican, $793,187,- PAP; English, s321, 1902, ,0O0; French, S143, JAG, ,O0O; all others, SIS, 1886.
 These figures show that the citizens of the United States own more than 40 per cent of the entire devolped wealth of the country while all for eigners own two-thrids thereof.
 This situation has an important 
 bearing upon the Mexican troubles to- day and any devastation wrought by an invading foe would inflict greater loss upon the foreign element in the country than upon native owners.
 Nothing is more apparent in con- sidering the condition than the pro- digality indulged in by Mexican rulers in bartering the national resources to foreign capitalists and it must be re- | membered and these capitalists en- tered Mexico and invested their money upon the express invitation of the sovereign government.
 Ordinarily the establishing of in dustries, building of homes, and of fering of modern opportunities to a backward nation should rebound to the benefit and advancement of that na- ton, but unfortunately the ruling classes of Mexico entertain no sense of responsibility to the masses in their land and the proceeds of their bar tered resources were devoted to per sonal benefit and individual aggran- dizement while the 12,000,000 com ponents of the masses were made so much the poorer and greater sufferers by such a policy.
 It is American homes and American lives that demand conservation, a problem which it is now impossible for the United States to shirk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
No Deficit This Time

The fact that the music festival which was given under the auspices of the Music Study club. the Treble Clef club, the Arion society and the T. c. l. chorus, was a financial as well as artistic success, was commented on with genuine pleasure and civic pride by many citizens last night Not only will there be no deficit, but the indications last night were that there would be a snug surplus.
 Music lovers are delighted to know the festival concerts held at the Bijou were so well attended that expenses were more than met said H. F. Jones of Clark & Jones. Birmingham has reason to be proud of it's great chorus directed by Rienzi Thomas. I have heard many large choruses, but I do not recall any mixed body of singers that I thought as good as the one mentioned. It is indeed a mag nifcent chorus. The St. Louis Symphony orchestra, which has been great feature of the festival, came fully up to expec- tations It was it's first appearance here but it is safe to say that itxwil come again and will be cordially greeted again
 While the enthusiasm in musical circles is running high over the success of the festival, Mrs. Houston Davis and the ladies who ably assisted her in the man. agement should make. the executive board permanent and let 1t understand that a festival next spring, on even a larger scale, will be given. If this is done, Mir. Thomas can begin early in the fall re- hearsing an oratorio and several small numbers besides"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
A Wise and Patriotic Monarch

Nothing has so demonstrated the wisdom and statesmanlike qualities of King Alfonso of Spain as his recently expressed desire that the Jews should return to his realm.
 His majesty's eyes were opened when during the recent Balkan trou- bles it was related to him that the city of Salonica is Jewish to an al most absorbing extent, and further were his eyes opened when he learned that the Salonicans desired to remain under Moslem rule.
 National pride is a great hinder ance to clear vision, but it appears that the Spanish monarch has So far subjected that pride to realize that his country lost her glory and began the downward trend of movement when she expelled the Jews from her do- main.
 The Jews of today are divided into two great -Sephardic, or His pano- Portugese, and Ashkenazic, or German, and so permeated was Spain with the commingled blood of the Moor and Jew that every ancient fam fly of the lberian peninsula traced its lineage through this dual channel.
 At the expulsion the Jew did not wander aimlessly over the world, but he formed settlements in the respect i've countries of the continent and wherever he settled he made his pres ence felt.
 From the time that the Jew left Spain the glory of the peninsula was transferred to the land of his settle ment and science, literature, diplo- macy and philanthropy felt the quick ening impulse of the transfer. Spin oza, Jew, added the brighest leaf to the wreath of Hollands prestige; DlSfaeu lllumlneQ the cOfOneC or BTU ish diplomacy to degree of dazzling effulgency and the name of Sir Moses Montefiore became a household word in every land throughout the world. The Rothschilds have again and again upheld the prowess, dignity and even honor of more than one nation in Eu- rope and the Mocattas have figured enviously in history.
 Alfonso is patriot and in his love for his country he sighs for restora- tion of her former glory and seeks to regain it by inviting the Jew to re- turn to Spain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
MONSTER LoCOMOTIvE

From the Wall Street Journal
 A monster locomotive, by far the largest ever constructed, has just been built by the Baldwin Locomotive works for the Erie railroad This machine has a trac- tive power of 1so,ooo pounds, and can walk away with 25,ooo tons on level track. Weight on driving wheels is 753.- 600 pounds. and total weight Is s45.050 pounds. The latter Is 261 900 pounds heavier than any other locomotive in ex- istence
 The engine is called the "P-I' type because it is the pioneer of this type of engine. It is triple compound expansion has three sets of eight driving wheels each. making 24 wheels connected. and each set of drivers has it's own cylinders, equipped with Schmidt superheaters It has two high-pressure cylinders, 3e by 32 inches. and four low-pressure cylinders 36 by 32 inches. The piston measures l6 inches in diameter. A unique feature of this new type is that one set of eight drivers has been placed under the tender.
 The firebox is 162 inches long and 10S inches wide, with depth varying from TIPS to 68 inches. The heating surface of the frebox Is 272 square feet. of the combustion chamber i0S, tubes CHS. fire brick SS, total heating surface of 6Ss6 square feet. superheating surface is 15s4 square feet. The engine will be used for heavy pusher service at Susquhanna, Pa.
 The Erie railroad has named the new engine Matt II. Sray," in honor of an engineer now retired on a pension, re- spected and beloved by his associates. The acting engineer of the new locomo- tive will not draw wages. He will receive a salary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
OPINION ABROAD

From the New York Times.
 The attitude of all the chief govern ments of Europe toward the United States with reference to our Mexican policy has been not only entirely correct, but dis tinctly friendly, and the cause has largely been that, whatever interests may be at stake in Mexico. the impairment of friend ly relations with the United States would cost far more than those interests were worth It is not so much approval, much less sympathy and regard that these gov ernments feel for the United States, as d cool and intelligent calculation of what, on the whole and in the long run, will be best for their respective nations that guides them.
 The people of the various countries of Europe, including England-or that small portion of them who know or care about the matter-do not bother to make this calculation, and, al far as the press shows they take no very kind view of our con duct. This Is due partly to ignorance, accurate information being hard to get and not easy to interpret; partly to a natural resentment of the rather master ful tone that our government has taken toward the Huerta government, generally recognized by the governments of Europe; and quite largely to the influence of busi- ness men, not very numerous but active and very sore, who have suffered losses in Mexico. The unkindness is not serious, and will pass if any tolerable settlement shall be reached. It need give us, or our government, no real concern
 On the other hand, sentiment in South America is steadily assuming better tone since we accepted the good offices of the three chief republics of that continent. If things go we'll, and we are not forced at any serious juncture to part company with our friendly advisers, this is an im- portant gain, and far more than offsets any disadvantage or annoyance we may experience from the umbrageous temper of our European cousins. While success ful cooperation for peace is by no means certain. the immense value of it in the long future justifies our government in every possible effort to secure it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
TROUBADOUR AND JESTER
THE WINNING OF THE MISS.


 Gro c. F. M) Now, C. F. M. your cheery words inspire me with much hope, I'll take her to the baseball pary and buv an ice cold dope A cushion soft IS eiderdown, and peanuts per the peck. And ice cream cones-in melting tones I'll offer too. by Heck, I'll set her up to popcorn, yes, and then some crackerjack To indicate to her, you know, that funds do not lack, And should 1 win her tender love, I'll rich CT be youbetcher, But sure 1 need to be just now a very > nifty catcher. Course. c. F. M, she may perhaps grow dizzy at this rush, But all is fair in love and l must my op- ponents crush. And peradventure if l see l stand to lose the day, I'll work the rabbit foot, egad, by making squeeze play!
 Robert A. Love. Now, Robert dear. we greatly fear You've handed us a tip; If you must work that rabbit foot, She must have hare lip.
 BOB CUPID. We always thought we lucky were, We know 1t now, by love: For when our think tank has run dry Up bobs this Robert Love. The man who works the rabbit foot When he girl would win And calls on "Mollv Cotfonfail', To help him squeeze her in. If you don't think his lines are cute, You surely must be stupid, But We are going to change his name And call the man Bob Cupid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
The Times Are PropitiOus

The attitude of the "A. B. C." pow CTS, as they are known, in our em- broglio with Mexico, is the source of satisfaction and recalls the difference between this governments present international relationship and that which obtained during our former trouble with the republic just south of us.
 In 1846 both Great Britain and France were strongly inclined toward Mexico, and the greatest diplomacy upon our part was necessary to pre- vent open hostilities upon the part of these nations.
 The Ashburton treaty, which estab- lished the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, was effected in 1842, and just year previous to the commencement of the Mexican war Great Britain had vexed us relative to the Oregon boundary to such an ex- tent that the cry "Fifty-four forty or fight" had become veritable national slogan.
 Great Britain was extremely anx- ious for the creation of pretext for the seizing of California and France was upon the verge of recognizing the young republic of Texas. Just the year previous British and French war ships had blockaded Buenos Ayres and landed troops to force the opening of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08

cial character for further conference with representative men. In all instances their message was sympathetically received. and from all the conferences they had the definite promise of recommending to the various annual meetings the appoint
 nents of commissions to cooperate in arranging for and conducting the world conference. Not only did they thus ad- vance the project of that conference, but Christians of England. Scotland and Ire land into much closer relation and sym pathy and thus. perhaps, to bring about the beginning of the headings of division tbere
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF WILLIAM BURKE

of Edinburgh. well calculated, from it's sit uation. for their bloody traffic. In this place Burke carried on a trade of cob meetings of the most vicious of both sexes, dancing and midnight brawls-and screams were so frequently heard during the night that the neighbors at last paid little attention to the nuisance, and were with reluctance aroused from their beds by the cries of the old woman, whose death brought the murderers to justice So much wrought up were the people when the crimes of the Burkes were ex- posed that the police were given a tenn porary reinforcement of upward of 300 men. At the trial no less than 55 wit nesses gave testimony. The trial was pre- sided over by the Right Hon. David Boyle lord justice clerk; Lord Pitmily, Lord Meadowbank and Lord Mackenzie. At it's conclusion the jury retired for 50 minutes and brought in a verdict of guilty against William Burke, but found the indictment not proved against Helen M'Dougal, who had been living with Burke as his wife.
 The following is the sentence as passed: In respect to the verdict just rendered, I order that the said William Burke be carried from the bar back to the tolbooth of Edinburgh, therein to be detained, and to be fed upon bread and water only, in terms of an act of Parliament passed in the twenty-fifth year of King George the Second, until Wednesday, January 2s, and on that day to be taken forth of the said tolbooth to the common place of execution, In the Lawmarket of Edinburgh, and then and there to be hanged by the neck by the hands of the common executioner, and ms body thereafter to be delivered to Dr. Alexander MonrO, professor of anatomy in the University of Edinburgh, to be by him publicly dissected and anatomized. and ordain all his moveable goods and gear to be sescheat sand inbrought to his majestys use."
 Immediately. after the trial of Burke an attempt was made to indict Hare for the murder of one of his victims, James Will son, who had been put out of the way in the previous October. The law officers de- cided that he could not legally be put on trial. and on February 5, 1929, he was set at liberty. It is believed that he then sought refuge in England and nothing was ever heard of him thereafter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08

~ NE of the most remarkable mur- derers in the annals of English
 crime was William Burke, an Irishman, who seems to have been a vag- abond from his birth. When he was 26 years of age he left his home and went to Scotland as laborer. Little is heard of him in his new home until in 1927, when he took up lodgings with William Hare. in Edinburgh. In this house, on Novem- Der g of that year. there died an old pen sioner named Donald, and Burke and Hare, who even at that time seem to have formed a partnership in crime, instead of giving the body burial they sold it to Dr. Robert Knox, a surgeon, for the pur- pose of dissection. So large a sum so easily procured proved sadly ominous.
 Hare, from the evidence that was brought out, appears to have been the more evil of the two men. He suggest ed to Burke further stroke of business, namely, that they would inveige unknown and obscure wayfarers into the lodging house and then kill them.
 During the ensuing months they, assist ed by their wives, murdered at least 15 persons their methods being to invite the victims into various houses, make them drunk and then suffocate them in such manner that no signs of violence appeared on their bodies. The bodies of all of these victims they sold at good figure to Dr. knox's school of anatomy
 But the end of it all had to come. On October 3l, 1928, Burke, having in the meantime moved to a home of his own, enticed into his house an old women called Margery Campbell, and disposed of the body in the usual manner, but the sus- picions of the neighbors having been aroused, the police were communicated with, and the corpse was found in box in the cellar of pr. Knoxs house. Burke was placed on trial for this murder in the high court of justieiary at Edinburgh, on December 24, 1928, when William Hare, the partner in his crimes, being admitted to Kings evidence his guilt was clearly proved, and he was hanged on January 2S. 1929, while the witnesses cried out Burke him.' Burke him,'' the word Burke meaning to choke. and is derived from this celebrated murderer
 The house in which the Burkes commit ted the murder was in an obscure part
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
BIockadine the Sidewalks

"A source of considerable annoyance to pedestrians is the congregating of peo- ners of the city, said J. A. Taylor.
 "I am not alluding to the street corner 'masher.' but to people who meet their acquaintances and who blockade the side walks while they indulge in gossip. Dur Ing the busy hours of the afternoon one has to dodge ana circle around groups of men and often groups of women who stand and chatter regardless of the an noyance they cause other people. It would be an easy matter for them to step aside If they have to talk and not stand in the way of other pedestrians. I am not cap tious, but it Is annoying if one is in a hurry
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
IT WASN'T ANNIE
Harper's Magazine.

From Harpers Magazine.
 Auntie felt called upon to chide Annie for getting wet so often. One day mother and auntie were sitting by the dining table talking of Annies still being out when it was beginning to rain.
 Just then they heard the kitchen door open softly.
 Who has wet feet now?'' called auntia.
 An ominous stiffness for the space of three seconds, then a gruff voice replied:
 "The ice man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-08
wITCHCRAFT IN SARDINIA

From the New York Times.
 A recent cable dispatch made the in teresting announcement that six wom- en are on trial in Sardinia, not exactly as witches, but because of many crimes of extortion, which they have been able to commit because belief in witch craft and its terrible powers Is still widely prevalent among all classes of the islands inhabitants.
 The existence of such credulity is less surprising in Sardina than 1t would be almost anywhere else for the req son that this Is most sequestered part of Europe and it's scanty popula- tion live among their mountains In state of isolation, with hardly d parallel in the supposedly civilized parts of the world. Practically no tour ists go there. and, though there has been some emigration in recent years, the expatriated Sardinian seems no where to have created a recognizable colony"
 Of Sardina it might be said with an approximation to truth that it's early history Is unknown and of late his tory it has none. Nothing of import ance and little of anything happened there since the bronze age. Of that some remains mildly interesting to the archaeologists have been found and ethnologists have noted that the Sar- dtnians are the only almost pure sur yivors of the autochthonous Mediter- ranean race. The way they pronounce the few Latin words in their curious language, too. has helped the Ger mans to establish their theory of pho netics for the classic tongue, and ex- perience with native brigands made Captain Febroni and several other Sar- dinians highly efficient detectives when Naples grappled with the Ca mora.