davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
THE BRITISH EMPIRE AT WAR

this thought, but the same facts will
the rush to enlistment at first in Eng
land was so great that the government,
which had to arm, clothe, feed and
train these volunteers, called halt in
seII-protection. Unframed volunteers
are so much cannon fodder, and they
are dangerous to any line into wnich
they may be injected. Great Britain,
an unmilitary nation, was unprepared
IT, take care of the masses of men who
offered themselves.
1t was typically British that in de-
Ginning the services of the thousands
who offered themselves the act should
have been neither gracious nor ex-
p;anatory. Men were simply told that
they were not needed. The first fine
Impulse of patriotism. involving the
Willingness of self-sacrifice immeasur-
able, was stopped. Now it has to be
revived artificially.
This also is to be considered In
generation after generation the British
have fought wars of foreign policy and
none of self-defense A cabinet might
make war and the British went out
to fight 1T, purely war of policy.
which might be accepted or avoided. If
the King in the old days, or the gov
eminent in these days, decided to fight,
the British fought.
Sir Edward Grey might have avoided
this war; In such case the Pritish
would not have fought. No popular
pressure would have been brought to
bear on the government. You cannot
convince the Englishman that he is
f.gfting for national existence
British exhorters may preach this all
they please, but the Englishman will
remain convinced that he is in policy
war, important enough and particu-
larly nasty, but not touching his home
or his national existence. The French
know that they are fighting for life.
The Germans suspect, or fear. that they
are. Austrians, Russians. French and
Germans are fighting to keep their
homes intact The British are fight
Ing for the foreign office.
Psychologically, the difference in
emotion is enormous. 1t must be con-
sidered when the question of enlist
ments is considered. England may have
arrived at the fed and fought for po-
s,tion in the British empire. but before
reaching that conclusion one would
prefer to give consideration to the
other facts.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
HERO OF THE TRENCHES

From the London Standard.
Near our trenches there were a lot Of
wounded and their cries for water were
of the engineers. who could stand it no
longer. He collected all the water bot
ties he could lay hold or and said he was
going out.
The air was thick with shell and rife
fire, and to show yourself at all was to
sign your death warrant That chap knew
1t as well as we did, but that was not go
ing to stop him. He got to the first man
all right and gave him swig from a
bottle. No sooner did he show himself
than the Germans opened fire. After at
tending to the first man he crawled along
the ground to others until he was about
a quarter of a mile away from us. Then
he stood up and zigzagged toward another
batch of wounded, but that was the end
of him. The German fire got hotter and
hotter. He was hit badly and with just a
slight upward fling of his arms he dropped
to earth like the hero he was
Later he Was picked up with the
wounded, but he was as dead as they
make them out there. The wounded men
for whose sake he had risked and lost
his life thought lot of him and were
greatly cut up at his death. One of them
who was hit SO hard that he would never
see another Sunday said to me as we
passed the engineer chap. who lay with
a smile on his white face and had more
bullets in him than would set battalion
of sharpshooters up in business for them
selves, HE was rare good one, he was
It's something worth living for to have
seen a deed like that, and now that
have seen it l don't care what becomes
of me-" That's what we all felt about IT
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30

From the Chicago Tribune.
"HAT British recruiting for the
war needs stimulus is conceded
! even in Great Britain. The fact
puzzles the unprecedented observer, is
made a jest in Germany, and concerns
even the patriotic Englishman. Miss
Carolyn Wilson, one of the Tribune S
correspondents, who has seen the white
heat of enthusiasm in France, being
now in London, wonders at the apathy
of the Londoners.
Their world may be caving in about
teen and they are not emotionally con-
cerned. They have raised huge vol
rnteer army but additions to it are
coming slowly. Now there is hue
and cry to get the volunteer. Poster
and plaeard, music hall song and cor
her exhorter, bus banners and sandwich
men with imposing type inform the
Briton that his King and country need
him.
Russians, French Germans and Aus
trians are not implored They come
sluggish. That starts the inquiry:
what is the matter with tne EnSnSn,
the Welsh, the Scotch and the Irish?
Great empires, we know, atrophy.
They die of their ease and comforts, or
their security and freedom from di-
rect attack. They are fed and fought
for by aliens. They raise small pro-
fessonal military class of high grade
hut their levies of troops come from
Dalmatia, from Gaul, from Africa. from
the far ends of empire, from rude,
coarse. fighting peoples, whose sons
are whipped into shape and taught the
use of the short sword.
Great Britain is using Pathans and
Csurkas, Hindoos and Sudanese, Cana
dams, New Zealanders and Australians.
is the British empire arrived at the
Diocletian period of the Roman? Is 1t
in the glowing and glorious but vanish
irg period of sunset which precedes the
twilight? Is England now fed and
fought for, sticking close to it's ease
and seeking it's amusement and com
forts, devoted to it's games and NUT
ton. unwilling to discard shelter and
take to hardships?
Specifically the facts might start
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
STEVENSON RELICS SOLD

The two issues consist of "a pages
pages each 1t is believed to be the I
only copy of this magazine. 1t was
passed from hand to hand at a charge
of one penny night The proceeds
were devoted to the sealkote orphan
age. 1t contains five colored drawings
and two pen-and-ink sketches by
Stevenson.
William Sloane gave $s5 for small
Bible, presented to Stevenson on his
sixth birthday, November 1s, 1856, by
his nurse, Allan Cunningham to whom.
in after years, he dedicated his "Child's
Garden of Verse" Mrs Payne whitney
obtained for $50 Stevenson's copy of
Lord Byron's "Childe Harold's Pill
grimage," with marginal pencillings.
Mr. Sloane paid $137 for Stevenson's
copy of Little Arthur's History of Eng
land" by Lady Callcott. A message
written in Arabic at Khartoum on both
sides of a piece of cigarette paper by
Gen. Chinese" Gordon, supposed to have
been the last message sent by him pre-
vious to his DEATH and presented to
Stevenson by a relative of Gordon. was
knocked down to George d. Smith for
$40.
The original manuscript of 1.-THE His
tory of Moses in the handwriting of
Stevenson's mother, but with his auto
graph inscription at the end, went to
Mr. Wendell for $3.50. It was accom-
panied by Bible inscribed: "R Louis
Stevenson. A Reward for His History of
Moses, with Illustrations, from His At
fec Uncle David"
Gabriel Weis paid $3.50 for the orig
inal manuscript of one of Stevenson's
early stories, "In the Windbound Are
thusa;o 1866 for early poems. sonnets,
and essays in Stevensons autograph;
1855 for Is pages of the original manu-
script ION the Art of Literature;'' $3.50
for the original manuscript of "Remi-
niscences of Colinton Manse;" S465 for
manuscript note book of IAN Inland
Voyage" $500 for the original manu-
script diary of Stevenson's honeymoon
days, which formed the groundwork
of his published book, THE Silverado
Spuatters 5000 for manuscript draft of
poems for the Child's Garden of Verse
and $500 for the original manuscript
draft of poems for the .tChild's Garden
of Verse;" and 5000 for the original
manuscript of Lady Morals"
Mr.. Smith gave $500 for a draft for
life of Stevenson's father, headed,
'"rhomas Stevenson" $500 for manu-
script notebook, containing autobio-
graphical notes, poems. etc.; $40 for
the original manuscript of Notes on
Childhood" $3.50 for manuscript frag-
ment of Or. Jeklyll and Mr.. Hyde" and
$500 for the original manuscript of '"The
Young Chevalier."
The first draft of Travels with a
Donkey was sold to j. w. Arnott for
$3.50. F. p. Garvin gave $405 for the
original draft for Moral Tales
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Suicides

During the past few weeks Birming-
ham has had what might be called an
epidemic of suicides. 1t is well known
fact that one suicide in a community
almost invariably leads to another and
at times this form of hysteria, mad
ness, or what you will, reaches alarm
ing proportions. However, statistics
show that there is diminishing sui
eide rate in this country. Last year
the rate was 1877 per 100000 of popu-
lation, which was the lowest on rec
ord. The highest was 21.8, attained
in 1908.
According to figures in the insur-
ance journal, the New York Spectator,
the suicide rate of small cities is about
the same as that of larger cities, a
fact which is surprising. Life in the
congested centers Of population is sup
posedly more strenuous and nerve
wracking than in other parts Of the
country, but it isn't the mere stress
of life that causes people to commit
suicide in great many instances.
This country has an average of
something like $4,000 cases of suicide
annually. If it were possible to learn
what prompted majority of these
unfortunates to take their lives, there
would be found large number who
had the same motive. Ill health, dis
appointment in love and business re
verses are perhaps the three mos
common causes for suicide. There il
always sympathy for the unfortunate
who takes his own life, but it seems tt
be given in fullest measure to thos
who were suffering from an incura
BILE disease and concluded that the.
were better off out of the world thai
in it.
1t may seem strange that so man.
persons who commit suicide, particu
larly among women, use carbolic acid
This has been explained by the fac
that carbolic acid can be procure'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times
THE celebrated portrait on canvas
of Robert Louis Stevenson, by
John s. Sargent. inscribed, 'To r
L. Stevenson, his friend, John s. Sar-
gent, 1885, brought S14,S00 at last
nights sale by the Anderson Auction
company of relics of the famous novel
ist from his late home at Vaiiima
Samao. The chief bidders were a col
lector from Washington, who asked
that his name be withheld. and George
said that he had bought it on his own
account.
1t was the highest price paid for any
thing at the sale. This has lasted for
two days, and s4O.755 has been obtained
The hearing on the injunction OBJ
tanned by Mrs. katherine d. Osbourne
in the supreme court special term, re-
straining Mrs. Salisbury Field, formerly
Mrs. Isobel Strong, Stevenson's step
daughter and owner of the relics, from
selling 1872 letters and sketches written
or sent by Stevenson to his father and
mother was adjourned yesterday to
Friday morning.
At the sale yesterday Mr.. Smith OBJ
tanned also for $4,000 the portrait of
Stevenson. cast in bronze from the de
sign made by Augustus Saint Gaudens.
The original plaster group, LIE Prin-
temps" by Auguste Rodin, which was
presented by him to Stevenson in 1885,
also went to Mr.. Smith for $500. On
the bust is the inscription AR. L.
Stevenson, an sympathique artistic
fdele ami ct cher poete Rodin."
Mr.. Smith likewise obtained for $3.50
two original manuscript versions Of
stevenson's unpublished farce. Gar
April Day; or, Autolycus in Service
DR.. A. w. S. Rosenbach of Philadelphia
paid $4S5 for the original manuscript
of the Fables and 1886 for the manu-
script of the Hawaiian story printed
in Island Nights ENTERTAINMENT un.
der the title of "The Isle of Voices"
James F. Drake gave 1915 for the
autograph manuscript of "St. Ives
differing for the printed book through.
out. Five interesting Telegraph letters
of George Meredith, addressed to Stevn-
son and referring to their writings
went to Mr.. Smith for s405. A manu-
script copy in Stevenson's autograph
of 'sVailima Prayers" was bought by C
Tucker for $3.50. Mr.. Smith paid $3.50
for Stevenson's manuscript journal con.
tanning his observations on a voyage in
the South Seas" and $500 for blank
book used by the novelist for writing his
first drafts of poems published under
the title of ''Underwoods.
The highest price of the afternoon
session was $1450 paid by E. II. Wen
dell for a manuscript, THE Sunbeam
Magazine, Nos. 1 and q" Stevenson (
most elaborate attempt at editing a
periodical, made while he was a student
at Tomlison's day school in Edinburgh
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Good Time to Build

From the viewpoint of economy the
best time to build is when the
building trades are dull. Just now
many bricklayers, carpenters, plas-
terers and common laborers are out
of employment. Not only so, but build
ing material is much lower than it
will be a month or two hence if the
business activity that has been pre-
dicted should be in evidence.
Some industrial leaders look for a
high degree of prosperity in this dis
trict early in the spring. Others say
wave of prosperity will be due in
January. There has been a steady
improvement in nearly all branches
of business during the past two or
three weeks, and it is reasonable to
think that progress from now on will
be rapid. One thing that seems certain
is that within the next few months
prosperity with big P will prevail
throughout the country.
The price of lumber will advance
and so will the price of everything
else. The architects of Birmingham
have prepared plans for many elegant
homes, many substantial tenement
houses and many handsome mercantile
buildings. The individuals or the firms
intending to build in the spring would
save great deal of money by build
ing now. AS President w. T. Estes
of the Birmingham Real Estate ex-
change said the other day: "The man
who buys lumber now gets 20 per cent
more value for his money, as we'll as
getting better labor at lower prices"
He then remarked sententiously and
very truly:
"When l say now is the time to
build, | mean now, today; not six
months from today. The lumber mar
ket, while low, is steady. have been
in the market for 100000 feet of
flooring. l am offering present prices,
but asking for deliveries beginning
March /. So far there has been no
rush on the part of the mills to cap
ture my offer. This, more clearly
than anything else l could say, shows
their confidence in the early return
of higher prices.
Every building that goes up now
is a silent but none the less eloquent
tribute to your belief in Birmingham
and in the return of more prosperous
days. There is even a selfish motive
here. The man who, by building now,
puts into circulation idle capital, starts
prosperity's wheel, and he as well as
all of us will benefit Building turns
materials into money and idlers into
workmen."
With our open winters here building
can be pushed through December and
January with little or no interruption.
Some construction work is in progress,
of course, but in view of opportunities
for bargains in the purchase of ma
terial there should be more building
than usual.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
cRoKER NO sQUAw MAN

Washington Dispatch to New YORK
World.
Richard Croker will not become squaw
man unless he goes to an Indian settle
ment to reside and lives apart from all
white friends.
The definition Of a squaw man given
bv the bureau of Indian affairs is: "A
man who marries an Indian woman, sepa-
rates himself from his white friends and
goes to live with the Indians as an In
dian"
Croker will be on an equal footing with
Senator Poindexter and other prominent
men who married women of Indian blood
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Cotton Crisis About Over

Henry Clews in his Saturday review
says that business conditions are getting
better daily. Still he points out the fact
that the war abroad stands in the way of
a sharp recovery. In looking upon the
brighter side he says:
After every period of depression in
public feeling, there comes a psychical
reaction when the worst has been fairly
passed, and pessimsm invariably gives
way to a new spirit of hopefulness. The
real question is, have we fairly passed
and discounted the worst? 1t would seem
as If we really had.
1.-THE cotton crisis is about over and
much of the financial aid that was prom
Used will not be necessary. The same is
true of the foreign exchange market. The
reserve banks made successful start.
and have already created a highly inn
portant source of relief in case of future
emergencies All things considered, tie
financial situation in New York has mar
vellously improved. Money is abundant
and credit is easier, the demand for COM
mercial showing steady Improvement
Foreign exchange is nearer normal than
at any time since the war began. Our
bank reserves have been largely expanded
by the new system, and both emergency
currency and clearing house certificates
are being rapidly withdrawn. The latter
policy should be persistently followed in
order to check gold exports which will
surely follow on a liberal scale II money
becomes too redundant or too cheap.
Fortunately our export trade Is rallying
from the blow of the war, and is being
further stimulated by heavy war con-
tracts. which are keeping many of our
factories busy"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30

without trouble and is cheap. People
who end their lives in this manner
surely do not know the effects of the
acid, or realize what agony they must
endure. Bichloride of mercury is an
even worse agent of self-destruction,
as the suffering in some cases is pro-
longed for days.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
OUR POTENTIAL RESERVE ARMY

From the New York Evening Sun.
The news from Washington that the
war department is forming a reserve
army of 10000 in cooperation with mill
tary schools and organizations advocat-
ing the building up of a national defense
machine is particularly gratifying at this
time. While the European war has not
been altogether responsible for this, since
the field instruction camps for college and
high school students last summer preced-
ed the first shot on the continent, new
ertheless the great war has contributed
toward interesting the public much more
actively in this subject, and there will
undoubtedly be general demand that
Congress support Secretary Garrison and
the other army heads in this highly i'm
portant project
Such an army of 10000 men, to be COM
posed chiefly of college, high and military
school students, would probably not in
clude the potential reserve of the veter-
ans from the Spanish and Philippine wars
and of the regular army service. In any
event, by adding to the 100000 men of our
regular army 0he actual enrolment now
stands at 96.000) the total of close to 1885,
600 in the organized state militias plus
the 10000 of the contemplated reserve
corps, we should have at least a semi
trained force ready for immediate call of
$4,000 men, more than nine army corps.
Admittedly every militia man or reserve
could not respond to an instant summons.
A good percentage of older men and mar
ried men in the state guards would not
be available for campaign. But on the
other hand the personnel of the state
guards changes Approximately every
three years; that is to say, the 5000 en-
listments in New York state represent
some 10000 mem who have received militia
training within a decade. Therefore the
gaps in the ranks could be more than
filled with men of equal training. On this
basis the 125,00O militiamen in the United
States represent a possible 100000 of those
who have been in that service, inadequate
as 1t may be. within 10 years, or at the
least sufficient to raise the entire po-
tential first line and reserve forces to
u army corps, or 100000 men, before one
absolutely raw recruit need be accepted.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30

From THE British Army, from Within"
by e. Charles Vivian.
Gradually the recruit learns barrack
room slang and phrasing. In the army
one is never late; one is pushed" One
does not eat, but one 'scoffs.' A man
who lodges work is said to Swing the
lead,' and there is no such thing as
work, for it is graft" or 'kom.'
Practically every man, too. has his
nickname; all Clarkes are ''Nobby" all
Palmers are ''Pedlar," all Welshmen In
other than Welsh regiments are "Taffy,"
ali Robinsons' are Jack and every sur
name in like fashion has it's regular nick
name. But. contrary to the belief enter
tanned by the average civilian. the soldier
does not readily take to nicknames for his
superiors.
For his own officers he sometimes finds
equivalents to their names through their
/ personal peculiarities, but If one spoke
| to soldier of TX. of K the soldier
would requesA, an explanation, while
! "Bobs' for Lord Roberts might be UNDER
stood, but would not be appreciated. The
general officer and the superior worthy
! of respect get his full title from the SOL
| der at all times and nicknames, except
| for comrades of the same company OF
| squadron, from mark of contempt, es-
pecially when applied to commissioned Of
fcers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Love, first learned in "A Indy's eyes.
lives not alone immured In the brain.
Loves Labor's Lost.
BEGINNING THE DAY-O Lord,

BEGINNING THE DAY-O Lord,
cure me of suspicion. May 1 as
sign no base motives, until all mo-
tiyes of disintercstedness, of
Of weakness have
been tried. Even then, help me to
suspend or temper Judgment, for I
may not know the things that lie
behind. Help me to be as liberal
with another ms with myself. May
judge only that / may help. In
Christ's name. Amen.-H. NJ. e.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30

From the Boston Evening Transcript
Customer-"H Have you any more of the
butter like l got from you last week."
Grocer-"Yes, madam
Customer-"Then give me pound Of
any other kind"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
THE ANGEL OF PEACE
BY w. E. Henley.


w f.
storm wrought place of quales, all thunder-scarred
Helpless, degraded, desoate
Peace the White Angel comes.
Her ewes are mothers Her good hands
Are comfortng and helping; and her voice
Falls on the heart after winter, spring
Falls on the world, and there is no more pain.
And in her influence, hope returns, and life
And the passion of endeavor; that, soon
The idle ports insoent kees;
The stitches roar, and the mills thrum
With energy and achievement; weald and void
Exult; the cottage garden teens
With innocent hues and odors; boy and girl
Mate prosp'rously there women to kiss:
There good to golden fog
A large, full-stomached faith in kindness
All the world, the nation in a dream
or money and love and sport hangs at the paps
OF well-being. and
Goes fattening, meowing. DOING, rottng down
Into rich deliquium of decay.
Then, If the Gods be good,
Tneh II the Gods he other mischevous,
Down from their footstools down
With mllion-throated shouting, swoops and storms
War, the Red Angel the Awakener,
The Shaker of Souls and Thrones; her heel
Trail grief and ruin, and sllame
The woman weeps her man, the mother her son
The rendering its father. In wild hours,
A people, haggard with defeat
Asks if there be God; yet its teeth,
Faces calamity and goes into the fire
Another than it And In wild hours
A people, roaring ripe
With victory, rises, menaces, stands renewed
Sheds its old peddlng aims.
Approves its virtue puts behind itself
The comfortable dream and goes,
Armoured and militant.
New-pitched newsouled, new-visioned up the stee's
To those great attitudes whereat the weak
Live not But only the strong
Have leave to strive. and suffer- and achieve