davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF BEATRICE CENCI

N TOT one of the famous trials con- IN ductea in Renaissance Italy com \ mands greater attention than that of Beatrice Cenci. What degree of guilt is to be computed to her has fur nished most fruitful field for discus sion. She was the daughter of noble and wealthy family who could trace their descents to the Caesars. Her l father was Francesca Cenci and she had number of brothers and sisters. The Cencis led a most turbulent ex- istence and passed their lives in con tinual bickerings with the head of the family. The plain fact of the case is that fault existed on both sides l Beatrice Cenci was by no means the angel of purity that her admirers de- pict her. As for the father, he ap- pears to have been one who expe- rienced considerable difficulty in con :. trolling a family rendered licentious and turbulent through force of evil flial example.
 | Such was the state of affairs in the year 1898, when conditions arrived at so acute state that, the entire fam fly entered into a conspiracy to bring about the death of the father Guerra. a friend, was called in to assist the children.
 l It was the counts custom to pass a few months each year at Rocco Pe- trella, a castle in the central part Of Italy When the time set for his de- parture was near at hand an arrange ment was made with two bravi, Olim- pia Calvetti and Marzio de Fforani, who were to gather together a number of their comrades and capture the en- | tire family while on the way to Pe- trella, and for the rescue of Francesca havy ransom was to be demanded and the others sent back to Rome for the purpose of obtaining it.
 l This it would be claimed they would be unable to do by the time set and the bandetti would thereupon put Count Francesca to death. The at tempt mfscarried. either because Fran cesca started at an hour earlier than expected or through the negligence on the part of the brigands.
 1 A new plan subsequently, became necessary, and on September 8, 15ss. Beatrice admitted the assassins into the castle, and on the evening of the 9th. during dinner, opium was dexter ously poured into the wine of Fran cesca, who shortly afterwards, feeling the dazed effects. retired. About mid- night Beatrice released Olimpio and Marzio and admitted them to his room The murder was accomplished by one of the assassins His body was then
 roNoRRow THE rRIA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
THE CRICKET

By William Cowper.
 Little inmate, full of mirth, Chipping on my kitchen hearth, Wheresoe'er be thine abode, Always harbinger of good. Pay me for thy warm retreat With a song more soft and sweet: In return thou shalt receive Such a strain as I can give. Thus thy praise shall be expressed. lnoffensive, welcome guest. While the rat Is on the scout And the mouse with curious snout. With what vermin else fnfest Every dish, and spoil the best; Frisking thus before the fire. Thou hast all thy hearts desire. Though in voice and shape they be Formed as if akin to thee, Thou surpassest, happier far, Happiest grasshoppers that are: Theirs Is but summers song Thine endures the winter long. Unimpaired and shrill and clear. Melody throughout the year. Neither night nor dawn of day Puts period to thy play; Sing then-and extend thy span Far beyond the date of man. Wretched man. whose years are spent In repining discontent, Lives not, aged though he be, Half . span. compared with theA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
Southern Sunday School Statistics

Dr. A. L. Phillips of Richmond. who Is superintendent of the Sunday schools and young peoples societies of the Southern Presbyterian church, has recently given to the public some Interesting statistics relative to Sun day school attendance by the children of the south.
 The figures are made to cover six teen southern states with population of 32,4S0,000, of which 75 per cent reside in the rural districts. There are in these sixteen states ten million children, while the Sunday school en- rollment is between five and six mil lion. The result shows that three million white children and two million negro children know nothing of the Sunday school, condition which is anything but flatterirg to the com munity in which it exists.
 The Sunday school IS perhaps the most efficient of the moral agencies which Christian ity possesses and it's influence is felt in all parts of the country. It's functions have changed materially in the last decade and a half and it offers now opportunities that none can afford to neglect. It is moro thorough and more educative
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
About Persons

The Rev. Patrick Turner will leave Monday for New York, whence he will sal Thursday for Ireland. He expects to return in September.
 
 w. P. G. Harding, who spent Friday In Atlanta, made an address before the Clearing House association there, the bankers having arranged the meeting hurriedly upon learning that member to-be of the federal reserve board was in town The Atlanta clearing house has adopted resolutions favoring MT. Hard ing for governor of the board and call Ing upon the Georgia senators to "get busy in his behalf. But 1t seems to be pretty well understood that the two- year member will be designated by the President as governor and that each member will serve in turn. Mir. Harding has been selected for the eight-year term, and would become automatically governor of the board six years hence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
Music and Civic progress

Prominent citizens have expressed themselves, I am glad to know. in op- timistic terms about present conditions in Birmingham and the future of this city, said member of the Chamber of Com merce. Now that Birmingham is begin ming to be recognized as one of the great cities of the country, all of us should take pleasure in helping along public spirited movements, including free band concerts in Capitol park or such other park as could be reached conveniently by q great number of people. In the next two or three years the city of Birmingham, with needed legislation. should be able to defray all the cost of park concerts dur ing the summer and to give Sunday con certs during the winter. The municipal band is already in vogue in many Euro pean and fed American cities.
 And speaking of popular music, all per- sons who know anything about music or who take any interest in civic matters must have noticed the marked improve ment in taste as evidenced by the large crowds attending good concerts. It is a noteworthy fact that the all-Wag- ner programme which Memor pre- sented in Capitol park last sum mer attracted fully 5000 people. the largest attendance of the season save that on Verdi night. when the crowd was estimated at 1000. Italians coming in large groups from every part of the Birming- ham district MT. H. K. Milner, in his letter to Saturdays Age-Herald, refers to the keen delight which the Wagner and Verdi nights afforded the public. MT. Milner well says: 'As matter of civic pride we ought to encourage our citizens 1n the study of the best. whether in music
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

making them practically unsinksb1s The other great ocean carrying lines should be made to do likewise and it is probable that the British government will require it. The American govern ment should do likewise. x x T
 By the way, hear that President Will sons determination to keep congress in session all this summer as he did last suniner. is creating quite a bis of frie- ton among the democrats. They are he- s'rning to claim that the President wants t. 1un everything in his own way
 am told that the dem cratic leaders in the House and Senate a~e having q strenuous time to prevent an open revolt Az matter of fact, the real leaders in the House and Senate. who have had a solid year of hard work, need a rest. They need time to think carefully over legislative matters before they are rushed through at the dictation of the President and few advisers
 President Wilson is tireless worker and it seems that he is determined to drive through all his proposed Iegisla- tion before he gives anyone a rest.
 * # x
 Speaking about legislation, am really glad to see that our city commissioners have finally gotten together and are ac- lively at work in improving conditions in Birmingham. There have been no scraps in the commission recently and 1t seems that all of them have gotten down to real hard work, and best of all. are working together
 Their street improvement work has been particularly fine and I am glad to seq that they are perfecting the fire depart- ment as well as giving much attention to the Identification of the city.
 Indeed, the city commission is well lsea,- ing pace with the optimism and entbu. siasm of the citizenship of Birmingham
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

The Orange Tribune predicts that the California walnut crop, grown in the southern part of the state. will yield a
 return this year of about s3Oo0, 900. The
 trade of the country has already con-
 tracted to take the greater part of the output. which will be ready for market
 in the fall. The California walnut crop
 represents 95 per cent of all the wal
 nuts grown in this country and has main- tained its popularity in spite of heavy im- portations from abroad. The California
 Walnut Growers association has mar keting plan which does away with private distribution companies and permits grow CTS, through agents of the association. to sell direct to the trade. This method is said to save fully s5o,eOO a year for the walnut growers. It is predicted that the 1914 crop will amount to approximately 1900 tons. Practically all the walnuts pro- duced in California are grown in the southern part of the state. The total acre. age is about $500 bearing and 950o non bearing trees. It is believed that the crop will be marketed this year in time to SUD- ply the Thanksgiving demand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT BUSINESS
 AFFAIRS AND OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

1 and generally as place of resi- dence.
 1 I am indeed glad to observe that the get-together spirit has had wonder l full development here in the past few years. As a matter of fact, there is really something to get together for. * ;. <
 The real estate market in Birming- ham has been rather inactive for about a year past. This has been due to the fact that real estate owners and boom- CTS overdid it two or three years ago and increased prices on vacant property out of reason.
 Now that some of the speculators have held on as long as the banks will carry them and property is beginning to be offered at reasonable prices I expect to see very active summer in real estate. There will be sometbinv doing not only among the actual resi- dents of Birmingham but many out- siders are now making inquiries for inc purpose of investments and improve ments here.
 Money which has heretofore sopebt speculative investment through the New York stock exchange is now go;,e into actual constructive investment
 It Is true that brokers of New yor,- are almost starving Few of them are making office rent. because the world Is tired of stock gambling. The money Is still here, however, and this is some of the money which is now seekinp ;r- vestment in the Birmingham district
 af # x
 The Canadian Pacific liner disaster resulting in loss of life almost equal to that of the Titanic should result In a law requiring all passenger carving ocean going vessels to have donb1e hulls.
 The White Star line after the Titanic disaster, rebuilt several of it's sbins
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
Friendship

me soul or Jonathan was knit With the soul of David" 1 Samuel IS, 1.
 We are gregarious animals. Our natures are distinctly and desperately social. We pine and retrograde and disintergrate and go crazy and die, if robbed of companionship. We talk to ourselves when alone to initiate the presence of another. We sit up half the night, arise before day, crowd the rails, to catch glimpse of fellow mortals or a passing vessel; or even of the vessel only, because it speaks of their presence and their power. In the vast silences of the north, Rex Beach says the solitary travellers shout aloud and whistle to preserve sanity Russian prisoners bore through gran ite walls, invent all kinds of un- imaginable sign systems, call to aid unheard of devices to say themselves to answering souls.
 And within all this great concourse of mere associates, close round about each man, is cordon of comrades. These are they whom we call friends. Blessed is the man who hath many of them. And blest be God who hath set our hearts to beat in harmony that we may know the rare, strange, wondrous music of friendship.
 God might have made stale. flat. unprofitable world, but He chose to make our food luscious, to fill our air with fragrances and sweet sounds, to charm our eyes with beauty, and to enrich our lives with such heavenly essences as love and friendship.
 It is our duty to have friends. The pious pose of being hated by every body is entirely unchristian. Many of the words of Jesus on this matter have been misinterpreted, because He spoke to people who were hated, and would be, by their political and ecclesi- astical superiors; and sought to con- fort them. Some men are hated for Jesus sake; others are hated because they are hateful. And those who are hated for Jesus sake are also loved. Every great Christian has been the center of multitude of loving fol- lowers; and most of those who have died for their faith could have sum moned twelve legions of friends to their aid, had they chosen.
 And the pitiful pose of being friend less is frequently as bad as the pious pose. If we have not friends, we need not lay it to the world, or the selfish ness of the times; let us lay it at our own doors, where it belongs.
 But here is the more fundamental consideration: It is our duty to be friends. The former follows as the night the day, if this be established. Let man who seeks friends forget the seeking and attend to the being: and the sweet objects of his forgotten search will come unsought, flocking like doves to their windows. Too much we ask: Who has given to me? Too little we ask: To whom have piven? Too much we seek those who have wherewith to repay Too little we in- vite those who cannot invite us again. Too much of our friending is seeking to gain; too little is seeking to give. Let us hold before our eyes as the model friend the ineffable image of Him who sought out the poor, the desolate, the unfriended, and led them by His love back to light and life and God,
 0ENRY M. EDMoNDs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

or any other art, and in the gratifica- tion of their artistic tastes and desires. To those who subscribe to the band concert fund 1t is only fair to give the best their money will purchase'
 "one used to hear it said that only few persons cared for classic music, or music reaching deep down into the soul; that the masses desired only to be tickled and to nave plenty of noise at park concerts. IT that was ever so, it is not so today. The vaudeville show is the place to go for up-to-date songs full of chic or maudlin sentimentality. In these days the crowds who sit in park or who pay money to hear Kryl's band want to hear real music"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
Now as Then

T found in one of the Nek York papers the other day under the caption, Now as Then letter from Thomas Jefferson, whom all democrats revere and whose intellectual force was acknowledged by all men, including his political enemies" said a professional man.
 What would Mir. Jefferson think of
 our bulky Congress and our long drawn
 out sessions were he to return to the earth and pay a visit to the national
 capitol? This is the letter:
 "I served with General Washington in the legislature of Virginia, before the Revolution, and, during it, with Dr.
 Franklin in Congress. I never heard either of them speak 10 minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point, which was to decide the question. "They laid their shoulders to the
 great points, knowing that the little ones would follow of themselves. If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise, in a body to which the people send 150 law yers. whose trade it is to question
 everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour? That 150 lawyers should do business together ought not to be ex- pected THOMAS JEFFERSON
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
MIR. WEATHER MAN

Stop this kidding, Weather Man; Don't throw dust in our eyes: we've had enough to drive us blind And we'll apologize For all the naughty things we've said About your forecasts vain And failure to prognosticate If you'll but send us rain. We've watched our garden drying up. All shrivelled are the peas; Tomato vines have turned to bronze And yellow are the trees The wells gone dry and from the
 creek
 We now the water tote And soon there won't be left of that Enough to quench a goat. Our hens strut in dust breastbone
 deep
 And when the corn we plowed We couldn't even see t"e mule
 Hid away in the cloud. When autos spin along the road Our throat and nostrils choke And make all of us think about Elijah gone in smoke. So please forgive us, Weather Man. Forget all that we've said And let up on this heated term That feels like molten lead. Remember it was just a joke In future we'll refrain From saying any naughty things If you'll but send us rain.
 A DRY ANSWER n,n,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

A London book seller paid S2475 for a first edition of Dickens "Pickwick Papers" last week. This edition is said to be the finest copy of "Pickwick in existence, and is greatly desired by collectors. The covers are dated 1S36 and there are 20 parts. The illustrations were done by Sey- mour, Buss and "Phiz" The wrappers and advertisements of the work are in- closed in glass case
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

The secretary of the Maryland board of health thinks women should wear less. He ought to wake up and take peep at the styles at present in vogue before mak- ing any more rash statements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Although yesterday was the hottest was a good breeze stirring and the temperature did not seem at all op- pressive. Rain came in the late after noon, and copious showers may be ex- pected every day or two until the earth is well watered
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
I'll proye this truth with my three drops of blood.
 -TrolIus and Cressida.

BEGINNING THE DAY-Ifow wonderful, 0 my God, Is the ever returning freshness of spring anu of youth! May I never despise the thrill that comes to me when iook upon the young. May life always De young and fresh to me. And may live so close to Thee that l shnil ne in my own youth forever and TOT ever. For Christ's sake. Ameh'-h' M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

The discovery that the Virgo nebula Is rotating has caused much excitement in the scientific world. The existence of the Virgo nebula has never been suspected by a great many people,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
GREAT SHOCK TO HENS

From the Seneca, Kan. Tribune.
 Irwin Johnson had his whiskers shaved off and his growth of winter hair re- moved. This so disguised him that his closest friends did not recognize him at nrst. and the old hens were scared when he went into his poultry yard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

French critics say Strauss opera "The Legend of Joseph" is too risque for Amer ica Yet, we've been birding ourselves for sometime that we were thoroughly sophisticated, so far as the theatre was concerned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

A campaign has been started in New York to teach children the danger there is in dirty candy and impure soda water. Indulging a sweet tooth is thus put on a strictly scientific basis
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

A Chicago court holds that there is noth- ing indecent in the picture September Morn," although it has gained indecent notoriety. Looks like rap at the news papers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Camping on the trail of the mediators doubtless makes the newspaper corre- spondents at Niagara Falls feel like the principal in a snipe hunt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

The Washington Posts editorial en- titled, "undigested Legislation" which The Age-Herald reproduces on this page, is we'll worth reading
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Jacob Riis was a newspaper reporter in New York for 27 years, but he was such a glutton for work even that didn't sat- isfy him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Mir. Mellen says s25,00 a year is enough for any railroad president. Nobody has ever dared to fix limit for the income of a Pullman porter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Lipton's Shamrock " has been com- pared to champagne glass and gravy boat. Some critics have gone a bit fur ther and called her nautical crime''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

Michigan seems to believe rather strong ly in Dr. Cooks claim to have dscov- cred the north pole. It's early yet for the heat to affect Michiganders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
A CHICKEN FANCIER

A CHICKEN FANCIER Grimsby: "They arrested the man who took the first prize at the poultry show"
 Quimsby: What for?" Grimsby; For theft He stole the blue ribbon Leghorn cock"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Tobacco Culture in Alabama

T have just returned from a trir
 through southern Alabama" said Jerry Jerallie. and prosperity was prevalent in all the towns I visited. There is a good stand of cotton and the crop in general seems to be most promising.
 Tn Henry county I was especially in- terested in tobacco culture The Central of Georgia railroad is doing valuable demonstration work for the farmers. That company has an efficient represen- tative in MT. J. A. Winslow, who is giv- ing close attention now to tobacco cul- ture in southeastern Alabama. It is be- lieved that good tobacco crops will be made in Houston, Geneva and Covington counties this year. Mr. Winslow Is from North Carolina, one of the few great tobacco states. If Alabama can add the nicotian weed to it's already varied money, crops, the state will become all the richer, MT. Winslow has been successful in his tobacco culture in Georgia One farmer near Savannah raised tobacco and sold it for enough to make it pay at the rate of s20O an acre"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
UNDIGEsTED LEGISLATION

The Vaterland came very near spelling
 the shape of the North river
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
Crops and Politics in Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma has been hay ing crop failures on account of drouth Tor several years paAt, but great har. vests are in sight now," said E. G. Chandler, who has just returned from Oklahoma, where he spent week or more
 The farmers are expecting bumper crops of wheat, corn and potatoes. Okla- homa IS quite cotton state, but the early planting was ruined by the cold wave in April. Many farmers are re- planting and hope yet to make some cot ton. although the crop will not be up tc the states normal yield. In view of Oklahoma's general crop situation. one hears optimistic talk sn all the towns and cities.
 Oklahoma is full of politics. There are many candidates for the democratic nom. nation and I would not be surprised to see a republican independent slip in Ex. cltement was at white heat when I left By the way, I found that Senator Gore was being bitterly fought by many dem. ocrats and will fail of reelection At least, 1t looked so to me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
H,eJ63,ueo>
TROUBADOUR AND JESTER
CoPARTNERSHIP
sssssessssssssssssssssssss.ss..

CoPARTNERsHIP
 stranger: That's large herd of l cattle over there.''
 Native; Largest in the county. They belong to Judge Brown and mvse,f The judge owns s42 and I own one"
 DEPENDS ON DESTINATION I Headline: Hangs himself to escan. heat" | Question: Did he escape it? FAITH pray for rain today?" Deacon Balancing at the sky): | Reckon not, Reverend, the wind isn't in the right direction.' TWO MAIDENs Billby: 'I see that those Niagara mediators took a ride upon the Maid of the Mist" Willby: q hope that protocol won't be made of the mist" IN BIG LETTERS
 Jones: T think it was quite clever to call that Niagara junta an A. B. c. commission"
 Brown: Yes, it was a capital idea, c. F. M