davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

largely in evidence this week, and they
 will continue to come throughout next week. Never have the Birming- ham merchants laid in more beautiful assortments of Christmas wares than they have for this holiday-tide. The stocks are large, too, but they will prove none too large. The old slogan, "Shop Early" is seldom heard now, because people have got into the habit of making their Christmas purchases as early as possible. Still, it would be well for all shoppers who are not already fully provided with Christmas goods to get an early start today or Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
TOMMY ATKINS, WAR CHATTER

From the Chicago Herald.
 Tommy Atkins fondness for slang is proverbial The official dispatches have told howhe has dubbed the largest Ger man shells Black Marias" and Jack Johnsons" but, naturally, lot or trench chatter has not found its way into the official communications.
 Wire entanglements are known as the ''zoo." "Flagwaggers' and "helfo- wab- blers" for signalmen are fairly obvious nicknames, and the latter's grin when they hear them Is only equaled by that of the members of the medical corps, who are known by the somewhat un- dignified names of "poultice wallopers' or 'Iinseed iancers."
 The ordnance store corps has been nicknamed the Sugar stick brigade" on account of the trimmings on it's uni form. Tall men in the army are gem orally referred to as "lofties," and more often than not cavalryman calls his horse his '1ong-faced chum," buglers being "hddlers" or wind tanners" In ordinary conversation Tommy speaks of his clothes as his "clobber'' and the canteen as the tank" To be in hospital is to be '1n dock." while money is referred to as "oof," "rhino," "the ready" pewter" or "shineers." A reservist is "dugout," recruit a rookie and a veteran an "old sweat A wheelwright in the artillery Is a "spoky," while the long service medal is called the "rooti' medal-"rooti be- ing the slang term for bread. because the owner has eaten most. Pittses arc known as swar socks"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
A SPLENDID MAN
From the Limestone Democrat.

From the Limestone Democrat.
 There died in Birmingham last week suddenly one of the most prominent busi- ness men in whom the people of Athens felt most kindly interest MT. D. M. Drennen, who some years ago married a daughter of Athens former distinguished citizen, Governor George S. Houston. Mir. Drennen spent many summers in Athens after his marriage and our citizens held him in the highest esteem. His death brought a distinct shock and sorrow to those Limestonians who knew him.
 MT. Drennen was a man of most ex- oellent traits of character; while he had made a wonderful success in business in Birmingham he had not permitted busi- ness to be his master. having time al- ways for the home life and the work of his church. His genial manner. his desire at all times to be of real service had made him an enviable reputation and in his passing away Birmingham and Alabama loses a strong factor for it's up- building. Particularly do the people of Athens sympathize with the bereaved family.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS
! the Cincinnati Enouirer.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
 It is funny that 90-pound girl with a shape like capital "I' can wear out as many pairs of shoes in year as the corn fed who makes a pair of scales hol- Ter for help when she weighs herself.
 After sizing up the jewelry worn by most of the princesses a man wonders where all the stained glass factories are located.
 When a married woman announces that her new gown is going to be dream, she is often telling the truth The new gown often fails to naterialize.
 What has become of the old-fas shioned man who used to put ''bokay' in his coat "lapell' and go down to the "depo" and watch the train come in?
 Those European highbrows who hold that Americans are lacking in imagina- tion have evidently never purchased any of the war extras issued over here.-
 He doesn't know it at the time But the boy who has arrived at the age when he begins to think that his mother hasn't sense enough to select his clothes for him has lot of trouble in store.
 An eastern savant announces that inn rulsive people have black eyes. Huh! Lots of impuls.ve people get their eyes blacked.
 One of the drawbacks about being q liar is that you always have hard time trying to remember what you said yester- day and the day before. If a man could be arrested for stealing | another mans time, there would be more jails than churches in this country. | man laughs best when he smiles all | the time.
 | The old-fashioned woman who used to 1 spend s4 worth of time making g com | fort now has daughter who hands over 1 sS for a g comfort because she only has to pay 20 cents per week on it. 1 Lots of men who work for all they are
 worth are getting $10 per week. l We have to give them credit for one !, thing. A man will do more grooming over | a stomach ache than woman will over q hard spell of sickness. l The reason why parents have eight chill dren is because they are only able to sup port four.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
STRIKE OF eo,ooo SAILORS

From the New York World.
 It may not be patriotic in the 60 900 British seamen who have struck for high CT wages to force their troubles on pub lie attention just when the nation is hard pressed with the anxieties of a great war. But these men have very substantial grievances in low earnings and unwhole- some and often repulsive living condi- tions.
 That the wages paid in one country sets a standard for the rest of the world Is true in very real sense in the ocean carrying trade. One of the handicaps to the upbuilding of our merchant marine is the fact that Americans decline to sub init to the employment conditions gov erning other merchant fleets. Higher cost of operation are accordingly imposed on the owners of our vessels. Legislation urged at Washington purposes only regu- lations as to proper food and healthful quarters that seem reasonable from the landlubber's standpoint It is denounced as absurd coddling of our deep sea sail ors simply because it is so far ahead of the requirements foreign vessel owners have to meet. When to the other handi' caps of the poorly paid. i'll fed and in' differently quartered British sailor is added the further discomforts and haz- ards due to the war, cause is found for the strike.
 He is entitled to what he asks and his demands should be granted. A con siderable increase in his pay would moi only make his own lot a happier one, but incidentally would add another to the war. created conditions favoring the restora. ton of the American flag to the seas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
First Visit to Birmingham

T had heard so much of Birmingham that I expected to find quite city here, but it Is even larger and its interests more varied than I had imagined,'' said Il. E.. Page, president of the Electric Supply and Equipment company of Hartford, Conn, who attended the electrical job bers' convention.
 Many men like myself who had never been to Birmingham before thought of it simply as an industrial center-coal, iron and steel-but while these are the main stays l find that an important cotton market has been built up here, to say nothing of large jobbing trade. The most agreeably surprising thing about Birmingham, however. is it's beauty. Few cities of its size have a handsomer busi- ness district, and as for it's residence sec tions, they are of surpassing beauty. Bir- mingham is attractive in every way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
sHACKLEToN's CIGAR

 From the Chicago Herald.
 Sir Ernest Shackleton was once d very junior officer on a passenger boat, and it happened that on one voyage Lord Rothschild was passen- ger. He became, quite friendly with the young fourth" and one evening gave him a magnificent cigar Shackleton knew better than to smoke that cigar. He wrapped it up in silver paper and silk handkerchief and kept it as a cherished memento of his friendship with the great man.
 On subsequent voyages he developed a habit of exhibiting his treasure to favored lady passengers, recounting at the same time how he and Lord Roths- child had been quite pally, you know The chief engineer. a dour old Scots man, thought he would teach him les son, so he conspired with the doctor to steal the cigar and replace it with one of a much inferior kind-in fact, with a weed that had cost him twopence at the last port. They wrapped the im- postor carefully in the silver paper and in the silk handkerchief, and they bore the real Rothschild smoke to the chiefs cabin.
 With a 5-shilling cigar in their pos session for the first time in their lives, they found it difficult to decide who should have the smoking of it, and so they tossed coin. The doctor won and bore his prize off in malicious triumph to his own room. there to enjoy 1t in solitary state. Ills triumph was. how ever, short lived,s for in five minutes he was back again with the chief, woeful- ly countenanced and swearing volubly. The Rothschild was somewhat inferior smoke to that which they had left in its place. Somebody had been before them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
TO A WIND FLOWER
By Madison Cawein.

By Madison CaWeln. Teach me the secret of thy loveliness, That being made wise. may aspire
 to be As beautiful in thought. and so express Immortal truths to earths mortality; Though to my soul ability be less That tis to thee, o sweet anemone. Teach me the secret of thy innocence, That in simplicity l may grow wise, Asking from Art no other recompense Than the approval of her own just eyes, So may rise to some fair eminence. Though less than thine, O cousin of
 the skies. Teach me these things. through whose
 high knowledge. T. When Death hath poured oblivion
 through my veins, And brought me home, as all are brought,
 to lie
 In that vast house, common to serfs
 and thames I shall not die, shall not utterly die, For beauty born of beauty-that re-
 mains.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
THE WORLDS VICTORIA CROSSES From Tit-Bits

Great Britain may well feel proud and boast of her military decoration, the vic- toria Cross which is only conferred for conspicuous acts of bravery on the field of battle.
 France confers her distinctive badges in the well-known form of the Legion of Honor.
 Austria confers her Ancient Order of Marie Therese.
 Germany's equivalent of the Victoria Cross is the Iron Cross. which, 1t is said the Kaiser has already given to SS,0O0 of his soldiers in the present war
 Russia distributes her Cross of St. vlad- imir sparingly to her successful soldiers
 Denmark has one of the most illustrious orders of chivalry, the Order of the Ele- phant, which ranks even with that of our Order of the Garter.
 Spain is truly proud of her Order of the Golden Fleece, which is and has been, most sparingly conferred.
 Italy never fails to decorate her sol- diers with her military medal of merit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
MADISON CAWEIN

to composition, he persevered long, with little encouragement except that received through the publication of his verses in the Courier-Journal. For several years nearly all of his shorter poems first of this paper. and, unknown beginner though he was, so unmstakable was its quality that the Courier-Journal cannot recall that any of it ever shared ths fate of the great mass of unavailable versification which pours into a news- raper office. Readers of the Courier Journal soon came to realize that a gen. uine poet was among them, and the ap- preciation he won in those early days followed him ardently to the fast.
 Gradually the circle of his recognition and the field of his publication widened, and the acclaim of such authorities as Howells and Aldrich and Gosse opened the way for the international reputation which ultimately he won.
 Perhaps the chief criticism which has been urged against Caweln's poetry IS that it lacked in appeal to the human heart-that it has struck not those simple elemental chords of feeling which move mankind and die only with mankind. But the heart of man is only one manifesto ton of the heart of nature, and from the heart of nature who that survives Cawein so happily has sought it's secrets or so richly has given them tongue?
 While refraining, as already explained from attempting now any comparative appraisement of Cawein even we, his homo folks, may say so much without inviting disagreement in any court Of competent criticism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
Business in the South

In this weeks issue the Industrial Index or Columbus, Ga., in summarizing busi- ness progress in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, starts off thus:
 Actual transactions and operations sig nalize steady increase in the volume of business throughout the southeast, not taking the holiday trade into account Business facts are such as to convert into a feeling of certainty the general confi- dence that the New Year will bring a period of the greatest prosperity in this country.
 Seven great steamships are being loaded with cotton at Savannah, and will carry 75,000 bales of the staple to foreign ports and markets.
 Fhe exports of lumber in the first Il months of the year from Tampa, Fla, ex- ceeded by 100000 feet the total for the whole of last year It Is stated that lum- Der importers of Tampa have on file more orders for pine lumber than they had at any time last year, and that December will prove the banner month of the year for lumber exports from that port"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
From the Louisville courier-Journal.


 K I ADDISON cAwEIN lived all of his MI too-short life in or near Louis- vile. As boy and man he was
 our associate and neighbor. We knew well his personal worth and we took pride in his literary achievement and reputation. Certainly he was not without honor in his own country" Rather it was our delight to honor him. Indeed, such has been our admiration of him, so intimate have been our relations. that our perspective is perhaps too short for an accurate judgment as to his rank as poet. But we can rest assured that he will not suffer before that world tri- bunal which assays and stamps mankind S product of pure gold.
 The feature of Madison Cawein's ca reer that especially impressed the Courier Journal was his rare and unfaltering con- secration to his ideals. He saw and felt the poetry of nature, and it was his un- swerving purpose to give it voice. He kept to that purpose from first to last. In an age of materialism, of business, of practical and scientific activity, rather than of esthetic inclination and atmos- made poetry, he turned his back to Nam mon and his face to Pan, steadfast, through every vicissitude of environment or fortune, to his inspiration.
 Nothing short of such an inspiration could have buoyed him through to tri- umph. Tn his youth, confined by day to the drudgery of an uncongenial clerk 5 desk. giving his Sundays and holidays to his beloved fields and his evenings
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
Brilliant Piuno Recital

"Germaine Schnitzer, a brilliant young pianist, will be heard in beautiful pro- gramme at Cable hall Monday night" said a prominent local musician.
 She comes under the auspices of the Music Study club. Those who are not members of the club will have the privi- lege of attending upon the payment of an admission fec of $1. There are many great virtuoso pianists, but few of them have a finer reputation in Europe than Miss Schnitzer. Her home is in Vienna, but she will spend this season touring in the United States
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
ALABAMA SANCTUMS

Greenville Advocate: That excellent howitzer, T. R., seems to be minus an adequate cement foundation these days.
 Huntsville Mercury Banner: Birrning- hams population now is 100000, and we are glad, though crowding Huntsville some, we must admit.
 Gadsden Journal: Flows business ?'' asked one man of another a few days ago. Tt was looking puny the last time I saw it. was the answer
 Shelby County Sun: Jefferson county will endeavor to give idle labor employ me1t on her public highways. A good scheme to get better roads and to feed the hungry.
 Alexander City Outlook: The state of Alabama can convict Theodore Lacy, but so far it has not been able to make him return any of the money he took away in his strong box.
 Mobile Item: The officeholders agree with the taxpayers that all unnecessary offices ought to be abolished, but they can by no means agree unanimously as to what are unnecessary. Livingston Southern Home: The inves- tigation of the cotton seed trust case in Mississippi has resulted in a rise in the price of cotton seed to $22 a ton in that state. There has also been a considerable jump in the price at points in Alabama. They were selling in Greanville Ia st week at $24 per ton according to an exchange. The price went to $20 in Livingston last week, and Is moving upward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

BEGINNING THE DAY-My Fath- CT, cIothe me today with the gentle, sweet grace of humanity. IT l hnye have done anything, Thou hast en- abIed me. And Thou knowest how | have failed of my best, and how I had failed and fallen utterly but for Thee. Amen.--H. M. ID.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

The American peanut. sent abroad to lend Christmas cheer. is expected to make a tremendous hit in Europe. The Ameri- can mule and the American peanut are both hard to beat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
SILLY "AMERICANIsM.

Representative Prouty of Iowa in plead ing for national disarmament, arbitra- ton and an international police, said that trained squirrel shooters could prevent the landing of a hostile force on Ameri- can soil A statement absurd and un- true. Let's have no more of Prouty's piffle. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Considerably more hunters were killed this year than football players, which is rot surprising. Football players have a coach, but hunters run at large and won't take good advise when 1t is offered to them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

It used to be that only dudes part ed their hair in the middle but grad tom. Lord Kitchener is one of the eel ebrities who parts his hair in the mid- dle and no one ever thought of him as a dude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

bade the sailors of the United States navy to sing ''Tipperary" is denied. Per haps the secretary has a musical ear and merely forbade them to sing it when he was around
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

The attitude of the British admiralty when a new victory on the sea is report ed is. Were not surprised. The ex- pected has happened"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

A Massachusetts poisoner is alleged to have wept because she killed only s1 out of 32 intended victims. Some people never have any luck.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Elinor Glyn is said to have dropped lit erary work to help the Belgians. It's a popular pose. That's probably why Elinor adopted it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Serene Payne lived according to his lights and it is small wonder that they af- fected his vision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
THE WARS TO BLAME.

THE WARS TO BLAME.
 Iris rather dull in Paris now
 And "appetizers green,''
 As all the late reports ayow,
 Are very seldom seen.
 Alas, alaclz. the times must be
 A bore to fair Jeanette,
 Mignon, Elise, Cecile, Eff,
 Angele, too, and Susette!
 SOMEWHAT BARREN. 'I'm thinking of entering the field of literature"
 My friend. hesitate" ''why do you discourage meY' 'The field of literature, in nine cases out of ten. won't even produce turnips."
 A SOCIAL MATTER. "Do you really think we need more submarines?'
 What would we do with them? They are too small for dances" FoREsTALLING SANTA CLAUS. My love-
 "Yes. Henry" If it's all the same to you, I wish you wouldn't spend more than 5 for my Christmas present this year. But wanted to get you something nice, Henry.''
 can't afford it. Here's the five.''
 A SEVERE TEST always try to look on the bright side of everything'' Do you always succeed?" No. For instance. five minutes con- versation with Dubson this morning made me cross for an hour and a half'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

"Bobs' is buried at last, but his fam, fiourishes like a green bay tree
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

The little states of Europe continue to buzz. In times like these that's about all a little state can do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Birmingham's "Cafe de Pete is justly popular, although not so Parisian as it's name might indicate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Maybe after the French government re- turns to Paris the dropping spirits of cafe proprietors will be revived.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

Madison Cawein was poet who was true to his ideals and imbodied them in charming verse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

If an armistice is declared during the holidays, that will pave the way to perma- nent peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
Thrift in North Alabama

One hears little hard times talk in the counties north of Birmingham, for the simple reason that the farmers in north Alabama, as a rule, have been varying their crops" said Columbus Teacher.
 While much of the best cotton is raised in the northern range of counties, it is not the sole money crop as is the case in what is known as the cotton belt The farmers who diversified extensively and regularly are in good shape now. They are out of debt, and although their cotton will not bring anything like the price they usually get. they had many other things to sell and are therefore prosperous in spite of the European war;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12

DESTROYED. Full many a man Who thinks he can
 Quit drinking any day, When down and out, Or just about,
 Is often heard to say, Now, as for me, 'Tis plain to see
 l have a will of steel" And then he laughs And quaffs and quaffs Until his senses reel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
so exceed

In framing an artist, art hath thus dccreed, to make some good, but others so exceed. -Periclcs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
Military Drill for Rexs

Tt is to be hoped that every American citizen not only read but reflected upon the published reports of the statements made by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy" said a member of the legal profession, "and be in q posi- tion to vote intelligently if these questions ever become political issues
 Among the suggestions made in refer ence to the army is the necessity of hav- ing trained citizen soldiery, which does not mean that we should have a standing army of uniformed individuals walking around looking pretty, but every boy should be so drilled and trained to the use of arms that he is ready to fall into line at a moments notice.
 We have the spectacle in England today Of young men learning the goose step,
 how to form single and double line, how
 to hold and load gun, and many more
 such simple military actions when all that could have been easily done during their
 school hours Boys take as naturally to learning drill as ducks take to water, but when they go to work in stores and of- fees the drill of business is enough for them.
 T am confident there would be little difficulty in assembling here 1000 boys every Saturday afternoon who would be in their glory shouldering arms and march ing in step to the beat of drum. These boys could be grouped in battalions of 200,
 hailing from certain districts and there might be an annual competition between these battalions with honors awarded to | the best.
 | Let us look to our boys as our future | protection and to enable them to be such | let us train them now