davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Democrats Win in Maine

In the old time rockribbed republi- can state of Maine the democratic can- didate for governor, Oakley Curtis, was elected Monday by small but safe plurality over his republican op- ponent, Governor William T. Haines, who stood for reelection. In the con- gressional delegation there was no change, the one democrat and each of the three republicans being reelected. From incomplete returns a substan- tial democratic gain in the legislature is indicated.
 In 1912 President Wilson carried Maine bye a plurality of 2620 over Roosevelt, but Governor Haines had a plurality of 3295 over his democratic opponent, Frederick William Plaisted, who was serving term as governor. Plaisted's father had been elected gov ernor of Maine in 1882. He was the first democrat since the war to fill that office, and his son, F. w. Plaisted, was the first democrat elected since his fathers term. Governor-elect Curtis will be, therefore, the third democrat to fill Maine's chief execu- tive office in many long years.
 Mondays election was watched with much interest throughout the country, and the result is, of course, highly gratifying to the democrats, because | it will be taken as an indorsement of the democratic administration. Op- ponents of the democratic party may claim that local issues caused the de- feat of the republican candidate, but had Governor Haines been reelected the republicans would have claimed it as very clear evidence of disapprova] of the national democracy.
 If the democrats of Maine keep or trying they will put that state in the "sure democratic" column.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer. If they would compel bigamist tA live with both wives for the rest of his life there wouldn't be much bigamy.
 Modesty in the matter of decolete is usually a question of plumpness. A flat chested girl can take more chances thar corn-fed when it comes to wearing 2 I low-neck waist.
 If you have two or three hours you want to waste just ask a proud father how his first baby is getting along. When princess lands a job she knows that she is a great help to her parents because she buys her own stockings and chewing gum.
 Some of the 1913 June brides are TOW using the bridal veils as fly screens for the babys cot.
 Wearing long whiskers and owl-like glasses won't make a man look wise, A wise man seldom looks the part. If you really want to be different rom the rest of mankind give money instead of advice.
 A woman places more faith in a little hook and eye than a man would on an elevator cable.
 fore he goes to bed always wants an eye opener when he gets up. l When a man has everything to gain and only his voice to lose he never has much trouble enlisting suckers in his cause.
 l An ideal marriage is one in which the wife can keep her temper and the hus-
 band can keep little money. | You may have noticed that the poker ] player who walks around his chair to
 "change his luck" never changes it,
 The finest way to advertise the fact that you are bald is to wear a wig. When a man starts out in the world he
 wants high, low, jack and the game 1 But after he has gone over the jumps fol a few years he is satisfied if he can save
 &he game.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
LOOKING DOWN. ON MEAux


 Paris Correspondence London Mail.
 There it was before our eyes in the val ley-dense white balloons of smoke from the exploding shells, heecy little conveys of shrapnel bursting in air, showers of black earth ripped out of the solid ground and sent flying, farm houses and hay stacks flaming, a German aeroplanc cruising ovrehead-a real battle at last.
 Only a few miles, to the ridge above Meaux and there below was a splendid sight of an artillery battle, or rather bombardment For strain our eyes as We may, even through strong glasses, we can nowhere find the French batteries reply ink German shells are falling In the fields just beyond Meaux on the other side of the Marne, and the French infan- try there is lying snugly in trenches. probaly suffering little. though the noise Is like half dozen giants swinging ham, mers.
 It is a wide sweep of open country, gradually rising and falling. green fields and stubble, most of it studded with tnick copses of big trees, with here and shere farm house. With a glass you can see figures of French soldiers moving quickly over the green Suddenly they disappear and probably they have jumped into trenches which they were sent up to TO- inforce Close to them and before the sound of the explosion reaches you, there suddenly appears a vast cloud of oily looking white smoke with shades of ycl- low in 1t and you see the soil fly in black fountains as shell bursts.
 Several haystacks are burning m the French lines, but right away on the hori- zon, where German guns are posted, there is a big farm house, or it may be a whole village, burning brightly. You can count | five separate spots of vivid flame. It may | have been set on fire by French hell | from concealed battery, for now and then in one of the .copses one thinks one
 sees the flash of . gun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
The State Fair

The greatest fair ever planned in fhe south will be opened in Birming- ham a week from next Monday and will continue for two weeks. As at tractive as last years fair was, all the indications point to much greater event this year.
 Those who recall the fairs held here at Smiths park in the early part of the last decade will testify to the ex- cellence of the exhibits in those days, comparatively speaking. Alabama from an agricultural point of view was then cotton state and little else Diversified farming was extremely backward. A few counties had live stock exhibits and two or three had exhibits of corn and orchard products but as an agricultural affair compared with exhibits in Tennessee, Kentucky and few other states of the south il was not such as would do high credit to the state of Alabamas natural re- sources; that is to say from the view. point of today. The surface was then only being scratched. Still, as has been pointed out, those fairs at Smiths park aroused an interest that has steadily grown and that resulted in the organization of the present State Fair association.
 When it is said that this years faii will be the best ever held in the south the claim is made advisedly. Alabama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
IDLE OPINIONS.


 The average egotist learns how to sing his own praises without the aid of a vocal teacher.
 Considering the fact that everybody-ma- trioulates in the school of experience. it is surprising how few learn anything worth while.
 We sometimes think woman is foolish about her first baby. but not so foolish as an author is about his first book.
 Laughter is a universal language. and smile will make friends almost anywhere except on a cannibal island
 The old gentleman who used to have to take ''nightcap'' before he could sleep, now tangoes until an early hour of the morning and sleeps the sleep of the just. p q
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
pm the Popular Magazine.

From the Popular Magazine.
 When Thomas R. Marshall, the vice president, was governor of Indiana, the city authorities of Indianapolis opened up a grand young bathhouse and swimming pool. The first thing the men in charge did was to send the governor a card en- titling him to free admission to the estab- lisment.
 A few days after receiving the first pass he found second in his mail,
 Thereupon he dictated the following let- ter:
 rGentlemen: Your first pass I received as courtesy. Your second I regard as suggestion. If you send me a third, shall take it as personal insult.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Fraud To He Guarded Against


 .'In the buy-a- bale movement it will be we'll to guard against fraud that may easily be perpetrated," said a former cot ton man.
 There is much carried over cotton that is not worth 10 cents per pound with mid ding selling at P cents. It is true that with the pretty weather we have been en- toying most of the pickings should aver age strict middling. But where cotton has fallen on the ground and the rains have beaten upon even a portion, the sam pie falls away below middling for the whole bale. It would be well for those purchasing several bales to have a com petent man to class the cotton they pur- chase. If the warehouse would stamp the class on the receipt and name it's value on a basis of 10 cents for middling those we'll meaning persons who desire to help the farmer would be protected against loss should mddling cotton bring only 10 cents in the market next year. For be it known there is a per cent loss in weight from drying cut, insurance and warehouse expenses. and interest on the money, which will total not less than 1l1. cents per pound for a year. or $7.50 per bale. The warehouse charges are usually fixed charge up to say, three months, whether sold or not before that time ex- pires''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
ECONOMIC EFFECTS

From the New York Journal of Con- merce.
 IN estimates of the cost of the destruc- tive war now raging in Europe there = is liability of creating exaggerated l impressions which it will be we'll to guard against Of the enormous cost and waste l in which all the world must share there l is no doubt but there nre offsets and I possible compensations 70 be taken into l account. When it is said that it costs | so many millions a day to maintain the | armies in the field and to supply them with subsistence, 1t is 10 be remembered l that the bulk of these armies have been maintained in barracks and on parade in time of peace at something approxi- I mating the same cost, though the differ
 ence may be substantial. The food and clothing supplies which they consume
 would have been consumed by the same l number of men more or less wastefully in any case, and the subtraction from what is left for noncombatants Lecause the men are now in the field, is not so great as one is apt to think. The extra cost for transportation with the incidental
 
 are to be charged to .he loss account The squandering of war material in guns and ammunition is destructive of what has already been produced and paid for in the labor of peaceful millions, but is of no real value except For warllxe pur- poses and the practice and training for them. Whether this is to be reckoned as part of the cost and loss to the world depends upon whether this madness of militarism is to continue and nations are to keep on squandering the peoples sub stance in replacing and possibly increas- ing these instruments of destruction out of the fruits of production That is not a necessary result
 Another item in the cost of war is the withdrawal of men who constitute the reserve force of armies and who become volunteers or conscripts from productive industries in the countries engaged In the conflict. This is subject to much exaggeration, as the labor is in large pars thrown as an extra burden upon those who remain employed in industry. It is especially so with thosc w1o cultivate the fields, garner the crops and supply the markets with food. On the continent of Europe a large share of this labor falls upon women and old men and boys ever in peaceful times. In times hke these their burden may be doubled, but for the | time being the work is doie ana the food supply is not materially diminished, nor is the number of consumers. increased Much may be wasted and many may be put upon short allowance. There is cruel privation and suffering, but lis is not in- cluded in the figures of national expendi- ture, and it goes far 10 offset the esti-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
UNWHITEwAsHABLE

From the Washington Star.
 If some of these financiers keep tell ing on one another, they'll all end witt the character that Cal Clay gave the dea con-"
 The speaker was Clifford Pinchot. H. resumed:
 Cal Clay was witness in behalf of tin deacon, who was up for chicken stealing
 Calhoun, my man., the lawyer raid what do. you know of the deacon's character?''
 Hit am unbleachable, sah, Cal re piled"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
A DOUBTFUL APOLOGY

From the Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph.
 A young practitioner appeared before 6 pompous old judge, who took offense at |, decision.
 If you do not instantly apologize for that remark. said the judge, q shall com init you for contempt of court" Upon reflection, your honor, in- stantly replied the young attorney, 'I find that your honor was right and I was wrong. as your honor always is." The judge looked dubious, but finally said he would accept the apology.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
SAVING THE PENNIES

From the Pittsburg Chronicle-T Telegraph.
 It was hard headed Scotsman, and he was in conflict with that enemy of man. kind, the jobbing gardener. The l',es. tion was the price of barrow-load of potting soil, which the gardener had just wheeled in. The gardener demanded a shilling. the Scotsman offered pence.
 Why, sir" pleaded the gardener, gen tlemen pay me pence when they come and borrow my barrow and take away the soil themselves"
 We're no tellin' mel" said the Scots- man. Then ye maun jist wheel that bar row-load back again. I'll be room at yer place in 10 meenutes."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Excellent Bu.Ine.. neportcd

Merchants in Birmingham report thai business is excellent. When the European war was precipitated buyers apparently withdrew into their "shels.' and a period of dullness followed. As suddenly, how ever. as trade was estopped, 1t was re- sumed.
 Monday, the merchants report was phenomenal Stores throughout the day were crowded, and in several instances all customers could not be given prompt attention. The cause for the resumption of activity is. unknown. Some conjecture that the people have concluded that the signs of peace are worthy of accepta- tion; others, that the belief is current tha | no matter what happens to the countries of Europe. America will be able to hold it's own
 Louis Pizitz. in speaking of the trace Monday said: Business was excellent. Beginning early in the morning. our store remained full of people throughout the day. On account of the unusual rush we conseryatively estimate that it was inn possible for us to serve as many as 10 per cent of those. who wanted to patronize OUT house. Tuesday business was good, and we believe that the tide has turned, and that the trade for the fall season will be better than ever before.'
 Other merchants seen yesterday mani fested an optimism equal to that of Mir Pizitz.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Midshipman Wood Here

Leighton Wood, midshipman in the United States navy, is here with his pa- rents, MT. and Mrs. Sterling A. Wood. He has months leave of absence. Mid shipman Wood has recently been in cea SCI vice in the Mediterranean. He will graduate from Annapolis next year and will then receive his commission as an ensign from the President of the United States
 Birmingham continues to grow and inn prove in every way said the mdshipman Tt has been sometime since I was here, and I have been very much impressed with the strides the city has made. First and foremost among the Improvements note is the Tutwiler and the Motion hotels Birmingham is now fine hotel city,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

Turkey is having a warm time trying to preserve her neutrality. However. Rustur, Bey has been bottled up and no further trouble is anticipated in Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

On a recent occasion When a crowd of people sought to shake his hand, MT. Bryan used his left hand exclusively. Can 1t be possible that he is saving his right for another presidential campaign?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
NO HARM DONE

From the Ladies Home Journal
 Her friends had asked their young hostess to play for them. and she was performing a difficult selection from Wagner. In thesmidst of it she sud : denly stopped in confusion.
 whats the matter?" asked one of the visitors.
 'I--I struck false note." faltered the performer.
 well owhat of it?'' cried another guest. "Go ahead. Nobody but Wag- aer would ever know 1t. and hes dead.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
PosTHUMoUs PRAISE.

PosTHUMous PRAISE. I've only been beggar year, mum" said the tramp at the door.
 Some great misfortune drove you to It. I presume" said the sympathetic housewife.
 Yes, mum. I lost me wife She wuz hard-workin' woman an supported me in style, num-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
WHICH WE RISE TO REMARk

They say the King can do no wrong. that everything is righ. for him. But Czar Nick surely has his nerve to ask the Jews to fight for him.
 Indianapolis Star. The man that rules OCT Germany Is certainly a whole lot wiser. All that he asks the Jews to do is now 6nd then to 'Hoeh der Kaiser
 Springfield Union. King George is wiser than them all, the Ulsterites were fixed for biting His head off. when he sent them to the continent to do their fighting.
 Houston Post. And Dreyfus' son is winning fame while fighting for the flag of France; His father might have done the same if he'd been given half chance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

BEGINNING THE DAY-AImishty God. may some of Thy glory shine through me. May the poor dwelling he made splendid by the royal Ten ant. May men look through me m" get some glimpse of God. Grant, gracious Lord. to cleanse me th"t Thou mayest live fin me and make my life Thy tabernacle. For Christs sake. Amen.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Billboard Sign Painting

"The work of billboard sign painting has become a field of employment for many men, said sign painter, 'and it requires exceptional talent for the high class work often seen.
 The wages paid the artists vary from s to s6 for an eight-hour days work. Some of these men are unusually talented as may be seen by their work.
 This field of advertising is largely controlled by combines The spaces are secured by many different methods; sometimes by painting a sign for the owner of building. Of course the large display boards pay a rental to the owners of the property. The advertiser pays SC much per square foot for the space per month under a contract for c year. some times for shorter term; he is entitled tc Q change of ad every six months
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

LINES TO A USEFUL GARMENT. iiuw dear to my heart is the old overcoat. men seems to be good for one winter
 more; in spite of the spots that I here and
 there note,
 iis warm as it was when it first left Those holes in-the lining will hardly he
 seen,
 NOT certain rubbed places find on a inougn sure I'd not wear it while out with
 queen,
 enough. ' eo "ei
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Virginia Local optiopi.ts Hopeful

: c. M. Clarke, who has an office in the Chamber of Commerce building as a rep resentative of the Stephen Putney Shoe company of Richmond, is inclined to think that the local optionists will be. victorious in the campaign for statewide prohibition in Virginia.
 'Wben l was in my home town, Rich mond, some months ago. it looked to me as If the statewide proposition would win in the election set for September 21," said MT Clarke but on a recent visit to vir- And indications pointed strongly to a local option victory. The local optionists are certainly hopeful.
 When Governor Stewart came out two or three weeks ago against statewide prohibition the tide turned. Governor Stewart is very strong man. He is a man of the highest character, and is one of the most successful business men in the Old Dominion. His argument against statewide prohibition had the ring of sincerity. It was published broadcast and meant the change of thousands of votes from the statewide prohibition side to the local option side In Richmond nearly every business man of any standing is against statewide prohibition
 There is a great deal of prosperity in Virginia at the present time. The apple crop has been immense, and crops in general have been good. The to- bacco crop, which is stap.c in Virginia, was hurt by the drouth, but all in all the Virginia farmers are well off this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
POWER OF SUGGESTION

From Everybody's Magazine.
 Mrs. Watkins was entertaining some weekend guests not long ago when tlsey were startled by a commotion downstairs.
 Mercy! Whats that awful profanity downstairs 2" whispered one of the guests in frightened tone.
 Don't be alarmed, my dear.' replied the hostess. It's my husbend. He's come in late and fallen over the CIV Persian prayer rug"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

The French are beginning to feel com fident that if the Kaiser ever visits Paris again it will be in the role of tourist and not as a conqueror
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

New York clergyman compares the Kaiser to "a noise sounding heaveiiward for a moment" Noise is comparatively harmless. The Kaiser is not.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

If President Wilson succeeds in stopping the war in Europe. nothing can prevent him from winning the Nobel peace prize.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

The European war is playing hob with grand opera, but it's effect on the high cost of living is what bothers most people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

MT. Sherlock Holmes is taking part in some new adventures. The war has ap- parently not affected his sang -froid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

The aeroplanes usefulness in war has been demonstrated, but as a family con veyance it still leaves much to be desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
THE RAGTIME soLoIsT.

THE RAGTIME sOLoIsT. The man who whistles on his way A little scrap of well-worn tune Doth prove his heart is wondrous gay. His soul with life and love in tune. And yet how oft fearsome frown Doth cast blight upon his cheer, While eross-grained persons up and down The street wish he would disappear
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
STRICTLY FRESH.

Waiter" said the fussy patron of q restaurant have you any J. F. IF epgs9,, What kind of eggs are those sir?. Just from the hen.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
Business Good in Louisville

Business in Louisville is quite good,' said Robert l.. McKeilar, assistant freight traffic manager of the Southern Railway company. with headquarters in the Ken lucky metropolis.
 "I visit Birmingham from time to time. and I am always interested in looking over the district I was here six months ago and on this trip several splendid buildings that were in course of construc- ton are now completed. Birmingham locks handsomer today than ever, and vis- itors can but be impressed with it.,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

Under normal conditions the Belgians eat six times a day, but just now they would apparently rather fight than eat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

The Belgians not only show a disposition to "come back" but they are actually coming back with punch
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

Count Won Bernstoff is doing his best to keep Germany's side of the case before the American public.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

It is hard to imagine Pancho Villa fol- lowing the peaceful life of farmer after the exciting times he has had in Mexico.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
ART IN AMERICA

ART IN AMERICA. How is the view from your suburban home?'' Tt makes me thirsty.'' "Eh?"
 ''The most conspicuous feature of the landscape is beer sign
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

Kansas is preparing to plant MOI wheat. It will be needed next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
EQUAL ADMIRATION.

I've stood for. hours before an old master"
 I've stood for hours before a young miss.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
POOR s1TpPoRr

POOR SUPPORT. My son, said the parson, doesn't your conscience reproach you for fishing on Sunday?" Nav. sir" answered the boy. T ain't ketched nothin yit'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
NO "CHEwING. FOR SALE

Peace with honor" is always preferable to hattlefields drenched with blood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16

Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, And we arc grac'd with wreat"s o' victory. rs