davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Probably no other country, except pos-
 sibly Japan, has suffered more from
 earthquakes than Italy. Among the areas
 most frequently shaken are the toe" of
 the "Italian foot" Calabria and the
 Apennine range of mountains. The cen ter of the earthquake district lies in the
 heart of the Apennine mountains, about 70
 miles cast Of Rome It is an extremely rough country The mountains rise to ee- vations of 5000 to 5000 feet and the valleys
 are corespondingly deep. Most of the
 earthquakes occur in an area about 40 are correspondngly deep. Most of the of Italy, however, have been shaken at one time or another The region around l the region of the former Lake Fucino, in- l cluded in the area of greatest activity. affords a striking contrast to other por- tions of the earthquake belt. Here there is a plain nearly level, about 12 miles long by eight miles wide and located in
 the midst of the most rugged parts of the Apennines. The recent earthquake in Italy had it's origin in this sunken area,
 which is not itself volcanic. It is thought by scientists that the recent disturbance was similar to the earth movement that originally produced the lake basin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
BILLY SUNDAYS ALLIGATOR STORY

The Rev. Billy Sunday in Leslie's.
 Not my will. but"-there's where you cash in. There's where you go into the ditch. There's where you turn off the light. There's where you hang up the receiver. There's where you ring off. There's where you puncture your tire. There's where you strike out. It costs too much to say, Thine be done.'
 Say. papa. may I go with you?" asked little boy of his father
 Yes, son, come on, said the father, as he threw the ax over his shoulder, and accompanied by a friend went to the woods and felled tree. The little fellow said:
 Say, papa, can I go and play in the water in the lagoon?" "Yes but be careful close to the bank
 The little fellow was playing digging wells, picking up stones and shells and talking to himself when pretty soon the father heard him cry: Hurry, papa, hurryin
 The father grabbed the axe ran to the lagoon and saw the boy, look of horror on his face, as he cried:
 Hurry, papa, hurry; the alligator has got 1ne.'
 The hideous amphibious monster had been hibernating, and had come out, lean. lank, hungry. voracious. and seized the boy. Tho father leaped into the lagoon and was just about to sink the axe through the head of the monster, when he turned and swshed the water with his huge tail, and the little fellow cried | out:
 Hurry papa, hurry,' i The blood-fiecked foam told the story. Wher I read that, for days I could moi | eat, for nights I could not sleep. I said l "Oh, God, what if that had been my 1 boyo"
 1 There are influences in this world worse than an alligator, and they are ripping anl tearing to shreds our virtue oul morality. Young men are held by intem perance; others by vice. Drunkards arc crying to the church, Hurry faster!' And the church members sit on the banl playing cards, sit there drfng beer ana reading novels.
 They are splitting hairs over foo | playing cards, sit there drinking beer anC | out of he'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
ON COLLEGE JOURNALISM

fice spends it's time in doing up statistical articles on the greatness of the tunnel destroyed, facts about it's building, and
 then when the fake story comes in over
 the telephone they take them at face
 value and rewrite them, while others get
 up obituaries of the notables who are al- ways crushed to death in these imagin- ary exercises, make up boxed lists of
 the dead, and go through all the other de-
 tails attendant on the breaking of a big
 story that must be covered in every pos
 sble detail. Then. when the work is all
 completed in comes a smiling professor
 who says in substance ''Its all fake,
 fellows, but it's been highly good prac-
 tice. You did splendidy."
 Splendidly enough for the first time;
 but like the antiquated story about the
 boy who cried Wolf wolff the first ca-
 lamity bowler. such exercise are apt to pail, and the first fine frenzy of belief that greeted the over-phone fake tip is apt to result in scandalously sophomor- ic. but perfectly natural "Oh what's the
 use? This ones doped up, too? that is apt
 to take the edge off the fine youthful en-
 thusiasm that should greet every piece of really big news.
 The lay reporter, on the other hand, earning his Journalistic education by the sweat of his brow on an overworked city staff, knows that he is dealing all the time with actualities. that mistakes he makes will be called in question, that his paper will take the blame of whole community for them if they be serious;
 and in consequence he approaches his work with much more dead-in-earnest- ness, much more reality, than the student
 dabbler at journalism can ever hope to do.
 Until the time when some university can
 establish a journalism school that will
 have solely under it's own direction a ''really-truly' newspaper. complete with
 presses, composing room. advertising de- partment, and all the features of a real newspaper and above all, getting out a daily edition, as an actual worsaday lab oratory for it's students, the newly gradu-
 ated bachelor of journalism will, in all probability, have to start ar the bottom Of the ladder with his less erudite but much more practical fellows. His education in
 the theories of newspaper making will stand him in good stead when he is grad
 uated into the domain of the editor and
 editorial writer no doubt; but for down. right 'leg work at getting the news Of the day together. and hustling it into shape in time for an memorable going to-press' hour he must look to his first year on a competent daily to whip him into condition for the intelligent pursuit of the brass tacks' part (Which is by far the major parD of his chosen pro fession.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Women in Railway Work

AS women have succeeded in many pursuits supposed in former years to be suited only to men, surprise has been expressed that they have not come to the front in railway work. There have been innumerable female employes-clerks and stenographers- but 1t is only recently that a woman has risen to position of large re- sponsibility, requiring initiative and administrative capacity. Miss Daisy Oden of Davenport, Ia., passenger agent of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, is the first woman to rise so high in the circle of railway activities. The Railroad World says that Miss Oden's progress is based entirely on ability and merit. "It is the logical result" says the World, "of taking every advantage of her opportunities. A few years ago she entered the en- ploy of the Western Union Telegraph company and after becoming a con- 2etent operator succeeded to clerical position with the Burlington at Daven- port. Her ability to thoroughly grasp the details of the city office resulted in her being appointed chief clerk and then assistant city ticket agent, from which position she was advanced more recently to that of Tri-City pas senger agent"
 When asked what she considered the essentinals for success for a woman in railroad work Miss Oden replied briefly, "close application and deter imitation to win" Now that this plucky female has demonstrated what could be done by her sex in the railroad world, others will quickly follow her example.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Peace Negotiations

That the war will be ended this spring seems to be the prevailing opinion in financial circes,' said close observer of world events. '"rhe Wall Street Journal noted for it's conservation in publishing news, as well as it's ability in discussing large questions editorially, printed promi- nently in it's Fridays issue this signif- cant article:
 "A banker, who has good connections in Washington, is optimistic over condi- tions in Europe.
 He hears that negotiations have been under way for several weeks which, ii successful, will make peace in Europe He hears also that three months longer is the limit for the war.
 One thing that lends color to his sup position that peace is approaching is { report to him that millions of dollars worth of orders for war supplies mostly arms and ammunition, have been can celled in the last 48 hours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Cecil Tanning Tonight

Cecil Tanning, the distinguished young baritone, will appear in recital at Cable hall tonight at S:15 o'clock under the aus pices of the Music Study club.
 MT. Tanning is in the class with such baritones as Henschel, Greene, Plunkett, Bisplam and Dr. Wullner, and that means that the music lovers have rare treat in store" said an old concert-goer. Nc vocal artist of the concert stage has finer press notices than MT. Tanning. He has sung to Capacity houses in London and many other great cities, and has always been greeted with unbounded enthusiasm He is not only master in interpretation but he has singular beauty of tone and sings from the heart.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Time Cannot Wither"

No man has ever dared to say at what age woman may be considered old-at least, no man who ever under took to settle this delicate problem has had his opinion accepted as final. However, the Young Woman's Chris tian associations in various parts of the country have had to limit the age at which a woman may enjoy the shelter and "homelike influences" of Y. W. c. A. building The question has been decided in different ways, in some parts of the country the age limit being considerably higher than in others. Perhaps the highest of all was that fixed in an eastern city, where it was decided that woman at S5 is no longer young and therefore cannot be an active member of a Young Woman's Christian association. At that age, presumably, chaperonage and the guidance of more experi- enced minds" is no longer necessary. A woman who doesn't know how to fend for herself at 35, or at least observe the strict proprieties of advanced maidenhood, is hopeless case. She will never learn.
 However, the arbitrary decision of any organization as to the time when . woman ceases to be old cannot be upheld in the court of public opinion There are women 60 years old who are not half as worldly-wise as some of the tango queens" Is years ole whose outlook on life is already tingec with cynicism. These misses are young in years, but old in experience. Or the other hand, they are jostled al dansants by women three times theil age who are as giddy as the law vii allow-in dress, in manner and in gen eral appearance as frolicsome as thu season's gayest debutantes, and i would be foolish to say that they ar' old.
 The saying is that woman is al old as she looks. And that is tn, easiest way to determine her age Though woman may be grand mother, if she "trots" skillfully, hel erandmotherhood is not held agains
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
so THE WORLD GOES

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Laugh and the world laughs with you Weep and you weep alone: For this brave old earth must borrow its
 mirth,
 It has troubles enough of it's own. Stng and the hills will answer; Sigh It is lost on the air, The echoes bound to a joyful sound, But shrink from voicing care Rejoice and men will seek YOU. Grieve and they turn to go; They want full measure of all your pleas-
 ure,
 But they do not want your woe. Be glad and your friends are ENA Be sad and you lose them There are none to decline yo 7" V.
 wine,
 But alone you must Griaii lifes gall. Feast and your halls are crowded, Fast and the world goes by: Succeed and give and 1t helps But no man can help you die. Tlicre Is room in the halls of pI ~ For a long and lordly train But one by one we must all fl Through the narrow aisles of A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
ANGRY LETTERS
,thony Trollope.

Anthony TTOIIOpe.
 This at least should be rule through the letter writing world-that no angry letter be post till four-and-twenty hours shall have elapsed since it was written. We all know how absurd is that other rule, of saying the alphabet when you are angry. Trash. Sit down and write your letter; write It With all the venom in your power; spit out your spleen at the fullest; twill do you good. You think you have been injured; say all that you can say With all your poisoned eloquence, and gratify your self by reading 1t while your temper Is still hot Then put it in your desk, and. as a matter of course burn it be- fore breakfast the following morning Believe me that you will then have a double gratification
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Roosevelt Loses Ardent supporter

Because Colonel Roosevelt was giv- ing enthusiastic support to the Amer1- can Legion movement, Miss Jane Ad- dams became offended, and in a speech Friday before the woman's peace party criticised severely her one time close friend and political hero" said J. Il. Larkin of New York Miss Addams de- clared that the American Legion was not only absolutely unnecessary but shocking She is now done with the colonel. I regret that so influential leader of the female sex should have cut loose from so patriotic a leader as Colonel Roosevelt. I voted for Roose- welt in 1912 and would be glad to vote for him again in 1916. But if Miss Ad- dams carries her following with her in opposition to the ex-President I fear he will stand little chance of being nomi- mated by united republican party and there will be such party.
 q thought the launching of the Amer ican Legion at this time was a mis- take. It was innocent enough on the face of it, but it is already suspected of being a political scheme-a scheme to boost the colonel But no matter wheth- CT it was purely patriotic or mostly political, it will probably die a-born- ing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
 Diamonds are trumps in the game of love.
 Judicious silence is an eloquent indica- tion of wisdom
 Wealth makes kleptomaniacs; poverty makes thieves.
 Ignorance occasionally borrows coat and poses as wisdom.
 Every woman Is a conundrum that keeps some man guessing.
 Women never discuss anything at a club meeting; they just talk.
 few short weeks and the house clean ing microbe will get busy again.
 man gets down to bed rock when he has to keep the cradle in motion.
 A frenzied financier is a man who col- lects every dollar due him and stands off every bill collector that calls on him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Director of the Census

Tt is an interesting coincidence that the new director of the census, Samuel L. Rogers. and his immediate prede- oessor, William J. Harris, were from small towns in the south, said a local statesman. MT. Rogers home is at Franklin, N. C., and MT. Harris home is CedartowI, Ga. Mir. Harris was not census statistician but having admin istrative capacity of a high order he made an excellent record as director of the census. He is now member of the federal trade commission, where he can be counted upon to make good.
 "I know nothing of MT. Rogers, but presume that President Wilson was satisfied as to his fitness for the im- portant part he now assumes.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

her. She may still be considered young. In these latter times when mother and daughter run with the some crowd" and frequently have their identities confused, to say that a woman has reached the afternoon of life at 30 is absurd. If women really thought that, the beauty doctors would starve to death
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

the first rivals on hand. MT khoz ap= peared later, while AIr. Burr, wearing smile of exceeding proportions ana a tag. sallied into the lot accompanied by one of his boys. The prelimiharies were quickly arranged euipeppt1 Exum was named as umpire Tor the west goal and John B. Rosenthh uin- pire for the east goal The game started.
 sRsalI led off with remarkapie throw, almost ringing the peg MT Silver won two points for hls side. The back throw by Mir. Knox was fath- CT wild, Silver showing up with ole point giving Knox and Ryall one in the lead. This game ended with score of IS to g. Mr. Silver in the second game rang the stake for points, while his other throw netted Mir Ryail so much as to unfit him for steady pitch. The net for Silver and Burr on this one pitch was six points. This game ended after the gallery was wild ly excited by the close score of iS-16 for the knox-Ryall side.
 'The third and concluding game was no less exciting than the first, ending with score of 1S-14 for Ryall and Knox. This ended the battle. MT. Burr promptly signed a check that he brought along in case of emergency with the latest style fountain pen. laughed heartily over the contest and delivered the check to Leroy Jacobs with which to buy $15 worth of tags.
 "Thc contest decided the dispute aris- ing three days ago. Following an outing at Lake Purdy. MT. Burr claimed .supe- riority over MT. Knox and MT Ryall, when he observed the error, promptly challenged MT. Burr for a contest in the rear of Loveman, Joseph and Loeb s. The affair of Saturday followed
 "The gallery yesterday was composed of some of the best known business men in Birmingham, many of whom gave ad- vice as to pitching horseshoes, claiming to have engaged in that pastime in their youth. MT. Exum was almost prostrated ever the contest and it was all he could do to restrain himself from entering the affair '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
VINTAGE AND VANTAGE STORIES
 OF THE NEWSPAPER CLUB

T was in the Woman's Exchange the other day said one of the attractive so- eiety reporters of local newspaper. There were a number of ladies therein a. the time. but I was sitting far back in the corner l was away back.
 "A stout and serious looking old coun- tryman came in, looked around carefully and asked Might this be the Woman s Exehange?'
 "IIe was advised that 1t was. Strengthening himself up and looking around critically, he turned and, as he started out, said: I believe l will keep my Sally
 "A customer came into our store today and tol4 good one about cotton and hard times" said Murray Brown yester- day
 He was informed that his account was a little in arrears and he said yes, that cotton was low, but that he was like the negro who was about to be hung. They asked him if he had anything to say. The negro replied that he had noth- ing to say. Finally the sheriff insisted that it was q custom that those about to cross ever via the gallows were as a rule inclined to say something.
 Well, if I must make a statement the condemned man said as they were about to adjust the black cap, T will say this and this only: This has certainly taught me lesson
 That was the way of our customer cotton taught him a lesson
 
 It is related of Charley Mandy, the well-known Age-Herald humorist, tried little farming back in the olden days of yora when he was justice of the peace in Ensies'. The following story demon strates that Charley knew something thing about law, but that he was rather shy on the economy of raising stock.
 Charley, 1t was stated, bought lean porker in the fall for about $7, and dur irg the winter fed the voracious pig about sl1 of feed. He then sold the pig for $15 and told of the sale to a neigh bor.
 Well you didn't make any money off the pig said the neighbor.
 No" replied Charley, "but you see had tie use of the pig all winter.
 Judge Jchn Eyster of Decatur, at the club yesterday, told the following: T was aiding in prosecuting an old negro
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Spirited Horseshoe Game

'Ill the presence of an enthusiastic gallery, George R. Knox, Jr., manager of the Southern Bell Telephone com pany; H. Scudder Ryall, secretary of the board of commissioners; Borden Burr, widely known lawyer, and Ralph R. Silver. well known newspaper man, threw horseshoes Saturday in the rear of Loveuan Joseph & Loebs MT. Knox and MT. Ryall won three up" said one of the spectators.
 'The feat was accomplished only aft CT wild excitement and steady play : ing. The stakes were placed 30 feet apart and brand new shoes were se- lectcd Mir. Ryall and MT. Silver were
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

An anti-kissing bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature. That is going Representative Bonner, of 'bull bill'' fame, one better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

One reason why grand opera is un- profitable is said to be the high salaries paid to grand opera singers. In these days and times even a temperamental opera singer ought to be willing to stand for cut"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
Best men arc moulded out of faults and, for the most. become much more the better for being n little bad.
 -Measure for Measure.

BEGINNING THE DAY-n ' am prodiEal this day, if I have left my Fathers house, if I am filling myself with huslSs, 0 bring me to myse1f remind me of the light, the Joy and the plenty that are with Thee. Then mny l arise and stay not until I am face to face with God. Amen.-H. NJ. F.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Now comes a detective who says he knows where the money is that Lacy took No matter how much Lacy and others know about the missing money, the state profits little, so long as they won't talk and there is no legal way to make them talk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

The Georgia man who ran amuck, kill ing five persons and wounding 32 others before being slain himself, succeeded in croVding a surprising amount of murder ous activity into comparatively short period of time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

charged with having used profane lan- guage when in the course of the tesn- n1ony, a sentence was used more express sive of speed than any other I have ever heard. The defendant was charged with having eussed' his preacher. Eventually. the old negro took the stand.
 " did not 'cuss.' he said very serious ly. simply told Brother Dickenson that he had used me wrong in his sermon, and that if fe would come out into the street would beat him up fastern the news could get to God A'mightyp
 T WAS convinced that the negro was telling the truth. and suggested to Judge skesgs, who was presiding. that the case be nol Irossed.'
 That's good story they are telling on Erskine Ramsay" observed a press club habitue the other day, about the socks and the pretty saleslady"
 Tt appears that Erskine needed some new socks and so he went into one of the big department stores and walking up to a pretty young shopgirl behind the gents furnishings counter he said:
 "I would like to get a half dozen pairs of mems silk hose
 "A dollar. a dollar and half or two dollars pair?' queried the pretty sales lady
 .'oh, the best you've got. Erskine re- piled blandly.
 ''So she fiddled around among the boxes on the shelves for sometime, and finally brought down a box of hose and taking a pair of them out and spreading them on the counter. she said: How do you like these?'
 "'Are they the real thing in gents hose? Erskine asked seriously.
 Pardon me, sir, said the knowing saleslady, but the real thing never comes in gents hose ?
 w B. Hillhouse, who is in the coal bus mess, and George w. Harris, who deals in wallpaper, were tryWg to strike up trade the other day.
 T have to have some papering done at my house." said Hilhouse. How is credit?"
 "4All right" said MT. Harris. You han dle coal don't you?'
 "Yes, but am not going to swap coal for paper" was the reply.
 Well, you have been trading coal for paper all winter haven't you?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

As a sort of accompaniment to the un- settled conditions prevailing in other parts of the world, landslides continue in Gu
 Zebra cut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

The gentle spring in Europe will merely give the belligerents better chance to get at each others throats, something
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Dr. Wiley says person should spend an hour at each meal. However when the meal is limited to pie and coffee,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Society women in New York are taking boxing lessons from professional pugilists. Jolts foi women!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Two white men. charged with stealing hogs. were lynched in Arkansas mob never has any sense of discrimination.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08

Just when man gets all heated up over ter play a return date.