davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

Nick" as they affectionately called him,
with his patriarchal habit of adminis-
tering justice under the big tree in
front OF his house in Cettinje, or COM
posing songs for his mountaineers, or
writing articles for the Voice Of Cscr-
ndgord, or, bravest among the brave,
leading n charge TO defend his frontier
against the Turks
His daughters early years were spent
In the simple hardy life OF her people.
where she learned to be practical, active,
fearless sportswoman and a good
shot. Educated in st. Petersburg, it
was said that she was intended to be the
bride of The young Car: but i'm 1895
Princess Elena met the heir to the
italian throne in Venice, and he an
nounced that IL he might not marry her
he would marry no one.
Queen Elena showed her devotion to
King Victor when d'Alba attempted his
life. Her quick eye caught the move
ment of the woud-be assassin as he
drew the revolver from his pocket, and
crying. Take care, he is going 20 shoot"
she Clasped her husband in her arms
in order to protect him with her own
body.
The popularity the present King en-
Joys never appeared in such a striking
manner as on the occasion of this de-
plorabe incident, which fortunately had
not the grave consequences il might
have had. Every year. on March a.
the anniversary of King Humbert's
birth. she sovereigns drive early in the
morning TO the Pantheon, where the first
two rulers of United Italy are buried, TO
hear mass for the repose of the soul
of the martyTed King. on March II,
1912 the royal cortege was passing
through the Corso, the main thorough
fare of the capital, when a young
mason called d'Alba fired twice at the
carriage where the King and Queen
were. wounding the commander of the
escort and one of the horses. The
Would-be assassin ran the risk of being
lynched by the people, and the indigna-
ton which his attempt caused was so
great in Rome and throughout Italy
that the demonstrations of loyalty to
the King and his family were without
precedent and attracted in thousands to
the royal palace citizens of all classes
and Of all principles, including Socialist
Deputies and even one Republican.
Queen Elena is tall and beautiful.
with magnificent black eyes: but her
most notable characteristics are her
simple goodness and sincerity and a
passionate motherliness that makes her
long to help and comfort all those who
are weak and suffering in her hus-
bands kingdom and renders every
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

body of mis- subjects. there was King
Humbert to be found, restoring hope
and courage by his sympathy, energy
and practical good sense. When, shortly
after Victor Emmanuel Ills ascension
to the throne, a railway accident took
place near Rome, at Castel Giubileo,
the King and Queen left the royal palace
at midnight so hurriedly that they
took an ordinary cab that was waiting
in the piazza, and Fastening to the
scene of disaster, the Queen herself
assisted the wounded and dying, while
II was perhaps owing to the affectionate
authority and sympathy of the King
that the Deputy Massimini, who was
pinned under the debris in imminent
peril of his life endured his agonizing
position with fortitude and was finally
rescued. No one will have forgotten
how during the terrible days of January.
1909 when the whole world stood aghast
at the catastrophe that turned the beau
tiful southern coast into n desolate
ruin, and the gay, prosperous city OF
Messina into cemetery, King Victor
Emmanuel and Queen Elena We're
among the first upon the scene. realiz-
ing unspeakable horrors. enduring the
sight of unforgettable scenes of death
and agony. living with their people
through those days Of terror and de-
spair. entering into every detail and
studying the best means of help, gain
ing an intimate knowledge that enabled
them after their departure to pour into
the stricken towns and villages "A flood
of competent, practical, we'll considered
assistance. Dressed in her white nurses
apron, the Queen with her own hands
tended the crushed and wounded
sufferers and restored them to sanity
and endurance by her love and tender
ness. Is 1t any wonder that from that
day she has been enshrned as some
thing more and higher than the en-
bodment of youth and beauty-the ideal
of motherhood and charity? When the
Queen returned to Rome, in those days
Of national mourning, court balls and
state functions were suppressed and
the halls of the Quirinal Palace were
transformed into vast workrooms,
where women, without distinction of
rank or position, went day after day TO
help in preparing clothing and com
forts for the shivering sufferers in the
stricken South. the Queen herself the
most energetic and competent cutter
of them ALL receiving those who came TO
combine plans for succor, and herself
drawing the designs and making all
arrangements for the village built at
her expense on the outskirts OF Messina
which bears her name, and which, with
its church, its school and it's hospital
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

child, however miserable, irresistible to
her. She plays the violin and paints
and has written poems in her native
Servian. The task of making herself
acceptable to the italian nation was not
an easy one, among other reasons be-
cause at first she was overshadowed
by the popularity of her mother in law,
Queen Margherlta, who has been the
idol Of her people for so long.
1t was said by a distinguished diplo-
matist who had seen the royalties Of
all lands that he had never known one
who so perfectly fulfilled her meter
do refine" as Margherita Of Italy, and
that merely to see her enter q room
and respond to the salutations offered
to her was an education in grace and
courtesy; but it is also true that IL
Margherlta Of Savoy had not been
Queen Of a royal house she would have
been distinguished as one of the most
cultured and intellectual women Of her
day. a gifted linguist. speaking four
modern languages fluently and init
mately acquainted with their literature,
she learned Latin Of Ruggiero Bonghi
in order to enter sympathetically into
the studies of her young son, and Is
deeply Interested in Oriental literatur
anu HlStoTy. Sne is Drllllant ana
sympathetic conversationalist meeting
men of learning and letters upon their
own ground and delightng less erudite
hearers by the charm and freshness of
her remarks. wide and thorough
education developed in her a deep and
sincere love Of knowledge, and her
varied reading and the society of men
distinguished in all kinds of culture has
done the rest. She is also a true mu-
stefan, with keen appreciation and dis
eliminating taste and the concerts Of
classical music given in the years be-
fore her widowhood by the Queens
celebrated Court Quintet" which was
presided over by Maestro Sgambati,
were n musical treat not to be soon
forgotten by the favored hearers. while
in the tragic days that followed King
Humberts murder it is said that the
only thing that Gained her was music
Queen Margherita, though so interested
in intellectual things. is also a great
believer in the advantage of fresh air
and exercise, unlike many italian la
dies, whose lives would be considered
by English people terribly sedentary
In old days the Queen often rode and
cycled in the vast grounds OF her va
rious villas; but her chief outdoor plea
sure was climbing, and she spent
months of every year among the Alps
of Gressoney, where she stayed at the
villa of the Baron de PecCoz, who ac-
Companied hen in many adventurous
excursions and mountain climbs when
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

Continued on Fourteenth Page.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
Improved Local Conditions

"The best sign of improved business conditions and the general prosperity of the people, is the fact that collections are six months said J. D. Baugh.
 This. in my opinion. is the surest sign of returning confidence and feeling of prosperity that cannot be downed. The people of the United States seem to have adjusted themselves to the conditions caused by the European war The result Is that every one realizes that things are the past. Nearly all of the big industries in and about Birmingham are putting on men and I understand that they have ample orders to keep the plants operati at capacity for sometime to come When Birmingham people see the stacks sending forth smoke in great volume, they natur- ally have a sense of security in the fu- ture.
 For my part, I expect Birmingham. and, in fact, the whole country to inn prove at a rapid rate during the next few months. Everyone realizes that there is no telling when the slaughter In Flu rope vii cease, accordingly they have commenced to pay more attention to their business and less to the war. In other words. we have commenced to realize that our country can live and prosper re- gardess of all the strife in foreign lands. The natural result is, vast improve ment in business conditions, and cheaper money in the future"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
Higher Price for Iron Expected

The pig iron market has been ac- tive for sometime past and, as a prominent man connected with the trade remarked the other day, Git is hard to see what holds the price of iron down." He expressed the opinion that iron was due for an expansion in price of from $3 to $4 ton."
 So brisk has been the demand for pig metal recently that many blast furnaces long idle are being "blown in" In the Birmingham district sev- eral more furnaces are in operation now than was the case few weeks ago and the number will be still further increased in August.
 Some large tonnage sales have been made this week and it is pointed out as notable barometer of the trade that consumers are already beginning to make inquiry for 1917 delivery.
 The steel industry continues to boom. Every steel center, including the Birmingham district, is the scene of unusual activity, and the best of it is the steel manufacturers are get ting satisfactory prices.
 If Birmingham iron can be ad- vanced to SIP or SIS, as some brokers think quite probable, and if the coal trade revives, there would be greater degree of prosperity hereabouts than has been known in several years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
The Women Will Help
his soul.

The drastic retrenchment in the city's annual expenses, which the lack of adequate revenue has made neces- sary, will be sorely felt by the pub lie, and until the tax rate is increased there will be no permanent relief.
 It behooves the people of Birming- ham, therefore, to unite in an effort to induce the legislature to submit to the voters of the state a tax amend ment authorizing the qualified cleo tors of this city to raise the rate. This important measure is being opposed by two members of the Jefferson county delegation, but if local senti- ment is thoroughly aroused favorable action should be expected.
 In the meantime the city commits sion will be glad to receive sugges- tions from citizens touching certain departments of the municipal govern ment that will be seriously crippled when the new budget becomes opera tive, with a view of minimizing to some extent the effect of the present rigorous policy.
 The counsel of the philosophical women of Birmingham is earnestly sought by the commission, and the Equal Suffrage association and the womens civic board have responded with characteristic enthusiasm. The women can do especially good work in connection with the school depart ment and the health department, and they may be counted upon to render all the aid possible.
 All honor to the women who are ready to volunteer their services for the emergency. But no matter how much aid free of cost may be rendered the city in it's straitened condition, Birmingham will never be in proper shape until it's income is on a par with the revenues of growing and ambitious the revenues of other growing and ann bilious cities. And as the tax amend ment legislation is the first thing necessary let no effort be spared to secure it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
THE MODERN SHORT STORY

amined by one enterprising writer of new short story handbook began with conversation and twice as many more gave us conversation introduced by only few words to indicate speaker, time and place. Thus interest is caught at the start" The situation conceived the writer must contrive exactly the retrospective narrative the train of machine-made in- cdent revealing character and unfolding plot. and all-satisfying conclusion. Since O. Henry there has been a wearying re- currence of the ending that, quick and unsuspected as a lightning flash. throws a searchlight back through the process sion of events to reveal how much more clever the narrator is than the reader.' Gouyerneur Morris. successful from the big check standpoint, has just told us how overrated and antiquated is Wash ington Irving. from his mere quality of leisureliness AS for the latitude allowed i the short story, it is unthinkable that America could have anything like eitheri the simple French notes or the German novellen--even such novellen as Conrad often writes. We have spoken of the part Masefieldian verse like Robert Frosts ha.: played as a substitute for the bare 15o0- word tale of Europe, and MT. Canby speaks of Tchekoff's series, which would be rejected not because they lack pic- turesqueness, or narrative suspense, or vivid characterization but because they do not seem to move rapidly, and lack a vigorous climax. Such forms do not satis- fly our demand for technique. But the deeper effect of the preoccupation is upon character treatment. A machine-made plot argues machine-made characters, mold ed to fit the exigencles of opening, crisis and titillating end. There is an unneces- sary temptation to use "type"-the ath- letic young man, the pretty girl, the neu- rotic wife, the vulgarian wage cameras emphasized by externals.
 It thus seems that a writer can pro- duce clever story nowadays without en- tering into the personality of characters who are not like himself. It is easy for him to obtain a reputation even for vivid originality by making his own the people Of some new environment, as the Portu- guese fishers of Cape Cod, the modern business woman, without actually possess ing himself of their spiritual traits Henry James has left us somewhere a descrip- tion of Turgenieff's method. The first form in which a tale appeared to hin, was as an individual or combination of indi- viduals whom he wished to see in action, being sure that such people must do some thing very special and interesting. They stood before him definite, vivid, and he wished to know and to show as much as possible of their nature; he used to write whole preliminary dossier or biography of each. But in not five American short stories in 100 is it possible to believe that anything but the plot has been conceived hrst and conceived so that problem, contrast, surprise, mystery predomnate, while mood. emotion and symbolism, call ing for special deftness in character de- linestion. fall into the remote background. This is the natural result of a straining after form, and of want of psycholog- teal penetration
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
GOOD EXAMPLE

From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
 There was a time when 1t was not. an unusual thing for merchants. manufactur- CTS and other employers of men who be- longed to the national guard to say to members who desired to spend a week in camp of instruction, If you go you need not return" or words to that unpatriotic effect
 But that time has passed, apparently.
 Several large business firms in Boston have notified their employees who belong to the militia that leaves will be granted them for the usual military instruction and also that while so engaged their pay by the firms will be doubled
 Several large banking houses in New York and Brooklyn have made the same generous and patriotic arrangement with their soldier employees.
 It is further evidence that, in spite of the paid and other service of the peace at any price people, the public is awaken ing to the importance of military training and preparedness in this country, that has never been ready for any of the wars that it has been forced to engage in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
A FUTILE PEACE PILGRIMAGE

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch
 Returning with her American com. panions from the Woman's Peace con gress at The Hague and peace pilgrim Lage to foreign capitals. Jane Addams wonders that 'in England there was a spirit of indifference in the press" to her errand.
 Probably British editors were not polite enough to conceal their opinion of futile effort. Their government place. obsta acles in the way of the congress, which was only by chance attended by two or three scarcely representative British women. French women were net present; they disclaimed all interest in peace while an invaders foot remains on French soil. Belgian women came to fight successfully any call for peace that did not add with justice" The prepcn- derant groups were those of the great war power and the chief neutral na- tion. of Germany and the United States
 Germany's interest in peace is natural As the war stands, she has won Hay ing Belgium, her main object, more of Poland than she probably cares to keep and a rich slice of France, she can consent to compromises. The allies beaten thus far, but still short of their maximum strength and still hopeful of Roumanian and Bulgarian assistance, are in no mood to stop.
 One nation may make war War once made. is not checked until both sides Ind some ground of agreement. The mission of the peace delegates expressed a humane aspiration. As a practical step toward peace now, it had all the weight of a feather fluttering in the vortex of d tornado.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
CurtaiIment Regretted

Tt will indeed be a sad day for Bir- mlngham if all of the proposed cuts in municipal expenditure are put into effect as outlined recently by the city commis- sion,' remarked Percy Brewer.
 The fire department. the police depart ment and the health department are of great importance to the community and their efficiency should not be impaired or any of the offices abolished if it can be found practicable to avoid doing so but what must be has to be- 1 suppose.
 Perhaps the most deplorable feature in this connection, however is the scheduled reduction in the length of the term of the clty's schools. Seven months is not enough for child to attend school, and even country schools average a longer term than this. Some means should be found to remedy this state of affairs. The schools should be financed in some man ner, and no doubt it could be done if suf- ficient ingenuity were brought into play by those at the helm."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
\ BNMAY

By Margaret Lee Ashley The highway marches sturdily to market
 town and mill, But l would find a little road that loiters
 up a hill A little warrant, woodland road, gray
 ribboned through the green, Whose berry brambles bar the way and
 orchard elders lean. The highway is the worlds way, but
 would drop behind To follow little turing paths that only lag
 sards find; he challenge of the bandit weeds, the
 tilt with startled bees What can the dusty highways give for
 tourneyings like these? The highway is the sun's s way, and follows
 east to west, But there are yellow, vagrant beams that
 love my road the best That finger down the weedy ways where
 lady's lace Is spread, Or slant through shady orchard paths
 and tint the tree trunks red. The highway, the highway!-you follow
 where it calls; l watch you through a leafy screen from
 crumbling orchard walls;- I wait and smile among the green and
 know that by and by We'll lure you back through dust and
 dew-my little road and l!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
Vacant Lot Gardening

The school and vacant lot garden idea has met with such remarkable success in those places where it has been given thorough trial, that it seems incomprehensibl that the plan has not spread to every city and will lage in the country.
 As an example of what may be done in the way of small gardening, attention is called to the accomplish ment of William Tompkins, an H. year-old gardener of Corpus Christi.
 William has only 25x40 feet in his "back yard" garden, but he cultivates that with system and intelligent care; : in fact he makes a study of scientific gardening. This year he won the prize for the best cultivated piece of land in Nueces county, Texas, and netted . profit of S55, including the prize, from his little plot of ground. The following is a list of the vegetables i. he produced
 Foryt-six pounds of beets, "A gal Ions of snap beans, one and one-half gallons of English peas, 197 punches of lettuce, 15 punches of parsley, two punches of onions and one gallon of strawberries.
 In addition to the S55 cash pro- ceeds from his garden, William sup piled the family table with early veg etables.
 Nothing is so unsightly as a weed patch. Tt is a menace to health, an eyesore in a neighborhood and de- preciates property value. There is no better way of eliminating the weed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
BADGERING JANE ADDAMs

From the New Republic.
 It is a little hard to see why editors should continue to scold Miss Jane Ad- dams. If the chancelories of Europe from Bowling street to the Vatican were willing to receive her, if the hara ssed statesmen of practically every warning country were willing to play with the idea of her mission, then surely the do- mestic creed of maniness and red blood need not assert itself by deriding her
 Had her trip been purely, Quixotic it would stil not have been markedly insane in this insane world. AS a matter of fact, Miss Addams did not go to stop the war"-she went to find out what peo- pie and governments were thinking about the possibilities of peace. to recall to statesmen, if only a little bit, the fact that this slaughter must end sometime. The utmost practical end for the moment is that she may have started in some off, ficlal mind some disposition to think again in terms of human adjustment.
 Miss Addams was peculiarly the person to do this. She has stood to all the world for the intensive cultivation of human life She herself is the very antithesis of those military ideas that dominate the world There is a side of human nature pitably starved by the war, and Jane Addams speaks for it with a strange purity. With no trace of pride in any of her opinions she could not be humiliated because she had left herself so completely out of ac- count. She wields power weak perhaps at this time but power nevertheless, which silences the scoffer and disarms the pugnacicus. The too-too manly man may even feel bit silly in her presence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-17
A Fine Railroad Record

More than 16500 900 passengers-a num- her greater than the combined population of Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro- lima. Georgia, Alabama Tennessee and Kentucky-were transported by the South ern railway during the year ended June 90, with only one fatal injury to passen- ger while on train, and that one was standing on car platform in direct vio- lation of the companys rules,' said l.. Sevier
 "Of this great number of passengers, not one was killed in a train accident.
 This excellent record was shown in the official figures given out today, indicat- ing the high degree of safety that has been attained in the handling of Southern railway passenger trains.
 Tn marked contrast are figures re- gently given out by President Fairfax Harrison of the Southern railway, show ing that during the same period 12 per sons riding in automobiles were killed in accidents at public highway crossings. every one of which accidents could have been prevented had the driver of the car observed the familiar warning, Stop, look and listen'