davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
THE HAPPY SOUTH OF 191a

From the St. Louis Dispatch.
 The south's steadfast patience during last years period of trial is being dag zlingly rewarded.
 A part of the 1914 cotton crop was mar Neted last winter and spring at living prices. With fewer products to buy this year as result of more diversified farming, the south has large 1915 cot ton crop to sell at 12 cents or the higher quotations obtainable by waiting
 Cotton seed is being disposed of at prices never before heard of. Even the int by-product of ginning cotton IS bringing $40 bale for use in relieving the sufferinSs of war victims.
 The activity in the lumber industry that began in June has steadily increased In general the conditions are the most favorable this trade has known In eight years. Demand has now surpassed out put and prices are advancing. Wood working establishments allied with the lumber industry have a large expansion in business. Employment opportunities in the forests, mills and factories show vast enlargement
 The iron industry centralized in Ala bama, metal working industries of all sorts throughout the south, are sharing the prosperity of those industries every where in the country
 stimulated demand at higher prices is bringing enormous wealth to all branches of the oil business in the southwest.
 The status of those great factors in the well being of the south, the cotton. the lumber, the iron, the oil trades, re- fleets the hopeful conditions in merchant dising and in miscellaneous less distinc tive industries.
 Peace in Mexico means renewal of exchanges with that country and profit able business for many southern centers Of finance.
 No part of the world suffered more se verely than the south from the indirect effects of the wars opening. When ha s more startling business change been recorded than its emergence from the gloom and disaster of 12 months ago to the sunlight and happy fortune of the present?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
"Ihe World Do Move"

The demand for luxuries is becom- ing daily more general. Not many years ago it was a rare thing for the home to be electric-lighted, and only a comparatively few years before that, the tallow candle was the means of illumination.
 Now practically every city and town home is lighted by electricity and many of the farm homes are lighted in the same way. But this is not enough even the chicken sheds are to have electric lights! At least this will be the case if poultry raisers follow the example of Mrs.. George Newell of Brookfield, Ill.
 Mrs. Newell has her poultry sheds lighted by electricity, and when the dark days of winter come, she turns the lights on in the poultry houses Mrs. Newell's theory is that the req son hens do not usually lay so many eggs in winter as in summer, is that they stay on their roosts so much more. When the lights are switched on, the hens hop down and begin te scratch in the straw for their break fast. The result, according to Mrs Newell, is increased egg production The egg fruit crop in the Newell yart was 1S,O0O eggs, an average of 16( per hen, says Mrs. Newell.
 Although the record quoted is moi such to make the famous hen, Lad, Eglantine, tremble for her laurels, thu
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
Early Closing on Saturday

Annually there is nationwide agi- tation to do your Christmas shopping early" In Birmingham a group of public spirited women headed by Mrs. H. N. Malony, drawing lesson from the facts brought out in this Christ mas shopping plea, have widened the application and are appealing to the people to So your Saturday shopping early" At the same time they have asked the merchants of the city to close early on Saturday night and have met with ready response.
 Mrs. Malony, in yesterdays Age Herald, announced that the shoe stores of the city had consented to close at 9 o'clock on Saturday night instead of 10 o'clock. Mrs. Malony was much pleased with this development as she had every right to be. The falling into line of the shoe dealers brings practically every store in Birmingham into the early closing on Saturday ! night.
 Mrs. Malony is to be congratulated 0 her work and if the thanks of hun dreds of weary clerks in the big stores is anY compensation she will be well repaid Nor her time and trouble. An hour on Saturday night is as long as three on ahy ordinary day.
 The averaee person has no concep- tion of what it means to go to work at 8 o'clock in the morning and be on your feet without intermission un- til at least 10 o'clock at night and sometimes later. Your feet ache, your back gets tired and threatens to snap in two and your legs are exceedingly weary. An hour on such night is a Godsend and Mrs. Malony has brought pleasure and relief to many an ex- hausted body.
 And after all the matter was de cided by the people; it was to the peo- pie that Mrs. Malony made her most feeling appeal. The proprietors of the big stores were glad enough to give their people an, hour of rest on Satur- day night. It was the people who must be prevailed on to do their shopping early on Saturday night and this Mrs. Malony did. Having done this she found the merchants willing enough to do their part.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
Crooks and the Dance Craze

An anonymous writer who claims to be 60-year-old crook, who has earned a dishonest living for thirty years and has never lacked luxuries, contributes an article to the November number of the American Magazine, in which he tells how criminals take advantage of the present dance craze to rob wom- en. This man holds himself above the common burglar, although he ac- knowledges that even the flow brows" of his profession have profited by in- formation picked up in the tango parlors." For the "social gangster," usually some good looking young fel- low who dances well and dresses faultlessly, and is merely the tool of the man higher up," the master crook, there are unlimited opportuni- ties and for obvious reasons, there is little danger of his victims appealing to the police authorities.
 In New York there are hundreds of dance places, where wealthy women dance every afternoon and night, go- ing from one resort to another in quest of excitement and variety. "Few we'll to-do or fairly well-to-do men know with whom their wives are fox-trot- ting or tangoing," the writer declares, land few wives are wise to what their husbands are up to. For the sake of the thrill they get from the modern and sensuous dances, many women, some of them of the richest and best families, trust themselves to the arms of utter strangers, and it is
 there that the gentlemen of the under-
 world are today enjoying an advant- age they have never before enjoyed. The dance has let down the bars"
 The simplest form of robbery prac- ticed by the "social gangster" is to escort his prospective victim home in taxi and take what money or jewels she happens to have with her, know
 ing beforehand that she will not dare to let her husband know about the
 loss. But there are more complicated ways of separating rich women dupes from their money. These are thought
 out by the master crook, who employs
 the society gangster" to win the con- fidence of some rich woman and by his good looks and blandishments make the plucking an easy matter.
 Schemes of this sort are so cleverly conceived and worked out, usually in the form of fake investment, that the victim seldom realizes that she lis being robbed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

 results seem to be sufficient to war rant the expenditure incident to the illumination process.
 To the man reared on a farm, who still retains memories of chasing down half-drowned chicks of rainy mornings, all this poultry luxury sounds bit queer. The world moves on apace, and new methods supercede the old, even in chicken raising, but one thing is sure, and that is, gold en, crisp-fried piece of spring chicken doesn't taste whit better now than it did to that same freckled-faced, bare-footed farmer boy!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
A HARD JOB
From the Strand Magazine.

rIoh tHc otrdIu MdSaZlne.
 One afternoon in the trenches an Irish soldier discovered that the man on his right was wearing a beauti- ful pair of boots.
 How did you manage to get hold of them?" he asked, enviously. "A pres ent from an officer, I suppose!'
 The Englishman smiled. ' T stole out of the trench last night" he answered, in whisper, "and l found the boots on German I killed"
 The Irishman became thoughtful, and that night he disappeared
 Early the next morning he stag gered back into the trench carrying a pair of boots. Making for his friend he whispered bitterly to him:
 "Tve had the hardest job of me life. Had to kill 50 Germans before I found a pair of boots to fit me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
Regardlng the Army

'The adoption by Congress of the ad- ministration S national defense programme seems to be virtually assured, and that will mean in time a great navy and a large army" said NJ. s. Barton of Chi cago.
 Tt is proposed to organize continental army of 100000 enlisted men at the start, with an increase of 100000 every three years, to take the place of those who will be on furlough without pay but subject to call in time of war. The regular army is to be increased to 14O0O0 and with the National Guard Uncle Sam at the end of six years could count on a total trained military force of about 100000. This will be none too large for this great country from the viewpoint of preparedness; but those who would insist on peace at any price. doubtless regard all this prepara- tion with dismay.
 "The great majority of the American people will rally to the support of the administration. They have faith in Pres ident Wilson's judgment. He is peace man, but he is also a statesman who be- lieves in having this country ready to defend itself in case 1t is attacked by a foreign foe.
 q was living in Washington in the early nineties, when the war department urged an increase of 10000 men in the regular army. It was limited then to 25,000, but Congress paid no attention to the recom- mendation. The Spanish-American war brought about changed conditions and since that time we have had an army of about s5,00O, with maximum of 100000. But the situation today calls for much more of an army.
 T hope in recognizing the regular es- tablshment the grade of lieutenant gen. era, will be restored. The chief of staff should certainly be a lieutenant general .'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
THE HONESTY OF BASEBALL

From the Kansas City Times.
 One great, hold of professional baseball is its honesty. The idea never entered a sensible head that the Red Sox might throw the last game with the "Phillies' in order that the series would be pro- longed for great profit.
 The major leagues and the best of the minor leagues have kept the national game clean. They have made its keen rivalries the finest sort of exhibitions of physical and moral stamina.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
EDIBLE SNAILS

From the Journal of the American Medi-
 cal Association.
 TO most Americans the idea of using
 snails in the diet will not awaken
 4 gastronomic enthusiasm; but there are people in various parts of the world to whom the suggestion of the use of other mollusks, such as oysters and clans, would be repugnant. It is not necessary to go back to the days of the elder Pliny for evidence that edible snails have had a place on the menus of many countries. It is stated that during our own oyster season, from September to April, more than 100000 coo snails are disposed of in Paris alone The daily consumption of 'escargots' in the French capital has been estimated at 50 tons when trade is at it's best.
 In the belief that the American people can be educated to see the true worth of the edible snail which might be grown with profit in the United States govern ment expert has collected some facts bearing on their use. The European war has added a further interest to the pos- sibiity of snail culture. Comparatively leW AIneFlCduS nave CNci tdotCu ShdhCs know of their preparation as food, or even consider them a fit article of diet. Among the foreigners in our population. snails have a limited sale. Those sold in the fish markets of our larger cities have practically all been imported from France. Abroad, snails are by no means regarded in any sense as a national dish. They are included in the dietary much as is the oyster in this country, as a table lux ury or delicacy.
 In respect to composition. the two groups of mollusks furnish about the same yield of nutrients. In Europe, snails are raised commercially under an inten- sive system of culture in many places, in snaileries. Rust believes that although
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

snail culture may not be very profitable in Europe, where economic conditions arc different, in that the food for the animals must be grown and supplied to them reg ularly and everything done with much labor on restricted areas of land, in the United States snail farming might, with judicious publicity, and in time, become profitable. Whether or not it is advan- tageous, from the standpoint of nutrition, to attempt to introduce new food to tho American table is a question of individual preference.
 Almost every one, Rust writes, who has ever eaten well prepared snails. admits their gastronomc worth, from the points both of nutritive value and of flavor and there are many states where they could be grown and kept fresh until used. and where they would prove very welcome addition to the somewhat limited menu of the locality. In the Mississippi valley. for instance, where conditions for their cultivation are almost ideal, they could be grown at practically no cost (either in" money, time or labor). and might be used to . great extent in place of oysters, which they greatly resemble in flavor whom properly prepared. Such practice would be advantageous, for the snail is possibly preferable as an article of human consumption. It is cleaner. feeding dain- tily, as it does, only on the cleanest of vegetable tissues, while osysters, not be- ing able to move about in search of food. must take what comes to them in the water, are sometimes fattened in water impregnated with bacteria-laden sewage, and thus, occasionally, act as carriers of typhoid and other diseases.
 At any rate. we can be prepared to rS- ceive the suggestion of the addition of snails to the American menu without tha revulsion of feeling which it awakeNs in many at present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
THE ASTRONOMER

By Walt whitman. When heard the learn'd astronomer. When the proofss the fgures. were rapged
 in columns before me, When I wps shown the charts and dia- gran1h 70 add, divide and measure
 them. When: sitting, heard the astronomer
 lecture with much applause, How soon unaccountably became sick
 and tired, Tin rising and gliding out wandered off
 by myself. Ia tho mystical moist night air and from
 from time to time Looked up in perfect silence at the stsrA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
Talent in Robin Hood

"So many people have asked me what sort of a company was Birmingham go ing to get in good old Robin Hood, which comes to the Jefferson for an engagement of three nights and mati- nee, beginning on Monday next, that feel it worth while to make this statement" said Manager Douglas yes terday.
 "If any patron or patrons who, after witnessing this organization can come forward and offer a dissenting voice or say that the attraction is not all that is claimed for it, the money paid at the box office will be cheerfully refunded
 ''The cast of the DeKoven Opera com pany speaks for itself for it includes Miss Ivy Scott who sang the title role in Henry W. Savage's production of Madame Butterfly here; Miss Cora Tracy, James Stevens, Herbert Water ous, William Schuster. all with national and international grand opera reputa- tions, while Ralph Brainerd, Phil Bran son. Tillie Sallinger and Sol Solomon were chosen from the best of the light opera ranks. The chorus is made up of men and women who can sing and sing we'll"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
HOTEL LOBRIES
A Splendid Reunion

We had splendid reunion at Sell ma said Brigadier General John c. Smith, now commander of the Fourth brigade of the Alabama Confederate Veterans
 Some of the papers stated that more than 1000 veterans were enrolled. That was mistake. We had about 500 present. large turnout when it Is remembered how many of our old comrades are too infirm to travel
 "Selma's hospitality was unbounded Nothing was left undone that could con tribute to our comfort or to the pleas ure of the occasion"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
THE HABIT OF ROYALTY.

This cruel war will end some day
 You may be sure of that; But the kings will salt their wealth away,
 Their purses won't be flat. However great the nations debts.
 1nf1icting endless woe, They'll doubtless keep their royal pets.
 For a sort of raree-show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
A Great Department Store

q spent sometime the early part of the week in looking through Loveman, Joseph 6 Loebs store. and I was filled with amazement to find here such a large and modern establishment, all though it is highly spoken of in the east" said ". G. Welsh. the advertis- ing expert of New York. who has been registered at the Tutwiler since Sun day
 Not only does this concern carry an enormous stock but in variety and richness its wares are equal to those found in the best known business houses in New York
 New Orleans is the only town in the south that I had ever visited until l came to Birmingham, and there is nothing in the mercantile district of the Crescent City that comes up to Love- man, Jospeh & Loeb's store; and it is safe to say that no southern town has any establishment in it's class. Loveman, Joseph & Loeb. were they located In New York, would attract attention there Their store is therefore a dis tinct asset for Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
WOULD ATTEND TO HIM

From YOuth's COmpanlon,
 "Susannah, asked the preacher, when it came her turn to answer the usual question in such cases, do you take this man to be your welded hus- band, for better or for worse@"
 "Jes' as he is, parson,' she inter rupted; 'jes' as he is. Elf he gifts any better Ah'll know de good Lords gwine to take i'm, an eff he gifts any wusser. wy, Ahll tend to i'm myself.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
THE. MINE swEEPERs
Philadelphia Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 It only takes a few lines of print to say that "drifter' picking up German mines in the North sea has gone to the bottom and that five men of Newfound- land have perished with her. It is the sea burial of ''unheralded heroism.' There were many Quakers in England who said we cannot fight. But We can sweep for mines" And they accepted the unspectacular yet highly perilous drudgery. The trough of the waves. as well as the trenches of the land holds many shining martyrdom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
A PERSONAL TRIUMPH.

Was the suffragette rally a success?" Tt was so far as Mrs. Scadson was con- cerned.''
 What did she do?''
 Nothing. But she was the best dressed woman there"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
PLAIN CASE
From the Nashville Banner.

TOm tne NHSHVIIFe bdfIHtT.
 Authorities in Birmingham found man shot through the heart and his throat cut, and concluded that the crime was committed by an enemy. It would be a serious reflection on the officials if 1t should develop that the act was committed through friendship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
MOST UNsEEMLY

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
 The burden of Secretary Rcdfeld's com plaint against the Pacific Mail seems to be that it sold Its ships when it could get good prices for them, instead of wait ing to zee how hs was going to interpret the law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
ENTERTAINING THE HOUR.

Don't you think that clock strikes the hour unusually loud?" asked MT. Stayon.
 "Only Il o'clock" answered Miss Cad ders, with a slight yawn Tt has spe- cal attachment for striking Il o'clock-a little scheme originated by father"
 "Oh, see. Well, must be going.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
LOCAL COLOR LACKING

From the LOulsvlle COurier-Journa!
 Chicago is going to have "bull fieh. ball.' Bright variation from the typical booze fight ball of high society. but 1t will lack the charm of local color for the reason that the bull never faints in the Chicago slaughter houses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
A COMMON COMPLAINT.

A COMMON COMPLAINT. Doctor, I fear that I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown" What are your symptoms?" T can't eat can't sleep and I can't keep still"
 "Aheml suspect you are troubled with tango fever"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
STRICTLY MODERN.

"In Mexican plays 'tls said the devil is always represented as wearing the uni- form of a United States cavalry officer"
 What's the idea?"
 Possibly some reflection on Uncle Sam. Tn this country the stage devil is usually suave person in fautless evening clothes"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
UNAVOIDABLE DISAPPOINTMENT

From the LHdleB Hpme JUurHa1'
 Brudder Johnson was a pompous negro who took an active part in church work. One night the preacher said: "Brudder Johnson, will you lead us i'll nrayah?'
 ''Ah'm sorry to disa ppoint de Lawd to- night, pahson" replied Brudder Johnson, but An has cold on nah chest.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

If any person thinks patriotism in this co,,ntry is at a low ebb. he should visit Birmingham and observe the swarm Of candidates for commissioner at reduced salary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
RARE OPPORTUNITY

From the New Orleans States.
 The international peace conference of women will meet in December. It will not, of course, accomplish anything but the dear sisters will have a fine time studying the style of each others hats.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
so TT CAN

From the St. Louis Globe Democrat
 When the country gets that bis military and naval Establishment it can talk about being too ps2ud to fight without the rest of the world snickering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

Mobile Register: A Hattiesburg News headline last week was misleading. Lady Bird Shoots Up Mobile Street" The ex- planation should be made for the benefit of those who only read the headlines that the Mobile street referred to is highway in Hattiesburg, and not a street in and pertaining to the city of Mobile. The Lady Birds down this way are better trained than that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
OUTGOING A RIVAL
From the Chicago Herald.

From the Chicago Herald.
 In a certain manufacturing town it was a common thing not two years ago for wherewith to build houses for themselves. A great deal of rivalry existed among these men as to who should have the best house. with sometimes curious arcni- tectural results. A and B were two rivals. A having built a house. B, whose turn soon afterward came, determined to out do him. So he called in well-known architect to prepare plans. Asked what aspect he would like to his house. E. scratching his head, inquired
 Aspect! What's that? Has H got oneg' The couldn't possibly-
 why. of course" said the architect;
 Then put me on two of 'em.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

magazine writer endeavors to tell why the poor man is unhappy. Nine times out of 10 it's because he can't do the things he sees rich men doing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

should a woman at 50 consider that she is out of the race?" asks woman O. 20. That depends on whether she's run ming for office or a husband
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

The small boy who sees a moving pie ture show three times for the price of one admission is determined to get his moneys worth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
PERISH THE THOUGHT,

From the Memphis Commercials Appeal
 After eating luncheon of poor man's pudding. Mrs. Gait stepped on the scalvs and tipped them at 16O pounds. Jerusd lem! Suppose she had eaten something really nutritious!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28

A Birmingham man is suing a restau- rant because he found spider in his oyster stew Some people are too easily discouraged. He may find pearl next time.