davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
D1scouRAG1NG THE FREAKS

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 Close to a generation ago when public amusement houses were scarce in Cleve- land, there was a dime museum on Su- perior street that did fairly good busi- ness. It displayed for the entertainment and amazement of it's patrons the usual line of freaks. The bearded lady was there, and so were the sword swalowers and the wild man and the midget and the fat woman. For time the dime museum was one of the notable attractions of the city. Then came the vaudeville houses with their varied entertainments, and the dime museums, a long line of them, permanently retired. The freaks were scattered, limited number finding en- agreements in the circus side shows and at the agricultural fairs. In fact. these seem to be the only berths left open to them.
 It is said that the side show business is not what it was, and perhaps the time is near when the "hoo-hoo'' and the eats 'em-alive" and the "dog-faced boy" will find no avenue open to them save the midway and the wonder trail"
 Even this opening is threatened At the twenty-fifth annual convention of the American Association of Fairs and Expo- sltions held in Chicago last week, a western college professor made strong plea for a higher grade of education at expositions and county fairs. He de- clared that the freaks were passing. We have been provincial and complacent in this country he said. Instead of intel lioapt afficiapt and al
 There were some protests to this decla- ration, notably one from hard-headed manager who said Its all well enough to talk about educating people, but you've got to get 'em there first"
 Nevertheless, it appeared to be the gem eral opinion that the barker and the side show and the amateur races, were no longer absolutely necessary to the well being of either fairs or expositions. Which. of course, puts the freak busi- ness on decidedly uncertain footing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
Breathes Spirit of Christmas

As Advent in the liturgy of the Catholic church is semi -penitential season" said Father Coyle yesterday, attendance at theatres, picture plays and such amuse- ments is not encouraged, rather the con trary. However, the song-play of Miss Daisy Rowley that will be presented at the Jefferson on Friday night and Sat urday matinee, breathes so much of the spirit of Christmas, and teaches in so extraordinarily beautiful a way the les sons of peace and good will; of love of God and of man, that attendance, in this particular case, is to be encouraged and recommended. Miss Rowley's song play is reminiscent of the miracle plays that heralded in England the coming of the drama as we have it. today, it brings to mind, too, the presentation of Every man by the Ben Greet Players few years ago. though, of course it does not teach solemn lessons of mortality, but joyous lessons of faith and hope and love- Every child in Birmingham should see it, nay, not alone children, as ordinarily undersood but also those whom the poet calls, children of a larger growth ''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
The National Guard

If the National Guard is not as strong numerically as the war de- partment would like to see it, there is no criticism of it's discipline or it's personnel.
 The organized militia, as the guard is officially known by the United States government, has reached high state of efficiency, due chiefly to it's rigid inspection by officers of the regular army In many states, including Alabama, the companies of the National Guard march so we'll that casual observer might easily mistake them for regulars.
 Though the guard numbers only about 125,0O0 men, the department at Washington depends more than ever on this valuable contingent as a reserve force in case of war. Con gress makes an annual appropriation for the equipment of the organized militia, once thought to be liberal,
 but now hardly adequate for the pur- pose.
 In recent years military men have
 suggested that every guardsman should receive regular pay; small pay, but enough to cover incidental expenses of individuals incurred in attending drill. Officers say that the men would be glad to receive any stipend from Uncle Sam simply be- cause it would be tangible evidence of the governments appreciation of their services. Without pay the guard can be kept up to it's present numerical strength, no doubt, but it would increase 100 per cent if the pay feature was added.
 The regular army will be enlarged. The administration national defense programme calls for an increase of
 about 50,000 enlisted men. What ac-
 tion Congress will take on the pro- posed continental army is problemati-
 cal, but if the war departments rec
 concentrations for the encourage
 ment of the organized militia are Fadopted there will be burst If en- thusiasm among guardsmen that will have telling effect. Last year the appropriation was only $25O,O00. In the new estimates the amount set forth as necessary for the organized militia is $4,s9O,O0O. If Congress
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
Opposition to Bona Is.ue

The recent rumblings of opposition to the Alabama bond issue have been somewhat surprising to me- said Ed ward l.. Jones, flor I had supposed this was one matter upon which the citizens of Alabama would be almost unanimous.
 Governor Henderson has sponsored this bond issue in the most forcible way, for he believes that this $1,E00,- 900 will put the state in such f1nan- cial position that it will not be con tinually cramped and embarrassed.
 'F'ortunately, the opposition so far heard to the bond issue comes from political antagonists of Governor Hen derson and I always take the views of politicians with a grain of salt. l the solid business men who have no axes to grind and who take the po- sition they do without the slightest personal feeling.
 "Men of this character seem to think the bond issue good business. The state owes the money and it has per- manent improvements made during re- cent administrations which have cost considerably more than the $1500,00C proposed. If an individual owes fail and square debt the best thing for him to do is to make some arrangements for paying it, even if it has to be extended over long period. It is the same with a state. It should put it's obligations
 on thorough going business basis SC that no temporary furry of the money
 markets can cause serious embarrass- ment"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
St. Louis An Easy Winner

Dallas made plucISy fight for the national democratic convention, but St. Louis was an easy winner
 San Francisco was the first city to announce it's candidacy for the conven- ton. Several weeks ago it proclaimed it's readiness to put up $200,000 for the honor of entertaining the democratic hosts. Later on the amount dropped to $100000 and when the time came for the national committee to meet San Francisco had got out of the notion altogether. The Pacific metropolis was doubtless tired out by the explosi- tion and felt as if rest would do it more good than a convention.
 Chicago wanted the convention and strong men championed it's cause, but St. Louis was the favorite and nothing that Chicago. could offer had any eff feet
 Dallas enterprise in subscribing $1O0 900, to be handed the national committee in the event that city was chosen, and pledging $30,000 besides for incidentals, was great feather in it's cap. Dallas has long been on the map, but it's rank in the estimation of the country at large is now higher than ever. The effort was well worth making, even if for no other reason than the advertising the city got.
 Champ Clark, in speaking for St. Louis. foreshadowed the time when presidential nominations would be made in state primaries and when the only important buiness of national would be the adoption of party platforms. He wanted to see the day when the democratic conven- ton would provide seats only for dele gates, alternates and reporters-ab about 5000 souls all told When that day comes any city with a population of 75,000 or 100000 will be big enough to entertain the convention.
 In the meanwhile, St. Louis will pre- pare to welcome a crowd of 15,000 or 1000 on June IA next As President Wilson is to be renominated by accla- nation, the convention will be in ses- sion only three or four days. But there will be an abundance of oratory and no end of entertainment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
Loyal Friend to Age-HeraId

M. B. Long of Guntersville, who is visiting in Florence this week, is a very enthusiastic believer in The Age Herald. Mir Long is associated with his father in the lumber business at Gun tersville and says the people in that section of Alabama could not get along without The Age-Herald.
 q subscribed for The Age Herald when I was mere boy, said Mir Long, ''and have been reading it for IS years I can get more news out of The Age Herald in five minutes than can get out fany other paper in two hours. The only competitor The Age-Herald has in the south in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. No Bir- mingham or Alabama paper can in any way approach it.
 q expect to continue reading The Age-Herald. In my judgment it is the best example of newspaper art pro- duced today. The newly added Roto- gravure Section is worthy of the larg- est city in the country. It's addition is but another demonstration of the pro- gressiveness of The Herald. I wish the paper all success and l am sure the people in the Guntersville section do likewise. for they all swear by The Age -Herald'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
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The New Chamber of Commerce

The reorganized Chamber of Com merce with 1900 members and an as sured income of fully $30,000 a year starts off with promise of large achievement.
 Whatever of public spirit manl- fested itself here in the pioneer days was developed by the old Commercial club. and in 1908 when the club was transformed into Chamber of Con- merce-a body of wider ambition Birmingham took a fresh start for ward. With Together" as slo- gan the civic activities of the cham Der broadened and higher degree of public spirit was plainly in evidence That organization, under able leader ship, did effective work-work cf far-reaching benefit to the enoire dis trict.
 But as this is a progressive period the time had come for rehabilitation of the Chamber of Commerce. While nearly all the old members have been re-enrolled hundreds of new members have been added, and with all this new blood the potentiality of Bir- mingham's upbuilders banded togeth- CT for the common good will be in~ creased many fold.
 President Crawford Johnson has had most successful administration. He did not seek the executive office. The office sought him, but notwith- standing the fact that his extensive business interests are exacting he has given much time to the Chamber of Commerce and has made one of the best presidents it has ever had. But in the coming year greater opportunities will be open for promoting Birming- hams civic welfare and its commer- cial and industrial life than ever be- fore; and under the chambers organ ization the officers and directors and the business council may put their shoulders to the wheel with feeling of confidence that their efforts will be abundantly rewarded.
 NJ The year 1916 is going to be a great year for Birmingham. The new era of prosperity which began early throughout the country next spring This district will have it's share ano along with the new era and keeping abreast of it will be Birmingham's new Chamber of Commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
AHLCYONDAYSOFTHE"IACK'

Of the hotel, the regular gang at the bar barber shop, or casual late shoppers. But he felt that he was the observed of all observers, and the feeling was worth all of $5 whether he possessed that sum or not.
 Hacks in Kentucky towns led a double life. In daytime they appeared, with stately solemnity in funeral processions, as they did and still do in larger cities But at night they were devoted exclu- sively to social gayety. Unlike city cabs of the period and unlike the taxicabs of the present time, hacks were ordered formally for important occasions. They were not hailed in a moment of anxiety to beat the accommodation or the mixed train' to the railroad station. It was beneath the dignity of first-class hack to stand at the curb waiting for business; just as much as it would have been beneath the dignity of the lead ing lawyer of the town to stand in front of his office and spiel for clients. When not engaged the hack remained aloof from the throng of cheaper and lighter vehicles, dustless, immaculate. polished like jewel. When it issued forth some thing important was on; something no less important than a wedding in high society, first-class funeral or hop
 Nowadays everyone" socially speak ing, drives an automobile of some sort. or at least a crude imitation Of an auto mobile, which gets there just the same. And there are taxis for the rich and jit neys for the poor. Even a spick and span s4000 car is merely one of many. Nobody pays any attention to it. The most sump- tuous "electrics' are seen any time ana everywhere, often occupied by passengers of no social consequence whatever. Money, nowadays. will hardly buy q vehicular splurge that anybody will no- tice in passing. It was not so in the nalmy days of the hack. and in tho smaller cities
 For sale, Q good, sound hack"' vet eran hack, maybe! An experienced hack. A hack which could a tale unfold if it were sgiven a voice to utter the secret things it knows particularly if it's new| enamel first reflected tho rays of theI street lamps in a small town. The hal- cyon days of the hack were days of dig nity and of caste distinctions when thel day of the loud vulgarian whose chief source of happiness is mrffler .cut-out| had not dawned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
NEW YORK SKATING MAD

New York Correspondence Pittsburg Dis
 patch.
 Skating has taken on such vogue that dealers view with alarm a possible short age in the supply of skates. They say that so much steel is being used in the manufacture of munitions that there might be a serious difficulty in arranging for additional manufacture of skates Everybody here is buying skates-from grandma to little Tottie-and you may see both learning to skate at any of the rinks here. Never did craze strike New York so suddenly or from older angles. It is like one of those freak hurricanes and this one is blowing the skirts of the city as never before. The men in the stores where most skates are sold say they were all stocked up early in the season, but that the rush to buy began sharply about two weeks ago. Those who have been watching the craze are amazed at the suddenness with which 1t has taken hold. They assert broadly that there are two-pointed reasons-the skat- ing clothes that women wear are novel and becoming and the sport is a fashion  chief thing at first is selecting the proper costume. Skating costumes take several inches off the bottom of a woman's skirt and about a generation off her age. Every department store window has display of skating togs and they attract every passerby who seems to immedi- ately get the fever. At the St. Nicholas rink of an evening there are so many persons skating, so close together, that no one can fall down. You fall against someone else. So far there are few places to skate, with thousands wishing to join in the pastime. There will be other places, for Charlotte has given the receipt for building a private rink at home Father Knickerbocker surely has his skates buckled on and he has a lady on his arm. The tango girl is still here. but the new girl is the skating girl, with cheeks aglow and unruly locks peck ing out from beneath the becoming knit cap, or Tam O'Shanter It looks if the old-fashioned hustle may once more become popular for skaters. Now is it's chance. A good, bouncy hustle would help the beginner 8 lot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
HOTEL LOBBIES
Ford shortens Familiar Word

We are all used to the word mili- tarism in these warlike times, but short as it is Henry Ford has made it short er'' said J. M. Caruthers of Philadel- phia. "In reading in the New York Sun the accounts of MT. Ford and his peace argosy the great pacificist speaking of militarism always called it militi- ism. The reporter, thinking that the reader might charge the printer with a typographical error, explained paren- thetically that it was MT. Ford's pro- nunciation.
 ''Why not reduce the word still more and call it militism? am not scholar enough to know the pathological rule Tor making new word from Latin root, but militism sounds all right peter than Mir. Fords militi-ism."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
WHEN YOU ARE OLD

By w. B. Yeats.
 When you are old and gray and full of
 sleep, And nodding by the fire. take down this
 book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft
 look Your eyes had once. and of their shadow !
 deep. How many loved your moments of glad
 grace, And loved your beauty with love falstI
 or true; But one man loved the piirim soul ii
 you, And loved the sorrows Of your changinsE
 face. And bending down beside the glowius'
 bars Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled And placed upon the mountains over5
 head And hid his face amid crawa ot stax1I
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
TWO GIRLS GIGGLED

From Vorwaerts.
 The woman with ticket from Bremen to Oldenburg entered the compartment Two young girls and man accompany ing woman already were seated
 The woman began almost at once to count on her fingers, ''one. two. three, lone, two, three,' over and over at in- tervals in sing song tone.
 The two girls filtered. One of them leaned over and whispered something to her companion. Both giggled.
 Each time the woman counted her fingers the girls Uttered. The man seemed irritated. Suddenly he turned to them and said.
 You perhaps will cease your stupid giggling when l tell you that this is my wife, and that she has lost three sons in battle. l am taking her to an asylum"
 The click Of the car wheels broke the silence of the car.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

The historic battlefield of Philippi, where Brutus and Cassius were defeated after the assassination of Caesar. lies back of Kavala, a Greek port in the Bal kans where the allies are reported to be landing troops. It is much nearer to Bull garia than Saloniki and a convenient Bulgaria, according to a bulletin recently issued by the National Geographic so- ciety Kavala is situated on the bay of that name and is 22 miles from the boun- dary of Bulgaria to the east. It is not only within easy striking distance of the enemy's territory but is almost entirely surrounded by mountains and could be made an almost impregnable depot for munitions and supplies. Kavala is an in- significant town of about 5000 people. The island of Thasos lies before it's bay. af- fording a vantage point to repel invasion. for the past 1000 years was the birth of Mehemet Ali in 1769. However, the pres ent occupation by French and English troops may give Cavala more importance than it has ever enjoyed before. In the country about the towntis grown some of the finest Turkish tobacco which is man. ufactured into cigarettes and sold in America and England
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
Weather Causing Many Colds

"The weather we have been having lately is peculiarly adapted to the fur therance of many bad colds,' said Harry Morris. ''One day it is warm and that same night you will have to get all the blankets available to keep from freezing to death. I don't think this weather is at all like our climate generally is and I hope the elements will be kinder to us in the future.
 This sort of weather is unusually hard on those who are sufferers of asthma and hay fever Many people are the victims of these maladies and they seem to be unable to get any real relief from anything but weather of the normal kind. Ordinarily, Bir- mingham has one of the most delight ful climates that can be found, pro- vided the one who is seeking climate deos not prefer the hot. balmy sort. I am afraid if the cold days, inter- spersed with hot one now and then keeps up, we will not be able to boast of our beautiful, mild wintry days I had much rather have the cool or cold weather than the warm, balmy sort. These hot days are not good for one who has to work and that is neces- sary to most of us"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
NELLIE.s "yICTRoLA.

New York Correspondence Cincinnati
 Times-Star.
 It was luncheon time and the busy throns was passin the Palace theatre or lobby. The tide of traffic was at it's flood. Daintily threading It's way among the hurrying vehicles came a car from the factory of the man who will stop the war even at the cost of having his name in the papers every day. In the car is genial blonde female. Also small chauffeur, '.Ah,' exclaims Reed Albee to an associate from the booking offices. there's Nellie Revell in her victrola.'
 Who's the driver?'' asks MT. Albee' s companion.
 q dun1o,' is the response. Some guy working On space"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
STARING THEIR FEELINGS.

STARING THEIR FEELINGS.
 I presume you keep in close touch with your constituents?"
 "oh, yes." replied the statesman. q find that quite necessary
 But you surely don't let them do your thinking for you?"
 Certainly not I act according to my own judgment, but when I know how they feel about certain matters it is easier for me to prepare speech that will act as sort of shock -absorber"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
THEY ALL DRESS ALIKE.

THEY ALL DRESS ALIKE
 "A woman is as old as she looks said Mrs. Twobble authoritatively
 That may be true" answered MT. Twobble. who has several times lately mistaken mincing grandma for one of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
AFTER SOMETHING.

A certain type of citizen
 It isn't good to see, Who likes to strike an attitude And say, Just look at mel As if the world depended on
 The power of his brain And if he did not give advice. All efforts would be vain. Whene'er you see man like that Appealing to the mob, Sometimes he wants publicity, More often still, job,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

BEGINNING THE DAY-I nm go- ing to try to live this day with reference to the largest possipie number of people. It were the sor. riest tragedy to live for myself alone. My family is not enough; nor my city. nor my state, nor my co"h- try. o God, make me citizen "i inc whole world today. Amen.- II. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

cannot see it's way clear to appro- priate the full sum named it should vote much more liberal appropria- tion than has been the case hereto fore. From a. military point of view even S4,39O,OOO would be economy in the end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
SCANNING THE FUTURE.

When certain famous peace crusader departed for Europe I'm told he had a far-away look in his eyes"
 T think can interpret that lock-
 "well?o
 He was probably trying to visualize his safe return.p
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

Eufaula Citizen: Congressional politics is in the air. So far there are three pros- pective candidates from the Third dis trict, three incumbent, H. R. Steagall, J. J. Speight and W. R. Chapman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

Gadsden Journal: St. Paul surgeon watched the operation by which his ap- pendix was removed and even quarreled with the operating surgeon. But he is expected to recover
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

Gadsden Times News: We don't get much for river and harbor improvements in the south under any sort of administra- ton and the temporary disappearance of the pork barrel in favor of militarism won't hurt us much down here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

the University of Warsaw, but there are no students to go to it. They are all too busy making history to stop to read about it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
PACIEIC SPAIN

From tsie Memphis Commercial-Appeal \
 And while all the other countries are] fighting Spain has raised record crop9 of canary bird seed. Now. what youl laughing at?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09

The governor of Texas, who says Car ranza is "a man of the safe and sane type," may have been. impressed to some extent by Carranza's striking resemblance to Santa Claus.