davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27

So deeply was l buried In thought
that I lost track OF the fact that
Mother Waverly was still giving me
herNidea OF a poor, old woman very
much abused by her children In par
ocular and the world In general,
All at once her querulous voice
again penetrated my consciousness.
well, unless Dick can make that
stubborn wife OF Jacks see reason, l
shall probably starve to death.
1T Is simply impossible for me to
live on $3.50. have always had bills
at the store, and your father paid
them. He used TO grumble a little,
but they were always paid. l sent
my bills as usual to the shop yester-
day, as 1t was the first of the month,
and Mary called me up and said that
IL she paid them she could not send
me any Of my allowance. Allowance.
indeed. / never knew when ! sent
over to the bookshop for some money
today that little beggar on horseback
would have the insolence to send me
$40 with this"
She thrust note into my hand.
Dear. dear Mother Waverly:
Il am sending you $40 Of any own
money. cannot send you any from
the trustee account, for the lawyer
particularly cautioned me against It..
He said would have TO give account
of every penny paid out to you or
TO anyone else. ] know Il Is going
to be very hard for you not to have
money when you ask for 1t, and
would gladly give you all we have in
the bank, but that would leave US
nothing to run the business on. Oh,
Mother, dear, please don't make IL
harder for me than II Is, and remem-
Der I'll do everything In my power to
make you happy. MARY"
what do you think. Margie, Of that
little upstart writing me letter like
this about my own business and my
own money? And she does this while
making my husbands bookshop look
like the stage of theater."
81 think IL Mary would do as you
wish, Mother, you would soon have no
business, no money nor bookshop."
I started the avalanche. Nothing
could stop Mrs. Waverly until she
had worked herself up into such q
passion she told me to get out Of her
sight.
She called upon Dad and asked him
why did he leave her to battle alone.
She screamed at the top of her voice
and walked the floor and clinched her
hands. could not help saying that,
up to the present, she had not done
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
USED CAT AS
CLUBIN BEATING
HER, WIFE SAYS
Mrs. JOS. MacKay Makes Pic.
turesque Charges Against
Spouse In Divorce Suit
HUSBAND COUNTERS WITH
OTHER LURID STORIES
Judge Hosmer Says He Has
Heard Enough Testimony
Decision Comes Soon

Judge Hosmer will probably decide.
Wednesday afternoon, whether Jo-
seph MacKay is entitled TO divorce.
whether the decree should be given
to his wife, Anna, or whether no de-
cree should issue, Here are some or
the allegations which the court will
consider before making his decision:
That MacKay grasped cat by the
tail, used II as a club, and chased his
wife around the room with II. two
weeks before her child was born.
That he took his 11-year-old daugh-
ter. May. into a saloon, made her sing.
and passed the hat" os he could pur-
chase more liquor.
That he drove his wife and her sis
ter from his mothers home, when the
former came there on Christmas day
TO see their two children.
That he INDUCED too much In
liquor, and beat his wife on several
occasions.
That he threw lighted matches on
the bed In which his wife and his
daughter were sleeping.
| That Mrs. MacKay was a member
OF lively parties In boat houses on the
Detroit river, and that in one o.
these. she drank 20 glasses of beer.
That she walked past her children
on the streets, and did not speak OF
look at them.
That she attacked her mother-in
law, knocking her to the sidewalk.
That she drank to excess. neglect
ed to feed and properly clothe heI
children. and stayed out late at night
More than score Of witnesses were
summed by Mr.. and Mrs. MacKay t.
testify about these charges. The tria
has attracted a standing room only
audience each day during its progress
The MacKays formerly lived In the
vicinity of Vermont and Baker-sts.
and their troubles involved hall
dozen neighbors, most of whom ap
peared as witnesses for one side OF
the other.
Il don't see any reason for bring
ing In any more witnesses to testify
about things which already have been
brought before this court" comment
ed Judge Hosmer. Wednesday. when
counsel for MacKay sought to intro
dpce further testimony.
When arguments were begun, and
Mrs. MacKay after sitting calmly
through the entire case. heard hel
husbands attorney charge that she
Hacked mother-love, she broke down
fahd was led from the court room
weeping. by her sister, Miss Wilds
Robertson.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27

audience. The recital was Mrs. Peo-
cocks first. appearance In public this
winter, Illness having compelled her
10 cancel all concert engagements
and public appearances.
o.
The Misses Claire NJ. and Luretta +.
sanders. No. 107 Boston blvd, and
Miss Mary q. Farnsworth returned TO
Detroit Tuesday. following a world
tour which began In June, 1914. The
young woman left Detroit for the Pa
cine coast and sailed from San Fran
cisco for the Orient. They returned
through southern Europe. Their itin-
erary kept them well without the war
zone, and IL was not until they reach
ed New York that they were able TO
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
Man Badly Frozen.

John Balen, 80 years old, of No. 1876
Leuschner-ave.. Hamtramck, fell into
q ditch near his home Tuesday and
was unable to extricate himself, his
hands and feet being badly frozen
before his cries were heard by a wo-
man who called help. II was neces.
sary to chop the ice away from the
mans fingers before he could be ex-
tricated from the ditch. Balen was
sent to Samaritan hospital, where he
Is In q serious condition. u will prob
ably be necessary to amputate his
hands and feet.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27

Cattle branding IL gradually bsln(
rendered obsolete. as the genornllI
enforced construction OF fences maket
Il unnecessary.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27

Burglars entered the residence of
J. w. Cousins, No. 1913 Avery-ave
Tuesday afternoon, using false key
on the front door. while shielded by
a storm house. They apparently took
their time In ransacking the home,
members of the family being away.
and escaped with silverware and jew
elry valued at s135.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
SOCIAL and
PERSONAL

Mrs. Ernest Van Dyke Sullivan, No.
1882 West -Grand-blvd., was the hos
tess of reception Wednesday after
noon.
The children of the THE Blue Bird"
company, now In the Garrick theater.
will hold reception on the stage
Thursday afternoon, for the members
OF the Junior Drama league. There
will be a program of music and adj
dresses.
Cathedral branch, No. 14S, Catholic
Knights and Ladies Of America, will
install recently elected officers, Fri
day evening. In the hall, No. 46 Grand
River-ave. There will a program OF
music and dancing and refreshments
will be served.
valentine party Will be given
Thursday evening. in the Y. w. c. A.
parlors, for association members and
their friends. under the auspices Of
the social department. A surprise
program has been arranged and re-
freshments will be served. Friday
evening. at 6:15 o'clock, the annual
banquet OF, the Djou yeh Hwei club
will take place In the association
cafe. Mrs. III. M. McCandleff, OF
Hinan, China, will speak
o.
Upwards OF 81 900 was counted from
the contents of "self-deniaI" envelopes
turned in by the members of the First
Baptist church, in a meeting in the
church house, Tuesday evening. The
money will be devoted to missions.
Part OF the evening program consisted
Of an amusing playlet called Raising
the Budget" In which a number OF
types OF people who do not believe
In missions" were portrayed.
o.
The annual bali OF Detroit council,
Knights Of Columbus, will take place
Monday evening, Fec. 10, In Column
bus temple. The committee on ar
rangements Is composed OF the fol.
lowing: Thomas j. Bosquett, chair
man. John w. Kerns. Frank j. Navin,
Donal r. Calvin, Charles j. Segar,
Henry Roehrig, Frederick c. vieson,
Joseph j. Belanger, Frank III. Jansen,
Joseph Wuellmer, Jr., Joseph A. Bower
and DR.. r. l.. Girardot Every effort
will be made by the committee to
make the ball the most notable and
enjoyable of any ever given under De.
troit council auspices.
o.
Mrs. Eleanor Hazard Peocock, SO
prano, charmed a large audience in
Westminster Presbyterian church.
Tuesday evening. with brilliant rem
dition OF an unhackneyed program OF
arias and songs. Mrs. Peococks sing
ing OF One Fine Day" from Puccini's
Madame Butterfly" was SO enthusi-
astically received that she was com
PEELED to repeat II. A group OF chill
dren's songs was delightfully."- given
and brought great applause from the
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
DANCING WILL FEATURE
SCOTCH ENTERTAINMENT

Always one OF the most popular
numbers at Scotch entertainment is
the Highland dancing, and so. In the
annual Burns concert OF ST. Andrews
society, Thursday evening. in the arm
DRY. the dancing OF the MacPhail
troupe. of which little Miss Katherine
Mcleod is a feature, undoubtedly will
prove one of the best numbers on the
program.
The concert program viii present
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
ILLINOIS CITIES LOSE
FREIGHT RATE CASE

WASHINGTON. Jan. 27.-Five iii
nois cities lgin. Aurora. Batavia,
Geneva and st. Charles---were denied
their complaint against trunk line and
commodity freight rates by the inter-
state commerce commission today.
Commissioner Clements held the pres
ent rates not unduly discriminatory.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
OLD SOLDIER ENDS HIS
LIFE IN PIGSTY

GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. Jan. 81
Especially William Hurd. SO years
old. an inmate OF the soldiers home.
committed suicide by cutting his
throat with a razor. lie was unable
to shake off the drug habit. It is said.
so settled his affairs, wrote farewell
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27
CHILD'S CRIES SAVE
LIVES OF FAMILY

ANN ARBoR, Mich, Jan. 27.-(Spe
cial. Awakened from a sound sleep
by the cries OF his four-year-old son,
Frank Ryan, OF this city. found the
house filed with coal gas. He res.
cued his wife, roomer and four chill
dren just In time to save their lives.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-27

learn any real war news, every source
OF news In Europe being rigidly cen
so, ed. A few weeks ago the mother
OF The Missess Sanders died. the sad
fact being kept from them until their
arrival IN their own home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
Important Bank Consolidat ton

The official announcement of the consolidation of the Jefferson County bank and the Merchants and Mechan- ics Savings Bank and Trust company under the name of the former, will be read with wide interest. It is a good thing for both institutions. It is stated that the combined resources of the two banks is over $2,000, ,000, not including the Jefferson's 25-story building.
 w. A., Porter, who has been presi- dent of the Merchants and Mechanics ever since it was founded, becomes chairman of the board of the Jeffer- son County bank, and A. E. Jackson, president of the Jefferson, remains in that position Al c. Garber becomes one of the assistant cashiers of the Jefferson. They are all popular men and bankers to the core.
 The Jefferson was strong before, but it is stronger now, of course, and its popularity as great financial in stitution will be materially increased
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
Under Five-Commissioner Plan

The people of Birmingham have voted for the five-commissioner plan
 While the majority was not large, it
 shows that the people want prac-
 tical commission and that they want at least one or two men on it who are versed in the science of practical city government. They want also chief commissioner who will be primarily responsible for the acts of the com mission. This commissioner is given the veto power and his veto can only be annulled by the unanimous vote of the other four commissioners. The chairman, therefore, becomes the re. sponsible head and all acts rest upon him.
 George Ward, as chairman of the present commission of three, will be chairman of the commission of five MT. Ward is an able, honest and con- scientious worker in the commission As it has been organized there has been division and, as the majority ruled, the game of politics has been played. In the new commission there cannot be so much politics.
 It is, however, incumbent upon the voters of Birmingham to think care fully and act wisely in the selection of two additional members of the board Practical men of business ability-men who have been success ful in their own business affairs should be selected.
 Let us all get together and act wise ly and well in the selection of these men.
 Some man of the type of Harry Wheelock, who knows Birmingham from it's foundation upwards, would be wise selection. MT. Wheelock is no politician and, so far as The Age Herald knows, the subject has never been mentioned to him. But it would be well for the people to consider him or man of his practical good sense and business ability.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
Oil as Fuel

The time is coming rapidly when oil will have supplanted coal almost entirely in going commerce, as we'll as in battleships. Writing in the North American Review for October, Chester Floyd says: "The public has not realized the steps already taken by the great naval powers to prepare for the shift to oil as fuel for their battleships. All the battleships of the American navy built in the last eight years use oil for fuel; eight use it as xn auxiliary to coal, four use it ex- clusively. The dreadnaughts Okla. homa and Nevada use oil exclusively and forty-one of cur destroyers, built or building, use oil fuel only"
 Coaling stations are being replaced by oiling stations and the government has had to increase the storage facili ties for, oil by constructing tanks al Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: Melville, R. l.. Norfolk, Va; Charleston, s. C., anc Key Wet, Fla. Five tanks are alst
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12

Where were the traces of her earIJ cares, her sufferings and fatigues? All gone. Sorrow was dead indeed in her| but peace and perfect happiness wer{ born, imaged in her tranquil beauty and profound repose.
 And still her former self lay there, unl altered in this change. Yes. The old reside had smiled upon that same sweet face; it had passed like dream through haunts of misery and care; at the doo{ of the poor schoolmaster on the summe evening, before the furnace fire upon thd cold. wet night, at the still bedside o{ the dying boy, there had been the sand mild, lovely look. So shall we know th@ angels in their majesty, after death
 The old man held one languid arm ir| his and had the small hand tight folded to his breast for warmth It was witl| her last smile; the hand that had led
 him on through all their wanderings Eve} and anon he pressed it to his lips, ther| hugged it to his breast again, murmur{ ing that it was warmer now; and as h( said it. he looked in agony to those wh@ stood around as if imploring them to helII her.
 She was dead and past all help, or need of it. The ancient rooms she had seemed
 to fill with life, even while her own wa : waning fast, the garden she had tended the eyes she had gladdeneu, the noiseles} haunts of many thoughtless hour. th@ paths she had trodden as it were but yesterday, could know her no more.
 Tt is not" said the schoomaster. a. he bent down to kiss her on the cheel
 and give his tears free vent, it is mol oil earth that heavens justice ends Thinl
 what it is compared with the world td
 which her young spirit has winged it ' early flight and say, if one deliberate wis : expressed in solemn terms above this be{
 could call her back to life, which of u4 would utter it?''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
LIVELY COMPETITION

From the Montevallo Advertiser.
 MT. o. E. Young, representing the Bir- mingham Age-Hera'd, was in town th,s week. He Is trying to prevent the Mon- tevallo Advertiser from getting to be T bigger and better newspaper than the big Birmingham daily. and has therefore lately added some very attractive features to the only daily paper in Alabama which has enough religion to say it's prayers. and which also breaches sermon for you every Sunday morning at the breakfas S. table. The Age e-Heralds wonderful TO- togravure section alone is worth the sup- scription price of the paper. We must admit that it is going to be a hard strug- gle to get ahead of our Birmingham, brother, but every one knows Montc- va'lo has more room to grow in, better water to drink, purer air to breathe, and finer coal to burn than our contempor- ary's town, and as this town grows the Advertiser doesn't propose to go to sleep
 Now, if The Age-Herald had merely in- tended to keep ahead of our dear grand ma, the Montgomery Advertiser, it would have tackled an easier job. But we are too young and hopeful-and our patrons too loyal-to think any paper this sice of the stars can stay in our lead
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12

being constructed at Guantanamo Cuba. The combined capacity of al these tanks is 3,s90,O00 gallons. The rapid increase in the use of oil as fuel is shown by the fact that the navy consumed 14,140,714 gallons of oil ir 1912, as compared with only 7,77S,657 gallons in the previous year. That part of the fleet which at present burns oil would require 2S,000 tons to keep it in active service for one month.
 The British admiralty has an- nounced that all British warships to be built in the future will burn oil exclusively. MT. Floyd thinks this ac- tion will be followed by other naval powers. It can thus be seen that the worlds oil supply will in years to come be an important factor of inter- national politics and of warfare, if this afflicted sphere should again be bathed in blood. The United States will never suffer any shortage in it's own oil supply, but it is predicted that the designs of other nations on the Caribbean oil resources may again test the efficacy of the Monroe doctrine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12

Bids were recently opened at the navy department for six of the largest torpedo boat destroyers yet designed for the United States navy. The vessels will cost not over 1925. 900 each. exclusive of arma- ment. Improvements in the new destroy CTS will be made to overcome the defects brought out in similar craft by the Flu ropean war. They will also differ ma terially in appearance from their prede- cessors, having instead of a foreca stle forward flush deck from stem to stern. They will carry four four-inch rapid fir ing guns, two one-pounder anti-aircraft guns and four triple torpedo tubes. The tubes will be arranged in groups of three tubes to each battery in a row of four batteries along the center line of the mair deck The destroyers will be BIO feet long, with a beam of % feet inches; a draft of 8 feet and displacement of 1125 tons. They will have turbine engines and burn oil fuel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
Illiteracy in Alabama Disappearing

The legislature recently adjourned was sharply criticized for a great many of it's acts, and justly so, but there is general agreement among thinking people that the education measures it adopted bills in all--were of the far-reaching con- structive sort and will prove of in- estimable value to the public school system of the state.
 If nothing more had been done for the rural schools than the passage of the local tax amendment the cause of education would have been greatly ad- vanced, but every one of the twenty enactments is in the line of progress. Next in importance to the proposed amendment to the constitution giving the voters of counties and school dis tricts the right to levy special taxes for school purposes was the creation of the illiteracy commission.
 The tax amendment will not be sub- mitted to the people of the state until November of next year, and the new law will scarcely bear fruit for year or two thereafter, but the friends of education are heartened by the fact that the necessary legislation has be- come reality. Already good results are in evidence by mere anticipation. The illiteracy commission lost no time in organizing and getting to work. The very prospect of increased school revenues has filled volunteer teachers with enthusiasm and the poor children of hitherto neglected communities are now being taught without cost to any one, save the self-sacrifice of willing workers who are cooperating so cor dially with the illiteracy commission.
 Alabama's percentage of illiteracy has been very high, only three states in the union having higher percent ages-Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi. According to the census report of 1910 the percentage of il- literacy in population ten years of age and over in this state was 22.9. It has been considerably reduced since then and with the continued activities of the state department of education, the Alabama Educational association and the illiteracy commission illiter- aey within the next five years will be near the vanishing point.
 The colleges of Alabama are being better patronized this fall than ever and the entire educational profession < is pulsating with new energy and striving for higher achievement; all which means better and greater Alabama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-12
DEATH OF LITTLE NELL

Charles Dickens in the Old Curiosity Shop. drawn back toward the inner - chamber while these words were spoken. He pointed there. as he re- piled, with trembling lips:
 You plot among you to wean my heart from her. You will never do that. Never while I have life. I have no relative or friend but her. I never had; I never will have. She is all in all to me. It Is too late to part us now"
 Waving them off with his hand and calling softly to her as he went, he stole into the room. They who were left be- hind drew close together, and after a few whispered words, not unbroken by en otion or easily uttered, followed him. They moved so gently that their foot steps made no noise, but there were sobs from among the group and sounds of grief and mourning.
 For she was dead. There upon her lit tie bed she lay at rest. The solemn still ness was no marvel now.
 She was dead. No sleep so beautiful and calm, so free from trace of pain, so fa.r to look upon. She seemed crea- ture fresh from the hand of God and waiting for the breath of life; not one who had lived and suffered death.
 Her couch was dressed with here and there some winter berries and green leaves gathered in a spot she had been used to favor. When I die, put near me something that has loved the light and had the sky above it always" Those were her words.
 She was dead. Dear, gentle, patient, noble Nell was dead. Her little bird-a poor, slight thing the pressure of a finger would have crushed-was stirring nimbly in it's cage and the strong heart of its forever