davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

the "gentle reader" there is no reason why anyone should wish to abandon the book before completing it. Jones is a most engaging character, the lovely Sophia is surely paragon among women, and as for the two squires, Allworthy. and Western, there are surely no more admirably drawn types of English character in literature. Partridge is a droll fellow and his escapades are mirth-provok- ing. His comments on performance of Hamlet" by David Garrick are alone worth the price of admission" which is in this case the necessity of reading the novel. Perhaps if Mr. Marquis had read little more of "Tom Jones" than he says he has read, he would have been less willing to lay it down.
 As for "Don Quixote," the un- abridged work is rather fatiguing, yet it is safe to assume that he who familiarizes himself with the adven- lures of the gallant knight and his squire will never regret the effort it cost him. "The Vicar of Wakefield" falls into the category of books that some people like and some don't, without the least disparagement to their literary taste. Perhaps Boswell shares a similar fate, although it is possible to find his work vastly en- tertaining without being suspected of literary insincerity."
 It is obviously impossible for every one, even lovers of books, to esteem equally all the books that are &C., knowledged to be great. Browning is a fruitful source of literary insin- cerity" and Walt Whitman is another. A great many people will agree with MT. Marquis in his estimate of Whit man, who created very little real poetry and viewed strictly as poet is at the other erd of the scale when compared to Dante, whose very gran deur puts us to sleep.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
KING PETER LANDS SOFTLY

palace, with it's extensive gardens, ornal mented with sculpture and cascades.
 The Dukes of Sermoneta owned tht property formerly, and Charles III bought it from them. The palace dates iron. the middle of the eighteenth century, anq is in a good state of repair. Nearby ard interesting ruins of the old Caserta pail ace, built by the Lombards in the eighth century, some of its messy walls and bastions still upstanding upon coml manding hill site.
 King Peter had contemplated adbical tion and 8 quite private life in his del clining years, before the war broke outl He would have revisited his old haunt] about Geneva, where he lived modestly y had not been interrupted. He gets q considerable promotion as a martyr soy ereign provided with an Italian palacd sufficiently splendid to suit f1ambuoyanj Indian rajah. AS he had been arranging to be financially comfortable after ab| dication, he has, of course, an incoms sufficient to pay a corps of flunkies comI mensurate with the size and splendor oil the palace.
 It is hard to read a moral in the story of the old adventurer. He came to his throne as a result of double murder irI the royal palace at Belgrade. He maJ end his days as well lodged and attended as a majority of the sovereigns of Eu1 rope, honored as a victim of injustice, hid crimsoned pathway by the world~in con- temptation of the Seryian catacIysrn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
"ISN,T IF LOVELY."
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 Miss Elsie Ferguson objects to the eX- pression, Isn't it lovely" She defines it as "a pet phrase used with equal em- phasis about a baby. Q new hat, a box of candy, a magnificent view or beef steak" She might have added "a play or an actress" for nowhere is one privileged to hear more that is trite and silly than in the foyer of a theatre. The "Anti- Ain't society,"" which, like many other admirable things, comes to us from the suffrage west, would do well to correct the lovely" but insipid habit that is playing havoc alike with matrondom and fiapperdom. The "Anti-Aints'' might try to suppress the excessive and indiscrimi- nate use of wonderful and grand Peaches" and ''pippins,' some class and good night are expressions that seem to have died popular death brought on by overwork. Not. so with the superlatives. They finger. possibly to label, for the convenience of those who care for the English language. those who are too lazy or shallow to speak better than they think.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
TiresOme Classics

Don Marquis, formerly an Atlanta newspaper man, whose column in the New York Sun is widely quoted, has recently confessed his inability to ap- preciate certain classical works that practically everyone pretends to have read with more or less enjoyment. MT. Marquis mentions Tom Jones' Dante's Divine Comedy" "The Vicar of Wakefield" Don Quixote," John- son Boswell's and Walt Whitman's verse. He says he has tried to read these works time and again, but usually abandoned the attempt in despair before he had made any con- siderable progress.
 Now, the Divine Comedy" par ticularly the latter part of it, is pret- ty dry reading. Only the highest of the highbrows can wade through ii with any degree of satisfaction, and it is doubtful if they are as deeply in terested as they pretend to be. How ever, "Tom Jones" is horse of an other color. It is true that the style is quaint and suited and apt to prove wearisome at times to modern read CT, but with little judicious skip ping, which Fielding himself grants
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
A CHINESE LUNCHEON

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This is what a Chinese nobleman who recently entertained an American at his home called a lunch:
 Boiled prawns in oil.
 Bits of pork chops.
 Preserved eggs, with ducks gizzards.
 Ducks flyers.
 Boiled ham in wee bits.
 Boiled pork, kidneyed.
 Boiled pork, tongues and roast; cutie fish.
 Boiled pigeon eggs and bird nest soup
 Boiled crabs and shellfish.
 Boiled fish fins and rice cakes.
 Fried mushrooms and duck tongues.
 Fried roofs of the mouths of pigs.
 Boiled fairy rice.
 Cooked webbed feet of ducks Fried wings of fowl. Lily seed soup. Almond tea and sweet cakes. Chicken soup and salted cake. Sweetmeats and jellies. Mincemeat cakes. Fruit etc, with tea and watermelon and almond seeds, served in several more courses. How would you like to have your dys pepsia there some day for dinner?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
The Music Clubs Convention

The Musical Courier of New York, in it's current issue, devotes a column to the preliminary plans for the great convention of the National Federation of Music Clubs, to be held in Bir- mingham in April, 1917. The article is featured with large headlines and is sure to attract the attention of the Courier's wide clientele.
 Letters from President George B Ward of the city commission, Presi- dent Crawford Johnson of the Cham Der of Commerce, officers of the Music Study club and Gov. Charles Henderson. extending a cordial invi- tation to the national federation t6 meet here, were sent to the executive committee in November and the Courier prints them in full.
 It is expected that several thou sand people will attend the conven- ton. Birmingham is amply provided with hotels. The only thing now needed to accommodate a vast crowd is an auditorium. As something like a years time will be required for the erection of such a structure, steps should be taken early in 1916 fo1 starting this work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
Christmas and the Orphans

Of Birmingham's many charity institutions the orphanage at East Lake makes its special appeal to the generous public at Christmas-tide.
 During the year the home, in charge of Sisters of Charity, has cared for ITO children, and the number there on December l was 113. Its work is undenominational and the well-to-do people of this community, irrespective of creed, have found joy in contribut- ing to the pleasure of the little ones at this glad season.
 Donations of clothing and other articles that can be utilized at the orphanage are requested, and it is hoped the response will be, as it has been in previous years, prompt ane liberal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
A MODERN CLEoN

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Our legions of readers with a classical bent cannot have missed being reminded, by an enterprise now in progress, of the case of Cleon, that celebrated captain of the locomotive industry who flourished at Athens in the fifth century B. c. By means of cheap processes adopted in his tannery, which covered we have forgot ten how many acres, he amassed a for tune, and made it possible for every Athenian to have sandals for his feet and a saddle for his horse at the cost of few oboli, as the jitneys of the coinage in that era were called. Heretofore, these luxuries had been attainable only by per- sons of means.
 In the year APO the civilized world was at war, the chief opponents being the maritime empire of Athens and those an- cient opponents of efficiency and Kultur, the Spartans. Things had gone i'll with the Athenians on all fronts; and in partic- ular an army of Spartans had dug them selves in on the island of Sphaceteria, from which it seemed impossible to dis lodge them.
 Up rose Cleon in the Aeropagus He submitted that the politicians and gen. erals were great fools, without the slight est idea of how things should be run If he had followed their principles. the fed erals courts would already have placed his tannery in the hands of a receiver. If the Athenans would give him charge of their affairs, he was ready to engage, on his honor as practical business man. that he would get the Spartans out of their trenches before Christmas.
 The aristocrats derided him as jester, buffoon and clown, but the wearers of his leather rallied and voted to give him command of an expedition against Sphac- teria It was the maddest adventure in history, save one; and the very maddest thing about 1t was that, within the ap- pointed time, Cleon came sailing back, his promise kept to the letter. He had not only got the Spartans out of their trenches, but to prove it, brought them with him as prisoners of war.
 Cleons idea, that the best way to obtain peace is to wallop your enemy, may not obtain countenance today in certain De- troit circles, but the instance is cited as proving there is no undertaking so pre- posterous and insane that it has no chance of ful1llment in this amazing world
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
REBEL YELL OBSOLET

From the Rochester Democrat and
 Chronicle.
 Very few people in the north, and prob- ably far from a majority in the south, will be greatly impressed by the determi- nation of the Daughters of the Confed- eracy to preserve the old "rebel yell' on photographic records for the enlight- enment of posterity. The ethical reasons for this desire are not especially con- vincing. The men who used the so- called rebel yell as a battle cry are now mostly in the sere and yellow leaf For physical reasons their reproduction of the slogan would have little of the origi- nal vigor. Besides ,the time has come when it is desirable to remove the preju- dices which maintained sectional feeling The better feeling was eXemplified a few weeks ago when an eloquent North Caro- lima man, responding at a Rochester banquet to the toast, "The South's Place in the Sum- declared with emphasis: "The south wants no place in the sun which is not shared by this united coun- try"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

From the Louisville Courier-J ournal. IT/ ING PETER of Servia, according to W Rome dispatch to the Matin or A A Paris, will accept asylum in Italy and will take advantage of the Italian government offer of the palace at Cas- erta as place of residence.
 The palace of Caserta is one of the familiar sights of Naples. It is huge pile some 800 feet in it's largest dimen- sion and more than 100 feet high, which was built by Vanvitelli for Charles III of travertine brought from point near Capura- The palace has been severely condemned by critics of architecture as being ostentatious and vulgar, represent ing an outlay of money rather than taste, in its exterior aspects. But there is no disputing the beauty of its great staircase lined with Iumachello, the fam ous fire marble" from Trapani. If it's chapel, replendent with lapis-lazuli and gliding, is vulgarly gorgeous 1t Is at any rate gorgeous enough to meet anyone s demand Its private theatre, with 40 boxes in addition to the royal box," as guides and guide books boast, strikes the personally conducted tourist" dumb with amazement at the grandeur of a royal domicile.
 A part of the financial hard luck of used palaces, the residences of former Italian sovereigns. One of the most ex- pensive Of these has been the Caseta
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
Victory for Kitchener

The supersedlng of Sir John French bv General Sir Douglas Haig as com mander of the expeditionary force Tn France will. to the students of the war. assume special significance ln the light of the contest that has been raging for fifteen years between Sir John and Earl Kitchener. So far the earl has taken every trick and with his latest it seems that Sir John goes into the discard.
 While the grasp of the Eenglish censor has been rigid, whispers ot the conduct of Sir John French toward Earl Kitchener, of his slothfulness Tn pressing his advantages, his blunder at Charleroi, his mistakes in Flanders, which proved costly to Great Britain, and his inability to associate in loyal tv to himself the commanders under him. have come to America. Sir John, it was said, thought more of oustlng Kitchener from the cabinet than he did of putting the Germans out ot France. Consequently his recall to England is signal victory tor Kitchener and also an indication that the allies may be planning the long delayed drive in the west when spring comes.
 It can be done if shells are to be had in sufficient quantity. The French showed this at the battle of the Champagne, and with Lloyd George looking after war supplies in England the munitions output of that country has more than trlpled. France, too, is ready. And it will not be costly of life, as French losses at the Champagne were insignificant.
 General Sir Douglas Haig is one of the fighters who saved the British army in covering the retreat from Mons. Sir Horace Smith O"'wien the commander of the other division, refused to serve further under Sir John French and gave pn his com uand and returned to England. He Is now in command in South Africa Sir Douglas is of the newer school of strategists and as commander of the British may develop into the long expected Napoleon, which, it was pre- dicted, the war would develop. A least he is younger, more a""'"essivt and more experienced in handling men than was Sir John French and th' change cannot but be for the better for the allies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
Republicans Getting Together

The republican leaders are now mak- ing active efforts to bring the progress sives back to the old party. and I be- lieve they will succeed" said W. J. saXe of Philadelphia. T voted for Roosevelt in 1912, and hope that I may have the opportunity of voting for him again in 1916 as the republican nominee. I had been g. republican voter since 1896, but I bolted last time If all the progressives feel as I do now they will come back to the regular organization and stay with the party I never did feel quite right outside the fold.
 q think the Chicago convention will nominate either Roosevelt or Burton. Justice Hughes would make a strong candidate. He would certainly be ac- ceptable to the progressives, but he will not allow the use of his name"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The British crown has annexed the El- South sea and by so doing has directed attention to one of the most remarkable islands in the world This is Ocean Island, which lies about 200 miles west of the Gilberts, but has been classed with them since 1901 It is famous for it's im- mense deposits of high-grade phosphate of lime, which are readily converted into fertilizer and are being worked by the Pacific Phosphate company, with head quarters in London. Ocean Island has been twice submerged and but for these geological catastrophes which permitted the waters of the Pacific to bring about certain chemical changes in the guano deposits they would have no commercial value The Gelberts had been under Brit ish protection since 1892 The islands are traversed by the equator and although small in area, they are densely populated. In total area of not more than TO square miles there are more than 34,0O0 natives. Fifty years ago the South Sea Islands were ruthlessly exploited by white adventurers, and these natives were mo- toriously cruel. Since then they have been Christianized by missionaries. Many of them can read and write English. They are considered among the most ex- pert fishermen in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
PROGRESS
From Life.

From Life.
 The moving pictures having at length totally eliminated the regular drama, it no longer became necessary for actors to know how to use their voices. As the stage was the only place where the av- craze person could learn how to talk properly, which, even under these con- ditions, was not much of an art, it died out altogether. Thus people used ges- ticulation to convey what ideas they had In the course, of time men became mon- keys once more, but experienced con- siderable inconvenience, as all the trees had been cut down. There were, how ever, the ruins of many tall buildings still left, upon the roofs of which they did the best they could.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
WHAT SASKATCHEWAN IS DOING

From the Kansas City star.
 The province of Saskatchewan, Can ada, is trying an experiment in partial prohibition. Three months ago it abol- ished 450 licensed bars in the province and substituted for them 23 government dispensaries. No one who has ever been in the liquor business before can work in a dispensary. The official dispensers are instructed not to promote business. Dispensaries are open only in daytime. All sales are in sealed packages, and all are recorded.
 Following the closing of the 450 sa- looms there has been noticed d great decrease in drunkenness and crime. In Regina there were 5S arrests for drunk enness as compared with 249 in the corresponding period year ago. The decrease in Moose Jaw was from 29i to "A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
Farmers in Good Condition

T spent last week in Georgia and the week before in South Carolina, and was glad to hear encouraging reports from the agricultural districts" said M. T. Bridges of Baltimore
 "The farmers. acting on the advice of financiers, have been marketing their cot ton gradually and have been getting high prices. Many of them have good DOT tion of their cotton still on hand, and they will probably get 13 or fl cents for it.
 ''The south produced more foodstuff this year than ever before, and l am told that the farmers are now in un- usuall good shape"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
OUT OF ROME

By Clinton Scollard.
 Out of Rome they march as when Scipio led his serried men.
 While the, cry of Viva! Viya!' Rings again and yet again. They, in dreams of high desire. Housing them to holy ire,
 On the Capitolian altars Have beheld the vestal fire. Rear and vanguard, first and last They have caught the virile, vast, Emulous centurion ardor From some legion of the past. Win they laurel wreath or rue. We must feel that this is true,
 That the ancient Roman valor Thrills through Italy anew!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

BEGINNING THE DAY--Grant me today. 0 God, a hopeful spirit. May expect much of myself, because l nm Thine. May I expect much or men, because they arc Thine. NH! | expect much of the world, because if Is Thine. May I> rejoice in hope' because Thou art in Thy heaven. Tn 11hrist,s name. Amen.-H. M. ID.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Gadsden Journal: When in Birmingham watch your step-and your pocketbook.
 Lineville Headlight: Cotton is still king in the south, but our people are giving more and more attention to diversified farming, and it is the verdict of one and all that it pays to do so.
 New Decatur Advertiser: Birmingham wants to amend the constitution so that she can levy and collect more money for the running of the big Alabama city. The people of the state should make it unani- nous.
 St. Clair County News: We are not safe from bombs on Pullman cars, but the av- craze county newspaper editor will not become alarmed as to his personal safety so long as they drop on that part of the train.
 Troy Messenger: And you begin to hear of plans to put in peanut mills in various towns in Alabama. Peanut industry is bound to grow. Many people can remem- Der, before the cotton seed oil business was developed, that farmers and gn- ners used to scrap about whose unpleas- ant duty it was to haul off those trouble some seed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
HOTEL LOBRIES
Brisk Holiday Trade

Improved business conditions are well reflected in the holiday trade" said Sol Caheen. This time last year depression prevailed throughout the country, but it is very different now.
 This district has been enjoying a great deal of industrial prosperity since early in the fall, and the retail merchants are sharing in it. Business in our store has been brisk right along, but it is exceptionally fine at this time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Now comes the Washington correspon- dent of The Age-Herald with the an- nouncement that the half has not been told about Mrs. Wilson's attractive per SOnality
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Busy days at the railway express off, fees, where long lines of anxious citi- zens await their turn to receive a pack age of .Met'' goods.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

A one-toed horse is exciting the scen- lists of Michigan, evidence that all the Michigan scientists are not engaged in 1 the automobile business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

If there is a referendum on Sunday moving pictures the matter will at least be settled one way or the other, and that will be a relief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

When advised by his doctors to seek rest and quie, King Constantine of Greece probably wished with all his heart that he could do so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

After reading an enthusiastic angler's story of catching 8 10-pound salmon, golf seems rather tame sport.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Late developments indicate that the "hyphenates' are still more or less or the job.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The bull moose convention could be held at Oyster Bay without taxing the
 hotel accommodation there
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The mayor of Chicago says he is going to "clean up" the police department, if he loses his life. He's more apt to lose his job at the next election.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The democratic nomination for Presi- dent will be an acceptable wedding pres.
 ent for Woodrow Wilson
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

According to the veracious press agent,
 | smell of the desert
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The allies are anxiously waiting to see where the Teuts will strike next. No fear of knockout, however.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Holland is neutral and has 100000 men under arms to insure her remaining in statu quo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The winter league is praying for peace in the baseball world before time for the practice games to begin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

A great effort Is being made to involve Captain Boy-Ed in romance with an American girl.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

The President has decided to spend his honeymoon where he will be within easy
 reach of the capital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20
Washington bureau. POT Hibbs build

Washington bureau, POT Hibbs build ing.
 European bureau, Henrietta street. Covent Garden, London.
 Eastern business office, Rooms 48 to so, inclusive, Tribune building, New York city: western business ot1lce, Tribune building, Chicago. The 5. C. Beckwith Special Agency. agents for eign advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-20

Where there is 80 much smoke there
 must be some fire. The situation in In-
 dia is not entirely satisfactory to Great Britain