davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
DID YOU KNOW TIT

From the St. Louis Globe Democrat
 Do you play eards-for the pure joy of winning. now that we have developed such respect for the law that nobody everl plays for money? If you do play cards, i, does it ever happen that you are pursue d by a run of fiendish bad luck? And is lt your custom, when ruiiaas staring you in| the face, to get up and walk around your, chair, from left to right. with the hope oy| breaking your luck?" Do you know whv| you walk around your chair from left tol right? You will probably say it is an old8 gamblers superstition. Yes, it is that N but the gambler got it from a source ,,| ancient and impressive that 1t is well| worth considering
 In practically all the Oriental religionsI there Is devotional ceremony which cor-| responds to the Hindu ceremony known| as the Pradakshina. which consists od| walking around some sacred object with, the right shoulder kept constantly iowa rd| the object. The motion is that of the hands on the face of the clock. It is.aIsoI the motion of the sun around the earth. as the observer stands facing the south This reference to the sun gives a hint of the faraway origin of the sperstitio, In many parts of Europe there is stiI, the custom of lighting fires on St. John eve, and these fires always assume tn. form of g burning globe or circle. torches being whirled, from left to right. to Ioo}2 like noop of fire. This is Christia survival of ancient sun worship whsn the fiery orb was the only deity known n mankind. Hence, when you walk around your chair to change your luck, you are i. heather propitiating the sun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
BASEBALL HOLDS ITS OWN


 'Is baseball losing its grip?" is a question which has been put to me. No. is the answer. The national pastime is more popular than ever, Is being fol- lowed each year by an ever-increasing number of fans, and. slowly, but sure ly. is being taken up by lovers of things athletic in almost every civil ized country. But there Is no denying the fact that during the latter part of 1914 and early in the present season the patronage at the major league ball parks fell below expectations, and thei e also is no doubt that this was in con rope. which. with its attendant slaugh- ter of hundreds of thousands of human beings spread a cloud of sorrow over the entire world. However, the races in the National and American leagues have continued so close week after week this year that all of the old time interest among the rooters has been rekindled, and such teams as appear to have a chance to capture the flags in their respective organizations are drawing great crowds to their ball parks. At present it looks as if three clubs in the Johnson outfit will continue in the pennant fight, while any one of half a dozen in the Tener league may cap ture the coveted trophy. As long as this condition continues baseball will more than hold its own in spite of the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
A REAL SPORT.

I A REAL SPORT. Them city fellers is pretty slick. but they can't fool me- said Hiram Way packer. They couldn't interest you in any of | their skin games eh?'' T should say not! Two O them of fered ter show me tn only German sub marine in captivity. flaw! Hawl
 And what did you say to that?"
 T told 'em ter git out tn shells an the pea. an I'd made one guess jest Ger keep 'em from beIn' lonesome"
 CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN Ever hear anything from Joe Cadger these days?"
 Nothing directly, but he seems to be making good where he is."
 'I'm glad to hear that Been promoted yetG"
 No, but I understand the warden is going to make him trusty next week." A TICKLISH PROBLEM
 Its hard to think up something to write on post card"
 Why not dash off little pleasantly and let it go at that?"
 But I cant afford to be facetious I'm writing to my wife and she'll think I'm having too good a time"
 RESPONSIVE.
 All hail the lowly ''Jitn.s.,e
 s A power inl,he land, are s.ss Which always stops to take us on.s When we lift up hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
From the Pittsburg Post.

From the P1ttSDurS HOSt.
 NNE cannot help thinking that many plants are unnecessary
 O brutal in some of the methods
 which have been adopted It is, of course. well known that a certain i.um-
 Der of species find it needful to capture
 insects in order that they may supple
 ment their supply of nitrogenous food In
 most of the schemes the unhappy victim
 is doomed to undergo the torture of a
 lingering death. Very rarely is the insect killed at once. First of all let us con
 slider the case of the Darlington, a plant
 which usually catches winged insects. The flies are lured by honey secretions to en- ter the hooded process at the top of the
 pitcher-like leaf This they do by means of an opening on the under side The
 whole of the upper portion of the hood is covered with transparent patches, like so many windows. Now when the fly wishes to leave he naturally flies upward toward the light which streams down through these windows. The real open ins is hidden in the shade of the under
 part, and passes unnoticed. Thus the flies simply beat themselves to death. In a vain endeavor to escape through the trans parent places. This proceeding may ex- | tend for hours. but 1t always has one end ing. The fly falls exhausted into the
 fluid at the bottom of the pitcher and is drowned.
 | Very much the same thing happens In
 the case of the Side Saddle plant (Sarra- cenia). Here the insect is lured into the | interior of the pitcher hut the eyit at fhe
 mouth is barred by numerous sharp bris- ties which all point downward. It is almost impossible to crawl up against
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
CHANGING MANTLE OF CITIZENSHIP

From the Buffalo Evening News.
 Henry James quits his American citi- zenship in manly, straightforward way that agrees with the established Henry James standards.
 | He renounces citizenship so unlike the EAstors. who several their American re- lations after making millions on this side, frankly because our social standards do not reach their requirements. They in- vited criticism and contempt that will outlive generations. The contrast be- tween the Astors' and James official exits is marked.
 Says MT. James: T have lived and worked in England for the best part of 40 years. I feel so strongly on every thing that the war has brought into question for the Anglo Saxon peoples that humorous detachment or any other thin
 ness or tepidty of mind on the subject af-
 fects me as vulgar impiety. not to say as rank blasphemy"
 l Here is statement that every fair
 man respects. We are proud to contrib
 ute so fine a strain to England or any other country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
PLANTS SHOW BRUTALITY

these processes and, after many futile attempts, the small beetle falls back into the horrible pit beneath
 Many flies meet with peculiarly brutal deaths in connection with the Venus fly trap. In an accompanying photograph is shown capture by this plant. Here the victim was a large blue bottle fly too big specimen for the leaf to inclose The insect was captured by it's legs and held fast; meanwhile It beat it's life away in vain endeavors to escape. An even more singular case was that to be observed in the fruiting head of the Geum Here ahe fruits have small hooks, and the legs of flies are entangled in the processes. They cannot escape, and so must die misera bly. The happening is, of course. a pure acci-. dent, and the flies are of no value to the plant.
 The manner in which the dispersal of seeds is secured often involves happen ings of a peculiarly brutal nature. In the first place, let us take the case of the fruit of the Martynia,- South American plant. Here the capsule Is armed with terrific hooks, sometimes as much al five or six inches in length. These are curved Tn such a way that they seize hold of passing animals and plunge deeply into the hesh It is said that bullocks arel often driven half frantic with the painl produced by the cruel hooks Frequently the most dreadful wounds are the out come of the presence of the Martynia fruits, and the unhappy creature may not| be able to get rid of it's burden for several weeks. Of course. the final result is that the seeds of the plant receive a very wide distribution, but d large amount of need- less suffering seems to he involved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
Business ImproVing

Business conditions in Birmingham and vicinity are rapidly becoming better" re- marked E. c. Robinson, land money is . circulating more freely.
 It was indeed a great stroke for bus- ness improvement, when the Jefferson County bank opened last Monday It ls having a telling effect on the business sit uation in this district.
 The new capital which the bank has brought here has the further effect of encouraging investments. It now looks as though everyone in the city would soon be employed at some work or other"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
A Great Convention

."rhe Southern Cattlemen's associa- ton. which meets here this month August IS, 19 and 20-will be one of the most important gatherings of the year." said R. A Brown, president of the State Fair.
 Alabama is fast coming to the front as 8 cattle state and the meeting Of the Southern Cattlemen's association will greatly stimulate the interest in our comparatively new farm industry.
 "In attendance at the forthcoming meeting will be scores of prominent cattle breeders. The discussions will be ot the highest importance and the farmers hereabouts will be greatly benefited in listening to the men from other states narrate their experiences, coupled with practical suggestions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
HIS COURAGE FAILED

HIS COURAGE FAILED. Did you speak to father about me, Ar thur?"
 "Yes. did. dear, and he agreed with me heartily"
 Then he said I might marry you?' "Why-er-no. I didn't quite get to the point of asking him that. just said you were a fine girl"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
JEssIE,s SONGS
By Jean Ingelow.

By Jean Ingelow.
 When the dimpled water slippeth
 Full of laughter on its way. And her wing the wagtail dippeth
 Running by the brink at play; When the poplar leaves a-tremble
 Turn their edges to the light, And the far-up clouds resemble
 Wells of gauge most clear and white; And the sunbeams full and f1atter
 Woodland moss and branches brown, And the glossy finches chatter
 Up and down, up and down; Though the heart be not attending
 Having music of her own, On the grass, through meadows vending,
 1t is sweet to walk alone.
 When the falling waters utter
 Something mournful on their way,
 And departing swallows hutter, Taking leave of bank and brae
 When the chaffinch idly sitteth
 With her mate upon the sheaves And the wistful robin flicketh Over beds of yellow leaves; When the clouds, like ghosts that ponder Evil fate, float by and frown,
 And the listless wind doth wander Up and down, up and down; Though the heart be not attending Having sorrows of her own,
 Through the fields and fallows vending, It is sad to walk alone. IT. shoud change my allegiance for rancor If fortune changes her side? Or should I, like vessel at anchor, Turn. with the turn of the tide? Lift, oh lift. thou lowering sky, An thou wilt, thy gloom forego An thou wilt not, he and I Need not part for drifts of snow. Like daisy l was, near him growing, Must move because favors flag. And he like brown wall flower blowing Far out of reach in crag? Lift, oh lift, thou lowering sky! An thou canst, thy blue regain. An thou canst not, he and I . Need not part for drops of rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
THE LATTER PROBABILITY

From the Jacksonville Times-Union.
 The Staats-Zeitung says Germany fought s0o0,oo0 men with 100000 and won. though her soldiers were staggering on their marches with weakness and suffer- ing from starvation. Then comes Won Jagow to declare England's attempt to starve Germany a failure and to assert that she has fed herself continually and can continue to do so. Aise~we learn that the prices of food in Berlin are normal Does Germany starve her soldiers with plenty at home or does the German-Amer- ican press take Americans for ignorant fools?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

ly until every beat or district has first class school facilities, but at the rate ex-Governor Jelks' commission is working the percentage of those who cannot read will be appreciably re- duced before the tax amendment is incorporated into the constitution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
GoIL-AftnIng In Georgia

The Flndley Ridge Mining and Power company, operating at Dahlonega, Ga, IS in excellent shape and is doing profitable business said General Manager Charles Sumner, who arrived in Birmingham yes- terday for two days visit. Our output is steadily increasing and we are get ting s9.6O a ton for it. We recently struck new vein of hard quartz ore-the largest ever discovered in Georgia. l have had experience in Colorado gold mining, but I have never been connected with a con cern as promising as the one I am now managing.
 The whole country has entered upon t great era of prosperity. Birmingham was
 dull when I was here in the spring, but 1t is very different now. Everything seems to be ripe for bis boom in this district" :"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
SIZING UP FATHER.

SIZING UP FATHER. Mother, is my father the greatest man in the world?'
 No, indeed, my dear.' But he's greater man than George Washington, isn't he?' Certainly not. Why are you asking SC many foolish questions this morning?'' T was just wondering why you ever married him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

BEGINNIN THE DAY--Isaiah says Israel shall bc like watered garden. Some people hammer so much on what they call the funda- mcntals that they never see the flowers and the fruits of life. Come away from the seed store and the fertilizer factory occasionally into the garden. Fragrance and beauty arc Fundamentals aIsO.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
UNAVOIDABLE.

q believe you are the same man who was here about a year ago." said the housewife.
 Maybe so, num-" replied the tramp. 'I was in these parts,''
 And you haven't found any work to do yet?''
 "Only what was wished on me, mum,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Violations of neutrality are common among all nations in time of war. During the war of 1872 the American privateer General Armstrong was boarded by an expedition from British men of war in the neutral harbor of Fayal in the Azores, says writer in the New York Herald. Fayal was at that time and is now Por- Etuguese territory. During the American civil war the Confederate States cruiser Florida was boarded and captured in the neutral harbor of Bahia, Brazil Brazil demanded the return of the Florida and the federal government consented, but the ship was rammed and sunk in Hampton Roads, just as it was ready to depart. In the present Europe4n war violations mon that they scarcely attract any at tention. These violations began with the invasion. of Belgium and Luxemburg by German troops. The first violation of neutrality by the British was the sinking of the German armed commerce destroyer Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse in the neutral waters of Rio del Orc on the west coast of Africa, under the contgol of Spain Great Britain has been guilty of numer- ous violations of neutrality, while the Russians attacked the German mine layer Albatross in neutral Swedish waters. Both Japan and Turkey have broken the laws of neutrality, Japans treatment of China being a most fragrant case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
A Fine Clim ate

Birmingham climat tic conditions can not fail to make a good impression upon northern visitors said w J. Saunders of Philadelphia. "I spent several days here winter before last and was delighted with the weather. This Is the first time [ have visited Birmingham in the sum- mer and I find the temperature very pleasant, indeed. Notwithstanding the fact that the thermometer has registered high recently. there have been no heat prostrations. In New York and Philadel- phia there are many deaths from sun- stroke when the mercury reaches 90. In the far south the temperature frequently gets up to 100, but heat prostrations are aTfost unknown. I am told that only two persons have died in Birmingham from sunstrol1e within the past 20 years. Yes, 1 like the southern climate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
ALABAMA PRESS

Alexander City Outlook: The man who makes his living at home never fears the boil weevil or financial panic. because he Is fortified against them.
 Attalla Herald: Life is just one good thing after another in this county. It don't seem any time since we thought hog jaw and turnip greens were the finest things on earth and now we have water melons. roasting ears and peaches and cream.
 Marion County News: Fruits and vege- tables, corn and oats must be distribu- ted quickly the man who raises them will lose all the profit out of such crops. Railroads are essential for the farmer to market his crops, and he should give the small-bore politician to understand that no more harassing of railroads goes.
 Opelika Daily News: Don't let up in the campaign for divershcation. We must not think of going back to cotton. The acreage next year should be cut in half by all means.
 Sylacauga Advance: Aside from presl- dential booms, the San Francisco fair of fers a variety of ttractions.-Age-Her- aid.
 But nothing that appeals to us like the attractions that will be offered at the Talladega County fair, which will be held in this city during October
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

It is bad enough for Uncle Sam to have controversies to adjust with Germany and Great Britain, without having con tinuous disturbance going on at his back door
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
GOVERNMENT AT so4 PER HEAD

From the Boston Herald.
 To what extent is the high cost of living due to the high cost of government in this country? Many people have had an idea that close relationship existed between the two but accurate figures to establish their contention have not hither- to been available. Now. however, the United States bureau of the census has made careful study of taxpayers bur dens in all parts of the country, based upon federal, state and municipal expendi- lures for the year 1913.
 The result will surely prove impress sive to those who give 1t even a moments reflection. The 97,Ooo,O00 people of this country paid in taxes of all kinds during that year approximately s3,oOo, 900 900. Fed eral expenditures figured out about $10 per head of population; state expenditures less than half that amount. Municipal ex- penditures, on a per capita basis. were every where far larger than both of these put together In the 100 largest cities of the United States they amounted to near 1y $40 per head of population, which rep resents a striking increase over the figures of 10 years ago.
 Plating these simple figures together, then, we have an accurately reckoned cost of government in this country amounting to about $54 per capita, or roughly $270 per family, so far as those who dwell in cities are concerned. In the family bud gets of our large communities this is a sizable sum per annum. The fact that most of it comes out of the workers pay envelope indirectly. through higher rents and prices, is the thing that blinds his eyes to it's existence. Yet there it is, in unimpeacha ble census figures-not only grim reality but the largest single ob- stacle in the path of the wage-earner when he strives to make both ends meet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

The invention of a respirator 100 per cent more efficient than any now in use is reported. The modern soldier finds it ca sler to cope with shells than asphyx- iating gas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Colonel Roosevelt announces that he will not return to the republican party and, strange to say,sthe G. O. P. elephant is not wearing crape
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

War correspondents assure us that Great Britain is at last awake. Lord North cliffe seems to have tolled the bell and the bell told the people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Champion Willard no doubt finds circus life more conducive to health than the confinement of stuffy theatres.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
WANTED BADLY

From the Charleston News and Courier.
 Russia's lack of munitions proves that what she needs is a Lloydski Georgeo' witch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Calling tho Japs the Germans of the orient" is compliment in one way and then again in another way it isn't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Irving Cobb thinks gold fish have no privacy and they haven't much safety, either, if there is an enterprising cat on the premises.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

MT. Morgan says the war will end in one year MT. Corey says it will last three or four years. Take your choice &C., cording to temperament.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

At any rate. it Is still possible to take a trip to Honolulu without keeping close watch for submarines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Bucket brigades may yet be called or to assist Blrmingham's depleted fire de- pertinent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
HOTEL LOBBIES
RaIIrond Trnffic IncrensInx

After a long period of dullness. railroad traffic in the south Is increa sing" said K. L. Simpson, general freight agent of the Southern railway.
 The activity in the industrial business of this district is having it's effect on all branches of trade. look for continued improvement throughout the rest of the year"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

The hour has struck for Mexico and d long suffering Uncle Sam is ready to act
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Temple, Tex. was put on the map by lynching with spectacular features"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
WHEN !?

The hope of the ages-peacel
 But when will the dream come true And warning nations cease
 Fair fields with blood to imbrue?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

To show that he is not drinking anything stronger, Harry Thaw was photogra phed in Chicago with glass of Lake Michigan water before him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Governor Whitman declines politely bu firmly to pose as Bccker's murderer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

From the Boston Advertiser. Clip Castro seems to be able to ind
 lots of chilly places in the tropics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

While the east sweltered, Iowa indulged in snow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

Entered al the BIrmlnS ham, Ala, [ rJstoffIce as second class matter un- der act Of Congress March 3. lsis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

RESPONSIVE. All hail the lowly ''Jitne. :, ffs Apower mtslhe land, ave s.ssa Which always stops to take us on ii When we lift up a hand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

in snow.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-03-05
NOT
INJURED BY
THE FREEZE
ALTHOUGH ICE FORMED LAST
NIGHT, FRUIT TREES WERE
NOT DAMAGED, ACCORDING TO
OBSERVERS.

According to statements from Or
chard owners in this vicinity thls
morning the fruit trees Were not
damaged by last nights frost. al
though it was heavy enough 20 eCrm
ice in this section.
Secretary West of the Commercial
club stated that he had madc diligeut
inquiry and found that the prospects
for good crop are favorable, as the
buds had not advanced far enough
to cause failure in case of ii heav'
freeze. Mr. West stated that the first
trees to bud in this locality were
the elm, and the buds on the elms
around here are not far enough ad-
vanced to be injured, and therefore
the later budding trees are in nc
danger
Fruit has failed for TWO years in
succession on account of the late
frosts and the orchard owners were
somewhat cheered this morning when
they realized that the frost of last
night did no injury 70 the budding
trees.