davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

Alabama and Mississippi. Texas and
 South Carolina were the last to come
 into line; and now that the Alabama l legislature is about to take the de-
 sired action it will not be long before
 our neighbor states follow and make
 compulsory education unanimous in this country.
 The John bill is mild measure com pared with the laws in many of the states. Children between the ages of eight and fifteen will be required to attend school only eighty days in a year, and where county authorities deem it advisable the school time may be reduced to sixty days. Children living two and half miles from a schoolhouse will be exempt from the operations of the law, as will also chil- dren whose parents are too poor to provide suitable clothing.
 Still, with all it's exemptions, it is a measure that will be found of far reaching benefit. It is certainly an entering wedge and before many years there will be a popular demand for extending the scope of the law.
 The school tax amendment will be ratified by the people of the state at the general election in November, 1916. The compulsory education bill as amended provides that the law shall not become operative until October, 1917. By that time counties and school districts will have begun to levy spe- cial taxes for school purposes. School buildings will be multiplied rapidly and within the next five or six years there will be few families in the state living farther away than a mile from a schoolhouse.
 In the meantime the illiteracy com mission, of which ex-Gov. William D. Jelks is chairman, is doing excellent work. It is having the hearty CO., operation of educators and in many communities illiterate adults are be- ing taught to read and write by vol unteer teachers.
 With all the education laws in op- eration it should be only short time when illiteracy would disappear from Alabama almost entirely.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
BRYAN's LOGIC

From the Pensacola News.
 AS a logician, MT. Bryan, who was at one time Secretary of State, is the marvel of the age. He thinks clearly. Seeing a great national danger, he urges the building of good roads to protect the United States. Good roads would be use full in moving heavy artillery such as is possessed by the European nations.
 If man were in grave danger of an attack from an enemy, heavily armed, MT. Bryan would advise, doubtless, that the man in danger drink bottle of grape juice, thereby dumfounding his assail- ant. In '7s, the embattled farmers might have sung songs to the British to keep them off American soil instead of using muskets.
 Here is the logic. It is of the we'll known Ostrich school:
 "The jingoes are now talking about spending s350, ,000000 on the army, or $780, O00OO0 per year getting ready for that which ought never to come. Four hum dred and fifty million a year would amount to about 5000, 00o, 900 in Il years! That sum would gridiron the United States with hard roads 12 miles apart, so that no citizen would live more than six miles from a good road which would enable him to go everywhere. It Is esti mated that a farmer can haul four times as much on hard road as on dirt road.
 What boon it would be to farmer to be relieved of the mud embargo! The sum above mentioned would in 10 years revoutionize the road travel and traffic of the country, but half that sum would probably supply present needs. If we keep our army and navy appropriations as they are now and simply use for good roads the sum which the jingoes desire to add to these appropriations, the bene- fits to business will be enormous. Good roads or frenzied preparedness which,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
Discusse. offer to Buy Cotton

"Germany's offer to buy round mil lion bales of American cotton to be de- livered at any German port is not likely to have much effect on cotton conditions in the south,' remarked George c. Ack- CTS.
 "As a matter of fact, the German prop osition lacks the earmarks of sincerity, and probably will be given little consid- eration. Such a proposal. coming after England has declared cotton contraband, is entirely in keeping with the Kaiser's policy. It is not so much that Germany wants 100000 bales of cotton and is will ing to pay 15 cents a pound for it. as it is that the Kaiser's war party is anxious to make the south feel that England s contraband edict is working hardship on this section.
 The proposition will furnish excellent material for pro-German agitators who forthwith will cry out against the Eng iish contraband order. However. the south is too keenly alive to existing cdn- ditions not to appreciate the situation. We may not approve of Englands atti- tude regarding cotton and may be anx- ious to have the state department adjust the matter, but that doesn't mean that we are going to get overexcited ovr a proposition which was made with the in- tention of producing just such a feeling in the cotton producing section of Amer ica."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
Birmin gham,s Strides

An occasional visitor can but be im- pressed with Birmingham's strides" said Asa S. Rathbourne of Philadelphia.
 II was here as far back as 1ss7 The town seemed to be just recovering from period of depression. but it gave prom ise of solid growth. The steel plant at Ensley was then in course of construc- ton.
 My next visit was in 1902 Birming- ham had made wonderful progress in five years. It's first steel frame building was being completed and that marked a very decided advance, but I did not think I would live to see Birmingham the great city it is today-lots of skyscrapers hand some hotels and many other features of metropolitan character. When I was first in this city it's population was about 35, 900. It has now, I am told, close to 100000. With the vast natural resources of this district, it requires little imagination to picture Birmingham with popula ton up- wards of 900,000 in 1920. "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
THE LULLABY

By Gordon Ware. Low Is the note in the sweep of life, Lost in the whir of incessant strife.
 Yet is heard the slumber Song! Plaintive and sweet are the notes that
 beat, Deep in the we'll of noise and heat,
 Still we hear the Slumber Song! Roar of the cobbles and clang of cars. Mighty the sound of the city's wars.
 In their midst. the Slumber Song! And all for the gain of golden crown. Trying with cIamor the song to drown
 And the while. the Slumber Song!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
What's Made in Birmingh ham

The booklet containing a catalogue of articles manufactured in the Birmingham district, just now from the press and ready for distribution. is the most com prehensive publication that has yet been undertaken" said w. c. Radcliffe. gem eral secretary of the Chamber of Com merce.
 Tt is issued by the chambers indus- trial bureau. of which T. A. Weller Is chairman. It is made up of 84 pages and is alphabetically indexed. Comparatively few citizens of Birmingham realize how varied are the commodities manufactured here. This booklet shows that something like 800 different products and articles are made in this district Chairman Well Ter in his preface says in part: It is hoped this booklet will open the door for now industries. for 1t will let the manufac- turer at a distance know that there Is an opening here for the article he makes and which now Is not produced in Bir- mingham. We have cause for congratu- lation as to the number of diversified il,- dustries here ana the large number of manufactured articles produced, but there Is room for more A cordial invita- ton is extended to industries seeking new loca- tlon to come here and prosper.
 The time will come when not a pound of raw material produced here will be shipped out, but will be manufactured into the finished article, thereby increasing the wealth of the district. We hope this booklet will hasten that day by attract ing industries to this district
 ''The Chamber of Commerce is prepa red to distribute 10000 copies of the booklet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
ALABAMA PRESS

Selma Journal: The soldier boys at Montgomery encampments are reported to have been quite busy at work since as- sembling there. Bully for the boys. All though accident brought a great sorrow upon them, we feel sure that the business like operations of the encampments will mean much to the advancement of the or- ganization work of the A. N. c.
 Gadsden Times-News: The fall days wouldn't be so sad and melancholy if it were not for the price of coal that goes up just as fast as the mercury goes down.
 Montgomery Advertiser: The state is well satisfied with the compliment paid Senator Underwood by Governor Hender- son. The governor, asked by the Pana- ma-Pacfic fair management to name the most distinguished living Alabamian, named MT. Underwood.
 Opelika Daily News: It will be greatly to the advantage of the south and south ern farms If the small grain acreage of last fall is doubled this fall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

'Writing,' says Cert Atherton, lis a job. Men ought to do things, not write about them" Writing Is a profess sion that has been open to women from time immemorial, but their literary bat ting average is not very high. It is pos- sible to count the great women writers of the world-one of whom Cert is not-on the fingers of one hand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

An exciting piece of news was published in the papers the other day. Mrs. John Jacob Astor was unable to broil a chop at her summer camp and angrily threw it over a precpice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

Schumann-Heink says she despises Colonel Roosevelt and wouldn't shake hands with him. That's what he gets for calling the Germans pirates"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

PUTTING ON AIRS.
 T presume your boy is getting ready to return to college. MT. Topsoil'
 Yes. Me an his ma expect to breathe easier when he goes." I'm surprised to hear you say that Won't you miss your son?" "oh. yes. We'll miss him. of course, but its been quite strain on us to keep from gittin' rattled when he'd set down at th, table an'>say. Well. mother. whats the meenu for today?"
 MAKING GOOD.
 "How's your new preacher getting along?"
 First rate"
 His theology is acceptable. then?" T don't know anything about his the. ology. but his looks please the women of hc congregation and his game of golf is highly spoken of by the men,
 HELPED CONSIDERABLY. 1T presume there was Lovers lane at the summer resort you visited?, "I think not.'
 But, surely, there were some accom- modations for spooning?"
 Well, the power plant was defective and the lights went out two or three times in the course of an evening""
 ALWAYS THE WAY When the wintry winds are blowing And the windows white with rime, Fulsome praise we'll be bestowing On the good old summer time.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
BEGINNING THE DAY-o my

Father, seek out those children of Thine who are lonely today. In- cline the hearts of the men and women who walk by their sides to the holy things of fellowship. Open up the sOuls of the lonely them selves that the paths of entrance may be easy to find. And do Thou enter in Thyself, 0 Friend of the frfendless. For Jesus sake. Amen. HI. M. F.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

An observer says war has helped the young men of England by teaching them the value of discipline. However, the les son has been a costly one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

While not officially announced. Swat PetrCgrad" seems to be the slogan of the Germa ns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

An Hawaiian princess arrived in Chi
 cago and went to bed at 8 o'clock at night. but Chicago is some distance from
 the Great White Way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

That smile on the face of the coal deal- CT bodes no good to the thin-blooded cit- iZen
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

President Wilson has parted with those marvels of reticence, Colonel House and John Lind. and the kitchen cabinet is shot to pieces.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

Only the promptness of state troops re- in Illinois, where newspapers bitterly at- tackled the south for the Frank lynch ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

man was recently arrested in St. Louis who had been successful forger for B years. He overlooked the psy- chological moment to retire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
A QUEER FELLOW.

A QUEER FELLOW. We never heard him grumble And we never heard him say. Because he chanced to stumble. That somebody blocked his way. Too busy for complaining. And whene'er misfortunes came, He had way of giving Thanks for blessings, just the same!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
WAR NEWS IN PLENTY

From the PlttsburB sun:
 The advent of Cole Blease as candi- date for governor of South Carolina ought to add to the gayety of nations and throw a certain amount of danger into the coming campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

The old straw hat will soon be singing its swan song, performance respectful ly called to the attention of nature fakers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

And Colonel House was one of presi- dent Wilson's principal financial packers during his campaign. It's a cold worldl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

Fried chicken day. in Kansas and Mis- soilri is safe and sane' celebration, except for dyspeptics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02

The Turks have repulsed so many at- tacks of the allies that it's getting to be sort of habit with them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
UNABLE To FoRGET HIM

From the BrOokIyn Ttmes.
 ''Misfortunes we cannot prevent are mitigated by resignation." is the Daily optimistic thought of the Evening rele- gram, which cannot get that Bryan epi- sode out of its mind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
MUST BE LONESOME

From the Washington Star.
 Juising from the expressions in print. George w. Perkins Is about the only man left who continues to feel like bull moose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
ANOTHER CAMP FOR CITIZENS

General Huerta seems to have shut up like the proverbial clam
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
HOTEL LOBRIEs
Interested in south,. crop.

Business men in the north are almost as much interested in southern crop con ditions, and especially cotton conditions, as the people of the south.'' said R. N. Donaldson of Chicago.
 When the south is prosperous the north snares either directly or indirectly in that prosperity. The crop diversification move ment is great thing for this part of the country. It is a safe guess that the south Will soon be producing all the foodstuffs it needs. When that day comes the cot ton states will be rolling in wealth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
"He wanted to do me-"
THE MORE THE MERRIER.

THE MORE THE MERRIER. Who is that old fellow who says every body ought to own a homer" That's old MT. Graspit. I fear he's talking from a selfish rnotive'' 'Yes"
 He holds mortgage on more homes than any other man in town"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
Business Improves

''The typewriter business continues to improve in Birmingham" remarked D. H. Brown.
 T am in receipt of f1attering letter from the general manager of our com pany at headquarters. and he says that the Birmingham office has taken it's rightfnl place near the front on the firing line, and that business is coming in greater volume than ever before Month before last showed an unprecedented gain over all others, and the month just ended has even surpassed that. Every thing is in good shape. and sales in this district are all that could well be ex- pected at this season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
Bis Feather in Wilson. Can

Tt certainly is a big feather in Wood- row Wilson's cap to have the negotia- tions with Germany take the turn they have" said T. P. Hay, Jr.
 Tt looks now as if there would be no way to beat Wilson for President next year, providing he wants it, as I guess he does.
 T have heard 1t said that when the re- cent Bryan affair came up, the demo- cratic party was playing safe either way If Wilson's policy lost out, Bryan would be in shape to say he was right. and would be the democratic leader. If Will son succeeded. as he seems to have done, then there isn't any man in the country who can beat him for President.
 T myself don't think that politics fig ured that much, if at all, in the Bryan secession But at any rate. 1t looks as if things at last were coming Wilson's way, and that he will be an easy winner in 1916."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
EQUIvocAL PRAISE.

bQOlfOSAL fAAlSEs "I understand Giddins Is living here now" said the visitor. 'I used to know him back in my home town.'' 'Is that so? What did the people think of him there?'
 Well" answered the visitor. cautious ly. q never heard any of his neighbors threatening to mob him. and, on the other hand. I never heard of anybody there offering him bonus if he'd come back"
 A BACKSET. ''Gadspur is a man who brides himself OH doing things True But I had to disappoint him the ether day.
 How SOP"
 "He wanted to do me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-02
TO THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

From the St. Louis Republic.
 "HE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. journal
 which calls itself "The Worlds \ Greatest Newspaper apropos of lynching in Georgia, launches this dia-
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-12-23
Getting Rid of Ants.

The surest way of preventing injury
by ants is to destroy their nests. Usual
ly the nests can be readily found, but
II there is any difficulty n little watch
ing Of where the ants travel win show
where the nest Is located If the nests
are out in the field punch Il few holes
with Il sticlI in the nests and place n
couple of tahlespoonfuls of carbon di.
sulphide IN each hole. covering up I'M.
lneaiately with the foot SO us to throw
n Gaping OF dirt into the hole. The
fumes OF carbon disulphide are very
heavy and viii suffocute the ants. Care
must be taken in using it, as it is eX-
treineiy infiummable.
I Ants in houses can be trapped TO Il
sponge moistgued with sweetened va,
ter. When many ants congregate on
the sponge they can be destroyed by Il
little boihng'Syater from the teaSettle
If ants crawl UP fruit trees and de-
stroy the blossoms Of young shoots
they can be kept from doing so by tying
fluffy band of cotton around the
trunks. Ants will not walk over fluffy
cotton unless they are Very much ex-
cited M
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-12-23
NOTICE

The annual meeting of the stock
holders of the First National Bank of
North Bennington, VT, will be held at
their clearinghouse on Tuesday, the
fourth day OF January, 1916 at ten o.
clock A. NJ. for the following pur-
poses; to amend the Articles Of AS
ISOLATION so as to provide for a Board
OF Directors of not less than six nor
more than eight stockholders; to
elect Board OF Directors. for the en-
suing year and to transact any other
proper and necessary business.
Ralph A. Jones, Cashier.
Dated, North Bennington, VT, Dec.
4th, 1915. 80
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-12-23

Respectable Sir. -Replying to your
favor of uncertain date, in which you
compliment the literary merit of our
Christmas letter published yesterday,
and assure us that you will bring no
suit against us for alienation of the
affections of your readers, we thank
you for your kind words and rejoice
with you that the demand for extra
copies of The Banner was so great.
But we must modestly disclaim all
the credit for such increase in the
circulation as really there have been
other good things in your paper that
must have had some influence with
the dear public
We note too with relief, that you
continue willing to sell us space for
more woldtorials, and although it
tires our feet to write them these
busy days we must avail ourselves of
the golden opportunity to briefly give
your readers little more of our store
news.
Several said yesterday that Girls
wolds was the busiest store in town,
Well, what else could they expect
with such a varied and attractive
stock. Goods that appeal to old and
young, rich and poor alike.
1t was certainly awful at times, the
way people would walk over each
others corns in their efforts to make
the round of the store on high gear,
Safety First" is dads cry as he
follows mother around with both arms
and pockets full of bundles. He
means OF course a Conklin safety
pen. Nothing more practically well
come to man, woman or high school
scholar who has learned to write.
They are always ready for business,
don't scratch or blot, can't leak even
II stood on their head in a ladies'
carryall bag. We guarantee they will
give satisfaction or money back. We
will exchange them after Christmas
If desired and as often as necessary
until the owner is just suited. Our
Nictrola room buzzed all day yester-
day We thank our patrons for their
patient good nature in awaiting their
turn for our attention.
We fear we will have to stop tax
ing orders after tomorrow for picture
frames for Christmas delivery. Our
Trainer works until midnight and his
application for a little sleep is on
file.
We have just received another lot
of Diaries, Christmas baxes of harcis
sus bulbs and Chinese lilies, Snow
Shoes, Sleds, Skis, flashlights, Erect
or Meeanno, Electric Trains, Noah's
,Arks. Register Banks, New Juvenile
Books. We mention these as many
are waiting for them that will be in
| terested More anon.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-12-23

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@ their branches upward as @s
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The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-12-23
RAW FURS
WANTED

buy unlimited quantities in large
or small lots of New England and
New York State Furs.
guarantee TO pay you New York
prices on extremely liberal assert
ment
Telegraph or write me whenevei
you have your furs for sale. viii
call on you for $4,000 lots and over.
Smaller lots ship direct to