davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

respect for a soft-nosed bullet, but could not be discouraged by all the ideals you could pack in furniture car.
 Mr. Bryan is grate man, and Mir. Bryan has dun lot of good i'll this country-he has blazed the way to menny valuabull re- gratitude which they can newer repay at the same time, bear in mine, gentul reedur, that Mr. Bryan has been rong al most as often as he has been rite, if not moor so. Mr. Bryan advocated free sil- vur' and laid the blame for the demonitiza- sion of that metal to the mummy kings. He was as ernest for silvur as he is for peese at enny prise. He advocated guvvermint ownership of railroades, which, as an ideal, may be all rite hundred yeers frum now, but it wouldn't wurk now, and he was as ernest for that ideal as he is for peese at enny prise. Mr. Bryan has too often been rong to entitle him to infallibility. He be- leeves he IS rite, and when he is rong but believes he is rite, he is just as ernest and just as persuasive for the thing that is rong as he is for the thing that is rite.
 Mr. Bryan is not going to desert the demmycratic party becawse he can't have his way-he newer has. Mr. Bryan is maid of diffurrent stuff. He is no Roos- felt who must rule or ruin; Mr. Bryan will fite to the last ditchfor what he believes to be the rite he will not compromise his convictsions, but when he gets licked, he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

of benediction and abso:ution to the sin- full night before and the bird-matins thrill with something that makes hope which in the night had settled low spring anew. For surely, If hope springs eternal it has to settle before 1t can spring each time.
 And so. on account os these and other things 1 have found myself abroad close upon the disappearing heels of the wee sma' hours. And at the same time I have found a sufficient number of laughs to last through an entire campaign, but there were very few people out to enjoy them with me.
 For instance, upon the upper drive one morning very recently, and very early, l beheld a well enough looking young man, attired in full evening dress with his silk hat on the seat beside him. He appeared to be thinking, and I wondered how any man, however youthful. could care enough for one of those white light girls to sit up all night with her on his mind
 As I approached him from one side, one of our white-g -gloved blue-coated boasts came up to him from the other with a gentle tap. tap on the thin sole of one of his patent leather shoes, and then the laugh came-to me. The young man was not dreaming, but sleeping soundly. He was known to the policeman, but did not recognize him at first, as his opening remark was, "All right, I'll open another bottle"
 He was then notified of the hour and gently told that the policeman had per m,tted him to rest unmolested, whereat the young man gave proof of the fact that he had not spent all his money on the night before, and started gloomily toward the opposite side of the drive where, no doubt he lived in one of the numerous apartment buildings
 This same officer, two minutes later,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

all illiterate conscrpts are taught to read and write But reservists, especially re- servists of the older classes, often cannot read. As the battalions lose more and more of the active army men and men of the younger reserves they fill up with older men, and so increase their percen- tage of illiterates. The army now fight ing is a worse educated army than the army which fought at the beginning. Many soldiers must have their letters read to and written for them. Also the older class reservists are nearly all mar ried; they have children. farms. or busi ness, and, therefore, more need to write letters than have the bachelor soldiers of the active army. So the letter writing has become as great a problem as fight ing Field Marshal Hindenburg.
 When the Brigade came to Brwinnow there was trouble. Doubtful persons, clerks out of work, and, shady refugees offered to write the soldiers letters. They charged excessive fees, and stole the money sent to soldiers by their families, or by soldiers to their families. Some letter writers could not write correctly, and one could not write at all He charged high fees His illiterate soldier client dictated: Genufections to Masha, genufections to Dasha, genufections to the priest, and ask whether the COW has calved - :" The letter writer who could not write took a pen, and made crosses, circles, hieroglyphics, angular scratches, ducks and drakes. The soldier admired the nice writing, paid, and rushed to post the letter. Up came an- other illiterate warrior and dictated f'Genufiections to Peter. genuhections to Fekla, genufections to Mariya and Olga, and how is the winter wheat? " The glyphics. But this soldicr-client. thoug h he could not write a word, was able to read. He looked at the crosses. circles. hierogyphics angular stratches, ducks and drakes; banged his fist ferociously, and said:
 'scoundrel; he can't write Russian. He's
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

that there is little snow, and that that is bad for the winter wheat .Knizhnikoff suggests that the soldier write about Pol ish snow, and the soldier writes: We have had little snow thank God, and light frosts; send me pair of summer DOT tiankis.' "Portiankis' are the napkin like rags which Private Ivan wears on his feet instead of socks.
 Knizhnikoff told me that many soldiers cannot dictate even the plainest letter. They come to him and order "a letter." but they leave to him the contents. The letter writer knows what has been go- ing on in the battalion; where the bat talion has been what it's losses are, and so on, and on this basis he writes the letter Some regimental letter writers have stock adventures. A private is cap tured by the Germans and escapes The soldier letter writer describes this as his own adventure. The adventure may be used for dozen soldiers so long as it is written to different villages Knizhni- koff s skill is so great that lterate soldiers come to him. In this case roles are re- versed. Knzhnikoff dictates model let ter Of facts, sentiments and adventures. and the soldier writes it out and passes If off as his own.
 Most soldiers when left to themselves do not get past 'genufiections." and in- quirles after the health of the cows. The soldier that can do more usually does far better than British, French or German soldier. He is never sophisticated; he never uses newspaper phraseology; he sees things with his own eyes--the clear eyes of child-and he describes what he sees IS a child describes it-in way of his own. No two soldiers write alike, Each has his own poetry, imagery and hu- nor. read soldiers letters out of M. Tuchkoff collection which are better war corresponding than any war correspon- dent has done in any war.
 rode from Brwinnow to Grodsisk a little further along the railroad. and found there another reserve brigade which has not only public letter. writer,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04
UP AND DOWN BROADWAY--By Allen Griffin Johnson

EW YORK, July 3.-(Special) Laughter is the Tong suit" of RSszssaaSs55S the New Yorker and by ,he lk5&xzU same token (which means some
 thing) he would deserve credit therefor on general principles, since it is better than weeping and healthy as we'll but for the fact that his best laughs are invariably had at the expense of others.
 It is true that his groans are very in frequent. but that has become the fact largely as result of the Knowledge that few will heed them and what's the good of grooming all to yourself? On the other hand, it seems that laughter should be hale, hearty and with, rather than at others, or at least not at others after n fashion which is meant to hurt Yet there is nothing that they seem to enjey more than a hearty guffaw which makes some poor devil burn crimson because he was the cause of 1t.
 Having realized these facts it has long appeared odd to me that such laughter 1oving Gothamites do mt arise with, or a trife before the sun each morning How. ever, I suppose the reason may be found along Broadway somewhere bctween Mad ison square and Columbus c,rc;e, aons the trail of the might oef0re."
 Why should he arise thus early? Be- cause, if he loves laughter, there is lots of 1t to be found in very early morning stroll out Riverside drive or through Cen tral park, or anywhere else where there is touch of green and little space to breathe freely in.
 | It is not that am a victim of a health craze, but, somehow, the world seems a bit purer in the early morning ar-not that I-that is, contrasts always-but I digress. Where the grass is growing, it seems as if the kiss of dew were d sort
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

suit survived What was the deduction? That providence intended them to fin ish their law suit or to make it up.. Exactly, reasoned the litigants, but if We finish our law suit or make it up we shall be like all the other poor fel- lows who having no law suits, were killed. We shall be killed too. So they decided to write to the rural comms- sary requiring that the law suit be not brought to trial but likewise that it. be not abandoned. It could wait over until after the war.
 This letter was written in five min utes. The other letters took longer Private Ivan usually does not know what he wants to write His aim in writing a letter is not the saying Of something; his aim Is to fulfil duty; because he has received a letter and politness requires it's answering; be- cause it is six weeks since he wrote his last letter because his comrade, Private Andrei, from the same village, has written a letter; and people will ask why there is no letter from Ivan. Except that he is well, i'll or wounded. Ivan has nothing to say. He knows nothing of the war, except that he was
 
 describing battle. But the letter must not be short.
 A. short letter is impolite; and If An dreis letter is three pages long, Ivan ambition is to make his four The trouble is to get material. The art of good brigade letter writer lies in drawing the soldier out, and inducing him to dictate interesting things which he did not intend to dictate, but which please him when, under suggestion from the letter writer. he does dictate them. Trofim begins: 'Gerufiections to Matha. Is the COW well?' And comes to full stop. Knizhnikon. the letter writer. suggests something about Polish cows by comparison with Rus sian; and Trofim dictates: The cows here are like greyhounds, poor things; they are thinner than Poles. There is no fodder Sometimes Knizhnikoff reads the letter from home which the soldier has to an- swer. If the letter from home complains
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

knows it. He can recognize a kick in the sats the darkest nite that cums, beeawse he has had so menny of them, he is familier with the sensasion Mr. Bryan's greatest trubble is that he is always about b laps ahed of everybody else. When the vis- ion cum to him that grate edifise must be built for the good and glory of the eoun- try--and the world-he wants the joh rushed to compleesion at onse, and objects to even taking the time to prepare the foundasion. The peepul of the United States air against war, but they air behind the Pres sdent when he asserts the rites of this country, and they air reddy, if need be, to defend those rites, and the fact that they air reddy and willing to do so makes it moor sertan that theere rites will be re- spected. The man who believes otherwise and who had rather see his country hum- pulled in order to maintain peese meerly in, vites war, and what is wurst, destructsion} and he is doomed to disappointment for the peepul air not with him.
 Mr. Bryan is all rite; all the peepul will have to do in his. case is follow theere gen. nerel rule-which has grown to be hab. it-and hand him anuther lemon-he don't mind it; he is getting up a colectsion of them.
 Yours trooly,
 BILL VINES. Washington, D. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

just like getting away from the world. The you listen 10 soft strains of music and It is just too umph You gaze out at the vast expanse of the expanseness. then across al the vision before you, you eat fooc that is too pretty to be destroyed at all, and-well, if one could only avoid looking at the check that is presented aft erward, it would be one of the most de- lightful experiences to be had on the island
 Only one set of verses this week? Yes. and if I live here many more years l shall probably give up the pastime en- tirey. Somehow Manhattan and the muse don't seem to gibe. and Broadway can't seem to see a sonnet unless it is set to modern music and rendered for tssimo, la cabaret
 Have you a cabaret?' asked the wom- an visitor at Shanley's Times Square res taurant the other evening. And she pro- nounced the "t'' at the end of the word
 One of the largest in the city, madam. T replied the head waiter with some surprise at her ignorance.
 "Oh. but l don't want a large one, ? she answered hurriedly, just bring me a small portion with a glass of milk. I have heard so much about the cabaret that wanted to see how it tastes"
 A pickpocket must be wonderful artist. l am told that they ply their trade right merrily during the rush hours on the subway and procure much that is valu- able Yet when I ride the subway at those times l find myself unable to move hand or foot, once I am well wedged in Why, I have had woman's head virtually buried in my neck on the subway
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

after. Some of the faces still bravely en- deavored to smile while others in the ,ar had long since ceased to care for ap- pearances. considering physical comfort far more desirable. Those etill awake glanced at the runners as if they won dered how on earth, and especially in Gotham. such an early morning stunt could be possible, whsc the runners them selves ran on, breathing hard and prob ably not even seeing the remnants Of a gay night hudded together in the big touring car.
 Where l have mentioned seeing one per- son or party. there are in reality to be seen several on any early morning, and IS the more the Ter is true 1t is equally true that you can get more good laughs than 1 have been able to tell you of by half
 the New Yoroker? Do vou think he would arise to look at them, provided he was not party to them? No, sir. Get up late, work fast and quit carly is his slo- gan and in nine cases out of ten he ad- heres to it strictly. He loves his laugh at the expense of another, but such laughs must come during his regular, laughing hpu. .. IT II colue dt dHN DlHt1 ne SsIlpiN will not be there to enjoy it. but he will besrudge no other man that privilege. Funny little fellow, the New Yorker
 And while we are on the laughter sub ject, let us sing:
 LAUGHTER.
 Where laughter reigns, and rings out
 pure and true.
 No dross is found. and sin forsakes the
 mind;
 Sin clings unto the lower, baser kind, And laughter to the nobler. better few;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04
Oriental Athletics


 Though it appears well agreed that tho 1916 Olympic games which were to bd held in Berlin. will not be held fl, thae city or any other. it is of interest to know that this is the week of the far-eastern olympics, which are being held in Shans- hai. A quarter-mile cinder track. on tho American plan, was built for the pur. pose. The Americans and English there are the prime movers in the games but the participants are of all the many ra cet and colors that the far east can musters Japan sends baseball team, a tenni1 team, swimming team, and track and held athletics by the score Osake send1 It's wonderful distance runners to win th} marathon. From north China come sta1 sprinters and weight men, and a basket] ball team which Is expected to win thi championship. The Philippines are we'd represented by native entrants in ali thd events. Hawaii sent over it's best base1 ball team to the tournament Corea, Fora mosa and south China are represented In connection with the games there is S1 rally of the Boy Scout organizations ol that part of the world. All this is of an interest wider than the sporting world It shows the influence of America in th1 east
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

reused a disreputable Joking slumberer with a rough Knock and shake and sent him about his business with shove-that is, sent him on toward his destiny. as every indication proved that the sleeper and business of any remunerative sort had long been strangers.
 Climbing to the top of the drive, from the parkway, which is on lower level, l soon beheld a rotund party aged 30 years, thereabout, swinging along at about eight miles an hour with no sigh of joy in the work. He was one of the health bugs walking off some of the flesh, or fondly believing himself to be accomplishing that object But the chances are he was back at the same old eating game when evening came again.
 Here and there I passed runners, young and not so young, all out for pure exercise and all looking as if they were exercising for a purpose and not for pleasure. A horseman two cantered by and, like all the rest of these early morning people, they seemed to be working rather than en- toying recreation. The occupants of the tennis courts alone appeared to find some pleasure in this early morning life, and thereon were to be seen not few Amer lean Molla Bjurstedts, as well as members of the other sex.
 Around a curve swung an immense tour ing car containing at least six people. male and female. There was about them all a look of weariness as if they had been where suddenly the tune went false" and ''The dancers ceased to wheel and whirl,
 And down the long and silent street,
 The dawn, with silver -sandaled feet, Crept, like frightened girl.'
 In other words, this was no joy ride. but a sort of brow cooler on the morning
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

writing in Polish, brothers. Give 1t him in the snout. V mordu! In the snout' soldiers. Tn the snout.' And they dragged the letter writer out, took back forcibly their money, and beat him half to death. The adjutant appointed as semi-official letter writer an old soldier who guarded the railroad level crossing, and in order to ensure respect he gave him army brooches and forage cap. He set an official tariff. For writing a let ter of one page 3 kopeks for writing a letter of two pages, 5 kopeks for writ ing a letter of three pages, kopeks; and so on. The minimum for the brief est letter, kopeks The letter writer flourished, soldiers from other units came to him, and he won such a repu- tation by his copperDlate hand and his command of love and admiration adjec- tives that even noncommissioned of- ficers who were proud of their scholar ship came to him when they had to write letters on serious affairs.
 When l returned to the chancellery l found two rough soldiers ctating a joint letter The letter was ad- dressed to the "Zemski Natchalnikv-- the rural commissary' of their native district. and it requested him to take measures to prevent law suit over disputel land coming to trial in their absence. Before the war the two sol diers had quarrel over parcel of land. They started a law suit When war came they authorized their repre- sentatives to carry it on. They were drafted into different battalions of the same regiment and sent to different parts. The battalions were nearly cut to pieces. Out of 5000 men only 400 survived. Of 15 men who came from the land litigants' village only these two survived. The fragments of the shattered battalions came to Erwin now. The litigants met congratulated one another on their escapes and agreed that it was miracle. All fel- low villagers who had no law suits were killed. and they who had a law
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

but also temporary school for soldiers at the rear and soldiers temporarily back on relief. The Grodsisk school is man. aged by the public letter-writer a non- commissioned officer of the fighting army, who has been in half dozen battles Before him sat 20 soldiers, all near mid dle age. The noncom. was himself not much of a scholar. He was reading la boriously out of a "Chrestomathia" Ca collection of tales and poems), and had got to story beginning: When Peter the Great left Narva--'' The soldiers did not know where Narva is. All these sol diers had been fighting in the trenches 10 days before. They get three weeks trench service and then three weeks. re- lief. In 10 days they would have to go back to sokatchew, where the monotony of infantry inaction is enlivened by a daily rain of bombs from German trench mortars. The noncom told me that when he wanted for his letters some fine phrase or purple passage he dived into the "Chrestomathia. Tt has something for every .occasion.' If 1t came to the worst one could insert in a letter, When Peter the Great left Narva--'' and get repu- tation for decent scholarship.
 Before l got to Grodssk a committee of women arrived They brought books, newspapers, writing materials. They had come from the Hotel Bristol and other Warsaw hotels. All the hotels are packed with women. wives and sisters of officers at the front They come by the score in every train; stay a few weeks: re- ceive visits from their heroes at the front and return. Madame Plaskunoff, wife oi colonel suggested that all these visit ors should bring something for the sol diers' reading. She organized a club. The club sends members to the hospitals te read to the wounded soldiers, to write their letters to transact their affairs They are great comforters. When wound
 ed soldiers are anxious about their fam
 lilies and can't get letters. the club la
 dies make inquiries. Pious frauds ar, practiced. When no reply can be goI
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04

HDISTUR EDDITUR: Probabully the
 " most talked of thing that has 1sS evver happened in American poly tics is the resignation of Willyum J. Bryan frum the cabbinet Mr. Bryan has the pc cuiar, distincksion of having created moor talk, and himself dun moor talking, than enny uther citizen, past or present, of the republick. Mr. Bryan's cheef talent, amung menny and varied talents, is that of talking; Mr. Bryan talks well; he admits it, and everybody else admits it. His ennemies cannot deny it, his trends boast of 1t, the Americon peepul have separated themselves cheerfully and willingly with theere coin to proove it, and theere air varius and sundry evvidenses to support this assersion. Theere have been uther grate takers in the history of this nason; nun of them compare with Mr. Bryan He has earned his phase in history and has cut his nick in fame as a talker that puts him Tn a class by himself
 Mir. Bryan is a grate man; moreover, he IS grate man with good purposes and the most patryotic of intensions. He is un- swerving in his devosion to the Americon peepul; for moor than 20 yeers he has furm- ly believed that it would best surve the Amerlcon peepul if he was President and he has faithfully persisted in his effurts to so surve them, but has encountered grate difficulty in convinsing them that it was for theere best interest; still he refuses to