davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
WHERE IT STARTED
om the Emporia Gazette

T IOIII tII6 IIIiiFUI IsL 1dZ6lIC.
 Shortly after the coroner's jury brought in it's verdict, one of Adams neighbors slipped into the office of the Eden Daily News" and cornered the editor Nov for goodness sake don't put anything about this little affair in the paper" he said. "Cail. always has been good boy, and this little occurrence will not amount to much Anyway he's had his lesson. The family will patch it up, if you give it a chance. Adam has been pretty respect able person most of his life, and my wife says that Eve is sick over it. Now, for the sake of the family, please keep 1t out of the paper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION

adapt himself to wholely new exist ence, an existence which often outrages his sensibilities, which reverses all his former habits of thought. which distorts his previous conceptions of creature con- forts but withal. which does not make him any the less human, sympathetic, courageous or self-sacrificing. Indeed, I am convinced that this war, instead Of shattering moral codes and brutalizing the men who are the active participants in it, will develop and crystalline the mo- blest impulses of those who in the emo- tional madness of the charge sweep ruth lessly over the enemy. The soldier does not think of his opponent as another hu- man being. as 8 living, breathing en- tity, with heart, brain, lungs and limbs like himself. If he were so to consider tho man against whom he raises his bayo- net for the fatal lunge I do not believe he could complete the stroke The enemy Is simply obstacle which must be removed. This is the psychology of combat as view it. In all their personal relations in the trenches the soldier of 1916 is a more loyal friend, a more ge- nial companion, ( nurse of more tender solicitude for the stricken, a more self sacrificing patriot--all in all q finer, mo- bier, bigger man-than the same indi- vidual who enlisted from civilian life two years ago.
 When the history of this war comes to be written the Foreign Legion's share in its hardships, it's achievements, and it's glories will occupy page all it's own. And on that page will appear the names of men of almost every nation ality. Eight American boys. for exam pie, were in my company and one of the bravest of these was Kiffn Rock well, comrade of the trenches who subsequently, joined the aviation corps and of whose tragic death I read just few days after reaching America. Per haps it would not be out of place to quote a paragraph from a letter which 1 have received from RockweIls mother. last May with the American Escadrille he wrote me these words-his last that referred to death If die want you to qnow that have died as every man ought to die-fighting for what is right I do not feel that I am fighting for France alone but for the cause of all humanity the greatest of all causes.'
 "The spirit which has dominated the Foreign Legion throughout this war is strikingly illustrated in the following in- cident. Upon my return to the front after six months in the American hospital in Paris I was talking with colonel of the legionaries who was wearing a war cross with three branches of palms (having been mentioned in the dispatches of the whole army on three different oc- casions). He seemed to be greatly de- pressed and when I asked the cause he explained that the general commanding his division had informed him that he was to have the privilege of naming a number of the men of his regiment for decoration, following a recent brilliant engagement. How can choose num- Der of my men for special honors, said the colonel. when my regiment is com posed of 4000 heroes?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

the custom for the peasants to wear wooden shoes, but now they use sew eral pairs of the regulation shoes each month. Then there are millions Of pounds of leather used for war pur- poses which formerly went into shoes. Ten dollar shoes for men and maybe SIP will probably be the rule next season."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
What Has Become
 of GerrmaE2 Fleet?

7HHE Germans claimed to have ln- u flicted heavy losses on the Brit ish in the battle of Jutland, but they are apparently not anxious to repeat the performance. Since that memor- able engagement, the German fleet has remained in it's lair. Several times German battleships have been reported cruising in northern waters, but no naval maneuvers of importance have been undertaken.
 It is interesting to speculate on what plans are being made by Ger many for her next big venture on the sea. According to one story that has been credited in some quarters, an in- credible number of submarines of the newest and most powerful type are being built, together with vast number of aerial craft of all sort. 
 The navy itself is also being strength ened.
 When the time comes to strike the next blow, we are told, Germany will attack the British simultaneously in the air, on the sea and under the Sea. with such irresistible force that British naval power will be forever shattered
 This is all speculation, of course, and nothing may come of it, but the Germans surely do not intend to let their great fleet remain idle indefi- nitely. Great Britain, however, will not be caught mapping. Activity in her naval yards is said to be unabated. One correspondent reports having seen submarines building in England larger than any type now afloat.
 Of one thing we may rest assured. If there is another clash between the grand fleets of Great Britain and Germany, it will be the greatest sea battle ever fought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Great Britaim's
 New Cabinet

|MR. AsQUITH and his followers
 OVU having decided to take their seats on the opposition benches in the House of Commons they will be ready to criticize the new administration, but sense of patriotism will restrain them from violent antagonism until Lloyd George has had time to get his coalition forces well in hand.
 Comparatively few men in the cab inet are known beyond England.
 The exceptions are Bonar Law, A. U. Balfour, Lord Curzon, the Earl of
 Derby, Lord Milner, Lord Robert Cecil and Sir Edward Carson. Mir. Balfour, as the successor of Viscount
 Grey, secretary of state for foreign affairs, will doubtless give satisfac-
 ton to Great Britain's tory element.
 He is a statesman of long experience
 and will prove stronger man at the
 head of the foreign office than his predecessor.
 | But as the prosecution of the war is
 the paramount issue all other ques-
 tions will be regarded as of minor
 concern. Lloyd-George, as president
 of the war council, composed of a little group of trusted supporters, will
 be dictator for the time being. Not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
WHO WINS.

From the New York Herald.
 Add famous victories for the bene- fit of Little Peterkin, that Carranzista ''recapture" of Chihuahua City after Villa had footed it clean and had taken to the chaparral.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Interesting Service

"One of the most interesting reHg- ious meetings I ever attended was that Sunday afternoon at the Sixteenth Street Co1ored Baptist church." said Thomas E. Huey yesterday. Quite a number of white people fin the city had been invited to attend the serv- ices and several of them made brief talks to the colored members. The choir was one of the best I ever heard and contained some wonderfully me- lodious voices.
 '"The sermon was a forceful one and the pastor of the church was one of the best co1ored preachers have ever heard. His ideas on the questions he discussed were sound in every way and such addresses do much to help the negroes on toward lives of greater thrift and usefulness He and the mem- CTS of his congregation seemed to be appreciative of the encouragement and assistance they received from time to time from the white people of the city"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
HOTEL. LOBBHES
vaIue of Hygiene

"The health of the city generally is excellent" said Dr. Cecil Gastoni city physician. Tt seems to be the rule with most people, especially since the health department has been so active, to abide by the ordinances pertaining to cleanliness. The recent typhoid epi- demic helped wonderfully. It has taught the people the value of hy- giene.
 The best asset any city can have Is health. The records show that con- ditions in Birmingham have improved wonderfully during the past few months. The present code of most of the citizenry Is prevention instead of waiting until the sickness comes and then combat it. This rules is one that cannot be beaten"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Proruaise of Another
 Prosperous Year

MToTWITHSTANDING the short 2N age in the wheat crop and the cotton crop and the serious damage to all farm products in certain parts of the south the year drawing to close has been one of phenomenal prosper tty. Never have such high records in iron and steel production been known and never was the wage worker so we'll paid for his labor.
 Crises growing out of the govern nent's international relations did not disturb the financial or industrial world. The presidential campaign had no disquieting effect, such as had usually resulted from national cam paigns in former years. Prosperity's momentum was so great that rumors ordinarily disquieting could not check it. As Secretary McAdoo of the United States treasury department pointed out in his annual report, Fundamental economic conditions have never been more sound"
 In all lines of industry, the Secre- tary observes, efficiency of organiza- tion and production have reached the highest lines in the country's his tory. In referring to the general con- fidence in the future which has been a marked characteristic of the year, MT. McAdoo stresses the part the federal reserve bank has played in Americas rapid business recovery following the acute depression of 1914. "The experience of the past two years" his report sets forth, "has brought into strong relief the value ot the federal reserve system. It is safe to say that our great prosperity could not exist without it"
 The year 1917 promises continu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

leader as the intrepid Welshman, whC is the incarnation of progressive democracy in theory, but a politician who does not hesitate to use coercivt methods in time of national stress anc strain. No one knows better than he how to drive, and if he can hold or to the premiership during the remain ing years of the war the world will not be surprised if he proves to be another lord protector-an absolute king in all but name. 1 The new premier expects to address Parliament Thursday and outline his war policy. The entente allies are looking to England for potential lead ership. Political conditions must i'm prove speedily if the war situation is to improve from the entente point of view. The titanic struggle on the continent is to be long drawn out, if Lloyd-George holds fast to his notion that there must be no peace until Germany is "beaten to her knees" There is more peace talk among the neutrals now than at any time within a year, but the outlook is any thing but reassuring.
 Even if only one quart of liquor had been destroyed by the authorities the other day, there are citizens of Birning- ham who would have consiered that a woeful waste.
 It is predicted that the "Old Guard'' republicans will attend to Hiram John- sons presidential boom. Maybe. Here of late the "old Guard' seems to have lost its punch.
 The new armored cars of the Germans are said to be capable of travelling 25 miles an hour on any sort of ground However, they can't swim the English channel
 General Uribe. Villas masterly lear cutter" is said to have taken part in the recent festivities in Chihuahua. If he was there pleasant time was had. Still, seeing the way things are going with the Rumanians, you can't blame King Constantine of Greece for leaning toward the Teutonic powers. German writers in this country are still trying to tell US ''The Truth About Ger many" Wed rather get our facts from a strictly neutral source.
 * * *
 Some of the war dispatches may be misleading, but practically all the cor respondents agree that No Mans Land' is no place for a picnic.
 * *
 The wife of a Birmingham man doesn't t care for the movies, but there is no un- aloyed bliss in this world. She's a ram- pant suffragette.
 Incidentally, what has become of Grand Duke Nicholas, who was formerly looked on as sort of Russian white hope?"
 
 l. must take a. hopelessly sentimental person to shed tear over the domestic infelicties of musical comedy star.
 < +
 Nowadays a vulgar display of wealth consists in talking about having fresh eggs every morning for breakfast.
 A
 King Albert of Belgium is scheduled to spend another melancholy Christmas. Still, he might be worse off.
 * * <:
 "Oliver Osborne" has the physique of a football player but that was not the art full "Olivers" favorte game.
 < * *
 General Von Hindenburg seems to stand about as well with the Kaiser as any man in the German empire.
 * * *
 Berlin reports widespread insubordina- ton among Russian troops. That may be news to Petrograd.
 * k
 So Captain Koenig's home again. How many commanders in his shoes would be glad to stay there?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
SEVERE STRAIN

SEVERE STRAIN
 Have you ever been able to put on a tire without profanity?'
 q tried 1t once, because there was a minister in our party" answered the mo- torist, "but I'll never expose myself to such a risk again."
 ''Was it dangerous then?"
 "Very. I feared every moment that the effort I was making to keep from swearing would burst 8 blood vessel"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
NOT WORTH MUCH

NOT WORTH MUCH 1T have just been listening to war expert talk" Get much information?" "A great deal, but I'm afraid it Is just about as reliable as the average weather prediction"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Civic Electric Signs

"It Is interesting to learn that a lit tie Pennsylvania town, Conshocan, was the first to erect a civic electric sign, said J. Luke Williams yesterday. Tt was simple affair that cost about $100. Since that time other cities have followed it's example and now there are over 25O in use in the United States.
 Birmingham, with it's Trade in Bir- mingham' sign that formerly shone forth from the Chamber of Commerce building, got on the band wagon. This slogan is not so unique as some of the other cities. Danbury Crowns Them All is the slogan of the big hat manufacturing city, while others are:
 Massillon Invites Industrials, You Will Do Better in Toledo, Montgom- ery-Your Opportunity 'Elyria-l0o Per Cent City St. Joseph-the City Worth While Try Alliance First Spend in the Tonawandas,' Durham Renowned the World Around,' Gal veston-the Treasure Island of Amer ica,' 'Bristol-Push-Tha Bristol and 'Warren-City of Modern Meth odS'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
WICKED GoINGs ON

T understand automobiles have revo- lutionized the life farmers lead"
 So they have. in one way"
 How is that?"
 Farmers often return home in their cars from making night of it in the city at the hour when they used to get up and go to work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
ADRIF'T WITH THE TIMES
AN ARTIST

AN ARTIST The barefooted dancer Is surely hit; That she's much applauded We'll have to admit. We're not always certain What 'tis she portrays- Spring, summer or winter, Or calm autumn days. But while she is dancing, AS gay as can be, Her youth and her beauty Are pleasant to see.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
MAKING TT HARD TO GET

MAKING TT HARD TO GET '"This doctor gives some directions for deal copolizing person who has been pickled for years" What is the first step?" "A series of vapor baths" And thenT'
 Enforced residence in a prohibition town where he doesn't know a soul"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

BEGINNING THE DAY-"My Fath- CT. teach me not only Thy Will put how to do it. Teach me the best way of doing the best things, lest spoil the end by unworthy means J0wett.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
A VICIOUS LAB

A VICIOUS LAB T understand Miss sereleaf is thinking of getting married" That has been the understanding here abouts for the past 15 years,' answered the town gossip.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Steps Taken to
 Cope Witch ShonIifGers

N>0lpS VV1SAA sSGAOlSAAA SS8 D @ @HOPLIFTERS who look forward I0 to the Christmas shopping sea- son as offering the best opportunities for robbing stores will find that the merchants of Birmingham have taken effective steps this year for protec- tion.
 There has been so much laxity here tofore in prosecuting shoplifters, par ticularly women, after the goods they had taken were recovered, that thefts of this sort have been encouraged. The disgrace of being caught will not de- ter a thief, if he or she feels reason ably certain of escaping jail sen tence.
 The merchants of Birmingham have stated that they will prosecute every offender caught. There will be con- certed effort to deal with shoplifters which promises to be highly effective. Since all the merchants will demand jail sentences rigorous punishment may be expected.
 With the help of many women de- tectives, who have been employed for the holiday rush, business men may reasonably hope to save thousands ot dollars in goods that were formerly stolen.
 The police department will of course lend its aid wherever possible. lnci- dentally, the city's detective force will be on the watch for pickpockets who hope to prey on the holiday crowds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
TRIMMED WRONG

"Im master of my soul today" Said William Henry Blair, Yet almost wept about the way barber cut his hair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Shoes Come High

"In spite of the fact that everyone thinks the price of shoes extremely high, still further advances will be noted next season. said w. R. Hilliard, a well known shoe jobber, yesterday. 'I recently sold a merchant a bill of shoes for next spring delivery and our wholesale price to him was higher than he was retailing the same shoe this season with a profit. If the war in Eu- rope continues, we can't expect any de- cline in the price of shoes.
 Some people say they do not see why the war should have such de- cided effect on the price of shoes. How ever, when all the facts are known the proposition is more easily explained. Great Britain recently bought 10000 900 pairs of shoes in this country at one time and in order to get them in the shortest possible time. paid nearly $1 per pair more than the manufactur- CTS charged. The records show that when worn in the trenches the life of shoes is only three days. Thus it takes millions of pairs of shoes each month for the soldiers.
 There are several million men in the fi ie now wearing shoes who were not acf istomed to wearing leather ones. some of the countries it was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
NATURE

How old is Miss Flibberts?"
 ''She has reached the point where she has quit signing for soul mate and is looking around for a good provider." "But you haven't told me yet how old she is"
 T judge she's over 25'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
NARROWING OUTLOOK

1IHIN1NO " INH OUILOUh The high cost of living Makes thousands lament, Their best efforts giving To raising the rent. And paying the grocer For something to eat. The times drawing closer When they must retreat And give up the battle, As many have done, Or live like mere cattle And all pleasure shun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
To Have a New Years Party

Fred B. Shireman, manager of the Tutwiler, stated yesterday that despite the fact that New Years Eve falls on a Sunday night the annual frolic to in augerate the new year would be held at the Tutwiler-and with wonderful new features of entertainment.
 While New Years Eve happens on a Sunday night" said Manager Shireman, after 12 o'clock it will be Monday morning and the boys and girls can dance in the new year to their hearts content.
 All our plans for the New Years Eve dinner are not as yet completed, but the public may be assured of some thing even more sumptuous than in any other previous New Years cele- bration, and from the advance reser- vation of tables we anticipate one of the largest representative gatherings that have ever attended these popular frolics at the birth of a new year."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
Defir1ise Plan For
 Service Lackimg

.NNTITH all the talk about universal
 WV military training and service in Congress and in army circles no one has yet evolved a definite plan for consideration. Maj.-Gen. Hugh l.. Scott, chief of staff, in his annual re- port argues earnestly in favor of compulsory military service, but out lines or suggests no particular sys- tenn. AS the New York World says, the first thing the general staff should do is to evolve "a system and present it to the American people for discus sion; otherwise argument IS futile"
 The idea of universal training and service appeals to many people, but if measure on the German plan were proposed it would be overwhelm- ingly defeated. The country will never approve of anything that might look like militarism. But certain degree of military knowledge and mil 'itary experience would be good for the youth of the land.
 There would be little or no chance for a bill such as army officers or Senator Chamberlain have in mind to pass in this last session of the Sixty fourth Congress; but there seems to be a reasonable demand for legisla- tion supplementary to the national defense act. The Sixty-fifth Congress will, no doubt, be urged to adopt a bill providing for a comprehensive system of training for boys between Is and 21 years of age, and this is not too soon for the plan to be evolved in order that the public may have time to become familiar with it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12
No Long Faces Here

Luxe A1C1ukc says Iudhy NOiJ 0OOU tings," ramarked Frank Evans yester- day, "but he surely had no reference to the Birmingham preachers when he wrote this
 "'Maybe more of us would long for eternal happiness if the men who preach it didn't wear such long faces
 All of the ministers of this city whom I personally know are possessed of happy. sunshiny dispositions. love and enjoy companionship and life. They laugh when the world laughs with them and smile at good nature. None of them is long faced. There is Dr. Dickinson. whose hearty laughter is never sup pressed not even by newspaper threats at his ways; pr. Foster. whose presence is an inspiration to happi- ness; Father Coyle, whose hand-grasp is tender and warm; Rabbi Newfield whose companionable nature makes his presence sought; Dr. George stewart, whose good humor, wit and wisdom arouse the risibles; pr. Albert Sidney Johnson, whose smiling countenance and charming manner dispel gloom; Dr. Whitten. who smiles at all things fair and good; Dr. Henry M. Edmonds, whose presence and conversation lights the way; Dr. Barnwell, who knows and feels and expresses the joy of life Dr. Jim Bryan, whose very soul happiness beams upon his countenance and cheers the wayfarer.
 And there are other ministers here in Birmingham like unto these.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

Huntsville Mercury: The new state bank of Huntsville which has been dis cussed for the past 12 months has at last organization effected with the election of officers and directors. This is another un- failing sign of the financial growth and progress of this community which now supports two national and six state banks, four of which are located in our prosper ous county towns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

rhs nature of bad news infects the teller. Antony and Cleopatra
 & * <
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

Alabama Reporter: Don't be too hard on Colonel Well. Others made the same mistake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-12

Florence Times: A vail comes from Huntsville about the high price of coal, and movement is on foot there to "be free from the slavery to the coal mines,' D as a. correspondent puts it. And the way they are working is to get the government to establish the nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, so that electricity may be substi- making the same outcry.