davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

Good day, Don Carlitos. How are
you?"
Good day, Vicente" Cor Guadalupe
or Ipifgenio). Every well, thank you.
How are your
Thanks to God, there is no change!
How are Don Guillermo and your
mamma"
"Many thanks, they are as always
"a pause.) 1.-THE roads are bad"
Eyes, senor very bad. Is there much
coffee?"
Enough"
81 am coming to pick next week.
He really isn't, and he knows | know
he isn't-but the remark delicately sug-
qests that there is no i'll feeling)
Come when you wish to. Well, until
we meet again"
Until we meet again-if God wishes
it. May you go with God"
"Many thanks, Vicente" Tor lplh-
genio or Guadalupe). Remain with
Godw
THANK you, sehor-if God wishes it.
Toward women we are everywhere
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
By CHARLES MACOMB FLANDRAU
Author of Harrard Epsodes "The Diary of Freshman etc.

accustomed to a display of more or less
politeness, but in Mexico. under the or
binary circumstances of life, men of all
classes are polite to one another. Ac-
quaintances take off their hats both
when they meet and part, and | have
heard half-naked laborer, bent double
under a sack of coffee berries, murmur,
with your permission" as he passed
in front of bricklayer who was repair
ing a wall. Even the children-who are
not renowned in other lands for observ-
ing any particular code of etiquette
among themselves-treato one another,
as a rule, with an astonishing considera-
ton. Once in the plaza at Tehuacan |
found myself behind three little boys of
about six or seven who were sedately
strolling around and around while the
band played, quite in the manner of their
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

tanned in his original opinion of the
French And Aunt Lizzie, who paid n
dollar and half for trunk strap at the
leading harness shop of Pekin, ILL.,,
and then had it stolen at the Laredo
custom house, will all her life believe
that the chief occupation of every one
in Mexico, from President Diaz down,
is the theft of trunk straps. This sounds
like trifing-but it is the way in which
one country's opinion of another is real
ly formed.
A discussion of the comparative
honesty of nations must always be a
futile undertaking, as a considerable
number of persons in every country are
dishonest. | know for fact that when
Aunt Lizzie alighted at Laredo to have
her trunk examined she saw the strap
with her own eyes," and that some
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
AN OUTDOOR SLEEPING-PORCH IN MEXICO
Photo by Paul Thompson

where between the border and her final
destination it miraculously disappeared.
On the other hand, always leave every
thing | own scattered about my room
in Mexican hotels, because | am lazy,
and various articles that should regret
to lose | have sometimes forgotten to
pack. because | am careless. But
nothing has ever been stolen from me
in Mexico, and when | have requested
the innkeeper by letter or telegram,
please to send me the two diamond
tiaras, together with the emerald
stomacher | inadvertently left in the
second drawer of the washstand," they
have invariably come to me by return
representation of which experiences
(Aunt Lizzie's and mine) proves any
thing whatever about anybody.
The question of "laziness" would be
easy to dispose of if one could simply
say that just as there are honest and
dishonest MeXicans, there are INDECENT
and energetic Mexicans. But somehow
one can't. Many of them are extremely
Industrious, many of them work, when
they do work, as hard and as long as it
is possible for human beings to bear
fatigue-and yet of what we know as
"energy" have seen little or nothing.
For whatever may be the words pre-
else definition, it expresses to most OF
us an adequate power operating under
the lash of a perpetual desire to get
something done. In Mexico there are are
many kinds of adequate power, but ap-
parently the desire to get anything done
does not exist. The inhabitants, from
peon to professional man, conduct their
affairs as if everybody were going ito
live" as Marcus Aurelius says, ten
thousand years"
Among the lower classes, even leav-
ing out of consideration the influence of
a tropical and semi-tropical climate, 1t
is not difficult to account for this lack
of energy. No people whose diet con-
sists chiefly of tortillas, chile, black
coffee and cigarettes are. ever going to
be dashed by the desire to accomplish.
This is the diet of babies as soon as they
are weaned. | have heard proud
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

elders. One of them had a cent, and
after asking the other two how they
would most enjoy having it invested, he
bought from a dulcero one of those
small, fragile creations of egg and sugar
known, believe, as kiss This ne at
once undertook to divide, with the result
that when the guests had each received
a pinch of the ethereal structure there
was nothing left for the host but two or
three of his own sticky little fingers. lie
looked a trife surprised for a moment,
and | thought it would be only natural
and right for him to demand taste OF
the others. But instead of that he
merely licked his fingers in silence and
then resumed the promenade where 1t
had been left off. However, the general
seraphicness of Mexican children is
chapter in itself.
One of the most amusing manifesto
tions of the state of mind known as
"patriotism" is the fact that every
nation is thoroughly convinced OF the
dishonesty of every other. From end
to end of Europe the United States is,
and for a long time has been. syno-
nyme of political and financial corrup-
ton. We are popularity supposed to be
a nation of sharks who have all grown
fabulously rich by the simple, effective
method of eating one another-and
everybody else-up. This is not per-
haps the topic the French Ambassador
picks out to expound at White House
dinners. nor does it form the burden OF
the Duke of the Abruzzis remarks on
occasion of planting tree at Washing
tons tomb. 1t is merely conviction OF
the great majority of their fellow
countrvmen at home. On the other
hand. very few persons with drop OF
Anglo-Saxon blood in them can bring
themselves to admit-much less to feel
that the Latin" races have any but
a shallow and versatile conception OF
honesty and truth. 1t is provision OF
nature that ones own people should
have a monopoly of all the virtues.
Uncle John, who was given short
change for a napoleon by waiter at
the Jardin de Paris, is more than sus-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

mothers at country dances compare
notes, while their men were playing
monte around a kerosene torch stuck IN
the ground.
"My little boy"-aged three-"won't
look at a tortilla unless it is covered
with chile" one of them explains.
Does he cry for Coffee" inquiries
another. MY baby'-aged two and
half screams and cries unless we give
her coffee three and four times a day."
1t is not surprising that population
perpetually in the throes of intestinal
disorder should be somewhat lacking in
energy.
Furthermore, they are religious or,
rather a superstitious people, given to
observing as many of the innumerable
feasts on the calendar as is compatible
with making both ends approach-one
hesitates to say meet. The entire work
ing force of an isolated ranch will
abruptly cease from its labors on hear
ing from some meddlesome passerby
that in more populous localities the day
is being celebrated. That it is may or
may not be fact, and if supply of
liquor cannot be procured there is no
very definite way of enjoying unpre-
meditated idleness. But a fiesta is
fiesta, and every one stands about all
day unwilling to work, unable TO play
the prey of ennui and capricious tenn
pers.
Possibly it is mere hair splitting to
draw a distinction between laziness and
lack of energy, but although climate
and heredity will abide and continue to
restrain the lower classes from undue
continuity Of effort, even as they still
do the wealthy and educated, it is not
fantastic to believe that education and
a more nourishing, less emotional diet
(both are on the way) will stimulate in
TIC hlcAlIdl pCOplc SOlllC VI JIG ldJCiI
qualities that will abSolve them from
the popular reproach of laziness.
COMEBODY once wrote an article
~ perhaps it was a whole book
which he called "The Psychology of
Crowds" | did not read it, but many
years ago, when it came out, the title
imbedded itself in my mind as Won
derfully suggestive title that didn't sug-
gest to me anything at all. Since then
| have had frequent occasion to eXca-
vate it. and without having read word
of the work, am convinced that know
exactly what the author meant. Did
he, | often wonder, ever study, in his
study of crowds, a crowd of American
tourists in Mexico? What misfortune
for his book if he neglected to! They
are, it seems, composed of the most es-
Unable units of which one can con-
ceive; the sort of persons who make a
worlds fair" possible; the salt of the
earth-"the backbone of the nation"
And yet when they unite and start out
on their travels kind of madness now
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

sation of being not only surprised but
somewhat hurt. If, for instance, street
car conductor in taking my ticket should
fail to say Thank you,' and neglect on
receiving it to make toward me short,
quick gesture Of the hand-something
between wave and fourish-I should
realize that, as far as | was concerned.
his manners had not risen to the ordi-
nary standard, and wonder why he had
chosen to be Indifferent and rather rude
This naturally would not apply in the
City of Mexico, where, as in all great
capitals, the mixture of nationalities has
had noticeable influence upon many
native characteristics. But in provincial
MeXico-wherever there was a street
cart would be true.
In riding along a country road it is
likely to be considered an example of
gringo brutalidid if one does not speak to
every man, woman and child one meets
or overtakes. And completely to fulfil
the requirements of rural etiquette. the
greeting must be not collective but in
dividual; everybody in one group muir
murs something-usually "Adios" for
the especial benefit of everybody in the
other The first time took part in this
as it seemed to me then-extraordi-
nary performance my party of three
had met another party of equal number
on narrow path in the mountains, and
as we scraped past one another the word
adios in tired but distinct tones wa;
uttered exactly eighteen times-a posi-
tive litany of salutation that nearly
caused me to roll off my mule. 1t is d
polite sociable custom and like it, but
under certain circumstances it can be-
come more exhausting than one woulG
suppose. In approximation Sunday
afternoon, toward the end Of long, hot
ride-a certain little town (Which no
doubt is to-day very much as it was
when CorteS 3S7 years ago mentioned IT
in one of his letters to Charles W, | have
met as many as three hundred persons
returning from market to their ranchi-
tos and villages. Adios is beautiful
word, but-well, after one has said it
and nothing else with a parched throat
and an air of sincerity for the three
hundredth time one no longer much
cares. However, if you don't know the
returning marketers it is safe to as
sumo that they all know great deal
about you, and for variety of reasons
it is we'll, however tired one may be, to
observe the convention.
With the pure-blooded Indians along
the Gulf Coast there is, when they hap
pen to know you, an elaborateness about
your meetings and partings on the road
that amounts to a kind of ritual. The
sparkling conversation that follows is
an ordinary example and an accurate
translation of what is said. During its
progress hands are grasped and shaken
several times-the number being in d.
rect ratio to the number Of drinks your
friend has had during the day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
The People Who Claim
That All MeaicanS Are
Lazy and 7reacherouS"
Are the Sort of Folks
Who assure Yon That
"French Are Immoral"
ana" ScOtch Are Stingy"

Nr. FldHdrdu is a young American
rho has Tired IN MericO for number
OF years and kno1cS both the people and
the country at first hand. The foIto'c
ina able and sympathetic Interpretation
of Nerican character and customs is
reprinted from his book, "Vira Mer-
leo"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
THE inability of people in general to
think for themselves, the inevi-

think for themselves, the inevi-
- tableness with which they wei
come an opinion, phrase, catchword,
if it be sufficiently discriminating and
easy to remember, and the fashion in
which they then solemnly echo it are
never more displayed than when they
are commenting upon a race not their
own. Sometimes this rubber-stamp sort
of criticism is eulogistic in tone, as
when. for instance, a few years ago it
was impossible in the United States to
speak of the Japanese without calling
forth from some tedious sounding board,
who couldn't have told Jap from Fill
pino. the profound exclamation: what
wonderful little people they are. But
more often than not ignorant criticism
of a foreign country is also adverse. For
one nation cannot altogether understand
another. and if it is true that ''to under
stand everything is to pardon every
thing" it must also be true that unfor-
giveness is one of the penalties of being
misunderstood.
1t is the vast throng of fairly well
educated people in general who are
forever divulging the news that Eng
lishmen have no sense Of humOr," that
"the French are very immoral" that all
Italians steal and none of them wash,
that every German eats with his knife
and keeps his bedroom windows closed
at night" that "the inhabitants of Rus
STA are barbarians with a veneer of civ
ilization" Chow they cherish that word
"veneer"D and that "the Scotch are
stingy.'
The formula employed in the case of
MeXicanS runs usually something like
this: They're the LATEST people in the
world. and although they seem to treat
YOU politely they are all treacherous and
dishonest. Their politeness is merely on
the surface; it doesn't come from the
heart"-as does the exquisite courtesy
we are so accustomed to receive from
everybody in the United States, one IS
tempted to add, without, however, doing
so. For what, after all, is the use OF ell
tering into discussion with the sort OF
person who supposes that his own or
any ones else politenesS comes
from the heart" or has, in TACT,
anything to do with the heart!
Politeness, of course, is, all the
world over, Just the pleasing surface
quality we should expect it to he
from the derivation of the word. Even
in Kansas or South Boston we do not
necessarily wish to die for the old gen
tleman whom we allow to pass through
the doorway first, and the act Of taking
off ones hat to lady scarcely convlctS
one of a secret passion for her. But it is
odd what depths are demanded OF Next
can politeness, which-eXcept for the
TACT that there is much more Of its,
like our own, an outward polish and
nothing else.
If, however, there is any thing valu-
able in politeness as such, the MeXicans
have over us at least one extensive adj
vantage. For in Mexico the habit OF
polteness in its most elaborate form is
so universal that the very occasional
lack Of it in anybody gives one the SEN
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16

Copyright by D. Appleton e. Co
Used By permission.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20
COUNCIL FAILS To-
PASSSCHOOL BUDGET.
Judge Jones Declared Mayor
of Bessemer at Meet
ing of Council

Bessemer, September 19.-(Specia1.)
The school budget amounting to s1z,-
500 was denied by the aldermanic
board of the city council at its regu-
lar meeting held tonight. Aldermen
Crotwell, Deason, Milton, Smithson and
Huey voted aye, while Aldermen Sur
rat, Simmons, Austin and Edwards
voted no. The vote stood five to four
in favor of the measure but in mat
tiers of this kind am majority vote OF
the entire council is required John
W. Brooks, president, of the board OF
education, appeared before the coun-
ell and asked that the school budget
be appropriated at this meeting as
there was large increase in attend
ance over last year. The matter was
discussed at length and Alderman Huey
made motion that the budget be al
lowed. Alderman Simmons stated that
he thought this was an inopportune
time to pass on such a matter and he
thought the matter should go over to
the new board of aldermen. President
George Ross stated that he thought
the budget should be allowed as the
new aldermen could not pass on such
a matter without investigating same
and it would be delayed probably sew
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20
THIS IS NEWS
WORTH READING
Physicians, Jurists, Bankers,
Business Men, Citizens,
Indorse Natona From
Personal Use
STRONGEST PRAISED
REMEDIAL AGENT
Testimonials the Like Of
Which Not Equaled by
Any Medicine Company
Being Published

A campaign of advertising is being
inaugurated by the Natona company
of Mobile Ala in behalf of their old
and valued remedy-Natona-w has
been on the market for more than 80
years.
Testimonials will be published that
are claimed by experts in advertising
to be among the most interesting and
convincing ever given to the public for
any remedial agent, will be presented
for Natona, and these testimonials are
unlike any that have or are appearing
for other preparations, because they
embrace among them physicians of the
highest standing, some of whom have
national regulations, and which no 9th
err advertised medicine can procure
There are also testimonials from
distinguished jurists, lawyers, bankers,
business men and men in all other
walks of life who have tried Natona
and who speak from their personal
knowledge of its merits. and these are
of such a character that no one can
question their verify or doubt their
genuineness.
Physicians have first tried Natona
for their own personal ailments and
have found it so beneficial that they
prescribe it in their practice and tes-
tify to it's virtues. Natona covers a
wider range of usefulness than any
other remedy on the market. Those who
are afflicted from any cause will derive
information from the perusal of these
testimonials that may prove of untold
value to them.
While Natona is not presented as a
"cure all" still its benefits have covered
so wide a range of cases, many of which
had failed of relief from all other rem
edies and treatments. that it's action
can well be claimed as marvellous and
its value beyond compare.
These testimonials will appear in these
columns from day to day with the
names of leading druggists who will
have the same on sale.-Adv.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20
HARTSELLE

Hartselle, September 19-(Special.)-J.
L. Day was reelected city commissioner
here Monday by majority of six votes
over his opponent, j. R. Howell, Day
receiving 107 and Howell 101. warm
race was precipitated and ardent sup
porters of both candidates worked active
ly until the close of the polls. The re-
election of Mr.. Day is distinct compli-
ment to the progressive and clean-cut
administration he has given the city for
the past three years. In fact Mr.. Day
has served as city official for the past 70
or 70 years, and is identified with the
upbuilding of the town. His opponent,
]. R. Howell, was recognized as the
strongest opponent that the opposition
could put forward and while the race
was void of mud-slinging. yet the fight
was a very warm one.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20
Alabama LAWYER Honored

Montgomery, September 19.-(Special.l
Letters were received in Montgomery to-
day announcing the election of vice
president and local council for Alabama
of the American Bar association, which
met in annual convention recently in
Chicago. Associate Justice Thomas c.
Mcclellan of the supreme court was
chosen as the vice president from Ala
bama for the ensuing year. The local
council for this state is composed OF w.
L. Martin. attorney general. Montgomery;
Gen. r. f. Lyon, clerk of the supreme
court, Montgomery; William P. Acker.
Admission; Henry a. Bradshaw. Florence.
Alabama was largely represented at the
Chicago convention with about Is lawyers
and jurists in attendance.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20

side examiner attorney of the inter-
state commerce commission, in regard
to the pleas of local packing com
panies and other shippers for a reduc-
ton of switching charges and other
freight rates.
The compliments seek to have
switching charges between Birming-
ham and North Birmingham reduced TO
81 a car. in one case. In the other,
lower freight rates on cattle from Ken
lucky and Tennessee to Birmingham
arc desired.
The testimony as submitted by the
shippers and railroads will be sub
mitted to the commission. If consid-
cred sufficient, the testimony will be
the cause of a hearing at Washington
before the railroad rate body
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-20

eral weeks The roll was called, the
aldermen voting as stated above.
The last meeting for the transact
ton of business of the present city
council was called to order at o'clock
by President George Ross with all
members present, with the exception
of Alderman Winters. A committee
composed of Aldermen Deason, Croft
well and Surratt was appointed to
canvass the returns of the municipal
election, after which a resolution was
adopted declaring B. Clay Jones' who
received G49 votes, mayor of BESSIE
mer: George Ross. sos votes. president
of the city council, and the following
aldermen receiving the following num-
Der of votes; First ward, j. M. Low
cry, 5s5; w. c. Terry, sos; Second
ward. L. e. Ling, sos; N. B. Barker,
596; Third ward, A. J. McCampbell,
597; w. A. Simmons, 597; Fourth ward,
w. j. Austin, 596; ]. H. Edwards, sos;
Fifth ward, w r. Parker, sos, and b.
II. Tillman, SOS
Officers j. G.. Thomas and A. D.
Maddox petitioned the council to re-
turn S725. the amount of a fine paid
the municipal court in Birmingham.
claiming they were unjustly fined on
a charge of assault and battery. After
some discussion the matter was re-
ferred to the police committee with
power to act. Will Terry, who was
accidentally shot by officer Tucker,
petitioneG the council for 81 per day
pay while he was injured. The matter
was referred to the police committee
! with power to act.
! f. 6. Randle, one of the best known
and most popular young men of this
| city, died this morning at o'clock at
! his home on Arlington avenue from a
1 severe attack of acute indigestion. Mr.
/ Randle, who was employed at the Bes-
| semer rolling mill, was at work last
| night and complained of pain in his
chest which continued to grow worse
| and worse. DIR. T. l. Conwell was sum-
| moned and Mr.. Randle was carried
| home, where medical aid was given
and he was thought to be much better.
i Later in the night he again grew worse
| and although physical was again
! called and neighbors were summoned
/! and everything that could be done was
| done. Mr.. Randle died in short time
| after the second attack. Mr.. Randle
| was reared in Bessemer and has lived
1 here practically his whole life. He. is
survived by his widow. Mrs. Julia East
ham Randle; one little son, Edward
| Randle one brother. DR.. George d..
Randle of Ensley; two sisters. Mrs.
| Eddie NanCleave and Mrs. Fletcher
Jones. The funeral will be held
| Wednesday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock
from the late residence. 1911 Airing
/ ton, the services being conducted by
| the Rev M. X. Thornton, pastor of
the FRS. Baptist church, and the Rev.
George Stoves, pastor of the First
| Methodist church. Interment will fol-
| low at Cedar Hill cemetery with ia
cobs in charge. The deceased was
highly esteemed by the officials of the
| company as well as highly respected
by all who knew him and his sudden
| death came as great shock to his
| relatives and friends.
Chesley Bird Gwin, n years of age