davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Sveaborg, the mighty fortress which guards the neck of the Gulf of Finland and the water approaches to the Rus sian capital, is called the Gibraltar of the Baltic" It was to acquire this strong hold that Russia took Finland from the swedes Across the gulf from sveaborg lies Reval, where there are other strong Notifications and important Russian navy yards. The two points effectively block the way from the Baltic against any hos tile power. The fortress of Sveaborg stands in front of Helsingfors, the cap ital of Finland. There are hundreds of small islands, covered with thick woods, in the coastal waters around Helsing- fors. On a group of seven of these islands the huge fortress of Sveaborg is located It is considered practically i'm pregnable and in addition to the main Qualifications there are small redoubts and batteries concealed in several of the outlying islands. Many futile attacks have been made against Sveaborg and in recent years Russia has greatly strength ened the fort. It is said that more than 1000 guns are mounted there and even in times of peace the garrison consists of several thousand soldiers. During the Crimean war Sveaborg was violently at tackled by the allies. It is related that English guns alone hurled more than 1000 tons of shot and shell into the fortress without doing any appreciable damage. The only time the fortress ever fell was when it surrendered to the Russians without blow being struck. At the same time it's garrison of 5000 men laid down their arms. This bloodless vic- tory was due to bribery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
Birmingham Musical Center

"A friend of mine in New York, who is-widely known as a manager of musical artists, told me recently that Birming- ham was the most musical city of it's size in the United States; that it was far ahead of any city in the south from a musical attraction point of view" said H. s. Forsyth of Boston
 The manager referred to said that Atlanta used to be noted for it's enter prise along musical lines, but that in recent years the people there seemed to care only for opera-a week of it once Q year.
 VI see that Atlanta is to have the Bos- ten grand opera this week-the same company that delighted Birmingham. It ! Is fine company and is greatly esteemed in New York and other big cities, but am curious to know how Atlanta will take to it in view of the fact that it comes only a few weeks ahead of the l regular opera season in that city. Birmingham being really musical turns cut well to hear grand opera, sym Ihcny concerts and artists recitals There has been only one symphony concert in Atlanta in five or six years, and it did not draw a large audience"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

MANS A MAN FOR A THAT By Robert Burns. Is there for honest poverty
 What hangs his head. and a that? The coward slave, we pass him by;
 We dare be poor for a that For a that and a that,
 Our tolls obscure, and a that; The rank is but the guineas stamp
 The mans the gowd for a that What though on namely fare we dine, Wear holden gray. and a that? Gie fools their silks, and knayes their
 wine
 A mans man for a that For a that, and a that.
 Their tinsel show and a that; The honest man, though e'er sac poor, Is king O men for a. that. You see yon birlxle ca d & lord,
 Wha struts, and stares. and a that Though hundreds worship at his word,
 He's but coof for a that; For a that, and a that,
 His riband, star, and a that; The man of independent mind,
 He looks and laughs at a that.  prince can mak a belted knight
 A marquis duke, and a that; But an honest mans aboon his might
 Guid faith, he maunna fla that. For a that, and a that. Their dignities, and a that; The pith O sense, and pride O worth,
 Are higher ranks than a that. Then let us pray that come it may As come it will for a that That sense and worth, OCT a the earth. May bear the gree, and a that For a that and a that, It's coming yet. for a that When man to man, the warld OCT,
 Shall brothers be for q that!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
GEORGE wAsHINGToN-FARMER


 untr he reached manhood, George Washington never saw a town of 5000 in-
 habitants. Our first President was born on a plantation and was brought up in the country. As farmer, Washington was the first American to raise mules, cultivated alfalfa as early as 1760, and performed hundreds of experiments A soll conservationist in the infancy O.. that movement, Washington seems to
 have been the first of Americas s scientific
 farmers. His family crest had blazoned
 upon it s cinque foilesH-indicat that the bearer practiced husbandry on his own land; when the greatest of the Washingtons made a book plate of his coat of arms he added to the old design spears of wheat such as he raised at Mount Vernon. The more l am ac- quainted with agricultural affairs, thu
 better l am pleased with them" Wash ington wrote to Arthur Young in 17SS. T can nowhere find so great satisfaction as in those innocent and useful pursuits. 1 In indulging these feelings I am led to reeect how much more delightful to an undebauched mind is the task of making | Improvements on the earth than all the 1 vainglory which can be acquired from ravaging it, by the most uninterrupted career of conquests." Thus the victor 1 of our war for independence to the Brit ish editor of Annals of Agriculture and the author of Travels in Ireland'' and
 Travels in France.') These and other | interesting facts are brought out in Paul
 Leland Haworth's newly published book ' George Washington-Fa Farmer" that pre- 1 sents the life of the nation builder from
 an angle that has been sighted by somt earlier biographers Washington's great ness lies. in part, in the fact that he was a good farmer besides being good gen eral and a good President Mir Haworth' $ book is published by the Bobbs-Merril
 company of Indianapolis, and it is good
 American pook.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
ODD CUSTOMS OF THE IINDUS

One day when I told him to pick the hairs out of my brush, he looked at me sadly, and then began to tell me about nephew that had suddenly departed this flesh and would I be so kind as to give half rupee to the grief stricken father and the other half to the inconsolable uncle. That was more than I could stand and on the spot told him that he was discharged, fired and to get out of my sight as fast as he could.
 Thank you, sahib, thank you" said Thumb with profound salute.
 I told him that he needn't thank me for firing him, but he only bowed his head and thanked me more profusely than. ever His gratitude was as pro- nounced as if had given him a rupee.
 twill you give me a recommendation kindly for the good boy have been. sahib?'
 After what a poor servant he had been that was the last straw. It would be underhanded to foist him off on somebody else-and then suddenly I saw way out, "Yes," agreed enthusiastically. and then I wrote for him:
 ''The bearer of this note with the un- pronounceable name has been in my em- ploy for two weeks During this time have aged perceptibly. He is a servant of caste, but he never lets work interfere with his caste. When he came to me he was a man of family, but at the rate which his family has been depleted doubt if he has left more than enough children to last out week. You will find him especially good at getting your shirt studs in backward and at pulling off the tips of your shoe strings"
 Thumb. who made a pretense of being an English scholar, read the recommen.. dation carefully; but his mastery of words was such that he could not quite follow the meaning.
 s.Thank you. sahib, thank you" he said too proud to admit that it was not clear to him. Tt will be of great help to me-
 And to the other fellow, too,' I said as he salaamed, and passed out of my life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
TRAINING FOR HOTEL COOKS

From the New York World
 New York hotel manager, calling at tention to the great demand of the hotels for cooks and instancing their property investment of probably $5o0,Oo0. .OOo'' as an inducement, urges the board of edu- cation to establish vocational courses for cooks for their benefit.
 The request accords with the popular theory of the uses of the public schools. There being demand for special course of instruction of any kind, as in this case for cooks, why, put 1t up to the schools to supply the want. Intro duce courses in French cuisine, employ a staff of chefs and teach pupils how to mako sauces and lard filets. Perhaps the ideal would best be realized by setting aside one school building for budding chefs: no doubt under the Gary plan this would be one of the most popular of all school courses.
 No one can deny that from the Broad way lobster belt to the remotest road house there is need of competent cooks. The vocation is a lucrative one, and 1t is regrettable that more ambitious young men do not take it up and give it the standing it has in Europe
 But why do not the great hotels en- courage cooking by establishing training schools of their own or developing a more adequate apprentice system2 If the hotels are to have courses for their benefit in the schools because they rep resent a property investment of $5Oo.000 900, there might as logically be special school instruction for employees of the Astor estate or for clerks in great cor porations. Some of the latter. like the Standard Oil company, maintain train ing schools of their own, and that is what the hotels should do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
THE ELDER soTHERN,s BARBER

from My Remenbrances-Wit tbe
 Boston Museum Company" by Edward
 Il. Sothern, in the March Scribner.
 Earp was the barber at the Gramercy Park hotel. He lived in the basement a perfectly unbelievable man, thin as 2 rail, six feet three in height, solemn as the sphinx. He eked out his income from paroering by raising white mice; he also kept parrots, love birds, flying squirrels jackdaw. My father was very fond of animals; he always had one. sometimes two, dogs with him, and frequently pur- chased some of Earp's menagerie for his rooms in New York. Earp usually looked after these purchases each night anc brought them to my father when he came m the afternoon. He now appeared This was the first time I had seen him He carried his barbers implements in his two hands. My father sat in the middle of the room where Earp hac placed chair. Earp then took from a large pocket parrot which crawled onto his shoulders. My father paid nc attention. From another pocket he took two love birds which crawled upon his chest to his head and perched thereon, Two flying squirrels emerged next and flew at once to the window curtains and clung there chattering. Several white mice then appeared and began to crawl over my father. At last another parrot bestrode Earps other shoulder and 2 jackdaw jumped out of small bag of razors and stood on table. I, of course was surprised My father spoke not the thing was customary.
 Fine day" said Earp
 "Isn' it?' said my father.
 Hair cut. said a parrot
 l laughed with glee.
 My son-Earp' said my father by way inf introduction
 Earp held out q sad hand which 1 shook solemnly. I felt strangely abashed al living birdless life.
 "Nextn cried the jackdaw
 It is fact that these parrots and this jackdaw spoke this barberous talk Shave or hair cut" one would say How much?'' Fifteen centsn would another remark
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
s.s.ss...s..................
ADRIF'T WITH THE TIMES
APoLLos oF THE scREEN

'1 v 1HE 111 h7 711@ VIZ H74@' I'd go into the movies And do it right away, But something seems to tell me I'd have no chance to stay, E' en though I were hummer, A genius, and could act, For many times I've noticed, And state it for fact, That motion picture players A reputation win By prepossessing features And a dimple in the chin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
suFFs "AT woRI<n
From the New York World,

From the New York World
 The suffrage ladies could do more for their cause in the capitals of the states than by staying in Washington hotels and writing saucy valentines to congress- men. But it would be much less fun and only one-forty- eighth part as much Hmelight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
Complimented br onern singers

Miss Ann Faulkner, the vocal soloist who is heard at the Tutwiler every day in conjunction with the Wiegand orchestra adds greatly to the enjoy ment of guests of the hotel. She sings unusually well, and when the Boston Grand opera stars were at the Tut wiler thsi week several of them spoke in high praise of her voice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
HOTEL LOBBIEs
The Confedcrnte Reunion

q am receiving letters from Confed- crate veteran organizations in various states asking about reunion plans" said W. C. Radcliffe, secretary of the Cham Der of Commerce. There is great in- terest in the forthcoming event and Q large crowd may be expected here in May.
 The Chamber of Commerce commit tees on the reunion will begin active work within the next few days There will be enough to keep them busy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

A Pittsburg contemporary scouts the theory that there are canals on Mars However, the atmosphere Of Pittsburg makes astronomical observations through a telescope rather difficult
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
CRUEL NECESSITY

CRUEL NECESSITY. Love is all in all, says this poet" 'In fine freney, no doubt" You can't always tell. He may have written this comet to pay the butcher"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
EFFICIENT MIR. wHITLock

From the Richmond Times Dispatch.
 Brand Whitlock was best man at a wedding in Brussels. Reing best man on any occasion is Brand whitlocks forte.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
BEGINNING THE DAY-My Fath-

BEGINNING THE DAh-MS Ht"- CT. give nae perception, l pray inee' May I use the eyes of my sOul' May he enabled, by Thy grace, to see through and beyond. Give power TO my spiritual sense. Help me to dis cern life and duty and Thee Whtm cIenr vision, and to know when l have seen. In Chirst's name. Amen H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

If the navy will still be ''poor third'' when the five-year building programme is completed, the grand old Monroe doc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

According to a Massachusetts court, manuscripts lost in transit are worth s1O a pound. If the postal service were not so efficient there might be some money in poetry. after all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Admiral Grant says three German sub- marines are equal to p of ours And if that's true, nobody knows it any better than the Teuts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Charles J. Bonaparte predicts that Roosevelt will be the next President, Charles may be good lawyer, but he's poor prophet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

China existed for 1000 years without a standing army says Jane Addams If the pacifists were wise they wouldfrt call attention to China
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

While the New York gunman is poorly paid to commit murder that's because the "middleman' takes the lions share of the profits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Professor Gardner is not letting the world war interfere with his studies of the monkey language. Happy man
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
THE sorrH,s PROSPERITY

F. J. Splitstone in Leslie's.
 Pensacola. Fla, with history running back to 1559 had what it's enterprising business men call it's greatest day on January 19. when the Gulf, Florida and Alabama railroad celebrated the opening of it's through service, connecting the masnffcent harbor of Pensacola with most of the great trunk line railroads of the north and east. Not that this is Pensacola's first railroad-it has had a road for many years, and good one too, but, says Pensacola, When did 8 town ever amount to anything with only one railroad?
 The line runs almost due north and connects with the Southern at Kim brough. An extension is projected to Jasper, Ala, there to tap the rich War rior coal fields. The people along the route are most enthusiastic and among the hundreds of Alabamians who joined in the celebration at Pensacola were more than a score from Uniontown, which is the roads next objective.
 The road has been financed on new plan. From the beginning President Me gargel took his security in the progress of the work. The bonded indebtedness is only $2O000 per mile, and the terminal is included in the assets of the road. It was this policy that made it possible to bring the road to practical comple- tion in 1915, when the total railroad con- struction in the entire United States was only 900 miles.
 The building of this road is typical nf Tro times past the south has not been guilt less of the sin of railroad marrying, but today it has come to S realization that it's future depends upon the establish ment of new transportation facilities There is an entirely changed attitude toward railroad enterprises, and if they are honestly and capably managed they will get all the support that the people can give.
 Few realize the potential wealth of the south, particularly of the section served by the new road. The Warrior fields hold the largest body of coking coal in the world. This fuel can be laid down at Pensacola 90 cents a ton cheaper than any similar coal can be delivered at any Atlantic seaboard. This is a great diff ference in price when one considers that the average profit per ton on bituminous coal is only 2 cents.
 In iron and steel the Birmingham dis trict bids fair to attain world suprenl- acy Coal iron ore and limestone, the three fundamentals in iron making, are found almost in the same localities, and the cost of production is corresponding ly reduced, so that the export steel and iron business of the country is likely to center largely in the Birmingham dis trict.
 Ot lumber the south still has large re- sources. It is said that timber for shin building can be held down at Pensa, cola at $22 a thousand feet, which is in every respect equal to that costing $40 in Maine, where many of our ships are built. Vast as have been the amounts of lumber cut in past years, there is still great reserve. Naval stores are pro- duced almost exclusively in the south and the middle district still has vast for ests that have never been tapped be- cause of lack of transportation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

King Peter hopes to live until Servia regains its liberty. but his chances for becoming centenarian are rather slim.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Still the number of Americans killed in Mexico is small compared to the na- tion's automobile fatalities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
BREAKING INTO PRINT.

BREAKING INTO PRINT. At last his name In print appearsl He cut his corns With rusty shears.
 Youngstown Telegram. saw his name In type quite bold; He took quack dope To cure 8 cold.
 Sharon Herald. At last his name, In print is seen; He lit the fire With gasoline.
 Warren Tribune. At last his name In print we see; He's got him an Affinitee.
 Houston Daily Post. His name appears In print at last; A sleuth has delved Into his past.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

British workmen are so well paid now adays that it is small wonder they dis like the idea of going a-soldiering
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Congress might celebrate Washington's s birthday in a fitting manner by speed ing up the work for preparedness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

New York is not so sophisticated that it doesn't sit up and take notice when a s1,OoO,COO necklace arrives in town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

If Brandeis is ever seated on the su- preme court bench he will feel like talk ing a long rest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
UNIvNRsAn oPuLNNcR.

There used to be time when polit- cal orator could always get applause by abusing the rich"
 "Yes. But nowadays prosperity Is SC common in this country that a speaker has to be careful how he addresses an audience. The poorest man present may own an automobile or two and block ot stock in munitions plant"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

President Wilson is not to be frightened by loud noise emanating from Oyster Bay.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
SELF coMPLACENCY.

"A man should pause every now and then and take stock of himself" said the genial philosopher.
 That is all right for a modest man, 9 replied the student of human nature, ''but rather a bad plan for the sort of fellow who rates himself little higher every time he does it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
PARADOxICAL

PARADOXICAL T like that man Jobbles." '''Why?"
 "He's so straightforward, That's queer. Everybody says he's a crab"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Guntersville Democrat: It is clear to any thinking mind, that if this country means anything by it's Monroe doctrine, it must be prepared to eforce it's man. dates or be held in contempt when it fails to do so. But that does not mean to turn the treasury over to the looters. The government can make it's own muni-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Gadsden Times-News: No President since the days of Lincoln has had so much to contend with as President Will son. The President has met every emer- gency, has been equal to all the demands made upon him and has not lodged any of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Marion County News: When the next legislature meets the first thing it should do is to repeal all election laws now in force and enact statutes that will give the voters the right to exercise their priv Iigese with the utmost freedom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19
ALABAMA PRESS

Talladega Home: The Birmingham re- porters have a find in Commissioner Arlie Barber. When they want a funny story or a sensation they just hunt up Arlie
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Selma Times: The rules put forward to help us escape the grippe, are: Don't kiss, don't hug and don't overworl1." We suppose the greatest of these is the last
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-19

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, ooatoffice as second class matter un- Ger act of Congress March 8, 1879.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-06
SAY ZEPPELINS USE
FRENCH SEARCHLICHT
Scientists Believe Germans Have
Taken Over Invention.

Paris. March 5.-French scientists
assert that the intensely powerful!
searchlight now used on The German
Zeppelins is the invention Of "A French
man. VI. Dussaud. who described the
new lighting system 20 the Academy Of
Sciences four years ago. but it appears
rot 10 have been put into use By the
French forces. merely because of red
tape delay. The invention is called
"cold light" and is said 20 realize an
effective Illuminating power equal 70
90 per cent of the initial energy.
whereas in the ordinary Lighting sys-
tens 50 TO 90 per cent OF the energy
is absorbed in heat
VI. Dussaud's invention was patented
in all countries OF the world. 4 Berlin
concern bought the German rights in
1913. but France ignored II. After the
outbreak of hostilities the inventor
placed himself At the disposal - the
rench authorities. but red tape kept
the invention and the inventor travel
ling from one Office to another until NJ.
Dussaud gave up in Encouragement.
During the recent Zeppelin raids on
Paris eyewitnesses described the Ger
man light as piercing cloud that
stopped the rays o. the most powerful
searchlights from the intrenched camp
Of Paris. The light consisted of per
pendicular flashes. whose rays we're SO
intense as 70 make the streets or which
II was focused almost "a light as day