davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
ART AND PUBLIC MORALS

From MuS1cal Ameflca.
 Mephisto seldom gets finer raw (sic) material to work upon than that af- forded by the recent police censorship of the Russian Ballet in New York; and his mephistophelian majesty made the most of it last week.
 It is one of the eternal themes, this question of art and public morals, with cetera It crops up so consistently in our puritanical America as to cause our nation to be commonly looked at as rather ridiculous in this respect.
 With such a divergence of opinion upon this subject, with censorship breaking out from various unrelated sources-the police, some self-appointed guardian of public morals, the board or committee of this or that it is hard to see just how we. as a nation, are to come to any such common understand ing of the matter as, for example, ex ists in continental Europe. Far be it from us to recommend the European standard, even though Paris itself was shocked by Nijinsky's "Faun"; but the attainment of sonic national point of view might be considered desirable
 A congress of representative per sons of high standing upon the subject of art and public morals might succeed in formulating a few fundamental prin- ciples to which the nation in general would subscribe. There is no doubt as to the interest which would be mani fested in the sessions of such con gress.
 But who will call it? Who will bell the cat?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
Demand for seaboard Extension

The Seaboard Air Lines progress sive policy should lead that popular company to build an extension into Anniston. The Anniston Star, in urging this project, recalls the fact that "the Seaboard several years ago acquired right of way from Jack sonville to Anniston and terminal fa- cilities there, with the result that the road was granted a franchise that was extended once or twice and finally forfeited by failure of the Seaboard officials to keep faith with the city All along, however, the ultimate aim of the men who projected this exten- sion was line to Florida, connecting the Birmingham district with the coast by direct rail. In furtherance of this aim, line from Grayton or Ohatchie seems to be the proper alter native, as such line could be ex- tended on to Columbus, Ga, thereby connecting up two system of tracks that are, at the nearest points, less than one hundred miles apart, but several hundred miles apart over the tracks of the Seaboard as they exist now"
 As the Star says, Birmingham as well as Anniston should be interested in the proposed extension, for to reach the Atlantic coast from Bir- mingham over the Seaboard now it is necessary to go east 510 miles to Hamlet. N. C., and thence south to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
Various Views by Edison

Thomas A. Edison celebrated his recent birthday by working hard and talking for few minutes to newspa- per men who sought him at his New Jersey home. Incidentally, MT. Edison is e9 years old and shows no inclina- tion to retire from active life. His views on strictly scientific subjects, those related to his own pursuits, are usually listened to with respect, but for presumably busy man, Mir. Edi- son talks about great many things in a very human way. In other words, some of his ideas about matters in general are like the ideas of less famous people-they are more or less fallible.
 When Mr. Edison predicts that the allies will win the war in Europe, but the struggle will last two years long CT, he is merely expressing personal opinion about subject of which the chancelleries of Europe would doubt less like to have more complete infor- nation. It's a prediction and nothing more. Nowadays few people care to hazard a guess as to the duration of the war, although many took chance at it shortly after hostilities began and kept it up until most of the war "experts" had been discredited.
 Public dinners, eating, prohibition, woman suffrage and other matters were also discussed by MT. Edison, and he attacked the deadly cigarette with his usual vigor. With all due respect to MT. Edison and his abili- ties, the most tiresome form of ir- terview, one with which American newspapers are much afflicted, is that which seems to delight in exploiting the views of prominent men on sub jects with which they are not directly concerned and therefore do not speak with authority, and seldom with con viction. An interview with Edison or scientific matters, particularly in the field of electricity and Invention, is always worth while, but even g wizard" doesn't know everything and the newspaper men should give him 8 rest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
The Children,s Matinee

As announced in Sundays Age-Her- ald, the Bijou for the children's mati- nee to be given by the Minneapolis orchestra Wednesday is sold out.
 "If the Bijou were twice as large as it is, it would be filled for this event." said Mrs. Richard F. Johnston. Never have music lovers been so clamorous for any musical entertainment. It is really sad to think what a large num- Der of children will be disappointed at not being able to secure tickets.
 "only children will be admitted to the matinee on children's tickets.
 There are a few seats left for Wednesday night seats. There was a steady demand Monday and the house will be sold out probably before We'd nesday evening""
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
A STRING DE PEARLS

From the New York Globe.
 The arrival on our shores of a pearl necklace valued at $1,O00,00O brings with it a decided air of romance. Wherever jewels above the average in size are concerned there is sure to be lurking in the background tale of murder or theft; just such a one, for instance, as Wilkie Collins conceived in his ingenious story, "The Moon stone" The number of murders and thefts in such cases is in exact ratio with the age of the jewels concerned.
 In this particular instance we are informed with hushed voices that each of the pearls has a romance. And it can well be believed, as it takes years to match pearls so that they may be put together in string which will bring anywhere near the sum at which these are appraised, and so, while some of the pearls may have been recently discovered by divers, others of them have probably come from the foreheads of temple idols or maharajahs in In- dia, and all of them will probably go back there or somewhere else before their history Is closed
 As a matter of fact, this string of pearls has already had one adventure as an entity, and the sharers in this adventure are already behind the bars after they had made the perilous at- tempt to sell some of the stolen bau- b1es. Pears of this size and quality are so rare that thief takes 8 great chance when he tries to dispose of them. In the whole history of the string no detail could have more of the air of a mid Victorian detective story thar it's discovery, after quarrel between an unidentified man and woman, by a workman on the streets of North Lon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
weatherly and sunday Concerts


 q have been spending the winters in southern Alabama for some years past and have been an occasional visitor to Birmingham" said J. F. Newton of Cleveland.
 q happened to be here on Sunday afternoon when an exceptionally fine concert was given at one of the thea tres by a local band of 40 pieces It seems that that concert was the be- ginning of a series of high class band attractions for Sunday afternoon. The admission charge was small and I re- marked to friend that I had never heard a better brass and woodwind organization in Cleveland, and very few better in Chicago.
 Tt was a Sunday afternoon Of real enjoyment. I do not recall all of the programme, but I remember distinctly the overture to William Telr and how well it was rendered.
 There was some speech making and was impressed by short address of | felicitation delivered by City gComms- sioner Weatherly. He welcomed the band and its leader and spoke with afternoon entertainment. such as this local organization afforded. Birming- ham, he thought, should be proud of it. | was surprised to learn when l ar rived in Birmingham this Sunday just passed, that MT. Weatherly. who is still commissioners was now 'participatin | in pastors union movement to pro i hibit by ordinance Sunday concerts as well as Sunday movies. I wondered Certainly music is as refining and ele- vating now as 1t was three or foul years ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
"THE SILENT PIPES

M. Times o Piper Shaun o feea he ummer That the dreamy a ts And from mind met too. To chain the ruddy The magic ofyo melod ove and aug
  eve and No to ightsome tread fled? a afar merry W a he blast of When,a as the unfuled
 
  Befor marche cd be eprased ever The that love old Erns honor more God freedom Have owed many Irish pluck can do he challenges relentless work file of a bayonet of Burke Conner hearth Loud in lie out Fors sha his ssoul.w who Though myp aside sad and silent rest strains oehest, Il the trumpet tones or peace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
DETAILLE AND NAPOLEON

Armand Dayot, in the Century.
 Without having passed under the in- fluence of the great paintings of Napol- con, Detaille was in a sense fascinated by the great figure of the hero. The cause of this obsession, which at times assumed the almost feverish intensity of a thing that haunts one, he explained in an anec- dote which had from him.
 One day, he said, Napoleon was gallop- ing on horseback through the streets and along the wharves of Bouiogne, inspecting all the details of the organization of the fleet assembled for invasion, when child, eager to see him, got right in his path
 In order to avoid running over the child the Emperor sharply drew up his horse; but so abrupt was his halt that the ir- like the most unimportant of mortals, sprawled in the mud close by the aston ished child.
 "Accursed little imp" exclaimed the Emperor. and hastily remounting his horse he went on with his inspection. Now, this child was none other than the grandfather of Detaille
 with such a souvenir in my family, . the painter concluded. laughing, 'it has been very difficult for me not to preoc- cupy myself with Napoleon"
 : As a matter of fact, he has so occupied himself with equal industry and devo- ton, for the proud tragic figure that dominates the whole military history of our epoch holds the most important place in his work. In his Napoleonic paintings Detaille summons before our eyes not only the image of the great leader, the slen- der general or the corpulent Caesar. the conquerer of Arcole and Marengo or the triumphant victor of Austerlitz and Jena, but also the countless forms of the sol diers of grande armee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
HOTEL HOBBIES
Canvassing the seventh DistrIct

q am meeting with much encour- agement in my race for Congress from the Seventh district" said Watt T. Brown of Ragland, who was at the Tutwiler yesterday morning.
 Tn addition to the speeches which am delivering at the principal points over the district, am making a house. to-house campaign by automobile. find this far more satisfactory than trying to get over the district by trains. By using the automobile I waste no time and get to see many more people, and get in closer touch with conditions than I possibly could in any other way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
From the New York Times.
THE new dry law of the state oi
 Washington makes this concession
: to unregenerate appetites:

from the NeW 1Ofk I1meS
 "HE new dry law of the state of
 Washington makes this concession
 -4 to unregenerate appetites:
 It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession more than one-half gallon or two quarts of intoxicating liquor other than beer or more than F quarts or "A pints of beer.
 This permitted dose looks ample. One is reminded of the first faint temperance movements of the early nineteenth cen tury. Somewhere about 1903 certain re- formers in this city associated themselves in an agreement not to drink rum, gin wine or whisky save at public dinners, under penalty of 25 cents, and to penalize themselves in the sum of 50 cents if they got drunk. The members of temper ance" society at Morristown. N. J., 20 years later, promised to drink only pint of applejack day. These societies had no intention of burlesque. They aimed at moderation as it was then understood And the Washington law may be less lib- eral than it seems. The second or in the section quoted is making trouble.
 Does it coordinate equivalents, as in "one-half gallon or two quarts or is 1t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Carl E. Akeley, explorer and big game hunter, has been granted final patents on @ noiseless moving-picture camera. By the aid of his new device the inventor says he will be able to photograph forms of wild animal life that have never yet been photographed, as the camera is al- ways ready for action and requires no elaborate adjustment. Mr. Akeley was in Africa working on elephant groups for the American Museum of Natural His tory and tried to get motion pictures of hunters spearing a lion. He estimates that the film might have been worth $50, 900, but the lion was slain before the moving picture camera he had could be adjusted. He spent two years perfecting his new camera, by which he hopes to record supreme moment" The appa- ratus is inclosed in a round box made of aluminium, with the lens protruding, The base looks like big pie pan. The tctal weight of the machine and the base IS IS lnches. It ooes hot Ieseiii0le III any way the conventional moving picture camera. It is suspended on a curved arm and can be moved in any direction. The turning of the handle makes no sound, SC that the operator will be able to pho tograph birds and beasts without alarm ing them. The Akeley camera will be taken on the Asiatic expedition to be sent out by the American Museum of Natural History.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
A POPULAR POSE.

Do all these prominent citizens who make frequent trips to Washington go there for the purpose of attending to business?"
 T don't think so'
 Some men seem to think that by rush. ing off to the national capital every now and then they acquire national impor- tance."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
business? ?''
SAFETY FIRST.

Miss Calder has wonderful pair of eyes"
 Well, what if she has?o
 But, my dear fellow don't you admire beautiful eyes?'
 "oh, yes, but when I have an idea that they never light up except when they rest on some expensive object, I prefer to do my admiring at safe distance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
ADVISING ARABELLA.

ADVISING ARABELLA. Poor Arabella Gladys Hughes Completely wrecked her mind Endeavoring to fasten shoes That laced up from behind.
 Peoria Journal. To little Arabella Hughes This thing we'd like to say: Why not, when lacing up the shoes, Turn round the other way?''
 Youngstown Telegram. To Arabella we hand this Here thought which has been buddin', Why not lace those shoes up in front Then turn around right sudden?
 Houston Post. Why waste advice on such as she? We speak of Arabella Hughes; If fashion said such things should be, She'd even go without her shoes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
The Sunday School Association

A three days campaign for raising $1O ,0O0 for two-year budget for the Birmingham Sunday School associa- tion will begin tomorrow and in view of the large interest in all movements seeking the welfare of children it should be an easy matter to obtain the amount required.
 Birmingham is the only southern city that has fully organized Sunday school association, and although it is young in years it has an excellent record. In fact it enjoys the reputa- tion of being the "best city associa- tion in America" and this is dis tinction indeed when it is recalled that large and earnest organizations are sustained in New York, Chicago, Pittsburg and Cleveland.
 The activities of the Sunday School association here embrace character building and a general safeguarding of boys and girls. Among the notices used by the association in it's financial campaign none is more impressive, albeit threadbare, or more nearly truism than this: "The Youth of a City Is Its Greatest Asset" The canvass league is officered by prominent citizens. J. W. Mcqueen l is president and each team" is in charge of wide-awake and energetic captain.
 Success to the cause!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
REGINNING THE DAY = NJ

BEGINNING THE DAY - MY Father, when the rain falls into my life and the darkness dcscends, help me to look beyond to the harvests which shall be after awhile. Grant me to open up the deeps of my na- fure for Thy watering. May en- dHre, looking forward unto the more exceeding glory. For Christ's sake. Amen.-H. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

MT. Conan continues to cater to the iii ed business man of New York, and the visitor from Kankakee, with such suc- cesses that he is not at all envious of the war barons' prosperity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
4 JOKE ON THE FOE

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
 Wouldn't it be joke if some foreign foe should start boldly through the Pan- anna canal just as one of the bi-weekiy slides was taking place!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Berlin is said to be pessimistic regard ing the negotiations with America. Der lin should take a few lessons in optimism from Ambassador Bernstorff
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
PROVING IT.

I'm not afraid of germs, you know"
 Remarked a. man named Simpson Blair, Then walked into g picture show
 And blithely breathed some poisoned air
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Times a-flying. Bathing suits will be on display in a short while now and the comic weeklies will devote a great deal of attention to the seashore.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

scottsboro Progressive Age: If you were to kill a man, there is no American court that would force you to so testify before a Jury. If the sinking of the Lu- sitania was an "illegaP act, the United States has no power to force Germany to acknowledge it"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
UNAPPRECIATED

Do you subscribe to the theory that virtue is its own reward?"
 I'm compelled to-" answered the din- gent reformer.
 'why so?"
 My neighbors don't even thank me for my conscientious efforts to show them the error of their ways"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

"Conversation stockings" at s1OO a pair make noise like married man shout ng for help.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

President Wilson missed launching last week by being 10 minutes late, but he will doubtless have other opportuni- ties of that sort.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

The continental army seems to have gone glimmering, but the National Guard is beginning to spruce up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Mexico is going to have some real money printed in the United States, the sort counterfeiter can't initiate after a few minutes work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
ANCIENT ANECDOTES.

What sort of fellow is Dubwaite?" '"The kind of man who starts to tell a funny story and then forgets how it
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

If this country ever has to go to war, let us hope that it will be able to play a thinking part" somewhat similar to the part Japan is now playing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

General Townshend has made careful war is fought on different principles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
Success to the causel

violators of the prohibition law in South Carolina will have to serve a chain-gang sentence of at least six months. Times look dark for the South Carolina bootlegger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

MT. Clark says the democrats can't agree. Getting together nearly always gives the democratic party a pain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Daily and Sunday Ags-Herald, year S6.00 Daily without Sunday. ........ 400 Daily and Sunday, per month";. .b0
 Daily and Sunday, three months. l.0O Weekly Age-Herald, per annum. 50 Sunday Age-Herald. per annum.. 2.U0
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Whoever thought President Wilson had such a warm spot in his heart for Tom Marshall?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Greece says she has been insulted by the allies Why not let King George and King Constantine settle it on the field of honor?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

If George Washington were living to- day he could be depended on to make few speeches for preparedness
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

American watches are said to be pop ular in China. Must be the tin kind, as China can't afford to sport the best.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Troy Messenger: Birmingham IS stil making fight to get to the river. She wants to be lon the river" and not near the river" She wants to be there today and not tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Greece should erect large signboards on some Of her liberals bearing the words in box-car letters, Quit Your Pushing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

No communication will be published without it's author9 name. keJeeted manuscript will Aot be returned un- less stamps are enclosed for that pur- pose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Miss Bessie Shaw and w. D. Brum- beloe are the only authorized travel ing representatives of The Age-Her- ald in its circulation department The Age-Heraid is not responsible for money paid to out -of-town carriers or dealers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

The efficient Germans push a few yards toward Paris and then the fiery French get busy and push them back again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Ashland Progress: It is the part of wisdom for the farmers of the south to stick to the policy of diversification and avoid large cotton acreage again this year. It has time and again been dem onstrated that a small cotton crop brings as much money when marketed as does large one and costs much less to pro- duce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Pell City Progress: The one topic of conversation everywhere is preparedness and there is no doubt as to the public sentiment on the issue. With few ex- captions the people, regardless of politics, have come to understand what must be done to insure the safety of this country from foreign aggression. An adequate navy, the equal of any in the world, is the first essential
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Alabama Democrat: They are talking of establishing a municipal laundry in Birmingham For what-the peoples clothes, or city official linen?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Entered at the Birmingha Ala. pcstoffice as second class matter un- der act of Congress March 8. 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Do you feel like hitting him them" Yes but don't miss much. The story is usually so old that know how 1t ends myself"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

Remittances can be made at current rate of exchange. The Age-Aerald will act be responsible for money sent through the mails. Address
 THE GE-HERALD,
 Birmingham. Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15

WashIn gton bureau. 2o7 Aibbs build Ing.
 European bureau, Henrietta street. Covent Garden, London.
 Eastern business office, Rooms 4S to so, inclusive, Tribune building. New York city; western business otIlce Tribune building, Chicago The 5. V Beckwith Special Agency agents 1oF' etgn advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
ALABAMA PRESS

Selma Journal: A drunk in Birming- ham now costs 50 cents more than it for merlv did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
CERTAINLY NOT.

These gilded youths don't seem to have much on their minds.
 T guess that's lucky for them"
 ''why so?"
 If our streets were paved with pie crust they wouldn't stand much traffic. would they?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-15
INFERIOR LIGHTING.

INTERIOR LIGHTING. When Gadsby went to bed last night he failed to put out the lights in his room"
 How do you account for that2" Easily enough. His own illumination was considerably more brilliant than that of the room itself"