davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
LEARNING LATE
From the Youngstown Telegram.

From the Youngstown Telegram.
 Otis Hurley. prison demon," has spent about one-half of the 40 years of his life in the Ohio penitentiary. Four times he has been sentenced to the state penal institution. Three times he was released and three times he came back as quickly as possible. In prison he was for IS years menace to guards and fellow prisoners. He devoted himself assiduously to fighting, melting riots and attempting to kill. Now he says he's through and will fol- low the straight path.
 Nobody operated on Otis Hurley's head or strengthened defective teeth to remove the criminal tendency of a diseased mind. A little common sense treatment substituted for the straight jacket made him tractable and 20 years in prison finally convinced him that crime does not pay. Not being greatly gifted intellectually Hurley was slow to learn. He might have absorbed the same lesson 20 years ago, which would have been much better for Hurley and for his fellow men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
THREE SCORE AND TEN

From Speech Delivered by Mark Twain
 at His Last Birthday Dinner at Del
 n.onico's.
 Three score years and ten!
 It is the scriptural statute of limita- tions. After that you owe no active du- ties; for you the strenuous life is over. You are a time-expired man, to use Kip ling's military phrase; you have served your term, vel. or less well, and you are mustered out. You are become an honor- ary member of the republic, you are em ancipated, compilations are not for you. nor any bugle call that lights out. You pay the time-worn duty bills if you choose, or decline if you prefer-and with out prejudice-for they are not legally collectable.
 The previous engagement plea, which in 40 years has cost you so many twinges, you can lay aside forever; on this side of the grave yCu will never need it again. If you shrink at thought of night. and winter, and the late homecomings from the benquet through the deserted streets "a desolation which would not remind you now as for generation it did. tnal your friends are sleeping and you must creep in a-tiptoe and not disturb them, but would only remind you that you need not tiptoe, you can never disturb them more-if you shrink at the thought ot these things you need only reply: Your invitation honors me and pleases me be- cause you still keep me in your remem- trance, but I am 70; 70. and would nestl ir the chimney corner. and smoke m, pipe, and read my book and take my rest. wishing you well in all affection and that when you in your turn shal arrive at pier 70 you may step aboard your waiting ship with reconciled spirit and lay your course toward the sinking sun with contented heart.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
STOP THEM RIGHT HERE!

Who, for instance. would prefer to sing T fain would live in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten, in stead of the original, T wish I was in de land ob cotton, Old times dar am not forgotten?" And do we want the learned professors to exchange for "Old missus marry Will de weaber, Willium was a say deceaber." for "The mistress welded Will. the weaver; William was gay de- ceiver?' And finally. what kind of fun would we get out of Dixie if instead of singing. While missus libbed. she libbed in clober. and when she died. sho died all ober, we were obliged to chant this dismal epitaph, While mistress lived, she lived in clover, and when she died, she died completely and in all her parts?" Can you imagine it Or when sitting round campfire in autumn can you imagine yourself lifting up your joy ful voice in tOld Folks at Home' and substituting for Here's what my heart is turnin' eber. Dere's wha de ole folks stay" the denatured. if correct. observa- ton, There's where my affections natu- rally incline. there's where my parents still abide?
 Better keep meddling hands off the pitt fully few genuine American songs we have!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

IN Harper's Magazine for October Is
 printed the poems of a woman re- S gently released from prison. Lorin F. DeLand, the husband of the novelist, vouches for their authenticity and fur nishes an introduction to the poems.
 ITO better understand her case, l got into personal touch with the places ana reople among whom she had lived. In the city of her exploits there is a criminal quarter, about four block long and five blocks wide, which is the tough sec ton of the city. The police decided upon making a vigorous effort to clean up this section-not that 1t could be eliminated, but 1t might be improved. They fixed upon x 107 as the spot where the clean up'' should begin. As they expressed it, she "dominated' the underworld there, and she must be gotten rid of at the very start. This was accomplished by a meth cd familiar to all who know the worst si6e of police possibilities She was trapped by three or four men. themselves criminals, as the price of tAir own fm- munity from prosecution for various petty offenses they were known to have committe
 "It was toward the end of her impr'~' onment that she began to write verse, ap- parently for the pure relief of expression. She was indifferent to its reception, and took little pride in 1t. In certain moods she wrote with great ease. But the char acteristic of her mind that interested me from the start was It's unexpectedness. She never gave the anticipated answer. Her mental processes had strange orbits, ani forecast was impossible. When she appeared before the parole board her an- swers were like so many joits to those long accustomed to conventional replies. I suppose your mother was discouraged with you at this time,' asked the grave chairman of the board.
 "She weighed the question Judicially. Should you say "discouraged?" think "disgusted" would better express 1t.
 Let me better illustrate this quality of her mind by a single incident: In prison I ouce asked her this question:: If you were given absolute freedom to spend one night in the great city, wholly un- controlled, where would you go-to the theatre, to a dance, or where?'
 After moments thought she replied:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
POEMS OF A PRISONER

T would choose a warm night after sa rainy day, a night when all the electric lights wore halos round their heads and everything was foggy. I'd go to the park anc walk for an hour up and down the paths, where I could see the reflections of the misty lights in the wet stone pave nlents. Then Ia like to go to some quiet place where I could hear organ music for another hour. Then I'd go to bed satisfied. But before I got into bed I'd open and shut my door for five min utes steadily. I'd want to know that 1t wasn't bolted! These verses chosen wholly at ran- dom, are printed without any attempt at editing
 APRIL wEATHER' 'I said, in the night, I shall smile no
 more, For my grief seemed deep, and my heait
 was sore Bu, I woke when the sun caressed my
 lirs, And tingled down to my fnger-tps So I sang, instead, Hitting lay To an April sky on an April day.
 "WHY?" Swept in by the tide, and cast on lifes
 
 Unwanted. uncalled for, an atom ,f
 chance Groping and cursed by the sins of an-
 other, Hopeless watching the gray years ad-
 vance. Swept on by the tide, in it's merciless
 surging, Battered and lashed by black povertys
 wave; plaything of fate. by fate ill-begotten. Wind-driven derelict, marked for the
 grave. Swept out by the tide to the land of
 surmises; Questions unanswered naught learned
 but cry; Crushed by the strife of an unsousht ex-
 istence; Back to the nowhere. murmuring
 'Why?
 MY SONG" 'I cannot help but sing. I said For joy hath lately found me! When friendly stars shine overhead, cannot help but sing. I said: Wouldst have me weep? The past is
 dead. And kindly friends surround me- cannot help but sing. I said, For joy hath lately found me!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
AUTUMN

.t Bliss Carman. in the October Atlantic. Now when the time of fruit and grain Is come,
 When apples hang above the orchard wall.
 And from tangle by the roadside stream scent of wild grapes fills the racy air, Comes autumn with her sunburnt cara van, (
 Like a long gypsy train with trappinss gay
 And tattered colors of the Orient. Moving slow-footed through the creamy hills
 The woods of Wilton. at her coming. Tints of Bokhara and of Samarcand The naples glow with their Pompeian red. The hickories with burnt Etruscan gold; va And while the crickets fife along her march, Behind her banners burns the crimson
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
MoRGAN,s CIGARS COST .1.2s

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 They found among the effects left by Pierpont Morgan sS0oo worth of cigars I held in my hand few days ago two boxes of his favorite brands. His after dinner smokes cost $l5 each.
 A representative of the Cuban factory which makes them tells me that Morgan ordered usually 5000 or 6OO0 at clip.
 There are only two men in Cuba who can make that cigar, and nearly all ot them are produced by one man. said this Cuban producer. We pay him 4( cents to make each cigar and he can roll about 25 of them in one day"
 The king of Wall street smoked bi, better cigar than does Emperor William of Germany. The Kaiser's cigar. made by the same factory in Cuba, is worth 90 cents.
 The oldest brand of cigars was put out 112 years ago; that is the oldest which is in existence today understand that in face of the British battleships, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
MATTER OF PRIDE.

What made that chap flare up when remarked that every human being con- sumed about peck of dirt in his life- timer"
 'He considered that a reflection on his position in the world. He owns several motor cars and consumes not less than peck of dirt every 12 months"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
GOOD BREEDING
By Lord Chesterfield.

Civility is the essential article toward pleasing and is the result of good na- ture and good sense, but good breeding is the decoration, the lustre of civility, and only to be acquired by minute attention to. and experience of good com pany. A good natured plowman or fox hunter may be Intentionally as civil as the politest courier, but their manner often degrades and vilifies their matter; whereas in good' breeding the manner always adorns and dignifies the matter to such degree that have very often known it give currency to base coin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
MISSING.

Oh, have you seen fair Inez,
 Who left six months ago, She told her weeping parents,
 To join a picture show? By now she should be starring Upon the movie screen, Applauded by the public, = An undisputed queen. Oh, have you seen fair Inez?
 Her venture was so rash; We fear in some cheap restaurant She may be singing hash.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

7THE questions are frequently ll asked: "Why is Alabama the only state in the union whose consCi- tution discriminates against saVihgs
 accounts in case nal. p,;1d Tn of the failure of a Savings Accounts state bank? Why
 does the Alabama law provide for the payment ot every other claim ahead of the savings ac- count of the widow and orphan and wage earner?"
 It is an archaic provision. It was in the old constitution and was re- tained in the constitution of 1901.
 Certain small banks of the state wished to discourage interest-bearlng accounts. They did not want to pay interest. They wanted all deposits o1 the noninterest paying kind.
 They were influential enough to have the idea embodied in the states organic law and no savings deposltor of state bank which has failed has ever received a cent in dividends since the creation of the state bank ing department.
 Savings accounts should be en- couraged rather than discouraged. An amendment correcting the savings ac- count provision of the constitution will be submitted to the voters No vember '. The amendment should be ratified overwhelmingly.
 # $ * NURSES are expressed, but never NJ spoken in motion pictures-that is, the public never hears what streaks of profanity were emitted by an irate director, or what some cowboy said
 when he came Bold British Capture n unexpected A Movie Submarine cropper and
 skinned his nose while taking part in western thrill er''-but a certain American firm must be highly indignant at the man. ner in which bumptious British war ships, patrolling in the vicinity of the Bahama Islands, seized it's "subma- rine" while the picturesque, if un- lovely, craft was being peaceably lowed by yacht to Miami, Fla.
 The state department has been ap- pealed to and the submarine will no doubt be released. If the British really thought, as alleged, that it was German undersea vessel, the Kaiser should feel deeply humiliated by hav- ing his efficient U-boats compared to a movie submarine"
 The incident reveals a comic opera phase of warfare, which is not absent, even from the bloodiest of struggles Furthermore, it may cause slight delay in the forthcoming production of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea-"
 TN an address before the Allegheny q County Sabbath School associa- tion of Pennsylvania the statement was made that the adult Bible classes
 held the balance of Bible Classes as political power in Political Clubs the state. It was
 also declared that there was not single state office the members could not win, the inference being that they held the whiphand of reform and the general uplift.
 It may be that the brethren have overestimated their political power in Pennsylvania, state notorious for it's old-fashioned ''bosses" and the favor ite stamping ground of the machine politician. But, even if they are not deceived as to their strength, as point ed out by the able Pittsburg Dispatch, they would find it no easy matter to obliterate party lines and abolish time -honored political methods. The moral element does not always cast a solid vote for it's accepted candidate. Like labor, it scatters at the polls. But more important still, when
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
ADRIF1T WITH THE TIMES
A soRp1p CONFESSION.

When poets sing of happy days
 And sorrows left behind, Who ventures to investigate,
 More oft than not will find The bards are stimulating cheer
 And Joyousness complete In hopes to sell little song
 And buy a bite to eat. Twas ever thus with rhvming folk, Since first they gan to sing The soft delights ot auIulu4l .lHne Or pleasures of the spring. And they have even trilled of love
 With most consuming heat, Just for no other motive than
 To earn bite to eat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
ANXIOUS TO GET AWAY.

ANXIOUS TO GET AWAY When Miss Founders was playing just now I felt as If I were lifted above all earthly things and sailing through space Oh a cloud" said the temperamentai Mrs. Twobble.
 How did the music affect you, Henry?"
 Well if I could have sailed out of the window on my hat I certainly would have done so'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
IN THE TRIANGULAR.

IN THE vERNACULAR. This vaudeville performer actually walks on his ear.'"
 Remarkable! I didn't see anything about his feat in the criticism of the show in today's paper" "Yes. And he got on his ear about that"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

BEGINNING THE DAY-Trust in God Is the greatest wealth. More to be desired than gold are the peace and the substance ana tne dignity which come to those ""o rely on the Almighty. Absence o' fear, immOvableness, power dom, continuity of life and oi H' ence, the feeling of immorthIi'y m these flow from trust HI "o" NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

which it was founded, but soon after the Civil war it became a party fol the protection of special interests and such it has remained. In 1912 Roose- welt made a desperate effort to put an end to it and came very near succeed ing. If Hughes is defeated next month the party of reaction will ] find it harder than ever to get on it's feet again. But even if it has an- other lease on life, it will be only a question of time when the democratic party will see it die just as it has witnessed the passing of other strong parties. History never tires of re- beating itself.
 A certain comedian and his wife en- gagged in shocking quarrel in the lobby of New York hotel recently. People who live public life should at least do tFeir fighting behind closed doors. * < <
 The meddlesoine British have captured submarine belonging to a motion pie ture company. If John Bull interferes with our movies he is going to stir up a hornets nest sure enough.
 * * * hopper sandwich is dainty fare Ninety nine people in a hundred would rather take his word for it than try to find out for themselves.
 A Chicago policeman who has stopped so many runaway horses in his 23 years Of service that nearly all his bones have been broken, has decided to retire. Maybe ne has fine collection of hero medals to console him in his old age.
 
 MT. Field, the minstrel man, is impos- ing on his master of ceremonies this year by requiring that functionary to wear a makeup closely resembling that of the villainous silas Lynch of the stage and the movies.
 There is nothing like fire in a quiet neighborhood to encourage early rising. A house burned yesterday on the South side and the attendance was surprising.
 x
 It really isn't worth while trying to learn how to spell the name of Nicara- gua's new President. He may not get into the papers again for long time.
 
 A search for treasure trove off the Virginia capes has been abandoned for the winter. That means the quest will have to be started all over again. Overton may consider himself a perse- cuted man, but he probably wouldn't change places with Judge Lawler, at that.
 Another indication that winter is draw ing near is the large number of fat men observed noisily consuming oyster stews.
 
 great deal of more or less weighty political opinion goes to waste on the rear platforms of trolley cars these days.
 < *
 No use for the alarm clock manufac turers to try to get any orders from the Hughes Wide Awakes."
 
 There is bumper apple crop this year, and the man who likes pie will probably get more than one slice.
 People interested in the high cost of ''flivving seem to forget all about the high cost of living.
 
 No matter what Berlin says about them, Great Britain isn't going to scrap her tanks
 For 8 man on the verge of retirement, it is remarkable how Villa fingers in the limelight.
 <
 The most popular night schools are tLose presided over by a suave head waiter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
WORTH SOMETHING.

See here." said the irascible man, you don't amount to hill of beans"
 T won't deny that" replied the unas suming person, because I am modest. The high cost of living has given a hill of beans considerable value"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
Cotton Storage Law


 The insurance interests, having sui fered under the present warehouse laws for cotton storage, would welcome the enactment by the legislature of uniform system of accounting for warehouses, according to Prentiss Reed of the South ern Adjustment bureau. Since the out break of the European war six cotton warehouse fires have occurred in Ala bama, where the origin of the fire was never satisfactorily explained.
 "The banks of Alabama will present, in all probability request to the state legislature in 1919 for a more satisfac- tory warehouse law" said Mir. Reed yes- terday. The president of the Alabama State Bankers association appointed a committee at the last meeting to see as to the advisability of law which would insure the safe handling of cotton. While several cases have come to light in which banks have been victimized by spurious warehouse receipts or by the theft of cotton receipts which had been hypothe- cated by the owner. the insurance com panies have suffered heavily
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
HOTEL LOBBIEs
Interceted fin Iudustrie.

''We are receiving many filled-out industrial blanks which were distribu- ted at the recent industrial dinner given by the Chamber of Commerce, 2 said Blanks Everett yesterday. From the number of industries suggested in these blanks, it would seem that the members of the Chamber of Commerce think almost anything could succeed here and I am inclined to agree with them.
 More interest in the industrial sit- nation is being shown since the din- ner. I think this merely tended to arouse the people over the extensive possibilities of the Birmingham district A number of men have suggested to me that we have these get-together dinners oftener and stay right in be- hind the industrial movement"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

Kaiser is still able to get all the cigars he wants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
A KINDLY THOUGHT.

'Tf you could stop this war in Europe single handed, would you do it?'
 NO"
 why notT'
 "Because I'm too tender hearted You don't seem that way"
 "oh, I'd stop the war all right, but would pretend that I needed the assist ance of few of our prominent pacifists just to keep their feelings from being hurt"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

Tuscaloosa News: There are 7so, S6e chill dren of school age in Alabama, according to the last school census. Without the local school tax amendment, how are we going to educate them when compulsory education becomes effective? We haven t sufficient funds to provide educational fa- cilities for those who attend school now of their own will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
sYcoPHANT.

"Its ridiculous to see the way Mrs. Jobbles lawns on Mrs. Grabcoin. the social leader"
 Tt is. indeed. Every time Mrs. Crab coin sneezes Mrs. Jobbles is threatened with acute pneumonia
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

Cullman Tribune: The county demo- democratic nominees will this year have opposition in 15 Alabama counties, with fights though, in only about half dozen for the goal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
Likes to Come Back

Yes, l come to Birmingham every time l can get up some real good reason for making the trip down here from Dela- ware" said Albert c. Chesney, manager of the Metropolitan Life Insurance com pany at Wilmington. Mr. Chesney was for many years manager for Alabama of the same company, with headquarters in Birmingham.
 I came back to attend the annual dog show, which is given at the Alabama State Fair under the auspices of the Bir- mingham Kennel club. I was president of the organization for sometime and am keenly interested in the breeding of fine dogs. Incidentally, I will have some ani- mals in the show and I hope to carry off some of the ribbons from my old friends here in Birmingham.
 Business conditions In my section of the country were never so good,'' said MT. Chesney, and I am hearing reports of constant improvement here The out look for the future is exceptionally en- couraging, and business in all lines seems to be in for a season of prosperity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04
ALABAMA PRESS

Talladega Reporter: From the increased school attendance in the black belt, it looks as if the boil weevil has proved a blessing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

Mobile Register: Although there is something of an exodus of negroes from Birmingham in response to the northern demand for common labor, there appears to be an influx from the rural districts sufficient to compensate the loss The impression is that the newcomers are of a more desirable class than those that are going away