davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
RECIPE FOR WRITERS

Birge Harrison in the Century Maga- | zine.
 ! I have a vivid recollection of most
 interesting shop talk with Robert Louis 1 Stevenson about this time which oc- ! cured during long walk to Montaine- 1 bleau. As we tramped along under the shade of the tall poplars. he outlined to me the writer's credo as he knew 1t, and explained his own methods of work. l You painter chaps make lots of studies, ! don't you?" He exclaimed. And you don't frame them all and send them to the salon, do you? You just stick them up on the studio wall for a bit, and pres ently you tear them up and make more. l And you copy .Velasquez and Rembrandt
 and vandyke and Corot; and from each i you learn some little trick of the brush, some obscure little point in technic. And you know damn well that 1t is the knowl- edge thus acquired that will enable you later on to deliver your own. message with a fine and confident bravado. You are simply learning your metier; and be- lieve me, mon cher, an artist in any line without the metier is just a blind man with a stick. Now. in the literary line I am simply doing what you painter men are doing in the pictorial line-learning the metier.'
 "Yes. but how do you work the gamer L inquired. We artists use paint and
 canvas and brushes precisely as the mas ters did,
 Well use pen any ink and paper precisely as did the masters of the pen, laughed Stevenson, "only pencil is quite
 good enough for me at present. Just now I am making story la Balzac, with French plot, French local color, and every little touch and detail as | close to the old boy as I can possibly make it. And isn't he a wizardl Look at 'Cousine Bette and 'Peau de chagrin'
 and the 'Medecin de campagne.' Aren't they just marvels of literary perfection! Really, | believe that Balzac held up to
 nature a more wonderful mirror than even the great w. S. himself. And dear old Pere Gorit, don't you just know hin better even than if you had met him right here on the grande route and had an hours chat with him?
 q like to swallow a great master W hole as it were, to read everything he's written at one go, and then have a try
 myself at something in his manner. The only way to become a master is to study the masters, take my word for it. It's all one whether it's in paint or clay or
 words. And then, if you are humble | enough and keep an open mind you may one of these long days learn how to say it. I have at various periods thus sat at the feet of Sir Walter Scott and Smollett and Fielding and Dickens and Poe and
 which have written in the style of each would fill clothes basket
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
LUKE M,LUKE SAYS

| Maybe more of us would long for eternal happiness if the men who preach 1 it didn't wear such long faces. | The reason why William is a good name for a boy Is because if he turns | out to be crochet worker his relatives
 can call him Willie. and if he turns out 1 to regular boy they can call him Bill. | man doesn't care what his wife | thinks about his closeness in money mat l ters But he wouldn't let a strange col
 ored waiter think that he was stingy.
 We often wonder where the germs were i in the old days when boy would dig | a splinter from his toe or pick a blister 1 on his foot with rusty pin.
 We all like to brag about our knowl- ! edge of art. But we all judge the
 value of a picture by the magnificence of the frame.
 1 A woman will pick up a newspaper and pass over four pages of brilliant military 1 victories, torpedoed steamers, Zeppelined l towns, murders fires and politics and yawn and wonder why they do not print l some news of interest like way to im- prove the complexion or a method ot l securing a permanent wave. ! The trouble about the fellow with the long, flowing beard is that he could wear 1 the same shirt for a month and you ] would never know the difference. 
 man knows that 5 won't buy $1( worth of drinks. But you can't make
 him understand why $ won't buy $lt
 worth of groceries.
 Once upon time smart wife bought
 a pool table and had 1t set up in the house so that her husband would stay al home nights. But the blame fool hac to go downtown every night and spend
 four hours looking for some one to play with him.
 Maybe there wouldn't be so many di'
 vorces if the wife worried as much over her husbands digestion as she does over her complexion.
 The trouble about woman of few
 words is that she uses them over and over again.
 And 1t is a fact that if any other mar
 would talk as meanly to his wife as he does. the average husband would knock the other man down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
DRAMAr1z1NG THEIR 1mMArUR1rY

From the New York Times
 Nothing so annoys the suffragists as
 to be told that the quality of the fem
 mine mind has anything to do with the
 question. Nothing so moves them to in-
 dignant speech as to hear 1t alleged that
 the introduction of the female mind into
 politics will not improve that science. Then, by way of discomforting the argu-
 ment. they proceed to furnish gratuitous demonstrations of it's truth.
 Sometimes things are called .'charac- teristically feminine which are, in truth, only characteristically human. But cer- tainly no aggregation of male minds, even If carefully selected because of their smallness and cheapness. would
 ever think of anything so supremely small and cheap as the unfurling of the ban ner bearing the words: MT. President. what will you do for woman suffrageg' before his eyes as he arose in the Hall of Representatives to inform the Con- gress of the state of the nation. One would be justified in calling that exhibi- ton ''characteristically feminine" even if the phrase were unjustified in nine other cases out of 10, simply because it's pecu- liar compound of qualities could never
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11

From the New York Telegram
 | VEN Gibbon, the historian, anoros Ia amusement if we can read between &A the lines. Gibbon states gloomiiy that inc Emperor Commodus hired nm self ont at an immense salary, 10 amuse his subjects in the arena and 10 exnipil his own prowess, bpt he does not say .nvth,ng of the remarks of the audi erce safely out of hearing; they would have afforded entertaining reading.
 Handled in his severely grotesque man. ner Carlyle would have made that undig- nified Emperor alive for us again.
 Did his imperial majesty, we wonder, withdraw with smirking gladiatorial how to his dressing room under the arches of the Colosseum, beaten black and blue, vowtng by all the Olympians that he wouldn't do 1t again for 10 times the money; that when he was again want ing cash he would screw it out of his means, with infinitely less of the inn perial anatomy?
 NO, for he appeared" says Gibbon. "on 735 days, receiving for every representa- ton not less than ES0OO of our money!'
 It seems nearly incredible. What the atrical manager could afford to engage a star, even an imperial star, at something like $3,000, Oo0 a year. Gibbon is a good authority, and the circumstance was ex- ceptional but we cannot help wonder ing if it Is true.
 Could we suppose that the common gladiator whose salary must have been woefully cut down to make tip for this, beat him after the manner of Harlequin, with dummy sword or cudel warranted to make a maximum of noise with a minimum of hurt? This is probable enough. for Gibbon mentions (without the ghost of smile again. though even Wegg
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Remarkable EIeaIeh
 Record in Army

INTO matter what may be said in the 4 N way of criticism concerning the military, and there has been little room for fault-finding among the men on border duty, the war department report shows a wonderfully good health record. The mobilization of the National Guard was accomplished with "the minimum of disease or dis comfort" The weekly noneffective rate for the guard was 1918 men per thousand, a marked advance when compared with the Spanish-American war mobilization.
 But as remarkable as this record is the health report relating to the regu- lar army is even more so. There were but eight cases of typhoid fever in the entire. army for the fiscal year and no deaths from that disease.
 With Gen. w. c. Gorgas at the head of the medical department an excellent showing was a matter of course, but it surpasses the highest expectations. The most distinguished sanitarian connected with the gov- ernment, Dr. Gorgas has the faculty of inspiring confidence in officers and men. He receives the cordial CO., operation of everyone serving under him and his discipline is thorough without being in any wise severe.
 It has not been many years since typhoid fever in the army was quite common. Now, as seen from the facts officially published, it is amazingly uncommon. It is safe to assume that no other army in the world has so small percentage of sickness as Uncle Sam's.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
GIVE ALL TO LOVE

GIVE ALL TO LOVE Give all to love; Obey thy heart; Friends, kindred days, Estate, good name, Plans. credit and the Muse Nothing refuse. Leave all for love; Yet, hear me, yet, One word more thy heart beloved One pulse more of firm endeavor-> Keep thee today. Tomorrow, forever. Free as an Arab Of thy beloved. Cling with joy to the maid; But when the surprise First vague shadow of Surmise Tlits across her bosom young Of joy apart from thee. Free be she. fancy free; Nor thou detain her vesture's hem, Nor the palest rose she flung From her summers diadem. Though thou lovd her as myself. As a self of purer clay; Though her parting dim the lay Stealing grace from all alive Heartily know When half-gods go The gods arrive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
IN CONsTANTINOPLE

From the New York Telegram.
 Constantinople even in war time is "the epicure's most golden cornucopia," in the view of contributor to Harper $ Monthly.
 No sweets in Europe can compare with the Turkish, he says. As for buildings, "mahelibi, a firm, white pudding said to be made of the pulverized white meat of fowl delectably sweetened, gets a cu- rious hold on the stranger"
 "Ous koumri'' is described as "surely one of the finest fish in the world" One gets the impression, however. that most Turkish dishes contain too much sugar to prove agreeable to the average western palate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Fight to Check
 The White Plague

1EVERY enlightened community is l9 alive to the importance of pro- noting public health service. Bir- mingham and Jefferson county will be in line with the most approved modern methods of preventing a re- currence of last summers fever cpl demic We are to have clean coun- ty, and that means immunity from typhoid and a great forward move ment in eradicating other preventa- ble diseases.
 But in the awakened interest in the question of local hygiene our people must not overlook the fight that is being carried on hy comparatively few earnest souls against the white plague. The Anti Tuberculosis associa- tion has a much larger membership than it had two years ago, or even a year ago; but it should have more by ten-fold.
 Funds are especially needed to op- crate the Red mountain sanitarium, the open air school in Green Springs park and the free clinic on South Twentieth street. The city contributes nothing, and the appropriation made by the county is inadequate. In view of the circumstances, therefore, it is suup to the well-to-do citizens to come to the rescue with generous hand. The ale of Red Cross Christmas seals will doubtless be larger during the approaching holidays than ever before. Several of the large corporations have been liberal with their donations to the anti-tuberculosis cause in the past, and it is believed that this years re- ceipts from this source will show a good increase, but a wonderful help would be a more general interest on the part of people who can afford to donate $10, $25 and $50 every year.
 Especially have the members of the Anti-Tuberculosis association a right to expect generous remembrance this Christmas. Manufacturers and busi- ness concerns generally have pros pered greatly within the past twelve
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Fields Look Dead

Never in the past 15 years have l seen such dead looking fields and garden spots as a present." said Clem Hark- ness of the Warrior river district. Just think of turnips and other greenstuff having to be shipped here and sold at 10 and 15 cents. The turnip punches con- tain four or five, while of the other greens 1t takes two or three punches to make dish for the table. Winter gardens in years past have helped tide over hard times for the middle class and poor. but this year they are classed among the luxuries. Georgia blue-stem colards are wholesaling at $1 a dozen.
 The cause of this condition is the ex- treme dry fall. during which time green stuff could not root well, followed by the severe cold nights we had, which killed everything. Never before have I seen green onion tops turn white to the ground in the fall at the first freeze. Of course. they may come back all right. but other produce is all in Even fields of winter oats and wheat look rather sick as a result of unreasonable weather in the early fall.
 Then again, this Is one cause of the egg scarcity. The fowls have nothing green to graze on, and this class of food is an absolute necessity to laying hens. Had it not been for the one or two ex- tremely cold nights. following summer time weather, 1t would have been an average winter for gardens. But this has been an off year, and high-priced one, so the gardens fell in line. Let's blame 1t on the war"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
FUN WITH AN EMllpERO OR

in Our Mutual Friend" must have smiled when he read out this about Com modious" to MT. Boffin) that the Em- peror only allowed his antagonist lead en sword.
 This was sensible of Commodus: though sportsmanlike.
 The honor of fighting with the master of the world was great, and the risk was greater. He was not the man to reward one for thoroughly thrashing him. as he so well deserved; rather there was risk of after consequences with sack and the Tiber In them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
No Pictures On
 Christmas Cards

N1HRISTMAS mail from England NJ to America will be considerably lighter this year than in former years.
 Defense of the realm regulations forbid the sending of Christmas cards to neutral countries, bearing pictures of any description. As result there will be great decrease in the number of cards brought over from London. It is not stated whether old Santa Claus himself will not be transmitted through the mails, but photographs of the latest twins, Cousin Maud, Uncle Henry, or other members of the family will be barred.
 Attention is also called to the fact that seventy thousand postoffice em- ployes are fighting in the British army, which may cause some delay in the transmission of mail. Inciden-
  tally, this is fine showing made by the British postal workers, who cer- tainly cannot be accused of being 'slackers."
 However, so far as the Christmas cards are concerned, there will be few regrets. The postal clerks themselves will have less work to do and it is estimated that Americans living m England will save large amount of money formerly spent in sending sou venirs of this sort to the United States during the Christmas season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11

habit among friends and relatives and the Santa Claus custom in the realm of little folks are combined with singular consistency in the celebra- ton of the 25th of December.
 These two weeks will be busy weeks in Birmingham. The holiday rush will be in evidence right up to Christmas eve. But holiday shopping is accom- panied with less discomfort now than in other years. The merchants not only carry larger and more varied stocks, but they are better prepared to prevent congestion than ever be- fore.
 As these are flush times in the Bir- mingham district the volume of Christmas trade in this city will be exceptionally large. The alert shop per will begin to make the rounds this morning.
 * * *
 A mans glass eye exploded in a Ham mond, Ind, restaurant while he was look ing at a piece of pie. It will take more than two doctors to explain that.
 * * *
 The solution of Birminghams latest murder mystery shows how little reliance can be placed in circumstantial evidence of the most convincing kind.
 Britons are getting accustomed to three course dinners-that Is those Britons whose dinners formerly consisted of more than one course.
 A great many Chinese have been killed in Mexico, but if any Japs are mistreated down there the news doesn't get into the papers.
 The war has reduced the number of duels among Frenchmen. a majority Of them are just now doing some real fight ing.
 Efforts are being made to arrange a match for MT. Jess Willard, but so far those efforts have not created ripple of excitement.
 Lloyd-George did not derive any ad- ditional strength for his arduous duties by kissing the hand of King George. The boys in the trenches will be satis- fled If Santa Claus brings them plenty of cigars, cigarettes and tobacco
 Those famous "Gridiron" dinners at Washington are not held for the purpose of celebrating a football victory. Some of these days London and Paris are going to celebrate a victory, but the date has not been set.
 AutOmODHeS contlnue 10 EeI III Irout of trains with fatal results but it isn't the fault of the autos
 The sublimity of the Sublime Porte has been considerably diminished by the shad- ow of spiked helmet.
 < * *
 It was to be expected that the Ger mans would go the allies one better in perfecting tanks
 New York's "open window week. was not intended as an invitation to New York's burglars.
 New York women who smoke in public are showing some nifty designs in cig- arctic holders.
 It will be 100 years or more before Rumania forgets what happened to her in 100 days.
 Chicago's "egg king is the sort of man who doesn't care what the public thinks of him.
 IN CONSrA NTTNOpIE
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11

BEGINNING THE DAY-"By Vir- tue of Thy victory give us also, Il entreat Thee, victory. Let InS pierced heart win us to love Nhee' Thy torn hands incite ms to every good work, Thy wounded rect urse us on errands of mercy, Thy crown of thorns prick us out of siotn' R0setti.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Howard Giee Club Friday Night

The Rev. Preston Blake, pastor of the Southside Baptist church, is enthusiastic regarding the concert to be given at the Jefferson theatre next Friday night by the Howard college chorus of 4S voices.
 '"The work being done by the Howard College Chorus and Glee club in Birming- ham and throughout the state is worthy of support from every citizen of our city," said Dr. Blake. This organization Is great addition to the musical life of Birmingham and splendid advertis- ing medium, both for this city and How ard college. I sincerely trust that every Baptist, musician and public spirited cit izen will assist these young men to real ize their slogan of A Packed House Fri day Night The box office for this con- cert will open Thursday morning at 10 o'clock"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
HOTEL LOBBHEs
Money Rules the Market

For some weeks past this market has been ruled by monetary conditions" says Henry Clews, in his weekly financial let ter. Owing to the tremendous drain upon our banking resources, the supply Of loanable funds had been materially curtailed. Since January 1 foreign loans have been issued in the United States to the extent of nearly $l, 4OO,OOO00o, while the new capital applications reported by domestic railroad and industrial corpora tions aggregated $2O7O,O 600. total of s3,45O,o 900, or about $S5O.0O 900 more than in the first Il months of 1915.
 These figures cover only the principal states, and do not include the loans put out by municipalities or states, nor the innumerable issues by smaller concerns, of which 1t Is impossible to keep close track, nor the millions of repurchased for eign holdings of Americans. In addition to these demands upon our supply of capital, there has been the enormous drain upon banking resources arising from the extraordinary activity of trade and the high prices of commodities. The consequence of these demands is now be- ing felt in diminished supply of loan able funds and the resultant possibility of too large an expansion of credit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11

Some are born greats--some achieve ureatuesss--some have greatness thrust .,, @hem. Twelfth Night.
 ss * #
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Christmas Spirit
 All IPervadisag


 NNTITH the Feast of the Nativity, w popularly known as Christ mas, only two weeks off the spirit of the season is now all-pervading.
 For centuries Yuletide has stirred the imagination and appealed to the generous instincts of people in all Christian lands. In large part of Christendom the great festival was observed originally and still is as a distinctly religious event. It is an occasion when the faithful throng the churches to render homage to the infant Messias and renew their VOWS of allegiance to the cause they earn estly espouse.
 In all countries where the sign of the cross is seen and where the sacred emblem is revered Christmas is a gladstone day; but in America, as in no other country, perhaps, the love-of- neighbor motive" the Christmas gift
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Leads to Crime

"The police department intends to break up gambling among negroes" said Chief of Police Martin Eagan yesterday Many of the recent murders among ne- groes have resulted from arguments in crap and skin games.
 "A negro will work hard through the week at a small salary and on Saturday night will engage in a crap game and lose his earnings before he realizes the fact, and then get mad at the winning negro and will either shoot or cut him.
 "One of the hardest problems that are up the to police is to break up negro gambling. It seems that it is in a negro to shoot craps and while many may think this is not serious offense, I be- lieve the records will show that a ma 1ority of the negro cutting and shooting scrapes are directly attributable to this cause"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-11
Value of Training

'I read with much interest in yester- days Age-Herald the list of deaths caused by football during the past sea- son." said Edwin Spencer, physical di- rector of the Birmingham Athletic club. Tn every instance the victim was youth who was desirous of learning the game and was playing on what can be termed the 'gridiron sand lots.
 Not single member of a big team suffered a serious injury. The vital im- portance of training both physical and mental strength is shown by this record All of the large colleges and most of the small ones have men for the sole purpose of keeping the players in good shape.
 There will always be accidents in foot ball but the sooner the high school play CTS are taught to keep In condition the quicker the death toll of the gridiron will decrease. Something that speaks well for the south Is the fact that not a single one of the 1T fatalities recorded were residents of this section. Broken bones were plentiful but the season was not narred by a fatal accident.