davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
YOuurbIOOd Returns

Col. William Youngblood, who has just returned from Chicago states that he was glad to get away. 'The seats have been taken out of the hotel Hobbies and corridors and the whole thing is in a per- feet jamb. I couldn't get a seat any where except in moving picture show
 'I was contested and wanted to get away anyhow, for I could not stand many days of such scrambling. I didn't see what could be done. The republicans can't nominate anybody now. Hughes is the strongest and he can't get over 300 votes, and it takes 495 to nominate. Weeks can get about 150 Burton 100, and LaFollette not over 6. Roosevelt can get in all about 60 republican votes the way things are now. I find the sentiment of the people bitterly opposed to Roosevelt, because he is working to put himself on the people,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
SCOUTING FOR ZEPPELINS

I in the direction thus shown. But a wandering searchlight snatches
 away our opportunity; we are caught in it's beams and half blinded by the sudden glare. The pilot loses control while banking, and we fall into a side-slip. receive a painful slap in the face from the icy cold air as we rush downwards diagnoally, and I bite my tongue from shock. In two seconds the machine has
 lighted itself, and I thank whatever gods there be that it is of the "automati- cally stable type which has evoked such caustic criticism.
 When the aeroplane has found itself we begin to climb again. By the time we reach the altitude we left in such a hurry the anti-aircraft guns are silent. We cruise around for about 10 minutes and then, finding that the Zeppelins have left our part of the air, we turn for home. The compass points our direction, and we begin to descend. At 40O0 feet my breath is taken away as an ungainly and sinister shape rushes past, about 30 yards
 away. We have nearly collided with an other aeroplane. 1As | When we get lower the horrid doubts begin to reassert themselves. Where on earth is the line of flares that marks our aerodrome? If the orderly officer has forgotten to keep them alight shall we be able to attract attention, and if not, how long will our petrol last? As we near the 1000 feet level I fire off a Very'sf light in the hopes of being
 seen. It crackles and winds its way earthwards in red stream, but there is no answering flash. At 800 feet we are still in the dark-and so is our landing
 ground.
 There it is at last, the thin red line of flares that represents safety; the flares grow bigger as we go lower and lower. Now the engine Is shut off, and we ars gliding down, our pathway being in the shape of an elongated "S." I sit tight and hope we shall not meet with our old friend the wood just before touching earth.
 A sharp bump, another bump, short
 spurt along the ground, and we pull up
 with jerk. The undercarriage isl
 smashed, but otherwise we are safe and sound. Leaving the machine to the ten-E
 der merces of the mechanics we climb out very soberly and walk across to theI
 sheds, where the orderly officer informs us cheerfully that all the night fliers have now come home to roost. Over hot coffee and cigarettes we exs change yarns with the others who have been air scouting. And so to bed, more tired out by half an hours night flying than by an average days work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
rom the Philadelphia Public Ledger

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 This is the season of baccalaureate advice giving, and some of the exhorta- tions to the neophyte who stands where the scholastic brook and the river of life meet remind one of Mark Twan's planta- tion preacher who "didnt charge nothing for his sermons, and they was worth it., too.' When the old advise the young they look back over the long road they came and see the pitfalls and stumbling blocks, and are tremblinsly eager to save verdant juvenility from the like dis heartening experiences. Youth, head strong and hot-blooded, goes its own gait. bruises it's sins or breaks its heart, and too late is penitent. Then age has the melancholy satisfaction of saying. 'I told you so" But the mischief is done and tEere is no reparation.
 In baseball parlance the letters A. B. stand for lat bat" Perhaps that is as good translation of "baccalaureus ar tium into modern American as we need. The young graduate must now stand and 'strke out' for himself, or put the ball over the fence for a home run. He has learned the rules of the game. He must now exemplify them The bleachers are aware of him. but he must play ball and make good'' if he would not relapse into obscurity in ''lifes late afternoon" The unpirins in this world series is strict, but it is impartial. One man has every mans chance to make respectable bat ting average and to have something bet ter than a goose-egg set down for his tally at the end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
Marking Time in Mexico


 The veXatious problem presented the American government by Mexico may be solved eventually by commits sion, as suggested by General Car ranza, but at present it is apparent that little or no progress is being made toward an adjustment, and un- less there is fresh outbreak of ban dits, or other Mexicans unfavorable to Americans, negotiations will doubt less be prolonged to wearisome length. While the American people are tired of diplomatic notes, unless some new outrage precipitates crisis, United States troops will no doubt remain as distributed at present and General Carranza will presumably continue to chafe.
 It appears now that the danger of an uprising in Mexico as result of United States soldiers being. in the country has been considerably eagger- ated. While no one ventures to make . prediction as to what may or may not happen, and one or two small riots have been reported recently, it is safe to assume that the Mexicans will tol- crate our troops, whether pleased or not. For the most part they are too apathetic to care much what happens either to them or their country, until
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
Strong Iron Market

The iron market continues in sound condition and after a short resting spell another very active buying move ment is in sight. Stocks on furnace yards are still decreasing and as for coke, large iron merchant reports that there has been a decided falling off in the amount going to the Pacific coast from abroad, (which has acted to the advantage of the southern pro- ducer."
 The steel industry continues its 'record-breaking pace" and as this is true in the case of practically all finished lines into which pig iron is poured" it is easy to explain the op- timistic feeling prevailing in the metals trade.
 AS brisk as operations in the Bir- mingham district have been during the first half of 1916, the second half promises to climb to still higher level.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
THE GIRL AND THE ALARM

There are as many forms of, helpful
 ness as there are human needs. Service is blanket word. It covers multitude of kindly acts, of duties well performed. The main thing is to make the service efficient, be it big or little.
 In a small eastern town they are
 mourning the passing of young woman who seems to have been an object les son in duty well performed. Her act of usefulness was an unusual one. Since her eleventh year, it is said, she has been known as ''the fire alarm girl. l" In the vacant lot adjoining her home the
 borough officials have the steel tire of a locomotive in supporting frame work, ! and for years it has served as an alarm signal to rouse the town. When a fire was discovered the first telephone mes !! sage announcing it went to the home of the fire alarm girl. As soon as she caught it she ran to the lot, seized the l s,edge hammer that was in readiness, and sent the changing strokes reverberat- 1 ing through the town. Her blows were sos lusty and the rim so vibrant that the | dissonance penetrated to the remotest sections of the settlement
 ] It was volunteer service, but it was l none the less effective. Day and night, summer and winter, the girl was, so to , speak, on duty. It is true that fires were not frequent, but this fact did not lessen her vigilance.
 l She developed a system of signals. something like the numbered box system l of larger places, series of taps and | pauses indicating the part of the town 1 in which the conflagration was located. l This may seem to the city dweller like
 a small service and one lightly assumed, l but it was not so regarded by the officials l and the people of the town, who have ] testified to their appreciation of her faithful performance of this self imposed
 duty. And there would seem to be good reason for believing that they regard her death as a public loss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
A GARDEN BY THE SEA < yTi1Iia m M.lrriS


 I know a little garden close. Set thick with lily and red rose, Where I would wander if I might, From dewy morn to dewy night, And have one with me wandering. And though within it no birds sing, And though no billiard house is there, And though the apple boughs are bare Of fruit and blossom. would to God Her feet upon the green grass trod, And I beheld them as before. There comes a murmur from the shore, And in the close two fair streams arc Drawn from the purple hills afar, Drawn down into the restless sea; Dark hills, whose heath bloom feeds ]
 bee,
 Dark shore no ships have ever seen, Tormented by the pillows green Whose murmur comes unceasingly Unto the place for which I cry. For which cry both day and night. For which let slip all delight, A Whereby grow both deaf and b1ind Careless to win, unskilled to find. And quick to lose what all men seek. Yet tottering as I am and weak. Still have I left a little breath To seek within the jaws of death An entrance to that happy place, To seek the unforgotten face. H Once seen, once kissed. once reft fro
 me
 Anish the murmurins of the sea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
IRENE, THE GOTHAM QUEEN

From the Kansas City Star
 In England, where everybody is prac- ticing the most rigid economy, even the noblewomen at the royal court it is deemed a mark of respect for alien visitors to dress as simply as possible, particularly avoiding a gaudy display of jewels when they attend court func- tions. We Americans, such sticklers for good taste ourselves, are much grati- fled to learn that Mrs. Vernon Castle maintained that sympathetic manifesto tion of respect which marks every well bred visitor in England at this time. When Irene danced before the Queen last month she attired herself as mod estly as she could and still be con- sistent with her station: she wore a chiffon frock, and left off all her jewels except a diamond necklace and dia- mond bracelet on her left ankle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
Interest in Military Training

The administrations preparedness programme caused the whole country to become aroused to the importance of strengthening the national defense
 The pacifists were opposed to the movement for a larger army and larger navy. They advocated unpre- paredness but the great majority or intelligent, patriotic Americans soon came to realize the fact that the limited States would be guilty of a mistake little short of crime Ii It did not build up navy that would' within few years, be second only to England's.
 Congress, in responding to the ad- ministration's urging and to com polling public opinion, has raised It. self in the peoples esteem and can be depended upon to adopt measures along the lines of practical prepared ness whenever emergency demands.
 The army reorganization act, soon to become effective, is said by general officers to be not only the best mill tary legislation in the history of thls country. but model of excellence throughout-in it's main outlines and in every detail.
 But one of the most significant and gratifying results of the preparedness propaganda is the quickening Of the military spirit in many directions. In schools and colleges and among educa- tors generally keen interest in mill tary training has been developed, and in the commercial and industrial world there is manifest desire on the part of men of service age to learn something of the rudiments of mili- tary tactics and the discipline of the soldier. This accounts for the large attendance of college students and business men at the training camps established by the government and conducted by officers of the regular army.
 William Jennings Bryan and other ultra-pacifists "view with alarm" this militaristic tendency of America but practical peace loving citizens see it in the right light. All this prepared ness connotes sturdy patriotism and true Americanism. It is preparedness for peace; only for war in the event this country is attacked by foreign power.
 No old world nation is apt to threaten us within the next few years. But preparation for any contingency, no matter how remote, is an evidence of wide vision and just appreciation of our natural resources.
 May the militay schools and the citi- zen camps and the National Guard in- crease and prosper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
MEETIN, ON LEATHERwOOD

From the Lousi1le Courier-J Journal l What is described by a correspondent at Haddix as a for-all fight" oc- cured at a church on Leatherwood creek in Breathitt county. It was not, | it seems, a feud outbreak, calling into action those related to the instigators and the early participation, by ties of blood or marriage. It was a sponta- neous explosion of temperament totally disconnected with, and unrelated to, family or clan differences. Yet it re- suited quite as seriously as if there had been an effort on somebody's part to settle an old score. Green Noble was killed and "Boozer" Fugates wounds appear mortal. A half dozen other men, more or less wounded, but still able to handle firearms, were continuing the fight when the resident correspondent sent in his report.
 Green Noble was a good citizen,' says the correspondent at Haddix. "He was cousin of Jake Noble who killed the jailer of Breathitt county
 It is as if baseball fan said of a player: He is an excellent fellow, a brother of the man who killed the um- pire.
 It is not because of any personal popularity which may grow out of the discharge of the duties of the office that the office of jailer in Breathitt is desirable.
 City bred churchgoers might look upon meetin' on Leatherwood creek as promising little in the way of the en- livenment of a summer day. They might picture mean little church., a small congregation, prosy preacher, a long drawn-out sermon, a dull time all together But when drawing a picture they would not make allowance for the importance of meetin' as a social event. The important social events of the politer world infrequently are dry. On Leatherwood the boys flicker up for meetin' as boys who ought to know better fortify themselves against the dullness of the cotillon in city. And inasmuch as they look upon weapons as being indispensable; as indispensa- ble as a pair of suspenders or belt is to the young society man in a city who is jealous of his dignity and would not appear at a disadvantage at a crucial moment, meetin' on Leatherwood sometimes is as far removed from the pictured dullness of backwoods homi1y as typhoon is from the weari- some stiffness of dead calm at sea.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
CALIFORNIA LIKE ISLAND

From the New York Telegram.
 California, covering almost 10 degrees of latitude, lies well within the warm temperate zone. with conditions of tenn perature conducive to luxuriant vege- tation. The state is peculiarly isolated, as the high r,ountains and deserts to the east offer an impossible barrier to plants from the Atlantic side of the continent. while to the south are the deserts of Mexico and Lower California, and on the west lie the shores of the Pacific. The state thus has many of the charac- teristics of an oceanic island
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
CONSERVATIVE
c. E. Van Loan. in the Saturday Even-
 ing Post.

C. E. Van Loan. in the Saturday Even
 ing Post.
 There was once a lady from Dexter, Ia, who spent five solid hours rooted to one spot on the rim of the Grand Canyon, during which time the strong light of the desert afternoon melted into pools of turquoise and purple haze i, the milelong shadows flung them selves into the depths or went striding across the plateus. I'll be picking the pockets of my own soul here in 8 minute But, anyway, I am trying to tell you that this lady from Iowa witnessed a sunset in the Grand Canyon; and when night came she found her tongue.
 Tt is highly gratifying she sighed. "Yes-highly gratifying"
 If you will not take my word for it take the word of the Iowa lady. She was cautious, even conservative; she did not overstate the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
FRANCES WATERWAYS ,m the Springfield Republican.

rom tie 0pTluSHe.u INCPubiiSoH'
 N Many readers may not know that
 France possesses one of the most re- markable interior water systems in the
 world. It has 4500 miles of river and 5000
 miles of canals. The famous old Langue-
 doc canal connects the Mediterranean
 with the Bay of Biscay, and the new
 Marseilles canal will put the great south
 ern port in touch by interior waterways with the North sea. Destroyers and
 small war craft, according to the news report of yesterday, will be able to tra- verse the country by means of it. To compare it, in military importance with the Kiel canal is unjustifled. But it may tbe, indeed can hardly fail to be, of large practical usefulness to the government in the present unparalleled crisis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
HOTEL LOBBIES
New Electric Line

We have completed the survey of the proposed electric line from Birmingham to Jasper, and are now working on the eseimates, said C. J. Rogers, who was the locating engineer in charge of the work. Tt is expected that as soon as these estimates are placed in the hands or the men behind the movement for the construction of this line they will take up the matter of building it. There can be no doubt that such an electric line would mean much for the Birming- ham district and for all the territory contiguous to it, and it's ultimate con struction would seem to be certain"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

May imports of diamonds and otne, precious stones at the port of New York established a record. Their value was fixed at $5,O23. 626, against $1, ,459,552 in the same month of last year and s2,029.755 in May, 1914. This great increase for sin gle month is said to be due to the war, which has quickened the demand for precious stones in the United States and has practically destroyed the markets in Europe. Practically all gems imported are examined at New York. Government perity now enjoyed in this country has caused more precious stones to be bought than ever before in the history of the United States. And this is true, despts the fact that prices are going up. It is estimated that the total imports of all gems for the year, including pearls, have O00000 and if the present rate of buying abroad continues to the end of the calen- dar year, the total value of imports will be about $5O,OOO,0OO, a figure about $400O,- O0O greater than the value of imports for 1913, when dealers did a great deal of forced buying because of the F'immi- nerce of a new tariff law carrying higher duties" The diamonds and other precious stones being brought in now are for inn mediate cOnsumntion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
BOY POET HAS GOOD INCOME New York Correspondence Pittsburg Dis

New York Correspondence Pittsburg Dis
 patch.
 Earl Carroll, the boy poet of Pittsburg, returned today from Los Angeles after a four months sojourn, where he wrote the lyrics and music for a new musical show calleds Canary Cottage" The play had hearing several weeks ago. Ac- cording to the newspapers of that city Earl has put over another good one. The critics declare that Canary Cottage" is a big success, even better than the Pitts burg boys maiden effort, ''So Long Letty," which has been running in the west for eight months. With both shows running to capacity houses, Carrolrs roy alties amount to about s2O0O per week. In addition to this sum he gets percentag ge from a dozen or more songs that he has written. Although only 9 years of age the Pittsburg boy now has an income that equals any insurance president.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
NICKEL'S POSSIBILITIES

A scientist says there is enough high explosive in nickel, chemically treated, to blow off mans head. But it wouldn't be a nickel any longer. A nickel as it is enables a man to blow himself off as often as he comes in possession of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

BEGINNING THE DAY-I pray Thee, 0 Lord, to help me make this the best day I have ever lived. May | fashion a high shining pattern out of it. In its building may l reJect every thought that is not good, every word that is not gentle ana sincere, every act that is not courageous and I,rd Far Jesus, sake. Amen.-H. M. E.
 and Amen.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

A Pittsburg contemporary thinks Can didate Weeks lacks dignity Never mind about that. He will probably never have a chance to appear undgnified in the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

If T. R. were President, where would mirers. Since nobody seems to know where Villa is, the question is obviously foolish
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

The fortunes of war vary for most of the beligerents, but Great Britain con tinues to suffer tragic losses with pain ful monotony.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Though an Englishman, MT. Chaplin prefers battery of cameras to the sort the efficient Teuts are just now operat- ing around Verdun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Ten palpitatinS beauties have been chosen under the auspices of a photo play magazine to try for honors on the screen. The future of the silent drama is thus assured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Fortunately for Great Britain. Earl Kitchener lived long enough to provide her with an adequate army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

According to one definition, a pussy footer is a man who occasionally keeps his mouth shut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

With the wires running out of Chicago working overtime, war news struggles hard for position on the front page.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Government statistics show where all the pins come from, but nobody has yet found out where they all go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

The number of jitney busses in Br- mingham has greatly decreased. Tine menace to life and limb is correspond ingly less.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Birminghams city commissioners are doubtless getting used to hot water. They are in it most of the time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Perhaps the absence of a well known figure is one reason why the republican convention is such a tame affair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

A standpatters idea of killing time is journeying down to Oyster Bay to ask the colonel to run for the presidency
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

It requires a great deal of civic pride for baseball fan to keep on boosting losing team.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Nazimova is reported to have refused $1o000 to act in three photoplays. Can it be possible that Nazimova believes in art for arts sake?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

There are said to be 275,000 feeble minded persons in the United States. And they are not all tango fiends. either
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09

Chilling rain and spring zephyrs off Lake Michigan cannot dampen the en- thusiasm of the progressives in Chicago.