davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
YULETIDE ExTRAvAGANCE

From the New 4ork World.
 A corresr ondent renews discussion of Yuletide extravaganza by citing a $4OOO crystal ball, two Aubusson chairs at $4500, piece of lace at $1l50, $500 suitcase, a at $45o0 as costly things offered for sale as presents
 Of these objects four may be ignored. An autograph or a bit of old lace may sell at any price without just public protest A buys of B; B, instead of A. has the money for something g>else; the com munity is neither impoverished nor en- riched
 It is otherwise when current labor produces new articles of luxury. Here waste is visible, unquestionable, deplor- able yet clumsy reform might do harm To economists, the fact that men have | worked at wages in making luxuries is no defense; but even economists know thai swift altera tiors in trade custom em- barrass rayriads of people, some of whom never prosper by new work. Only under war pressure do European nations faI less conSerVatlNe lndn ours ilIill brew ! ing and distilling to save grain and labol
 and prescribe luxuries to save money fol war bonds..
 i Lacking, fortunately. the pressure oi war; the United States lets supply ant demand regulate extravagance however
 ill Art education helps by checking thu
 output of cosrly uginess. Waste is as
 truly shown in buying bit ef tresh fo'
 50 cents as in ostentatious c4l4 1a'
 final appeal must he to comm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
AN UNCRowDED PROFESSION

From the Savannah News
 Baseball beckons to the ambitious youth of America as one profession in which there is no over-supply and in which op- portunity will continue to knock as long as one is there with the goods. Scouts of the big leagues have recently com pleted annual reports and a reviewer says:
 They are almost unanimous in declar- ing that the general run of material in the bush leagues last season was far be- low the caliber of previous years and that few players were uncovered who showed promise of making good in the major leagues without a long drawn out polishing process by working up through the various minor leagues"
 The demand for finished ball players cannot be met by the present supply Whether the hardy young men upon whom the profession relied have gone in for various competing pursuits such as making war munitions or hurlng hand grenades, is not yet clear; but there is no escape from the fact that the crop of Cobbs, Wagners, Johnsons and the like is dwindling in a most startling ia ash- ion. Of course, in the spring sthere are always several hundred such performers, but somehow approximately 100 per cent of them abandon the role just about the time the exhibition season is concluded. Any boy who has the ability to hit curves like those of Walter Johnson or Babe out of four times at bat and perform a dozen or so other stunts equally simple may feel secure in the assurance that the world is his oyster.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
THE BRIGHT sURF-BATHING TOW,

By Coventry Patmore. There, where the little bright curf-
 breathing town 4 and the sea, Gathers its skirts against the gorse-lit
 down And scatters gardens OCT the southern
 lear, we went alone By walls OCT which the lilac's numerous
 plume Shook down perfume; Trim plots close blown With daisies in conspicuous myriads
 seen, Engross'd each one With single arder for her spouse, the
 sum- Garths in their glad array Of white and ruddy branch, auroal gay *s* Meadows of fervid green, With sometime sudden prospect of un- told cowslips, like chance-found gold; And broadcast buttercups at joyful gaze, Bending the air with praise, Like the ndred-thousand-voiced shout Of Jacob camp'd in Midian put to rout, Then through the park, Where spring in livelier gloom Ouicken'd the cedars dark And, 'gainst the cleaNfky cold. Which shone afar 1 Crowded with sunny alps oracular, l Great chestnuts raised themselves abroad | like cliffs of bloom | And everywhere, l Amid the ceaseess rapture of the lark, | With wonder new w We caught the solemn voisa ek einzfp air. Cuckoo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

Senator Chamberlain will push his measure and the army general staff will push with him. It may be long time before the United States needs an army of millions, but the theory of preparedness is not to be lost sight of. The lessons learned from Europe are lessons worth pondering. Hugo Munsterberg predicted that the European belligerents would forget about the war after it was ended. The British may not forget until the word ''strafe' is eliminated from the German language In a six-day food test conducted at 1 Oklahoma City, Okla, eight men and women gained weight on sh-cent meals. 1 Stiu. that's not the sort of dining that calls for an after-dinner speech. 1 * * The French have been claiming some brilliant victories around Verdun, but the 1 sad truth is that they have advanced
 only about three miles at the furthest point. l Old black stockings are now bringing
 about cent pair. Any old black
 stockings about the premises that are not being worn by Friend Wife? l < | Sessions of the city commission have 1 heen referred to as vaudeville shows. D
 but they are not half as interesting as
 a tank full of diving venuses.
 <: * People who own land in the vicinity of 1 Cordova can't sleep at night since oil was struck for thinking about the millions
 they will soon be worth. | <: T x | If Villa and his friend" Genera 1 Scott ever get together again. General 1 scott should lose no time in finding out | who's backing Villa. Y
 If is said that Miss Rankin's hair is not
 red, but brown It isn't necessary tc | exnlaiu why she was thought to be red
 headed.
 | At any rate, Mrs. Luther Burbank vii
 always know where her husband IS He'll be out pottering around among tho plants.
 MT. Bryan contrives to keep more ol less in the spot light without discover ing lost rivers and looking up strange birds.
 Maybe General Carranza. not being al ! stupid as he looks, is waiting to se'
 whether or not that loan is forthcoming
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
Holiday Trade Good

This year's holiday trade has been greatly in excess of last year salo Colman Blach. There seems to be more universal buying spirit on the part of the people. Business for the entire month of December is better than usual.
 ''The buyers lack the uncertain lock they possessed last Christmas. They reel that prosperity has struck the country to stay. The net result is that the ~holi- day purchasers this year know that the good times are here definitely. There IS less anxiety on their part regarding their jobs. Conditions are much better today than they have been in sometime past
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
THE LAST STRAW.

When the high price of prunes Gets into the papers, l expect to give up And quit cutting capers. As soon as such news Strikes full on my vision, To leap from a cliff Will be my decision.
 Birmingham Age-Herald. No matter what price They quote the old prune, They always suffice For the boarding house loon Landladies will buy 'em (The habit is there); They stew em and fry 'em As "eats" everywhere.
 Savannah Press.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
HOTEL LOBBIEs
New Yenr,s Eve Party

We are going to have big party at the Tutwi1er New Years eve" said Fred Shireman. "Adready I have moro reservations than I had last year, and we are making arrangements for hun dreds to make merry with us. I believe that something of the spirit of the east is being injected into Birmingham. understand that several years ago New Years eve was celebrated very quietly here. However. if the enter tainment we had last year and the one We expect to have this year are any sign of the times, things have changed some since then"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
BACK STAGE REPARTEE,

T won't follow trained chimpanzee, !" said the grand opera prima donna who was making her debut in vaudeville.
 well, you can't make monkey out of me-" snarled the stage manager. That's your spot on the bill. Take it or leave it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
DISHEARTENED.

An astronomer has been telling me about the incredible speed with which light travels" said the motorist.
 'Why should that make you look sad?"
 He's just about convinced me that 60 miles an hour in my car is mere snairs pace"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
TOO TAME.

"A facetious young man ordered a 'hula-hula' at soda fount"
 What did he mean by that?"
 T presume he meant some sort of soft drink. Had he referred to the dance it. self, I should not have cared to see 1t performed by male soda clerk'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
ALARMING PROSPECT.

Tt is said that there may be short age of baseball players next season"
 Now that's something serious. A chorus girl famine never amounts to much, because situation like that never does really exist but shortage of pitch CTS might prove a national calamity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

Mir. Hobson's new home in Illinois will be in Evanston, which has an atmos- phere impregnated with gasoline There was a suggestion of irony in General Nivelle congratulating Genera Joffre on his promotion
 Belgium is looking forward to the day when she will no longer have tc shout "Hoch der Kaiser"
 x
 The expected has happened. Now thai Billie Burke is mother, she is going ir for a serious play"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
HE GIVES UP.

Father's purse is much depleted, Sooth to say, is almost Hat Mother says she won't be created Out of Christmas joys and that She Il keep buying, buying, buying I'll her strength has failed her quite, Consequently fathers signing Something that sounds like, Good
 nightw
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
EXPOSED

From the New York Herald.
 One good thing has been accomplished by those Berlin proposals. They have stripped to their 'kultured" hides a lot of wolves that have been posing in neu- trality sheep's clothing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
CORRECT

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 Expert says Annette Kellermann is more perfect of figure than Cleopatra- " nat we want to know is, who was the gent that took the measurement of Cleo patra ?''-I1ouston Post
 Why, it has always been our impression that Caesar was the chap who took fer measure
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
PAINFUL REMINDER.

Mrs. Grabcoin carries a high head, considering the fact that before MT. Grabcoin got rich she used to slave at a wash tub"
 Maybe that's why she carries her head high"
 "Yes?"
 "She may be afraid that sometime while motoring about her eyes will alight on tub.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMIl
THE CUTTERS.

Down in the depths of pessimism, Far from the starry heights of song, With Whats the use?" for an aphorism, sad assemblage plods along. Ne'er a ray of light to guide them, Or none that they can ever see; For hooded Sorrow walks beside them And from her tolls they'll ne'er win
 free.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
Gratifying Growth of

lBlrEmIMgMaTM s EWlpSaAdS4U44 A BULLETIN issued by the census EA bureau yesterday gives the estimated populations of cities having a population of 10000 and over July of this year.
 In the six years since 1910 the pop ulation of Birmingham has increased 47.420. There is an effective answer to the enemies of this great and grow ing city who have scattered reports broadcast over the country that Blr- ningham was steadily losing its pop ulation. An increase of nearly 50,000 in six years is a splendid showing, and all the more gratifying because 1t was a natural and healthy growth.
 In the same length of time Atlanta gained 95,55S. Memphis gained only 17.29O. In six years Birmingham's population has increased approx imately 12,OOO more than the populs- tion of Atlanta.
 The estimated population of Bir- mingham at present is 181,762 That of Atlanta is 190,55S. In 1920 Bir- mingham will supplant Atlanta as the second largest city in the south.
 Naeiomal Guard
 and the Army
 TIT will be hardly possible for Con- U gress, in this short session, to act upon the question of universal military training and seryice-the Chamberlain measure-or upon Sena- tor Borah's bill to repeal the law which federalized the National Guard, but the hearings before the military committees of both houses will be en- Tightening and therefore worth while.
 Maj .-Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff, and Maj.-Gen. Leonard Wood are both in favor of Senator Cham berlain's bill and both appear to at tach little importance to the guard for war purposes. Army officers as rule were never committed to the Hay bill which federalized the organ ized militia, and now, in the light of experience, they are pronouncedly against continuing it as part of the military establishment of the United States.
 But as there are two sides to every question the public will wait until it hears more of the facts before giving judgment nds of the guard say the ua of the "citizen sol
 ser with the colors did 1ps M d fair chance to show
 S could do. The fact that the
 rdsmen were mobilized without any serious delay is certainly in theil favor. The fact, too, that only small erc(ntage of the rank and file com plained O. their lot and wished to get back home when their services were needed on the border was greatly te the credit of the organization. The next time the guard is called out everybody connected with the militia will be prepared for prompt actior \ and severe discipline.
 Those who are opposed to the dua oath-state and federal-will soor serve out their terms of enlistment and all the new recruits will know be fore hand what is expected of then under the Hay act.
 But no matter whether the Nationa Guard is kept in service as an auxil iary of the regular army, or whether it falls back as state militia only
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
PROFIrABLE wOoING

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 When Lord Curzon, of Keddleston, mar ried an American heiress 1t was called a romance. But when he marries a second American heiress it looks like big business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

BEGINNING THE DAY-Redeem me, my God, from the sickness oi
 ,,c,.m. Let me see enough peO- ,,Ia and see them closely enough to hel,eve i'm them. Take away from me the sop of reflection upon the xxorld,s weakness. Give me to live little with the strong among men and with the strong in men, rut .ome iron in me. Teach me "ha. duty means, and God, and hie' "n" destiny. Amen.--H. M- E'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
INTERESTED.

livery night before going to sleep I read little poetry. Tell me this" said the man in motor togs. 'Is poetry the cure for insomnia it's cracked up to be?''
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
Real Estate Investments

'Every line of business in the district is good now, with the exception of the real estate and that is rapidly improv- ing" said J. J. Walker, prominent realty man of Ensley Tt is always true that conditions in every other line of busl- ness improve and even take on unusual activity before the effects are noticeable in the real estate market.
 'However, the people of the district and especially those employed by the in dustrial concerns, have been making splendid wages and salaries for many months and the savings deposit increases in all the banks show that they have made good use of much of their income. It is only a matter of very short time until they will begin making investments in real estate, and I am confident that after the holidays we will experience a remarkable revival in the real estate business The money Is in the bank, the property of the district is a good and safe investment and the people are going to again begin placing their savings in Birmingham district real estate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
HOPELESS

This talk of peace" Said William Drew, q prithee cease,
 My wife's a shrew. That peace, I trow, For which I crave I'll never know
 Outside the grave"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
Not Surprised at Find

"The discovery of oil around Cordova is no surprise to those who have been familiar with the geology of the country along the river" said l.. B. Musgrove of Jasper, who was at the Hillman last night MT Musgrove is one of the largest owners of lands in that section of the state and much of his property is con- tiguous to the place where oil has been struck.
 There is oil all through that coun- try" said MT. Musgrove. Tt is only a matter of time until numerous wells are struck all along the river and for some distance away. Borings have been made from time to time for some years, and oil has been struck at many different depths I am interested in a company which has a large amount of oil well machinery on hand now and it is prob able that we shall begin some develop ments within the next few months. A number of eastern capitalists who are interested in prospective oil development in our section have already, been notified by me of the strike near Cordova, anc I anticipate that they. too, will imme. diately begin work. It seems reasonable to suppose that within short time there will be many wells flowing in and around Cordova and other parts of Walker county"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, uostoffica as second class matter un- der act of Congress, March 3, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
lndatiOn set on

blood.
 Nc certain life achiev'd by others a..tn. king John.
The Home news., 1916-06-16

Lost: Cameo brooch with safe ty clasp. Return to this office and receive reward. Adv.
 J. l.. Stair snd friend, Dr. s. J. Lesemann of Altamont, Ill.,, arrived Wednesday for a weeks visit and incidentally looking over our real estate.
 Pete James, Bill Mccain, w. D. Hinson, Rob't. Clayton and ye editor started to Newark in an auto Sunday, but were caught near Auvergne in a hard rain. The crowd got very much stuck up and abandoned the trip, re- turning home on the Rock Island passenger.
 Among those from McCrory who attended the dance given in Augusta Tuesday evening in hon. or of Miss Minnie Lee Cornelius of Muskogee, Okla, we note: Misses Pauline McFall and Joye Ellington and Messrs Elma Wild CT, Wade Jeffries, WalterJ effries, Tom McFall and Lester Lewis. Oscar Winfree ofSt. Louis who is here on his vacation also at tended.
The Home news., 1916-06-16
From The People.
MT. Editor:

This may be surprise to you, but 1, as one of the mothers of McCrory, want to appeal to mothers and fathers having little boys and girls large enough to go to school to look after those children. See what they do and where they go. School is out, and the children are out too, on the streets, in the stores fighting can't send a child to the post office or drug store but they are detained no matter how much of a hurry they are in, mail torn open, bundles thrown away, hit and cladded, or are cut with a knife. If it's a girl, some man wants to kiss her. Some stores one especially, the clerks try the kissing game, and this is very disgusting and to say the least is an insult. 1 say to MT. Clerk, keep your hands off if you want to draw customers for your en- ployer.
 l plead with fathers and moth CTS or anyone having control of children to look after them, see and know where they are and what they do. Keep them home, let them get acquainted with their parents and home surround ings. Take the knives away from the boys, and let us raise our children to a higher moral platform and as citizens of a mo- ble little town, see if we can't have more morality and more christianity among our young folk. God grant we may all take hold and throw the life lines over our young folks as we'll as our children, and may we draw each one nearer the safe side where they will find safe anchorage.
 Respectfully,
 MRS. JOSIE FAKES.
The Home news., 1916-06-16

Persons having beets for sale will please see Mrs. Geo. H. Proulx. Adv. 6-9 If.
 Mrs. w. w. Raney returned home today from a weeks pleas ant visit to Mrs. R. M. Gallo way at Newark.
 Oscar Winfree of the John Deere Plow Co.,, St. Louis, ar rived Sunday to spend his vaca- tion with home folks.
 Mrs. J. M. Kellogg left Tues day for Pocahontas where she will be the guest of friends and relatives until July, 4.
 Walter Stephenson of Spurr, Texas, arrived Thursday for a visit to his sister, Mrs. H. P. Hargis. and other relatives.
 Master Elliott Thompson re- turned Saturday from Levesque where he visited his grandparents MT. and Mrs. D. M. Thompson.
 w. N. Bill" Wilkes of Angus ta has secured the principalship and Miss Grace Porter of this city the assistants place in the Tip school for the coming term.
 For Sale: One two-horse bug gy, used only six weeks, new set of double harness, and one good horse, for cash only. Call or write, B. Brewster, M. D., McCrory, Ark. Adv. 38-tf.
 The Young Ladies Sewing Club met with Miss Bessie Powell Thursday afternoon. After a short time spent in sewing, re- treatments were served. The club will meet again next Thurs day with Miss Mary Piercey and all members are requested to be present.
The Home news., 1916-06-16

c. Crotzer was a Wynne visi- tor yesterday, Thursday.
 Hansford Rhodes is now driv- ing Riggs Brothers jitnvy.
 Wanted: Two gentlemen board CTS. See Mrs. H. D. Swayze. Adv. 6-9tf.
The Home news., 1916-06-16

Houses for rent reasonable, see o. K. Porter.
 Misses Joye Ellington, Pauline Mcfall and Blanche Powell visit eo Tn Augusta the first of the week.
 Rev. s. M. Yancey has been assisting Rev. B. L. Harris in a l' revival meeting at Cotton Plant this week.
 MISS Helen McNab, of Spring uaie' IS In the city the pleasant suesV M of Miss Lou McCrory, and Other friends.
The Home news., 1916-06-16
Local U. s. Marine In Santa
 Domingo.

Harry Byrd, son of Mace Byrd, sf McCrory, is with the expedi- tionary force of United States marines recently rushed to Santo Domingo on board the U. s. s. Salem, for the protection of the American legation there during the current revolt against Presi- dent Jimines.
 When insurrection breaks out anywhere to the south of Key West or north of Venezula, the United States marines are always first on the spot. Preparedness IS the motto of the marine
 soldier and sailor, too" always prepared for service in any cli- mate always prepared to move at a moments notice without previous warning, and always prepared to efficiently hold the situation well in hand.
 Young Byrd enlisted in the United States marine corps at it's Memphis, Tenn, recruiting sta ton on June 12. 1914
Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-22

Thousands of merry happy people will sit down at once to write
letters gratitude good wishes those who have