davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
Voluntary Liquidation

The closing of the Jefferson County bank was voluntary act on the part of the directors for the purpose ot liouidation. The resources of the in stitution are ample to pay all de- positors and it may be that there will
 be a substantial equity left for the
 stockholders.
 When the Jefferson County Savings bank, after thorough reorganization, was reopened last August under the style of the Jefferson County bank, there was rejoicing not only among the depositors, who were paid In full, but in business circles generally. It was taken as an augury of restored confidence and far-reaching improve ment in business conditions. The new bank was popular and it's affairs were conservatively managed, but a lack of harmony among the directors which developed recently preclpltated situation that caused the action ot yesterday.
 Since the depositors and other cred itors were assured that they would lose nothing, there was no excitement whatever over the failure of the bank +o omen it's dOOrS
 While the directors found that the
 best way to conserve the interests o1 the patrons of the institution was IT
 pursuing the course decided upon, re-
 gret was expressed on the part oi i the public that Birmingham was tc i have one less bank. The trend of business was not disturbed Tn the least. The fact is that business con- ditions here were never sounder thar they are today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
GEORGIA FIDDLER $

From the Atlanta Journal
 The old-time Georgia fiddlers are here spry as a fox and strong as steer. Down from the hills and up from the sea, fid- dlin' they come as merrily as ever the Piper of Hamelin Town played his tune of high renown to exercise the pesky rats that built their nests in Sunday hats and spoiled the ladies' pleasant chats. But piper never piped well, not cen the Angel Israfel (whose heartstings were his lute says Poe) could weave a magic like the bow of "Fiddlin' John or Smoky Bill:" a magic whence you feel the trill of forest threats, and mountain wind, and every other blessed kind of primal music gay or shy that breathes beneath a Georgia sky.
 Shorty Harper "rawsums' his strings and straight we hear the whisperings of April voices in the leaves of raindrops dripping from the caves of some lone cabin on the hill. We hear the tale oi Jack and Jill, forever old yet ever new when gay Cid Tanner shifts his chew of Raleigh weed and yanks the gut, a brawlie, homespun Kreisler But, no rhyme can tell the rarity of this melod- ious company, these Georgia minstrels oi the soil whose native wood notes, whilst they foil the critics namby-pamby art will never cease to stir the heart, oi bring the wine-warmth and the glow ot the southland's long ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
GIimpse of the Kaiser

So much has been written about the Kaiser's mysterious illness and specu- lation as to his true condition has been so rife that any news which IS thought to throw light on the situa- ton is read with eagerness, both ln the United States and abroad. It has been predicted that the death of the Kaiser would mean the ending of the war, and naturally there is keen desire on the part of friends and foes alike to learn something definite about his health.
 Experience has taught newspaper readers to look with suspicion on any supposed inside information" regard ing the Kaiser sent out under Lon don date line. However, the Daily Mail recently published description of the Kaiser's appearance, while on his visit to King Ferdinand at Nish, which is interesting, whether it can be entirely relied on or not. The corre- spondents are not themselves so much to blame for inaccuracies and wilful misstatements of fact as the censors whose efforts have brought well meaning news gathering agencies into disrepute.
 The Mails correspondent says the Kaiser's face while at dinner was that of "tired and broken man. His hair is white, though his mustache is still suspiciously dark. There is an absence of the old activity of gesture, quick, nervous wheeling about and unstable manner of the man, all of which re- member distinctly from my previous encounter with him in 1908."
 The correspondent tells further how the Kaiser was evidently bent on mak- ing himself agreeable to all with whom he came in contact, particularly the Bulgarians and their King, but he ate and drank practically nothing and coughed almost continuously, using a huge Turkish handkerchief of red, with white Turkish star and cres- cent in one corner.
 This account agrees in the main with other published descriptions of the Kaiser. Whether he is doomed to die in a few months or year, or is simply showing the effects of age and mental strain, he is greatly changed. If it is true that he dreamed of being world conqueror, it has proved a sorry business for him and doubtless he already realizes the fol- ly of human ambition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
LANIER AS PROPHET

From the Atlanta Constitution
 The Christian Science Monitor says that Sidney Lanier was prophet, as well as poet, of the new south, foreshadowing it's industrial development in his verse, al though in one of his greatest odes he rallied at "the hell-smoke of the fac tories''
 Our Boston contemporary sees the pio- neer spirit in Laner's songs of the soil, and had in mind, probably, his poem on Corn" as well as his less ambitious ef- forts in lighter verse on the same line of thought when it placed him in the role fled agriculture which is now bringing practical rewards to the southern farmer. The Monitor says of the vision of the poet as affecting present industrial con- ditions:
 Like the New England singers of the Whittier-Lowell type, whom he followed in point of time, he had a civic as well as an aesthetic conscience leading him to utter himself on contemporary issues and to prophecy. Hence it is not surprising now to find, at a time when the south ern states are counting their gains from diversified crops harvested this year, that he based all hope of ultimate renewal of the south's former rank, as a political and cultural factor in the nation, on a revolution in agricultural economy such as now is under way. He long ago chal- lenged the rule of King Cotton and preached reliance on many rather than on one staple product
 So the singer of the south's loftiest song, whose lightest touch gave life and color to the c,ods through which the seed climbed, comes into his own as prophet also-prophet of a day of rich realizat tion to the south, due to the diversified meth ods in which he glimpsed the better time coming"-the turning of the fate o1 the fields which, through diversified ac- tivties, are yielding harvests that are really golden.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
DISCOURAGED
PATRONS OF LITERATURE

want other people to see or read his productions, want to share his thought and his vision with others. quite as much as he wants to write his thought or paint his vision? Of what use all his labor 1T it does not fructify in the life or the world? And that, of course, means that it is just as necessary to provide pub lie for genius as it is to shelter and nour- ish the genius itself. And in that work, surely, there is opportunity enough TOT patrons of art and letters.
 MT. Johnson indicated some of the things that the American Academy Of Arts and Letters and the National lnstl- ute of Arts and Letters would like to do if they had the means. They are all in the line of educating the popular taste and elevathg the popular standard Tn the appreciation of music, painting, sculp- ture. literature. It has been said con- temptuously many times that literature cannot thrive in democracy And mo- body has ever yet stopped to consider that literature and art have never had fair chance in democracy Apprecla- tior of their beauties and values does not spring full grown out of the soil. Would it not be better worth while to try the experiment of using every possible means of elevating and refining the public ap- preciation of art and literature than to go back to the old method of hothouse cultivation of genius?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 N OES American literature really
 need a rich patron in the sense 0 in which Robert Underwood Johnson seemed to use that word Ill the interview with him which appeared in the New York Times? The inference from A part of what he said is that he would like to see American men and women of wealth taking the relation to- ward authors and artists that Maecenas held toward Horace-a sort of personal endowment of which the tip is the ana logue in everyday life. It needed some hundreds of hard working, evolutionary years to enable the profession of letters
 to emerge from the feudal status Does any practitioner of the art at the present day wish to turn back in his relation to
 the world to that condition? For so long a time be- along with the followers of the art of healing, held economically posi- tion somewhat similar to the waiter, the porter and the barber of the present day that one would think his present. day representative would prefer din- ner of herbs with freedom and indepen- dence to a stalled OK bought for him by wealthy patron.
 Moreover, is not the idea of having the author or artist supported in comfort, so that he can do his best work unworried, based on a misconception? Does not any man of genius, or even of great talent,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
The Cotton Situation

'The cotton market bears have had their way recently, but prices will not only advance, but we will see 15-cent cot ton by spring." said Joseph o. Thomp- son
 'The Age-Heralds editorial advising the merchants and farmers to hold their cotton for higher prices was timely. II stated the statistical position of the cot ton trade correctly. The last ginners report indicated something like a Il, ,00O,OO0- bale crop, but I believe it will be consid- erably less than 100000.
 Last summer, when I forecast 10, 600, 000-bale crop, l did not miss it much Some statistcians estimated a 120o0,OO- bale crop, but I knew they were wrong. Yes, cotton is sure to go to b cents or more"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
The Jewish Relief Fund

It was expected that America would respond promptly and liberally to the appeal for the relief of Jews in the blood -drenched countries of Europe and the expectation is being realized
 At mass meeting in New York Thursday night it was announced ssamid scenes of wild enthusiasm,' that pledges there amounted to about $1,00O,O0O. This country has beer asked to contribute S5,O00, 1000, anc there can be scarcely doubt but that this sum will be raised.
 Simultaneously with the great gathing in New York meetings were held in all the large cities of the United States, including Birmingham While the amounts pledged in the metropolitan eenters other than New York have not been fully reported, il is believed the total reached several millions of dollars.
 As Bishop Mccoy, in his stirring address at the Birmingham meeting pointed out, if everybody in this country were to give 5 cents to the Jewish relief cause the whole amount asked of America by the general con- mittee would be in hand
 Birmingham is to raise $10,000. A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
Sunday Evening at the Southern c

"On Sunday evening at the Southern club" said w. C. Satterfield I've will institute an innovation in the form of a table hote dinner, with beautiful mus ical programme. In the old days the Sunday evening dinners at the Southern club were a great event in society, and we want to have a, revival of those days.
 We have a large list of reservations already, and it is expected that our flrst dinner Sunday evening will assemble one Of the most representative crowds that has been seen in Birmingham for long time. The members of the club are quite enthusiastic over the movement, and are lending their support in every way to make the event a success, and we can promise not only delicious dinner, but a programme of beautiful music, which MT. Davidson has prepared, augmenting his orchestra to 10 or F pieces for that oc- cason."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
LONDON's OLDEST IRISH RELIC

From the Irish World.
 The oldest Irish historical relic in Lon don is the stone believed to be the "Lia Fail" in the coronation chair in West minister Abbey It will be remembered that it was most certainly the coronation stone of the old Scottish kings and it has been in the abbey since Edward l brought it from Scone, where King Ken meth in the ninth century transferred it from Argylshire. It had been then used as a coronation stone since Fergus, the son of Eric, brought it first from Ire land, and the tradition was that it had been the coronation stone of the Irish kings on the Hill of Tara.
 Old legend, indeed, gAve the corona ton stone greater antiquity, and de- clared it to be the very stone which formed "Jacob's pillar The authentic record of the stone is, however. perfect to the days when it was first taken from Ireland. It is spoken of as being in Westminster Abbey, but it isn't, Like other irreplaceable objects, art treasures and historic relics it has been removed together with the chair in which it was enriched to a place of safety from Zep- pelin bombs. It will be remembered that tradition says that where the stone is the ruling power of the Scott, that is the Irish. will be found
 John Denver, in his "Old Rebel" tells an amusing story of a smple-mnded Fenian who conceived the idea of carrying off the stone from the abbey to Ireland and the settling of the whole Irish ques- ton" at stroke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

If the war in Europe continues much ened with quinine famine. At the be- ginning of the war sulphate of quinine sold for about 20 cents an ounce, whole sale. One year ago the price had risen to 40 cents, and today it is sl.50 an ounce. bulletin issued by the Pan-American union states that during the fiscal year ending June 90, 1914, which was the last normal year prior to the war, the United States imported nearly 100000 ounces of sulphate of quinine valued then at about S650000, and more than 3,64S, GOO pounds of cnchona bark valued at $464,OO0. Great Britain controls the cinchona bark in dustry in her possessions in India, Cey- lon, and Jamaica, while Holland controls the product of Java. These sections of the world have been producing practically all the quinine consumed for the past 30 or B years. Great Britain is husbanding her supply for the use of the allied ar- mics, as it has been found that soldiers
 in the field require much more quinine than men who are engaged in peaceful occupations. Holland is expected to SUD- ply the central powers with the drug and as a result the rest of the world may not be able to get additional supplies at all, The cinehona trees originated in South America. Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia at one time supplied the world with quinine, but about 55 years ago an English scientist and traveller, Sir Clements Markham, obtained seeds and plants of the valuable cinchona species. These were transplanted in India. Gin chona plantations were a success there and they were started in Ceylon and Ja- maica. The Dutch succeeded in growing cinchona trees in Java and since that time the plantation product has driven the forest product from the worlds mar ket.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
MEN IN THE TRENCHES

FTOIn lHe NeW I OTh ItieSTdIl Men who have been under fire in the trenches or in the open, with shells fall ing all around them and men stricken on all sides, will tell you that they had no fear as long as they could fight and bear their part in the struggle. But when wounded, lying powerless and helpless on the field, the enemy de- scended on them, fear of the unknown, of German brutality, of the long hours of waiting torture, of what fate had in store for them, has wrung groans from hearts that no pain could influence. Each sound, each movement contained a menace for which they had no name, no reason, but which was full of unutter- able horror, and for which there was no relief but mercful inconsistencies or removal into the zone of peace and
 safety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
AT PAEsTUM

N N AT PAESTUM Clinton Scollard. Italy in Arms and Other Poems" Gourme & Marshall Across the sea from Sybaris they came, Daring their galleys with long sweep
 and slow. The adventurous Greeks who gave the
 place name
 More than two thousand shadowy years
 ago. Here, sensing beauty in the insensate
 stone,
 They wrought from out it, span on per-
 feet span, Pillar and plinth, till as the flower full
 blown,
 Rose temples to the gods Olympian. Despoiled their altars, ravaged are their
 shrines;
 The lizard and the snake alone glide by; Yet the tall columns face the Apennines, And still the old Greek grandeur typify. Tn their Ionic majesty one finds The truest tokens that the past can What aspirations kindled mortal minds More than two thousand shadowy years
 ago!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
ROMANCE FOR sIIDDLE-AGED

Henry Seidel Canby in Harper's Maga- zine.
 The right poetry at the right time has stances, for the season is highly per tons that experience is no longer able the indutiable power to stir the emo stances, for the season is highly per
 sonal. What with me stirs a brain cell long dormant to action will leave an- other unmoved, and vice versa. However, to make clear my meaning
 let us take Romance, the kind that one capitalized, and dwe!ls in Granada or Sicily or the Spainish Main. The middle aged gentleman on a winter cruise for
 his nerves will never lind the thrill in what he sees there. If it is not lost for him utterly, it is only because Keats has kept it, in *"* Magic easements, opening on the Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn, and Nashe in Brightness falls from the air; Queens have died young and fair. Or consider the joy of travel renewed in kipling's- Then home, get her home, where the drunken rollers comb, And the shouting seas drive by, And the engines stamp and ring, and the
 wet bows reel and swing
 And the Southern Cross rides high
 Yes, the old lost stars wheel back, dear lass,
 That blaze in the velvet blue.
 Or the distant sea in Milton's-
 Oft on a plot of rising ground l hear the far-off curfew sound Over some wide-watered shore, Swinging slow with sullen roar Or passionate desire with Omar Oh, Love, could thou and I with Fate conspire To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things en. tire, Would we not shatter it to bits-and then Remold it nearer to the Hearts Desire! Or the multitudinous experiences of vivid life that crowd the pages of men like Shakespeare, or Chaucer, who thanked God that he had known his world as in his time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
FASHIONS SLAVE

FTOIH JUUSe.
 First Patient--What would you ad- wise me to do, doctor?
 Family Physician-Either go south for the winter or else put on more clothes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
"LOOkS LUXE TEDDY"
pm the New York Telegram.

From the New York Telegram
 The progressives have now reduced the candidates they will support to three-Theo eodore Roosevelt, Colonel Roosevelt and T. Roosevelt.-Boston Transcript. And under the circum- stances, perhaps MT. Roosevelt might not object to running for vice presi- dent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
A SMART WOMAN
From the Providence Journal.

From the ProVidence JournaI.
 A woman newly elected to county office in a western state has distn- gushed herself by passing. around box of cigars that could be smoked. She has learned the first principle in the code of the successful candidate, that only gen. une, smokable cigars can be depended upon for strengthening political popu- larity. 4srs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
HARD LINES FOR ALFONSO

From the Chicago Herald.
 If Spain does get into the war and gets painfully handled Alfonso will probably spend his remaining days not more than two jumps ahead of a revolution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
ANOTHER MEAN FLING

From the Houston POSt
 The new Birmingham postmaster says people who want to be beautiful should eat all the oranges they can. That ought to consume the remnant of Birmingham's orange stock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

BEGINNING THE DAY - My Father, keep me aware of the perlis of living. show me the tragic deptns that Open for me in the right and left. Tell me over and OCT again of the weakness of my flesh which may lead me to sudden plunge or suffer me to be Iured away by in- sidious degrees. Amen.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

It is said that Carranza will establish a new national capital in Mexico He probably wants place he can escape from without having to traverse a great deal of hostile territory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

It was announced sometime ago that cago. Yet, the bandits who have been operating there lately don't work like nOViceS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

There is nothing more tiresome than to hear an inland landlubber who has never smelled salt water trying to explain what's the matter with the American navy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

However great the temptation to cross the Rio Grande, American soldiers should stay out of Mexican territory and avoid complications.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

Scientists have been Investigating the dog, but so far they have alleged nothing against him for which he could be held directly to blame
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

Whatever the British think, the world will be slow to place all the blame for the failure of the Gallipoli campaign on Gen. Ian Hamilton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

John Bull will have to quit meddling with our mail Having been told that such conduct is "vexatiously inqusi- torial," he will no doubt fully realize the seriousness of the situation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

That recent fisticuff between two prom inent gentlemen in Washington indicates that there are some crises no amount of diplomacy can smooth over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

A TRANQUIL VOYAGE. When Noah made
 His famous cruise He did without
 The wireless news. And while we know How much that means He wasn't chased
 By submarines. A fact 'tis well
 To bear in mind. Fate might have been Far more unkind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
Outlook for Spring Business

Business in Birmingham has been i'm proving ever since last fall and the outlook for spring activity is very bright" said B E. Burton.
 T was in Decatur this week and found people in that section prosperng. Condi- tions throughout northern Alabama are good. ["
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

Birmingham can't afford to let Mont gomery surpass her in the amount sub- scribed for the relief of Jewish war suf ferers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

The republicans seem to have settled on Roosevelt as their choice for the presi- dential nomination, although you will mo- tice that they make the acknowledgement with an air of resignation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

Paris has been deserted by the tourists, but business will surely pick up as soon as the war is over.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

It would clarify the situation consider ably if the MonteneSrlns Would say whether or not they have quit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29

old Doc Cook is back again and jade1 paragraphers are taking new interest in their work.