davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
NAMES TIPPLING HENS

From the Baltimore American.
 Maine has been on the water wagon -nominaHy, hypothetically on the water wagon-for so long a time that one might reasonably suppose that the very smell of an alcoholic beverage would be forgotten up in that pro- hibitive corner. But a surprising story comes down from Maine and it seems to be from official sources, too. The stoA is to the effect that even the hens up in this original prohibition state have acquired the alcoholic drink habit, and, according to this story, which, as we have said, is from official sources, the hens are more cheerful, more contented fuence of regularly administered stimulants than when obliged to go without the tipple.
 The authority for the foregoing statement is the biologist of the Maine agricultural experiment station. In an address at the recent gathering of the American Philosophical society in Phil adelphia he said that the hens at the station with which he is officially con-
  hol show the keenest gratitude for their subcutaneous souse. In given period it was found that the alcohol soaked hens laid 1894 eggs, while during the same period the water wagon birds produced 1S1 eggs as the high. rec ord. The effect of strong drink on the roosters seems, however, to have been less gratifying. It is said that they became more quarrelsome and would stay out, in some instances until after sunset.
 We are not pointing any morals or bracing any theories with the story about the alcohol-soaked hens of pro- hibition Maine, except such as may be
 involved in the query, does prohibition prohibit? An agricultural experiment station up in Maine is one of the last places we should have expected to find alcohol used with such generous free dom as to include the hens in the invite to take something, but, then | you never can tell about these dry stateS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
Events at Verdun

The Kaiser is reported to have saio in an address recently delivered to one of the divisions engaged m the onerations between Douaumont and v.px. "The war of 1870 was decided at Paris. The present war must end at Verdun.'
 It is becoming more and more ap- narent that the Germans are making their final effort at 'Verdun. The French have borne repeated on slaughts gallantly so far, although the Grown Princes troops have slowly but surely advanced. The arrival of hodv of Russian troops on the scene is highly significant. Just how many soldiers disembarked at Marseilles has not been stated, but they must he a considerable number, and when thrown into the struggle at Verdun will doubtless help to turn the tide for the French. unless recent withdrawals of German troops from other sectors means that the Czar's endorsements will be met by additional German sol diers.
 The average newspaper reader who takes his war news as it is permitted to pass through rigid censorship, can form but hay idea of the titanic battle raging around Verdun. How ever, some details have been given out and these indicate the enormous sacrifices being made by the attack ing Germans, as well as the losses of the French, although they naturally suffer less than their enemies, who are assaiing them in strongly en- trenched positions.
 It is hardly conceivable that the carnage can continue much longer. Instead of prolonging the struggle,  the fresh accession of troops to both sides may mean that decision one way or the other will soon be reached. It has been rumored that the Ger mans, for political reasons, hesitate to abandon their attempt. However, 1t IS more likely that with characteristic determination, they have chosen Yer dun as the final test of their arms and are resolved to take it, regardless of the cost.
 In the meantime, the world is amazed and confounded by the most sanguinary conflict it has ever known.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
GEORGE WILBUR PECK

From the St. Louis Globe-D Democrat. It is not as former mayor of Milwau- kee or former governor of Wisconsin that George Wilbur Peck, who has died in his seventy sixth year, will be re- membered. It is as the author of "Peck's Bad Boy' that he will be known, for a few years, at least. AL though MT Peck essayed other humor- ous writing, a broadly satirical ac- count of 'How Private George w. Peck Put Down the Rebellion" being one of his happiest efforts, appearing at a time when civil war heroes were gen. erally indulging in personal memoirs, his readers always remembered him as the creator of the bad boy. After accounting all his pranks on his pa and the groceryman, he put him in the circus and sent him among the cow boys But 26 years was a long time to keep up interest in a boy, who should have mended his ways. Even Dumas let his heroes grow old Furthermore, the comic supplement developed young finds who surpassed Peck's creation in diabolical depravity and supplanted him in the affections of the young.
 His election as mayor of Milwaukee was not surprising, for, judging from recent events, municipal elections are still regarded a jocular performance in Milwaukee But when he was made governor of Wisconsin. the country was surprised. It could not have happened under woman suffrage. The mothers never looked kindly on the lifework of MT. Peck. They felt that the aver age boy needed no adult assistance in devising deviltry. He was regarded as corrupter of youths and his works had to be read clandestinely, for they were considered contraband per SC. The excuse that they had been bor- rowed from a neighbor boy availed lit tie, for the confiscator assumed re- sponsibility for delivery to the mother of the alleged owner. When the books fell into possession of the Mothers Al liance they were seen no more forever. The governorship doubtless went to him on other grounds, but even if he was chosen solely because of his hu- morous writings, it did not hurt the state as much as the election of some of his successors, with far more se- rious purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
HIS FATHERS SON

From the New York Telegram.
 Henry James, the novelist, was the son of Henry James the Swedenborgian theologan, and from the father very probably both the novelist and his brother. William, the distinguished psych- ologist. derived their subtle mentality and power of analysis.
 In perfect clarity of statement William James was the superior, and there is an often quoted phrase; William James writes philosophy like novels, while Henry James writes novels like phlos- ophy."
 earlier stories know that he could write directly and entertainingly rather than subjectively and involvedly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
PEN PICTURE OF VILLA

negro blood in him. He was three fourths Spaniard and the rest Indian. His father was a wealthy Spaniard. Villa was his illegitimate son. "Villa's eyes were big and bulged from their sockets and shone With abounding vitality. He had the reputa- tion of never blinking when looking at man. Few men could stand his steady gaze. When he was angry his eyes blazed with battle light. Villa lin anger was terrible even to brave
 men.
 He was decidedly a blond in com plexion. That, I have no doubt, will
 surprise every one who knows Villa only from his pictures. His skin was as fair as a golden haired girls. Of course, when on hard campaign and exposed to sun and weather, it became darllly tanned.
 "He had a black, rather thin and scraggly mustache. His mouth was thick Tipped and one of the most sensual and animal mouths I have ever seen. It also was unusually express siye. It changed with his changing moods. and Villa was cave man with as many moods as child. His mouth
 was cruel It was boyishly merry, it was heavy and brutal. It laughed as gayly as a girls. The teeth must TO- main one of Villas distinguishing fea- lures. His front teeth were big and prominent and his incisors were verit- able fangs. Another Identification mark was his thick fingers on which the nails were not only excessively broad but sharply rounded in way rarely seen on any mans hands"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
Military Preparedness Bills

I
 The military conference committee should not be long in considering the I two bills-Senate and House-and re- porting a measure that will satisfy the administration and the public. Congressman Dent of the Second Alabama district is the democratic colleague of Chairman Hay of the House military committee and as he has made a study of the national de- fense situation it may be assumed that he will render valuable service in helping to thresh out and compro- mise the differences.
 No matter how public sentiment may have stood few months ago on the question of preparedness, an over- whelming majority of the thoughtful people of this country want to see army and provision for volunteer army and the liberalization of the National Guard, if the latter is found not to conflict with the constitution.
 A very important factor in military preparedness will be plan for or ganizing in reserve corps, machinists, electricians, telegraphers, cooks, auto mobilists and teamsters with their teams. And a still more essential thing in preparedness will be the building of nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals for the manufacture of powder in time of war, and to be leased for the manufacture of commercial fer tilizer in time of peace.
 As to the size of the regular army, it should be, in view of recent ex- periences in connection with the puni- tive expedition into Mexico and the threatened break with Germany, more than doubled in numerical strength. It is now being recruited up to 100,- 900 men, but less than 50,000 of that number will be available for mobiliza- ton in continental America. If the reorganization measure calls for 250, 900 enlisted men, less than 150,000 would be available for quick action during the present year.
 Six months ago an army of 100000 regulars would have caused good deal of criticism among large ele- ment of civilians, but it will not be so now The public will be disap- pointed if the number proposed in the Senate bill-250, ,000-is not retained in the conference report.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

free from the mortgage burden, thousands upon thousands of them are otherwise circumstanced. And many small farmer would find it to his advantage to borrow money for working capital, so to speak, Ii he could obtain it at small cost.
 The operation of the proposed rural credits law would result in a saving of millions of dollars a year to the farmers of America; large sum to the farmers of the south.
 The democrats have given the coun- try some of the best business legisla- tion it ever had, but few measures will mean so much for thrift as that of establishing rural credits on a solid foundation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
High Curriculum

Howard college is experiencing a pc riod of transition said Elmer Ford, who vas graduated from the class of 1914 1915. Each year Howard makes some advances, but with the doing away with the preparatory department at the begin ming of next session she assumes a more dignified appearance, and while Howard has measured up to the standards of other colleges for several years, this step will no doubt put it on higher plane.
 Until recently Howard college has been looked upon by those who were not in po- sition to know, only as 8 little above a prep school. As matter of fact, the curriculum at Howard is as high as in any college or university in the state. or in the association
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 The recent dispersal of the so-called
 Morgan porcelains into the hands or dealers. and therefore finally into the hands of American collectors, is now fol- lowed by the sale of the Morgan bronzes
 enamels and majolicas, and particularly
 the great collection of tapestnes' Which
 havA been on loan at the Metropolitan
 museum, New York, and have been the
 glory of it's galleries. If the superb ex-
 amples of the craftsmanship or other days. which in the case of the tapestries
 was one of the most royal of all the afes
 for which we are indebted to Belgium
 and northern France, were to go abroad,
 through the decision of the present head
 of the Morgan family not to retain his
 fathers collections intact. there would
 be general regret, but such is not the
 case In fact, the art treasure move
 rnent is all the other way, and there are
 signs that the drift of art works Amer
 ica-ward will not only keep up, but Will be accelerated as war continues and even take more rapid gait after the war.
 Europe will not be able to keep its art re- sources and stand the strains of the war taxes, the great families least of all.
 And from all over the continent, where laws allow, there will be such liquida- ton of art in our interest as has never been seen before. Moreover, since MT. Morgan collected these tapestries at a time when Europe was holding on to it's tlea sures, he performed a public service in securing them. And now that they are here through his intermediary they will surely stay and other splendid examples of the arts of the past will come over to join them. Already the art collections in America are much richer than most people are aware, and it is imperative i that every community should possess such public galleries as may invite and house the gifts of the great collectors. who from this time forth are likely to be found 1 in greater numbers on this side of the ocean than on the other side.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
New POstOffice

''It begins to look as though actual work on the new postoffice for BirminS- ham will be started early in the fall, said k. R. Norman, assistant postmas- ter yesterday 'The work of raging the dwellings now on the site is progressing, and the contract demands that the lot shall be absolutely clear June 1. At that time bids will be asked for on the ex- cavation work, and the work ought to be- gin not later than September
 Tn this connection, the new postoffice is very badly needed rigth now. Our par eel post business is showing an average increase of 90 per cent a month, and the general business of the postoffice is show ing an average increase of from 25 to 90 per cent over the same period last year. The present facilities are being crowded to their very limit. and the new postof- flee cannot be constructed any too soon to suit postoffice employees"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
TWO HEROES

of Moors. clamored for the blood of the
 champion and his followers.
 The Cid confessed his sins, was ab-
 solved, drank balsam. myrrh and rose-
 water from a gold cup for seven days
 to purify himself for entrance into
 heaven, and ordered that after his body
 had been washed ceremonially 1t should
 be clad in shining armor. set bolt up-
 right upon his favorite war horse, Bab- ioca, his good sword Tizona placed in it's
 hands. its eyes "opened equally" and the gates of impregnable but hungry Valen- cia swung wide for a sally, with the army of the Cid riding hard behind his charger The result, as the Cid had fore seen, was that, but for the hard work of hewing road through the ranks of well fed soldiery now fleeing in disorder, the delivery of Valencia was as jolly as . picnic.
 Villa is, no doubt, more like the Cid was in real life than that worthy was like the Cid of romance.
 Let us hope that the redoubtable Pan- cho will never lie in sepulcher on which will be engraved.
 Francisco Villa I am who lie here
 buried. I conquered the American sov- ernment while I was very much alive, by causing one of my followers to have . certain corpse exhumed and turned over to inspectors as mine, very greatly to tho relief of both the Wilson and CarranSa
 administrations. With this one tho tricks I have taken are 101 Can you beat it?" The Cid had to get out of his joke what enjoyment he could while he was fast approaching dissolution. If Villa Is living and the exhumed body can be palmed off as his he would be able to contemplate his cleverness in a merrier mood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
In Alabama and Georgia

T find business somewhat spotty in Georgia and Alaba ma but on the whole healthy conditions prevail" said R. B. Clarke of Birmingham. who represents a large canned goods concern of Chicago.
 Here in the Birmingham district pros perity has been we'll in evidence for some months. Improvement started last fall and it has been increasing right along. Of course, every one knows about the big pay rolls Never were the iron and steel plants so busy as they are now. The only weak spot in the industrial st- uation has been in the coal trade, but there has been some improvement in that direction.
 Outside of Birmingham l found on a recent trip quiet conditions in several commercial centers hitherto dependent upon cotton, but the farmers are greatly interested in crop diversification and most of them are optimistic. In south Alabama, especially along the gulf coast, there is good deal of trade activity. Mobile and all the coast towns have had fine tourist business this season and are prospecting accordingly. Both Pensa- cola and Mobile look unusually brisk.
 .sIn Georgia I found Columbus as busy as busy could be. The cotton mills there are opera ting at full capacity. Albany is in good shape, but found some of my friends in Macon complaining of dullness Georgia suffered less from the boil weevil last year than Alabama. The cot ton farmers of Georgia seem to be plant ing about the same acreage as in 1915, but there will be a considerably reduced acreage in Alabama"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
From the Chicago Tribune.


 SGT THINK could identify the
 body, no matter in what con
 dition it is." said John w Roberts, who for two years was Villa s private secretary. For that matter, l believe I could identify Villas skele- ton Villa was as distinctively indi- vidual physically as he was in every other way.
 ''It is idle to say Villa was merely an ignorant peon who had won fame by accident. Few men have had such a romantic and remarkable career. No man who began life on such 1ow1y level could have reached such heights of power and reputation without hav- ing a wonderful brain and marvellous personality. No one ever met Villa even for short time without realiz- ing the forceful and magnetic quail ties of the man.
 'Villa's wonderful personality was clothed in a wonderful physical mold. He was tall, heavy limbed, and power ful. Few Mexicans were match for him in strength.
 "When he stood erect his hands dan- gled to his knees like a gorillas He stopped slightly from. the weight of muscle on his shoulders There was a suggestion of primordial animal in his every movement. His face, too, was that of g. lawless self-indulgent animal His head was big and leonine and shaggy with black hair. This hair, naturally curly and always tousled, made those who saw only his photo- graphs suspect he was of negro hood. He was not. He had not drop of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
SAFETY FIRST
yew York Telegram

From the New York Telegram.
 The entire Pennsylvania railroad sys- tenn, with 26000 miles of tracks, has com pleted two years without a single one of the S61 ,572 IA passengers carried in that period being killed in a train accident. The lines east of Pittsburg have com peted their third successive year without a single fatality of this class.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
LISTENING

By Christina Rossetti. She listen'd like cushat dove
 That listens to it's mate alone, She listen'd like a cushat dove
 That loves but only one. Not fair as men would reckon fair, Nor noble as they count the line; Only as gracef,ll as bough,
 And tendrils of the vine: Only as noble as sweet Eve.
 Your ancestress and mine. And downcasts were her dovelike eyss And downcast was her tender check; Her pulses fluttercd like . dove
 To hear him speak. >-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
From the Louisville Courier-Journal.

From the Louisville Courier-Jour
 A LFONSO THE LEARNED, King
 A of Castle, caused a sepulcher to 4 A be builded two centuries after the death of Rodrigo de Bivar. better known as the Cid, and upon it was engraved:
 .sThe Cid Ruy Diaz am, who lie here buried. I conquered King Bucar, to- gether with 36 pagan kings, of whom zS died on the field. I conquered them nara by Valencia, after I was dead, mounted on my horse With this one the pitched battles I gained were 72.
 The coffin of the Cid, heavily studded
 with brass nails still is on exhibition in
 Burgos, the little town in north Spain, which once was the capital of Castle and the residence of the kings. Here the Cid lies in style, so to speak, for the 1nspec-
 ton and veneration of all and sundry who may wish to pause before the coffln and mediate upon the fame of hero. The eleventh century champion reposes in a thirteenth century cathedral built or white marble in the form of Latin cross. and so great, the guide will insist upon telling you, that services can be performed in eight chapels at once with out confusion. Time has gilded his achievements.
 The victory over King Bucar was the greatest practical joke and the most practical great joke of military history. The Cid conceived it, and although he was dead he won the battle. Death ap- preached while he was within the be- leaguered walls of Valencia, where the food was running low. About the walls three dozen pagan kigs, with their hordes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22
Knockers

Assistant Solicitor Walter Brewer is of the opinion that if little boosting was indulged in by the business men of the city matters would improve a little.
 Anyone can knock said MT. Brewer, and to me 1t appears that Bir- mingham has reached the stage where a little boosting would help consider ably. You walk down the street and stop to converse with the business men and their conversation is pessimistic to the extreme. Everything, according to them, is going to the eternal bow VOWS and there are earnest sighs for a return of the good old days. That is the veriest folly.
 Tt has been my experience that the good days once gone are gone. They never come back. There is only one thing to do when conditions political and otherwise change, and that is to adapt yourself to the changes. Don't sigh, don't knock, but look for the good in the present day and present condi- tions and then boost little."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

According to a bulletin issued by the
 National Geographic society, there are more Indians today in the territory which 1 originally comprised Mexico than ever
 existed at any time in all the rest of the
 western hemisphere About 5S per cent
 of the 15O00,000 inhabitants of Mexico are pure Indians and 4s per cent are of mixed
 blood. Only 1s per cent are whites.
 Many of the 6,0Oo,Oo0 Indian inhabitants
 are descendants of the Aztecs, in some
 respects one of the most remarkable They are divided into many linguistic
 families and tribes. According to some
 ethnologists, there are 14 families, with
 51 languages and e9 dialects. Some of
 these tribes are highly developed and
 splendid specimens of aboriginal people,
 while others are little better than the Hooded Indians of Mexico are quiet and
 rather melancholy. Even on festival days they are conspicuously silent and unobtrusive. In the remote regions the Indians who have not been contaminated by the vices of civilization are noted for their upright character, honesty and loy atty. Benito Juarez was member of the Zpoteca tribe of Oaxica. He was at various times shepherd, student of divinity, governor of Oaxlca, minister of justice and president of the republic. It is said that Porfirio Diaz, the strong est man Mexico has produced in recent times, was about three-fourtns Indian.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

BEGINNING THE DAh-He ho- b,e. and the nObleness when si.epS in others will rise to meet ~ ovn.- Measures have not Se' invented by which to fecN
 r,a ;nsIuence of one noble hfe.- H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

The approaching celebration of the Shakespeare tercentenary has stirred up few Baconites, who were supposed to be in a moribund condition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-22

There is society which proposes to teach people how to eat Life has lost a great deal of glamour when people reach the point where they make study of what they eat.