davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

Illfteracy Is big word telling that a person is untaught or lacks educa- ton. It may mean he cannot read or write.
 Ignorance is relative; illiteracy IS positive We have statistics of Hitter acy: no statistics of ignorance are pos sible.
 have frequently heard young col lege graduates boast that they were agnostics, which is Greek for I don't know; but some of them would be nroud if they knew that the knowing tust put them down as ignoramuses which is Latin for ignorance. Isn't 1t strange a man will gladly confess in Greek what would make him fight if charged against him in Latin?
 The fresh college type that runs to concrete rather wearies mo; but Tor the men whoss because of handicaps, are illiterate I have 2. profound pity.
 I have to travel all over the state. get way OH lho i"iiio and sleep in humble homes. I know the people of Alabama as few men know them. And because of this my heart has gone out to many grown men who cannot read. Many have made the sad confession to me.
 st
 am glad to know that ex-Gover- nor Jelks has called a meeting or the Alabama illiteracy commission in Bir- mingham Wednesday February IA and that I have the first report Of tho illiteracy commission at hand to get some data.
 I have always sympathized with those who are unable to read. When quite a boy I remember how our old family cook used to buy mo with goodies to teach her how to read. After two score years can see her old black face puzzled and wrinkled in her effort to read the simplest sen- tences in the old Blueback speller. l And now on the flyleaf of the re- port is shown an old couple sitting on the porch in front of their humble cabin. The dear old woman holds a Bible in her hands. while her husbands | eyes are glued eagerly on the open page. The words under the picture read: "A Sunday school superintend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
I.rJKE M,LUKE SAYS

Men and dogs are alike in that they all growl more than they fight What has become of the old-fash- lioned man who thought that a man who had a crease in his pants was a dude?
 A woman will pay two bits to have her hand read so she can learn from the life line how long she is going to live But you may have noticed that the insurance companies stagger along blindly and pay no attention to palm Iistry.
 A philosopher is human like the rest
 of us. That's the reason why he talks like a wise man and acts like fool. As long as men insist on trying to get something for nothing the bunco man will continue to flourish. Some men refuse to pay cash for things because they know they won't get credit for 1t.
 If a married man had written that old proyerb he would have saidW "A word to the wife is sufficient" 1 The reason why mother has to air the bedroom every day and keep sachet powder in the dresser with her things 1 ia because fathers coat smells like stale tobacco and scents up the closet, and because father insists on throwing his socks beside the pea DeIore ne turns into the hay.
 | Before he gets her he tells her that 1 he is unworthy of her. And after he gets her he does everything he can to prove 1t.
 | Marriage is a good thing for some men. The bachelor who is satisfied to
 have two clean shirts week usually
 lands wife who makes him wear four cJean ones week.
 After a man gets outside of his fif-
 teenth beer he gets the idea that he 1 is the only person present who knows how to talk, and he seems to imagine
 that everybody else in the place is deaf
 Why is it that the fellows who op- pose the preparedness programme al- ways take an umbrella along when the
 sky clouds up!
 | The reason why a woman hates to l wear a made-over dress Is because she knows that while the dress will Hook like a new one to all the men it won't fool single one of the women
 If you are a good fellow" and 6
 Hive one" you imagine that you will he missed at the place where you di6 all the spending, when you go broke But YOU won't. They may miss you fol
 a day or so, but some other sucker will ldrop in and take your place.
 What we need most in this country lis a Society for the Prevention o
 Cruelty to the English Language.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

ent." Here is what he Is saying: "The old oman uster read the lesson to me and I memorized 1t by heart"
 Talk about human interest story! In this report there are scores The pictures preach The text cries aloud the heart hunger of the illiterate to get an education. It's cry that ought to be heard and quieted. We give thanks to the men and women who are trying to still it by instilling the simplest rudiments of an education into the minds of grown men and women.
 Here is how the movement was launched:
 The annual meeting of tho Southern Educational association held in Hous- ton, Tex. November 30 to December 2, 1911. gave a delegation of Alabama educators the opportunity of hearing Mrs. Cora Wilson Stewart. county su- perintendent of education of Rowan county, Kentucky, tell of the remark able work she and her teachers were doing in the mountains of Kentucky in an effort to remove illiteracy.
 Her story was replete with interest ing and pathetic incidents. It appealed to the Alabama representatives who unanimously agreed to extend to her an invitation to visit the state and address the Alabama Educational as- sociation.
 The state superintendent of educa- tion invited her; she accepted. and on Friday evening. April 5. 1912, spoke to an audience composed of more than 2000 teachers and citizens. Her ad- dress was one of the most inspiring ever delivered before the association. The seed sown in the hearts of the teachers is today bearing fruit in the lives of many of our good people, who, as children. because of circumscribed conditions, were denied the ducational privileges to which every child is en- titled
 The Alabama illiteracy commission was created in accordance with an act of the legislature, approved Feb ruary 9. 1915. Conforming to the sta tute, the governor appointed com mission consisting of the following Ex-Gov. William D. Jelks of Birming- ham, Hon. James B. Ellis of Selma
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
HOTEL LOBBIEs
New Traffic Ordinance

Since the new traffic ordinance, pro hibiting the street cars from stopping on the far side of the street went into et- feet, I have witnessed many amusing in- cidents." said pr. John Williams at Par ker's. T have seen several persons stand there waiting for the car to halt that they might board it. To their amazement, it goes on, and the quizzical look that follows, and often muttered exclamation, are really laughable.
 "The other day certain portly lady stationed herself on the far corner ready to board the car. A dispatcher who hap pened to be near said: Madam, the car doesn't stop on this side any more' on yes, they do,' she maintained firmly When the car passed by she was wrathy and declared: Well, don't see why they don't have someone here to tell people about it.
 q have never seen a more Completely disgusted man than the dispatcher
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

It Is only surmise, of course, but since Henry Ford offered to turn his factory over to the government for use in time of war, Henry is probably not as popu- lar with MT. Bryan as he used to be when Madame Schwimmer was in the spot light
 The South Carolina house of represen- tatives has passed an "air-tight" prohi- bition bill. Will some student of the subject please explain the difference be- tween 'air-tight' prohibition and the 'bone-dry' variety?
 * <
 The man who used to sneak out behind the barn when he was boy and read about Nick Carter'' and Diamond Dick" has youngsters who wouldn't waste their time on such tame fiction. * * The ex-husband of screen star slashed the escort of his former wife with a gold-handled pocketknife. However. this pleasant little incident of the Grea White Way was not filmed. < * * Major General GoethaIs made speecb in St. Louis and got 800 recruits for mill itary training camps Brothers Bryan and Sunday are not the only orators in this country. The theory that brain work makes men bald-headed would be more generally credited if there were not so many bald headed walters and bartenders in the world.
 There is no use of wasting sympathy on the kind of people who quit eating eggs because they are expensive, but con- tinue to buy gasoline. The captain of a steamer is not neces- sarily a coward because he would rather cool ms neels in port than venture out among the U-boats. A Il < | Tailors announce that shoulders will be wider, with no padding in coats. What about the men who happen to be built like Vernon Castle?
 Since it has been decided tc have pub lie inauguration of President Wilson Washington hotel keepers are breathing more freely
 Sentimental persons will not let wal and rumors of war interfere with tn, sending of tender billets on St. valen tines day
 A Chicago judge of Teutonic origin, wht lcalled an Austrian count "contemptibl, lcur," is probably willing to uphold tn,
 President
 General Pershing has the satisfaction of knowing that nobody planes him fol not getting Villa.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
Change. in women,s Clothes

Birmingham is certainly going to wit ness a departure in feminine attire this season." said Ferd Caheen, who has just returned from trip to New York. "Everything is the Japanese effect. It's about all that's being shown in New York. The new khaki kool cloth, which will be used for women's suits is l think, about the most attractive material that has been shown in years.
 Another thing that attracted me espe- cially about the women's costumes this season is the way everything has to match Not only suit and hat but hand bag and shoes. It's really most attrac- tive, though. The colors that will be used mostly this year are the shadow lawn green, mustard shades, and differ ent shades of yellow. Taken as whole, it promises to be & most attractive season for women."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

N BIG. broad guaged. full blooded A and great hearted man left U.
 when Walker Percy went to the great beyond.
 To his family he was an ideal man. Whatever were his troubles outside, at home be was as generous as lover and as gentle as the ideal father
 In civic matters he was power
 Of mind he was analytical-carefu1 of reasoning; but having reasoned and decided he moved with the force and power of a mogul engine.
 In the legislature he put through the laws he believed right; and in Bir- mingham when he moved there was doing. It was Percy who real ly made the Young woman's Christian association what 1t is. Indeed his im- print is upon much of the good of this town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

even if they are modern, command many times greater prices.
 After the war European govern ments which own famous galleries, to say nothing of individuals posses sing rare collections, will be "hard up" for ready cash and will put paintings on the market at bargain prices. Lovers of art, by exercising a little patience, can stock up without paying prices "ruling" today.
 k1*
 Great Attractions
 For the Bieramial THE committees of the Birnning- U ham Music Study club have been kept constantly busy for many weeks in working out plans for the tenth biennial convention of the Fed eration of Music Clubs of America to be held here April 15-21, and now the principal details have been virtu- ally agreed upon.
 That this will be one of the most important national gatherings of the year goes without saying. It is good to know that the women who have undertaken the part of playing host to the convention have been relieved of all financial responsibility by the Chamber of Commerce and the mer- chants individually - the former agreeing to underwrite the general proposition and the latter the pageant which is to be an elaborate and bril- liant affair. This leaves the members of the Music Study club free to look after the musical side of the conven- ton.
 The biennial is being extensively advertised. The whole country was circularized during the last week. In little handbill the main attractions were set forth--a symphony orches- tra of wide reputation, famous solo, ists and a pageant in which 150O school children and 500 adults will participate.
 The forthcoming biennial will be the first ever held in the south. Los Angeles was host to the 1915 event and one of the New England cities vii probably be agreed upon for the 191s event.
 The railroads, realizing the scope of the biennial, will not only offer cheap round trip tickets, but will giv' it the same publicity through news paper advertising that is accorded th' biggest national meetings. Birming ham must get ready to accommodate 10000 visitors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
WRONG AGAIN

From the Enterprise Peoples Ledger.
 According to the new regulations, the fate of a ship will depend on the way she is painted. And the same rule often applies to woman.-Birmtng ham Age-Herald.
 We'll wager six bits against a Jit that the writer of the above paragraph is not a married man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

BEGINNING THE DAY - God, bless the men in middle life. Garry them safely over from youth 10 age, Be with them when possession has taken the place. of ambition lest they lose the firm flower of the spirit. Preserve them from feeling that they have achieved the fruit and found it worthless. Show them ThyseIf, yet far along the way still summoning the soul. In Ohrisps name. Amen.--H. M. ID.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
No Dull Times Here

''The person who says that there aren [ good times in Birmingham hardly knows what he's talking about" said Willard J' wheeler yesterday. Conditions are bet ter here now than they have been in years. My school is a good barometer of conditions. In dull times it's hard to find jobs for the students who graduate These days it's hard to supply the de- mand.
 Everybody seems to be able to get work if he wants it. For instance, one day not long ago we ran a want ad in one of the local papers for several days for boy to work his way through school. We didn't get a single applica- ton. In hard times, an ad like this will bring anywhere from 20 to 30 an- sWersn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
A,ejd3oaeQ)
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
sssss..s..s.ss...........s...ss."

battle with Mrs. Calder for social supre- macy"
 "How was thatr
 "She imported long-haired musician who had fought in the European war. The best Mrs. Calder could do was to lionize a poet who had addressed a sonnet to the Kaiser
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
so UNUsUALs

From the Mobile Register.
 A paper up in Birmingham said a good word for its esteemed local con- temporary, and the whole state has been startled into attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE HAPPENINGS
 WHICH ALL OF US ARE DISCUSSING TO-DAY

people he methods Of warfare known to u He himself to countries
 the It is indeed time that Germany should with with draw o nations Those who his be
 
 who shall miss hi. good advice splendid presence recognized Il an nave beens cables ndicate govern w0f'O ~h@~ Iconserv of iNe0 S N ~ why S' s
 tshoudb drawn the Europea q ,. . . l., o. connics and 70 to unlimited SNeS ~ @ ago,ns world ,.ruo ton,t tnatura leads T of the cos o a reverson " ~ W " ~ - methods of ffedingpe 5 w ~ N and the newspa ~ ~ ~ W ~ ~ ebeenhn with tors O Iinpss thinking ~ ~
 be prepared for l-0 ~ ~ - - But theco comes a Iso to mad--hat l'ney were e' ~ N ~ - driven to oesperau0n dtwothi centa submarines could destroy the commerce between Ga 6r''An hoard of which charged to wear mind - ,u,4a .4o ou, when the naval p0" oi S w seen " " Aeep i |derfua adver heetp
 Tn US h&foos anu 'e ~ o after of IHs torN@ wasorh pricsts 1t seems a we sI well amour which l, Germany earn
 methods 0 with boldly forth destroy cmme IG1ea foodsup /lRO V&L210EQ
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
THE CHARTERED NAUTILUS

IAH Of1AM6EttED NAUTILUS By Oliver Wendell Holmes. This is the ship of pearl, which, poets
 feign, Sails the unshadowed main The venturous bark that filings On the sweet summer wind it's purpled
 wings Tn gulfs enchanted. where the siren sings. And coral reefs lie bare. Where the cold seamaids rise to sun
 their streaming hair. Its webs of living gauge no more unfurl; Wrecked in the ship of pearl! And every chambered cell, Where its dim dreaming life was wont to
 dwell, As the frail tenant shaped his growing
 shell,
 Before thee lies revealed Its irised ceiling rent, it's sunless crypt
 unsealed! Year after year beheld the silent toll That spread his lustrous coil Still, as the spiral grew, He left the past years dwelling for the
 new, Stole with soft step Its shining archway
 through. Built up it's idle door, Stretched in his last-found home, and
 knew the old no more. Thanks for the heavenly message brought
 by thee, Child of the wandering sea. Cast from her lap. forlorn! From thy dead lips a clearer note Is born Than ever Triton blew from wreathed
 horn!
 While on mine ear 1t rings, Through the deep caves of thought hear
 a voice that sings Build thee more stately mansions. O my
 soul,
 As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past Let each new temple, nobler than the
 last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more
 vast,
 Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's
 unresting sea!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
A { q
Let's Promote City
 Reau2tiEwl M0veEaaegaG

O2SSSS~
 Beau1tiGwl Movement
 NNTITH the approach of spring WV "city beautiful" work should have the attention of householders and others who appreciate the inn portance of clean streets, clean yards and well-kept lawns. Birmingham IS noted for it's mountain-like scenery, it's elegant homes and it's fine land scape effects. Such attractions form a distinct civic asset. In the fashion able sections the grounds making up the setting for stylish houses are carefully tended, and in many of the humber districts evidences of good sanitation and refined taste are seen; but flowers and greensward should be the rule everywhere.
 It costs little money to keep a pretty yard; but many a grass plot "downtown'' is marred by thoughtless pedestrians. Not only is this so on the corner lots, but the spaces be- tween the curbing and the sidewalk that should be lush and green during the greater part of the year is soon ruined after the advent of spring by being trampled upon.
 The public parks are usually in ex- cellent condition, and it should be the same way with the strips of green along the sidewalks. The City Beauti- ful association did a great educational work a few years ago and it should again display its activity in the little things that contribute to the quiet adornment of Birmingham. Now is the time to plan for new educational drive in respect of the restful and the wholesome.
 Art and Prices
 After the War
 ID ARE treasures of art that find UN their way from Europe to this country bring high prices. A Chicago collector has just acquired from the Kleinberger gallery Madonna" by Pierro Pollaluolo, painted aobut 1470, for sum slightly in excess of S5O,- 900. This was moderate price, how ever. compared with some that have been paid by New York collectors. Henry c. Prick recently paid $250, ,000 for Rembrandt and fancy prices for paintings by Rubens and other masters, the commercial value of whose genius enhances as time passes.
 It is rumored that "some one in New York is about to acquire an old master painting for $500,0O0." If any such "deal" is negotiated it will mark the highest record in the world. As far as known MT. Tricks $250, ,000 gem is the highest.
 A generation ago there were only three or four public art galleries in the United States and only about that many collections privately owned Twenty-Five years ago Henry Walters of Baltimore had the finest water color collection in America. It was one of the few in this country, but with the increasing wealth and taste of individuals and the ambition o1 cities to give the people an oppor tunity to enjoy esthetics, picture gal leries, public and private, are multi plying steadily. Scarcely day passe that the art dealers in New York d. not publish sales with prices ranging from s25OO to $1O,O0o.
 Many paintings by American artist that are offered for 5000 and less ar, as beautiful as those painted abroad but ur to this time the foreign works
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
SAD, BUT TRUE

''The idea of man and his wife sepa- rating because of a dog!" exclaimed MT. Dubwaite, who was reading the newspa- per account of q. divorce in high life. My friend" replied the thoughtful indi- vidual "you evidently don't know the importance a dog assumes in some house. holds where the stork is persona non
  grata."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
SMOKE AND WISDOM.

Philosophers of many kinds
 Are met from day to day; And some have rather learned minds And some there are betray Brain power quite inadequate
 To teach or even learn; Yet all seem thoughtful and sedate And much tobacco burn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

The human side of Walker Percy ap- pealed to men and women alike. In sports he was a leader. Not an expert golf player, he struggled hard over the game and was always willing and anx- ious to test his skill against another evenly matched or justly handicapped.
 He was a good horseman. great lover of bird hunting and duck shoot ing, and a broad guaged sportsman in every sense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
U-BOATS.

q gather them in, I gather them in'-
 These words from the Kaiser's lips; Let all the world beware of me, I'll soon fill up the boundless sea
 With England's hated ships. T gather them in, I gather them in
 And still my U-boats roam; A rending shot and piteous cries Beneath the waves liner lies
 That will never more win home. gather them in, gather them in'-
 Upon the watery plain. Disaster follows disaster fast, How long, how long will the slaughter last
 And prayers ascened in vain?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
BY COMPARISON.

"A prohibition orator makes the state- ment that people in dry towns live longer than the residents of wet centers. How about that?'
 NO. I don't think they really live longer" answered MT. Jagsby. Tt merely seems longer"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

Once at White Sulphur Springs when the new dances were in vogue some- one attempted to tease him for errors of step. Late that night I caught him with the dancing professor taking private lesson. Tn a few days he had the new steps and became we'll classed among the dancing set. At golf and swimming and all other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

The worst is,--death, and death VIII have bts day. --Richard II.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
ULTERIoR MOTIVE.

ULTERIOR MOTIVE. .The trouble with you, Jibway, is that you are inclined to look down on people" T always thought myself rather modest man.
 "Oh, you conduct yourself modestly enough, but you instinctively feel superior to the ordinary person. Now, for in stance. would you shake the greasy hand of butcher?'
 "Of course would, if thought that by shaking his hand could induce him to sell me a steak for any less"
 OUTDONE "Mrs, Grabcoin scored a point in her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
IN SAFE HANDS.

Could I interest you in a little game of chanceT asked the insinuating stranger.
 Depends on whut it is," answered Squire sugsby of Pippingsburg.
 How'd you like to bet s2Oo on horse race and win cool thousand?"
 "I've already got several cool thousands. son. Leastwise, they ain't burnin' my ,ocket none" PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

If Germany desires to end the war; instead of resorting to the methods of the assassin with the submarine and the Zep- pelin. she should send her fleet boldly forth and destroy British commerce and Gr eat Britain's food supply by the open
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11

Mrs. J. H. Mccoy, nee Miss Mary N Moore of Athens. Mrs. w. K. Linscotr of Mobile, and the state superintend- ent of education, ex officio secretary treasurer.
 After the commission had met and organized. Mrs. D. D. Thames was ap- pointed field agent and subcommis- sions for each county were named. Under the slogan. "Illiteracy in Ala bama-Let's Remove It," appropriate
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