davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

gdrued all over the civilized globe as high-brow production that settles and gives opinions upon the weightiest mat ters. But it possesses a column on it's first page that occasionally excels in delightful innuendoes, unconscious humor, and occasionally, strident drama At any rate, this morning, feeling the need for mental refreshment, I discovered the following gem that may commend itself to some one across the ocean:
 "A lady of title (young) is willing to take control, or direction, of the house of an elderly gentleman of means in re- turn for discharging social and other functions in connection herewith. A liberal allowance will be expected. Reply in first instance by letter to Duchess -. Afterwards an interview may be ar- ranged"
 Here is an opportunity for story writer or a dramatist to work up a. tre- nendously interesting plot in connection with this impecunious s'douchess' who wants to have dealings with an elderly gentleman of means. I can see a. per- feet massed front of situations" that can be arranged into chapters, acts or volumes. Also, there may be a delicate innuendo hidden somewhere between the lines that suggests that there is rather slump in duchesses in England at present. Anyhow. that is No. 1 from the Times this morning.
 The second Agony" that took my fancy is of a much more directly busi- ness-like nature. Probably it will only Interest the incorrigible humorist.
 "Organist and mental nurse (combined pesD required for a public institution with separate private block for treat nlent of mental diseases. Wages to com mence e4O per annum (s20O) with board, lodging, washing and uniform. Apply at once for fuller particulars to the medical superintendent"
 A post of this kind offered to an or ganist seems to me one of those mar vicious eases of sympathetic suggestion that could only find a birthplace in an institution with block reserved for men tai diseases. Whether the person re- qured must be good organist and an equally gifted nurse is not stated; and would the mental diseases be soothed by the ministrations of the organist, or would the devotion of the nurse be sacri- feed to the skill of the virtuoso? The brain reels before requirements of this kind. and I fancy only paper like '"The Times" with it's past generations of mag nificent history, Would dare to harbor an advertisement that voices the require
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
THE IRON RING
Fly JAMES HAMPTON LEE

ny JAMES HAMPTON LEE 'Tis ring formed by the mountains 'irccling Birmingham, the Fair, And within it flowing fountains Trace home-girt valley there Running fan-like to the wooded Slopes are railways old and new; Slopes in many spots denuded, Where the mines belch toward the
 blue. Smoke and steam are skyward sweep
 ing; Smoke jet black and steam snow.
 white:
 symbols each of wealth up-leaping From the wondrous womb of Night. Deep abysses meath the ridges Daily, yield us iron and coal; Steel for houses and for bridges, Coal that warns from pole to pole. Iron, slave of war no longer.'' Hides itself in hills of peace: Where sweet home-ties hold us
 stronger, Though wars bugle blasts increase. In the old world red are glowing Furnaces for guns galore; While adown our hills is flowing Love for mankind evermore! Smoke and steam, sweep on above us .ong as Peace you typify! Signal all the world to love us; By our hearthstones let us die! Steam and smoke, keep skyward
 sweeping Smoke so black, and steam so white: Black for sadness for the sleeping. White for Peace and Love and Light
 Birmingham Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
Don't Let Your Truss
 Make Operation Necessary

of hfef fdoneb by elasica nd spring trusse
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

murder to put on my shoe I used salves and other things that ate off more of the toe than they did the corn. I'd cut and dig with knives and scissors, but now no more fooling for me. Two drops of 'Gets-It' did all the work. It makes the corn shrivel and get so loose that you can just pick it right off with your fingers!''
 There has been nothing new discov- cred for corns since "Gets-It" was born It's the new way--the common-sense, simple sure way.
 "Gets-It' is sold everywhere, 25c "a bottle, or sent on receipt of price by E. Lawrence X Co, Chicago, III.
 Sold in Birmingham and recommended as the worlds best corn remedy by Eugene Jacobs Drug Store, Gale Drug Go. e stores), BOT First avenue and Pratt Station, Pratt City, Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

- - = - VI ~A te " VI CA ASi lho Ill6- stead of advising operation. How 1t mas completely cured thousands of peo- pIe whose cases seemed almost hopeless HOW It does away with the curse of belts. leg-straps. and springs How if IS perepiratton-pr proof and Water-proo and will hold in tho bath. How won can try 1t sixty-days without having to FISK q penny. and how little 1t costs if This Free Book h Full of Eacts Never
 Before Put in Print
 This book sums up all we have learned about rupture during the forty years of experience.
 shows just why elastic and spring. trusses are the ruptured mans worst Exposes the humbuE appliances. metnods plasters." etc.
 Explains why operation is nearly al- ways needless gamble with death and why, even If you manage to live through 1t you may have to keep on wearing truss.
 It. shows why sixty-days trial is the only safe way to buy anything for rupture and how the Cluthe is the oniy thing you can get on such long trial because the only thing good enoIgh to
 Don't fail to get this book--dont put if off--the minute it takes you to write for It may free you from rupture trouble for the rest of your life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
Life Insurance

From the Pittsburg Dispatch
 Pat was starting for work. He was employed in a quarry. As he was leaving his house his wife said;
 Do moind yez don't git hurt. Pat. It's so dangerous in that quarry"
 "Thot's ahl roight. Biddy.'t replied Pat. "Borr'ed $3 from tn foreman, and he lent let me do any dangerous work any rnore'' sts M s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
By LADY MARY

London, January ao.--When I feel any special desire. for light reading and an opportunity for exercising my frivolous imagination I turn to what is popularly known as the Agony Column advertise ments of the Times. TT know quite well that ''The Thunderer'' is properly re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
Neu NecklDear to Shov You Monday

The clever when she tired of sombr winter clothes ready buy her wardrobe rhens hrod with dainty bit of neckwear She do most effectively small There lovely collars and vetees of lace trimmed hemstched and pcoted delightful variey soc 00
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
In the Near Future
 Erona I

From Life.
 You take great care not to be run over. N
 "Got to. I'm afraid I'll forfeit my pedestrians license"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
Spring Styles
In Suits

Suits Tor spring represent radical re- action against the elaborate, betrimmed styles which have been the vogue for the past few seasons. They are far more suited to the demands of the average woman, are simpler and conform to the still popular straight silhouette. Straight line Suits with variations of pleats and gatherings held at the waist line by belt or sash, are based on notifications of the English gen. tlcman's outing costume.
 This accounts, perhaps, for the populari- ty of high colorings in sports apparel; as, hunting red hunters green and so on. Sports and recreation suits are in great de- mand, and are distinguished by wide va riety of bright, cheery colors and smart fabrics. The new suits are being chosen readily now by women who know the i'm portance of keeping abreast" of styles, and of appearing at all times we'll dressed. The fabrics are velours, Jersey cloth, gab- ardines, serges and poplins; the colors- very spring-hke and tempting-char- treuse, mustard, gray, tans, blues, rookie, pickaninny, gold and green.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
Corns Loosen Off
 With Magic 'Gets-It

2 Drops Do the Work, PaInlessiy
 T tell you, before heard of aGets-It' used to try one thing after another for corns. still had them. I used bandages and tbeY made my toe so big Ut was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
'LADY OF TITLE ADVERTISES
 FOR A SOCIAL POSITION

The Agony Column in War Time Is Feature of the London Tlmes-Furnishes Light Reading Duchess Wishes to Take Control of House of Elderly Gentleman. Another Agony Seeks Combined Men
 tai Nurse and Organist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

vivid the here and that her the feeling than youthful the who seek the fresh fabrics the effects things while they
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Your Friend

Who nails you for five spot and forgets
to pay it back?
Who steers insurance agents round your
way?
Who gets you into mining deals that never
pan, alack!
Who happens in at mealtime every day.
Who keeps your lawn mower busy when
you want the thing yourself?
Who's always glad to borrow, not to
lend?
Who envies you the togs you wear and
covets all your pelf?
Who could it be, now frankly, but you r
''friendf''
Who tells you to get busy or you'll Il surely
go to smash;
That your financial wreck will be COM
plete?
In spite of all his good advice, who never
earns the cash
To keep his own household in things
Who tells you that you're looking bad
and not at all yourself
And that you soon are going to meet
your end?
Who is it says 81 told you So when you re
laid on the shelf?
Who could it be, pray tell us, but your
friend ?-Grand Rapids Necs.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Picturesque Ecuador
Continued from first page.)

During its early history this rich city has
been subject to many calamities of various
kinds. Attacks by Indians, Pirates, de-
vastation by diseases and by fires, but today
the streets are we'll paved, has splendid
water works, electrically lighted, an electric
street-car system, Public Parks, play
grounds, Public schools and many
Churches. Its sanitation is worked on a
scientific basis and are being pushed forward
as fast as their means will allow.
Ecuador possesses unusual natural ad-
vantages for an agricultural country, in
healthy climate and fertile soil, and has a
large extent of land available for cultivation.
1t has lofty mountains, deep valleys, high
table lands, dense forests and an extensive
coast line. The climate varies in different
parts of the country, to the extent that
scarcely any vegetable product exists which
can not be grown in one part or the other
The staple products of the country, however,
are cocoa, tagna, vegetable ivory coffee,
tobacco The chief cereals grown in the
temperate regions are: wheat, barley, and
corn; but corn does not do we'll, only in
sheltered places.
Among the industries of the Republic,
the making of Panama hats probably ranks
first. The bulk of the work in this
industry is done by woman and children, as
the weaving requires great manual delicacy
and dexterity. A high class hat can not
be produced by even a skilled aborer in
less than about five months, and as the
straw must be kept moist while in the
hands of the weaver, working hours are
confined to early morning and late after
noon.
The value of these hats exported from
Ecuador in a good year-is said to be
about ST, 500, 200.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Suction Sweeper for Street
Cleaning.

A suction street cleaner says the Labor
Digest" recently tested in Sandusky, Ohio,
was able to gather up 8, 2OS Id. of dirt and
dust on $4,000 So. yds, of street surface
Immediately after the thoroughfare had
been swept by the old broom machine
method The vacuum cleaner consists of
gasoline engine, mounted on four wheels,
and detachable three wheel trailer The
engine operates circular broom which
throws the dust forward into nozzle
having a long narrow mouth that comes
close to the pavement Through this the
dirt is sucked by large fan into conduit
that extends overhead and to the trailer at
the rear, where the course dirt is deposited
in one chamber and the fine dirt in another.
The body of the trailer can be raised at its
front end by means provided, SO as to
dump the collected refuse through door at
the rear. A watering cart can be substituted
for the trailer when desired and squeegee
used in place of the broom. The squeegee
is composed of adjustable shovels having
flexible shoes and is designed to aid in
thoroughly scrubbing pavement.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
The Midnight Train

Ever felt its siren spell, a-calling, calling
The far flung whistle of the midnight train.
"A-whoo-woo!''
When the silver stars are cleaning
And the mellow moon is beaming,
And the weary worlds a-dreaming,
And the summer winds are still
Oh, have you heard it callng3
Across the night air falling
Like weird spell enthralling,
Calling over vale and hill3
Almost beyond enduring
Throbs the wanderust alluring-
Fancy's golden dream conjuring
Wondrous scenes beyond the dawn
And the gaunt cliffs, bleak and dreary,
Fling back an echo eerie,
Like an insistent query:
"Why linget? Follow on!''
In the dusky distance dying, yet still family
calling you
The ghostly whistle of the midnight train
"A-whoo-woo!''
Les Wallace, in Out Door Life.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
=. p o e T r Y -.
From Our Exchanges.
The Winners SINGING

Our women have been loyal, so we men
have trod the marges
Of many distant Shorthand by many a
Ginning sea,
Where the foeman broke before u.s. left his
speardent on our targes,
And behind him lands and waters and the
wealth of soil and tree.
Because that they were loyal we set aside
our fearings,
And through the demon guarded deep we
came to fairer lands;
And there we made for them place within
the feeble clearings,
And prayed to half-remembered gods bv
lifting up our hands.
Our women have been loyal, so for them
we threw our arches
Across the evil rivers and chained them fast
and still;
And built the city wall and gate and ceased
our endless marches
And found the pleasant valleys that our
servant oxen till.
Our women have been loyal beyond all
praise or telling,
So, bit by bit; so, man by man, we strug.
gled lest we fail;
And found at last country and a city and
dwelling;
And, best of all, womar's hands to turn
the dipping scale.
Our women have been loyal, and, because
that they were loyal,
We built the Law that shelters us, the Creed
that scourges wrong;
Both the pleasant little cottage and the
lowered halls and royal,
And because such were our women. came
the deathless gift of song.
Our women have been loyal! So the fruit
full land and pleasant,
The songs of seed and harvest-time, and
peace-envisages years;
The love of little children and the toll of
king and peasant,
And laughter of such happiness that some
times it is tears
Hugh j. Hughes.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
The Stings in Little Things

We call him strong who stands unmoved-
Calm as some tempest beaten rock
When some great trouble hurs its shock,
We say of him his strength is proved.
But when the spent storm folds its wings,
How bears he then life's little things?
And can tread beneath my feet
The hills of PASSIONS heaving sea,
When wind-tossed waves roll stormily;
Yet scarce resist the siren sweet
That at my hearts door softly sings:
Forget, forget life's little things
can forgive-'tis worth my while
The treacherous blow; the cruel thrust;
Can bless my foe as Christian must,
When patience smiles her royal smile;
Yet fierce resentment quickly sings
Its shots of ire at little things.
But what is this? Drops make the sea;
And petty cares and small events,
Small causes and small consequents,
Make up the sum for you and me,
Then, oh, for strength to meet the stings
That arm the points of little things!--Sel.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12

the seconds and minutes as jewels that we
lose forever if we do not utilize them as
they come on.
Every minute wasted is so much legiti-
done to help ourselves and others. | have
known good many men who have looked
back on their lives and said that they had
wasted Time and opportunities. The
spectacle they presented was one of the sad
dest to be witnessed by any human being.
For lack of belief in the worth of Time they
count for all that is good.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Keep Your Hope Alive.

This is the season of hope. 1t is the
couraged, whose years of failure, repeated
efforts ending in lack of success, have dis
Outraged him. 1t is the time for him to
realize that hope is never lost while man
lives, and that as long as man hopes and
tries, he can keep out of failure and keep
down the weaknesses inherited, that grow
up in the brain and destroy useful thought,
as weeds destroy the useful growth in the
garden.
The one thing to keep alive in the mind
is hope.
CarlyIe's wonderful old character, leu
felsdrockh, says:
"Man is, properly speaking, based on
hope; he has no other possession but hope;
this world of his is emphatically the Place
of Hope
This world is place of hope. And this
is hopes poisoning season. Hope and
courage are practically the same. We should
keep in mind Goethe's lines: Courage
gone, everything gone, better thou vert
never BORN
If at the end of week you find courage
failing and hope dim, look around you at
the weaker animals, that share this earth
with you.
Watch some patient bird build for the
third, fourth and tenth time, the nest that
has been cruelty destroyed.
Watch the spider work over and over at
the -patient-never discouraged.
See the feeble blades of grass struggling
against heat and drought and the pressure
of weeds and other enemies.
All of nature is hope, courageous strug-
gle. perseverance.
Keep hope and courage alive. They are
to man what steam is to the engine, and
electric force to the dynamo.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Coming

Coming is the gentle spring,
Coming with its breezes,
With its little birds and blooms
Also with its sneezes.
Coming, days that alternate
Cold with summer warming,
Winds of light and balmy kind
With a snowy storming.
Coming are the times of spring
So exasperating
On the housewives nerves and funds
Very harshly grating,
When to let the fires die out,
Or to keep them going,
Is the problem maddening,
With coal at high showing.
Coming are the hours of trial
When one feels so lazy,
And the influenza germ
Setting people crazy;
Coming are the poems of spring
And its gentle beauty,
Which leads many folks to think
Killing poets duty.
Baltimore american.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
20 ET.T r z e =.
Leaves From, Our Poets.

Is Love Blind
By Mr.. j. B.
Two lovers sat beside stream
As lovers often do
And had their airy fairy dream
In the cold falling dew.
He looked into her star-lit eyes
And said: ''the world is mine"
Then pointed upwards to the skies
Where all the stars did shine.
Just then a bird flew overhead
(You may think this absurd)
And told what the two lovers said,
And chirped it word for word!
One twinkling beauty up above
He'd reach and give to her,
For thought he of his signing love
That none were lovelier.
An, love is blind, l don't know why
With eyes in them SO fair
She really thought he was the One
That put the stars up there.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Have You A Mind

Have you mind that's good and strol
And seeks to do the right?
Have you mind so big and broad
1t sees beyond the night?
Have you a mind to recognize
In others what is good,
And gives in justice all that's due
AS God would that you should?
Have you soul so filled with love
Ii bears for men no hate
And seeks to save another soul
To sin SO proAigate?
Have you soul to bridge the gulf
OF sorrow and of tears,
And will with equal candor meet
The bringings of the year?
If this is true then you are blest
Beyond the fondest dreams,
For round soul of this high make
A perfect body CLEANS;
And in the heart SO big and broad
A stranger love is felt.
To lift up fallen ones with whom
No charity has dealt.
Chicago Defender.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
A Tonic for the Heart

Is it true, or are we dreaming?
There the sun!
Yes, his long belated beaming
Has begun.
Just when nobody expected
Such visit, he's elected
To entrap US, unprotected
Every one.
Who can ever hope to measure
Or to price
All the host of simple pleasure
He'll entice?
When he just approaches near he
Can relieve the worn and weary,
Brighten up the dull and dreary
In a trice.
Here's welcome and a greeting
To his beams,
For I've dwelt upon this meeting
In my dreams.
And the cheer that they impart
am storing from the start;
They're a tonic for the heart
So it seems.-Ea.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
Egean Isles

o any ship, dear love, for any shore,
So that it bears us through the summer sea
The water welcome to the cleaning oar,
And then alone with theeI
Silently sitting at the spray splashed Prov
Though the brave starlit splendor of the
night
At dawn without our eyes shall we not
know
A fair new land in sight?
Donald .Evans, in "Discords.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-04-12
N 0 7 | c E

All inmates desiring to write to the
State Board of Control will notify
their officer, who in turn is request
ed to send your notification to the
Deputy Warden's office Friday
noon in order that special paper for
that purpose may be furnished you.
Letters written on regulation size
paper will not be per mitted to 60.
c. S. REED,
Warden