davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
THE COWARD NEVER WINS

more for the benefit of others than he could have done inSpersonal work if he
 had lived 100 years. Had he refused to heed the call of distress, had he gone his way unconcerned, he might have saved his life, but through time and eternity he would have called himself coward,
 and no man who had known of his failure
 to measure up to the hour of need would ever have cared to associate with him. Shall the people of this country, young
 and old. be trained to think that the l minister did wrong, that he should not have risked his life to save another'3x and that as a craven coward he shoulA. have slunk away, pretending not to Aave heard the call of distress?
 l Civilization Is being murdered Hu.
 man liberty is being stabbed to death. !. All that men have fought for through countless ages, in seeking to bring liberty and civilization to the world is in danger. This is not theory. It is simple fact. l Shall we, as we hear the cry of dis 1 tress from civilization and liberty that
 are being murdered, turn our backs and slinl1 away. cowardly seeking to shun our responsibility?
 l But more than that, if the murderous campaign that is seeking to destroy the i civilization of Europe should succeed, l our time will follow quickly just as surely as the night follows the day. We are at the parting of the roads. We can not turn back if we would. The issue 1 faces us. We do not have to seek it. 1 It is not of our making. We have no
 more invited it than the woman in At lanta invited the attack of drink -crazed husband.
 l It is very beautiful in theory to say l that we believe in peace, we long to live l in peace. we would gladly save the peo- I pie of this country from the horrors of
 war, and go on increasing in wealth. but ! it is not ours to decide. The decesion 1 has already been made. It is merely question as to whether we are going to
 meet the issue with bravery or with cow ardice, whether we are going to be pre- pared to protect ourselves, the women
 and children and the wealth of the land,
 and more than all, to protect for all time U come human liberty and civilization, or whether we are going to sink away, and, l hampered by our own fatness of wealth, 1 try to run, but try in vain. The destruc- tion will come upon us in that case with out our even having had credit of try 1 ing to protect ourselves.
 l The coward never wins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

From the Christian Science Monitor
 i 1T1EW craftsmen of any century have | IT1 evoked, on behalf of their work,
 greater contrasts in opinion than
 Thomas Chippendale of St. Martins Lane.
 There are those who describe him as the
 greatest of all English cabinetmakers, and
 there are others who say that his designs
 are overwrought, and reveal nothing of that ''architectonic feeling without
 which there can be no true designing of furniture" The lists are ever open for
 discussion, but, without entering them, it
 may at once be said that the work of Chippendale is obviously heavier in style and more generous in the matter of or namentation than the designs of Heppe-
 white and Sheraton; but, that he was a really great cabinetmaker may be deduced from the fact that the vast majority of people, today refer to all mahogany fur
 niture, with any claim to antiquity, as "Chippendale."
 However, it is not so much of the things
 he fashioned, as of the man himself, that some mention would here be made, al- though when it comes to biography it is surprising how little is known. And yet, from such little as there is, credible pie ture of Thomas II-for his father also was called Thomas-may be formed. Thomas was a cabnetmaker and wood carver of no little repute, who made his chairs, and carved his tables, and drew his de- signs within sight of the famous cathe- dral in the midst of the old city of Wor- cester, royal and faithful" on the banks of the Severn. It is probable that not little of the work attributed to the son is the work of the father There is, in- deed in existence a set of chairs and set tees made, apparently at Worcester, at a period when Thomas II could have been
 no more than child, and they are prac- tically identical with much of the work which was turned out, years later, from the family factory in St. Martins Lane Whatever should be the exact share of Thomas in Thomas ITS glory, it is hard to say, but that Thomas II early joined his father in the business, and that the
 two, with such relations as they had,
 came up to London, somewhere about the year 1727, are among the few facts In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

By Wordsworth. She had a tall mans height or more; Her face from a summers noontide
 heat No bonnet shaded, but she wore A mantle, to her very feet Descending with a graceful flow, And on her head cap as white as new
 fallen snow Her skin was of Egyptian brown; Naughty, as if her eye had seen Its own light to distance thrown; She lowered, fit person for a queen To lead those ancient Amazonian files; Or ruling bandits wife among the Gre
 elan isles. Advancing forth she stretched her hand And begged an aims with doleful plea That ceased not; on our English land Such woes, knew, could never be-; And yet a boon I gave her, for the crea-
 ture Was beautiful to see-a weed of glorious
 feature. I left her and pursuer my way; And soon before me did espy pair of little boys at play.
 Chasing crimson butterfly: The taller followed with his hat in hand, Wreathed round with yellow flowers the gayest of the land. The other wore rimless crown
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
BEGGARS

With leaves of laurel stuck about; And, while both followed up and down, Each whooping with merry shout, In their fraternal features could trace unquestionable lines of that wild Sup
 pliant face Yet they. so blithe of heart, seemed fit For finest tasks of earth or air; Wings let them have. and they might
 fit
 Precursors to Auroras car, Scattering fresh flowers; though happier
 far, ween, To hunt their futtering game o'er ock
 and level green. They dart across my path-but To, Each ready with plaintive whine! Said T. Mot half an hour ago Your mother has hadSalm of mine." ''That cannot be- one anawered-''sh h
 dead;"- I looked reproof-they saw-but neither
 hung his head. "She has been dead, gsif. many day" Hush. boys! you're telling me lie; It was your mother, as I sAy' And, in the twinkling of an eye, Come! Come!'' cried one, and withour
 more ado, on to some other play the joyous vag- rants 1ewi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
From the Manufacturers Record.
 1N EFERRING to a recent editorial in lN\ the Manufacturers Record, the

l1D) EFERRING to recent editorial in | lNE the Manufacturers Record, the Ss Asheville (N. O Times says: | Since the beginning of this worldwide contest of arms it has been very evident that it was in truth battle of higher civilization against barbarism. Germany, | recognized as a nation of educators, has shamed herself in the eyes of the world with her methods of warfare The very existence of this nation seems to depend upon the outcome of the struggle. If Germany wins, what then? The answer to the Times inquiry is very simple. If Germany wins against the allies, 1t means the doom of the United States, for not in 10 years could we pos sibly, even by spending limitless billions, put ourselves in shape to make a. success 1 ful contest against Germany if Germany had already conquered the allies. The
 man who does not recognize this situa- l tioE is wilfully blind, as is the man who | has not seen that since the beginning of
 the war the most active opponents to preparedness were the pro-Germans ] Why?
 | Our situation was very clearly stated by 1 a former member of Congress, who re- gently said:
 "The United States is unprepared to 1 fight, and is too fat to run away" l This epgram states the case, and our
 very fatness invites the cupidity of those who could levy a tribute upon us suffi- cient to pay all the cost of the war. Peo- pie are constantly talking about keeping out of war. Mothers are clamoring that l they do not want their sons to have to go into war, and the thought in general seems to be that there is some way in which merely by wishing it we can avoid war.
 | few days ago drink-crazed man in Atlanta was trying to murder members of
 his family. Their cry of distress was
 heard by passing minister, wko, without
 a moments hesitation, rushed to the rescue of the women who were being at | tackled by the drunkard. The minister was killed, but he helped to save the lives
 oi those who without his sacrifice would 1 have been murdered His death was de- l plorable. It was most unfortunate that the drunkard was doing his deadly work. But that he was doing 1t was a fact.
 That the minister was passing the house and heard the cry of agony from the wife who was being attacked was fact. Should this minister have closed his ears and said
 T do not know who these people are. I am not, going to risk my life defending a woman whom I have never known. l do not know who the man is that is trying to kill her, and so I will shut my ears and shut out my conscience. and peacefully go my way'
 Fortunately for humanity he did the right thing. He risked his life to save
 another's The Atlanta people and the pa
 lpers have applauded his work as that
 O. hero, and he was real hero. and
 hij death will stir thousands and mill
 lions to fight whisky, and thus help to
 save others. In his death he accomplished
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
Strenuous Time Tor countrx

Such uncertain and strenuous times as we are now passing through have not been experienced at any period since the civil war, and there are no indications of the end," said Henry C1ews in his weekly financial letter. "On the con- trary they promise to continue some months longer at least, and the more calmly and courageously they are ac- cepted, the better and the quicker their settlement
 ''World-wide upheaval Is at work here as elsewhere; and important readjust- ments, international and domestic, must be anticipated before normal stability is restored. The war, of course, Is first object of anxiety President Wilson is steadfastly pursuing conservative course in the hope of avoiding conflict with Germany. At the same time he is determined to protect American rights at sea, though still undecided whether he will arm or convoy American mer- chant vessels Meanwhile the govern ment is taking advantage of the delay to prepare for all eventualities.
 'The dsgraceful episode in the Sem ate at the close of Congress had one ex- cellent result 1t demonstrated that the country was overwhelmingly behind the President and it also exposed the sources of disaffection. For several days there has been a comparative absence of ir- ritating events, especially as the subma- rine campaign proved not as serious as threatened. In consequence there has been a partial subsistence of the warlike feel
 ing so pronounced at the close of last month"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
LIKE M,LuIxE SAYS

Some people have nerve enough to steal when they haven't nerve enough to go to work.
 Our idea of an industrious bird is stork who has been assigned to supply tenement district.
 The reason why girl has to learn al- zebra and Latin when she is in high school is because she is going to marry when she graduates and she will need her knowledge to help her wash dishes and sv eep floors.
 It is human nature to impose on those , who love us most. We have been around quite a lot and we never saw an orator who could make as graceful gestures with his hands as a dog can make with his tail. A man imagines that if he ever quit
 his job. the boss would have to hire about four men to do his work. Then he gets | fired and finds out that his place re- mains vacant for the reason that his work ] was so uninportant that the plant can get along without it. | You may imagine that marriage is a 1 joke. Put you'll find that you won't get
 many laughs out of it after you marry. | Why is 1t that women who can wear l pink never think of wearing it. and that women who can't wear it insist on wear ing it?
 l Where one man gets in the public eye
 about 20 others get in the public nose. | A man may make a failure of out rum
 hing his own business. But that doesn't
 keep him from trying to run yours. 1 Intellectual growth never makes mans
 head outgrow his hat l It is none of our business. But it seemi to us that after a woman has divorced l five or six trial husbands it is time she
 got married and settled down.
 The reason some men like to talk about their 'inferiors' is because they haven't any.
 You can always get a man to join the anvil chorus. But it is mighty hard to
 get him to join the boosters brigade
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
CREATOR OF POKER PICTURES

From the New York Herald.
 Albert B. Wenzell, who died last Sat urday, was an illustrator of such un- usual merit that it could be truthfuIy said he was also an artist. Chiefly known through his work in magazines, there are not many who realize that he was the father of the great school of humorous draw poker art that finds such liberal expression in the comic supplements and funny pages of the daily press. About quarter of century ago the weekly pa per Truth printed a colored picture of poker party seated at table in the early hours of the morning-a picture so well drawn, significant and truthful that it caught the popular fancy instantly and led to series representing the game played under many and various condi- tions These pictures are still to be found framed on the walls of private and public houses all over the country, and they should keep MT. Wenzell's memory fresh for many a year to come. From them have sprung countless works on the same theme.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
A MANS WORK
By Emerson.

By Emerson.
 The distinction and end of soundly constituted man is his labor. Use is in- scribed on all his faculties. Use is the end to which he exists. As the tree ex- ists for it's fruit, so man for his work. A fruitless plant, an idle animal, does not stand in the universe. They are all tciling, however secretly or slowly, in the province assigned them, and to a use in the economy of the world; the higher and more complex organizations to higher and more catholic service. And the man seems to play, by his instincts and activity, a certain part that even tells on the gen eral face of the planet, drains swamps leads rivers into dry countries for their irrigation, perforates forests and stony mountain chains with roads, flinders the inroads of the sea on the continent, as if dressing the globe for happier races.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
Signs of Improvement

Birmingham has improved greatly since last fall" said Karl Black, pitcher for the Barons, who arrived here re gently after being away since the close of last season. .sf notice improvement in all lines and in my opinion the Magic City stone Of the prettiest in the south to- day.
 The residential section is improving especially. I took spin out to look the town over after my arrival and I noticed but few vacant lots. I live in Ironton O., during the winter, but it can't touch this town.
 If I didn't have a business in Iron ton I would reside in Birmingham. It is the choice among the southern cities in my opinion."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
Visitor L,,ke. nlr,niprbap

of course I came up to Birmingham to attend the nitrate plant hearing" said Jimmie Blalock of Sheffield yesterday, but in addition to hearing the Muscle Shoals claims presented I managed to squeeze in a mighty good time. The hearing, however, was very interesting and all the people from north Alabama here were delighted with the way the claims were presented.
 And speaking of good times, let me say that any person who can't have a good time in Birmingham can't have a good time anywhere unless it is in Shef- field. We pride ourselves on the splendid bunch of young men we have in Sheffield, and while we are always delighted to visit in Birmingham, we are always mighty glad to get back
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
HOTEL LOBBlES
Talked Like a Foreigner

President Wilson has a foreigner in his cabinet.
 Or at least some Bostonian thought so when he met Secretary of War Baker in that city of erudition last fall
 T was in Boston last fall, and had five speeches to make in one day. said Secretary Baker, in telling of his accu- sation. IT thought that I might get some inspiration from the statues of the old Pilgrim fathers, so I wandered about there gazing at the celebrated pioneers.
 T asked 8 stranger for a match, and this request seemed to establish friendly relations between us. For soon after wards, he queried: Do you think that the Red Sox or Phillies will win?'
 Not being conversant with what he was speaking of, I later learned that the Red Sox were baseball players-I replied that I didn't know anything about it, and, therefore, could not venture prediction that would be at all trust worthy.
 He eyed me a bit and then remarked: Oh, yes, l see you're a foreigner
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
LONELIEsT SPOT ON EARTH from tbe Toe Apoa1ac Times


 It was though that when after Water loo, Napoleon was sent to St. Helena, he had been assigned to the loneiest spot on earth. As matter of fact St. Helena Is 400 miles nearer continent than is Tristan d'Acunha. Many hundreds of miles of ocean lie between this island and it's nearest neighbor. Tritian d Acunha, in brief, is tiny oasis in a bcundless wilderness of waters, proceed from it in which direction one will
 It is rocky and clffgirt isle with solitary mountain 1000 feet high rearing it. self from the midst Yet, on this lonely speck of rock and earth there lives community that seems to be quite happy in it's isolation from all the rest of the world. They are farmers, cattle raisers and shepherds. In the valleys of the is- land are fertile fields where potatoes mainly are grown. The food of the peo- pie consists for the most part of beef, mutton, fowls, potatoes and fish.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
A TART WITNESS
the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
 pr. Oliver Hobson was defending cer- tain appropriations.
 Don't call these appropriations pork barrel appropriations he exclaimed Though Poctatella numbers only 517 souls, she can appreciate ssooOO post office as we'll as any bloated metropolis could.
 Cut appropriations of this kind, gen tlemen and you wound your electors as cruelty as the drummer was wounded at the Pocatella House.
 This drummer, being very fond of corn on the cob, ate ear after ear. Finally the pretty waitress, after she'd brought him his fourteenth or fifteenth ear, said tartly:
 Don't you think you would save half dollar or so a day if you boarded at livery stable?' ''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

BEGINNING THE DAY-Lord. all life, all my strivings, all my sur- roundings may lead me to Thee, if use them alright. The secular is sacred. the earthly is celestial, the common is divine. if I am Thine. Business, difficulty. joy, sorrow-a1 are Thy teachers, and may give gIimpses of Thy face. Amen.-H. M. F.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
.LOvE INTEREsTr

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 Sometime ago those who followed the dramatic news were interested in the an-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12
Food Prices In
 1898 and Now

1898 and Now
 M READER sent to the Knicker- S booker Press clipping from a Baltimore newspaper, showing the prices of food in 1898. In those hal cyon days, less than twenty years ago, porterhouse steak sold for 12 cents pound; choice roast beef, to 12 cents; sugar cured bacon 9Hs cents; California hams, 61a cents; fresh sausage meat, 6 cents; pigs feet, 12 cents dozen; pork chops, 71s cents and so on.
 The comparison between the prices of groceries now and then is even more striking. The best salmon sold for 715 cents can; large salt mack erel were 3a cents each; boneless codfish, 21s cents pound; rolled oats four pounds for 9 cents; baking pow der. 31a cents a can; cocoa, 5 cents a can; syrup, 12 cents a gallon; best butter, 21 cents pound; succotash, 61a cents a can.
 Harking still further back, the Press remembers when mellow whisky" could be had for 121a cents quart. That was in 1882. Nowadays, in the prohibition belt whisky costs $3 quart, bought privately" and it isn't mellow
 The United States is far more wealthy today than it was nineteen years ago. In 1898 if any socialistic person had predicted food riots in this troubled year of 1917, he would have been laughed to scorn by expert econ omists.
 How s'Fritz'' Is Treated
 I'm English Prison Camps @ SIR GILBERT PARKER, the 9 famous English novelist, who has been conducting publicity cam paign for Great Britain and the allies for sometime past, has caused to be distributed throughout the United States a handsomely illustrated book entitled "German Prisoners in Great Britain"
 The object of this publication, per haps the most expensive yet issued from Sir Gilbert's publicity bureau, is to show how we'll German prisoners are treated by their English captors. With the exception of preface and the explanatory text beneath the pie tures. there is no other reading mat ter in the book.
 In the foreword it is stated that the nictures were taken at the request of the American ambassador in Berlin, X MT. Gerard. The photographs repro duce scenes at six of the largest pris- oners' camps in Great Britain-Don- inrton Hall, Alexandra Palace, Dor chester, Handforth, Lofthouse Park md Eastcote. The prisoners were not reouired to pose for their photo graphs, neither were they forced tc t<look pleasant for the purpose of making good impression abroad. On { the contrary, it seems that they were naively pleased to have their pictures taken and the photographer found his task easy
 Every phase of prison life is shown Darlington Hall, Alexandra Palace md Handford are large structures 1T < which the men are housed and where they lead life similar to that o1 boys in a preparatory school, although they are not required to study ans there is an abridgement of their lib Srty which would prove irksome tt fhe. average college boy. In the othel camps there are groups of shacks ol cottages where the prisoners leat ' nlore of "home life"
 Kitchens. dining rooms, sleeping
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

quarters, reading rooms, canteens, chapels, hospitals, recreation grounds and gardens are shown. There can be no doubt that the men in these camps, although denied their liberty and of course without luxuries, are having much better time than they would in the trenches. Most of them look cheerful, they play all kinds of games, both indoors and out, and are per- mitted as far as possible to indulge in their individual hobbies, such as gardening, woodwork, drawing and the like.
 The frontispiece shows Fritz" short work of bowl of soup. His broad, good-humored face is lighted by an expansive smile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, postoffice as second class matter un- der act of Congress, March B. 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-12

The other wore rimless crown