davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
RUMANIATODAYANDTOMORROW

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 I IF Lenine remains in control of Petro-
 grad long enough to carry through = his sale of the Russian nation, bitter civil war Is almost certain to ensue. It is unthinkable that the masses of the Russian people will consent to the Bol- sheviki bargain. War weary and yearn- ing for rest, Russia must yet comprehend that even the misery of the war is pre- ferable to Prussian slavery.
 Whatever the outcome for Russia, dis aster looms large for the heroic kingdom Of Rumania. If Lenine does succeed in carrying through his dicker with Prussia, Rumania will be left absolutely isolated to face the combined assaults of Ger mans, Bulgarians and Austrians. If Lem ines attempted treason brings general civil war, the friends of the allies in Rus sia will be too busy to give aid to their Rumanian neighbors. Tn either event the outlook for Rumania is gloomy in the ex- treme.
 The wickedness of any Russian aban- donment of Rumana at this time is lit- tie less than appalling. The little king dom entered the war at Russias insist ence and relied on Russia's promises. There was almost immediately betrayal by the dark forces which dominated the bureaucracy, and Germany was per nlitted to conquer three-fourths of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

kingdom, The Russian revolution. made possible by the crimes of these ''oark forces for a time promised well for Ru- mania. In August, when Rumania was for a second time compelled to face the might of a great Teuton army, the re- publican forces did give some slight sup port by protecting the left flank of the Rumanian line. The actual victory, how ever, was won by Rumania alone, and this victory saved south Russia, the "granary of Europe" from German con- quest Had Mackensen prevailed, Ger many would not now find it necessary to dicker with Bsheviki conspirators for the delivery of Russia. She would have had Russia at her mercy, and would have been able to save the cash she has ex- pended on the Lenines and the TrotZkys
 It is indeed fitting for President Will son to send messages of appreciation ana encouragement to the Rumanian King people. America can do little more, for there is no road to Rumania except through Russia To promise Rumania that the United States will, "to the best of it's abiiity,, endeavor 10 bring full ies- titution is perhaps the most substantial comfort that can now be sent. It Will net gu far toward offsettins the baseness O. Russian ingratitude in the present crisis, but it will carry the assurance that in the final settlement tho gallant sacrifice and the agony of Rumania will be remem- bered by I powerful friend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
War Savings Stamps
 Make Great Hit

WLITHENEVER Uncle Sam needs
 w money for prosecuting the war the people are quick to respond. Liberty loan bonds were in eager de- mand, and it was reasonable to sup pose that the war savings stamps would be popular and meet with ready sale; but the campaign opened only this week and the rush for the stamps, or baby bonds, as they are sometimes called, has been a surprise to many, even of the most optimistic treasury officials.
 These little bonds arg going like hot cakes; and Crawford Johnson, state director of the campaign in Ala bama, will see to it that the demand keeps up until every little boy and every little girl has purchased one or more stamps. In this way children as we'll as adults help to win the war and at the same time learn the habit of thrift-a habit that is much needed in this day and generation. # # #
 Congress has set pace for spending that not even a Broadway wastrel car ever hope to equal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
Government Advocates
 More Small Farms

7N HE United States agricultural
 4 department is strong advo- cate of small farms. It is now urg ing an active movement for multiply ing the forty-acre farm, especially in the south.
 The smaller the area cultivated the more intensive will be the practice and the more economic the results. Truck farming in Alabama is proving popular. A five or six-acre patch near a good market can be made more profitable than the average large farm, and the number of truckers ihereabouts should increase steadily.
 On a forty-acre farm the principal crops can be grown-cotton, corn, oats, hay, wheat and sweet potatoes, to say nothing of hogs and cattle. But every foot of ground must be utilized for production.
 There are progressive farmers in this state who cultivate many broad acres and become wealthy, but their success is achieved, as a rule, by adopting scientific methods. It is the small farmer, however, who makes the largest percentage on his invest ment. He is the man who works hard and avails himself of the Hast word" in intensive agriculture.
 The food administration is eager to see a great increase in production in 1918. And one way that this will be accomplished is by dividing the large tracts into small ones. A hundred
 forty-acre farms, properly titled,
 should yield twice as much as the
 same number of acres comprised with 1 in few farms.
 The small farm movement should be
 pushed in every southern state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
cAmIDlaMdAant6H
ALABAMA PRESS

Talladega Home: How about Uncle Sam digging up and publishing a man. moth edition of Poor Richards Alma nae by one Benjamin Franklin and scattering it broadcast among the peo- ple while the conservation campaign is in full blast It would be a great Hoo- verizer.
 Montgomery Advertiser: We suspect Colonel Ed House is more talkative in those war councils than he IS when facing a battery of American news naper reporters. Colonel House could say more than most any other Amer ican in Europe, if he choose, but he doesn't choose.
 Mobile Register: Eight-foot depth for the Warrior, as suggested by MT. George c. Crawford, and an additional upper lock Cor perhaps two), as suggested by MT. DeBardeleben, in order to gain en- try to the finest supply of Walker county coal and also the canalization of Valley creek to the Birmingham traf- fife district-these are some of the de- yelopments that will come with the in dustrial development of Mobile The sooner they are begun the better. Albany Decatur Daily: The voice. ot Kipling will prevail, not the voice oi Lansdowne, throughout England $ mighty people. Wilson's sentiments. thu
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
LUXE M,LuKE SAYS

It is strange how daintily a girl can handle a cold in her head with two- inch handkerchief when man with a cold in is head can't handle it with a sheet.
 Once upon time there was a man who was so rich that he wouldn't accept a dead-head pass to show. But he died. He was too good for this woorld
 We know q husband who brides him. self on his thoughtfulness and generosity because he brings his wife bag of candy once week and then sits down and eats four -fifths of it himself And there are a lot of husbands just like him.
 Some men are so good and pure that they get lot of pleasure out of not hav- ing any fun in life.
 Some men are so sure that women are changeable that they are always ex- changing an old wife for a new one.
 Before marriage he is the light of her life But after marriage he goes out too often.
 Even when man knows his duty he often tries to avoid it by seeking advice. A man may have an impeachment in his speech. But that doesn't prevent him from saying good word for himself. Some men attain obscurity by becoming hermits and living in caves And others get the same results by marrying famous women.
 Any coored man would rather have a chicken s foot than rabbits foot-if the rest of the chicken is attached to the foot.
 There are some jobs that even the devil is ashamed to do. So he turns them over to hypocrite and they are always accomplished
 The most futile thing in the world is trying to dictate to a woman-unless she happens to be your stenographer After all, the man who is disappointed
 fn love is lucky. because if he hadn't been he would only be disappointed in mar riage.
 Many man who tries the straight and narrow path comes back and reports that 1t is covered with banana peels.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
Mutiny Reported
 on Board U-Boat
x x x

1.-THE tragedy of the world-war IS
 J so great that minor incidents which epitomize the horrors of the general conflict are apt to be over looked by the average newspaper reader. Yet, there are items of news in the papers every day which throw light on the cataclysm into which this unhappy world is plunged-storles which possess the "human interest" lacking in cut-and-dried reports which do not go into details.
 For example, story was brought to "an Atlantic port" of a mutiny on board German submarine, "some- where in the Atlantic" As is well known now, German seamen do not relish U-boat service. It is nerve racking, even under the most favor able conditions, but there is always the possibility of the crew dying a horrible death at the bottom of the sea. According to the story told, the crew of German submarine mutinied because they had been sent to sea for two months service and had been out three months. Unable to stand the or deal any longer, they are said to have ssdisposed of their officers," hoisted the white flag and surrendered to an American ship.
 This is not the first report of it's kind to reach America and there are excellent reasons for believing that nothing but fear of Prussian dis cipline and the inborn habit of obe- dience keeps many of the U-boats manned. And it is small wonder that German sailors dread the service. The Kaiser asks no greater sacrifice of his deluded subjects. Submarine war fare has entailed the loss of many vessels and their crews, which have never been heard of again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
ITALY'S RECORD AS A NATION

Letters, art and science, religion, juris- prudence, war, all owe to Italy the trib- ute of their most luminous Towering. Caesar, the conqueror, Cicero the orator, Virgil the poet, and, the long line of Ro- mans who were the first Italians, belong to the first epoch of western history.
 Then, after period of darkness out of the night in letter of indelible pur- ity and beauty, shine the names of Dante and Petrarch, the precursors of new era Painting is revived and finds Giotto, whose art is carried to cli- max by a Leonardo and Titan. Cali leo revolutionizes the accepted concepts of cosmography. and a Christopher Co., lumbus discovers a new world.
 This same race of men brought forth Lucrezia Borgia and a St. Catherine of Sienna; a Benvenuto Cellini, Machia- velli, and St. Francis of Assist.
 There followed period of relative decay, until from the north came Winckelmann and Goethe, Shelley and Browning Italy still remained the teacher; the past became sanctified, glo- rified by these new disciples.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
REINDEEF BEEF FROM ALASKA

From the Christian Herald.
 It came out of the great northland the other day-just a brief two-line tele- graphic dispatch from the semi-Arctic region of far Alaska. This was what the wire read: Reindeer herders are ara nging to ship thousands of carcasses to help relieve the meat shortage in the
 United States and allied countries" There, far away in the almost un- known northland, thought of by most of Us as nothing but bleak and hostile territory, Uncle Sam has been gradu- 1 ally gathering by infinite pains and careful tutoring of the primitive people l a vast herd of animals, the Alaskan l reindeer. Today, with all the world at war and many nations loudly clamorins | for food, he has at his command a that number fully 100000 animals Ano
 now from this vast gathering come the | first carcasses to feed the people of the l United States and perhaps be shipped to allied countries. The average ful grown beast will dress at very low l average 800 pounds. So Uncle Sam stands in command of an army of beet weighing at least 900 pounds.
 The Alaska reindeer service" was l begun in 1892, when, at the instance ot pr. Sheldon Jackson, the United States Congress issued grant of s204, 4,500 tc
 purchase Siberian reindeer for shipment to Alaska. From then until 1902 no fess | than aoO0 animals were imported.
 The reindeer is threefold utility Ii supplies splendid meat, rich milk and Ivaluable hide. The last named is as
 valrabls as buckskin. and brings about
 s5 a pound.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

of Daniel Walker recalls the fact that before the war there was so much or good fellowship between the whites ana the negroes in the churches, and the Whlte ministers took warm interest in the religious welfare of the slaves Tne church buildings were always constructed
 so that both races could worshlp to- gether. They were baptized by the same minister; they sat down together at the same communion table; they heard the same sermon, sang the same songs, were converted at the same meetings ana were baptized at the same time.
 Knowing this to be true, set down here the story of how after the lapse Of more than 50 years. a picture from the past was re-enacted in Eufaula, and no one thought it strange. It is therefore without apology to any one that l put this wreath on the grave of the faithful old sexton, and pray my heavenly Father to deal gently with His loved ones left behind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

From "The True Italy," by William
 Kay Wallace, in the December Christ
 mas) Scribner.
 THEW races are possessed with such ITJ dynamic creative energy as are c the Italians. The far niente is but a thin veneer, like the patina on an antique bronze; the hard durable metal lies beneath the iridescent surface.
 For 20 centuries Italy has been the cultural focus of western Europe No other race of men can show so long line of pre- eminent genius. The civili- zation of the west owes it's present direction to the impulse received from Italy.
 In all fields of human endeavor Italy has stood forth the master; the western world has listened obediently, learned, and then followed the current of the mighty stream of civilization which rose beyond the Alps, among the hills Of Rome, in Umbria, Tuscany, Lombardy and yenetia, to spread over Europe and the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
" " V Bolsheviki Government
 Seems to Grow Stronger

A N Exchange Telegraph dispatch
 A from Amsterdam reports that
 an armistice valid for period of AS
 hours has been signed between Russia and Germany at the headquarters of Prince Leopold of Bavaria. At the same time a dispatch from Petrograd announced the surrender of Russia s general staff, headed by General Dukhonin, to the Bolsheviki regime. Previously General Dukhonin had been deposed for failure to carry out the orders of the Bolsheviki govern ment, but had refused to recognize the authority of Lenine and Trotzky.
 These developments cannot give encouragement to Germany, which has thus far carried on successfully it's programme for the undermining and disorganization of Russia. The allied governments, and America in particular, can see little hope for a speedy overthrow of the Bolsheviki, if recent news dispatches are to be cred ited. There are indications that Wash ington is disposed to wait and see what they will accomplish. While an armistice may not necessarily lead to separate peace with Germany, the Te'-hcv;t; hava nracticallv succeeded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

5oldefs In London Will not be per mitted to wear Charley Chaplin mus taches. They must wear the full length kind or none at all. There is no par ticular reason why soldier should look Ike screen comedian.
 # 4. $. Billy Sunday went 'possum hunting in Georgia. In order to avoid any embar- rassment that might have been caused by an absence of 'possums, the party was photographed before the hunt in stead of afterward.
 * *
 Now that the ultimate consumer Is limited to the purchase of one ton of coal at a time, the man who used to order liquor in other peoples names may try to work the same ruse on coal deal- CTS,
 Those recent injunctions seem to in dicate that a brewer has no right to air his opinions in Alabama, unless he dis cusses something 1000 miles removed from his business.
 4, T *
 Women knitters watched the opening men in Congress who could serve their country better as knitters than they do as statesmen.
 It used to be possible to put a dollar on stump in some of the mountain districts of the south and get jug ot corn whisky-but the price has gone up.
 j. s. # Although inventors are still working overtime to solve the U-boat problem, the population of our insane asylums remains about the same
 < * .s It is said that the German army in Italy is accompanied by art experts. Probably taken along to appraise the value of the loot
 :. * < It cost Chicago man s200 to call the Kaiser the greatest man in the world. And yet there are people who say talk is cheap.
 # * &
 Santa Claus will invest heavily in Japanese toys this year. Santa knows the Japs are on the right side in this war.
 Y. # x
 Snow in the American zone. That probably means Uncle Sams troops in France will have white Christmas.
 # # <
 William H. Crane has at last entered vaudeville. However, Uncle Billy held out for more than half century. # x *' The Kaiser is an older man, but the chances are he isn't much wiser. The Kaiser isn't built that way. F T x Lenine and Trotzky probably have a sinking feeling every time they think about the cossacks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

in eliminating Russia from the war and bid fair to make her an ally of Germany.
 There is still chance that the more conservative leaders in Russia will get the upper hand, but in the past few days the Bolsheviki have strengthened themselves considerably and their downfall, if it comes, will not be as speedy as some observers have predicted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
Shifting of Preachers

At every conference there Is al- ways shifting of preachers" salo pr. J. w. Johnson, presiding elder or the Birmingham district 'Tt gave me pleasure to introduce the following new pastors at the Ministers conter- ence yesterday morning: Rev. D. k Plgues, Trinity church; Rev. J. J. sandlin. Huffman church; Rev. w. b. Faust, West End church; Rev. J. h. Harris. Shadyside church; Rev. w. m' Barnes, Ann Memorial church. anu Rev. H. M. Hurst, Sunday school secre- tary, Woodlawn. l feel sure that they will not only be an addition to Meth odist circles, but blessing to the en- tire community"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
AFTER THE YEARs-aUIET

 Edith NI Thomas. in the New York Times. At last-after the years have wrought
 their will, Go build a house of solace for myself: With things that pleasure thee it's rooms
 upfill- Trim thy soft light; a rose jar on thy
 shelf. Have there the books thou will not read
 again, So we'll thou knowest all their magic
 old; Have there the 1ute that silent shall
 remain, Thy heart all music from it's tones Of
 gold And dream beside thy fire: dream of
 tho guest That cometh now no more-yet he is
 there, If so thy soul would shape him, and thy
 rest And dream-within- dream with thee
 will share Have there all things thou contest as
 thine own; And what thou wouldst have had
 there let it be, But what thou wouldst not--let 1t pass.
  After the years have wrought their
 will on thee. And take no more burden on thy
 heart, wrestling-if this be good-if that be
 i'll; And strive no more to better what thou
 art: With consolation thy whole being fill. And so, with quiet tapping thee around, A presence like Gods thy house
 shall fill. But question not thereof-nor even pray, For importuning words such joy might kill. sight; A charm above the door and on the
 sill, And trouble shall so by thee. 'Tis thy right At last-after the years have wrought
 their will.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

one-we will not trust the corrupt Ger man imperial government-and the other-we will not lay down our arms until we make the world safe for de- mocracy-wil prevail in America. and among all the honorable nations now all lied against Germany and her allies.
 Tuscaloosa News: You must not think the whole world is one big Christmas tree, just because I've been easy pick ing," said husband who has stood hitched for almost quarter of cen tury And the stoney stare of girlhood days came back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
Rice Farmer Now

q got back to the old town on Sunday" said Max Winkler, the farmer lawyer. who now operates big rice plantation in Louisiana.
 'The rice crop was off nearly 30 per cent but the price was nearly double, so the producers are not kicking. I miss the hustle of the city, but, believe me, there is a bit of hustle on a big farm. I find that the simple life agrees with me-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
pirminehnm some Tovn

"Birmingham sure is some town all right" said E. G. Chesbrough, gener- al agent of the Canadian Pacific at At. lanta. "of course there is great feeling of rivalry between my town and Birmingham but when it comes 10 a good old cordial welcome and spirit of pull together you may look to the Birminghamers for the genuine article.n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
On Shooting Trip

q ran down for a little shooting trip with my friend, George Morrow, Jr.," said Fred Leblond, one of the Bell House Boys' who lived in Atlanta for years but who is now one of the big munitions makers at Cincinnati.
 "We are going down to Tnnis Thornton's at Boligee to spend week. I do not often get chance to hunt, and l am looking forward to the trip with great plea slra''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
Likes North Carolina Farm

"I am enjoying life on my five-acre tract at Yadkinville, N G." said A. B Somerville, formerly connected with The Age Herald business office, but now a resident of the Tar Heel state.
 Birmingham is all right for young men, but when the autumn of life comes, the quiet mountain air has a rejuvenatina effect.
 T have every kind of fruit imaginable besides fresh vegetables, eggs, butter and milk. My visit to Birmingham has beer pleasant, but I am now anxious to re turn home. and see fall of the beautiful snow, which is due to make it's first ap. pearance ere long,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
TROUBLE IN THE KITCHEN

TROUBLE IN THE KITCHEN
 "Why do you call this war bread, my dear7 It's the same kind we've al- ways eaten"
 You should have heard the argu- ment I had with the cook before she'd consent to stay away from g. colored funeral and bake It."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
THEY LIKE IT so

Though landladies mutter While passing the butter,
 And it causes concern to ones host, Some people would rather Quit life and it's bother,
 If they can't spread it thick on their
 toast
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05

"You are charged with beating your wife"
 Look at her, your honor. She weighs 300 pounds and I don't weigh but 125."
 That's why I had him arrested, your honor. He's so light on his feet he can hit me and get away before I can hit back"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
ADRIFTT WITH THE TIMES
PRosAIc MATTERS

Let poets sing the babbling brook, Wherein the wood nymphs pause to
 look. The mortal you're more apt to meet Doth think how much it costs to eat. Though rustic beauties may allure The wand'ring bard, we feel quite sure That while such charms delight his
 soul Ten thousand wall the price of coal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
Coal Situation

There are 14000 tons of coal on the yards of the retail dealers in Birming- ham," said J. H. Duncan, secretary of the fuel administration board, "and 2000 tons are en route to the city. While the coal situation is worse than it was month ago, it is better than it was two weeks ago, and every effort is being made to keep the dealers in Greater Birmingham supplied. The coal situation in the east ern section of the city is improving"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-05
PLACING THE BLAME

PLACING THE BLAME
 Mrs. Boresome is never at home"
 What's that to you?"
 "A great deal. Her gadding proclivi- ties give Boresome an excuse for loaf ing at the club and every time I drop in I meet him."