davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
INDICTlNG A GOVERNMENT

From the New York World.
 NW the enforced departure of Count S von Bernstorff. The stigma att taches onI to the German govern ment. By severing diplomatic rela- tions with that government the United States solemnly proclaims to the world the belief that further association with 1t, as at present actuated, Is inconsistent with honor humanity and law.
 If the President had seen fit to enumer- ate our grievances against Germany, as the Americans of '76 did theirs against the British government, the list would have been quite as impressive. A tyran- nous ministry in London was no more menace to the liberties of the colonists of the eighteenth century than is the military government of Germany today to a nation of hundred millions.
 That government has disputed, belit tied and invaded the sovereignty of the United States on Its own soil With the help of thousands of paid agents, spies and criminals, many of them in govern ment service it has defied our laws, con- spired against our industry and com merce, melted strikes and riots, placed explosives in ships, factories and ware houses, levied war from our territory upon Canada, endeavored by bribery to persuade Mexico to make war upon us, forged and bedevilled our passports, and in numerous cases, by the use of the bomb and the torch, destroyed American lives and American property.
 That government has denied to the peo- ple of the United States the lawful use of the seas. Refusing to risk its great navy, it has impudently asserted rights on the ocean accorded to nobody since the suppression of piracy and buccaneer- ing. It has sunk our ships and massacred
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

B. C. Forbes, in Leslie's.
 60 HERE were no cash registers when
 John Henry Patterson was born
 O December IS, 1S44 His forebears were Scotch-Irish, the first to come to America (about 172s) being his great grandfather, whose son fought as col onel in the revolutionary war, founded the city of Lexington, Ky, became one of the three original owners of the land now covered by Cincinnati, and finally located on 2000-acre farm near Dayton. Here John Henry was born, almost on the spot now occupied by the National Cash Register company. As lad, one of eight children, he had to work hard
 on the farm. He received. good eau cation, first in the Dayton schools ana later at Miami university and Dartmouth
 college, where he graduated B. A. in lSo7' having previously served in the civil war as a hundred-day man, although then
 only a stripling.
 Farm labor did not appeal to the
 Bachelor of Arts. Commerce appealed
 to him most, but he could not pick and
 choose jobs. collectirR tolls on the
 Miamia and Erie canal, on duty night and
 day. Sundays and holidays, was the best he was able to land. This, however, was not commerce. He wanted to buy and sell things. Having saved little money, he succeeded in borrowing little more and set up as a retail coal dealer in ho Qra vi ta te0 to mining coal and iron ore. in partner ship with his brother, Frank, in Jackson county, some 80 miles from Dayton. To enable their miners to obtain sup
 plies, the Pattersons, in conjunction with two other mining concerns, opened g
 store. Business was plentiful but profits | were nil. At the end of two years the store had not netted a cent notwithstand- ing that all goods were supposed to be sold on reasonable margin of profit, Something was wrong; there was leak somewhere.
 Hearing that merchant in Dayton had invented 8 contrivance to keep a record of all sales. MT. Patterson imme- diately telegraphed for two of the novel machines The idea of the cash register | had taken birth in 1879, in the brain of | Jaccb Kitty, a Dayton merchant who, suffering from breakdown due to over work and worry in attempting to keep
 tabs on the details of his business. had started on voyage to Europe. While ] in the engine room of the ship one day.
 he noticed device that recorded the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

man will claim that he is not equal to hard work, when what he means Is that he considers himself superior to it.
 Every retailer knows that he could make more if he could get into the wholesale business.
 If the other fellow hangs on to his coin, he is tight wad. But if we hang on to our coin, we are thrifty.
 Give yotr enemy credit for one thing. He doesn't waste your time by stopping you on the street while he pours out lot of bromin about the weather and the war.
 Hell may be myth as they say But the hereafter holds some sort of an iron works for the man who is unkind to women" children and dogs.
 If the cost of the humble affinity of corn beef continues to increase, we ex- pect to see the fashionable dame wear ing a head of cabbage as corsage when she goes to the opera, while cheap trash like orchids and American Beauties will be consigned to the garbage can.
 When it takes man two hours to tell what he is going to do, it doesn't take him more than two seconds to tell what he has done.
 We have never tried it. But we have often wondered how man manages to WrlIe ms name dnQ duQI CSS ou tuo lCtl6 half inch, three-cornered coupons that appear at the bottoms of page advertise- ments in the magazines.
 One of the best bets we know of is that la girl who has shapely legs isn't going to get the bottom of her skirt muddy when she is out walking. She may become your partner when you marry her. But don't ever get the idea that she will be a silent partner A man in love may want to see his fiancee the worst possible way, but he never thinks of calling on her in the morning just after she has had breakfast The big trouble about the high price oi eggs is that it may tempt some of the old-time, fly-by-night tragedians to gt out on the road again.
 l The municipality has power to fix tho weight of the loaf of bread the Baker bakes for you. But what 1t needs is the right to fix the weight of the loaf ol bread your wife bakes for you.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

our people, boasting of it one day and
 the next mockingly expressing regret It
 has promised reformation and reparation
 and has broken every pledge. Heretofore
 1t has equivocated and apologlzed. It
 now reaches the very climax of outrage
 in what amounts to bold declaration of
 savage warfare upon our shipping and
 our people except as they agree to the vassalage which 1t imposes.
 That government also has maintained in this country at great cost, under the
 leadership of German officials and Ger
 man mercenaries, a propaganda for the encouragement of treason against the
 United States political agitation calcu- lated to mislead our people as to their rights and duties, and in the recent elec- tion a far-reaching movement intended
 in the interest of aliens to displace a
 President of the United States whose sole offense was the strict observance of neu- trality. In all these respects It's activities have been so great that we have been
 compelled to revise our national criminal code At this moment there are pending in Congress 15 or 20 bills giving the fed
 eral authorities power to deal adequately with atrocious crimes rarely committed in
 this country until agents of the German
 government entered upon them by whole sale.
 Sending an ambassador home for some
 offense of his own is of little importance to anybody but himself. Sending an am
 bassador home as a protest against the inveterate sins and aggressions of his government is another matter. The note
 dismissing Count Von Bernstorff was an
 indictment of the German government for it's manifold offenses against the peace
 and dignity of friendly nation. It will be so interpreted in every land not under the influence of that government
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
THE OLD FINISHING PLACE

By Otto Leland, in Book News Monthly for February. A tender fragrance fingers hero
 Like violets of forgotten springs. A tiny brooklet, crystal, clear,
 Makes music on it's hidden strings The lacy leaves that blow and gleam Like jewels set on stems pale-gold, The vagrant birds that pause to dream
 And sing. but not the songs of old. The moss-grown bower where rose leaves
 rot
 These, these are all that now remain Where lips met young lips passion hot. And yearning answered love in paiu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
cAmIkzN1Nd@au16H
THE SPIKE TAILS UNKNOWN

From Wellsville CKan) Globe.
 As far as can be learned there Is not full dress suit in Wellsville. But busi- ness men and some of the younger crowd are seriously considering buying Tuxedos half brothers to the full dress suit.
 There are many advantages to the Tux edo, which can be used at informal as well as at most formal occasions, and which answer for good Sunday suit.
 Several who would like to wear these suits have agreed to buy one if as many as 15 others will buy at the same time.
 To further the good cause 8 local mer- chant has agreed to let the buyers have them at cost if a considerable number will join in ordering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
JUDGED BY RESULTS.

The model wife tries to make home so attractive that her husband will not have any desire to go out at night"
 Well" answered the cynical bache- Tor, I'm not denying that there are plenty of model wives in this world, but few of them succeed in their laudable ambition"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
SANK A LITTLE ANYHOW

From the Florida Times Union.
 The Birmingham 2 Age-Herald says: 'The German captain who is thought to have sunk his ship in the harbor at Charleston must have believed that the United States would lose no time in de- claring war on Germany But think of the patient industry of that man who dug a hole in the harbor of Charleston deep enough to sink a ship in!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
English and German Dishes

"I was amused at an Incident that happened yesterday at the Florence cafe," said Judge H. B. Abernethy. At the noon hour I went to lunch with a friend of mine. American born but of German parentage and strong ly pro-German. As we entered the cafe we saw a mutual friend, an English man, sitting at one of the tables, so we joined him. As 1t was a Dutch treat, each fellow ordered his own lunch.
 "As I never go back on my raising I ordered spare ribs with brown gravy and turnip greens. I must confess l was somewhat surprised when my friend of German ancestry ordered roast beef rare with English peas, and I nearly fell off my chair when our mutual friend, the Englishman, ordered boiled frankfurters and sauer- kraut. But the limit was reached when the orders were served and the Eng lishman raised cain because the frankfurters were not imported. Can you beat it?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
A SHINING EXAMPLE
From the Louisville Courier-Journa

From the LOu1SVllle COur1er-J OurnaI.
 ''The forehead in the case of an intellec- tual man. and studious man especially, is likely to heighten after 30." An yes, of course. There is the case of Robert Fitzsimmons. actor. Dear old Bob. They say he is tremendously studious. Studies for weeks to commit to memory: Strike this tender woman If you dare,' or some other great line in the play.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
IProrninent EducaGors

Approve Flexmer Plan
 1T T has been several weeks since pr. ll Abraham Flexner of the Rocke- feller foundation promulgated the new system to be tested in prepara- tory schools and colleges, and not withstanding it's apparently revolu- tionary tendency it has met with the indorsement of some of the most highly esteemed and successful teach CTS in this country. What is proposed is radical, to be sure, for Latin and Creek are to be eliminated from all curricula, but not, as was at first sup posed, ancient history or classic lit erature. These are to be studied in translations,
 Modern languages will receive es- pecial attention, and all knowledge deemed of practical benefit to the young man or woman starting out for a career in which broad mental train ing will be necessary is to have a large part in the new pedagogy.
 When Dr. Flexner began to discuss his ideas conservative educators were startled. What he proposed seemed destructive of "the humanities;" de- structive of true culture. Utilitarian- ism was to crowd out esthetic feeling and purpose. So the old classicists thought. But when the new system was presented in all it's details it was found that sentiment, romance and art instead of being pushed aside were to be exalted more than ever. In nutshell the Flexner plan, which Dr. Eliot of Harvard is indorsing strongly, is intended to appeal to the imagination of boys and girls and the older student bodies; and with that thought in mind all studies that are colorless and valueless from voca- tional point of view are to be cut out
 The Rockefeller foundation will probably find its system popular fol a time, but dropping Latin and alge- bra will not prove satisfactory; cer- tainly not as beneficent as the lead CTS of the new school believe it vii be. Latin and mathematics have al ways been regarded as disciplinary tudies and are helpful even for those
 10 will not be called upon to us'
 nm s'in their business"
 An educator of long experience 1T
 emitting his views on Dr. Flexner'i
 an insists on the retention of Latin md mathematics. He says in part:
 Public criticism of our school system . oftan notes the inability of students
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
MERELY suRMIsING

From the Tuscaloosa News.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald asks: What has become of the old-fashioned man who used to smite himself on the chest when the argument grew warm and shout, I'm a citizen and a tax payer! !" We'll, old top. he's still in your city-thats whats the matter with Bir-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

party spirit runs high; and it is known that President Wilson had been averse to pomp and circum- stance for the second ceremony. It was his desire to take the oath of office quietly an. cut out the parade. But it is different now. The whole country is on it's mettle. Republicans and democrats are one in standing by the President.
 Since the inauguration is to be pa- triotic rather than partisan it will be full of thrills and will be educa- tional in the highest degree. It would be we'll if in addition to the military pageant civilians from all sections of the United States would form mighty phalanx. The preparedness" parades in the large cities two wears ago were wonderfully inspiring, but the turnout in Washington on the 9th of March should eclipse them all. It will unquestionably be spontaneous. Ambassador Won Bernstorff has baan awarded the iron cross by the Kaiser. Still, it is probable that he would rather stay on the job in America and do with out any more decorations | Just at present the United States has not enough submarines to make a worth while demonstration, and we may have to make something more than q demon stration.
 It costs a great deal of money to keep the chorus of girl show supplied with silk stockings, but that isn't the reason why some of the choruses are bare 1 legged
 l By offering his plant to the government | free Of charge. in case there is war with Germany. Henry Ford has made am- pie amends for all his blunders as a pa cifst se
 The scandinavian countries can hardly be blamed for remaining neutral, since they do not wish to share the fate of Belgium. Servia, Rumania and Montene. gro
 It is reported that war grafters have been discovered in France but the great majority of F'renchmen are the sort who stopped the Germans at the Marne.
 The Cherokees have offered to fight for Uncle Sam However, if their services lare accepted they will not be expected to do any scalping
 The announcement that the Petrograd stock exchange is open again is not caus. ing much excitement in this part of the country.
 Evidence accumulates that when Ger, many said she would resume her career of "frightfulness' on the sea- she mean, lit.
 Now that Wall street has been invaded by women. the last stronghold of mas. . culinity in this country has been taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
HOTEL LOBBIES
She's Not Frightened

Hens are laying in spite of the war scare" said J. J. Vorenberg, of Voren- berg Produce company, when asked yes terday about conditions in the poultry market during these strenuous times.
 The cackle of the hen still bespeaks the same gladsome news that the 'nis- tress' of the nest is providing for pos sible siege by the enemy at the break fast table and she is keeping up her good work just the same.
 Yes, eggs are plentiful and prices are within reach in spite of reports to the contrary"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
Al RARE PRIVILEGE.

The wealthy man who labors seldom Can always cut g. dash in swelldom, And's envied for another reason. He travels round and views the peaches At fashionable mid-winter beaches,
 While we must wait the summer sea-
 son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
BOIL wEEvILs ON SKATES

A distinguished Memphis lawyer, who has been down in Mississippi during the severest part of the present cold spell is authority for the statement that he saw boil weevils skating on the ice on the ponds and keeping themselves cool with palm leaf fans. This rather contra diets the idea that frost will kill this ugly pest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
NOT THE MAN.

'I've been looking everywhere for said the chronic borrower, greeting MT. Grabcoin effusiyely.
 "Far be 1t from me to discourage you" answered MT. Grabcoin, with a grim look. but I fear that your quest is not yet ended"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

BEGINNING THE DAY-Lord, IT | have wronged any man, or taken aught from any, or caused any soul to suffer through fault of minc' help them to forgive, in Chrtsrs name, that | may pay my just debts and be at peace with God and men, And if any man has wronged me- help me to forgive. In Christs name. Amen.-H. NJ. 10.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
GOING TOO FAR.


 'Is this a model prisonY' asked the visitor.
 "oh. yes," replied the cultured '1ifer." You should hear our prison band. Our baseball team Is one of the best in the country, while our literary and debating societies are positively brilliant"
 ''wonderfulr'
 we are even planning to organize an outing club to camp six or eight weeks every summer in the mountains near by. but the authorities are trtf1e dubious about that" PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
All in a Name

Anent the matter of being appropriate, J. R. DeJarnette of the Tutwiler hotel has matter to report.
 w. H. Tayloe, passenger traffic man. ager of the Southern railway, had just registered with his secretary.
 Tt struck me as being rather funny" said MT. DeJarnette 'that the secretary to MT. Tayloe should be named MT. Via. Of course, we old Latin students realize that via means way or route. It seems to me that the secretary ought to make great railroad man. everything being equal to his name"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

When Fortune means to men most good,
 She looks upon them with threat ~ryrr eve. king John.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

to think" Thinking is mental process that requires effort, and to compel that effort in a student is ex- ceedingly difficult It Is similar, ln- deed, to placing a boy in the middle of A. 1O-acre lot and directing him to do work that he hates while you are standing behind the fence and he IS quite out of reach. Parents are privileged and may exercise au- thority During the home study hour they often seek to compel the boy to do this mental task by shutting him up in a closet threatening him with dire failure, putting him to bed, starv- ing him out, hurting his pride or telling his father when he comes home.
 Parents who have gone through with this experience will welcome any change that will tighten his duty, yet there appears to be no substitute TOT labor. whether mental or physical' and the foundation is not likely to come across one.
 The average student is mentahy law but there are those who have no conception of the abstract nor mental faculties that would allow them scholastic privileges, even II they desired to work.
 Many children have failed in school or college because their mentality was never understood. They have been criticized and condemned. and given no onnortunity to develop according to their capacity
 No matter what fault may be fount with the Rockefeller plan, it must b' remembered 1t is only an experiment After test of two or three years those features that are not approved bv the consensus of the pedagogi profession will be modified or aban doned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
Age-Herald Doing Big work

'The Age-Herald Is doing big thing in its efforts to help the Mercy Home to raise s3OO0' said Mrs. Margaret c. Ram sey, natron of the home And 4it Is gratifying to me to know that this paper has with it a man who is thoroughly conversant on the different phases of social service work I refer to MT. Frank Willis Barnett, whose clever writings have been appearing in the paper re- gently.
 q had the pleasure of hearing MT. Bar nett speak at a recent meeting of the Social Service Workers association. and it was easy to see that he has made 8 thorough study of the question of social service, and the best way of rendering institutional aid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
WORDS VERSUS DEEDS.

WORDS VERSUS DEEDS. A wave of patriotism
 Is sweeping OCT the land; The orators are spouting,
 There's music by the band The Stars and Stripes are waving, Resplendent in the breeze, And Uncle Sam's demanding The freedom of the seas A nation close united
 Is what we seem to be, And everyone proclaims it A goodly sight to see. We like to hear the speeches In praise of "our boys" But those who'll do the fighting Aren't those who make the noise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09
I O Be Especially
 Patriotic Event

ID RESIDENTIAL inaugurations are H usually interesting only when viewed as party affairs. To the aver age mind the parade marks political triumph. although men of various shades of political opinion are found among the marchers. But President Wilson's induction into the executive chair Monday, March 5, is to be made, as it should be, the occasion of great patriotic demonstration.
 From a civic or party viewpoint it would be regarded ordinarily as a notable event. Not many Presidents since the early days of the republic have been reelected for second term. MT. Wilson will be the first democrat to succeed himself in eighty-four years. MT. Cleveland was twice elected, but he skipped . term Andrew Jackson was both hero and a shrewd politician and he found il easy to stay in eight years consecu- lively. Other democrats were ambi tious to succeed themselves, but they were not able to command sufficient strength.
 Had it not been for the war situa tion the forthcoming inauguration was to be simple and tame. Th'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

JUST A STEP. You may not believe 1t, mum, but I wunst knelt at de feet of queen" And how did you fall so low as to become trampT
 Tt wuzn't much of fall, mum. You see, I wuz super in de movies"
 'TwoULDNT HELP HIM ANY. I've noticed one thing while journeying through this vale of tears" Pray, enlighten me" man excusing himself on the ground that he Is too proud to fight"
 TAKING NO RISK. Life was rather fast In decadent Rome"
 "True-in the sense that 1t was prcfli- gate and wicked
 "Yes9'
 ''But two patricians could halt In the middle of the street and have 8 gabfest without increasing the number of auto mobile fatalities"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-09

This reminds me of an incident that has never gotten into print. Dr. Trough ton, fresh from a tour through England, Scotland and Wales In behalf of finding homes for the Belgian refugees, came to America to lecture just about the time MT. Bryan resigned as Secretary of State.