davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
COURTSHIP BY PHOTOGRAPH

lady in question is certain to wish to know what he looks like, and so will her family. And he wants her picture in re- turn.
 The search begins The likely young women of that village are lengthily dis cussed and all their merits carefully con sidered Soon photographs of one or two who have stood the test and who would be willing to go are forwarded to the young man so that his choice may enter in as much as possible. Finally girl is found at the same time pleasing to the young man and his family. and willing on her part to take the young man and his family.
 After further and various difficult con- sultations the engagement Is made. Then the father of the girl takes out of the official registry of his family the name and record of his daughter and removes it to be entered into the official registry of the young mans family. This act is thereupon recorded and comprises the legal marriage in Japan.
 The girl now assumes her new name, and preparations go forward for her journey to America, where her now legal husband (according to Japanese stand ards) is waiting for her. She could not have gone before, for until the legal ceremony she could not qualify as wife, daughter or mother of resident of the United States"
 Now the young woman begins to have official troubles of her own. She must apply for passport and must show her own records and her husbands records and pass health examination. If all is quite satisfactory, she will get her pass port. Then (after one last health test) she may buy her ticket. It is safe to say that no immigrant to any country gets through with more testing, examining and certifying than does this little picture bride'' N.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

contemporary pays tribute to the obscure husband of famous prima donna. He didn't get much publicity during his lifetime % A close observer says the June bride crop this year is the prettiest ever. He must have overheard some of the bride grooms talking
 Having successfully negotiated" Washington, Tulsa, Okla, will present no difficulties to the Confederate yeter- ans next year.
 Surely the Russians and the Chinese are not competing to see which can show themselves the more unfit for democratic government?
 What those Russians need is something to keep them on the ground They go up in the air on the slightest provoca- tion.
 * !. * Britons marvel at American sailormen who ride frst-class on trains Why not? Don't they come from irst-class coun- try? s; * j. London heard the big guns roaring over in Belgium during recent battle. When will Berlin hear the allies guns?
 * <; The fact that the Kaiser continues to congratulate his troops shows that he is the worlds champion optimist.
 * * < Ypres has been avenged say recent dispatches. By the way, isn't 1t about time for Rheims to be avenged?
 * Future historians will not forget to add the silvershell to the nations roll of honor
 < * * In the meantime, what has become of the slogan, "On to Constantinople?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
LUKE M'LUkE SAYS

When a man loses some money he feels sorry that he didn't give it to charity and get some credit for it.
 A woman has so many things to worry about that her husband imag zines she should do all of her worrying over his corns
 Funny how woman gets so tired of washing dishes and never gets tired of washing babies.
 Any veteran who served in the civil war and who reads history of that conflict without finding his name mem toned knows that history is merely an- other form of fiction.
 You can't make the father of eight children imagine that there isn't some thing cracked about any man who wants to adopt children.
 A woman is whole lot like a lawyer. She could say whole lot in a few words if she wanted to, but she doesn' t say 1t that way.
 You can't make an engaged girl be- lieve that some day her hero will ex- pect her to work harder than her moth- er's hired girl and for less pay.
 A widow can act so innocent that she can wonder if 1t is proper for a man and his wife to remain under the same roof without a, chaperone
 As soon as a girl discovers that man is married she quits posing for him.
 A man Is never buried so deeply in thought that his wife's voice can't resur- rect him.
 booster soon gets discouraged and quits. But it is different with knocker.
 Before you start in complaining about your lot in life look around you a Dit and you will find a heap to be thankful for.
 What has become of the oldTfashioned parents who had something to say about the suitability of the young. men who paid daughter attentions?
 Some girls may have been born with silver spoons in their mouths. And Judg- ing from the size of the gashes in other girls mouths, they must have been born with silver shovels in their mouths.
 As soon as man begins to imagine that he is indispensable, he is due for hard bump.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
Important Parade Detail

Few people realize just how many lit tie details have to be taken care of in a great parade like the one staged on Registration Day." said Col. T. o. Smith, who as grand marshal made 1t such a success.
 For instance, for years the parade had passed the review stand at Capitol park from Twenty-first street instead of from Nineteenth street. This caused the marchers to have their right sides to those reviewing them instead of their left and made it awkward in saluting- This may seem trivial matter and yet it counts for good deal with those who conform to military etiquette.
 One of the army officers standing near General Wood while the splendid body of Italians was passing remarked that he could point out every one of the men who had served in the Italian army before coming to this country It was quite simple when he said, Just watch the ones who lift their hats as they pass before the stand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
SHERLOCK AN AMATEUR

From the Pittsburg Dispatch
 The criminals and police who had their say and took their official laughs at the fantastic and "impossible, situa- tions created by Conan Doyle for the explorations of his friend, Sherlock Holmes, of Baker street, may be more susceptible to reason since the prosecut- ing attorney of Chicago has partially exposed the notifications of "Chfcago's s Crime Castle" The bizarre children of the brain of the fictionist which tax the credulity of the reader while they stimulate his imagination to follow the footsteps of their writer parent, would be forced to extend themselves to hold a profitable place in criminal society 1T they happened to locate in Chicago. If only 70 per cent of the allegations made against the Crime Castle" and the men accused of operating 1t or participating in it's criminal programme are substan- tated in legal form, the creator of sher- l lock Holmes might revive a demand for his works by prompt revision to bring them up to date with the Chicago reve- lations.
 That big building could be utilized within few miles of the heart of the
 second city in the United States con- stantly productive in the interests of it's criminal occupants with the same thor oughness that a hospital Is conducted in
 interests of the opposite character, would be unbelievable if the prosecuting attorney did not publicly declare that
 he has mass of condemning facts to prove that it has been done. The Castle was combination headquarters for fu- gitive criminals, criminals wounded and needing surgical care and nursing a der, and to commit crimes, according to the prosecuting attorney. Naturally some official assistance or connivance would be necessary and that Is exactly what 1 was supplied, also. according to the
 prosecuting attorney, who claims that
 wardly sort of roadhouse, as guests
 left 1t corpses or so nearly dead that
 the law looked upon them as killed in
 the place. Here the official cooperation
 became a valuable operating asset, for
 the prosecuting attorney asserts that
 part of the evidence he has captured was
 a pile of burial certificates all properly
 filled out except one blank space for the name of the victim. The disclosures Sc far made of the Crime Castle" makes
 Conan Doyle's efforts appear crude. SC well equipped was this organization that
 so long has laughed at the police.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

By John Masefeld, in Harpers Maga-
 zine.
 [7G7 HE drivers leave their cars and go
 toward the entrance of an old cell
 S lar where stretcher-bearer stands He welcomes them, and the usual talk begins of how long the war will last There are several cases in- side he says, and more are coming, for the enemy has been firing trench torpe- does. He says that the cases will not be ready for an hour, and then at one in the morning some sick are coming; the cars will have to wait for Instructions. The drivers go down the sloping path into the cellars. The cellar roof has been propped and heaped with layers of timber balks interspersed with sand bags, and the cellar itself, shored up, is like mine, It is vast place with sev- eral rooms in 1t, from one of which, strongly lighted, comes the sound ot voices and of people moving. Looking round near at hand, as the eye becomes accustomed to the darkness, one sees some loaded stretchers on the floor near 
 alive an hour ago, lie there awaiting burial. They were all hit by one torpe- do. says the stretcher-bearer these and five others, but these three died on their way to the poste. Some said that the dead look as though they were asleep, but no sleep ever looked like death. These men are not asleep; they are dead, whatever that may mean. Their uniforms are clean; there is no mud on their boots. By their clean equipment it is easy to see that they were men of this nights relief; probably they were only an hour in the trenches. and now they are relieved forever.
 Farther from the door, in a darkness like that of an old ships forecastle. are
 stands of hunks for the streteher-bear- CTS. Those who are off duty lie asleep there, Hike troopers horse. all stand- ing" that is, with their clothes on. Be- 1 yond them is kind of office where two | men are playing draughts, one man is writing letter, and fourth is reading
 a newspaper.
 Away to the right where the voices and 1 the movement are, is a larger room. Men
 move about in it, softly, and one man with his side to the door is bending over 1 something. He is the Medecin Chef of | the poste watching dying soldier in the very article of death. He and his assistant are dressed in white sterilized operating robes. The orderlies stand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
COSSACKS WHO STICK

From the New York World.
 The cossacks have kept their heads. They have good heads, better educated than the Russian average. Trained to self-government. in village and central
 bodies. they do not go crazy about 1t
 now.
 Socialistic theories cannot intoxicate men who hold land and other property in common. Good -horsemen. they see the German plotter stealing up with halter at his back and the feed bag os- tentatioously held out. They are in the war to stick. And we-did we suppose we should soon
 be saying, Thank God for the cos sacks?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
Goes Back to Farming

T am taking President Wilson's ad- vice and am trying to raise foodstuff on my little farm down near Pelham.S said M. c. Reynolds. who for years was engaged in the lumber business here in Birmingham.
 'I have a nine-acre farm As labor is scarce, after a rest of 35 years I have begun to follow the blow and have been surprised to know how readily I can do a good days hard work. I advise any man who wants to enjoy his meals to get out behind a mule and break up ground and let nature talk to him for awhile I have planted out 50 fig trees a number of apple, plum, and peach trees, and with chickens and garden feel mighty independent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

since it first became necessary to dis tort facts to keep the civil popula- tion quiet. How long will the people of Germany continue to be fed on lies and what will happen when they finally discover how grossly they have been misled?
 * < 4
 Food Situation
 Is Still Serious
 A CCORDING to Herbert c. Hoov- EA CTS report to the government on what the United States must do to sustain the allies with food, billion bushels of cereals will be required next year and their "needs of meat, fats and sugar will be enormous" Farmers, horticulturists and home gardeners are supposed to be doing their "bit" in the matter of increas- ing production. In some states the food crop acreage has been doubled; and in all it has been increased. But every tiller of the soil should devote his best energies to the growing crops from now until harvest time.
 Alabama has not done much, per haps, in the matter of wheat produc- tion this year, but it will be known as a good wheat state in the years to come. Instead of being classed as million -bushel-a-year wheat state it should reach the ten million-bushel mark.
 As for corn, Alabama has already shown that it could make big rec ord. Year before last it's corn yield was, in round figures, seventy mill lion bushels. If it is not one hundred million bushels this year it will not be far from it, unless weather condi- tions should turn against us.
 But increased food production is only one of the problems that must engage MT. Hoover's attention while the war lasts. Conservation is now being reckoned with as science, but \ the prevention of waste means much more to the human family than is generally supposed. When govern ment experts estimate that food waste in the United States amounts to $700,O0O,0O0 a year it is time that the thought of MT. Hoover's staff was being centered on some systematic movement to stop this enormous waste.
 An old gray-headed darky told a Bir- mingham registration officer that he was s2 years old When his statement was doubted he said he wanted to have his age changed so he could fight That's something like the Spirit of '76' * *
 laments the fact that certain movie actress has been much in the public prints lately. Maybe the movie actress doesn't feel herself in need of sympathy * * *
 A benefit performance was given by vaudeville performers in New York tn, other night and there were 50 ''acts" or the programme. A show like that woult delight a patron of the continuous"
 *
 Judging from a recent photograph King Albert of Belgium has aged consd erably. And when he thinks of Belgium laid waste he probably feels much olde than he looks.
 The way the colored brother hastenet to register must have been a sad dis appointment to German agents who hav been active in the south.
 <
 Birmingham is having so many distin guished visitors these days that cameras are kept clicking all the time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

BEGINNING THE DAY-HeIp me today, o Lord, to think until l learn to think sOberIy of myself. Keep me mindful that whatever I have of prosperity or happiness or grace is of Thee. But give me entire con- fdence as I remember that Thou art working in me both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure. For Christ's sake, Amen.--H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
"rENEBRIs INTERLUCENTEMr
James Elroy Fleckel

By James Elroy FIecker. A linnet who had lost her way
 Sang on a blackened bough in Hell.
 Till all the ghosts remembered well The trees, the wind, the golden day. At last they yiknew that they had died
 When they heard music in that land. And some one there stole forth hand To draw a brother to this side.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
Public Should do Its Part

Let everybody who can possibly da so, do their trading before p. m. on Saturday" said H. J. Porter, "and then there will not be such a rush from the opening hour in the afternoon at 4 until g."
 Tt seems to me that if the merchants are patriotic enough to shut their doors for couple of hours In honor of the coming of Secretary McAdoo and Gov ernor Harding of the federal reserve board, the public ought to do it's part. It will be well worth while for everyone to hear their addresses at the Jefferson. This is why the merchants are going to close from to p. m."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
Porter Always Ready

Tt is mighty easy to leave out name in copying a list" said Blanks Everett, manager of the Chamber of Commerce.
 For example, Thursday I furnished the press with the names of the merchants who had agreed to close from to p. m,, and inadvertently left out the Porter Clothing company, when MT. H. J. Por- ter was one of the originators of the idea and had taken an active part in the movement. Any one knowing him knows that he is always ready to do his part in any civic matters"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
ovERWoRKED

ovERWoRKED Anybody dependent on you?" asked the recruiting officer
 "A wife, six children, mother-in-Iaw. one sister and two small nieces." "Umphl We ought to send you off to war so you can get a little rest"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
HOTEL LOBBIES
strnirhtforwnrd Buslness Men

There is housed in the Iutwiler to- night more wealth than John of old saw in his wonderful vision at Patmos.' said MT. DeJarnette. Every now and then We have some near rich who put on lot of dog, but now that the real thing is here we find that they are Just plain straightforward, unpretentious business men who know what they want and get it without any fuss or feathers" He was speaking of the Gary party
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
THE JAcKIEs

The fighting men of Uncle Sam Are busy OCT the sea And when they pot a submarine Their hearts are filled with glee. For every U-boat sent below
 By Shells unerring hurled, Increases by one foe the less
 The safety of thls world The details of their gallantry
 The censor won't disclose, But still he lets us know that they Have struck some telling blows And when the dawn of peace has come Thanks to the Stripes and Stars, All men will sing the praises of Our undefeated tars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

military authorities on the German people with the aid of strictly con- trolled press have been known abroad since it first became necessary to dis tort facts to keep the civil popula- tion quiet. How long will the people of Germany continue to be fed on lies and what will happen when they finally discover how grossly they have been misled?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
News From AEnerica
 Made I'm Germany

NNTRITING from Stockholm, Cy- WV Til Brown, staff correspond ent of the New York World, gives some examples of the misleading "news" from America that is pub lished in German newspapers for the sole purpose of making the German people believe that America is not now and will never be military fac tor in the war.
 For instance, the Vossische Zei- tung gives great prominence to what purports to be telegraphic dispatch from London, in which it is declared that the first American war loan is a "colossal failure" The dispatch con- tinues, "The results of the great American liberty loan so far have had crushing effect on the spirits here (London). The American public sim ply takes no notice of the loan and leaves participation to the great banks and insurance companies"
 German newspapers have also fea- tured highly colored accounts of "widespread resistance and agitation against compulsory service" in the United States.
 Says MT. Brown: "The skillfully manipulated German press presents the astonishing phenomenon of com !. plete vacuum as far as real American news is concerned, and such scant news as is permitted to filter in is converted into soothing syrup calcu- lated to make the average German reader believe America is hanging back, loath to fight. Going through a Berlin paper with super fine toothbrush will yield not single uncensored news flea capable of caus- ing discomfort to the German mind"
 The deception practiced by German
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
In Their Own Way

T have no idea what the visit of Judge Gary and his associates means, but as real estate man feel that the mere fact that they are here is goAag to give an impetus to trading said Roscoe Me Conneu Few realize just what power there is behind the group of men who have put aside their great affairs in the east to visit the south at this time. I thing Birmingham ought to give them a hearty welcome and the best way to do 1t is to respect their wishes and let them see the district in their own way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
THE MARRYING HABIT

T see where man has married his fifth wife"
 He reminds me of one of my bibulous friends"
 How is that7'
 He can't resist the temptation to take just one more'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
* * *
General Pertaining Now
On British Soil

s7FHE safe arrival of General Per
 H shing and his staff at a "Brit- ish port" yesterday means that we are a step nearer active participation in the war with. the land forces of our allies. General Pershing will have a mighty task to perform, as great army will soon be placed at his dis posal, but this nation believes him to be the man best fitted for this work.
 The reception of General Pershing was marked by the utmost cordiality. Britons were proud to do him honor and through him the American people who are now heart and soul in the struggle for the freedom of all man. kind. The presence of General Per shing on English soil will put new life and hope into our allies, for they will be assured that the full strength of the United States will soon be ex- erted against Germany. Preparations have already been made to receive and care for the first troops to be sent abroad. No time will be lost in getting them ready for service on the firing line.
 Incidentally, the vigilant censor must have nodded when the press dis patches telling of General Pershing's arrival were sent to America. The name of the British port where he disembarked was not permitted to ap- pear in the date line, but in the dis patch it was stated that one of the notables who welcomed the Ameri- cans was the lord mayor of Liverpool.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

THE FLAG SPEAKS Says the flag
 To you and me,
 DO not brag,
 Just up and do."
 Detroit Free Press Says the flag
 To me and you.
 Do not lag,
 Just see it through.
 Birmingham Age-Herald. Says the flag
 To me and you,
 DO not lag,
 Just follow me-
 -Memphis Conmercial-Appeal Says the flag
 To me and you,
 "Now's the time
 To do your do."
 Columbus Enquirer-Sun. Says the flag
 To all of us,
 'Do your bit
 Without a fuss"
 Savannah Press. 'scribson boasts that he has already done his bit |" Tn what way?' "He wrote poem giving the Kaiser Hail Columbia" ',rhe Kaiser'n never See It." 'That's so. And Judging from the num- Der of times the manuscript has been re- jected by editors, the public will never see it, either" DOOMED TO OBLIVION THE SOFT PEDAL ON Does MT. Dubwaite ever make scene when you ask him for money?' NO. indeed" said Mrs. Dubwaite. "He doesn't dare to-" "You don't mean to say that big man like that is afraid of little woman like your" NO but the walls of our apartment ars so thin the people next door can hear every word that is said"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
Camp Committee Does Fine Work

We may not get the mobilizatio camp said George Whatley but if we fail it will not be because the commit tee having it in charge failed to do their whole duty. I have never known a small group of men who have worked so swift ly yet silently. They are not saying much, but they are leaving no stone un- turned in their efforts to land it for Birmingham Somehow I can't help but feel that they are going to get it. If they call on you to do anything, do it., for they deserve all the support that the community can give them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
sHowINe soME SPEED

SHOWING SOME SPEED How is young Dubson getting along with that wealthy heiress?"
 'The last time saw them together he was getting along with her at the rate of 40 miles an hour and motorcycle policeman was in hot pursuit."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09

CAN'T RESPOND
 "Do you ever feel the call of the great outdoors at this time of year?"
 "oh. yes" replied MT. Glithers. But the call doesn't say anything about pay ing my expense account. That's why 1 finger here in this little old office."