davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
THE SWIFT YOUNG MIND

From the New YorN Herald.
 In admitting boy prodigy to its cul. tured halls. Columbia University is fol. lowing noted example. Fr.nce.on took Aaron Burr at the age of F. and into the sophomore class, although it had re- irsed to admit him as a freshman tho precedinx~year Harvard let in youna Mr. Sidis at the tender age of Il. Mas ter Hardy of Columbia is F.
 Such precocious lads are the product of intellectual environment We find similar swift progress in Macaulay, who wrote a "Compendium of Universal History when he was [, and in Chatter ton, who-had written some of his im- portant pieces before he was 12-- In each, case there is background not.only of intellectual parentage, but of attractive opportunity.
 Luckily for the football teams of col- leges few infant prodigies come in. The trainer of the Yale team may be in- asined IS wishing that none but the precocious went to Boston College. In at 12 and out at ls. they might be fero. c'ous. but they would not be heavy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE IMPROVED
 CHANCES OF THE ELECTION OF GOV. COX

N FEW weeks ago the entire political : A\ situation in America pointed to the
 election of Harding and Coolidge. Tho Des Moines speech of Harding, in which he declared against any League of Nations. was the beginning of change in the political situation. Since then the republican candidate has vaciilated. He has been surrounded by guards from national Headquarters to prevent him from talking too much and being lead into expressions of personal opinion.
 Harding. like many politicians, seems to be possessed of various opinions suit able for various occasions
 In making political campaigns in Ono in the past he has appealed to many factions in the several sections of the Buckeye state. In the Senate he has fol- lowed the recognized leaders, ana has been what Is known as a machine sena- tor, one who is a firm believer in team work. Al
 In his speech-making campaign he has listened to the leaders in the sections he has yisitsd, and in attempting to please them. has gotten himself badly mixed.
 14 4
 Governor Cox has seized upon each one Of the breaks of the senatorial candidate. and has made adoo Sver Hardinx's vaeil- latins policies to the American peopIs As 8 conseauence Cox has made tremendoas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
LUKE MeLUKE>SAYS

The reason why the stous women trv 70 reduce and the thin women try to deVeiop IS because the stout ones wilI -eh you that they wouldn't-be thin for anything and the tbin ones will tell vou hing. ~"s-
 some wealthy women spend their time lolns things for the poor while their ntsoands spend their time doing things to ,he poor. "
 Education is great stuff. But if oftan happens that the boys in the family who never nave made the Eighth grade have 70 support the hr6tbsr who Went Through College.
 Most or us are big enough fools tc imagine that when we look into a mir- TOT We see oursehe es as others sec ne
 when a man gets s per week raise u. sa'ars' IL IS a sign that his wife ia 'o'ts 10 spend sl0 more per week.
 photographer is about the only man .ne world who can make a woman keep nev mouth shut and look pleasant
 A man has to have q valid reason for doing thing. But the only reason : woman needs is 'because' .
 When a married man looks forw.-d :. what he'll have to pay, out for necsss sues he'll agree with the tailors and clothing designers that there vii, h. little change in trousers this winter. v
 A woman likes to shop. She gets mad IT she finds just what she wants in ths very first store she gees into. But a ma, gets mad if he doesn't.
 There was time when every wifi. thought that her husband was the smart est man in the world. We said that thera WAS time
 A girls feet do not hurt in shoes that are too small for her the way th.v would If the shoes were too large for her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

"It can't be done.y declared MT. Twob- bls, positively.
 Why not?''
 Five heard several hundred thousand words on the subject, and I'm still as much in the dark as the Marion Fron, Porch"
 Tt is not good form to watch a guest when he's pouring out stiff drink of your private stock"
 "I'll grant that answered MT. Bib bles, but when you stop to consider that once a mans cellar is empty, it's going tc remain that way, you cant-blane him for showing little solicitude"
 DEcADENcE. OF THE DRAMA.
 The provinces don't seem to care for Shakespeare" said Huntington Roarer, with sigh.
 But you played Hamlet last night to seventy-hve people and got plenty oi applause said his manager.
 "Yes, yes,>but I understand the word was passed around that I was really a comedian, and if the audience applauded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

hard enough I'd make a funny speech b~ tween the acts''
 AN EXPLOSIVE PERSON. I don't admire the anarchist And don't indorse his views, For every time he strikes match fear he'll light fuse.
 WORKING DOWN TO TT. This promoter says in the last analysis he's honest"
 'He may be- said the prosecuting att torney, and then again he may not. We haven't reached the last analysis yet.''
 JUDGING BY APPEARANCES. often wonder what booteggers buy One-half so deadly as the stuff they sell. But since they look both prosperous and
 spry. They must invest their money pretty
 we'll.
 AMONG THE MISSING. Anything doing in the crirnIs,.. = .r.a .-' What part Of it?'' asked the ,usp.c:ous citizen.
 "Is there any difference? Decidedly. Footpads ana housebreak- CTS are being arrested from time 60 time, but our jails stil yawn for protiteers who never arriveN PAUL COOK
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
CONFESSION OF TWO BROTHERS Frank Willis Barnett

troubled and perverted by strange obses-
 '.ons; a figure blinded by obstinate pride, yet crippled by ridiculous hu- miiity; figure grotesaue and comic. but not devoid of clements of forlorn distinction; figure fleeing across an inc terminable desert to escape from the shadow of itself; figure half-dead and atrophied, yet responsive as a reed 70 ceestial harmonies; tlgure driven for ward by Fate, yet pathetically seeain.s to love the Fate that drives it; figure fettered and bound by sensual infirmity, yet mocking with subtle derision every ideal that would liberate it; a figars struggling beneath the burden of it's wretched contradictions, yet looking fof no issue from it's dilemma. save in ths narcotic power of critical analysis, anu the obliterating power of death.r This is the saddest confession l have ever reau.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
A DAY OF STRING.

Anonymous.
 Oh. he was liishtsome. gay yoans
 man,
 Aph he walked with tender sricey And smile like the sweep of an sn-
 gels wing Played over his fair young face T bring" he said. and the editor DO Y |. For he loved that fair young sla. ]: 'I bring" he said. "a poets song, A lay of the balmy spring." Then the editor gathered his cross cue And the fnail-grab. all the same. And the big sledge-hammer and lona
 croW-bar,
 And the club with the terrible nams. And he sawed him in two and he Hat
 tened him out. And tore out each quivering lu6s. And pinned him up on the sanctuun xall Sc scattered and yet so young.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
"ovER ai

From the Kansas City Star.
 How many Missouri born womep walked into the trap when they regis- tered at the polls Tuesday, into which Mrs Gelatine Travers fell so suddenlys Mrs Trayers gave her name, and the6 tho registrar asked. "AEe?" '.over g..' replied Mrs, Travers cautiously Born ?'' Tn Missouri How long have ,you lived in the precinct?" One year" "Is the city?'' Ten years "In the state ?" Thirty-one years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
PROHIBITION IN CANADA

From ,He r4ttsnurg Dispatch.
 Five Canadian provinces will hold a referendum next Monday on whether the importation of intoxicating liquor into each province shall be forbidden by en- aetment These are Nova Scotia; On- tario. Manitoba, Alberta and SaslSatche- wan, all of which now have local pro- hibition in force to the extent that sa ie within the provinces may be prohibited. but not importation from other provinces interprovineial trade being now under control of the Dominion goxGnment.
 rearing national prohibition, the Do- r1 nion Parliament, however. has de- clded to surrender it's prerogative. leav- ing the prohibition of importation to the vote or each province, to be taken Mon uay' mus, II province already having iocai prohibition wishes to par impor- .attons from other provinces. it. may do SD ana thus acquire full control of the iiquor issue within it's own territorv the Dominion government agreeing 10 be Douhd oy the decision. It will be noted Inat Quebec is not affected Thirstv .ahadians in dry provinces, if importa. uon IS shut off. will still have an oasis. fnd there is no immediate prospect of Ceepec going dry, unless, indeed ths demand for national prohibition post poheu py the action of the Ottawa Par l'ament in extending provincial home rue on the issue should become over. powering etF
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
EXTENSIVE ENTERrAINMENr

EXTENSIVE ENTERTAINMENT. T see where another stage beauty has married a millionaire"
 "Wel1?"
 You rarely ever hear of one marry ing poor man."
 sAt the present price of admission a poor man can't get into theatre"
 WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH? Mrs. Calder has made up her mind about voting"
 How did she decide?"
 She consulted the ouija board'
 That's as good way as any after you've heard few campaign speeches"
 LIMITED FACILITIES. ...Do you find the movies educationaf q Not any more.' said the confirmed patron.
 How is that?"
 "I believe have mastered all the wiles of movie vampires and there doesn't seem to anything else to learn : NOT YET ENLIGHTENED. ."rhe orator said he would explain tho I ea r,,e of Nations in two words"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

friend who read what I had to say about "Copfessions of Two Broth ers'' asked me if l knew anything about John Cowper Powys, who IS to lecture at Temple Emnanu-El lon day night in a personal way, which would give some idea as to the man personally.
 I only know him in his books, and you can fine comb the confesslons without getting enough personal data to make aslobby for the Age e-Heraid. It's one of the fascinating things about the book for man in these days of publicity when everything is press agented to keep to himself those lit tie details which the public crave.
 I do not know where he was born, or anything about his upbringing as child, or where he was educated, or how he got on after leaving school, or as to the fact of his being married or single, and if the former. there have come children. veil has been drawn over the things which usually take up the large part of most biog- raphes. autobiograpnies or confss- ssions.
 But if he is reticent in mentioning such personal things. he is as open as a book in setting out mental, physi- cal and psychical data: and here is the uniqueness and cleryerness and worth of the confessions. I'll admit the con- fessions will be disappointing to those who want to know all about a mans family. the color of his eyes, his political party and his social preferen- ces; but it will be perennial joy to all who care for acute self-analysis in which the process of the mind and soul. are laid bare.
 He we'll says: Tt is the little things. the unrehearsed gesture. the catch in the breath, the .d-oop of the lip, the start of surprise. which really reveals. We may analyze ourselves in volumes and remain undiscovered; and then. by q yawn a tilt of the head sob of exhaustion. flash of hate. we are be- trayed and unmasked forever" Has this not been verified time and again in your experience with others as we'll as in yourself. We give ourselves away when we least think it.
 fsss
 And SO in his confessions he warns the reader to be on the lookout for ip- direct betrayals and unmaskings. He must follow suspiciously. guardedly. furtively. He must be prepared< for that invincible human trick of using language to conceal rather than to re- veal. :. The more one tries to an- alyze ones self the more one is con- scious of amazing pafadoxes and jH- constituencies which Turk under the simplest surface. This much to set forth the fact of how difficult it is for one to make a true word portrait of ones self even when earnsAtly de sirous and scrupuously honest.
 All, through the book 1t Is q contest between the reader and the reveaisr, for the former is put oh notice by the latter. q am ready to confess myself, as man may be ready to throw him. self into the water. But once in the water. the instinct of self -preservation eompels him to swim. So k swim. on words dnless the readers Imagination is shrewdly alert to thrust mo down
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

i into the truth" If you find him trying to duck in his> Revelations it's up to you who happened to be his com panion in the pond Q hold his head under until he is ready to disclose him. self in all of his nakedness.
 1 l said knew nothing of his personal appearance This is as near as he tells Us: T fancy sometimes that my exte- rior appearance gives an impression of Lower and formidableness that is alto gether misleading. Below this Roman despot look I con,,eal frequently a weak ness, shrinking timidity. and exhaus- ton of energy. a psychic disintegration of personality, natural rather to a slave , than master" Later on he adds: "Li.- :, tie absurd physical imbroglios render me completely hors de combat. l can neither ride. nor climb, nor dance. nor whistle, nor hum a popular catch l am sorry i cannot either whistle or carry a tune.
  One reason suppose that find the confessions of John Alexander Cowpys so fascinating and refreshing comes from the fact that he is just my oppo- site in so many things. For example. he says: T would sooner so without food fort twenty-four hours than face a savage landlord, or order a dinner at an improper hour from a sulky head waiter" l had friend in New York, q man of the world. and yet he was ob- sessed by the fear of head walters. and seemed to think I was marvel of cour- age because they couldn't set me down. He stood ready any evening to pay for a dinner at Delmonicoes or Sherrys if I would play-the host without tipping the autocrat of the supper table.
 q
 And when he confesses: T am one of those who would never be able, unless under circumstances of intoleraoie aggravation, to leave a tiresome friend or companion, and lash out for liberty at every cost. must not claim too much virtue. It is probably not merely my dislike of giving other people unpleasant shocks, but my dislike of re- eeiving them myself which restraints me" have neither the deltcacy of feel ing or the fear of setting my own feet ings hurt which would cause me to sub init to bore. I either use my augur on nim or make quick getaway,
 Now I'm going to lift couple of para graphs to show why The man in spite of his hesitancies. tim,dities and aloorl ness yet has the power to cast spell over me. Hear him; II have not :n- dulged in descriptions of how l feel in English country gardens. as compared with my sensations in tMe corridors Of American hotels; or how I feel in the presence of crowded Audiences. as com pared with my emotions in the solitude of railroad carnage: for these things are not really germane to the matter. What have attempted to do is to su,a up as clearly as possible the most sarent and persistent of my instinctive reactions to the general drama of the world; an ] my most inveterate and obstinate attl- tudes to men, to nature and to the un- known"
 And the pathos of it: And there seems to merge from it all. for me ai .east. the image of nervous. tinatd. morbid. but at the same time, reckless, figure; figure full of quaint anxiety to hs loved, and admired. but utter.y unable to love or admire itself; . figure
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
A LANGUAGE TEST

From the Argonaut
 There isn't much I don't know about the English language boasted the long, haired man in the club
 "fu tell you.' friefd picked him up quickly. "Ill dictate paraxraphS to you"
 With an assured air. the boaster seized his pencil, but his jaw dropped as he heardA As Hugh Hughes was hewing a yule log from the yew tree a man dressed in clothes of dark hue came up to Hugh and said: If you will wait until ! hew this yew tree will go with your ewes. said Hugh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

strides recently and is changing hundreds of thousands of votes
 The American people like man Of courage and conviction. They like Cox, because they know exactly where he stands, and the indications now are that he has splendid chance of election.
 The American people have, lost conti- dence in dear old Senator Lodge, because age and disappointments have caused him to be more or less of an old critic and gossip. His days of political acumen have passed He is merely living on his past reputation AS statesman.
 Boise Penrose of Pennsylvania, formerly the political autocrat of the Senate. is likewise old and in i'll health. but assumes yet to be the boss of the republican party. although directing the same from sick bed.
 Then there is Elihu Root. who is like wise in his dotaEe. and is merely at- tempting to pick flaws with the demo- cratic administration and with Candidate Cox.
 In other words the republican party IS being dominated by three old cronies of the "Grannie type" who have lost in- ndence as leaders, but occupy the posi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24

his rare worth was appreciated by the President and in time the whole country realized that he was the man for the place, When the late Admiral Dewey and former Secretary of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert gave him their unqualified indorsement criti- cism was hushed. Daniels has shown himself to be singularly able in con- structive achievement and man of unquestioned courage.
 If Cox becomes President the pub lie may feel assured that there will be no misfits.
 x x #
 Governor Cox admires the capabilities of Eiihu Root in other respects almost as much as he denlores Elihu's incon- sistency in supporting the Marion Front Porch.
 One cannot help~envying those scient- ists who are gong to Asia to search for the missing link" while the rest of the world is struggling with the problems of reconstruction.
 
 Lloyd qkorge, who doubtless thought he had his hands full when the Hun was threatening to overrun Europe reck oned without the. British coal miner.
 * < *
 Mrs. Catt will support Cox. If wom- an voter is in doubt, she should by all means follow the example of the illus trions Mrs. Catt. The near approach of Thanksgiving Day will cause unrest in the bosoms of citizens unable to see the rainbow in the economic sky A peace without victory spares the feelings of Russia and Poland, but it may lead to a great deal of arguing over which side might have won. In his widest moments. Chairman Will Hays refrains from putting Georgia, Ala bama and Mississippi in the republican column.
 The army aviators who flew to Nome and back performed thrilling exploit. A plethora of news prevented them from receiving the publicity they deserved.
 * * $
 Judging from some of the criticism heapsd upon President Wilson, about all he saved ia the Versailles conference was his baggage.
 Brother Ford's paper enveighs against the bad manners of movie patrons. The manners of motorists are worse still.
 * E *
 Nothing will enahle Mexico to get back lnto the good sraces of the world more quickly than payinu her debts.
 x * *
 The 'hop~off'' of banoonists may be lacking in thrills. but they often take a sporting chance when they come down. F * E
 In the meantime what has become of the old-fashioned millionaire who pro- fessed desire to. die poor? ! No matter which ticket is elected, large quantity of cabinet timber will be stored in the political lumber yard.
 * * x
 While large number of theatrical stars are "at liberty" it is kind of freedom they do no enjoy.
 F * * The domestic affa rs of the Chaplins are among the least interesting topics of the day. When intoxication overcomes a motorlst lhe least he can do is to relinquish tn. wheel to somebody who Is sober.
 * E E Football may not be the sport of kings, put it is professionally no game for 
 * ** * What this world needs is less oratory and more productive 'ahor.
 E E E
 The cotton farmer should take some thing for his nerves
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
A MORNING PRAYER

Let him who loves me teach me tenderness; let him who hates me teach me the need of forEiveness' let him who is indifferent teach me to rely on myself and Thee. so shall inc world be my friend. Amen.
 M. $. B.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
international Fame.

NO greater advertisement has come tc~ Birmingham in a long time than
 that derived from the international balloo.. races" said Matt H. Murphy.
 Many things which seem largei to
 us and which draw larger crowds to Birmins ham are, not worth a fracpon as m-ch in valuab,, advertising as these races. l really don't think .iie people of Birmingham yet fully realize the importance of holding these eveits here
 The Chamber of Commerce is to be congratulated upon it's success in iand- ing this big event for. the city. The business-like manner in which the af- fair has been handled reflects credit upon the chamber and upon the nen> bers of the committees which have con. ducted the arrangements.
 For several days practically every newspaper in America as well as most of the papers throughout the civilized world will carry stories about the in. ternational races in Birmingham. The value of this advertising, together with the very favorable impression which the city has made on the balloonists and the officers of the American ! ero Club cannot be overestimated."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
Elevator Manners.

"A travesty on good manners is I ic. tured every day in the passenger eleva> tors of Birmingham" said F. V. Evans yesterday. and causes much select rid icule and disgust.
 The presence of one or more ladies is the signal for removal of hats by
 the men and that is generally promptly done, though some refuse to grant the courtesy. Far more objectionable than
 tnis refusal, however, is the Bitming-
 ham masculine habit of smoking cigars, cigarettes and even old scented pipes il.
 presence of ladies in the small snd close compartments. Thoughtfui gen.
 tlemen never do this latter. others should not be permitted the ugly priv,
 iiege."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
Scarcity of Jobs
 May Soon Be Felt

m EPoRTs from many parts of the JM country indicate that the hour has struck for the inefficient worker in highly paid job. The industrial readjustment which was bound to fol- low is now well under way. The ar- rogance many workers have shown will soon yield to painful realiza- tion that there are more men desir- ing work than there are places to fill.
 The automobile manufacturers of Detroit have been carrying on weed ing-out process for several months. It is significant that they are pro- ducing more cars with fewer men, conclusive proof that thousands of labor slackers were put on their pay rolls during the war, as an emergency measure.
 The men who did an honest day's work are keeping their jobs. Those who shirked are being discharged. There will not be great deal of sympathy for this class of labor, ex- cept as it applies to families who will suffer for the shiftlessness, and lazi- ness of men who lived in fools para disc and were deluded into thinking the "good times" would never end.
 It is. an old maxim, and no one will dispute it, that the laborer is wo1thy his hire. The capable and conscientious workman is entitled to receive good wages, and it is to be hoped that he will always earn what he deserves, but stern lesson that may be fraught with much suf- fering, is going to be taught the in dustrial stacker, the malcontent and the troublemakeH