davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Baffled

Darkness hung like a blanket over the silent street as the Sleuth hid be- hind tree and waited. He was on the trail.
 Presently the quiet of the night was broken by the light footballs in the offing.
 A figure appeared-a sinking prow- Ter of the night, carrying in his hand leathern bag, and glancing about furtively as he hastened through the shadows.
 As the stranger approached the tree, out sprang the Sleuth, gun il hand.
 Caught with the goods," he cried triumphantly, as the stranger raised his hands and let the bag fall, clink- ing, to the pavement.
 "Now," said the Sleuth, "let's see what you have in the bag"
 Opening the bag with eager hands, he uttered a cry of disappointment. There was nothing in it-nothing but kit of burglar tools, set of skele- ton keys, bottle of nitroglycerin, a stick of dynamite, loaded six-gun and blackjack.
 "A thousand pardons," said the Sleuth, handing the bag back to it's owner, q thought you were boos- legger."
 Darkness still hung like blanket over the silent street as the stranger departed and the Sleuth resumed his hiding place behind the tree. He was still on the trail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Should Be n Lesson
tAbbeyVlIIe Herald)


 This years experienc should prove a lesson to the farmers of this section-as well as to the farmers of the entire cotton belt. Ihe one-crop system has nept the south poor all these years Cot ton IS subject to more disasters Tn the way of pests and unfavc-- able weather conditions than anv other crop that can be grown in the South. We remember in our boyhood days that the catapillars Frequently swept the cotton fields bare of leaves at time when iho plant gave promise of a big har- vest, leaving the cotton only the pare stalks and the memory of the mortgage to be paid and nothing to pay with. There is one pec,,. liarity of both the catapillar and the boil weevil, they always leave the mortgage intact.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of Reginald Poole

Sopha Lane was a very wide awake English woman who never heard of King Tut-ank amen, but that did not trouble her the slight est. She opened her eyes at all the wonders of Egypt, where she went to live with her brother. She was interested in everything-in the queer, narrow, crooked streets; in the covered bazars; in the blind beggars; in the strange process sions of camels; in the religious fanatics that glared at her; in the beautiful domes of the mosques. Day after day, with all the inter- est of child. and with all the nergy of devoted traveller and energy of a devoted traveller and saw in that fascinating city of Cairo. Then she wrote a book telling about her experiences. From her brother she learned Arabic, and amused herself trying to decipher old parchments and sacred green-covered books that had been to Mecca.
 This same Sopha Lane, capable of so much, married an English preacher, Edward Poole. It is small wonder that such mother made both her stalwart sons schol- ars in oriental lore. The elder son, Edward. became 8 noted Arabic scholar, able to translate the most difficult texts-an au- thority on that very Arabic lam guage that his mother had pug zled over with so much interest. The younger son. Reginald, car ried on every one of his mothers interests in the mysteries of the east. He learned Arabic; ne delyed in old tombs; he studied old inscriptions; he brought to life, as it were, all the humanity of the past. He did so much to awaken interest in Egypt that he led to forming Q society that, in turn, led to the present excava- tions that brought ut-ank-amen to attention.
 The mothers spirit carried on, even into the present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

public interests above all else. Where private interest stands opposed to the public welfare, there can be but one decision by those who are chosen by the people to safeguard their rights No intelligent person would deny cail- roads or any other corporate interests full hearing before the proper legis- lative committees in the proper ways. But whenever and wherever those who make the laws are under the influence of anything but willingness and de- sire to serve the best interests of the public, their time and labors are worse than wasted, and the people suffer accordingly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
ARMoRED CARS FOR sPEEDERs

It seems sad commentary on the iack of respect for law by automobile drivers when Jefferson county must construct armored cars for the protec- tion of officers whose duty it is to prevent speeding upon the public high ways. The complaint is made that motorcycles are helpless when speed CTS run them down, crowd them from the road and proceed upon their joy riding way. The expectation of the county is that powerful automobile girded with steel will be match for sny car which wants to crowd officers
 Into the ditch. Perhaps it will help, but that such device is found neces- sary emphasizes a peculiar mental Jobliquity of drivers who have no re- gard for their own safety or the safety of others and by going at such speed make themselves a public peril.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS Rv Er>1er;rL Ho,rk Inv
Henry Carey

One day. London song writer was walking through the streets of London on a holiday. All the young laborers were out with their sweethearts. One couple of lovers happened to walk for some dis tance just. ahead of Henry Carey, the song writer. With amusement he watched the awkward tender ness of the man and the bashful coyness of the poorly clad girl. Through his mind there began to go the words of a song that should tell of this humble love:
 ''Of all the days that's in the week,
 I dearly love but one day,
 And that's the day that comes be-
 twixt
 A Saturday and a Monday;
 For then I'm drest all in my best
 To walk about with Sally:
 She is the darling of my heart,
 And she lives in our alley"
 When Henry Carey reached home after his holiday walk he sat down and wrote the now famous song, Sally in Our AL ley" As soon as the words and music were made public the song became wonderfully popular Everyone took it up and sang it, and even great singers, like Charles Incledon, established their fame by singing this simple song concerning humble love.
 Henry Carey could well sympa- fhfxn xxyfth F., r, ble, for his own life had been somewhat of struggle. In his boyhood his school teacher mother could give him little except a slight education. Seeing that her son had 8 taste for music, sine managed to give him training enough so that he could teach be- ginners something about music. Henry Carey was not contented with knowing Q little, and he used part of his earnings to pay for instruction from the best masters. After some years he began to write both words and music for songs. burlesQues and operas. He had great gift of humor and of satire, and if he had lived in our day would have been the writer of innumerable comic operas. Both as a song writer and as burlesque writer he became very popular. He had an intense ha- tired of sham and hypocrisy of every kind. and he used his gifts Of writing and of play producing to ridicule all that was false and affected. In 174o. three years be- fore his death. he sang a new yer sion of an old song, and thus did for God Save the King" what Robert Burns did for "Auld Lang syne." In this sense Henry Carey was the author of God Save the King" the national British an- them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
STEADY GROWTH OF LIBRARY

Along with times of industrial ex- pansion it is gratifying to Birming- ham to note that the public library never fails to exceed the previous year in the volume and character of it's service. The annual report discloses that during the past year 589,1 books were circulated by the Birming- ham public library system, gain of ten per cent. over the previous year.
 Of this number 200,070 are listed as Juvenile circulation. The total reg istration for the year was 54,601 and the reference librarian showed 269,283 people reading, studying and doing re- search work. The central library at $he city hall recorded more than half
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
CHANNEL OBSTRUCTION

es, (New Orleans Times Picayune) .s Colonel T. c. Ashworth, chief of the inland waterway service, has stated briefly and clearly the req son why the Mississippi barge service failed to pay It's way dur ing the last eighteen months During the first six months of that period, he notes, the service earned seven per cent. on invest ment. But in the second six months it was virtually put out of business" by low water stage that obstructed channels. Not withstanding that Serious inter- ruption of the service, 1t "came back strong" during the third six months and established new rec ords for monthly tonnage. There isn't a month in the year." he as- serts, that we can't make a profit If we are given an adequate chan nel."
 These facts of the situation de- serve the widest possible circuia- ton because the foes of the. water ways transportation will make all the capital possible out of the un- favorable showing of the barge service for the fiscal year ended June 30 last. The channel failure last fall was attributed to an al- most unprecedented low water stage. Yet again this season chan. nel obstruction in certain sections or the river has forced the division or towns and uble-tripping" by the towboats. increasing operating cost and reducing tonnage vol tune.
 The barge equipment was de- signed for efficient operation in the river channels as authorized and theoretically maintained. It has proved its efficiency by long test during the periods when ade- quate channels were availab;e Not only so, but shippers have demonstrated their readiness 10 employ the river service. All that stands in the way of permanent extensive and profitable barge operation on the Mississippi is then, the channel obstruction which has halted the service and caused such heavy losses last fall.
 Maintenance of adequate chan nels is an obligtion to which con gress and the nation are both com mitted. Failure to keep that obli- gation is not chargeable to the barge service. It constitutes an injury not to that service alone but to American commerce and Industry. which have shown their desire to keep the river at work. Congress has "authorized" appro- priations to make good its obliga- tions with respect to channeI maintenance, but has not, it ap- pears. actually voted the necessary money, so that there is no pro- vision in the budget for the say- ing work. The congressional laches should be remedied at the next session.
 Meanwhile let us remember and emphasize the fact that the fall ure of the barge service to pay it's way last year was due solely to the governments filure to main tain the duly authorized river channels-that, as Colonel Ash burn phrases it, there isn't q month in the year" that the Mis- sissippi river barge service can not make a profit if given an ade- quate channel"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Cummed-Up Romance She was maiden fair to see,
 Attractive and petite. She stole away the heart of me, She looked so sweet. And then she wagged her dainty chin And I was stricken dumb, For with a gentle, girlish grin She smacked her gumb. ---Jaso... "The Garden of Eden," says cle-- gyman, twas merely state of mind..' Are we to infer that the story of the apple was merely applesauce? Pink Persiflage for Puerile Pessimism A cynic's dreamer who's going to
 seed In garden of wisdom entangled with
 weed;
 And motif sardonic
 Is sign of the chronic. Senesceice is near and he'd better take
 heed.
 -Silverthreadsetc With MT. Ford in the gasoline busi- ness, some day we may have a self filling flivver.- Last line volunteered by the sport desk:
 "Yes, we have no football tickets" e
 According to the advice of some city farmers intelligent farming con- sists largely of staying out of the ag- ricultural business. There are probably more varieties of the hog than of any other animal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTERESTS

A recent editorial comment in tn, Anniston Star carries not only a dea of common sense, but an element o. public spirit and patriotism which il closely associated with the desire fol progress and development in Ala bama. Says the Star:
 The Gadsden Evening Journal agrees with the point made by the Anniston Star that one of the principal causes of the failure of the Brandon legislature properly to represent the people of the state lies in the dominance within the two houses of railroad attor- neys and representative of other public service corporations that have a special interest to serve. It is a matter of grave doubt to this paper whether railroad at torney has any business in the legislature at all, for it is still true that no man can serve two masters at the same time and do equal justice to both. Railroads and other corporations should have the privilege of sending their attorneys before legislative com mittees, and every corporation should be given as careful and considerate hearing as would be accorded an average citizen. But a servant of a selfish interest should be marked as such and never confused with servant of the people. They are as far apart in their mode of thought as the 3. sun is from the earth.
 All of which is sound in principle and wise in practice. Members of tho leQisl tI1Ga ara chosan +a ,.ar,roSo,at l,.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

The impression seems to be gaining force that MT. Ford has demonstrated that he is go-getter, and that he has never done anything to prove that he is a quitter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
No Double Pay

NNhoiAt s oihciy | iIHeSJ
 IT 1t was wrong and unconsti- tutional for public officials to draw two salaries, and the Iegis- lature has shown that in It's judg. ment it was, then the last one of them should be made to cover it all back into the treasury. We say made to do 1t, for we all know not one of them will do 1t volun- tarily. There can be no greater moral crime than for an official of the state to violate and disre- gard the mandates of the consti- tuition, for the last one of them take oath to support and esASusss 1t before they take office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Cheerfu.>,ess nm Asset

(AshIand ProgreSs)
 No town really gets what is coming to it unless it's people cul tivate cheerfulness and cordialiry in dealing with visitors who como into it's midst. The cheerful smila and cheerful greeting go a long way toward giving people good impression of a place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
SMILES
An oblfeins Bell Fuller

A man who had been drinking too many saw a sign, Please ring the bell for the caretaker."
 He walked up and gave ths bell such a pull that 1t nearly camc out by the roots.
 In few moments an angry man appeared at the door. "Aro you the caretaker?" asked tho bell butler.
 Yes. What do you want?"
 T saw the notice. so rang tho bell. and now I want to know why you can't ring 1t yourself"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Where It Is Made GlaE EaNattn CunA

Spend your money where your money is made. Patronize home industries and home industries will i've. If every person shopped ovs of town it would mean bupinsS stagnation. It isn't up to the other fellow to keep the home trade going, it's every mans duty. In the end it helps each citizen. for a growing and prosperous community increases the value of personal property. Trade at home. Eat Lafayette bread. Sleep on a Lafayette bought bed, buy La Fayette clothes and. watch La- Fyette grow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
IGNORANCE OF HISTORY
 (Kansas City Starl

Certainly the old days are gone forever. We are in new age. and the world has been taken over by a new generation. Yesterday the sport editor had an inquiry from some one wanting to know who knocked out John L. Sullivan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

There is widespread impression that Attorney General Daugherty is better equipped in taste and experi- ence to make careful analyses of prac- tical politics than to draw fine-spun distinctions in interpretations of the law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Whatever differences of opinion there may be in America as to former Premier Lloyd Georges purposes and policies, there can be no doubt of the magnitude of the send-offs he re- ceives wherever he appears in this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

That there are blue laws which, if rigidly enforced, would make life in modern large city we'll nigh intolerable is admitted no less freely by those who violate such laws than by officials who feel it to be their duty to do the enforcing. .6>
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

For man who is facing as many political storm-clouds as is President Coolidge, he seems to have genius for keeping his feelings and views un- der cover.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
The Dominant Idea

IBTOCtOn T4IIItI VTIStJ
 Inconsistency appears to be the dominant idea in modern legisla- tion. The port commission aas 10 work for nothing, while the state highway commission is paid about twice as much as it ought to be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
A GOOD PROSPECT
(Chattanooga Timesl

The successful use of heIium. a non-inflammable gas, in balloons instead of hydrogen. would seem to indicate that if this gas can be produced commercially at low cost long distance flying Is going to be made practical.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

If New Workers didn't have mys- terious murder scandal every now and then to talk about, they would sus- pect that Gotham is drifting into the hick-town classification. M
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
A Spirited Race

est. Louis GlObe- DemOcraO
 Speaking of competitive balloon ing. Poland's paper currency is being printed at a rate enabling 1t to catch up before long with the Russian and German paper cur
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Dnnuers Ahead

< A Chicago physician predicts that eventually man will dine on electric vibrations. In that day overindulgence in food will doubt less lead to a shocking state of affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Growth of Baptists

During the hundred years the membership in the Baptist church in this state, including both white and colored, has grown from 5000 to 6oo,Oo0. creating a force for good in the religious, social and business life of the state that is one of it's most important fac- tors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
A Horse on Us

Dear Torch Bearer: Not content with sending over her male politicians and lady statesmen to make plain to us her superiority in matters polite and affairs diplomatic, fair Brita1. mia has now sent her best bred and most aristocratic horse in an effort to establish an equine superiority. What do you think of it?-Phairisee II.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
The second Thought

ID. w. f1UWt MUHlIIIyJ
 In our private affairs we some times acknowledge the importance of the sober second thought, but in public affairs the second thought is usually more extrava- gant than the first
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Tn MOvfeland

Clos Angeles Times)
 Ego is the handspring of the tor. and in no place Is this moro in evidence than in the divorce court. Just the other day a case came up in which . pretty young thing asked for separation and s5,000 a year alimony.
 How much does your husband earn a year?" the court wanted to know.
 Why, he earns $5.ooo a year." said the sweet young thing. but l know he could earn more if he had to and I'm willing he should keep all that"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

It is apparent that the Republican campaign committee, in sending field agents into the wheat belt, expect to SOW seed that will sprout votes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Talk of Co-Opera ton (Florence Herldl

There has been a great deal of talk within the past few months regarding cooperation between the Tri-Cities of Florence, Shelf field and Tuscumbia. Some of 1t has been sincere, some of it has been practicable and much of it has been plain bunk" There is no occasion for strife. excepting the natural competition for trade and for the location of industries. We should cultivate a neighborlx- spirit and should not belittle the efforts of one another.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Not the Night Kind
(Ozark Southern Starr

IUzarK DOUlHeTH SldIJ
 Alabama is getting some of the kind of advertising that makes a state infamous. What the people don't know may net do them any harm, but what they do know often corrects abuse of power.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Mny Be Q Reason

Memphis Commercial AppeaD
 H. G. Wells of London says America. from an educational standpoint. is a cheap skate. Prob ably the Outline of History" isn't selling so well over here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Another's Factor

A medical sharp says happiness depends on the activity, of the thy roid glands. The activity of the sweat glands helps some. how ever. .etf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Oklahoma seems to be getting al. most as accustomed to zero hours as some of the European countries are to crises.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

If the propaganda coming out of Europe is to be credited, the situation over there changes almost as often as subjects in the dictionary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Overlooked Him (Tampa Tribune)

Banana growers in convention are reported not to have voted bonus to the bird who wrote the song.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Lines to a Zep

Twinkle, twinkle, ZR-1, In the golden evening sun, Swimming in the clouds so high, Like a goldfish in the sky.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

It. was hardly necessary for press dispatches to announce that there would be little general discussion at the prohibition law enforcement con- ference to be held at the White House,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
A Four-County Fair

(Talladega Daily Home)
 Recently the Sylacauga Advance suggested extending the Talla- dega county fair into a four-coun- ty fair. thus including the coun- ties of Clay, Coosa and Shelby. It might be a good scheme. If it wasn't wise to let. we'll enough alone. But whether they join in it or not, let them come in and take an active part with the fair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
O. soIornon!

(Richmond Tlmes-D -Dispatch)
 The judge adjusted his spec tacles.
 "In this charge against Mrs. Bunnuphy, of sticking a hatpin in Mrs. Busybeigh's eye, the, case is dismissed"
 Mrs. Busybeigh snorted and turned red with rage.
 But" continued the court, flor the future protection of Mrs. Busybeigh, the court orders that Mrs. Bunnuphy plug up her key hole"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
Not Fooled

Hubby-Well. dear. IAsuppose you were right about there be- ing burglars in the house last night.
 Wifey-Why?
 Hubby-Because the money I had in my pocket is gone.
 Wifey-Well. why didn't you get up and shoot the burglar?
 Hubby-If had. I'd have been a widower this amorning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
The Corro.ion Explained
Harm Life)

Visitor--How did that typewrit- ing machine get so rusty?
 City Editor-That's the one our lady reporters write their sob stuff on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
TkazssSg|efORCH @ BE ARER

Some young women detract from their beauty by putting too many ruff fles on their dispositions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

because there will be little inspiration to talk, and President Coolidge will preside over the conference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Footnote E Why doesn't John Yaw Put his foot down On the dumbbell
 Who puts his foot down gss On the gas? -Argo Nut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Laziness is very often mistaken fol dignity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

"Nimrod Trains Hog to Hunt Birds"
 One of those game hogs we read about.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10

Most graft is first cousin to theft if not of still closer kinship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-10
THE AGE-HERALD
lICK u THOMPsON. .President

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, post office as second class matter under act of Congress, March 6, 1879.