davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
BESSEMER'S ANNIVERSARY

There was reason for Bessemer to
celebrate the thirty-siXth anniversary
Of its foundation. The other name Of
that city is pluck. 1t has been courage
from the beginning when Henry F.
DeBardeleben declared he would build
a city and place five blast furnaces
there, and did build the furnaces and
start the city. Bessemer began its
young life in battling trim and has
not stood aside for any obstacle since.
The first large cast-iron pipe shop in
the South was built there and made
the pipe that went into the water sys-
TENS of Mexico City, Honolulu and Co.
penhagen. Bessemer rolling products
go regularly to the peoples far away,
a continuous business being done with
the Orient. Her steel fabricating in
dustry is growing rapidly. In the
midst of the richest coal and ore fields
of the district, near the Warrior, Bes-
semer is ideally situated for industrial
development. Close to Birmingham,
Bessemer reflects the prosperity Of
this city as Birmingham does that of
Bessemer, while hard-paved roads are
gradually annihilating the distance be-
tween. Bessemer has special reason
to be proud of a homogeneity of citi-
zenship and purpose that has done
much to make the achievement posi-
hle
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
MEN
THE MOTHER OF BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN

The youngest OF fifteen children,
several of whom were adults be-
fore he was born, Benjamin
Franklin. one OF Americas great
est and certainly one of her most
picturesque men, was his mothers
favorite child. Always he re
NAMED to her her baby, and she
showered upon him the little ad-
ditional caresses and indulgences
that she had been too busy to
give her older children.
1t was his mother who was al
ways Benjamin's staunch support
err and defender. His father, a
stern, unyielding man, like most
fathers Of the period, felt that his
children must conform to the
mould he set for them. And when
Benjamin didn't appear to do this,
Franklin, senior, was all for
furnishing him. But the fond
mother would invent excuses and
save him from the wrath of his
father.
Mrs. Franklin, like her hus-
band, felt that the boy would
need a strong influence on him
when he grew older. He exhib-
lite designs of being queer and
rather self-wilIed although in a
quiet way. She was very anxious
for him to become a preacher.
while his father held out for the
saltier atmosphere of the sea
When Benjamin indicated that he
would have none of either. Mrs.
Franklin was disappointed, but,
like the loving mother she was,
made no very great effort to en-
force her will.
She felt, it Is recorded by one
biographer, that the boy should
have a chance to fulfill his own
inclinations. Having spent most
of her life rearing children, she
had not much opportunity to full
fill her own inclinations, and as a
consequence was all the more
keenly appreciative of her son S
desires.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

uncertain whether he can knock as
many home-runs this year as he did
in 1921. 1t is said that ne is having
trouble with his eyes, and everybody
knows that the eye has even more than
the shoulders to do win hitting them
out of the lot However that may be,
Ruth has won back already certain
amount of prestige, because he has
shown that he can be game in an eX-
tremity, even if it is his own extrem-
ity. There are hundreds of thousands
who earnestly hope that he will, as a
reward for perseverance, break his
record of 1921.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
ONE TRICK A DAY

The object of this trick is to get
a piece of Topped string out of the
buttonhole Of your coat without
letting go Of the string or cut
ting 1t.
Take about yard OF string, tie
the ends so as to make a loop and
run 1t through one OF your button
holes. Hook the two loops over
your thumbs and pull the ends
taut. Now with the little finger
of the left hand. hook the strand
which lies on the top of the right
thumb. Now hook. with the right
little finger. the strand which lies
over the left thumb.
Let go. at the same time with
one little finger and the thumb of
the other hand. Pull sharply, and
the string will fall. apparently
without having passed through
the buttonhole at all.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
THE DENTIST is A FRIEND

It has been emphasized by speakers
before the dentists here in conference
that the proper time to begin the care
of teeth is in the child. This does
not refer alone to hygiene, to daily
brushings and the like, but also to
trips to the dentist at regular inter
walls. Diseased, broken or missing
teeth are not simply a matter of i'm
pediment to chewing ones food, but
they have been found to exercise pro-
foundly Oppressive influence upon
physical development and mental alert
ness. Unclean or decayed teeth har-
Dor the germs of disease to the whole
system as we'll as to the teeth alone.
1t is also a trlism to say that IN
childhood is the time to save the teeth.
Many grown person has found that
out too late, to his everlasting sorrow.
The dentist is greater friend to man.
kind than those who shudderingly re
number painful moments in the chair
generally realize. Yet one who an
alyzes his sensations in that chair will
perceive that the dread of pain is really
more to the forefront than tie actual
experience of pain. Besides, what are
few minutes of pain compared to
the years of comfort which those few
minutes bequeath as they take their
flight? The more frequent the pre-
cautionary visits to the dentist the less
the pain, because defects are noted
and cared for in their initial stages
before their correction involves much
pain. Shakespeare once said:
For there never was yet philoso-
pher
That could endure the toothache
patiently.
That was true because in those days
even the philosopher had no certain
means of relief to look forward to.
He must needs endure the pain as
long as it pleased the tooth to ache,
and as often. Nowadays, there is US
ually no need for the tooth ever to
reach the aching stage, because pc
riodic examination would detect the
trouble beforehand. Therefore, our
present-day philosopher can endure the
dental pain with consummate patience,
for he knows that in Few moments 1t
will all be over and his bodily comfort
will return.
The best herit-ge a parent can be-
queath child is good health. Teeth
play stellar role In health. Sound
teeth are almost in themselves a sign
of good health, for bad teeth are often
both cause Of ill-health and result
Of it. Let parents make daily care of
the teeth and regular examination of
the teeth of their children one Of their
primary concerns for the child's well
fare, physical, mental and moral. The
fact that the dentists are comforting In
our city is of good omen, for it serves
to direct public attention to the in
creasingly important part that dem
tistry, preventive as we'll as curative,
PLAYS in our lives
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
POOR BOYS WHO
BECAME FAMOUS
BY FREDERICK HoUK LAW
Bret Harte

A miner in a red short. sun
burned, unkempt, horny handed;
hard at work with pick and
shovel In a place where danger
threatened every moment; far
from the borders of civilization;
one Of many who were in Califor-
MIA shortly after the first great
rush after the discovery of gold :;
the author of nearly fifty books
a man who was honored every
where the English language is
spoken; the creator of a new type
of literature-that was Bret
Harte as he appeared about 1900.
Curiously enough, the man who
wrote SO vividly of the wild,
rough life In the early California
mining districts, was born in AL
bany, New York. the son of COL
lege professor. The man who
wrote so powerfully in the dialect
and slang of the west that he
seemed to be essentially a part
of the mountains and the great
free spaces. chose to spend most
of his days In the delights of So
cial life in city in England
When he was a boy his father.
Bret Harte set off for the west.
The pioneers were just beginning
to make history in California,
and the boy, who was about six
teen, hoped, like all the rest, to
find a mine of pure gold. He did
find his gold mine, but not in the
way he expected. He could not
locate a paying claim; he tried
teaching for a time, and gave
that up; then he drifted into a
printing office, and at eighteen
was setting type and cleaning
rollers for THE Golden Era" Of
San Francisco. then only a rough
mining town. Setting type led
him to compose articles of his
own, so original and so interest
ing that people said: "Who is it
that writes these things?" He
was called to better paper, and
then to a magazine
THE Luck of Roaring Camp"
one OF the worlds best short sto-
RES MADE such instant success
hat Harte left California. went
east, and gave himself entirely ~
writing for the rest of his life
producing the brilliant stories
poems and articles that now an
pear In nearly fifty volumes. He
was honored by being made a
united States consul, and was
heraided everywhere as one of the
greatest writer's. From the time
When he was forty-six until he
dled at. sixty-three, he Il lived in
London. His really greatest days
We're those when as a poor miner
ne saw the humor and the pathos
IN Ire about him, and gained the
strong Impressions that enabled
MIN later to write great stories.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
"PLAIN PEOPLE"
By REV. H. c. OFFERMAN

Let us look into everything.
Life is not always what we hope
from It,
Only the best of men, that lead
the best Of lives. have a right to
expect the best rewards.
Has aloofness any reason in the
world today
Be generous; be kind; give peo-
pie the benefit of the doubt.
Always think the best OF all
mankind; love men and be good /;
unselfish and self-sacrificing.
In the last analysis. believe in
yourself.
If you keep on working. little
DIT of happiness, and perhaps of a
surprising nature, at that, Is in
store for you.
"All's well that ends WELL"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
ats n Shame -
(Wiregrass Farmer)

" ITeBTdSS dTHIerJ
To candidly express our opinion
of the sanitary condition of our
town. we are forced to say that 1t
is a shame, bordering very close
to disgrace. that our town Is al
lowed to remain as it is. Every
where you look around the square
your vision is greeted by the piles
Of junk; scrap iron, tin, oyster
shells. trash, rubbish, etc. This
should not be and must not be if
Headland is to progress with the
communities around her.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

The governors of Minnesota ana
Iowa have signed anti-mask bills.
There, those who participate in moves
behind the law may have to save their
faces some other way.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

A little work, few seed and
plants set in the right places and
a little cultivation will transform
the ugliest back yard into an at
tractive and profitable vegetable
garden or the most unsightly va
cant lot into a beautiful flower
bed. Extravaganza with soap and
water now will make a more
healthful home to live in during
the coming months, and a little
work in the front yard and garden
will provide needed exercise and
handsome returns later in the sea.
son.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
Should Stay Clean

(UpeIIkd NeWSJ
A cleaning up is necessary. Dirt
and trash to accumulate and add
to danger from fire, disease and
death. That every person, man.
woman and child, who can aid in
carrying out the plans of the la
dies at the head of this campaign
should exert every possible effort
to make 1t a complete. success
should not need the SAYING. 1t is
citizens job and should be we'll
done. Let's clean up. paint up, and
it might be advisable. after the
furry" ~ over to try and stay
clean
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

(WilcoX ProgressiVe Era)
If we at Camden would carry
out the recommendation of the
state board of health and cooper
ate with the state board of health
in 1923 in putting on war for
mosquitoes, the mosquito pest
would be abolished and the chance
OF a dengue fever epidemic done
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
10R}S?HipbEApeR

After all, it is quite evident that
grade-crossings are more expensive
than viaducts.
Viaducts cost only money. Grade
crossings cost also human life.
Which is the more valuable, Mr..
City Commission Of Birmingham?
A slogan often seen on railroad
properties and equipment is: Safety
First! Does this apply everywhere ex-
cept at grade-crossings?
Tho Fatal Magazine
He was sitting in the office of dem
fist
And he carelessly picked up a mag
azine,
One bewildered shrek he uttered, and
his heart no longer fluttered,
And his startled soul departed from
the scene.
1t was net the fear of pain that had as
sailed him,
Nor the anguish of the padded dem
tai chair;
1t was not the fear of drilling nor OF
grinding nor of filling
That had cut him down-and he so
young and fair!
Twas the magazine that caused his
heart to rupture,
And the sudden shock that it ap-
pended.
After due investigation and research
and contemplation
They discovered that the magazine
was new.
And the dentists, when they learned
the sad occurrence,
Took an oath that it would happen
never more.
You will note while you are waiting
for your molar excavating
That the magazines are vintages of
yore.
Still on the subject of teeth-our
pacifists are not satisfied with pull
ing the army's teeth. AS an additional
precaution, they propose to muzzle
the officers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

The cleanup, paint-up' appeal
is not addressed solely to the civic
spirit of Mobilians. but to the self
Interest as well. Paint is not
simply beautifier; it is a pre-
sentative. Wood, well protected
with paint, endures for centuries.
whereas implanted and exposed
wood deteriorates rapidly. True
economy demands that structures
should be painted, and reprinted.
AS for looks, there is no question
that paint is desirable-and looks
also advance the owners interest.
The careless and negleetful owner
Furnishes himself as we'll as his
community.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
TIP TO FISHERMEN

(ShreVepOrt TimeS)
Spring fishermen. here's a tip:
Fish have q we'll developed sense
of smell, says writer in Aquatic
Life. Maybe they're smelling
when they nose the bait.
Settlers in Central Ontario.
Canada. say they have to stand
behind a stump to bait their hook $
when they sprinkled few drops
of oil of rhodium on a can of
worms. Olibway Indians. by the
way. claim the best trout bait is
live field mouse, hooked under
freely.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

Once upon time the Republicans
won out with "full dinner paiP' slo-
gan. How things change! The DEM
ocrats now have slogan which prom
Uses to get votes; it's the "empty SUI
gar bowl"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
Cause for Pride

Vou1HI6I OUUTVy JOuf IIdII
We hope the entire town will
be aroused to more civic pride.
plant shrubbery, flowers, lawn
grasses, pave in front of your
pre- perty. and put on more of an
up to date look. We have one of
the best towns In west Alabama
and if you citizens will pave in
front of your homes and plant
grasses. flowers and shrubbery,
do some painting. you will be
proud of yourselves.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
All Should Help

I
With the warm weather comes
the mosquito pest. The same can
be ctmbatted successfully if every
family should go over their prem
Uses and see that no empty cans,
buckets. tubs or other receptacles
are left where they can catch wa
ter and hold it as breeding
plaoe
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

If the Germans are backing that
rum fleet Off our Atlantic coast,
as reported. there is no excuse for
not paying their PREPARATION bills.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
SMILES

ATLANTA Constitution

(AtIanta Constftutfon)
A southerner was telling an
Englishman that famous old story
about George taking a hack at
the cherry tree.
You see that, old colored man
he asked.
Yes" replied the Englishman.
George took hack at the cher
ry tree and that old fellow drove
the hack" said the southerner
And the Englishman went
around all day telling about the
old chappie who drove the hanson
cab.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

Hundreds of veterans who followed
General Robert E. Lee in the trying
days of '61 to '65, in their reunion at
New Orleans might pertinently recall
to their sons and grandsons that great
mans remark: "The sublimest word
in our language is Duty"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
Cleanliness and Health

The first essential in the growth
of any community is healthful liv.
ing conditions. Andalusia is par
ticularly fortunate in the excel
lent sanitary condition that OBJ
tains here. But healthful condi-
tions must be had at a given price
and that price is like the price of
liberty. it is eternal vigilance. 1t
is not sufficient that a few make
efforts to place their premises in
thoroughly sanitary condition, but
all must join in. This is one rule
to which there must be no excep-
lions. In the campaign that is to
be ushered in next week let the
watchword be "spotless Andalu.
STA" Let every enc cooperate to
that end.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
PRESS ON CLEAN UP.


VAIdDd1fTd CUUII TT
That is one of the finest move
ments that could be started and
will mean much to the town and
community if carried to a success
full finish. Let the word spread of
cleaning the town and not let up
until it is clean and sanitary from
one side to the other.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

Still, reformers who are fighting
the practice of laying it on thick have
not yet claimed that the generous use
of rouge is a skin-game.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Good Wishes to Them

IDelTOIt FTee PreSSJ
A member of the Angora parlia-
ment says the Turks are going to
abe lish polygamy. Here's luck to
them. and hoping they do not find
it necessary to substitute the
American divorce habit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

Another citizen of Ala bama has lived
considerably over century. Only in
states with good climatic and health
conditions can these ore-than-a-hun-
bred records be made.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
Frcshening Up

The politicians are worried about
what to do with Coolidge. We
haven't heard from him for so
long We thought they already had
done something with him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

It is rumored that George Harvey
will manage the Republican presiden-
tial campaign. That is eminently &C.
ceptable to the Democrats.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

(Pittsburg Gazette -Times)
1t is stated that New York tax
payers are to learn what is done
with their money. Not if those
who spend it can prevent the ex-
posture, me imagine.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

(HOuStOn POSt)
The average man tries to keep
his limitations a secret, but US
ually manages to expose them
about seventy-four times a day.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

(GreenVil1e Piedmont)
1t seems certain the Prince of
Wales Will net be the man on
horseback" He can't stay on.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

IChlcaBO Daily NeWS1
While the rage for things Egyp-
tan is on, lot of persons might
cultivate profitably the talkative-
ness of the Sphinx.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

ton will have to admit that a good
woman's life is far more effective as
a sermon than many discourses de-
livered from the pulpit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

Still, the New York Methodist con-
ference which decided by a small ma
jority that women could not be or
dained as ministers in that denomina-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
The Bleeding Heart


The rich man sat at his desk one day
And the world outside was bright and
gay,
But his thoughts were wandering far
away,
And the joy in his heart was cold and
gray.
He was power In bank and mart
Where he played a bold and skillful
part,
And his gilded palace reeked with art,
But secret sorrow gnawed his heart.
And the sun was bright on the window
sill
But the pain in his heart was gnawing
still.
ooh, why" he cried, and his voice was
chill,
"Oh, why do I slice when drive that
p;ll?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

I (KanSas CITY starr
| These young people who are
making the endurance records in
dancing-why do they ever stop?
Nobody wants them to.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
He Wanted Credentials

An Oklahoma editor tells of an
old Indian who came to his office
to pay for his paper. The editor
took the money; then the Indian
wanted a receipt. The editor tried
to talk him out of 1t. Mr.. Indian
Insisted. After making it out. the
editor wanted to know why he
was so persistent about wanting
receipt The Indian said: ME
die some time. Go to big gate and
st. Peter ask If 1 been good In
dian. say yes. He say, did
you pay editor for paper say
yes. He say, Where Is receipt
no have it. l have to run all
over hell to find you and get re-
ceipt,"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13
A Veteran

A Veteran
Say-it makes me laugh-this here
lady that talked for ten days-I have
been married for twenty years-Jay-
bee.
Any person caught drinking alco-
holic beverages in Constantinople is
sentenced to thirty strokes of the bas-
tinado.
Hot dogs!
AS far as one-man cars are con-
cerned, the commission evidently be-
lieves in secret negotiations secretly
arrived at.
We think there are several items
more important than regulation of one
man cars. For example, there is the
failure of the company to pave be-
tween its tracks, as its contract pro-
vides.
For the utility to reply that. it has
no funds for tn s or that public pur-
pose is to confess its inability to dis
charge its contract obligations.
The next step is municipal owner
ship, the desirability of which is de-
batable question, but which is the in
evitable final recourse.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

(NCrth Carolina Boil WeeviD
The audience was very unkind
at the speakers temperance lee
ture and kept interrupting. At
last he hired an ex-prize fighter
to keep order. That night he con-
trasted the content of home life
with the squalor of drunkenness.
What is 1t we want when we
return home from our daily toll"
he asked. What do we want to
ease our burden. to gladden. our
hearts, to bring smiles to cur
faces and joyous songs to our
lips"
He paused for effect, and in ST.
lence the voice of the keeper of
the peace could be heard:
Mind" he said. 1.-The first guy
that says beer. out he goes with a
bang"
Served Good Purpose
(Houston Ptst)
Visitor-Was your husbands
book a success
Authors Wife-Oh, my yes! 1t
makes the finest article in the
world to put against the door to
revent 1t from slamming.
Something Else To Do
(Judge)
Shlvering Apartment Tenant
Don't you know that room Is not
healthful unless the thermometer
registers 10 degrees
Janitor-An' l suppose you think
amt got anything else to do but
go around and shake thermome-
ters up
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-13

:, toy NtsSeuBer1
rant that rusty house, trim IN
the hedges, repair the yard fence;
spring is now at hand,