davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

row path led 10 this porch. bcrdered on
either side with roses-and such roses
as have never seen before or since.
There were simply masses OF them. all
glowing crimson blossoms, such as had
seen on Fede Donato's grave. They had
climbed. too. TO the very top OF the
house. until each window boasted a fra
grant frame-had covered the porch and
hung in wonderful festoons from every
corner OF the wide spreading caves. l
expressed something of my surprise and
delight 20 my friend-he merely nodded
and remarked: Il am glad you have seen
them; they are the pride OF this village.
and they. too, have TO do with my story.
you must know that some twenty years
| ago there came a man TO this village
whose handsome face and ready tongue
won him many friends. Italians worship
beauty, and he possessed II in an excep-
tional degree. Add to this that he gave
out that he was the lineal but impoyer-
erished descendant OF the Llsconti. a
family whose name has been held In
veneration by these villagers for cen
turtles. owing to the fact that the viii
lage patron saint was one OF that name
and you Will understand his popularity
His home. according TO the village
records. used TO be that picturesque.
crumbling old ruin you can see from
your window. Whether he really belong
ed to this distinguished family or not !
cannot say have no proofs TO help ne
20 decision either way The villagers.
however. believed his story implicitly.
and he became the idol OF the hour I
dare say coming down the street you
may have noticed a square. business
like-loOking building standing little
apart. That. my friend Is no less a
place than a semi-political. seml-sOcIal-
istic club. reading room. and general
meeting place for people who have any
thing to say and require four walls to
say Il In; and II has been the custom for
some thirty years past for the men OF
the village. young and old, to hold gath
eTings there at least twice a week. They
exchange views. make speeches, and set
the world 10 rights generally. Some
times their speeches are Of a highly TN
orthodox kind. but the powers that bo
wisely Wink at them. knowing perfect
ly well that much talk Is great safety
valve to an excitable young brain. So
the club goes on. the speeches go on.
and the men who make them think no end
OF themselves. and greatly magnify their
importance In the world without doing
damage TO anybody.
But twenty years ago things for a
time looked serious. Day by day the
members Of this club seemed TO become
more violent in their invectives against
church and state-aEainst every kind
Of authority. any power given by wealth;
and presently they ceased TO talk OF
these things In the abstract, they be-
came connected In their minds with in
dividuals. and they proceeded to empty
the Walls of their wrath on them.
ITO trace this development TO its be-
ginning was easy enough. Glacomo Lis
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

cent?. Gay by day, hour by hour, lost
no opportunity OF instilIing into their
minds the poison running riot in his
crudest sense of the woodland little by
little every man came under his sway
and enlisted in his seryice. under the
banner. $50 he said) OF liberty. equal
ity, fraternity The high sounding
phrase which the Communists In the
French Revolution had turned into a
by-word and mockery in the ears OF
other nations held for these peasants
a pleasing ring-they had then, painted
In large golden letters on the wall of
their club, in curious contrast 20 a
large crucifx which had hung there
since anybody could remembvr-until
GiacOmO LiscOnu removed II and sent
IL TO the parish priest with
an insulting and blasphemous message
such as he alone would have thought
% indlting. Perhaps the villagers al
lowing him to do this thing was the
strongest proof to any person we'll ac-
quainted with them Of the absolute
sway he held over them: for the priest
(the same you saw sitting yonder in
the porch) had been loved and revered
by every man, woman. and child in
this place ever since he first came to
take up his abode here. and indeed II
was hardly surprising. He is a man for
whom l have the deepest affection
straight, simple and earnest, with the
faith OF a child and the learning OF a
philosopher. austere In his manner OF
life. yet year by year that same aus
terity seems only to add to the sweet
ness OF his nature, and his lenient
view OF others and their less lofty
ideals"
/ looked at Leslie. greatly surprised /;
my friend was showing me a side OF
his character | had never even guessed
at. He noticed the glance and laughed.
Ia a shy. almost boyish way. as he said
quickly: But that is beside the point.
I was talking Of the influence OF Gia-
como Lisconti. wasn't /? II had spread
in the most extraordinary way. Hardly
a man. woman or child in the village
but had succumbed TO his wonderful
powers of persuasion on political and
religious subjects.
Little by little, one by one. the VII
layers gave up the practice which had
been theirs since time immemoriaI-that
Of hearing mass before beginning the
days work. You no longer saw folded
hands and bowed heads when the clear
toned church bells rang the 'Angelus.
The flowers on the wayside shrines. the
garlands at the foot OF the great stone
crucihx in the market place, withered
slowly and were not replaced The lamps
set here and there by devout souls be-
fore some patron saint, some weather
beaten statue OF the Madonna. In inches
al the street corners. we're no longer
trimmed; for which reason the village
looked strangely gloomy al night to any
body who had been accustomed to see
these lamps glowing cheerfully in the
darkness, and serving the double pur-
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

chimes from TIE gray old village tower.
enc by one the men doffed their caps.
and a grave, sweet voice. the voice OF
their priest. slowly repeated the An
gelus.
For a moment LiscOnu seemed toe
astonished TO move OF to speak, then
fury took possession of him 'COwardly
dogs, he yelled. after all it only needs
one shot 10 rid the earth Of such vermin,
and he took deliberate aim at the priest
and fired. Quick as thcught someone
he'd thrown herself in the way. and he
was seized and held by strong mems
arms. TIE priest was safe. but Fede
lay IN his sunny garden mortally wound
ed, amCng the crimson blossoms she
loved so well. Twas the blessed roses.
We're the last words she uttered: I knew
he was the devil. and they-were pos
sessedt'
Such is her story. and that is the
The Washington times., 1903-06-21
THE ABSENT-MINDED HUSBAND.

in fatherly way. You must reueu-
ber." he said. that I am very busy
man. Alice. Haven't you everything YOU
want2"
THAT isn't it she replied. 1T isn't
the money. but I miss the flowers and
things that you used 10 send-not 30
much for themselves. but because they
showed that you were thinking o. Ee.'
Her husband looked al her te1derIy.
4 am sorry" he said. that it is i'm
possible for me TO find time TO Jay you
the little attentions that you miss, but
later on. perhaps. I may be less busy.
Now" he went on. here is a check
for $50. and I want YOU to spend it for
violets. matinee tickets. and all kinds
OF things OF that sort" and he patted
her check as he handed the checK &c
her. she smiled up NJ him. and, be-
cause she had very happy DISPOSE
tion. for the time being she almost for
got her little woes in planning 10 spend
the $50.
After breakfast she tele1honed TO
Laura Graham 10 meet her and 20 10
the bank 20 have the check cashei
then for a day Of frivolity.
What q generous old deac your hus-
band is" said Laura. and so devoted.
Everyone saws that your life together
is a perfect idyl" This was pleasant
10 hear and Young Mrs. Peniborton
thought to herself that she had baca
foolish 10 have felt even moments
disCOnte~t.
4 always forget which window u 90
TO-" she said TO Laura as they ehycref
the bank Il think though. that lc 10
this one. VIII you please cash this f0S
me-" she said TO the paying teller.
The nan locked AT the check and then
hesItated- Il am sorry he said, "but
/ cannot.
"Oh. is this the wrong window" Mrs
Pemberton asked.
No" he replied. coloring. but YOUR
husband made a mistake in writing the
check"
She glanced az IL. and her lips closed so
firmly that they lost forever their girl
ish curves.
The check was made out in Mr.. Penn
bertons first wifes name.
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

pose of devotion and light 10 guide tht
passerby. But there was one single SOU
In the village who from the very first
had held her peace when the villagers
loud IN Lisconti's praise. spoke OF his
beauty, his lineage. his elOquence, his
doctrines. this was Fede Donate. she
whose grave you have Just seen. girl
whose exquisite beauty was the boas,
and pride OF the village. who could have
had lover for every day had she so
chosen, but who had refused offers OF
marriage which were the envy OF other
girls. who marveIed greatly until some
one whispered that one of these days
there would be a new novice I'm the
Franciscan convent in the Campagna
yonder; then. and then only. the en-
vious murmurings ceased. for they knew
that Fede was no longer a rival. She
listened to the villagers and said no
word. but one day when she was carry
ing a great basket OF fruit up to the
presbytery she met the priest. and re-
lieved her mind on the subject. Sig
nor Padre she said. surely this man
Lisconti is the devil in human gulse
dost see how empty the church is now,
even on holy days? The flowers all dead
before the shrlnes, the votlve lamps ex-
tinguished. the crucifxes taken down
and hidden away. songs and books in
every home which are a disgrace, tho
"Angelus" sounding in vain. the very
rosaries rusting,'
The priest listened to her and shook
his head sadly. IT'S only too true he
said. have been wondering he added
as II thinking aloud. whether 1 can be
in any way to blame?'
Then he reused himself. You must
not take home an empty basket. ne said
kindly. Annette has some cakes for
you. and stay. you love flowers. know.
so hll up your basket with roses
"Fede curtsied low, thanked him. and
went on. wondering in her simple soul
how anyone could prefer that loud
braggart. Giecomo. to the gentle-voiced
priest whose face had a beauty which IL
only possessed by those who have made
the peace which passeth all human un-
derstanding' their own. and whom Fede
he Id in much the same reverence as she
Presently she was busy gathering
roses, making a lovely picture. with
her sunny hair and sweet face, among
tne crimson splendOr all around her AS
she gathered she was thinking. thinking
over a conversation she had heard at
home between two of her cousins. They
had spoken OF many things she had only
partially understood. but then they had
mentioned the names of people In the
neighborhood with threats and oaths. the
Duca di Spolento. certain rich mar
cfese. and lastly the priest Remember
inF their words. the yelled aIluslons. the
conrse Jests. little by little she began
10 realize that some crime was medi-
tated. instigated. Of course, by Lisconti,
and she recollected that this very day
hae been fixed for carrying out their
design. The priest passed her again,
hOmeward bound. as she went down the
The Washington times., 1903-06-21
| EII/ADfIH ] BuUL Is

the stacks. 1t was while he was stand
ing here, determining what to do. that
he first smelled a smell of burning
He snuffed the air. There was no
business to be such a smell now
something clearly was wrong. Then
suddenly he saw what, for from build
ing away on the right a puff OF smoke
was blown across to him.
Fire! There was a fire here. In
moment Tobiah would have raised a
cry fit TO wake the dead, but at that
very instant a man carrying a light
came suddenly upon him.
1t is hard to say which was the more
astonished-the man who. all unsus-
piciCus OF an observer, came down the
alleyway between the two stacks, or
Tobiah. who by then was more pre-
pared to call for help than to look for
the cause of mischief. But the Dis
senter was not one TO stand idle at
such a time: he clapped hands on the
man almost as soon as he saw him
He had him fast. and dragged him
humping between the stacks. admonish-
ing him and bawling Justify for help by
turns.
Hey, then" said he, stopping to
get better grip of his captive. have
caught you ed-handedl Wen see
to this. master, we'll see-Fire, fire,
fire! Wake. fools, Wake, sluggards
and knavesi Wakei wake, Fire!-Ha!
My thief. would you kick the man of
.n6 10 hou
and not little ones, and holding the
man by the shoulders he propelled him
before him with his foot suitably ap-
piled
Tobiah's roaring was not without re-
suit Soon windows were thrown open
and heads were thrust out, and here
one cried to know what was the mat
ter, and there one saw for himself
But naturally the man first on the spot
was the tinker. who. sleeping in the
brewing house, was close to the noise
He was out almost before Tobiah was
clear of the shadow. and without
wasting time in looking for the worthy
man, made straight for the outbuilding
| from which smoke and the cries ot
/
| owed,-David Garth, and a lad, a
slothful heavy sleeper. who lay In
the stables. Tobiah. seeing them, and
seeing there was business towards
which allowed OF no delay; decided tc
keep justice waiting
VILLAIN and destroying knave!'
said he. Il cannot spare time to attend
| to you now. Wait you here. cool your
| heels. and consider your sins" AS he
spoke he up with him into a great tub
OF hogwash that stood by the wall
! The tub was not more than half full
but large and deep and very evil smell
| ing, and when the lid was on and made
secure the prisoner was as fast and as
! ill-lOdged as in the county jail. Hav-
ing thus made sure of him. Tobiah has
| tened with all speed to the fire, calling
/ as he passed the house to the girls, who
looked fearfuIly from the windows, tc
go rouse the neighbors.
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

hill with her basket: sudden impulse
for which she could not account made
her pause-she knelt down and held up
her fragrant burden of roses.
" Please bless them. she said simply
--'and me
The. priest smiled, did what she ask
Cd. and passed on.
AT the foot of that hill. you may
have noticed. there runs a curious little
crooked by-way. leading to the market
place
Down this street marched a crowd
of angry men-all villagers and we'll
known to Fede. and all armed with
either guns. pistols. or heavy sticks
they were led. l need hardly to say. by
Giacomo Lisconti.
In a fash Fede knew their errand.
they were on their way to take the
priests life, the priest who had baptized
many OF them, watched over and cared
for them with a love which had been
wholly divine; then came another
thought: Can l do anything?'
at first sight of that angry crowd she
had retreated up the hill. and now stood
there irresolute. She looked back to-
ward the presbytery and noticed that
the priest was walking up and down con-
ming his book. and quite unconscious OF
anything untoward: she was so near him
she could have spoken TO him but some
thing seemed to hold her speech. The
crowd surged on. Suddenly they We're
confronted by the tall. slim figure Of the
girl:
Are you going to ight?' she asked.
her clear voice ringing through the air.
then surely you must have badges? Here
l have them ready to hand And she
helc up her basket Let me give each
of you one. I pray you The words in
their picturesque suggestiveness were
just those likely to appeal 10 Italians.
There was a chorus OF assent. and
murmur of 'blood-red roses being fit
ting badge which murmur Fede heard.
and glanced anxiously toward the pres
bytery. She saw that the priest had
seen them. and was slowly coming down
his garden path. but she pretended TO
notice nothing. only quietly handed each
man a rose murmuring to herself The
while they are blessed flowers. and
these are surely possessed
"Giacomo Iiscont was the only man
who got no rose. When he came for
ward her basket was empty, save for
Annette's gift OF cakes. He made some
coarse Jest. which fell on unheedlng ears.
She was gazing past him at the men
around; moment before they had been
ripe for any and every crime. on their
way TO kill their parish priest; now. a
curious change seemed 10 have taken
place in them.
she seemed once more to see the sim
pie Godfearing peasant folk she had
known before Liscontis advent. Each
hello in one hand the rose she had given
him. and from the other they had
dropped their arms. Just then the An
gelus bell sounded in clear and sonorous
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

verse that no one had heard before
at the end
For il all. my Master, thank Thee
Thou hast given. tis from Thee,
LIES full glory and its richness,
Power 10 love, 90 think, 20 see,
All the gladness Of existence,
just 70 breathe. 70 feel. 20 be-
For Il all, my Master. thank Thee; all
My thanks are due % Thee
And Elizabeth heard him. and smiled.
a new gentle smile that her face was
not wont to wear Then she turned
back to what she had in hand-the
sorting OF old chests and the getting
OF finery into grand array.
Before November was out there was
wedding at Fivelanes with much
merFiment and rejoicing, and more new
gowns than had ever before been seen
at one time in those parts; for the
dairymaids we're each given a brand
new dress In honor OF the occasion,
and some Of them were so fine that for
time they could hardly look at their
lads. Afterwards. however, they
thought better OF II. especially when IL
came to passing the cake through a
ring and putting Il beneath pillow to
give dreams OF future mate. On all
sides il was agreed that there had never
been such a wedding, such mirth and
laughter. such fddling and dancing, and
spiced ale and roast sucking-pig. and
tamarind jelly and suculent young
goose beloved of Tobiah. The worthy
man himself was there and well 70 the
fore, and, It is said. unbent In a manner
before unknown
OF VIII Clifford little was afterward
heard. He left that part OF the country.
Elizabeth and the tinker. seeing they
owed him so much de, each Other).
determined to forgive him the fire and
other matters-for the last he certainly
had already received some punishment
at Jeremy's hands. Tobiah was not
all displeased with this arrangement:
he said justice demanded Clifford should
be taken before magistrate. but since
that was not to be he would for himself
do what he could for the mans soul
And he did, exhortlng him very fore
ibiy, and in such a manner that he
was heard TO dance IN the butt of hog
wash. where TObiah kept him safe
during the exhortation.
OF the marriage of Elizabeth and the
LlnheE there - uOlHAL UuL SOOu "
tell for they both brought something
OF sense as we'll as love to the union,
and neither kept the other on too short
cord. So that they lived in peace,
ruling the homestead together, but
/ sometimes wandering forth when the
weather was fair and the earth called
them. going for days at a stretch no
/ one knew where. to the scandal OF the
neighbors and the great Joy OF
| themselves.
Thus was Elizabeth FothergiH won,
and thus did TObiah the Dissenter for
once lend his countenance to a thing
/ the righteousness Of which he was not
sure For Elizabeth was won at play
| devils method-yet TObiah graced
the wedding with his presence, and Oft
en- afterwards honored the house Of
I the pair-a thing the righteousness OF
which may be questioned. But who Is
without error; and what, indeed, would
the world be without some certain
/ kindly frailties?
The Washington times., 1903-06-21

though not in answer to her call: for
when he came. II was slowly, and lead
ing two of the great black bullocks.
He walked between them, holding a
horn of either. and making the while
the sweet shrill piping he had made the
night he told how the wolves danced.
The creatures bent their great heads
and rolled frightened eyes; yet, while
he held them and they heard the
So he led them out past the fire to
David Garth. who stood speechless
as IL regarding a miracle. until he was
bidden drive them to safety.
Elizabeth touched the tinker's arm.
and even in that angry light he saw
she was pale.
Il Will get them all, never fear, ."
he said. to reassure her
DO mott" she cried Stay"
But he had gone. and there was
nought for her to do but wait-wait
through an eternity Of night. which
seemed by turns dark and flame filled.
by turns still as death. and anon full
OF the cries of beasts and of men-wait.
while the fire grew and the acrid smoke
wrapped all around; wait, while each
time the man came forth coaxing the
black beasts It was as II he came from
the glowing pit OF perdition. and each
time he went In 1t seemed as II it must
be that he was gone to return no more.
In time the neighbors came hur-
rying to lend their help.-stout men
and sturdy. wondering and almost fear
full of the magic that mastered the
beasts, but ready to do their best. In
time. too, Tobiah had his will; and the
scared girls came down to the horse
pond and dipped buckets. standing all
arrow. their garments but careIessIy
put on and their shoes very full of
water or this Tobiah rocked nothing.
keeping them busy at work He kept
all as busy as he could. besides doing
prodigie5 himself: he saw plainly the
Lord had given the direction of this
affair to him.
In one matter. at least. he knew
more than any other, for he could tell
how the fire began and who was the
author OF It.
Il have him SAFE said he TO Eliza
beth; 4 can put my hands upon him. -
You have him," she cried. and her
eyes lit with the baneful light of a
woman reused: II was like to 90 i'll
with the man In e-keeping If harm
beiell Jeremy. the Tinker"
She laid two fingers on Tobiah's
arm-they were standing a little apart
from the others. Keep him safe.
said she, tell no one as vet.
we will deal with him by-and-by. It
is late now''-she pushed back her
hair. as If she felt the heat of the fire.
which she Watched and watched like
one who could not look away. 81
think 1t is very late. it is hours since
he went in. It IS the last time OF
going; there is but the Alderney and
her calf. I told him it were madness
10 go; COW with her calf Is beyond
the power Of man to move See. see
how the roof burns! II will faIIl II