davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

he also accepts Naomi's God as her
own. She declares her determination
to give up her peoples Gods and ae-
cept the Great Jehovah.
There can be little doubt that Ma
omi had taught her daughters much
about this Supreme Being, and now her
heart must have rejoieed when Ruth
embraces her religion. So these two
women journeyed on together until
they came to Bethlehem and there Ma
omi takes up her old life among her
people.
But she does not forget Ruth; she
tells of all Ruth's kindness to her and
plans for her happiness and welfare,
so that Boaz, one of Naomfs next kins-
men, "a mighty man of wealth" and
high rank, on seeing and speaking to
Ruth, said unto her: 1T hath fully
been Showed me all that thou hast
dope unto thy mother-in-law since tho
death of thine husband; and how thou
hast left thy father and thy mother
and the land of thy nativity and art
come unto a people which thou knew
est not heretofore. The Lord recon-
pense thy work, and a full reward be
given thee of the Lord God of Israel,
under whose wings thou art come to
trust" And this Boaz, Naomi's IA
vorite kinsman, becomes Ruth's future
husband
/ doubt IL there can be found In all
literature an account of a more de-
voted daughter and mother than 10
given in this story; and Ii seems to me
a profitable Lesson could be learned from
1t by all who are thus related.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

forgotten the very beautiful letter of
the Queen Mother, recently published,
begging her late subjects to sustain and
be as loyal to her son and daughter,
their new King and Queen, as they had
been to King Edward and herself, saying
she believed that her son and daughter
would do all in their power for the pros
perty of the people?
All along the years we have read and
heard of the goodness and gentleness of
Alexandra She was described as the
Gracious Princess of Wales, kind and
generous to poor and rich alike, a loyal
wife, devoted mother, considerable, af-
fectionate daughter-in-law. This charac-
ter she has maintained through life.
Queen Victoria was known to be fond
of her. 1t was said that she loved Alex
andra and trusted her judgment and dis
erection.
It was stated that when Queen Victoria
lay dead the late Princess of Wales was
accosted by one of her ladles-in- waiting
as 'tTour Majesty" Raising her hand,
she pointed to the dead Queen and
said sorrowfully and reprovingly: There
can be but one, her majesty"
There was majesty in that act! She
evinced no eagerness to be hailed as
Queen,
Shall we then, when the crown which
she afterward so royalty wore, has been
suddenly removed from her brow by the
death OF the King, give credence to gos-
SIP written ITO split the ears of the
Rroondlings." and place her among the
so-cailed .tyrannical mothers-in-law?'
And what reparation can Harper's
Weekly, after helping to sow the seeds
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

feels that he cannot marry the lady she
selects another and II necessary an
other until he is satisfied"
But under such arrangements are
they happy marriages."
why, certainly; the daughter-in-law
enters the husbands home and receives
his mother as her own, rendering to
her the respect, love and confidence
that she bestows upon her own moth
err, and peace and harmony prevail
"Why, we know nothing of divorce
and separation Is of very rare occur
renee"
Well, young miss, don't frown. l
am not suggesting that any earthly be-
ing should CHI Dose the companion of an
others life. but IT does occur to me
that the simplicity, faith and trust of
these Armenian girls are worthy OF
emulation.
One of the most beautiful stories In
literature is that of Ruth, the Moabitess,
and I would advise our girls to open
their Bibles and make a study of 1t. l
will give an outline for the benefit Of
anyone who is not familiar with the
story.
When Naomi was left lonely widow
In the land of Moab. her heart chung
to her two sons; they were all that she
had left. She was in a strange land.
among a strange people who worshipped
heather Gods; and not her own Lord, the
God of her fathers. These sons s"took
them wives of the women of Moab" One
bore the name of Orpah, and the other
Ruth These two women must have been
most worthy and it seems they were
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

Just above the fire place is the line,
philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, June
%, 1857" Another reads, &c. Gyfford,
1885" This Is the same Gyfford who
tried to poison Queen Elizabeth. One
Inscription shows how YEARLY time
dragged. 1t reads, "Close prisoner eight
months, thirty-two weeks, two-hun-
dred-twenty-fou days, five thousand
three hundred-seventy-si hours" In
another room there is an inscription
cut by the Lady Jane Gray.
'"ro mortals common fate thy mind
resign,
In the highest gallery OF the White
Tower, to which I have already re-
ferred, there is a cold, cheerless dun
geon. Here King John had one of Eng
lands noblest women imprisoned ard
finally put to death. She Is known in
history as "Maude the Fair The re-
pulsive monarch sued for her hand she
declined the honor of becoming his wife;
he had her cast into the tower; she still
refused him; whereupon he contrived to
have poison placed in her food, of which
she died.
In this tower Sir Walter Raleigh was
a prisoner for u years, during which
time he wrote his history of the world.
On the first floor of this building you
may see the headman's ak with which the
Earl of Essex was executed. There is a
pathetic side to the execution of Essex,
which many histories fail to recite. Eliza
beth, when Essex was in her favor, gave
him a ring, telling him at the time that
If he ever needed her assistance to
send the ring to her and whatsoever he
might need in the way of her queenly
services she would render. Being con-
demned to die, Essex sent the ring to
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

ent essay by personal friend of Thomp-
sons.
l suspect that most readers found his
style too scintllating. There are flashes
left after the sword has passed. But
this article deserves to be reprinted for
the sake of those who would know how
far we have travelled and how little ad-
vance we have made in these 81 years
Mr.. Thompsons conception of romance
Is in protest against the realism of lola
and Tolsto! To think of Tolstol being
berated for a crude, pessimistic realist!
The writer affirms that all progress is ro-
mantle, that Cicero was a dreamer and
Mr.. Darwin a splendid visionary, and that
nothing is left to the realist shut the
measurements of leaden coffin. About
all of which / am very far from being a
dogmatist. I suspect that Thompson's
indignation waned and that he admitted
to himself the probability that he hov-
cred on the edge of the eternal paradox,
and was unintentionally cruel to both
sides; that In fact the essence of true
realistic description is the intuition of
some unseen, Intangible. spiritual quality
or experience or crisis involved; on the
other hand that the attractiveness of ro-
nance Is its INK with realistic expert
ence and the humdrum world of the
actual
What catches my imagination, however,
is the fact that Thompson perceived q
years ago that the romance of the pres
ent age of the world is it's reaching
after brotherhood, the kinship of want
and have, of labor and capital, its destiny
to exact full penalty for every class
wrong wrought by mankind in all the
past. For this Darwin wrote his Origin
of Species and Spencer planned his
world -embracing philosophy. This is the
'far-off, divine event. which Tennyson
sang and of which the greater Spenser
and the Elizabethans generally, poets and
Puritans, prophesied in symbol. All the
romanticists, therefore, were they who
caught CLEAN of the golden future In
the russell garb of common days. Mr..
Thompson does not expressly mention
the author of the Apocalypse, but surely
he also must take leading place among
those who wove thus out Of brown and
faded threads the douce and fragile wings
of Psyche, and built on common clay the
IL foundations of the city that comes
down out of heaven. If the batteries of
his indignation had rather been turned
against the literaists than against the
realists I should enjoy him more. But
in the long run I suppose he is justified
and that romance is not what Is achieved
merely, but also what is begotten and yet
unborn.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

fidence and affection, and If failing, she
turns away with a disappointed heart.
Who, I ask, is to blame for this alena-
ton. this condition of affairs In that
household? I do not hesitate to reply that
1t often rests upon indiscriminate writer's,
the soap bubble authors.
Affection In this relationship is found
ed on reason and it requires brains
to sustain 1t in a creditable manner,
for EVIL is wrought for want of
thought as well as want of heart"
And If one allows prejudice, prece-
dence of Judgment confusion will fol-
low A mothers love for her son and
a wife's love for her husband, though
equally devoted, is entirely different IN
its nature, and jealousy should have
no part in their lives.
Trif1es should not become imagin-
airy evils. Mother and daughter have
equal responsibilities and with ten
der mutual love they can be of great
comfort and assistance to each other.
| was once conversing with a Guilt
waited American physician on the sub
ject of marriage. He remarked that
ne had frequently been surprised at
the. absence of love and respect man
ifested toward the mothers-in-law of
this country. That the rough jests at
their expense were very repulsive to
him. why" said he, such state
of affairs could not exist in Arme-
MIA" How is 1t prevented" / asked.
by the fact that a young man will not
marry girl of whom his mother does
not approve. The mother always Sc
lects the girl that she is willing to
accept as her daughter and If the son
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

poles, Cooks and cylinders! But or
course we must watch our rights"
or else the canny Canuck may spoon
us up with his lacrosse bill.
Something for Birmingham and Fay
cite is borne on the western breeze
at the sound of an article on Munich
pal Control of Gas Works" Prices and
advantages are duly chronicled and we
are sure the editor of the Forum felt
that the game was worth the candle
i mean, of course, the Welshbach.
This also Is a sound of a trumpet warn
ing, waning, or now and then waxing
exceedingly loud In the year 2010
there will still be the same illuminat-
ing discussions, and editors will still
pay for them.
Much more surprising is an article on
types of American women, with not
single illustration! Better a thousand
times a lecture to hungry lads on pud-
dings and their flavor without specimens.
One wonders how many persons, men or
women, read Professor Boyesens gyne-
Geological review. Whereas a much less
capable man, writing the veriest twaddle.
were he adequately illustrated, might
have been sure that at least an eager
section of mankind would have looked
through the letter type to find the types
of women.
But here are two venerable names one
cannot pass unnoticed: e. l.. Godkin, the
greatest of critical journalists, with an
article on the civil service, and Arch
deacon r. w. Farrar. protesting against
certain phases of modern life affecting
the clergy. What names those are! How
many years since Godkin died? How
many years since I heard Farrar de-
liver an impassloned cutlery on intemper-
ance over in Bristol? They are both
gone, inveterate toilers of the deep, both
of them, and the magazine finds place
for the Russels the Londons. and an In
creasing host of admirable writer's. Does
the wine of life run thinner poorer?
Here Is an adjutant general discussing
national defense in 1889, just as Mr.. Hob
son might do today. And yet there are
those who disbelieve in originality on the
one hand or metempsychosis on the other!
But the main interest of this old num-
Der of the Forum to me is a piece on
1.-THE Domain of Romance" by Maurice
Thompson, which | have read as one
reads letters from dead hands. Mr..
Thompson was himself writer of ex-
cellent fiction, his best work being the
well-known "Alice of Old Vincennes." He
was born in Indiana, grew up in Geor-
gia, and won his victories on the broad
fields of interstate, and even International.
journalism. am favored with the pres
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

sisters head cut off; but this she was
afraid to do, on account of the people,
not on account of conscience. Elizabeth
was described at that time as "A fair
young girl, with gentle feminine face
and golden hair" But the fiery majesty
that characterized her in later life was
not wanting then. Her mother. Anne
Bullen, when brought hither fell upon
her knees and asserted her innocence;
Elizabeth declared her innocence, also,
but stood In a defiant, erect posture.
She was later removed to a prison of
more comfort just outside of Wood
stock.
Opposite Traitors gate, you pass I'M
der an uplifted poptcullis, and enter
the Bloody Tower. This Is grim old
sociations and bloody memories. 1t was
here that the execrable hunchback.
Richard III, murdered the young
princes. They were secretly buried
and their burial place was never
learned until the reign of Charles IL.
At that time some workmen were en-
gagged In tearing away the old stone
steps that led to the second floor of
the tower and found what was left of
the bodies of the unfortunate princes.
They were subsequently buried In
Westminster Abbey. History has it's
revenge. We know where the princes
lie buried among the greatest of Eng
lands immortals; but no man knows
where the body of their murderer lies.
In the Beauchamp Tower there Is a
dungeon reached by well-worn wind
ing stairway of stone. Here cluster
many of the most pathetic memories
of the tower. All over the dungeon
walls there are inscriptions, crests,
crosses, names, dates and prayers cut
into the stone walls by unfortunate
occupants of the olden times. They
were here awaiting their execution.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

the Queen, as he supposed, by the hand
of the Countess of Nottingham; but the
Countess through Jealousy of the Queens
influence over Essex, never delivered the
ring Elizabeth waited for the ring up
to the last moment. being eager to save
her favorite. AS the ring came not, the
Queen concluded that Essex was too
proud to ask favor of her, and so let
him die. On her deathbed the countess
sent for the Queen and told her guilty
secret. at the same time begging Eliza
beth to forgive her But the Queen
turned away In wrathful scorn, exclaim-
ing, God may forgive you, but ],
Eever!'
Nearby the Essex ak stands a block Of
wood covered with black velvet. There
is a long cash in the velvet, made by
the headsman's ak that severed the head
and body of the Earl of Lovett.
Here are many instruments of torture
that were used in the days of DID, thumb
screws, the rack and other hideous
things. To look at them Long, is to have
CHASTITY dreams o. nights.
stood at the spot on the lawn, near
the White Tower, where the old scaffold
used to stand Here many of England's
noblest and best citizens were hurried
into eternity. Among olners Lady Jane
Grey persisted here. as did Anne Bullen,
also. Upon this soil their blood dripped
through the scaffold floor, while a basket
caught their trunkless heads.
What a heartlsss set our forefathers
were. The best of them were butchers.
They built their thrones upon human
bones and cemented them together with
human gore. Human life seemed to be
of but slightest value. Even as late as
the time of Charles II offenses against
the laws of the realm were visited with
death. when now similar offenses call for
only a few weeks or months in jail. Are
1,.eo terrnzxinar the TIGER taipt2
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

Of levfty, and echoed with the means of
tortured men and women, II has been
Tho home of Innocence and purity, and
has sheltered kings and queens whose
hands were red with human blood. IIeve
have colamingled the best and the wost
elements that enter into tho composition
Of man or nation.
AS You first behold the tower, you are
estoaished to find that 1t Is not a tower,
but a group OF towers and various sorts
OF buildings, all encompassed by high
stone wall battlemented on all sides and
terretted at the angles. In the center of
this great mass OF buildings stands the
White Tower, the largest of the mill.
It is . massive. square structure, built Of
stone. Its walls are 10 feet thick from
tho foundation to the roof. At each cor
ner there is q turrett, while the parpet
Is pierced for defence. This is the most
SO back TO the entrance of the tower and
refer to certain objects as I approach
them.
AS one crosses the moat-bridge and
passes through tho outer gate, he is
impressed with q low archway on the
right. It is the Traitors gate, and
opens from the Thames. Through this
gate were brought to the tower per-
sons In disgrace, rogues, pirates, muir
derers, and also men and women of
highest social dignity, who in any way
had incurred the monarch's displeasure.
Through this entrance to the tower
was brought Anne Bullen, by the COM
mand of the brute Henry VIII, her
husband. Elizabeth also passed under
frOWninR n
immured in prison, until such time as
her sister Mary, now queen, should see
proper to release her. Some of Mary's
advisers counseled her to have her
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

A BOUT a half-mile below the Lon
"a don bridge, on the 1eft-hand side
4 l. of the river as you look dowa
the Thames, there stands one of the most
noted buildings in the world. 1t is the
Tower of London. It was the home of all
the Norman kings of England, and after
their days 1t was used for while as a
residence by royalty. Within its old gray
walls there have been seen occasions OF
festival, splendor and revel as well as
scenes of torture, heartless imprison.
ment, and murder most foul and ua-
natural. 1t is an old, old tower.
The oldest palace on the continent of
Europe is the Burg in Vienna, or rather
a part of the Burg; but this dates not
back to Henry Ill. The Doges' palace, In
Venice dates from the fourteenth CEN
fury, as does, also, the Kremlin in
Moscow. The Oldest part of the Vatican
was begun by Borgia. The Louvre was
not built till the time of Henry VIII,
while the Tuileries palace was built in
the time of Elizabeth The Escoriai of
Spain belongs TO the seventh century.
But the Tower of London still retains
traces of work wrought by the Romans
when they held sway In Britain; while
the enlarged structure dates as far back
as the time of William the Conqueror.
Indeed, the beginning of this massive pile.
is like that of the Sphinx, it occurred SO
long ago that 1t is lost in the long sweep
of the ages.
Every part of the tower is full of in
terest. Its dungeons are associated with
the names of many of England's most
illustrious men and women, and Its soil
has been soaked with the best blood that
ever flowed in the veins of human be-
ings. Its walls have rung with sounds
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

There is one tower in the Tower of
London that has the distinction of being
the Jewel House. 1t is the treasure vault
of the crown Jewels The jewels are
kept within large glass case, which is
surrounded by brass bar about two
feet from the case. No nearer may
anyone come to the treasures. In the
time of Charles II the crown jewels were
stolen by the prince of audacity, Colonel
Blood in broad daylight They were re-
covered, but contrary to all law and COM
mon disregard for the sanctity of human
life, Colonel Blood was not punished. The
King had an interview with him, and sub
sequently Blood received a commission
from his majesty with no inconsiderable
salary attached.
Changes have been made in several
articles of note within the case since
saw 1t, but 1t may not be without interest
to mention those that 1 looked on.
There was the crown of King Edward,
of old; the coronet of the Prince of
Wales; and the crown that Anne Bullen
wore for three short years as the wife
of Henry VIII. There were all manner
of sceptres, staffs, maces. swords and
clusters Of precious stones, each with
some extraordinary history attached.
There was one diamond lying on velvet,
removed from al else. 1t was the
Kohinoor. so they told me; but I sus-
pected that 1t was but reproduction of
that mountain of light" in so far as
shape and size went. But the most beau
tiful object in the case was the crown
of Queen Victoria. The one her late
majesty wore state occasions. |
wish l might describe 1t. 1t is a gold
band, circling a cap of royal purple with
border of ermine, lined with white silk.
From the band of gold rise golden strips
which converge beneath ball and cross
of the same precious metal. The strips
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

being exquisitely chased, enamelled and
inlaid with crystalline splendor In the
cross there is inlaid the most famous
sapphire in the world while in front of
the circular band of gold may be seen
the celebrated heart-shaped ruby. known
throughout the world. This ruby was
given by Don Pedro of CASTLE to the
Black Prince, and was worn by Horny
V at the battle of Argincourt. Inlaid
In gold of the crown, there are 277 pearls
of exquisite purity, and 27SS diamonds,
to say nothing of other precious stones
inaid in beds of gold. The crown weighs
about three pounds.
This pyramid of waving light and its
gold background, In the matter of dol
lars. is said to be worth about &c.,
100000. But I fancy that no one ever
begrudged the dear Victoria the smallest
diamond in her crown
We come on out into the sunlight again;
under the portcullis; out into the wall
walk, and thence into the street. We
prefer to walk to our lodgings. This
part of London is quite familiar to U.S.
We have trod it many times with our old
friend Dickens. There are many familiar
persons in this neighhorhood; and we
go on, we see many old houses and
haunts that we recognize at once. We
are living in the world of Our Mutual
Friend" and, though we keep our hand
on our watch and pocketbook, we chance
to meet old acquaintances at every cor
ner.
There saw Lizzie Hexam pass me.
and coming on behind her was old CAT
fer sure. There, as l live, is the bar
room called the Fellowship Porters'
and if Miss Abbey Peterson were to
come to the door I should not be sur
prised. Finally, I take a cab. and am
landed near the homes of the Wilfers and
the Boffinses.