davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Generals Wife

''AIiddlemasi Gray,' repeated the gen. erals wife. and fell in faint.
 In second she recovered, and, aris- ing with the action of an automaton that moves with a spring, half hanging upon her husband, half dragging herself, had nearly reached the door of her dressing room. when Hartley, following, said; Gan I be of any assistance?"
 "No, sir replied the general sternly, this is no case for a strangers inter- ference. When you are wanted l will send for you"
 Soon after the general returned to the room and said Mrs. Witherington E better. As to your young friend-thi- Richard Mlddemas, 1 think you called him?''
 'Not that l recolect,' returned Hart ley, but your excellency has hit upon the name "Yes, yes. you certainly said something about Middlemas?' q mentioned the name of a town" 'Ah. yes, and I caught it up as the ! name of a recruit. I was indeed occupied at that moment by anxiety for my wife But this recruit Is Richard Mddlemas, is he not?' | "He is'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
A Cayr;aye With Four Horses

It was late of an autumn evening when & plain carriage with four horses stopped at the door of the doctors house.
 Three old women who had preceded the arrival of the equipage told Dr. Cray all talking at once-that the gentleman did not think the accommodations o1 the Swan inn suitable for his lady In her present condition. and that, therefore, ne had. upon their recommendation, brought her to enjoy the hospitality of the west room" an apartment which the doctor occasionally let out to such of his pa- tients as he desired for a space of time to keep under his own eye.
 There were only two persons in the ve- hicle. One, a gentleman in riding dress sprang out and, having received from the doctor an assurance that the lady would be received, lent assistantce to his com panion to leave the carriage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Under Suspicion of Treason

He was accompanied by a bold. hard faced man armed with pistols, of which he made an unnecessary display. This latter man delivered to the doctor q warrant for the arrest of Zilla de Mon cada and Richard Tresham On the charge of high treason.9 ts-t
 The elderly man was Matthias de Mon cada, a Portuguese Jew, the father of the distressed lady, and the latter was an officer of the law. Matthias took away his daughter. but the child was left with the doctor Matthias promis ing that a certain yearly amount should be sent for it's support.
 The charge of treason was only a subterfuge to get possession of the woman and her lover. Tresham-thougl indeed, Tresham was suspected of hay ing been in the pay of the exiled Stu arts.
 He had eloped with the old man s daughter and the chargesof treason had been sufficient to drive him from the country. The father had traced his runaway daughter to Middlemas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Villain and Fool

After vainly striving for recognition from General Witherington, Richard at length set out for India. His mother lad left him as a legacy a small amount Of money which he counted over carefully when Hartley, to whom the mission of it's delivery had been intrusted, gave it to him.
 My dear Hartley said he, "we nave been companions long. My grandfather is Moncada. I am his rightful heir. Mon cada's fortune will enable me to give e50o0 to any one who will testify that well. you heard Mrs. Witherington ac- knowledge me as her son-did you not? l think you came into the room about that time'
 Good morning to you, MT. Middle mas said Hartley, endeavoring to with draw.
 'I meant e10,000-not G5000."
 You are a villain" rejoined Hartley, ''and I always thought you such.''
 And you,' said Richard, "are a fool and I never thought you better. off he goes-let him go. The game has been played and lost. I must hedge my bets. India must be my back pay"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Just a Bit of Rivalry

The circle at Fort St. George at Madras was much restricted at that time Lieu tenant Mddlemas was stationed there, and so was Surg. Hartley.
 The coldness between the young men did not escape notice They seemed 10th to accept invitations 70 the same party.
 "A little bit of rivalry said Middle mas when an officer pressed him for an explanation. T simply had the good luck to get farther into the good graces Of a fair lady than Hartley. That is all. That was years ago.
 T think it very silly to keep up spleen at such distance of time and space But really Hartley has some very good points about him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
A CLASS SIC
 IN A PAGE

In writing "The Surgeons Daughter Sir Walter Scott told, as he confessed .'nearly a true story" The story IS en. tlrely out of the usual line and spirit or scotf's stories. It is as if he were trying to write one of the modern .'best sellers. :.
 But in writing it Sir Walter showed all his faults and all his brilliancies-the languid introduction and the stirring scenes at the end, Sir Walter says hlm- self of the story: "The author has noth- ing to say about the little novel eS- cept that it was related to him one morn- ine at breakfast by my friend MT, Train of castle Douglas in Galloway, and that the military friend who furnished him with some information in regard to east ern matters was Col. James Ferguson or Huntley Burn. .,
 The story of The Surgeons Daughter is really one of the curiosities of litera- ture, and had merits which appeared only when the great wizard of the north felt his genius overcoming his mere de- sire to tell a story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Fakir's Promise

Richard lied from the British settle ments. It was understood that he had gone to seek his fortune at the court of a native prince.
 Three years passed and Hartley now settled .n Madras as a practitioner had the good fortune to be of service to d 1 'fakir' who, q learned man and a man Of wealth, had yet taken up the style of mendicant and who stood high in the favor of the Sultan Hyder Ali
 This "fakir' had come on a mission to Madras and when he left the garrison he said to Hartley that should his fate and fortune carry him into the domain of Hyder he was his to command.
 Hartley thought little of this promise at the time-but later on he remembered it and made use of 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Shsrcrs in Misery

Look there,' he cried. you for whom life of obscurity were too mean fate Look upon the parents whom you have so often cursed and have so much envled This is thy mother, Zilla Moncada, to whom thy Birth was source of shame and misery, and to whom thy ll-omened presence has brought death itself"
 Yet I am your son. said Richard your son by your welded wife. Paio as she lies there, I call upon you both to ac- knowledge my rights-and all who are here present to testify to them"
 "Wrctch," cried the father, "can you think only of yo,ir own sordid rights in the midst of death and disgrace? Thou art the fiend who has occasioned my mis- cry in this world, and will share my eternal misery in the next. Hence from my cight and my curse go with you.''
 His eyes fixed upon the ground. hia
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Conditions from the Lawyers

From time to time money came to the doctor for the expenses of Richard and as the remittances from M. Moncada were liberal the doctor gradually ac- cumulated a little fund for the boy. | The communications between the doc tor and Mondaca were through the channel of an Edinburg attorney, and all clues as to the identity of the said M"ncada, or To his whereabouts, were carefully suppressed.
 When Richard was II the doctor made a report of his character to NJ. Mon cada, and ill return was directed to keep the boy with him and educate him and train him in his own profes- nion of q surgeon
 The boy must never seek to know his parents or his grandfather On these con- ditions his welfare would be watched over,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Lily from Frankistan

Hartley turned and had no difficulty in tracing the voice of the elderly fakir The sultan and his son seemed not to notice the interruption.
 A crier made proclamation
 "The Begun Mootee Mahul, beautiful as the moon and wise as the daughter of Diamschid, has decreed to take into her service as the bushee of her armies and to invest him with the keeping of her beloved capital of Bangalore one Mid dlemas."
 The exclamation which followed this proclamation had no sooner ceased than Middlemas bowed before the dais and tried to speak But his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. The begun, springing up, said to Hippo.
 My slave would say that I am too poor to reward him for the great favor 1 have conferred upon him and that will only pray your highness to accept a lily from Frankistan to plant within the garden of your secret pleasures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Bow Drawn at a Venture

Richard adopted. for reasons which are apparent, the middle name of Treshnm- the name under which General Whitening ton had once gone. The lieutenant colonel Of the regiment, an old cross-graned fel- low, did not choose to indulge the young man in this humor.
 One evening at mess, when Richard spoke of himself as "Tresham- Middle mas,' the colonel said gruffly that he knew no officer by any other name than that which was written in his commis- sion.
 Richard replied that he "knew his own name best why, Captain Middlemas, !" retorted the colonel, 'it is not every Qkild that knows his own father-so how can you be so sure?"
 The bow was drawn at a venture, but the arrow struck home. At daybreals the next morning Richard and the lleuten- ant colonel met upon the duelling ground and the lieutenant colonel was killed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Curses from the Crowd

Then the stately form of the begun was seen approaching. She was gor- geously attired and before he-as chier of her bodyguard-walked Richard Mid dlemas. He was dressed in the Indian fashion and carried in his hand a sword eneased. in a scabbard of venison vel vet. A gorgeous train of servants and soldiers followed the begun.
 When Hippo saw Mime. Montreville approaching he descended to the foot of his fathers throne to welcome her and escorted her to a seat upon the dias
 Amid the spectators stood Adam Hartley, and 1t would be impossible to describe the feeling with which he recog- nized the apostate, Middlemas, and the Amozonian, Mrs. Montreville.
 The voice of the crier announcing the arrival of the begun had scarcely ceased when voice from the crowd sang out. Cursed be he who maketh the robber- like his treasurer and trusteth the lives Of Moslems to an apostate."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

gon. an old servant. who how managed

son, an old servant, who now managed the doctors household.
 Even at an early age Richard was eminently handsome. When silent or out of humor his dark eyes and strik- ing eountenance presented some recol- lection of the character imprinted up- on the features of his supposed father,
 But when he was gay and happy. which was much more frequently the case, these clouds were exchanged for the most froliesome and mirthful eX- ing and thoughtless aspect of child.
 Richard appeared exceedingly fond of the doctor, and his affection for the infant "Menien-or Marion-was touch- ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Secret That Must Not Be Told

"A wild young fellow l suppose
 No your excellency. I cannot say that he has not. like other young men. his faults, but his conduct as far as I know is respectable
 Bring him to see me, bring him to see me; he must have q commission for your sake
 And in a day or so Mlddlemas was created a lieutenant and went to pay his respects to the general comma ndiag
 The generals wife awaited tho com ing of the newly created lieutenant with anxiety which increased into an agony
 ''God of my fathers she cried to hel husband, "of what clay hast thou fash.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Going to Bangalore

He told the Sultan that, In his belief, there had been an infamous plot matched to betray "Menie" Gray into tho hands of Prince Hippo. The Sultan iis- tened and spoke not.
 The falSir said: "rhe Nawab is in the place of the prophet-a judge over the low as well as the high"
 Hast thou heard, said the Sultan, breaking silence, taught of treachery meditated by the Feringhi who has been the chief mover in this plot? My son saw the picture of the Frankish maiden and Tell in love with it. An, well, we VIII go to Bangalore and see what wa shall sec"
 In the train of the Sultan Adam pro- ceeded to the city of Bankalore With m mile of it's walls they found camp estanilshed-the camp of the Begun Moo- tee Mahul-or Madam Montreville.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Last Harmony

She flew to a harpsichord. and letting her hands wander over the keys produced a wilderness of harmony. The tears ebbed insensibly from the eyes. which she turned upwards; the music fell to dyins cadence which fell, never to rise again for the player was dead.
 The horror of the distracted husband may be conceived when all efforts to re- store his wife to consciousness proved unavailing.
 Servants had rushed in and medical aia had been summoned The general turned and saw Richard 1 The sight of the young man seemed tc drive him into a frenzy He seemed tc recognize his son only as the cause of his wifes death. He seized him by the collar and shook him violently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Waiting for Tippo


 The rich paviions of the principal personages famed in silk and gold, and spears with gilded points displayed numerous banners inscribed with tha name of the prophet
 The begun was awaiting the return of Hippo from an expedition from tho north to deliver over to him her victim, The sultan entered the city in state and few hours after his arrival the wild clash of barbaric music announced the coming of Tippo. Hyder awaited the arrival of his son seated upon q throne erected in a beautiful garden, Directly in front of the throne was a small lake, or pond marble curbed and filled to the brim with water as clear as crystal. In the middle of the tank jet of water sprouted up at least 20 feet in the hot air.
 Prince Hippo dismounted from ths elephant which he rode and, making his obeisance to his father, ascended tho dais and took his place at the sultan ' right
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

toned us poor mortals, who dread so much the shame that follows sin, yet re- pent so little of the sin itselfv
 "Zilla," returned her husband, "remem- Der that the promulgation of such a se- cret would give prudes and scandal-mon- gers right to treat you with scorn. And this would be fraught with unutterable misery-perhaps with bloodshed should 6 man dare take up the rumor."
 You shall be obeyed, my husband, in all that the frailness of human nature will permits
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Making Good a Promise

female scream was heard and a litter was deposited before the throne From that litter was taken the fainting Marion Gray.
 Louder and sterner than before came the cry of the aged falSir: Cursed be the prince who barters justice for lust he shall die in the gate by the sword of a stranger
 This is too insolent,' cried Hippo, springing up; 'let the fakir's robes be torn from him."
 But Hyder Ali said: Take the Feringhi woman to the cafe of the halxim Hartley. As for thee, Hippo, I will not disgrace thee before the, Feringhi The sun calls not back it's splendor which it has lent to the moon.
 You have promised that this Middle- mas shall be the begum's governor Pros ceed to make good your promise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Choosing the Wrong Man

Adam Hartley was full, middle sized, stout, well limbed with a strongly marked English countenance. He loved rough exercise. such as boxing and wrestling. And frequently, when he could obtain leisure, he delighted in attending the bull baitings and the football games.
 Richard, on the contrary. was dark like his father and mother. with high features, beautifully formed, but ex- hibiting something of foreign charac- ter.
 There were persons in the town Of Middlemas who were indiscreet enough to fancy that 'Menie" Gray would be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Queen of Sheha

The ships from Europe arrived with small cargo of boy officers, longing to be commanders, and young women whom plous duty to some brother. some uncle or other male relative brought out to Jn- dia to peek house." There was, of course, public breakfast for the new arr rivals.
 "Angels and ministers' said the officer who sat next to Hartley, 'there is our old friend the Queen of Sheba returned upon our hands like unstable goods"
 Hartley looked in the direction indicated by his friend and saw Selniramis look- ing person of unusual stature and arnpli- tude arrayed in riding habit, but one so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
By SIR WALTER SCOTT

must apply to Hyder Ali, Tippi's father. He Is tyrant and an usurper-but he is just
 Then go to demand justice at his footstool," said Adam.
 When at length Adam reached the walls of Seringapatam he found great army encamped before the city. He hurried into the city and asked for an audience with Hyder-whieh was refused him.
 Then he bethought himself of the fakir whom he had once befriended in Madras. This man he found, and through him reached the ear of the great Sultan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Children Together

Thus was Richard Middlemas born and thus did it happen that he was brought up as the adopted child of pr. Gray
 Four years after Richard had heen left on the doctors hands. Mrs. Gray presented her husband with daugh- tcr---and died in so doing. So Richard and the girl grew up together under the care of the faithful nurse, Jamle-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

a better judge than any other of the comparative merits of the two young men who sought her hand in marriage. But as usual, these guessers guessed wrong.
 "Monie" fixed her young hearts affec- tion upon the romantic and handsome Richard and when Adam proposed to her-in a garden of course, where all love proposals ought to be made-she rejected him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Suspicious Aroused

The begun was rather dsconfited by the calmness of "Menie" and watched from the window while Hartley and the sur geon's daughter paced the garden walks and Marion told her story
 Her father the surgeon, was dead Richard Middlemas had sent for her tc come out to India and marry him. He was no- in Q high position in the service of the Sultan Hyder. Madame de Mon- treville had been sent by Richard to meet Menie at Madras.
 But Maron was disquieted-she sus- pected something about the begun. Rich ard, of course, was the soul of honol and would suffer her to come to no harm if he knew it. But something about the begun made her suspicious.
 She begged that Hartley would watch over her as far as he could. She was a stranger in a strange land.
 'If l can aid you, dearest Menie' T said he 'be sure that Adam Hartley will He sank upon his knee, kissed her hand and was gone.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

arms folded upon his chest, the naughty | and dogged spirit of Middlemas seemed
 to mediate reply. But the bystanders in- terfered and forced him from the apart ment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
The Fruits of Justice

Middlemas knelt before the throne and was invested with all the signs of his authority. Then huge animal ap- preached shaking his head. The newly created kildar strol1ed the neck of the elephant expecting that he would llncel down so that he might mount the s,lided howdah which was perched upon his back.
 ''Holdl' cried Hyder, you have re- ceived all that was promised you. Accept now the fruits of the justice of Hyder Ali"
 At sign from the sultan the mahout gave his command to the elephant and the long trunk curled around the neck of Richard Middleman. Then the apostate was before him and the beast stamped him to death with his great feet. Hippo 3 muslin robes were sprinllled with the vic- tims blood.
 Bring sand said Hyder, 'and bring ito me the Ireringhi begum."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Back in Scotland

When the begun had been made 10 lsneel before the throne the sultan cried out: You. you shall pay for this. You shall pay gold to compensate the injuries you have planned. And you, hakim, re- turn with the white lily to your own land.
 And tell the people that Hvder Ali has sought heretofore only justice. Hitherto T have been in the Carnatic mild prince. Hereafter I will be the messenger of AL lah which he sends to kingdoms which he visits with his iudgment.' It is well known how dreadfully the nawab kept his word.
 Of the fate of the begun, nothing IS known of certainty. She is supposed to have died from poison either administered by herself or some other person.
 It would be a fitting and natural 6on- cusion to this story to say that Marion Gray married pr. Hartley But she did not
 Hartley died a victim of the ever pres- ent nlagre. and Marion went back to her native village in Scotland to spend her ldavs in giving in charity her modest fcr- tune.
 TO the world at large she seemed in her habits to be an ancient Roman ma tron, which opinion is recorded on her mansit-lanam fecit."
 Copyright, 1911, by Irving King)
 Next weeks .one-page classic will be fo rer U
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Too Late to Draw Back

Meantime the begun was speaking with man disguised as q native domestic. Hartley is medding devil" said the man. 'I feel myself unworthy to be | partner any further in the paths yoa have marked out for mc--let us part ana be friends
 Slave and son of slave cried the begun, hast thou not ured this girl here as a prey for the young tyrant? Ano would you now draw back I am q woman who has looked on more dying men than thou hast killed deer and ante lopes.
 II am woman, renegade, but l veal a dagger. Thou hast betrayed many-hut me thou shalt not dctray. Let sme see but one symptom of your falling ava. and I bctray you to the English; when we are beyond the Gnauts-there l will take care of thee. Go where thou wilt slave, thou shalt still find me thy mis- tress
 ''I see thy drift! thou art in love with this pale creature. And me thou once said you loved. Ho, there-who waits?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Mime. De Montreyille

formed that the upper part of it resembled he tunic of native chief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
Tyrant and Usurper, But Just

servant entered tho room and the be- gum demanded that trusty messengers be ready at once to carry letters to Tippo Sahib.
 The next day the begun left Madras for Serinsapatam, taking Marion witt, her. Adam went to the British govern or and made complaint, but as he had nothing definite upon which to base his complaint the governor smiling put the question by In his distraction he took counsel of an officer named Esdale, who said:
 You have only one recourse. You
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

Copyright, 1911, by Irving King) Next weeks ,one-page classic will be 'The Absentee" by Maria Edgeworth.