davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Around the Supper Table

There came knock at the door and, as it half opened, girlish face peeped in. Are you sleeping, Basil-or only musing," asked a voice sweet as the song of birds.
 "Is that you, Margaret?' said the stu dent without changing his attitude. &
 "Yes; it is growing late brother; will you not come to supper? Mother is ask ing for you. and Isida, too.'
 The student had started to refuse SUD- per, but at the name Isilda smile passed over his face and he said cheerfully: ."Well, well, tell mother I will come di- rectly-I have studied enough for today
 At that moment a brigbt flame spring ing up from some stray hrand still uncon- sumed illumined his face-it was radiant with the light of love.
 .Isilda, Isilda.' he murmured tenderly.
 Basil, his sister and his widowed mother were soon seated around table spread with an ample fare of fruits and bread.
 The mother was worthy of such son, a matron placid and serene, but of mo- ble carriage. She was like Basil in her deep, clear eyes and her open forehead.
 Margareta. 8 sweed bud which only needed time to burst forth into the perfect flower, sat by her mothers side.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10

The sound of a light footstep aroused Basil from his trance; a soft hand was laid upon his shoulder and a soft wom- ans voice whispered "Art thou here all alone and in darkness, my Basil?'
 "All was light with me-the darkness came with thee,' answered the student harshly And yet the maiden who ad- dressed him was Isilda
 "Once you used to call me the light of your life Basil,' returned Isilda. The girl turned to leave the room, weeping.
 Basils heart melted At that moment what would he have not given for the old days, the old feelings!
 But now the link was broken between him and earth. Had he not, at last, attained to that for which he had so long toiled and fasted-the power of see ing the invisible; of penetrating with clarified. vision into the deepest secrets of nature?
 He could not renounce the ecstatic pleasures of the immortal gift just ac- ouired But following Isda he took her hand in his and said coldly, Forgive me T have been studying, dreaming l know not what l did not mean to say that you were unwelcome."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Reused to Manhood Again

One night. having outwatched the midnight hour. Basil lay sleeping upon his coucn, and in his sleep little of his old-self seemed to come to him and a smile played about his face.
 Suddenly a dull gleam lit up the cham Der and Basil. awakening, cried out to know if the Salamandrine were present. But. starting from his bed. he saw that 1t was no celestial presence, but the light of a great conflagaton which had arous- ed him.
 He loked from the window and saw that the fire was in the direction of the house occupied by Isilda Instantly the thought of Isildas peril restored him for a time to his full reason and hastily donning his clothing, he sped to where the houses were being consumed.
 To his horror he saw that the house of 1silda was bursting forth in flames in many places At an upper window, as the wind drew aside the flame curtain. he saw the white clad form of Isilda standing in deadly and imminent peril.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
On the Border Line of Sanity

In personal appearance Basil was greatly altered He looked as if he had suffered much,' he had aged rapid ly and there was constant expression of pain about his mouth.
 The young man had become student of the mystic philosophy of the Rosi- crucians and some mental fire in him was evidently consuming mind and body. The eyes, once so sunny and frank, now took on occasionally a look that was not wholly sane.
 To Basil in his chamber entered Mi chael Meyer. the celebrated alchemist and physician, who first revealed the secrets of the sect of the Rosicrucians by his book, "Themis Aurea."
 For 120 years the sect of the Rosi- crucians had kept their doctrines se- cret. Meyer wrote his book and be- gan attracting to himself and the Rosi- crucian sect young and impressionable men like Basil, youths who were nat ural mystics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
A CLASSIC
 IN A PAGE

That the woman who wrote 'Johh Halifax, Gentleman" could also write "The Rosicrucians" Is evidence of re- markable versatility and Of Wlae range of thought and feeling In the author No two stories could be more divergent in motive and treatment than these two.
 John Halifax, Gentleman. IS story of rather commonplace people In commonplace English town, and the story is treated after the usual man ner of English women novelists. It IS excellent, of course, of its Kind, most excellent, and upon 1t mainly rests the ary reputation of Mrs. Craikor. as
 S best known to literature, Miss tt szs#
 But the "Rosicrucians" is weird, in irrespective, psychological. thoroughly German" story, treated after the most approved German methods. One can hardly believe that it's author bore the decidedly prosaic name of Dinah Maria.
 The story is, in a sense, historical. and the picture of Michael Meyer, the last great Rosicrucian. is painted with remarkable strength and reality.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Shut Out From Human Feeling

Meyer inquired as to what Basil had learned of the mysteries of the sect since he last saw him and urged him to persevere in the path upon which he had entered.
 Tt is hard, son, for it is a struggle" said Meyer, "a struggle of matter against spirit o, didst thou but know the joys that are opened to us who mortify the body for the sake of the soul the glori- ous and beautiful world that is revealed to us- life within life, double ex- istence our mortal eyes being strength ened to behold the invisible-our mortal frames endowed with the powers of an gels.
 "We bear with us the power of healing we know that the riches for which mon struggle and slay each other are at our service in such profusion that they seem to us like dust
 And then we have the power of hold ing communion with the good spirits which are all about us. though unseen by the ordinary mortal. are those glorious beings.
 But to attain this state of perfection thou must needs deaden myself to ;,ll human pleasures Thou must forsake the grossness of an appetite pampered with the flesh of beasts and the fruit of the poisoned vine
 As thou readest in my book, the soul must retire within itself--must shut out all human feelings, all human love-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
While the Mother Slept

As Mme. Wolgemuth followed the re- treating form of her daughter with her eyes she Said: "A sunny and loving heart is thine. my child. God bless thee and keep all sorrow and care from thy gay spirit
 Then she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes; she seemed to be ab- sorbed in the past or else dreaming of her child's future.
 Thus practically left alone together, Basil and Isilda talked but little and only in broken sentences The lamp burned dimly and the moonlight came streaming through the window flooding the apartment.
 Isilda arose and walked to the window, followed by Basil. How beautiful the moon looks setting behind the cathedral ' she said, "how beautiful is the world"
 "I feel it so and most when thus with thee, Isilda, returned Basil.
 Enough that when the lovers left the deep recess of the window when the moon had finally set behind the cathe- dral and Mime. Wolgemuth had woke up from her nap. Isilda and Basil had plight ed their troth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
The Master Mystic

Basil was reading Meyers book when the alchemist entered the apartment The student greeted his master-as he called him-with the most profound re- spect and veneration and would not seat himself in the presence of the adept until Meyer. pointing to low stool, bade his pupil be seated.
 Meyer was a man of middle age. tall spare, calm and of dignified bearing. His forehead was broad and lofty and on it intellect was plainly written.
 But at times those calm eyes would light up with wild gleam and across that serene and dignified face would sweep, as it were, a gust of kindling fire which it was frigh,sul to look upon In short, 1t is the verdict of history that Meyer was at least half insane. and that he drove many of his pupils wholly so, l.s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Communing With the Invisible

From that time on Basil was more and more engrossed in what he be- lieyed to be his new gifts, and was seen but little by either his sister or Isilda.
 When not shut up in his room, where he forbade anyone to disturb him, he was wandering about the woods and fields, climbing the mountains and rest ing by the streams.
 For days together they would not see him. It was a wonderful world he now lived in. For he now penetrated into the marvels of the invisible world
 He saw the sylphs of the air floating over him and flaming bis slumbers with ambrosial wings. The beautiful Un- dimes spread their cool wavy arms around him and through the riven earth he saw the ,Knomes and Cobolds at work in their treasure caves
 Borne by the Salamandrines he visit ed the caves of the volcanoes; their lurid recesses were exposed to his gaze and he saw the central fires smolder- ing beneath the surface of the earth the cradle of the earthquake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Snirits Still Invisible

The visions which Meyer had prom ised him had not come before his eyes; the wood nymphs and the salaman- drines. had not showed themselves to him; the invisible spirits of air had not become visible; the secrets of na- ture still lay before him book sealed and bound in iron.
 He was in an agony of doubt, re- morse, dread " sN' VI
 The fire blazing up ftfully upon the hearth Basirs beloved fire-sent a ruddy gleam through the antique chamber and cast over the pallid and wasted features of the Rosicrucian a feeting glow of health.
 And thou, fire." cried the fren- zied man, "art thou indeed peopled with those wonderful beings whose forms I cannot see. or are they deaf to my voice and invisible to my eyes alone of all my brethren?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10

The master bade his pupil wait; urg- ed him to persevere; pictured with the poetry of frenzied mind the delights and the riches of that world into which his spirit would rise when the spirit would have overcome the body
 He worked the young man into state of rapt mysticism almost as ardent as his own; from that sublime insanity of his mind sparks flew to the soul of Basil and kindled there an answering flame
 When at length Meyer parted from his pupil he said No. farewell; for this night I leave Cologne. My work Is &C., complished, and l leave behind me once more added to the brethren of the Rosy Cross"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
The Spirits Return

'J might not live for thee. Isilda," he cried, but can die for thee.'
 He ran in to the burning building and reached the room where 1silda stood. She sprang with a joyful cry into his arms. He bore her through the smoke and flame to a spot where the fire had not yet reached.
 Further he could not go, for his strength failed him. Isilda had tainted, and as Basil laid down his burden he cried out in anguish;
 "Is there no help, no hope? Where are the spirits that were once subjectl to me? And thou, my guardian spirit of fire-is this thy work? Where art thou?"
 His madness was returning, and he heard the voice of the Salamandrine. She appeared, and with her a myriad of shapes like her. They lowered over the form of Isilda.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
The Voice of the Fire Spirit

"Thinkest thou that it is the first time have been with thee? I have been near thee from childhood" said the Salaman- drine.
 When in thy boyish days thou didst sit gazing at the element which controls and from which I proceed, it was I who made it assume in thy fancy lovely shapes. All the castles thou hast built out of the dying embers were castles which I built for thee, all the dreams and ambitions which sprung up with the ris- ing flames weer inspired by mp resence.
 ''Didst thou not always think no voice so sweet as the breathing of the flames? An, it was my voice that thou ddst near in the fire as it sprang from fagot to fagot and whispered to thy soul of things unutterable.
 .sThe fire came to thee in thy youth source of inspiratfon-and all this was ray doing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Who sit by the woodland. Ludwig. Lud-

 Who sit by the woodland, Ludwig. Lud-
 wig?
 It Is the AlIe-maid gay. The ballad tells Of the Elle-maid, or wood woman, a kind of sprite who in front appears beautiful damsel, but seen behind is hollow, like a mask.
 She sits by the woodland roadside of fering her wine. cup and kiss. But the moment youth has tasted of either he becomes raving mad.
 Count Ludwig met the Elle-maid and tasted of both the cup and the kiss. He came riding back to the town stark mad, the people flying before him in terror.
 But the beautiful maiden to whom he was betrothed feared him not, and ran to him. Count Ludwig in his frenzy de- c1ared that she was no betrothed of his but a foul Elle-maid, and slew her with his dagger
 q kissed thee I slew thee; I-thy Lud-
 wig,
 And now we will sleep alway." Still fair blooms the woodland where rode
 Ludwig,
 Still there sits the Elle-maid gay. The ballad ended and for while there das deep silence in the room. As the clear tones of Basips voice ended there had been one deep drawn sigh heard, as 1t were the unconscious relief of a full heart
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Gathering the Prunes

From the Los Angeles Times.
 The plan of getting white families to gather the perishable crops of the state in preference to alien labor Is meeting with unusual success. Although the movement is only in it's infancy, results attained already this season prove the test one of mutual benefit to the owner of the crops and the men. women and children who are employed.
 Homer A. Craig, fruit grower at Campbell. Cal. is the leader in launch ing this new idea. For the past four years he has been giving 1t practical trial in his orchards.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Final Sacrifice

Islda pressed his hand passionately to her heart and her lips, weeping freely, and blessed him for so much of con- sideration.
 ''rhou hast not looked the same of late, Basil" said Isilda. 'Thou art too anx- ious What is the secret sorrow that preys upon thee? Tell me that l may help thee bear the burden. Who should do so and tighten it but I who love thee so? Thou art my life, my soul; 1t were death to part with thee"
 Woe is mel" muttered Basil, must I then sacrifice Isida, too2'
 Overcome by her emotions Isilda fell fainting to the floor Basil looked at her. But across his vision came the memory of the being whom he had seen in the fire-that Salamandrine who was to him as the Elle-mair of whom he had so long ago recited the story.
 The die was cast. Basil opened the door and called his sister, Margareta. Then he took his hat and went out into the open air.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Happy Since He Loved Her

You have chosen a gloomy story, Basil" said the mother at last, and her voice broke the spell
 An, fortunate for those four people sitting there that they could not look into the future and see the awful pro- phecy of their lives which had been con- tained in that old ballad.
 'I do not pity that false knight a bit said Margareta. He had no busi- ness to have kissed the Elle-maid-or any body else when he was engaged. But am sorry for the poor girl he killed" Isilda spoke as if half in dream. She said slowly: Not so. It was not sad for ler-even to be slain by him she loved. since she died in his arms having Known that he loved her. It was a happy fate.''
 Margareta looked at Isilda in wonder full silence Basil gave a little start.
 well" said Margareta. T should not envy Count Ludwig's $ bride-I had rath4 CT live farewell, you dolorous folks, l will go spin.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Dreaming Before the Fire

Basil was a dreamer. but he had SC pierced into the secrets of nature and philosophy that men of learning and pow CT listened to his words, and the poor chamber in which he sat had been trod- den by wisdom. rank and beauty who had felt honored to be therefor 1t was :. abode of genius.
 .asil was no idle seeker, mechanically following the bent of mere curiosity, but an enthusiastic lover who would fathom the depths Of his beloved's soul.
 He knew that in this world all things bear two meanings, one for the common observer and one for the higher mind of him with an earnest purpose. and a steadfast but loving heart penetrates into those mines of hidden richness-the treas- ures of science and imagination.
 Such was Basil wolgemuth, who now sat musing before the fire in the ancient chamber.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
:. Living Upon Dreams

When he was shut up alone in his chamber he would invoke the sprite which had atefirst appeared to him, the Salamandrine which came out of his own heart-fre.
 From her lips he learned the wisdom beyond that of man. He stunned him. self in her presence, in the light of her wondrous beauty, and became in- sensible to all earthly things.
 He woud, laugh at the thought of how once he had been content with mortal pleasures. and would cry out that Meyer was right-that it was worth while to torture the body to be- come possessed of such gifts and such knowledge as were now his.
 Meantime the form of Basil was wasted to a shadow. His dreamy eyes became fathomless in expression his whole appearance was that of spirit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
The Celestial Chorus

As the Salamandrine ceased the vapors of the fire encircled her with a whirling
 mist and wailing came from the red eayerns of flames, the burden of which was forever, Alas for us we have To after life.''3 s9 E4ifEe1 stf ID
 Byt rthen again came from the fire an
 ethereal chorus; melodiously it pealed upon the opened ears of the enra blurred stndent.l It was a song Of rapture and praise to theeOrigin of all Good. Basil heard it and he stood spell bound. a
 { As the fire sank down lower and low CT the strain died away with the re- peated words, Blessed art thou, o man -stfong in thy weakness, happy in thy sufferinss. Thrice blessed art thou.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
All In Vain

A month or two passed and we may again look into the chamber of Basil Wolgemuth. Paler, thinner, more dis traught than ever, his eyes ever and anon clouded with the gloom Of despair and then flashing with the lurid light of some fancied inner revelation. the youth. knelt before the fire-his loved fire-wringing his hands and bewailing the destiny which fate had sent him.
 He had penetrated within the shadow of the tree of knowledge and Its shadow had darkened his soul But as yet he had not tasted of the fruit for which he longed. I
 Alas he cried, 'I have striven. but cannot attain. l have cast all bliss to the winds; have poisoned my youth-and thy youth, too, Isilda. thou, once the joy of my life. And all in vain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
T.;lda Beloved of Basil

And then came Isilda. She had race like a certain Madonna of Guido Reni s.. Once beheld, that face imprints itself forever on the heart It is the emood- iment of soul so pure that It might have been Eve's when she was still in Eden.
 Yet there is in the eyes that shadow Of a womans intense love, the handmaid of which is ever sorrow. And the deep blue orbs seem thoughtfully looking into the dim future with a vague sadness, as If conscious that the peace of the pres ent will not endure
 Womanly sweetness, feeling suppressed, not slumbering. soul attuned to high thoughts like a well strung Tyre and only needing breath to awaken it's harmon tous chords-an these were visible in the face which shone into the painters heart and has lived forever in the work of his hand.
 And such was Isilda, the beloved or Basil. the girl who loved Basil in return purely, fervently and devotedly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Money From Quarantine

From the New York Sun. lr
 Lots of money is being made by tho boatmen who station themselves along the bay near Quarantine since the chol- era precautions have been on When a steamer is stopped because of sickness on board it is held at Quarantine for ten days. In the meantime relatives and friends of the passengers come down to Quarantine to see if they can get in communication with them. There are lots of boatnen who take them within fifty feet of the ship, the reguia- tion distance, charging dollar a head. They manage to collect good many dollars a day. sE
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Free From Mortal Bondage

Must one do all this to become d true follower of Christian Rosenkreuz? ?'' said Basil dark shadow coming over his face. s
 Aye. all this and more. Dost thy heart fail thee? Then lie down and perish at the foot of the steps it was too hard for thee to climb After thou liadst travelled halfway I did not think thy heart would fail thee"
 Tt does not fail me- cried the young enthusiast T have followed all thy precepts; no food save what nature rig orously requires has passed my lips. I have kept myself as pure as little child
 Yet still l seem furthere than ever from the blessed state when the soul. free from all mortal bondage and all mortal longings, is so superior to the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Again Before the Fire

A year passes, year full of changes. The death of Basl's mother, for one thing, had delayed the marriage of the student and fair Isilda.
 And then there had come over Basil himself a great change. No change had taken place in Isilda. She was still the betrothed of Basil, loving him with 8 depth and steadfastness beyond the first fresh love of girhood and romance.
 We find Basil again. as we first saw him, sitting alone in the low roofed apartment in the quaint old house.
 The room looked the same as before and the fire was burning on the hearth. Basil loved the fire and liked to have t as the compa nion of his solitary hours. He kept continually feeding the flame with fresh brands and often looked up
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Alone With the Dead

Touch her not shrieked Basil in q frenzy.
 Isilda awoke and stretching out her arms said "Oh Basil, thou lowest me, thou art mine again. st..s
 Hush, he cried, do you not sec them?" "I see nothing but, the flames and thee Now they are vanishing" cried Basil stay. stay glorious forms, I give up all, even her. zaa
 No power on earth can part us now" said Isilda and she threw her arms around the student. Let me live for thee-de for thee"
 Thou shalt have thy wish,'' yelled Basil. There was a gleam of cold steel, ruddy in the light of the flames, and Basil was alone--with the dead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
Death the End

Isilda had found the death she had once thought blest. the death of the bride of Count Ludwig. How Basil es- capped from the burning building was never known. It was supposed at first that he had perished in the fire.
 But when two days laters some frienda. who took pity upon the desolate state of Margareta, came to see her, they forced open the door of her brothers room and found Basil lying upon the floor dead. his marble face upturned to their horror-stricken gaze and the book of Michael Meyer beside him In his stiffened fingers was long tress of woman's hair.
 Many years after, when the memory of the Student of Cologne had been for gotten, an aged nun died in a convent not far from that city. It was Mar gareta, the sister of Basil Wolgemuth the Rosicrucians
 (Next weeks one page classic will be
 Helen" by Maria Edgworth). Copyright, 1911, by Irving King.)