davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Visit from the Parson

Old man Avenel had had "a shock and was a feeble paralytic. But his wife retained all her old vgor and sternness. Mrs. Fairfield had never been forgiven by her mother for marrying a Common carpenter and there had been no inter- course between them for years.
 Mrs. Avenel received the parson stiffly, but politely. That there was some sort of a secret between her and her yis- itor was apparent whe nthey began to talk. Mir. Dale had come to urge that Mrs Avenel have Lenny educated and sent to Cambridge. After quarter of ar hours talk the woman said abruptly
 ''No-but I will provide for him. I will pay for his being apprenticed to some tradesman in a distant town and, by and by, we will stock a shop for him. What more could you have sir, from the like oi us who were shopkeepers ourselves? The boy need expect nothing more from us. My son, Richard. Is good son, has made his fortune and Is an honor to us. Shall we rob him to spend money upon a lad who, in spite of all you say con cerning him, can never be credit to us You know why" continued Mrs. Avenel, almost fiercely. NO, I don't want him to rise in life and have folks to be speir- ing and asking about him. No, l won't do it and there's an end of the matter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Dr. RiccabOcca

But Dr. Riccabocca was, In fact, a kind- hearted. learned. pleasant fellow-and Miss Jemima was determined to marry him. in which laudable ambition she was seconded by Mrs. Hazeldean and Mrs. Dale The odds were against the doctor. He rented a half-ruinous villa from the squire called the Casino and dwelt there with a single servant. the faithfW Gia- como who had shared his masters days of plenty and had been faithful to him in exile and penury.
 When Riccabocca had hired the Casino the squire had asked for references, and the doctor had procured a letter from Lord L'Estrange. then residing abroad in which his lordship vouched for the birth, breeding and character of the exile.
 Riccabocca-or RiclSybocky, as the squire called him--even as the faithful Giacomo was popularly known as Jock eymo-at first kept himself very much aloof from everybody. But at last he was persuaded to make friends of Parson Dale and the squire. He saw clearly that Miss Jemima and her fortune of f600t were at his disposal-but hesitated.
 He was widower and had a daughter Violante, who, when he was obliged tc fy from Italy, had been sheltered by a village priest. with whom she now re- sided. The doctor longed to have this child with him. but doubted if she could endure the climate of England. so he smoked his pipe and read his favorite author. Machiavell while Glacomc worked wonders-in rehabilitating the di- lapldated Casino and it's grounds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01

joining the Hazledean estate that he had Teen going to visit Frank Hazledean, his classmate at Eaton, but having, unfor- tunately, fallen into a ditch. he was re- turning home without making his call when Lenny had objected to his resting on the stocks and had assaulted him Saying this with a great deal of hauteur Randall Leslie went his way.
 Stirn was overpowered. A peasant boy assault gentleman? Horror! He grabbed Lenny and in spite of the boys protes- tations. put him in the stocks and left him there. The boys heart was broken he shed bitter tears of boyhood when injustice calls them forth
 A quarter of an hour passed and then Lenny saw coming toward him an Ital. ian exile known to the community as pr. Riccabocca. He was tall and gaunt tfis son of Italy, and his dress agreed with his dark weird face and his me phistophelian figure. He wore hat with q great broad brim, a cloak was over his shoulder. He had. a beard and a mus tache and dark, sunken, piercing black eyes, while his hair. worn long. was of raven blackness. The country people de- olared he had dealings with Old Nick or vas Old Nick himself and. judging from appearances they could scarcely be blamed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
The Doctor Decides

The doctor was much disturbed. Wha.
 was it best for him to do? What can
 I give my child in this world?' said he.
 'Is the land of the stranger a better
 refuge than the home of peace in her ma
 tive clime?'' Tn the land of the stranger
 beats her fathers heart" replied Gia- como And if that beat were stiled- then what?" said Riccabocca .rn con- vent at least she were bafe from penury. If I had some independence, however small, to count upon-nay, if among all my dainty relatives, there were but one woman who would accompany Violante to the exles hearth But how can we two rough, bearded men provide for all the wants and cares of frail female child? The woman child needs the fos- tering hand and tender eye of woman And with word,' said Giacomo reso- lutely the padrone might secure to that child all that is needed and the au- tumn leaves fall she might he sitting on lis knee. The padrone loves that child better than all the world. Now. if the
 padrone would but make up his mind to -marry,'
 He expected that his master would start up in indignation. but instead he said. Give me my pipe After long smoke Riccabocca put on his best clothes, Giacomo brushed him off carefully and he took his way to Hazeldean Hall. Blessed Saint Giacomo. my beloved patron,n murmured the servant as he saw his master depart, 'by thy help and
 his pipes the padrone shall have his child.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Mores( (onspiYacy

The various ends of various splots and counter plots now drew thick together. Riccabocca, being informed that the count was on his trail, removed with Vtolante to a house in London suburb, being per- suaded by Leslie that he would De safe safer there than at the Casino. Leonard had long ago brought Mrs. Fairfield up to London-she wanted no more for a ffy- ing. but was installed in a fins house which the prosperous author had taken near to the one occupied by pr. Ricca- bocca.
 Lord L'Estrange. sent Helen over from the continent to his mothers care and soon followed himself. He had concluded, in spite of a great disappointment of heart that had happened in his early life. that he would marry Helen and find do- nestle bliss at last.
 Harley L'Estrange at once became aware of the dangers which threatened his old friend the Duke, and, through his advice, Violante went to Lord Lansrnwe's London house to be under the protection of the countess for greater safety.
 Meantime the count had found in Ran- daI Leslie a kindred spirit and the two conspired together Randall betrayfng the place of Violantes retreat. Despairfng of marrying violante any other way the count decided to abduct her and he and Randall planned the matter. But L,Es- trange was playing well his part on the other side and reused to action Harley became a shrewd and powerful opponent to the conspirators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
A Deieuner Dansant

The Pompleys were the very first peo- pie in Screwstown socially and Hon. Mrs. McCatchley, daughter of Scottish peer. was their prize relation and was visiting them. She was a widow in exceedingly moderate circumstances and Richard Avenel saw a chance to accomplish his great ambition and ally" himself with the arstocracy. So when Mrs. McCatch- ley said; MT. Avenel. why don't you give a deieuner dansant?" a dejeuner dansant Mir Avenel gave.
 It was a most "sumptuous' affair. Ev erybody came even members of some of tfe county families and Richard felt that at last he was 'in society,". But in the middle of the festivities a sound of malicious laughter was heard from one of the shaded walks near the dancing tent and Richard going to see the cause of it, beheld Mrs. Fairfield. dressed In her peasant costume, with her arms around Leonards neck and calling him all sorts of endearing names. while the peo- pie crowded around this family scene were laughing
 As soon as Mrs. Fairfield saw Richard she rushed to him, kissed him and ex- claimed: 70, brother Richard, that live to see you again!' The roar of laughter which followed angered Richard Avene. and aroused his manliness. He made a speech so full of spirit and good sense that the laughers were ashamed and begged pardon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
The Distant Brother

Squire Hazeldean and his distant broth er" as he called Audley, were on the outs Some years before the stocks were repaired Lord Lansmere who had nice snug little borough of his own not many miles from Hazledean, had intimated to his son. Lord l. Estrange, that 1t was time for him to get into parliament.
 Harley. Lord LEstrange, did not wani tc go into parliament and after much persuasion, induced his father to substi- ute the young lords friend of Eaton and Oxford, Audley Edgerton. The time fo, the election came, and just on the eve oi the, canvass both Audley and Harley sud denly left Lansmere park. The cause vas not made public then. but thereby hangs tale-the undercurrent of this story and its tragedy.
 Lord Lansmere was in despair, but Squire Hazledean, being then visitor at Tanamere declared that he would can vass the electorate in Audley's stead. He did so and elected his half brother. But to the squire's horror and surprise. when once In parliament Audley did not "stand by the land and Hazledean. thereafter, would not even speak to him-he became his distant brother" Such was the con dition of affairs when the stocks were repaired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
The Parish Stocks

"There has never been any occasion to use them since I have been in the parish" said Parson Dale.
 What does that prove2' retorteo Squire Hazeldean.
 Prove" replied the parson, Wna' does experience prove?"
 That your forefathers were great bIoclheads and that their descendants are not a whit the wiser
 Squire" said MT. Dale with shlle of benign, yet all too conscious supe- riority, "although it is a melancholy conclusion. it is one which my candor AS a reasoner does not permit me to question if you mean to apply It not .o the family of Dale in particular, put to other families as we'll"
 And all this quarrel between Pafson Dale and Squire Hazeldean was over the repairing of the parish stocks. me two men were the best of friends, ltVeo much in each others company, pIaNea whist together almost nightly and hao quarrels such as this one. like friehds
 The stocks had been in a ruinous state-they had not been used since no- body could reme mber when. But the 'suuire was model landlord and model justice of the peace, and to see anything about his domain---and 1t was large one--in a ruinous condition pained him. Therefore, even the stocks must be repaired. and they were re- paired
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Write to Lord LES"

He was without funds and his daughter vas left stranded, thrown upon the char ity of the village people. They had taken up a subscription and raised enough money to send the child to London, where Ter father. who had given the name of Captain Digby, had ''settlement,' and where, therefore. the girl Helen by name would be entitled to enter the poor house
 The kind landady told the poor girl s story and Lenny saw and talked with her. He was at once impressed with the child's desolate condition and the land lady suggested that as Lenny was trav- cling to London he should take Helen under his care. which was agreed to- Helen could tell her new protector little about her father save that he had once been an army officer, that he had been for years very poor, and that they had lived in cheap lodgings in London be- fore they went on the profitless journey into the country In the vain hope of get ting help from some rich relations.
 When Captain Digby was dying his las, words were, Write to Lord LES He could not finish the name before deatf seized him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
With Richard Ayenel

His uncle designed him as a partner and eventual successor to himself in a mill business which he had at Screws town, a destiny not exactly to Leonard s liking, but to which he felt he must re- sign himself.
 Richard Avenel was energetic, push ing shrewd and had made his estate at Screwstown a model one. Leonard thought he had seen model farms before, but rever had he seen anything like his un- ole's farms. Richards political activity was of the same energetic character as his business and social activities and he boasted that he could return two mem bers to parlament-and he could.
 Audley Edgerton the cold and polished minister, he hated And for this reason: He had gone to Audley with a straight business proposition, which was that Richard should return two members of Audley's brand of politics from Screws town, and in return Audley should see that he was made knight Richard put it in his usual plain. blunt way and Aud ley had him shown out of the office. Richards fault was that he did not know how to put the proposition-bargains Of this sort are made according to pre- soribed formula. Anyway, Richard swore revenge upon Audley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Going Raudal's Way

Harley was so busy with this affair that he neglected to read a mass of man. uscript which Leonard had brought him. 0 manuscript diary written in a wonan's hand and g. document which vftafly con- cerned not only Leonard but himself.
 Leonard had come across it where h had been left with the 1andlady of a su- burban house up the river by former lodger When he had read it he was greatly agitated and carried 1t to Lord I,Estrange with a request that he read It. But, as has been said, LiEstrange neglected to look at 1t for some time.
 Still. L'Estrange was not too busy to find out that he loved Violante and not Helen. However, he had proposed to Helen, who, through gratitude and not love, had accepted him, and he. believing that the girl did love him, saw no way to retrace his step.
 Tn order to save the Marchesa from im- prisonment for debt, Frank Hazeldean
 had given to certain money lender a pest obit on the Casino property, which was entailed to him.
 This and his announcement that he would marry the Italian woman. come what might. had completely estranged the squire and his wayward son, as Ran
 dal Leslie, who had suggested the post obit, knew would be the case. Randall saw things going his way. He already held a good government posi- I ton and was expecting to stand for par liament The Count Peschiera- by means | of pretended message from her father, | lured Violante from the house of Lord
 ansmere, had her seized by his agents | and taken, under the care of his sister, | the Marchesa, on board vessel which he
 had hired and which lay anchored in the | Thames.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Doctor a Prisoner

Such was the strange looking man whom we have kept waiting before the stocks in which was held in durance I.enny Fairfield. Lenny told his story to Riccabocco. The stocks were not locked they were kept closed by falling hasp which Lenny could not reach. The doc tor raised the hasp and released the boy, who ran home with heart filled with bitterness and shame
 The Italian stood looking at the stocks end neditating Surely a more elegant. enticing, coquettish pair of stocks never gladdened the eye. The thought came over Riccabocca that he would like to sec how 1t seemed to be in the stocks. He put his feet through two of the holes. sat down on the grassy bank behind and pulled down the bar
 Click-the hasp fell into place and Dr. Riccabocco was a prisoner. With calm philosophy he took out his pipe and to- bacco, struck light and set to smok- irg. It was thus the astonished vil- lagers found him as they came stream ing out from church.
 The squire released the Italian and to the squire Riccabocca told the story oe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
A Letter from Italy

But Lenny, when sought out, refused to apologize. His widowed mother backed him up in his resolution and the result was that both the widow and her son left the very comfortable and very cheap farm where they had been living and went to live in a cottage near the Casino. the widow taking in washing and Lenny engaging himself to Dr. Riccabocca as a helper to Giacomo.
 One day Dr. Riecabocea received a let ter from Italy. It was from the parish rrest who was sheltering Violante. The priest called attention to the fact that the child was becoming of an age now when she should either be with her father or placed in some institution where she would be properly educated and cared for.
 She, herself, desired to enter a convent as novice and the priest thought that in view of the shattered state of Ricca- hocca's fortunes and the ban under which the Austrian government had placed him and his family-the Austrians then held northern Italy and it was against the Austrians that Riccabocca had conspired that. perhaps. convent would be the best solution of the problem. Riccabocca read the letter to his faithful Giacomo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
And Marries Wealth


 Thus Miss Jemma and her little fortune became the doctor s-the squire gave a great wedding feast and signalized the event by destroying the stocks. This re- stored at once the old friendly relations between the hall and the parish and the opposition public house had to shut up its doors in a month for want of business. Jomima made model wife for the ex- ile and was an affectionate mother to his daughter.
 In Leonard Fairfield the doctor found that he had come across youth of un- usual ability and of sterling character. The boy and the girl, after little quar- rels, became fast friends and Ricca- ibocca busied himself in advancing the education of both children. Leonard de- veloped talent for mechanical devices and also made special study of agricul- ture.
 The time passed bad habit that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
On the Vessel

But when the count, his sister and his intended victim reached the vessel, they found it manned, not by the Italian crew which the count had left there, but by a crew engaged by Harley L'EstrAngs. Harley had bought the vessel. lured the Italian crew ashore and now sternly re- ceived the conspirator. He told him how he had followed him through all his ma- chinations and had outwitted him. Then stepped forward the Austrian Prince. the ambassador to London, who informed Perchiera that his crimes were known to the Emperor and that his name was triclSen from the rolls of the nobility, while the Duke of Serrano had been re- stored to all his rights and fortune.
 Among those who had come with HAr~ ley to the ship was Frank Hazeldeam. who stood confounded by the whole mat ter. To him came the Marchesa and told him frankly that she did not love him that he had been a dupe-and bade him farewell forever. Frank was pifmged into depths of shame and sorrow, but he, sur vived and shortly afterward mads his peace with his father and married c county heiress. LEstrange and his party came ashore fro mthe vessel which he came ashore from the vessel which he Deign shore. The Marchesa, choosing to share the fate of her brother, remained with him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
A CL A s SIC
 IN A P A c E

My Novel: or, Varieties in English Life" Is an exceedingly long story with many digressions and filed with that pseudo philosophy of which Bulwer- Iytton was so fond and which Thack- cray so unmercifully burlesoued. It was written in books" and each book is prefaced by a dialogue which would have delighted the heart of the walrus In "Alices Looking Glass" who desired to talk of many things, of ships and shoes and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings" It is difficult to see just why Bulwer called the story My Nov ell" But he did, and there Is probably some esoteric reason for 1t. The story was published first in Blackwood's Magazine in 1853, and at once achieved s great popularity This popularity has endured to this day. in spite of tho involved plot and the length of the novel. Except The Last Days of Pom pei' and "The Last of the Barons,' 1t is probably the best known of Bulwers romances.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
Lennv Goes to Screwstown

The door opened and in came Richard Avenel. He had overheard part of the conversation and had been much inter- ested. If Leonard was as bright boy as the parson said. why should not he (Richard) take him up and provide for him? Richard had made big fortune in America and was bachelor seeking so- cial distinction and wife out of the upper circles two ambitions which he found himself less suitably equipped for than the making of a fortune. As he went out with Mir. Dale and talked the matter over. Mrs. Avenel said, in and aside to the clergyman as he left: Not word to Richard-he does not know
 The result of the visit was that Leonard went to live with his rich uncle .li Screwstown. It was, of course, with sim cere regret that Leonard left his mother
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01

ahd his kind patron. But his course lay upward, he felt, and it was only by get ting out of the rut in which he was that he could achieve the goal of his lofty as- prations and be able to support Mrs Fairfield in comfort.
 Richard Avenel made 1t a condition that. for time at least Leonard should not see his mother and to this Mrs. Fair field commanded Lenny to accede. But 1t was hard on both of them, and many a time amid the new splendors which surrounded the youth in the home of his rich uncle, Leonard's heart went back to his mothers cottage and to Ricca- boccas gardens and the exile's beautiful daughter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
In London Society

Taking cheap lodgings in London, Leon ard and the girl, who he had now come to look upon as one entrusted to his care by Providence. began the struggle of life in great city. No nobleman whose name began with Les could Lenny find in London, but he did, accidentally, run across the doctor who had happened by crance to be at the inn where Captain Dgby died and had attended that un- fortunate man. The doctor became in- terested and got Lenny a job in a book sellers shop and Helen a place as com panion to a well-to-do old maid.
 It would be long story, a story of some years of struggle and effort and de- srair and hope. to tell how. finally. Leonard Fairfield achieved fame and a competence as a writer. and how Lord l. Estrange came back from abroad and proved to be the man whose name had been on the dying lips of Captain Digby, who had been fellow officer of his lord ships when l. Estrange was in the army.
 L'Estrange assumed the care of Helen and took her abroad to be educated. Leonard. now thrown into London socf- ety. met Audley Edgerton and Randall Leslie-the latter the boy with whom he had contended in the battle of the stocks years before. Also in London was now Frank Hazeldean, an officer of the Guards. Goodnatured Frank was lead ing a wild sort of life. getting inre debt and. worse still. had fallen in love, in all of which vagaries Randall Leslie aided and abetted him and lured him on. Les lie did not frivol- -himself-not bit of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01
The Happy Ending

He left hardly any money at all. hay. ing lived for years beyond his means. Harley, discovering that Helen really loved Leonard. released the girl from hef promise and she married her old love. while Lord L'Estrange married Violante. The Duke of Serrano and Jemima had a son and heir born to them and went to live in state on their Italian property. Leonard's uncle Richard was reconciled to him and bought from his nephew mechanical invention. very valuable to the manufacturer. at good round sum.
 Leonard purchased an estate in Devon shire and he and his wife lived long and happily. So did the squire and his wife live happily again at Haxeldean Hall. Frank and his wife at the Casino, Mir. Dale and his Carry at the parsonage. Lord and Lady LEstrange at Lansmere Park. Mrs. Avene and her daughter Mrs. Fairfield. amply provided for. sank gracefully into old age and recalled only as memory the storms of their lives.
 Next weeks one-pase classic will bs rThe Ministers Wooing.' by Harria Eeecher Stowe.
 Copyright. 1912. by Irving Kingj