davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Startling News

He drove TO the offices OF the late la
mented company and round them de-
serted He drove TO the late company !
bankers in Lombard street and as soon
as he walked mp TO the window and said
Artificial Rain Company?' the paving
teller replied shortly; Account closed
and turned away to wait upon some one
else.
He drove to the office of Quirk, Cam
mon e. Snap. and was shown into Mr..
Gammon's Chambers" Mr. Cannon was
not in the room and the earl sat down
to wait
Suddenly his eye caught sight Of a
paper lying upon the table He started
and put on his spectacl-s to see II he had
read Alright It was the grant of rent
charge upon the estate or Yatton.
Mr. Cannon came in and caught the
earl reading the document Lord Dred-
ellington demanded to know what the
document n1eant-what was the cause OF
It? And Mr. Cannon told him that IL
was none of his business.
Finally he Acknowledged that the earl :
precious son-in-law was nearly bank
rupt.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Not a Hanny Wedding

Now Lady Cecilia was not of a very
strong mind. but she recoiled at the APP
preach Of the little Titmouse. though her
father had told her. over and over again.
of how much benefit Il would be to the
family should she marry with the new
owner Of Yatton.
The earl even took his family on a
visit to Yatton, and such pressure was
brought to bear upon the Lady Cecilia
that lat last. she consented to become the
wife of Titmouse
very brilliant party attended the
ceremonies and the splendid wedding
breakfast which followed at the earl's
house in Grosvenor square.
About 2 o'clock Lady Cecilia withdrew
to prepare for her journey TO Poppleton
Hall--her fathers residence in Hertford-
shire-where thehappy pair were to spend
their honeymoon.
The unfortunate woman, with dropping
head. allowed her father to lead her 10
Mr.. Titmouse's travelling chariot-a most
gaudy one--wllieh was In waiting.
When her father kissed and placed her
in the vehicle she burst into food Of
tears.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Judgment by Default

With the death of its architect fell tho
surprising fabric of crime and wrong. the
rise and fall of which is commemorated
In this history-a fabric which, II 1t rose
like an exhalation so like an exhalation
II disappeared; and with it all the crea-
lures who had peopled 1t.
Though Mr.. Runnington's diligence and
ability had set matters into such train
that, had Mr.. Cannon lived to cont inue
his most skilful opposition. he could not
have delayed for any considerable length
OF time Mr.. Aubrey's restoration to Yat-
ton; yet the sudden death of Cannon
greatly accelerated that event.
notwithstanding the eoroners verdict.
Aubrey and Huntington. and many 9TH
ere, strongly suspected the true state Of
the case, VIZ. that. in the desperation OF
defeat and the dread of exposure. Mr..
Cannon had destroyed himself.
Toward the close of the term Mr. Run
nington went TO the proper officer OF the
kings bench to see II Titmouse had taken
the proper steps TO defend the ejectment
suit brought against him by Aubrey. lie
had not-in other words. he suffered judg-
ment by default.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
The Imnudent Cockney

From what Cannon had said to Kats
Aubrey when urging his address upon her
they knew that he had done some crooked
work. but what2
''If we can only get him. said Running
ton but we know all his witnesses now
before we were fighting IN the dark"
You see, the secret of the illegitimacy
of Titmouse was, as yet. unknown to
them. Lady Cecilia was dead; the earl.
her father, unable TO speak or write. and
Cannon was not likely 10 make any
more breaks" upon that subject-he had
had enough trouble for his indiscretions
of temper
As for Titmouse, Lady Cecilia being
dead-and her child died with her--he felt
and knew of the storm which was APP
preaching in him and his affairs.
Cannon had told him frankly that II
all was discovered he would have to lose
Yatton-perhaps go to Jail for debt
What does the impudent Cockney do but
try to marry Kate Aubrey Then 1 shah
he safe anyway" thought he MY wifss
father will hardly turn me out Of doors.
even IL he does find out who really ans
The fellow was still a member of the
house of commons and from there he
wrote to Kate letter which afforded the
young lady both merriment and lndigna-
ton. A part of this letter ran as fol-
lows:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Past His Power to Undo

The day finally arrived for the report
of the prerogative court--the court OF
probate. And Mr.. Cannon knew that
his plans were blown" his lniquitles
upon the verge of being all discovered
He even saw in the paper that he had
absconded-a defaulter.
And he had been promised a judicial
position of great value upon the dissolu-
ton Of parliament and the return OF
tories to power-the lord chancellor him
self had promised it-Mr. Cannon was a
man of ability.
He wrote several letters that night.
Then he walked up and down the room
for a while
He looked at the glass as he passed
and scarcely recognized mis- own chastity
features. lie would have given the uni
verse to have undone what he had done.
Then he took n bottle from the MANTLE
piece and poured its contents into his
mouth lie fell down at once-insensible-
dead
He had taken all precaution TO fool
those who should find him there. and
when they came and medical men were
summoned. and a coroners jury had been
called TO sit upon the case. It was pro-
nounced one of apoplexy or organic heart
disease. "Dled by the visitation Of Cod
was their verdict.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Mr.. Tittlebat Titmouse

The lawyers informed Mr.. Tittlebat Tit
mouse that he was probably neir to an
estate in Yorkshire-an estate which
brought in rental of 10000 year.
Mr.. 1itmouse telt himself competent to
the situation and considered that he was
only coming into pt sition which his
merits had long qualified him to FILL
Now the reason Tor the advertisement
which hao given Mr.. Iitmouse such a
thrill was thu. The estate of Yatton, in
Yorkshire, mad been occupied for 10 years
by Charles Aubrey, member OF parlia-
ment, and a man who had only one life
between himself and a peerage.
Mr.. Aubrey was man of learning re-
finement and ability. When Mr.. Aubrey
married Agnes st. Clair. the daughter OF
an army officer who had been killed in
the Napoleonic wars. he naturally told
his solicitor, Mr.. Parkinson of the neigh
boring town of Grilston, to draw up the
settlements.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Troubles for Titmouse

Meantime Titmouse was getting heav-
Ter and heavier into debt He even mort
gagged the Yatton property for 10000
ten thousand a year was too small an In
come for Mr. Tittlebat Titmouse to live
upon.
Mr. Cannon began to fear that he was
not getting his share of the punder-the
spendthrft would spend too much n not
looked after He demanded that rental
assignment of $1,000 n year upon the Vat
ton estate be given him.
what for2" asked Tftmouse-and then
IN angry alteration ensued. during which
Mr. Cannon told things to Mr.. Titmouse
concerning the atter's true position. that
made Titmouse give the required assign
ment Of rent charge.
Meantime Lord Dreddlington was hav-
ing his own troubles
One morning his lordship was startled
to read in his morning paper that one of
the companies In which he was much
Interested "a company the managing di-
rector of which had. the day before. given
him a magnificent dinner-the Artificial
Rain cornpany. In short-had. as IT were,
evaporated.
And that hosptable managing director.
Sir Sharper Bubble. had skipped with
the funds.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
An Alliance Promised

IT know 1t is in dispute whether your
respectable brother or myself are own
ers of Yatton. You see, the law gave II
to me once, and may give It me again and
no mistake. who knows Din this uncertain
life. Whatever turns up, I can. betwixt
ourselves, assure you that there is big
government job on for me. about which
can saw no more Mt present.
But supnasing YOU and I hit It. what
say you II I should propose dividing the
estate between him and me and settling
all my half on you?
And as to the title which at present
| am sorry to say am next TO. what say
YOU to your brother and I tossing up for
It when II comes? His iordship Is break
ing. and I know who I'd like to see Lady
DrelIncourt.
They run It uncommon fine here. hut
ministers must be supported or the coun-
try will go TO the devil dogs. Must ciosa.
begging an answer direct TO me here"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Wanted-Next of Kin
NEXT OF KIN-IMPoRTANT.

NEXT OF KIN-IMPORTANT.
The next of kin. IL any such there be,
of Gabriel Tittlebat Titmouse, formerly
of Whitehaven. cordwainer. and who died
somewhere about the year 1898 in Lon
don, may hear of something of the great
est possible Importance to himself by
quickly communicating with Messrs.
Quirck, Cannon & Snap. solicitors. SAT-
from Hill
When Mr. Tittlebat Titmouse. clerk in
the dry goods shop of Tagrag & Com
pany read this advertisement in the
Sunday Flash. new visions inspired him,
new hopes dawned upon him.
Mr. Titmouse was young man, neither
very witty nor very handsome. His chief
endownments were hearty adherence
of work and a hearty delight In SNOWY
clothing.
He had also tendency toward dissi-
patton; but a salary of 4s5 a year did
not allow him to indulge in this procliv-
ity.
Mr.. Titmouse went to see the solicitors
mentioned in the advertisement. The
firm was one of rather doubtful standing
reputable lawyers looked askance at
them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Rash Admission

What do you mean, Mr.. Cannon"
said Miss Aubrey, starting back from
him. I'VE are. indeed, all deeply sensi-
Bile of your kindness-of what you have
done for us. But this language Is painful
to me-
do you know what can do for your
brother?" the lawyer asked.
NO: know you have apparently done
much for HIM
II have but one word more to say.
madam" replied Cannon I'm a low. Inn
FASHIONED voice. evidently prepared to
sink upon one knee and renew his formal
offer of marriage
Resume your seat said Kate. haugh-
tily. "or I shall riug the bell and have
you shown out Of the house,
Cannon gazed at her with astonishment
and then sald II obey you. madam Bn.
before we part Miss Aubrey. have one
communication to make to you.
II have means, I declare to you. to re-
store II openly and honorablv by due
process OF ediately-permanent-
". Before God, madam. speak the
truth"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
A CT AS SIC
IN A P A G E

Samuel Warren was an eminent Lon
don lawyer and into the story o. Zen
Thousand a Year he put, In clarified
form so much of legal knowledge that
no one can read 1t without realizing that
the common law practice is not SO hard'
after all. to understand.
Every law student should read It, for
though in this country--and, IN fact, in
Tueland-the common law has been mod
fled by statute, yet it is upon the basis
OF the common law that everything legal
Is built up
Warren says in one of his introduce
tons to one of the many editions of the
story that he wrote the book in a grave
and earnest spirit"
It has remained for over 70 years one of
the English classics, and though not so
much read now as formerly still enjoys a
popularity as well as standing that time
hardly dimishes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

When Charles Aubrey was ousted from
the possession of Yatton the new possess
sor. Mr.. Tittlebat Titmouse, had thereby
established his relationship to his lord
ship and his right as an neir presumptive
to the Drelineourt peerage.
The new man was a whig; he was a
bachelor. He was vulgar, to be sure, and
was squandering the money. But, never
theless, the noble earl invited him to din
ner.
Family ACKNOWLEDGEMENT must be looked
after. Lady Cecilia should marry with
Mr. Titmouse
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
important News

The Aubreys were on visit to the
country seat of Lord lie La zouche when
Kate received this precious epist1e. Della
mere read 1t and 1t formed matter Of
considerable merrimcnt at dinner
1t was a right cheerful party, that din
ner party. The letter of Titmouse showed
that he was aware of some defect In ths
title-of some roguery of Cannon.
ct hope, Kate" said Lord Delamere.
that you have not been giving this
young gentleman announcement"
Mr. Aubrey had been up to town and
had returned with important news:
Mr.. Huntington Is skillfully unravei-
ing said he, lone of the most monstrous
instances of fraud that was ever woven by
man. We sometimes imagine that Mr.
Cannon must have had in view the se-
curing of Yatton for himself"
suit OF ejectment had been brought
against Titmouse. There were various
other legal machines set I'm motion--it is
all set down In Mr.. Warren's voluminous
volume
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Cannon Reproacbes Himself

Cannon was angry with himself for
having twice let out a secret which he
might have kept to better advantage to
himself
In the case of Kate Aubrey passion had
caused him to give a hint which he now
saw had become a elew and which was
being followed up by the proctors OF the
prerogstive court.
In the case of Lord Dreddlington, anger
had caused him to LET out the fatal secret
of the illegitlmacy of Titmouse.
Then hero were those companies of his
blowing up all about him He had sold
out himself some time before and had in
tended to extricate Lord Dreddlington-
but It was too late; the earl must be
heavily involved
20" thought Cannon, "if he would
only die before he RECEIVERS his senses.
That would be some relief"
In the Deep Waters
But the carl did not die before he was
able 70 tell Lady Cecilia the whole truth.
She tainted. of course. She was in an
Interesting condition: the shock of the
disclosure brought on premature labor.
The earl had second stroke Of apo
plexy-it was a stricken house--that state
ly one of the old earl in Grosvenor square
Lady Cecilia died the next day.
The earl then got down to his country
place of Poppleton, where he fingered on
for some time. a hopeless paralytic.
But let us pass away, for time from
the contemplation of these events of I'M
toward and disastrous issue TO persons
md incidents of very different character
Let us contemplate the Aubreys.
Charles Aubrey and his loving wife and
lovely sister had recovered measure Of
their eomposure and even cheerfulness.
But they all felt themselves I'm the deep
waters"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Into the Ecclesiastical Courts

Kate finally thought to mention to her
brother the remark of Cannon that he
had It in his power to restore the YNt-
ton estates to Aubrey.
Mr.. Remington was present when Kate
told of this, and he thought at once that
some criminal mystery lay behind II.
He filed n eayeat against the issuing Of
letters OF administration In the Stratton
case 10 Tittlebat Titmouse which legal
operation threw the case into the eccle-
siastical courts. which, an England. have,
or had. Jurisdiction In cases of probate
litigation.
Now the ecclesiastical courts are served
by a number of people called procters.
who would seem 10 be a sort of detec-
tives; for they pry into everything relat-
ing 10 the case at issue closely. making
their investigations quietly but very thor
oughly.
And matters of pedigree are their long
suit"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Impossible to Pay

Mr.. Cannon called upon Mr.. Aubrey.
at his London lodgings. Mr.. Aubrey re-
ceived him coldly.
Am l right" asked Mr.. Cannon. IN
thinking that you received a letter from
Mr. Quirk about the balance due on your
account-I believe you have been paying
something on the mesne profts-have you
not?"
Il have, SIR replied Mr.. Aubrey. "and
find 1t impossible to pay more at pres
ent"
Dear me-" said Cannon, as II speak
ing to himself. cold, heartless, sordid.
will tell you, Mr.. Aubrey, that the old
er he grows the more mercenary Mr..
Quirk gets. And he knew that I had
arranged with you that you should not
be pressed for the balance.
MY senior partner has broken faith
with me. He and / have nothing ia
common. am almost disposed to dis
solve partnership with him."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Placed Irnon the Boards

Thus we will leave the happy pair at
Yatton, where Mr.. Titmouse was striving
to spend his 10000 year-and every
thing else he could.
Meantime Mr.. Cannon has made a
great friend of the earl by Strengthening
out some of his lordship's tangled bus
mess affairs.
Lord Dreddlington fancied himself a
great fnancier and aspired to be chan
cellor of the exchequer.
His title as an earl was, of course, OF
marketable value-as Mr.. Cannon saw
at once-and in return for the good offices
the lawyer rendered him the noble earl
allowed the money saved by his astute
business manager to be put into stock
companies which were. at that time, run
ming wild in England. and to allow the
use of his name on various boards"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
A Secret as Canifal

In the office of Mr.. Parkinson there
happened to be a clerk named Steggers--
sharp and INSCRIPTIONS. This Steggers
had the detail of the work of these set
Elements given him to do
The fellow, in looking over the records
of the family deeds, discovered a SEEM
ing flaw in the title of Charles Aubrey
to the estate at Yatton.
He mentioned the fact to his employer,
who mentioned it to Mr.. Aubrey. Both
dismissed it from their minds as mat
ter of little importance-the estate had
been held for three generations with the
inheritance unchanged.
Steggers made copious notes of many
professional secrets in charge of lawyer
Parkinson, and among them was the Sc
eret of the cloud upon the title of the
Yatton estate.
He absconded with money belonging to
his employer and was arrested in London,
where he employed Quirck, Cannon d
Snap as his attorneys and these attor-
neys took his ill-gotten money and his
ill-gotten secrets from him before ne
was transported to the convict settle
ment of Botany Bay.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

For he had an abundance of impudence
and used to cry out "Cock-a-doodle-do
at crises when important matters were
at stake.
Even the Earl of Dreddington took
him up The earl was bigoted whig.
The earldom expired with his life but
the barony of Drellncourt went to his
next of kin. and after MS daughter, the
Lady Cecilia, Charles Aubrey was tho
heir
The earl naturally hated his natural
heir Aubrey, and was stiil further an
gered with him because he had mar
ried the daughter of an army officer in
stead of marrying the Lady Cecilia
which alliance would have brought about
a reorganization, as 1t were. of the fam
lily estate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
Advancing His Suit

Mr.. Cannon had induced Titmouse to
allow Mr.. Aubrey TO compromise In the
matter of the mesne profits, and also in
the matter of the costs of the suit which
had been decided against him. allowing
that the said Mr.. Aubrey could find suf
ficient security.
He found it--much to My. Gammon's
disgust--in Lord De La Zouche. But
these negotiations made II possible for
Cannon to make frequent visits to the
home of Mr.. Aubrey. and he saw. as often
as opportunity offered. Kate Aubrey.
One day, the two being alone. Gam
mon. carried away by his infatuation
openly and clearly declared his love for
that young lady. Kate Aubrey was as
tonlshed. frightened
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

having come into his life-Mr. Aubrey de-
termned to study law and in the mean
time he kept his family alive by writing
for magazines and newspapers
He had his wife, his sister and two
children to support-he might at any time
be thrown into jail for the "mesne
profits" of 60 years incumbency of Yat-
ton.
This amounted. under the statute of
limitations which, of course, reduced the
amount to about 100000.
In modern parlance, one would say that
the estimabIe Mr.. Aubrey was up against
II"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

After some more legal red tape the Au-
breys went back to take possession Of
their old home ana Kate. of course. mar
RED Lord Delamere. Not long after the
death Of Lord Dreddlngton made Charles
Aubrey Baron Drelincourt.
Mr. Tittlebat Tltmouse went to the
debtors prison But he lived there Id
comfort upon an annuity supplied him
by the man whom he had wronged,
Charles Aubrey Lord Drelncourt.
He started to write his memoirs while
in prison-but never completed them.
lie finally got his discharge and. being
knocked down in a fight with a man who
had once borrowed money from him and
his head having struck a stone. he be-
came insane and was confined in an asy-
lum for the rest of his days
Next weeks one page classic win b.
Werner" BIZ Lord Byron.
Copyright 1912, by irving King)
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

son-and worse still. by a woman who
had former husband living"
Lord Dreddlington started from his
chair and moved away from II, his arms
waving to and fro. His face was CHASTITY
to see his lips moved, but no words came
from them.
The old man was taken to his house.
His daughter. Lady Cecilia. was there be-
fore them.
The fact was that she had been driven
out of her own homo by the cruelty and
the creditors OF her husband, Titmouse
She had come to her rather's home to
meet with this new source of trouble and
sorrow
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23
At Their Mercy

Mr. Cannon replied Aubrey. 1.-The
letter to which you refer-the one writ
ten by Mr.. Quirk demanding immediate
payment--has occasioned great distress to
me and to my family
ut Is utterly out of my power to COM
ply with its requirements and, IL 1t Is
really intended TO be followed up''-he
paused and successfully concealed his
emotion-'then all my little plans are
forever frustrated-and I am at your
mercy--to go to prison II you choose and
there end my DAYS"
Cannon began trying to soothe the
distracted Matchmaking profuse profess
sions of good service and good will.
He would see that the matter of the
mesne profits were not prescribe was
distressed that the matter had distressed
the ladies of Mr.. Aubrey's household.
Might he personally assure the ladies
that there would he no further action
taken in the case?''
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-23

Titmouse. who had become lively with
champagne. hardly seemed to notice the
condition Of his bride. but as the car
rage rolled away suffered out.
MY, Amt ii funny You are really my
wife. All my own pretty gal We're man
and wife, by Jovei"
He kissed her cold cheeks and then,
when she said. Don't I beg you'll am
not well, the Cockney felt that he was
In the presence of a superior-a lady. He
felt all at once that he had no business
there-sitting beside her.
Hadn't you better have your maid
in?" he said. Il will sit on the box That
would make II a devjlish deal more COM
Portable for you--eh?"
70. ] should feel 30 much obliged II
v~r would, Mr.. Titmorse." replied Ce-
ella
II was done as she wished
But in time Mt and LADY Cecilia Tit
mouse were "at home at Yatton whence
her ladyship wrote TO her most intimate
friend. LADY blanche Lewisham, letters
in which she intimated strongly desire
for the speedy demise Of her husband