davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
The Family Reunited

In the midst of the confusion then
arrived Gabor's companion in travelling.
lie was shown into the hall where
Werner and Josephine were conversing
together of the events of the past day
and of the night. No one else was
present.
AS soon as Josephine saw the young
man she cried out: MY Uric, my be-
lovedl"
1t was 16 years since she had seen
the young man-but her mother-love
saw in an instant through tho changes
of time. 1t was, indeed, the lost Uric.
Look upon him." she cried to Wer-
ner, do you not know him2"
My lost Uric" cried Werner as his
son knelt before him.
My father, Siegendorf," replied Uric.
Hush. boy these walls may hear that
name. You have heard Of Stralenheim2'
why, yes, ] saved his life but yes
terday-he is here"
THAT is the serpent that viii sting
us ALL"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
A CLASSIC
IN A P A G E

Byron dedicated his tragedy OF "eF-
ner.' to Goethe He found the material
for it in an old volume of stories neg
lected and forgotten. called Lees Can
ternury Tales. The collection was writ
ten by two sisters and was produc-
ton of mediocre ability.
But in the story which one of the sis
ters called "German's Tale; Kruitzner,'
byron found Werner" and the gloomy
solemnity of 1.-THE idea of the ances-
trail curse-appealed strongly to his Pc
culiar temperament.
He began-and partly wrote--a drama
founded upon 1t when he was n, but,
he says, It was sensible enough to burn
It" In 1922 he took up the idea again.
one which seems to have haunted him.
and the result was Werner"
He wrote it in italy. and two years
late- he died in Greece. It was pub
lished In England. and added to his al
ready great fame as an author. The By
ronic morbidness runs through the story
but 1t contains some of Byrons most
sublime passages.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

OF course, the murder In his sleep of
the Baron Stralenheim made some local
sensation. But the place was far re-
Mote, his attendants we're stupid and
Ignorant, the Prince absent the intend
ant foolish
Werner had fled, 1t was true. but the
intendant knew how that was. Gabor,
also, had disappeared and Gabor, who
as acknowledged by all to be the thief,
was also at once pronounced TO be the
murderer.
Uric took charge of matters almost
entirely Stralenheim had few friends,
his only child. an orphaned daughter,
lived in a castle near Prague.
The times were trouhlous; the coun-
try overrnn by maraudlng bands of
discharged soldiers, the Elector too
busy with his own intricate affairs to
" aste time upon an Investigation.
What drifted out to the greater world
was the rumor that the Baron Stralen-
helm had been murdered in an obscure
castle upon the borders of silesia-
probably by banditti.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
A Council of War

And then Werner went on to explain
to his son the position in which he
stood.
Uric replied that he doubted If Stra-
leEheim were as bad as painted-that
he had come to the palace principally
for the purpose of aiding the baron to
discover the villain who had robbed
him.
In great agitation Werner told his son
the truth-that 1t was he himself. who
had robbed the baron.
Then he plead about his generosity in
sparing the life OF Stralenheim when he
had the nemy of hiinselg and his house
helpless beneath his dagger-when the
mlow could have been struck and no one
be the wiser OF the murderer
He waFned Uric that he might him
self havs been luIed TO the palace by
straIenheim with the idea OF se.zi1g him
with mis- parents and placing the whole
family in one dungeon.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

friend? You must remember that you
have been our guest this month in this
palace-though to be sure the prince
had resigned it to the ghosts and rats
but it is a palace still--and we do
not know your name.
My name is Werner"
"A very goodly name-an excellent
name But l come to tell you that a
great parsonage. who. with his suite
tried but now to cross the river Oder
was overwhelmed in the flood and was
rescued by two young travels, Hun
garian and a Saxon. s
"Noblemen are hard to drown-as
people of station should be This
great mans followers, such as We're
not drowned, stood weeping and Ia
menting on the banks while the two
young men pulled him from his sunk
en- travelling carriage"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Friends Fall Out

Gabor started back in surprise.
You, also. Ulric--you can believe me
guilty of so base an act"
II merely asked the question: retorted
Uric coldy.
IF the judge asked me- replied Gabor.
4 would simply answer no. AS you ask
IL I answer you thus
Their swords flashed in the air and
FLASHED together The fight was short
Gabor was no match for Uric and soon
his sword flew from his hand. lie stood
at the mercy OF Uric.
But Uric. picking up the wrested
sword of Gabor, handed II back to him,
saying: Here. Gabor, IS your sword.
And when you draw it next let 1t not be
against your friends"
Il thank you less for my life than for
your COUNSEL" replied Gabor
Gabor in perplexity and doubt returned
to the hall of the palace where Werner
was generally to be found Werner was
there alone. Gabor spoke of his present
peril and of the quarrel he had just had
with Uric.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
His Deadly Rival

Werner confessed that he had served,
and Gabor said that he himself also
had, before the peace, seen service
They soon became friendly and almost
confidential, and Gabor, a 8 one soldier
to another, offered to share his purse
with whose poverty was only
too apparent.
Werner thanked him. but refused the
offer, though his necessities were 50
great His pride still survived amid
his misfortunes. The fellow-trayeler
" no had helped in the rescue of the
noble traveller lately pulled from the
water was. Gabor said. now at cot
tage in the neighboring village where
the half-drowned baron had been taken,
but would be at the palace later.
There was a noise of wheels and
voices without. and tho flare of torches
and the rescued man with lA.s attend
arts entered the hall 1t was Stralen-
helm. the man OF all others in the world
who Werner hated---and feared the man
whom he was least anxious to meet;
the man who was rushing, like himself,
to take possession of the seigniory of
Siegendorf
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

Fly" continued he. II am not,
seems. master of my own castle---1
son has filled 1t with his hirelings.
out by the same path you entered-th
Is still safe. But linger not in Praak
you do not know with whom you
to deal. Fly or you will be slain
Gabor hurried from his retreat
made his way In safety out OF
castle. Nothing more was ever hey
Of him. His last words to the col
We're: "Adieu, unhappy sire" %
Siegendorf sank, almost fainttng
a chair. In minute Uric enterepi Z
apartment accompanied by an "A
band-they had come TO Kill Gav
Uric saw that tho diamond star y
gone from his fathers breast ana
once guessed the rest.
You see" said he to his men, tn
It Is as / said. This robber has !
spoiled my father. He has fled,
entity; go you in search of hlml
kill him"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Returning a Favor

The busting and foolish intendant had,
while rushing hurrie1iy through the hall
Just before, informed Werner that the
thief had been discovered Gabor
was to be arrested
Werner told Gabor this and while APP
preaching footsteps was heard.
There seems to be no escape for me-
said Gabor.
Yes there is" replied Werner. you
generously offered to share your purse
with mel VIII hide you.
He touched the spring which opened the
secret panel and babe Gabor get into
the secret passage. Gabor did so and
scarcely had the panel closed behind him
than there entered the room. not the Of
fieers looking for Gabor, but Uric.
Hastily he told his father that the baron
knew him; that the baron also knew that
he was known by Werner-that he, Uric,
had been charged by Stralenheim to
watch him and keep him under surveil-
lance until the official guard should ar
rive from Frankfort.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30


stranger to wait upon tho count and.
though he had given no name, the cogat
babe that he be admitted The stranger
eatered-it was Gabor.
Count said Gabor. Il understand that
you have been. sent in search Of me,
am here"
The count then charged Gahor with ths
murder of Stralenheim
The charge IS false replied Gabor.
How can you disprove it7
by the presence Of the murderer"
Name him."
The man who stands beside you--your
son. Look at him"
The count turned toward Uric and sx-
claimed: My Cod you look"
How" said Uric.
AS on that night I met you in the gar
dem"
There was an unmistakable guilt written
for an instant upon the face of Uric.
But quickly recovering himself he said:
Proceed with this tale-it is doubtless
worth hearing"
Il will" returned Gabor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
The INHERITANCE Returns

The men left tho apartment and L
rio turning to his father. said: Il sen
what you have done. You have aided
him to escape Well, farewell then.
Henceforth you have no son."
II never had one who was worthy to
bear the name"
Remember how you used your own
father"
Yes, yes. II Is the inheritance"
Il am not only the heir of your do~
main, but have 10000 swords and hearts
which are at my conymand." rsSlisA
Uric.
just then Josephine and the Lady Ida
entered the room
What Is this we hear?" cried jose
phine, "thaak heaven, you are safe, my
lord. II was said you had been robbed--
assaulted
Eyes. dear father" cried Ida.
Father call me not by that name.
have no children more.p groaned the
count
There stands your son." smiled Jose-
phine, what say you TO that?''
Il say that you have given birth ID
a demon replied Siegendorf.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Plotting Much

Ulric was coldly dutiful to his father
in the matter. He hunted much and
plotted much He longed for a renewal
of the wars in which he fsncied that
now. with his great name and follow
ing, he might achieve his most ambi-
tious designs.
He sent enlissaries 10 the Black
Bands-those rowing marauders who
pieudered over the empire or sold their
services to the highest bidding prince.
Josephine had taken Ida to her care
IN the splendid castle of the Siegen-
doris near Prague
One day, as Uric was preparing for
the chase. Ida anne 10 him and gently
rcrroached him for giving so much
time to sylvan sports and so little 70
her. Sicgendorf came Ia and added
his request TO that OF Ida's
Well well. dismiss tho train said
Uric,
Ida. <overjoyed, said she would go TO
The apartment of the countess and
there prepare to play upon her harp
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Gahor the Hungarian

Then the fussy and meddlesome in
tendant went on to say that the rescued
man must be received at once in the
palace with such of his followers as
lad not been drowned. The Princes
own rooms must be prepared for him
that should be the business of the In
tendant.
While he hustled about preparing TO
receive the rescued noble there entered
the hall one of the men who had pulled
the traveller from the water, who gave
his name as Gabor, and stated that by
family he was Hungarian.
Left alone with Werner, while the
preparations were being made for the
reception of the rescued noble. Gabor
recognized, from his bearing, that Wer-
ner was above the seeming station
which he occupied and that he had been,
or was still a soldier.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Gabor Tells His Story

He then told how, in the disturbed
times of the late wars, he had CHANGED
TO meet Ulric-told when and where
Uric like himself was with band OF
freebooters who fought on either side
When tho peace came the two had feft
Frankfort together and had arrived at
the little village where the count, under
the name of Werner, was waiting to push
on TO his imperiled estates They had, to-
gether, rescued Stralenheim, and the rest
-or rather a part or the rest-the count
already knew
And you remember. count" continued
Gabor, how you concealed me in the Sc
cret passage?
I wandered through that passage until
reached the chamber of the Baron Stra-
lenheim and entered 1t. saw him lying
upon his bed-and he was weltering in hln
bloodr'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
To Liberty and Power

Just then Uric leaped down from
the terrace.
"Ulricw cried Werner, Ever well
come-let us embrace"
stop" said Uric. before we ap-
proach tell me--do I behold my father
-or an assassin
IAN assassinr' cried Werner bewll-
dered, what do you mean?"
"This--the Baron Stralenheim dies
murdered In his bed. Did you, or did
you not. last night, as on the night be-
fore, traverse the secret massage--not
this time to steal but to murder? All,
see by your looks that you are not the
guilty man-embrace me, father--and
fly quickly"
Uric disappeared in the shrubbery
and was gone. BY the light of the rising
sun Werner and Josephine started upon
their journey to Bohemia, liberty and
wealth and power
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
A Message of Evil

As soon as Werner saw him he knew
him. AS soon as Starlenheim saw
Werner he knew him for The man whose
inheritance be had planned 70 capture.
whose life, or permanent II generation,
he sought.
But neither man betrayed to the
other, or to the attendants, their emo
tions or their knowledge of each others
identity.
The baron was shown to the chamber
prepared for him and, calling Tor INK
ana paper, wrote a letter TO Frankfort
saving that he had al length come upon
Werner; that he must be arrested be-
fore he crossed the frontier. and beg
eing that the Elector send at once an
armed force totake him prisoner.
The packet ne gave TO the intendant'
bidding him send it at once 70 its des-
tination. even if the rivers were. swol-
ieD---even IL an hundred peasants LOST
their lives in trying 10 deliver IL
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Escape Is Planned

1T is no. time TO talk" said Uric.
BY daylight you must be beyond the
frontier; fear not to leave me behind
the fool believes in me; / suffer no dan
ger. But you and my mother must fly.
THE waters have subsidized. You must
bride this mercenary and foolish intend
ant. Not with the gold you stole, but
with this ring He took a diamond ring
Of great value from his finger and hand
cd II to his father.
TELL him." said he, that 1t Is a family
heirloom which You viii later redeem.
Make him have a carriage and horses
waiting for you and mother just outside
the town before daybreak.
THE fool Will bite at the bait-I can
see through him. Leave the rest to me.
The fact that you brine with a ring
and not with gold VIII be proof that
you had no stolen gold to bride WITH
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

who shall dare say that of Ulric?'s
exclaimed Ida. stepping forth to the
young MANS size and taking his hand.
Ida said the count. there Is blood
upon that hand"
I'm hss Il off though it were my
own. returned Ida.
Away snesed Uric, Tit IS your
father blood
ard lie hurried out of the apartment.
Ida fell senseless TO the floor and Jose-
phiue stood speechless with horror.
Aet Ion. dill the Lady Ida survive tho
desertion OF ulie and the knowledge
that hs was her fathers murderer JOSEF
phine and Siegendorf fingered on few
more years living in sorrow and seelu-
sion
rire was, COUNTLESS. killed in one of
big rany 6nring raids rpon the from
tier with the Black Bands. NTH whom
he 6aa cast 30 his lot. for he mes es APP
rsa, ri az er lis fathers death to claim
IL paa-.t,nce. aad with the death o.
Werner the race OF slesendorf wa
past
Next weeh $ one-page classic will he
The F'its Poodle PAGERS, by William
Makepeace Thackeray
Copyright, 1872. by Irvine KingJ
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

Cvered by him quite by accident which
led through the walls of the palace to
where the Baron Stralenheim was sleep
ing in his apartment of state.
He had not been long gone when his
wife came into the room. Scarcely had
she entered it when Werner reappeared
from the secret passage
In one hand he still held the knife-in
the other he had a rouleau of gold Jose
phine started back in establishment.
Here's gold-gold. Josephine! cried
Werner This win rescue us from this
destested condition.
Fear mott this knife is bloodness yet.
But l saw him. my arch enemy, sleeping
and had the knife In my hand.
And yet L did not use 1t. This is.
hope. the last night we shall spend here.
Come TO rest"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

panel softly opened-he was in the
apartment of Baron Stralenheim
1t was now getting toward the time
set for the flight of Werner and Jo-
sephine. Werner could not sleep and
walked out into the garden.
THE intendant has kept his word"
he sad to himself. ION the outskirts
of the town a vehicle awaits us. The
stars begin TO pale and for the last
time look upon these horrible walls.
II came here most poor. but not dis
honored. | leave with a stain, If not
upon my name, at least upon my con-
science such as all the wealth and
power of siegendorf cannot efface. I
must find some means of restitution"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
ulric and Gahor

Werner was excited. but Uric remained
calm and grew very thoughtful.
AS a matter of fact, the baron had no
idea that Uric was the son Of his enemy.
Siezendorf In fact he was glad to hear
CT his arrival at the palace and at once
made him his confdant
IIlrlc did not attempt 10 divert the sus-
pIclous Of the baron from Gabor. but siig-
geste1 that new locks b. placed upon the
doors Of the barons chamber al once
While this was being done and Uric
and Stralenheim were talking In the
baron $ ioem there came in Gabor-but
with Indignation that he should be sus-
pected of the theft
Holly did he speak to the baron-even
threatening him. The baron called Ga
Dor insoient and went out of the room ac-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Werner's Opportunity

Uric hurried away and had barely
left the room when there entered the
intendant with a body OF retainers look
inc for Gabor TO arrest him.
1--WE have Searched everywhere" said
the intendant and cannot find him. T
thought he must bere Away. you rascals
and search the palace. Good master
WerTef. we are having strange doings
here
The intendant. knowing that Gabor.
wherever ne was haa his sword with
him, had no stomach for the search.
and fingered behind
II was Werner's opportunity. He
showed the ring and hribed the man. The
way of his ESCAPE vas open TO him.
IT was now well into the night and the
baron had retired 10 rest,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Gabor's yyandcr;ngs

While these things had been taking
rlace In the hall Gabor had ~een wan
dering aimlessly about the secret pas
sage. waiting until II should be safe
10 re-enrer the hail by the secret panel
He had wandered far along the dark
and gloomy way when he IVY. at a
distance. light--a small CLEAN Of
Light.
He followed it and came upon a
panel through crack in which the
liEht CLEANED which he had seen
Feeling about tho pane. he came
Upon a spring--he touched it and the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
"FIis Fate and Ours

"The thanksgiving services over, as we
marched back over the Mnldaus bridge
along a crowded way with clasnlng music
and the laundering OF the artillery. l
looked as a DYING soldier looks for a
dlaught OF water, amid the press of thou
sands for this man.
But / snw him not Instead ever as |
looked / seemed TO see only your dancing
plume, the Hottest crest that rose above
the stream of plumage. which flowed
alon- the gilaed streets Of Prague.
THAT took my mini somewhat from the
Hungarian vheu l suddenly heard a voice
say. deep and distinct. Nesneri' l turned
and saw the 1nan ~ fell
The onicicps cafeof tbose around me
dragged me frcne ire press, seeing ny
faintness. but ignorant OF tho cruise
II must find this man. His fate and ours
and Stralenheim's seem interwoyen.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

companied by his attendants Gabor. in
a rage. started to follow him, but Uric
nterfered.
Not step" said Uric.
WHO will prevent me?"
Il willard your own good sense. We
all must bear arrogance from those above
use. | have seen you brave, can you
not also be patient 1t seems then. that
you are not guilty?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Master Of Himself At Last

The foolish and busting Ide9stei, "a
fussing into the hall where Werner stIii
sat and said.
These great men. these great mem
Here is a packet for the commandant
at Frankfurt I am told to see that II
Is delivered at once at all expense and
at all costs. My noble guest les doing
in HIS chair. Good night-and he was
gone.
Werner knew at once the purpose of
the letter 10 the commandment. He was
alone and locking around ana snatchins
up a knife which lay upon the tabiz he
exclaimed: No / am master Of -1ysrif
at least"
He heard footsteps apgFoacains. AID.
touching a secret spring in the in
scotting a pane slid back He Ell, red
the aperture: the panel closed Ochind
him and the room was vacant.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30

The phantoms OF thy feudal fathers
haunt thee. replied Josephine. why
should you not have striven in business
to be a Hanseatic burgher and so es-
tablsh yourself In trade and made
fortune of your own"
rOi in my sunny land of Italy the
mobiles were merchants and he merchants
mobiles. Who bus merchant was the
great cosmo de Medici2 Yet we are MOI
Bile and mate with kings and MOBILES
Enough of this. Poverty has been borne
by so many after us-danger has pursued
SO many and will pursue SO many more
injustice has been so cosnmon--why
hsould we DO exempt from the common
fate of mortals2"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
New Arrivals Announced

There was a sudden knocking al the
door and the intendsnt of the absent
Prince. Idenstein by name. came bust
ling In.
Good evening to you,' cried Iden-
sstetn. but what's your name. my
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
Pursued By an Enemy

Next in succession to the almost prince
ly estates of Seigendorf after Werner and
his son stood the Baron Stralenheim.
The baron stood high in the favor of the
olector of Brandenburg and from the cleo
tor he had procured an order of arrest
for Werner whenever he could find him
upon territory which responded to his
electoral jurisdiction.
1t was only the privileges of his resi-
dence in the free city of Hamburg,
where he had been of late living under
the name of Werner, which had so far
saved S.egendorf from immurement in
some one of the dungeons where the great
elector made no scruples of placing peo-
pie with whom he was displeased-and
letting them be forgotten there.
When Siegendorf received news of the
death of his father at his castle near
Prague he resolved to make a dash TO
Bohemia and TO take possession of his
ancestral estates before his enemy could
capture him.
But Stralenheim he'd always kept spies
about Werner and was soon Informed OF
his fight from Hamburg.
Uric had disappeared; no one knew
WHARF he was