davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Recognizing the Ring

In the capacity of court interpreter "Siourano' met many Italian merchants who came with presents to the Sultan.
 One day there came to the Egyptian court a merchant of Venice upon whose finger Ginevra saw-with astonishment-- ring which she at once recognized as the one which had been taken from her dressing table; stolen, as she supposed, with other articles, by the carrier who had taken away the poor widows chest.
 It brought back to her her old days of happy married life, and she could scarce repress her tears. Commanding herself she asked of the merchant his name and whether he was merely a trader or ran a shop in Alexandria.
 He replied that his name was Ambrose, and that he had shop in that quarter of the bazar assigned to the foreign mer- chants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
A Frightful Punishment

But the eastern mind is fertile in ex- pedients to make the punishment fit the crime, and, after mature deliberation the Sultan ordered that Ambrose be fastened, naked, to a stake set In the most eminent port of the city; that his body be smeared with honey, so that the many insects of the country would be attracted to him in short, that he be stung to death grad ually.
 And there he shall remain," said the Sultan, until his corpse drops to pieces as a testimony to the truth of the adage that the deceiver lies at the mercy of the deceived"
 As for Ginevra and Bernard. they re- turned, of course, to Genoa, where they lived ever after without suspicion of each other.
 But it is doubtful if they were ever really happy again. The past had too much in it that would, every now and then. arise to haunt them. Their hap sadness.
 From their great house upon the heights they watched the waves of the Mediter- ranean rolling in toward the palace of the Dorias and saw the lights and shad- ows fall
 As to the country house, 20 miles away, they never visited it. Had they done so they would have had to pass that fright ful spot where the old servant had tried to screw his courage up to obey his masters orders and murder Ginevra.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

demanding her death; you will obey my commands and report to me when the affair is over"
 The old servant was sad hearted enough at receiving such charge, and when he delivered the letter to Glnevra and she poor woman, unconscious of what was impending-kissed it rapturously and pressed it to her heart, the tears came into the old mans eyes.
 But his masters word was law.
 Ginevra, of course, hastened to start upon the trip to the country house ac- companied by the old servant-whom she little suspected had been appointed her executioner.
 On the way to the villa they came to a solitary vale surrounded by trees. The old servant summoned up enough resolu- tion to draw dagger and say: Madam, commend your soul to God-for you must die"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
A CLASSIC
 IN A P AGE
,Convright, 1912. by Irving King. All
 .t-,.4- ,,aearVad

(Copyright, 1912. by Irving King. All
 rights reserved)
 The collection of stories known as the Decameron is hardly a book to be put into the hands of "the young person. but it is unquestionably a great literary work and has been mine from wnlch such authors as Shakespeare. Dryden, Keats, Tennyson, Longfellow and Swim burne extracted situations, plots and suggestions, Chaucer. in his "Canterbury Tales" made free use of the stories Of the Decameron.
 It is a pity. that Boccaccio could not have been little more decent-a little less sensual-in the telling of his hum dred tales Perhaps, as his apologists claim, it was the times and the morals ana the manners of the times which he reflected and by which he was influenced. If SO, let us be thankful that the times have changed.
 The story of "The Wife's Revenge was used by Shakespeare in "cymbeline' the wager being made the central situ- alton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Smiling to His Doom

When Ambrose received his summons to appear before the Sultan he thought of course, that his visitor of the day be- fore had told his hishness what good story he had to tell and so went smiling to the palace, confident that he would amuse the Egyptian ruler and, perhaps, obtain some valuable privileges in the country.
 But it was not with the smiling coun- tenancc which the Venetian expected that the Sultan received him. It was rather the stern countenance of an ac- cusins judge. When he saw Bernard also come into the presence chamber he was astonished.
 Well" thought he. ''the story has taken leak; from the countenance of the Sultan l suppose he intended to make
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Served Him Right

"O," replied Ginevra. '1 wish for noth- ing especially that I see in your store. But as to standing your friend with the Sultan, you must purchase that favor from me by telling me the whole story of how you came by the ring, the purse and the girdle."
 ''Wilingly," replied Ambrose.
 And then he recounted with glee his base strategem by which he had been able to convince Bernard of his wife's guilt
 And it served him right" said the merchant in conclusion. flor attempting to prove the virtue of his wife-which virtue he should have taken for granted But we drank wine heavily in Paris, and Bernard was boastful. So I laugh at Bernard's folly"
 Ginevra trembled with rage at the wicked man before her. but dissembled as best she could. Gathering her wits, she then began to laugh immoderately at the story-a rather hysterical laugh, it is true, but one which satisfied Ambrose, who laughed with her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Would Please the Sultan

That story" said Ginevra at length, will greatly please the Sultan. o, when l tell it to him how he will laugh at it as you and I have
 You shall have a special audience with the Sultan. never fear. I want you to tell the story to his highness yourself You may expect summons to the pal ace any day.
 How can thank you for all the pleas ure you have given me? Really do not think I have enjoyed myself for some years as much as this morning in your company listening to your curious and laughable tales.
 After leaving Ambrose "Scurano" sought the quarters of the Genoese mer- chants.
 Now that she knew the whole story of her husbands actions toward her she was determined that. in some manner,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Hidden in the Chest

It was about midnight when the vil- lain lifted mp the lid of the .chest and peered out. By dim night lamp he saw Ginevra soundly sleeping upon her bed.
 He softly tiptoed about the room exam ming everything in it minutely. Then he took from the lady's dressing table several trinkets-a purse, a ring and a girdle.
 He trusted that his theft would not be discovered until the carrier had come the next morning to take away the chest, and then, of course, the carrier would be blamed for the stealing of the missing articles, while Ambrose himself would be far away.
 Ambrose then crept back into the chest again with his loot. Early in the morn ing the carrier came for the chest which, with it's unsuspected contents, was taken 10 house far out in the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Surely a Strange Matter

One of the merchants took up the con- versation and related how that Bernard had suddenly, some years before, given up his business in Genoa, the Superb, and gone on trip to the Holy Land, where he had raised an insurreetion against the Turks.
 Now as the Sultan of Egypt was the vassal of the Grand Caiiph at Constanti- nople so his highness had, by orders from his suzerain, taken the said Ser nard a prisoner as he was escaping back into Europe by way of Alexandria-and held him there.
 Why Bernard had given up his business so suddenly the garrulous merchant did not know-it was mystery.
 The wife of Bernard. also, said he, had disappeared mysteriously. The whole matter was strange. But Bernard was surely in prison in that city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Too Good a Story to Keep

"No, no," returned Ambrose, T do not laugh at that, but at little secret of mine. I laugh to think how I obtained these trinkets. Young man, if you only knew how I came by them you would laugh also. And 5000 f1orns I got be- sides.
 "Well, well. the story might not inter est you after all. But are they not fine articles? I outwltted one of the shrewd- est merchants in Genoa to procure them yes, and boasted myself of the conquest of his wife.
 Poor Bernard-he not only lost 5000 lorins, but he lost his wife also, for, understand, he put her to death. What a fool that Bernard was!
 q can testify that the forins he paid me were good coin-for I spent them. And I think his wife was a good woman as women go. At least 1 found her inn pregnable, and so used my wits
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Sold Into Slavery

The brightness and deftness of the seeming lad appealed to the captain-who was also owner of the vessel-and he en- gagged Sicurano as his cabin steward.
 The ship sailed for Alexandra, and when that port was reached the captain went ashore to pay a visit to the ruler of the country
 As it is customary when visiting east ern potentates to take along some pres ents the captain tok with him as pres ents, the captain took with him as a pres cons. These same falcons he made si- curano carry
 When they were In the presence of the Sultan the captain saw that the poten- tate was not especially well pleased with the falcons. Thereupon, with a quick wit, he begged that his highness would not only accept the hawks, but also the boy as a slave.
 This was indeed an embarrassing sit uation for Glnevra. But there was no help for it.
 However, the apprehensions of the dis guised woman were soon allayed. Tho knowledge of languages which Sicurano displayed and the general brightness of disposition which, with sad and weary heart, Ginevra kept up, soon placed the new slave high in the confidence of the Sultan. and the place of court interpreter and keeper of the royal falcons was be- slowed upon Sicurano. e
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
The Queen Abdictates

This was the story told by the queen of the day, Filomena, that beautiful city, plague in Florence, that beautiful city It was told in the gardens of the retreat to which the refugees had fled and was followed by story from one of the men present--Dioneo byfname.
 He was merry wag and had stipu- lated when he joined the colony in the delicious gardens of the country seat of the fair Pampinea, that he should always have the last say. The company, which had been made rather sad by the story told by Filomena, laughed until their sides ached at the tale of Dioneo.
 Then Filomena, taking the wreath of laurel from her own head, placed 1t upon the head of the fair Neiflle, saving: ITO you. sweet sister belongs now the gov ernment of our little kingdom
 Neihle. blushing like rose, accepted the honor and said that when the com pany next assembled the subject of the story would be the mutability of human fortune as exemplined by those who enjoying great prosperity. have lost their all and then have won it again through their diligence. their cleverness-or their luck.
 Next weeks one page classic will be '"Tbe Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott
 Copyright. 1912 by Irving Kins)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
...."....".....s..s.... .".......................

trunk, or chest. which contained the widows belongings.
 Ambrose bribed this woman to have him carried in the chest into Ginevra s house. He was, he said, in love with one of Ginevra' s maids and desired to be kept in Ginevra's house until the next morn- ing, when his carrier would call for the chest and take him away.
 The good woman was all unsuspicious and, when the chest was brought in by the carrier, ordered to be taken to her own room for greater security. n
 The widow was conscious stricken when she heard this order, but dared make no protest, as she knew that Ambrose within the chest could hear her and remembered that he had threatened her with death if she betrayed him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Shaking His Faith

Almost dead from his confinement in such narrow and stifing quarters, the merchant now left his hiding place and hastened to Paris. Arriving in that gay city he summoned Bernard and the mer- chants who had been witnesses to his bet with Bernard to meet him at dinner.
 He ordered the best dinner that the French capital could furnish and when they had eaten he declared his triumph
 He gave a detailed description of Gin evra's chamber. showed the articles he had taken from the room and asked Ser nard if he did not recognize them.
 Bernards faith in his wife was hard to shake, but Ambrose gave him such de- tails as to convince him at last. and the broken hearted man. calling for pen and paper, without another word wrote an order on his Paris banker for the 50G0 forins and handed it to AmbroseN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Not for Sale

That night Ginevra passed in tears and perplexity. How had that merchant come by that ring and why had her once loving lord ordered her death?
 Early the next morning she went to the bazar and sought the quarters of the foreign merchants. a
 The merchant Ambrose was there dis playing his wares. With the greatest as tonishment Ginevra saw that, among the articles the Venetian had displayed was a girdle and a purse which had disap- peared along with the ring from her room in her old home in Genoa.
 She inquired the price of the girdle and the purse. They were not for sale the merchant replied.
 As the merchant said this he laughed and with the quick suspicion due to her ever present consciousness that she was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
By Her Husbands Order

Ginevra. in the utmost astonishment, asked the man in what manner she had ever injured him that he now proposed to kill her; he an old servant of her hus- bands family!
 The old man and Ginevra both were now trembling with fright-one at the thought of what he had been ordered to do and she at the thought that a mad man was about to take her life even at the happy time she was hastenng to meet her husband.
 But with an effort the old servant calmed himself sufficiently to reply to the entreaties and the questions of Gln- evra.
 Madam, you have never used me i'll. On the contrary. you have been good ness itself to me and mine. Know that it is your husband who has ordered this and, as his faithful servant, I must obey his commands. And the more particular ly because he holds not only myself but my family in his power.
 Ask me not what reason he has for this action-for I know not. So forgive me if you can, dear lady-but whether you forgive me or not prepare to die.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Proof Enough

The resolution of the old servant had been fast ehbing and the appeal of Gin evra finished it. Eagerly did he seize upon the way she had proposed of escap- ing from the tragedy
 He gave his cloak and his purse to the lady and then, taking the articles of wearing apparel of which she divested herself. hade her farewell and hastened to the villa of his master.
 Here" said the servant when at length he arrived in the presence of Ber- nard "are the garments of your wife. my lady, whom I have killed as you di- rected. left the body to be devoured by wolves g
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
At Too Great a Risk

At the name of Bernard Glnevra near ly tainted and 1t was only by mighty effort that she could control herself. She realized that there was some hideous mystery-some conspiracy that had sep arated her husband and herself and had come so near to causing her murder.
 You are faint my boy" said the mer- chant, let me give. you glass of water '
 No, not faint,'' said Ginevra, "only the air of your shop is heavy and close Well, you then will not sell me the trinkets?"
 'No my lad. they were gotten at too great risk and at to great trouble to be sold But I would sell anything else in the shop.
 Tn fact. if you will stand my friend with the Sultan I will make you pres ent-choose what you like, excepting all ways the evidence of my victory over Bernard"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

and wanted to borrow especially pair of shears and thread and needle. The old woman readily loaned them to her and Ginevra returned to the seclusion of the thicket.
 Ii took her the better part of the next day to transform herself into a boy but when she emerged from her green dress ing room she was handsome lad in ap- pearance.
 She had cut off her hair and had fash toned the cloak the old servant had given her into doublet and hose
 Returning the shears and the needle to the old woman. Ginevra now set out for the nearest seaport. There, with the money which the old servant had given her, she procured a full sailors outfit and. calling herself Sicurano di Finale, applied for the berth of stewart in a vessel which had just come into port
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Entering by Stealth

However. Ambrose found another wom- an who was not so unapproachable as Ginevra. She was a poor widow, recent
 iy bereaved. whc was about to remove with her scant possessions to her moth er's home In the country, and to whom Ginevra had charitably offered temporary quarters both for herself aPd for great
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
A Murder by Proxy

This letter he gave to the old servitor and said:
 Deliver this letter to my wife And kill her before she reaches this place. You must do 1t; these are my orders. She suspects nothing. but will follow you toward this house.
 T have good and sufficient reasons for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

she would get into communication with him if he were still alive and reveal to k.s. the dark conspiracy which had separated their lives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
BY Giovanni Bocaccio

me pay back to Bernard the 5000 f1orins got from him on the bet"
 And the first question of the Sultan con- firmed him in this idea.
 Well, you won the 5000 f1orins on a bet from this man. my prisoner. upon a lie?'' You confess that? Go on and tell me the whole story"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Disguised as a Boy

Ginevra hid in a thicket until night fall. when she made her way to the hut of half blind old woman and knocked for admittance.
 She represented herself as a nelghpor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Convinced Too Late

From the Washington Star
 But you and father married against the wish of your parents said the young woman.
 Quite true,'' replied her mother, and your father has never ceased to talk of lis father-in-law and mother-in-law as people of remarkably superior judgment"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

woman in mans disguise, Ginevra ex- claimed. "why do you laugh? Is it be- cause I, man, appear interested in womanish things?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21
Saved By Her Wits

Ginevra saw death looking her in the face; she burst into tears and began to plead with the servant
 "Alas," sobbed she, do not murder me who has never injured you. God is my witness that I have never done anything to deserve this from my husband"
 But, setting this aside,' continued she with a quick thought that came to her aid setting this aside, you may, if you please, serve God save me, protect yourself and family and satisfy your master at the same time.
 Do you put away that knife and, talk ing my clothes--save only as much of them as you must leave me for decency' s sake-carry them to your master-my cruel lord-as token that you have obeyed his commands.
 AS for me, I will, by the life for which I am indebted to you agree to leave this country and will go where you nor he, nor any other person, will ever hear more concerning me"
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-11
HOW TO RESIST
Chronic Coughs and Colds.

Strong vigorous men and women
hardly ever catch cold; it's only when
the system Is run down and vitality
low that colds and coughs get foot
hold.
Now isn't It reasonable that the
right way to cure cough is to build
up your run down condition again?
Mrs. Olivia Parham of East Durham,
N. c., says: Il took Vinol for chronic
cough which had lasted two years and
the cough not only disappeared, but it
built up my strength as WE'LL"
The reason Vinol is so efflcacious In
such cases is because 1t contains in a
delicious concentrated form all the
medicinal curative elements Of cod
liver oil, with tonic. blood building iron
added.
Chronic coughs and colds yield to
Vinol because it builds up the weak
ened, rundown system.
You can get your money back any
time II vihol does not do all we say
McCrum & Deary, druggists, Boise,
Idaho.-Adv.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-11

with Belshaw." said Shrader. my
last go was In Salt Lake with the
Montana Kid. Although am in very
good condition l expect to make it bet
ter and will do everything to get into
first class shape"
Shrader Is known as one of the fast
est men in his class in the country. He
has met many of the best men in the
west and is highly spoken Of. Like
Jack Downey he is scientific boxer
who understands the game and boxes
strictly within the rules and clean.
"Downey Is not out of the boxing
game by any MEANS" said Shrader,
discussing the go Downey had with
Marty Rowan in which Jack was
knocked out He is now boxing in
structor at the Y. M. C. A. In his math
with Rowan. Downey was knock
ed out He slipped and fell and
the match was given to Rowan by the
referee. Those who saw the go know
that Downey was never put away"
Shrader is anxious to meet the Mon
tana Kid. He has an idea the Kid is
side stepping him because of his desire
to take the Kid on. They met at Salt
Lake and Shrader declares he was
given the same kind Of deal that was
slipped to Downey in that the Kid was
given the match without an attempt
on the part of the referee to count him
out. There was no use protesting.
for the referee had given the match TO
the Kid, although l did not think was
given a square DEAL" said Shrader.
"All l want is to be given a chance
to meet the KID again"