davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
James Appears in the Flesh

The announcement of the definite en- gagement of such too bright particular stars in the hemisphere of the doctors small parish excited the interest that
 such events generally create among the faithful of the flock. The time of the wedding drew near
 and a great "quilting bee" was held
 at the widows house as the last inn
 portant ceremony preceding the mar riage. The sun was just setting and
 the whole air and sea seemed flooded
 with rosy rays as Mary walked home
 ward from one of her lonely rambles by the shore
 It was just as she was coming out of a little grove of cedars where the high lands overlook the sea when she heard footsteps behind her and a voice said
 "Mary!"
 | She turned and then: 70, is this dream? James! Are we in heaven?" l she cried. "O have lived through so much agony. o, I thought you would never comer" And then her eyes closed | and she fell fainting to be caught in strong arms.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Questions and Answers

She had been told of her good looks since childhood, but this had little effect upon her. She simply accepted what was told her as a verity and thought nothing more about it. Cool" thought Burr, "a little rustic belle, l suppose, well aware of her own value. Rather p,quant, upon my word"
 T should like to know.'' said Burr what so beautiful young lady considers the real object of life?'' Mary answered reverently in the words then familiar to every Puritan child. ITO glorify God and enjoy Him forever.'
 "Really.' he said. looking straight into her eyes with that penetrating glance with which he was accustomed to take the gague of every one with whom he con versed. ''Is it not?' said Mary, looking back, calm and firm, into the sparkling, restless depths of his eyes.
 At that moment two souls, going with their whole force in opposite directions, looked out of their windows at each other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Widow With a Faculty"

Mrs. Scudder was the widow Of d sea captain who had left her with little gamorel-roofed cottage and a little farm and little else besides in the way of worldly possessions. But Mrs. seudder lad faculty" and when a New Eng land woman has faculty she las pos session with which she can face the world unafraid.
 Her kitchen. which was the living room, always looked as if no work was ever done there, and how she and her daughter Mary got through with their backing, cleaning, spinning sewing, cooking, etc; without ever seeming to be in Il hurry, and always have plenty of time for every thing was q cause of wonder and admlra tion, even to her gifted neighbors
 Besides her other work the widow fed two hired men and took q boa,der II, the person of the Rev. pr. Hopkins. I grave and stately man of 45, who had evolved a new sort of theology and dis pensed it to, a small congregation in a lalf-ruinous meeting house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Mime. Frontipnac Comes

Now truly a great man, man really
 grand and noble in heart and intellect,
 has this advantage with women--that
 he Is an idol ready-made to hand, and
 so that very painstaling and ingenious
 sex have less trouble In getting him
 up and can be ready to worship him at
 short notice In particular is thss the
 case where a sacred profession and a
 moral supremacy Is added to the intel lectual. Just think of the career or celebrated divines of all ages. Have they not stood like the image that Neb : uchadnezzar set up, and all womenklnd been ready to fall down and worship? One afternoon carriage stopped at the door and Madame de Frontignac came running into the house to em- brace Mary "Ah, how white your checks are, my poor child!" said ma dame. Life Is hard and bitter-isn't lit?" Madame de Frontignac spoke with l tears in her eyes.
 l You have grown pale, too, said l Mary, looking up and struck with the i change in the once brilliant face. Have
 I. petite? At home wear rouge but
 don't put it on for you-you see me l just as I am"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
The Revelation

Then the girl told how James had been to see her that afternoon. and Mrs. Scud- der insisted upon being told every word that James had said as well as upor. read ing the letter. Child. child." cried the widow, fin spite of all my care you are in love with this boy-your heart Is set upon him!' "Mother, l am not. l never expect to marry him or anybody else. And you would like to see him well mar ried, you'd you not?" asked the mother, sending with true woman's aim this keen arrow: 'I think that Jane Spencer would make him a neNceilent wife.
 This shaft tore the veil. Till that mo ment Mary had never been conscious Ci herself She covered her hot face with her hands; the scarlet flush spread over neck and brow. 70. mother 1 am seliisa after all" she cried.
 Afterward, as Mrs. Scudder sat com muning with herself she thought: After all. James will be away for three years on his whaling voyage. There will bl few letters-and a great deal can be done in three yearS''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

deceased husband was relative of the WilcoXes, and the widow was not little pleased to receive a card of invitation to the splendid affair which was to he given at the Wilcox manor the next Friday.
 Miss Prissy Diamond, the leading dressmaker of the City-by-the Sea, had been called in deep and solemn consulta- ton by the widow Scudder, and from out of the depths of an old camphor wood trunk many rich old fabrics, brought from abroad by the late Captain Scudaer. old pieces of lace and other finery in herited from ancestors or procured across the seas by seafaring members of the family, were produced.
 Miss Prissy was an institution in New port and worked for the best families. She was a good natured, gossipv old maid and managed, through her sister, who worked in the family of Mrs. Cranch or Boston (who corresponded with Mrs. Adams, wife of the American minister to London) to get the latest fashions from Europe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Meeting With Colonel Burr

At the time of which we write the Colonial aristocracy''-which mad Just ceased to be Colonial--was stately. for nal. polished, magnificent upon gala oc- casions Mary's beauty carue out with great advantage in that festive scene. She had a little triumph of the evening, for everybody asked who she was, and more than one gallant of the Newport first families felt himself adorned and dis tinguished to walk with her on his arm Eusy, officious dowasers repeated to Mrs. Scudder the applauding whispers which followed her everywhere she went
 There was a great. wide nall ru'nng through the house and opening uroh a Srave'ed garden walk bordercd by hox hedges. Mary, seizirle her opportunity. walked alone out between the hedges tc escape from the crowd and glare 9f the house.
 Then out from the dor came a gentle man with a stylislaly dressed Iady m either arm He was of middle heignt peculiarly graceful in form and moldiny with tha' irexplicable air of high breeding which marks the polished men of .he world His beautifully formed head, deicate profile fascinating sweetness of smila. and above all the eye which seemed to nave almost a mesmeric power of attraction Whicf distinguished one of the most celebrateo men of his time.
 One of the ladies with him was Mrs Wilcox Miss Scudder," sail she as they approached. 1T have the honor to present to you Colonel Burr of the United States Senate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Rennrt of James, Death

She stayed her light footsteps and the words which fell upon her ears were these: Mrs Marvyn fainted dead away: she stood it tillit came to that; but then she just clapped both hands together as If she had been shot and fell right forward on the floor in d faint"
 Mary was in the room in an instant. "Tell me-what is it?s Is it---is he dead?" The two women looked at each other. and then Mrs. Scudder opened her arms. My daughter!" 70, mother, mother,''
 Then followed that long, hopeless si- fence. broken only. hy hysteric sobs from Miss Prissy and answering ones from the mother. But Mary lay still and quiet. her blue eyes wide and clear. making an inarticulate moan.
 Yes: the news hid been brought to Newport that the ship on which James
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

self little fiuttered to find herself thus unexpectedly honored with the notice ol one of the great ones of the earth.
 But Burr, with an indescribable mix ture of ease and difference guided by re- fined tact. made her feel. before he had spoken but a few sentencs, that she was m an atmosphere where there was per- feet freedom and that her ligntest word might launch forth safely as a tiny boat upon the smooth, glassy mirror of her listeners pleased attention.
 They took walk alone in the garden and Burr put forth all his arts of pleasing He made Mary many graceful and dell cate compliments upon her beauty; but these did not much impress her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
The Parting

70, James," said Mary, If you would only talk with pr. Hopkinsr'
 Hang pr. Hopkins replied James "I can't make head or tail of what. he says. But you girls and women don't know your power. Why, Mary, you are a living gospel I can understand you you can do me good-make better man of me. You are much too good for me. 1 know, but you will make me better. Mary, just give me your little Bible. will you? l will read It while am al sea. Our ship sails tonight. Pray for me while l am gone, and if, while l am away, a good man comes who loves you and Is worthy of you, take him. Mary. We are cousins-you might kiss me once.'
 The kiss was given and taken and re- turned in silence. and James disap peared through the thick trees. Come, child" said the widow Scud- der. putting her head in at the door there's Deacon Twitchels chaise in sight--are you ready. child2'
 "Yes, mother
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Mary Scudder

And Mary could have borne her own doom with resignation had she been convinced that James Marvyn, son of her mothers cousin, had been called" But James was a sailor lad, and people Whispered about that the reckless fel- low had even been heard to express a doubt that the vast majority of man. kind was preordained to eternal tor ments. Newport orthodoxy had de- cided opinion that something extremely unpleasant was to happen 10 James ultimately
 As had been said the Widow Scudder had invited company to tea, and Mary went into her little room on the ground floor and prepared to put on her com pany" gown. It was quiet little room. and having made her toilet Mary sat down by a window and looked out med ftatively under the thick branches of the apple trees.
 ~ The bed and the window were draped fin spotless white with frlnges of Mary's own knotting. A small table under the lco,.ing glass bore the library of d well brought up young lady of those times. "The Spectator" Paradise Lost" "Shak espeare' and "Robinson Crusoe' stood forth the admitted secu lar literature. and beside them the Bible and the works then published of Jona- than Edwards
 Laid n little to one side, as If in doubtful reputation, was the only novel which the stricter people of those days allowed for the reading of their daugh- ters-that seven yolumed, trailing tedious. delightful old bore, sir Charles C:randison" The small looking glass vas wreathed with corals and foreign shells. and some Chinese paintings ol birds and flowers gave rather q n.uuant, foreign air to the otherwise [ homely neatness of the apartment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Wedding Date Set

The spring was far advanced now and the widow Scudder was for having the wedding soon. But Mary pleaded for delay, and at length the day was fixed for Aug. 1.
 Mime de Frontignac did not fully ap- prove; her instinct told her that Mary's heart was buried out at sea there with the lost lover of her childhood days. But what could she say? Certainly the doctor was a worthy man-and a beau tiful girl like Mary could scarcely be expected to remain single forever. So the madame said little regarding the matter And as Mary said less it ere ated sort of reserve between them which had not been there before.
 Now when Mme de Frontignac had fled from Philadelphia she had left T letter for Burr inN which she told him that she now thoroughly understood him and never wanted to see him again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Mary Disposes of Burr

But he refused to take his dismissal seriously. He had been absent when Virginie fled, but when he came back to the city he wrote her a letter saying that he would come to Newport and see her
 This threw Virginie into a great state of agitation, but Mary said: When he comes I will receive him and tell him the truth"
 70, will you? It will be so kind, said madame. but do not be too severe. too hard with him.
 The colonel came Mary received him with a calm and frigid air, told him that Mme de Frontignac could not see him and that while madame remained under that roof his calls there would be unwelcome. All Burr's blandish ments were useless against the cold calmness of the little Puritan and he retired discomforted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Dr. Hopkins Theology

Though the theology of iDr. Hopkins was in the main new and handmade by himself, he still held fast by those sooth- ing old doctrines of hell-fre and predest- nation, and promulgated them with ev- dent relish.
 The only thing that could possibly nave made the doctrine of predestination so popular as it was in early New England, must have been a secret fee.ng in the heart of each "professor" that lie was ordained to be saved, and il was the ether fellow who was selected for damna- tion. Otherwise the strain would have been unbearable.
 Even Mary Scudder who looked upon the doctor as a sort of superman, had many a struggle of reconcile herself to the dictum of Rev. Hopkins that if she was foreordained to everlast- 1ng torment she ought to be glad of it if her condemnation would work out the salvation of one of the "elect"
 But she did reconcile herself and only wondered that the sun could shine sc brightly: the flowers haunt dazzling colors; that sweet airs could breathe xand little children play and youth Dove and hope, and a thousand intoNi- eating influences combine to cheat the victims from the thought taht theii next step might be into an abyss oi horrors without end.
 The blood of youth and hope was saddened by this great sorrow and he, life. unknown to herself, was q sWee tune on a minor key. only a few were of the 'elect''--the vast majority of mankind were doomed forever
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

with sort of easy, dashing and confi- dent air which sat not unhandsomely upon him.
 For the rest a high forehead, shaded by ringlets of the blackest hair, a keen, dark eye, a firm and determined mouth gave the impression of one who had engaged to do battle with life not only with will but with shrewd- ness and ability.
 Stepping directly behind Mary, he reached through the window. put his arms around her and-kissed her. Why, James!" cried Mary, 'come, now'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Another Boarder. and Friend

The visitor and Mary had long con- fidential talk Madame had found out that Burr was simply playing with her that he did not love her though he plotted her destruction. Unable to gov ern feeling g--not trusting herself in the company of Burr-she had fled for shell ter to Newport and Mary.
 She wanted to be allowed refuge in the cottage for time Her husband was now in the Ohio region where he had been sent by Burr as an agent in some of the colonel's ambitious and treasonable schemes.
 Thus it came about that the widow Scudder had another boa:der to look after and Mary and Virginie consoled and strengthened each other. Mary all the time gradually leading the French woman back to a sense of her duty tc her husband and inspiring in her re- gard that might yet ripen into love Tor that unsuspecting and kindly man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

had and the prominent members of pr. Hopkins church were all there with their wives, including even MT. Simeon Brown, the wealthy slave trader; for Newport was the great center of the slave trade in those days, more slavers sailing out of Narragansett bay than from all the other American ports put together So they talked theology, ate cake. drank tea and offered incense to Dr. Hopkins who presided over the assembly in calm and dignified man. ner.
 When Mary went to her room that night she saw something white lying in the moonlight upon the floor. It was a lette.' from James which he had written and thrown through the window. It began by saying q cannot leave you so" and ended with God has put the key of my soul into your hands,
 Her mother caught her reading it and said: My daughter, you are concealing something from your mother
 NO, mother,' returned Mary, this is letter from James MarVyn."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
By Harriet Beecher Stowe
If you will be his wife. ''

If you will be his wife"
 His wife, motheri
 Yes daughter. I have seen a long time that he has been preparing to make this proposal; have you never thought of it?"
 Never replied Mary, and there was long pause. At last, Do you suppose he really loves me, mother?"
 "As much as ever a man loved q woman"
 "If I refused him 1t would give him great pain, would it not?"
 Certainly it would"
 There Is nobody else in the world now" said Mary. except you, whom I love as we'll as the doctor. Do you think that will do?"
 So 1t was settled, and Mary had a crying spell while the widow went in triumph to announce the good tidings to the doctor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Figure in the Grass

As Mary sat thoughtfully by the xx indow there was a swish and rustic in the orchard grass and young man suddenly emerged from the trees a iit- tlle behind her. He was apparently about 25 and dressed in the holiday rig of sailor on shore, which well set o8 his fine, athletic figure and accorded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Miss Prissy Dares

Miss Prissy and Mme de Frontignac were all of a futter at the turn affairs had taken. They held many little con- ferences together and decided that Mary should marry James. Many little plots were laid but at last Miss Prissy declared that the only way was to go and tell the doctor just how matters stood. But who will tell him? 'I will, said Miss Prissy decidedly.
 It should be said that James had begged Mary to allow him to do just what Miss Prissy resolved to do-bnt Mary had forbidden him. He had Of course. called upon Mrs. Scudder, and that lady had treated him with a dis tant kindness as relative happily res cued from the ocean. l
 But Miss Prissy confronted the doc tor alone in his study and told him. As the doctor began to understand he arose and went to window. turnin g his back upon Miss Prissy. When she had finished he made gesture back ward without speaking. and the little dressmaler, thoroughly scared. left the room. When she was gone the doctor sat down at his desk and covered his face with his hands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

Marvyn had sailed on his last cruise
 had been lost with all on board. Jed | uthun Pettibone of the Flying Scud l brought home the news. In terrific 1 gale, Jim's ship, the Monsoon, had gone I on the rocks-there was no possibility
 that any one had been saved, Jeduthun said.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Mary Agrees to Marry

One evening. before going to bed Mrs: Scudder came into Mary's room
 My daughter" said she. T have just had A long talk with Dr. Hopkins. You love him very much--do you not?"
 Very dearly"
 Mary. he has asked me this evening
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Preparing for the Wedding

The next sensation after the doctors anti-slavery sermon was the wedding party given by General Wilcox upon the marriage of his daughter. Mrs. Scudder's s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Doctors Noble Act

The next morning James called at the house. and the doctor said that he wanted to see Mary and the youth in the study When they came in he said: ..I have just discovered that there is great cross and burden which must come either on this dear child myself, through no fault of either of us, but through Gods providence. Therefore le, me bear it. Mary. my child, 1 will be to thee as a father, but 1 will not force thy heart"
 NO, nor' chied Mary, "I will marry ycu. as I said"
 Not if I will not" said the doctor with a smile. Come here, young man. I give to thee this maiden to wfe"-and he placed her gently in the arms of the young man who. overawed and overcome, pressed her silently to his heart. Thus ended the Ministers Wooing. As for Mme de Frontignac, a couple Of years after Mrs. James Marvyn received q letter from her dated at her husbands chateau in France where they were liv- ing an idylic life. In the letter she spoke of her love for her husband. and went into raptures over her adorable infant son. her matchless Henri. The fate of Aaron Burr Is matter of history. 1 Next weeks one page classic will be
 ''The Nabob.'' by Alphonse Daudet l Copyright. 1912 by Irving King.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Effect of Compliments

The name of Burr was name ia filia in every ones mouth and Mary fell her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
Mary Finds a Letter

It was sort of theological tea they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

Next weeks one page classic will bs ''The Nabob.'' by Alphonse Daudet
 Copyright. 1912. by Irving King.)
The Sentinel=record., 1912-12-25
7777777 . . - 77777777 777-7777777-777-
 ROAD NOTICE.

Notice is hereby given that on the 91st day of December. 1912, or as soon thereafter as the same can be heard, the undersigned will present to Coun; ' Court petition asking that new county road be created in Garland county, to run as follows. to-wit:
 Commenclng at Mountain Valley postoffice and running east on Noun tain Valley route to section 21. thence east through sections 21 and p, to be put as near half section lines as possible, running east and west to a county road known as the Mill Creek and Mountain Valley road, thence north about half mile to mail route, thence east on mail route to George Snodgrass', intersecting the Hot Springs and DanviIle road.
 Any and all citizens who may have any objections or protest 10 offer against the granting of said petition may appear before the county court on said day.
 D. F. RADFORD. EFT AL 5e e(Advt.-4w)
The Sentinel=record., 1912-12-25
NOTICE OF sHEkrrF's SALE.

State of Arkansas. County of Garland. Notice is hereby given that will sell at public auction to the highest bidder on a credit of three months upon the purchaser giving bond and good security to the plaintiff in exc cution for the payment of the sale money, bearing interest from date at the rate of ten per cent per annum, before the main door of the Court House in the City of Hot Springs, Gar land County, State of Arkansas, on the 31st day of December, 1912, be- tween the hours of 3 o'clock in the forenoon and o'clock in the after noon, the following described proper ty, towit: Lot one (1), Block seven ty t70). of the Hot Springs Reserva- tion. as surveyed, mapped and platted by the United States Hot Springs commissioners
 Levied upon by me as the property of Preston Jordan by virtue of and to satisfy an execution in my hands against him which issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Garland County in iavor of M. ]. Murphy against the said Preston Jordan.
 This Thiss etii s..ii day day ef December, 1912.
 R. L. WILLIAMS,
 Sheriff of Garland County
 w R. DOANEN,
 Deputy Sheriff