davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
A Brilliant Match

Henry Jardine of Blackhall, whom that daughter married. became the father of the son Rodericlk, our hero, and three daughters. He and his whealthy bride lived upon the most Friendly terms but Mrs. Jardine never understood her husband any more than she did Roderick and certainly Henry Jardine never understood Richerden so- ciety.
 In fact the oppressiveness and crude mess of that society so weighed upon the poor gentleman that when RodericlS had grown to be quite boy his father simply gave 1t up and died.
 At the time when Roderick announced his intention of going abfo ad his two eldest sisters had been for some time married to their mothers satisfaction and Bella, the youngest, was about to ''contract highly advantageous matri- monial alliance"
 She was about to marry MT. Alexan- her Thomson, son of Sir James Thom- son, young man who, except that he was a fool and sot, had little else the matter with him. Mrs. Jardine con- kidered it a brilliant match.
 Sir James was a millionaire in the Iron trade. or something of that sort whose wealth had beeo so appreciated by d grateful ministry that he had been received into the ranks of chiv- airy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Telegram and a Return

But before the funeral Roderick re- oeived telegram: Your mother is not well. Come home immediately" You must decide,' said Roderick. when he showed the telegram to Silence. The train starts this afternoon. Shall de- lay my journey just one day?" Not for one hour,' replied Silence, almost passionately Remember, you can never have but one mother. Go to her at once.''
 Roderick got to Richerden at about 4 o'clock in the morning-a thorough Rich erden morning, or rather night, of sleet, snow and binding rain. Entirely worn out with the fatigue of his hurried tray cling he came at last to his mother s door. For moment he thought he had made a mistake for the house was all lighted up carriages were going and com ing, dainty muffled figures filled the en- trance hall It was evidently the break ing up of some festive entertainment.
 And there was his mother, standing half way up the stairs in her ruby vel vet point lace and diamonds--a little tired and looking old, as was natural at o'clock in the morning, but beaming with health. good nature and the enjoy ment of life.
 Goodness me. Rody, is that you? Girls, your brother is here. The telegram--O, yes, l remember the telegram. Such was RodericlS's welcome. Good night, said Rodericl. and went to his room.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Silence Is Told of Affairs

Eodcrick returned to Neuchatel to find Silence installed in the Reynier family. She will not mind" Roderick had thought and had painted picture Of her in the cheerful poverty which must be .hcir lot.
 And the vision gave him a dim forc- shadowing of what life would be for him when Silence would be that 'helpmeet" which every man should seek in a wom- an; happy if he find her neither idol nor slave-but equal friend, bearer, glad and proud, of half his burdens, nots only guided by him, but sometimes guiding him, too, on the right, the prudent, the holy way.
 Roderick told Silence the whole story and expected that she would at once throw herself in his arms declaring that poverty with him was preferable to wealth with another.
 But. to his surprise, she drew back from him and said. Flush, we will not talk any more of this today. Tomorrow. But we must talk of it" cried Roder- ick, you will not cast
 nof
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

he felt as if he must set out at once for Switzerland and try to find the poor relations-if they were poor-Mrs. Jar dine replied: T don't see it at all Rody. She left the money to you" But Blackhall and the small amount left by Silence Jardine was of little interest to the fashionable daughter of the rich iron master-it was only about 1900 a year.
 Well, well, Rody, go if you want to-" said Mrs. Jardine, but do wish you would settle down and marry one of the nice girls in Richerden"-and she ran over list of "eligibles,e all girls with money.
 Roderick remarked that he did not care pin for any of them-as if that made any difference in Richerden, "O,' said Bella, with toss of her head, he wants a dressmaker, perhaps, or a goYerness. or somebody who earns their own living Take care. mama. I can imagine the sort of wife he will bring us home some day"
 Roderick was off the next day. How good 1t seemed to be really in France again and away from all the wrangling and fashionable disturbance, the smoke and the grime and the narrow. worldly vulgarity of Richerdeni
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Renuest for Rnderick

Mrs. Jardine and her married daugh- ters, who had come homo for the oc- casion, were busy discussing the ar Engagements for the approaching mar riage and the solemn problem of the brides trousseaux when RodericlS spoke-which is probably why his mother did not at first catch the pur- port of his remarks.
 When she did she said: GO where you will; do what you please only take care of yourself and don't for get your poor old mother" Mrs. Jar hine was q good woman. But she was a true daughter of the 6omineering old blacksmith and only let "Rody" have his way in unimportant things be- cause he was just like his father and ''so odd"
 Roderick was tall. spare. stately, re- served, temperate and certainly did seem rather odd in Richerden. where people were inclined to be short, stout ioquacious, free of manner and greatly given to liberal eating and no less lib- eral drinking.
 That afternoon Roderick received a letter from a lawyer, saving that his Fathers second cousin, Miss Silence Jardine, had died at the family home : stead of Blackhall and had left him the whole of her small property, 'to- gether with a diamond ring. which his father had given her many years ago .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
ROderick in Love

He talkedS to them of Scotland and Blackhall and the little he knew of cousin Silence. When his call was ended he ran down the Nars, nor paused once to think, until he found himself in the safe, calm moonlight by the lake shore.
 He wrote to his mother a letter say ing much of Swiss mountain scenery, and incidentally said that he had dis covered the widow and only child of Archibald Jardine--wnether that child was male or female he did not state.
 After that there was scarcely a day that Roderick did not sec Silence, either at her home or elsewhere. He was deeply in love and knew it; she was sn
 love and did not know it--as yet. But the mother was not long in seeing how matters stood with both of thema-an1 she was not sorry
 A month went by in this manncr Roderick was wanting 0 hear from his lawyer to whom he had written asking the possibility of transferring Miss Jar dimes property to his Swiss relatives without their suspecting that they had not inherited it direct. He persuaded himself and wrote his mother that is was his duty to remain for a time in Neuchatel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
A Talk on Honesty

When RodericlS's vacation days were over he and his wife returned to Black hall. They now received any number of invitations to the houses Of the gentry for miles around and the cards of callers from families of the landed proprietors were showered upon them.
 My dear said Roderick, i've can not accept these invitations--we arc too poor. We cannot even afford to keep a suitable carriaGe-we certainly cannot afford to return these courte- sies. therefore we ought not to accept them. Write and tell these people who have invited us-C, tell them any old thing, except the truth--that we arc too poor. They know it, or ought to know it; but there is no use in making a public display of the fact"
 "Roderick,' replied Silence, whether we accept these invitations or not mat ters little. But it does matter a great deal whether we begin our married life with truth or untruth; whether we meet the world with an utterly false face or else sullen face rejecting all it's kind ness. Why not be perfectly honest with these people, saying openly, We are poor; we know it. and it is not pleas ant. But it is no disgrace. We are neither afraid nor ashamed
 That may be all right in Utopia" retorted RoderlclS, but here-did you ever know anybody who did it?'
 Yes my father and mother did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Roderick Weds Silence

It was then that Silence explained to him the reasons which she thought com pelled her to give him up. She loved him and his poverty only made him dearer to her. Poverty? She had been poor all her life and had no desire to be rich.
 But she could not bear to believe that she came between mother and son. In such circumstances she would be doirs, Roderick a great harm to marry him. He was young, strong, had future before him which she could only cloud and de- stroy by marrying him. They must give each other up--it was duty
 For several days Rodercl< reasoned and plead with Silence. At length he over came her scruples and when a reason- able time had elapsed. they were mar ried. He announced the fact to his farr- fly. but received no word from them. The supplies which he had been receiv- ing were now entirely cut off.
 He took his bride to Richerden. where he established her in a little flat pre- pared for him by his lawyer, and where the two lived quietly for a short time while Roderick's affairs were being set tied preparatory to taking over Black hall and going to live there on the slen- der income accorded by the legacy Of cousin Silence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Girl With the Blue Eyes

When Roderick arrived at Neuchatel he found the Reyniers away, but he left his letter of introduction and a few days later found beside his plate, when lie descended to his solitary breakfast n the hotel, a note announcing their re- turn home and stating that Me le Pro fesseur and Madame Reynier would be pleased to have him spend the evening" with them
 Finding that he could be back in time he accepted the invitation in a note writ ten in his very best French, and then set out for Berne to do little sight- seeing
 He did not leave Berne upon his return until sunset late in the afternoon, and as he stood watching the Jungfrau li the sunset. spiritualized by pure,> ann Der glory till it resembled nothing earth ly he did not notice the little group be- side him until, stepping back. he ran against someone and, hastily turning to apologize. saw young lady whose large, calm blue, almost English eyes were fixed upon the mountains with entire ab- sorption She had short curly hair, which was fair and like that of an English blonde
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
a faint odor of some aromatic late au-

a faint odor of some aromatic late au- tumn flowers.
 Such was the little home in which he found Silence Jardne and her mother The mother was much of an invalid some organic affection of the heart. She heard with the greatest satisfac- tion of the legacy" which had been left to her daughter. Roderick had really persuaded himself that the lit tie store of Miss Jardine of Backhall had been bequeathed to Silence and not to him. 70, my daughter" said the grateful woman, T shall not then, be obliged to leave you penniless." Roderick explained how small the amount was, but it seemed like for tune to them.
 The mother spoke only French, but Silence spoke frequently in Englisht her sweet low, precise English, very correct in accent, though the sentences were sometimes arranged in the French fashion and the monsieur" translated into sir often appeared therein in funny un English way
 Afterward how like a dream seemed that first evening, that first talk, al most a family talk, in the dim light of the shaded lamp with the wind howl ing outside round the roof of the lofty house and inside peace, all peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
"Rody. Nv Lamb"

When Rodericx Jardine told his mother that he thought he would go abroad after all," the leader of Richerden so- oiety said: "What were you saying, Rody, my lamb?" Now for young man of 20 to be called "Rody, my lamb,' was, it must be admitted, a trifle annoying. But Mrs. Jardine always treated her grown up son as if he were still child and then Rody was so dfferent,' as his mother often said with a sigh.
 Yes, Roderick was different from the members of that loud, plutocratic, mid dle-cass society which gave itself enor- nous dinners in the mercantile, manufae- turing, lowland Scottish city; which re- garded display as the only test of gentil- ity and through which his mother moved in a dominating splendor of diamonds and red velvet.
 RodericlS's father had been gentle man from the border of the highlands, and after a disappointment in love had married-at her command, people said the daughter and heiress of "old Pater- son. who, starting out as a working blacksmith, had made an immense for tune in the iron line.
 "So much money" said the gossips, ''that his daughter was able to marry d gentleman and become a lady" The iron master died and so left his daughter im- anensely wealthy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
A CL A SIC
 IN A P A c E


Next to John Halifax, Gentleman ''Young Mrs. Jardine" is, probably, the best known of the works of Mrs. Cralk, or, as she was generally known 10 litera- ture, Miss Muiock. Like John Halifax the story has but little incident and no meretricious attractions" but secured the public sympathy by it's pure and ele- a model of purity and loftiness of char acter and subdued but admirable literary power. The heroine is young woman of strength and originality of mind and a model of prity and loftiness of char acter. The story is one of her influence upon the life and character of her hus- band Though in Roderici Jardine, Miss Mulock evidently intended to draw q strong" man yet Roderick will impress the ordinary reader as a trifle weak. He was certainly a much managed man and the moral of the story seems to be that even talented and upright husband needs the directing force of the right sort of wife-tlat the prize wife is the one who manages her husband and does il for the common good. The characters of the elder Mrs. Jardine and of her daughter, Bella, are admirably done-one could wish to have seen more of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Thompson's Say

When the ladies had left the dining room and the gentlemen fingered over their wine, Alexander Thompson. already started on his inebriated, nightly road gave Roderiek a slap on the back ana said jovially.
 Didn't see you until this minute. Vas that your wife-uncommon fine girl The women are always fools-we know. The old lady cuts up rough still? Never mind : what's the odds so long as you're happy. Glad to meet you again my boy. When are you coming to see us?"
 We are stopping here only for short time,'' replied Roderick coldly and shall go on to Blackhall."
 Come before ayou go,' replied the ire pressible Alexai- CT. Bella will be de llghted-and if she isn't I shall I am masteNin my own house. One thing a man snpuld always do is to be master in his own house.
 "If. he can be he will without any need to say word about 1t; and If he can't why, what's the use in trying?" naively remarked young Grierson, and the laugh which greeted this chunk of wisdom af- forded cover for Rodericlx's retreat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
SiIence's Reconciliation

As Rodericlx sat In the parlor wait ing anxiously for the report of the specialist who had been summonS9 from Edinburgh, he heard door open and some one enter very gently behsEz him.
 "Well?. said he. No answer but the intruder came close 10 him-touched him. Tt Is me. Rody--your mother. said voice. "Oh, motherl mother. cried he. For one moment her arms were about his neck. Then he pushed her away with: q do not want my mother-I want my wife. Is she alive?" Yes, and will live. suite safe. Rody, my son. my son!n
 She had sunk into a chair and Rod erick, kneeling beside her, laid his head in her lap, just as he used to do when little boy and said: Mother. mother, forgive me--let us forgive each other, When they had wept and talked a little RodericlS asked how his mother had happened to be at Black hall.
 She put into his hand note written two days before in pencil and in a hand very shaky. but very neat and clear. It read-'Dear Mir. Black: if vou ever hear l am likely to die will vou go at once to Richerden and fetch Mrs Jardine. You know her No one will comfort my husband like his moth err It was signed Silence Jardine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Near Meeting With Mother

The Jardines also spent week with the Griersons at a little watering place much affected by the Richerdon people, nearly all of whom, however had left for their homes before Roderick and his wife arrived at the seashore. Much to the embarrassment of the Jardines and of their hostess, Rodericlxs mother came to the watering place for be- lated visit.
 Mrs. Grierson pleaded with Roderick to let her try and arrange a reconcilia tion between him and his mother. He at length consented. The result of Mrs. Griersons efforts was that Mrs. Jar dine sent her note to say that If Rod eriek called upon her at 10 o'clock the next day she would receive him.
 Silence urged, almost commanded, her husband to go and meet his moth CT. When he called he found that that lady had hurriedly departed for Rich erden some hours before without leay- ing a word for her son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Roderick Prospers

The end of the argument was that Roderick told Silence to write what she pleased in reply to the invitations. She did so and embodied her ideas so delicately, yet in so diginhed a man ner, that when her husband had read the letters-which she turned over to his scrutiny before sending--he said What a comfort a wife is who can get a man out of 8 difficulty. You have the prettiest way of putting things. How do you manage it?' And then, snatching her to his bosom: My little conscience-the best conscience man can have--a wife who Is afraid of nothing and nobody; not even of him self"
 Rodericls continued his writing for the technical reviews and made namo for himself. He made some inventions which increased the efficiency of the machinery at the mil1-he began to prosper
 Suddenly. one cold winter day, his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Roderick Under Mir. Black

It had been Rodericks ambition as a boy to become a mechanical engineer, but his mother had frowned upon the- project as not being "genteel' enough But he retained his love for mechanics and after the fall of his hopes of be- coming a novelist, wrote an article for a technical review upon some engin- eering problem which interested him and it was accepted.
 Mir Black saw it, was much taken with it and offered RodericlS a position as foreman in his mill at a salary of two pounds a week. Roderick gladly accepted it, liked the work and needed the money--so worked hard.
 At first the Jardines were let alone by the neighboring gentry Sir John Symington called and Silence was greatly pleased with them. RodericlS hesitated a little but finally let Silence return the call and the two families became intimate and fast friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Invited by Grierscns

They did receive one invitation out" while they remained in Richerden and accepted it. It was to dine at the Grier- sons, who were among what Roderick s eemily called the best people,. Ths Griersons, who were kind people, even if they did spend part of their time in Rich erden, made Silence the guest of the evening.
 his sister Bella-now Mrs. Alexander Thomson--was one of the guests. Bella did not at first speak to her brother nor did Roderick speak to his sister.
 Silence, by her charm of manner aud her grace and fine breeding, made de- cided hit with those of the company qualified to judge by having seen other standards than those of Richerden.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Birth in Iardine Family

sister Bella appeared a Blackhall with her baby few months old. She had run away from her husband and de- clared that she would never go back to him. Roderick and Silence did what they could to make her and the child comfortable. He informed his mother of the whereabouts of Bella, but re- ceiyed no reply.
 After awhile the frivolous Belle grew tired of the limited means and the lonesomeness of FBlackhall and se- cretly wrote to her husband who came and took her back home with him. She preferred the wealth of her brutal hus- band to the poverty of her brother. Poor Bella.' was all Silence would say.
 In the spring a great event happened at Blackhall. man-child was born to Roderick and Silence. For time the mother hung between life and death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Roderick DisOWned

q have never considered the question of my income" said Roderick, but as 1t keeps me, it doubtless will keep a wife. You pay 1t so regularly that II is you who can best inform me of It's precise amount and whence l draw 1t.
 You have no money" cried Mrs. Jar dine, my money is my own If you veN me and marry against my will, you must do the best you can can with that wretched place Blackhall Go starve there-but you get nothing from me. have thousands, yes. hundreds of thou sands--to spend and to leave. But though are my only son, I'll never give or leave you a penny if you marry that woman
 Be it so," answered Roderick, I've need discuss the matter no longer. Good-by.
 "Good-by." replied Mrs. Jardine with unmoved features.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Young Mrs. Jardine

Reynier the next day and explained the why and wherefore of his visit to Swift zerland. He said that Miss Jardine had been left small legacy by her distant cousin, Miss Silence Jardine of Black hall and that he had come to announce the fact He would like to call upon the Jardines and do so-that is. if the Pro- lessor would kindly vouch for him.-that he was respectable in short.
 Even if Monsieur did not carry his letter Of recommendation upon his face, MT. Blacks guarantee would have been quite sufficient" said the professor.
 So. armed with a letter from M. Key nier, Roderick sought out the Jardines and found himself mounting the long stair-floor after floor-Madame Jardine lived au quatrieme, almost up to the roof of the house. Are they so very poorY' thought Roderick with a sharp pang, followed by thrill of delight. To come as the god from the machine" the good genius, tbe protecting angel-how deli- ciousl But no such discovery came to the young man, delicate In his tastes, quick mcrbidly quick to detect and To- volt from anything coarse and squalid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Ignored by Society

Society, as whole, entirely ignored Roderick and his bride at Rieherden; his family gave no sign. Roderick was, of course, annoyed by this ignoring of him self and his wife. "It is well you still like my society," he said. for it is evil dent you will have no other" He spoke irritably, as he sometimes did. but never to her.
 A meaner nature--and there are such men who esteem their wives according as the world admires them-might have visited upon Silence this entire and cruel ignoring of her But Spon Roderick 1t acted in just the opposite way. No prin- cess, quitting her own people to be re ceiveJ in equal honor by her husband $ kith and kin. could have been trsatc1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Bella Meets Silence

When RodericlS Joined the ladies his sister caught his arm and said: 'Rody, I came here on purpose to look at her She is much nicer than l expected o. Roderick, what can I do? I dare not vex mamma. She holds all my pin- money and is-O, so stingy, And I am married-O, had I but known But as one makes ones bed one must lie on it."
 Tt is useless talking" said Rodericlx sternly, i've had better not speak eith- CT of yours or mine" Can I speak to her?' said Bella. Certainly not" re- turned Roderick. There is not the slightest necessity for you to speak to Mrs. Jardine."
 But Bella went up to Silence and taking her hand said: q am Bella-of course you have heard of Bella. I must kiss you, dear" The tone. if little patronizing. was kind. In a few min utes Roderick and the young Mrs. Jar dine took their departure.