davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Together at Last

He had just reached the bridge over
which the water was pouring. though with
so shallow flood that he did not hesi-
tate to urge his horse across it.
Then he suddenly felt something like
a moose wind around his neck. He looked
around Kate was clinging beside him
to the horse.
There was struggle, a wrench, a
splash. Cushion Kate's red handkerchief.
which she wore around her head, APP
peared for a moment. Then nothing more
was seen.
Fastening from the mill rescued, below
the bridge, the farmer who was still alive.
But he died soon after they got him to
the miller's house, and Thoma, who had
been sent for. was by his eide when he
breathed his last.
Come here, Anton.' said Landolin just
as he was dying, Il have brought her for
you," and, cropping for Thomas hand, he
placed ii in the hand of Anton.
1t was on the day of Landolin's funeral
that the dead body of Cushion Kate float
ed ashore.
Today Peter is master of the farm.
But he is only called so--for he mar
ried the daughter of Titus and she con-
trolls him. Anton Is burgomaster of the
town and Thoma wears her honors with
dignity and yet meekiy.
Next weeks one-page classic will be,
Mary Barton" by Mrs. Gaskell
Copyright, 1913. by irving King.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
On the Way to the Fair

But at the foot of the mountain,
where the sigh post is, Thoma beckoned
to her a beggar who was sitting there
holding out his handless arm, and gave
him a bright new mark.
THAT pleases me-" said the mother.
smiling at Thoma, who smiled back.
"In all things you do not take after
your father; in some things you resem-
BILE me-" thought the mother. but. dared
not say it.
Then suddenly came Good morning,
Thoma; good morning, mother" from
the clear voice of Anton and the young
soldier, now turned miller. was walking
beside them.
Come, get out and walk with me-"
said he to Thoma; but the mother re-
Piled, mo, you must ride with U.S."
Il will walk beside you," replied An
ton, and, placing his hand upon the
side of the wagon, he walked along,
very happy in his company.
Thus they came to the city and the
fair and the bethrothal feast
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
IJnpalatable Advice

Thoma and her mother drove into town
together on the day of the fair and the
betrothal feast
Mother" said the girl suddenly as
they drove along. when father was
young he must have been the hand
soonest man In the country"
"He was in Decd" replied the mother,
"but wild and unruly; very wild. You
will have a gentler husband. 1t will be
just the opposite with you to what it
has been with me.
If your father had been a soldier
like Anton, he, too, would have given
way to others and not always think
himself the greatest man in the world
Heaven forgive me! but l should not
speak of your father in this manner
But l only mean to tell you that now
1ou must give up to others--with mar
Rage wilfulness must end"
A scowl came over the face of Thoma
1t was easy to see that the part of
her mothers advice which preached
submission was not palatable to her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
One More ATTEMPT

Cushion Kate and her son, sat down by
the roadside and vetturi said: Mother,
I must go away from here. am
burden to YOU I will go to Alsace and
work in a factory"
"And you will leave me alone" walled
the old woman, you should not be
ashamed to stay with your mother"
Then she told him for the hundredth
time that his grandfather was one of
the Reutershofen family--that was the
name of Landolins place--and that
though he had received his portion as n
younger son. he had never been able
to get along, nor had his descendants.
"Well, we'll, mother at length said
excited manner. this Is the very day J.
Will get it."
With these words he tore himself
from the grasp by which his mother at
tempted TO restrain him and walked
with feverieh strides to the farmhouse
of Reutershofen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Still Master of a Horse

Landolin went out into the yard and
ordered horse saddled. He would ride
at once to call upon Anton and his father
at the mill.
Yes said Peter. but, father, you
cannot have the bay mare; her colt Is
only few days old"
Then let me have the black horse.'
You can't ride the black horse. He
is not safe for you.''
II can ride the widest horse that ever
was" replied Landolin and going to tpe
stable he unfastened and saddled the
black horse.
Then, as he rode out of the yard, he
stopped, and turning to Peter. said: Give
me your hand. 1 shall come up from the
mill sometimes and see you. God keep
you."
The black horse was indeed an ami
NAL which 1t took skill and strength to-
manage; but Landolin. in spite OF his
age. seemed equal to the task.
The frequent rains which of late had
drenched the valley had caused tho
streams to rise and overflow their banks.
Down by the rushing river whom shoule
Landoln see but Cushion Kate with IA
bundle of fagots in her hands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26

that easily. He had been acquitted, 1t
was true, but everybody felt the doubt
of the justice of the acquittaL
He ordered a great dinner at the
Sword inn and asked the jury to par
take of 1t. But the jurymen found ex-
cuses for being absent.
His son Peter was there. however,
and a great change had come over
Peter--a change which scared his
father.
AS Landolin and his son rode home
together, after the trial. Peter gave the
farmer clearly to understand that the
scepter of power at Reutershofen had
passed from him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Only a True Man

'Who then has? Is not Vetturi dead?'
Eyes. but he was killed by falling on
heap of paving stones.
"Anton," cried Thoma, intense ex-
citement, you are not saying that Of
yourself-you saw, saw. Did my faith.
er tell you what to say?"
Anton trembled. AS a matter of fact
he had not been looking at Landolin
and Vetturi, but at Thoma, when he
had entered the yard and the fatal
stone had been thrown. He readily,
and naturally, accepted the statement
Of Landolin as to the fatal occurrence.
But Thoma had seen all.
anton, you are telling lie," she
continued III you can tell lie how
can believe your Yes before the
altar? You are speaking falsely for
my sake--but, nevertheless, telling a
lie.
Il would have for my husband only
true man, who would conceal nothing,
deceive nobody--would not lie to gain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Death Blow to Hanniness

"You saw It," he cried; "you had
just come into the yard. The stone did
not touch him. He fell down at the
sound of my voice and hit his head
against stone lying on the ground.
Go to Thoma--I will follow you"
Anton obeyed. He found the girl
standing near the porch.
'Thoma, here l am,'' said Anton, do
you not see me?"
Yes. I see you." was the cold re-
sponse.
"Thoma, you are always so strong
and self-reliant," answered Anton,
pray control yourself. 1 know 1t Is
sad and distressing that person is
dead"
1T is not only that person has been
killed." returned Thoma, "but he, you
and I. my father and all of us have
received a death blow. DO you think
any of us can ever be happy again for
a single minute?'
"Certainly-your father has done
nothing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Driving Out the Herd

At The farmhouse a constant stream
of people, returning from the city and
the festivities of the day there, stopped
to wish health and happiness to the be-
trothed pair; and incidentally to eat
some of the good things which the
farmers wife had always in stock for
purposes of entertainment
Landolin had slept off the food and
drink Of the Sword Inn and was now
returning home in no pleasant humor.
stop feeding these people," said he
to his wife. start them off. Don't
be SO friendly and talkative. I don't
want to be bothered with the herd.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26

With a savage frown upon his face
he walked out of the house and went
across the yard to the kennel of the
watchdog.
The dusk had fallen--it was Just be-
yond twilight Vetturri rushed into the
yard bareheaded.
Farmer" he cried, ''for the last time
] say I want my money; my pay"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26

to think calmly of all the events of the
day.
1t was a. mild spring night. From the
forest came the song of nightingale
and another answered 1t from the hill
beyond. But Thoma did not hear them,
she was struggling with a demon.
The pride which Landolin had fostered
iii his daughter was now turned against
him and all the world She did not want
to be pardoned or receive anything as
a gift, even from her lover.
He shall not come to me-" she
thought, "and say-or even hint in his
manner, the honor of your family is
lost; you are the daughter of mur-
Nderer; but will be good and true to
YOU No, 1t Is all over"
And her faith" How could he have
done such a thing? Common people,
beggars and servants could now look
into her life, discuss 1t, pass judgment
upon it-even pity her! The thought
was maddenning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Back From the Wars

TIME spring had come to the German
hills and valleys. With the spring
i had come peace, and with peace
Anton Armbrustio, the millers son, had
returned from the war to doff his sol
dier's garb and settle down as his fathers
assistant
Anton proposed to be married in his
settling down and had been accepted as
a suitor by Thoma, the beautiful daugh-
ter of Landolin, the wealthy farmer.
The broad acres of the farmer lay
high upon the plateau which rose above
the river and overlooked the mill and
the stream where the logmen's RATS
floated along by glittering meadows where
the dew lay long and where hawthorne
hedges and cherry trees were in bloom.
There was some surprise when the rich
Landolin, the naughty and domineering
one, consented that his daughter should
marry Anton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26

She turned and rushed away into the
house, leaving Anton beaumbed by the
suddenness of this attack. He followed
her and she rushed to her bedroom and
bolted the door.
He spoke lovingly to her at first, rea
soning with her. Then he spoke threat
eningly, and said he would break in
the door if she didn't open it.
The door was opened little way and
the engagement ring which Anton had
given Thoma was thrown out upon the
floor of the passage. Anton picked up
the ring and went away.
Landolin went into the house and de-
manded supper. 1t was put on the table
and his wife sat down beside him, ap-
parently delighted that her husband
felt that he could eat.
The supper was not over when there
appeared at the farm the district Judge
and his clerk. They questioned Lando-
lin about the death of Vetturi, and he
told them the same story that he had
told Anton.
Were there any witnesses to the
the accident?' asked the judge.
Yes. my future son-in-law, Anton
Armbruster. and my daughter"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
unforpiviny

He sprang from his horse and said to
the old woman: Kate, my wife Is dead"
1T suppose so--they buried her. was
the surely response.
II would like to do something for you,"
continued Landolin.
Then hang yourself cried Kate
fieroely. She unified the cord which had
bound her bundle OF fagots and holding
1t out to him cried again; There, go
and hang yourself. This is the only thing
you can do for me. L want to see you
hanging"
Landolin mounted his horse again and
rode away. He did not look around he
did not see Kate with the cord In her
hand fastening after him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Understanding Only Too Well

While his father had been imprisoned
Peter had taken charge of everything.
People began to wonder that they had
not discovered before what smart
young man he was. Now he said to
Landolin:
Father, you must give UP splutter-
ing and fussing SO. Have you not
learned by this time to keep quiet and
be patient?
'.You may well stare at me. am no
longer the simple Peter whom you reA
sarded as not existing. You and I have
no secrets from each other Sselfrde-
fense Is a nice thing-but! I think you
understand me.
you drove the cart well and Tobias
and I pushed at the hind wheel. The
cart Is out of the rut, and now we will
wash our hands"
Landolin looked at his son as IL he
were u stranger to him. Peter saw the
expression and continued:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Promising to Be Different

When the bethrothal feast was ended
and Landolin had been carried to a
room in the inn to sleep off his potions.
the lovers stole away from the crowd
and sought quiet path through the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Peter a Changed Man

After his acquittal he went out into
the town and tried. but tried In vain, to
assume his old naughty and overbear-
ing manners.
People stunned him. He could see
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
BY
Berthold Auerbach

shall not stay here on the farm when you
are married. will live with you at the
MILL Peter can take the farm and pay
you your portion Thoma nodded si-
lently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
The New Master

From that hour Peter was master.
Landolin felt his helplessness. He made
several Intellectual attempts to regain
authority, but the fact was that his
spirit was broken.
He who held himself so high had
been brought Iowa slave to his own
son--the weakling whom he had de-
spised.
When Peter discharged Titus the man
began to bulster. But Peter asked him
if he wanted to bestried for perjury.
and the man weakened"
When Landolin had been acquitted
Cushion Kate had heard the news
quickly. She ran to the house of the
village clergyman and rang the bell
violently.
When he had answered the bell the
old woman raved at him. asking IL there
was justice In heaven or earth. He
soothed her somewhat, but from that
day she was more violent in her mat
tering against Landolin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Gentle as a Dove

II would not have you different
cried Anton. you shall remain as you
are. for. just as you are. you please
me best. o. who in the world would
have believed that Landolin's Thoma
could be as gentle as a dover
81 gentle; 1 a dover laughed Tho
ma; catch me. then"
And she ran quickly into the forest,
clapping her hands, with Anton follow
ing her. Anton did catch her. of course,
and caught kiss from her lips also.
Then they walked on toward Lando-
Inns farm.
AS they approached the farm they
saw woman with a red handkerchief
bound around her head standing by the
roadside. With her was a youth at
whom one did not have to look a second
time to see that he was of deficient
intellect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26

meadows, where for a time they walked
silent, hand in hand.
Just think of our being together"
said Anton finally, "and belonging to
each other, and only a little while ago
l was far away in France.
There We were, thousands and thou
sands of US, but like one man. No
man for himself, no one thinking of
what he was at home Brotherhood
was all. and now-each man lives for
himself alone"
You are not alone" replied Thoma,
I'VE are together. fear I am not gem
tie enough for you. In our home every
thing is so rough. But you will Sc that
/ can be different"
Her eyes moistened as she spoke, and
the expression of her face changed to
one of humility and tenderness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Their First Meeting

When the day came for the funeral of
Vetturi Landolin up in his prison cell
upon the mountain side, could hear the
village bells tolling and knew what they
meant.
The villagers gave vetturi a funeral
attended by nearly all the population
As the procession passed Landolin's
house, Cushion Kate paused and shook
her bony fist at it.
Anton walked in the procession next
to the village clerk. When he came to
the churchyard he did not see that
Thoma had followed the funeral train
and was present there at the burial.
hidden by a hedge.
But when the funeral was over and
the people scattered in all directions
Anton, walking away. suddenly discov-
cred Thoma. She seemed embarra ssed
at seeing him.
Come" said he, holding out his
hand ''and walk with me-" She gave
him her hand without word and
walked along by his side.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
No Need to Shout

Yes. father. 1 have found out what
the handspring of tho world is. and I
know that 1t Is all one what man
does. He can do what he likes II he can
only keep other people from know
ing 1t.
Now see here. You are the farmer.
And before the world you are the mas
ter. But at home, in the house and in
the field, only my word must be obeyed.
You may be sure that you shall want
for nothing"
They had by this time arrived at the
farmhouse.
. Where is Tobias?" cried Landolin
gnashing his teeth.
"see here" replied PeteE II am not
deaf--you need not shout So. sent To-
bias away on business. And l shall dis
miss him soon; he knows too much and
puts on too many airs. 1 intend to dis
charge all the old servants and get new
ones"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Refusing. to Testify

The Judge desired that they both be
called. He was told that Anton had
gone away. Thoma, however, soon
made her appearance. She sat down
and folded her hands without look
ing up.
'As you are Landolin's daughter"
said the judge, you may refuse to
testify"
She raised her head wearily. "Fath-
er, what can / say?"
What you saw" answered Lando-
lin.
She thought a moment and then said
firmly: 81 refuse to testify"
Landolin groaned-he knew what was
going on in his daughters mind. The
judge asked If any of the servants had
seen the affair. Landolin replied that
he did not know; but that Tobias and
F'idelis We're at home.
The Judge asked about Peter. Lando>
lin shrugged his shoulders-nobody
cared whether Peter had been at home
or not; he could not say.
But, in spite of the contempt of his
father. this same Peter had been an
important person In the affairs of
Landolin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
CL A SSIC
IN A P A C E
copyright, 1918, by Irving King. All rights
resnryedA

Auerbach s stories of the village life of
that part of Germany which Is in or bor-
ders on the Black Forest have been trans
lated into nearly every language in Eu-
rope. One has only to read Landolin to
see how familiar he was with the life OF
the peasants and the farmers of that
section of Germany of which he wrote.
Auerbach was of Jewish parentage and
was born at Nordstetten, Wurtemburg.
When he was attending the University
of Tubingen he took an active part IN
the student troubles of 1896 and was i'm
prisoned for some months In a German
fortress. As soon as he was out of prison
&c began to write and his writings at
Yr-cted attention from the first.
He was q most varied as well as a
most prolific writer, turning out dramas,
histories, biographies and philosophical
articles, as well as a long list of novels.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Waiting for a Word

i am patiently waiting for you to
speak," said Anton at last.
She looked him full In the face with
her great eyes. II am done with this"
she said. laying her hand upon her heart.
Il have settled 1t here. Don't say that
1t Is pride; don't say that do not love
YOU But / am walking and speaking
with you for the last time.
i will not go into house where I
do not bring honor. will learn to bear
my lonely life. Seek FOR yourself some
other happiness
fhoma, you thrust from you one
upon whom you should lean."
I thrust no one away from me and
will lean on no one."
They had reached the farmhouse by
TINS time and she entered quickly, leav-
Ing Anton standing outside.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Afraid

The farmer tried to conciliate her.
but she refused his money and heaped
invectives upon his head. He grew
rather to fear the old woman He was
afraid Of Thoma. too, his own daughter.
"Thoma," said Landolin to her one
day, do you no longer love me?"
II should not ask child such
question" replied she, coldly.
20" went on Landolin. II have sinned
against you all, and against you es
pecially.sB now 1 ask your forgive-
ness. Do not let me perish"
Thoma remained silent, and he turned
and went to the living room, listening
all the time for sound of her footsteps
following him. But he heard nothing.
Meantime Anton had tried several
times to renew his engagement to
Thoma, but the girl reiterated what she
had said on the day of the burial of
vetturi
Landolin's wife through all remained
faithful. true and tried. worshp,ng and
believing in him always. Then she took
sick and lay upon her deathbed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Talking Together

He had not seen vetturi throw any,
thing.
Thus 1t was that Landolin, who all
his life had striven in every way to
control the lives of others and bend
them to his whims and lilkings, now
found, to his fear and surprise. that his
destiny was in the hands of other peo-
pie. 1t bewildered him.
That night they took him away to
prison to await trial for the murder of
Vetturi. AS the carriage taking Lando-
lin to prison rolled away, Peter and To-
bias we're talking together.
Only be sharp" Tobias said in a
whisper, you are smarter than any
body guessed. AS for Fiaelis, he is one
of those soldiers of the new Prussian
school, Do not go at him hammer and
tongs.
do not discharge him, for when at
the trial one is asked: Are you in the
employ of the accused and the answer
is yes his testimony does not amount
to much, good or bad. Decidedly, for
the present, we must keep Fidelis.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Maddening Thoughts

Thoma could not sleep. She threw
open the window Of her room and tried
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Tobias Inyents

Nobody thought of the little sliding
window which opened from the passage
between the living room and the
kitchen. And nobody knew that 1t was
half opened and Peter lurking behind
it when Vetturi was killed.
The young man saw the tragedy and
went at once to the stable where were
Tobias and Fidelis. These men, he
knew. had seen. wholly or partially.
what had taken place.
Said he to them: I'VE know how It
happened. The stone did not hit Vet
turf. Do you hear?"
Tobias nodded understandings, but
Fidelis made no sign.
When the two servants were called
before the Judge Tobias declared that
he had seen the whole affair; that his
master had thrown stone at vetturi
but that 1t had not hit him.
And this stone had been thrown only
in self defense. He had distinctly seen
Vetturi throw a paving stone at Lam
dolin.
F'idelis was quite as positive that he
had seen his master pick up a stone
and throw it with both hands; that it
had hit Vetturi, who had fallen down
dead with a fractured skull.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Troubled by Conscience

Peter and Tobias came up to him
welcoming him cordially. 1t was fortu-
nate, they said, that Anton had seen
the whole affair of vetturi's death. The
testimony Of one of his standing would
have the greatest influence upon a Jury.
/ They begged of Anton that he would
convince Fidelis, their fellow servant
OF his mistake in the matter. They
called Fidelis, and Anton told him his
impressions Of the AFFAIR.
Fidelis replied that he had no doubt
but that Anton's convictions were as
honest as his own-but he had seen
what he had seen
Anton returned home troubled. He
thought to himself. Can it be true that
have let Landolin tell me what saw?
Shall I lose my heart to the daueh-
ter and my conscience to the father?
wish the marriage had not been broken
of-for then I could refuse to testify"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
Beyond Reason

his ends. but suffer for the truth. Leave
me forever"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-26
On Trial for His Life

The trial of Landolin for murder was,
naturally, an event in that farming
community Titus. his great rival, sat
on the jury and his lawyer was the best
that money could hire.
The case against him was strong-but
not storing enough for conviction for
murder. Landolin turned the tide in
his own favor by speech which he
was allowed to make to the court and
jury.
In that speech he declared that he
wished either to be acquitted fully or
sent to the gallows; he was either
guilty of murder or innocent OF any
crime. =
His lawyer had expected that the best
he could do for his client would be to
get him off with q conviction for man.
slaughter But Landolin's speech pro-
cured him an acquittal.