davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09

forward without being disfgured thereby.
Her lameness gave a slow undulating
motion which appeared rather an excep-
ton to the rule than real defect 1t in
spired no other emotion in those who saw
her than an involuntary desire to support
her
She had an innocent brow and a clear,
child like CLEAN of her blue eyes. She
was lovelier in a simple dress than in her
festal garb.
This Serena Bruno had met and 1t was
easily to see that he was impressed with
her-as was she with him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Saved from Death

The aged Dahls gave a ball, and the
old man entered the great dance hall of
their old house leaning upon the arm of
Serena when the company had assembled.
They had just reached the center of the
room when there was sudden movement
of the gerat chandelier, massive. old
fashioned contrivance which hung from
the ceiling with 60 lights burning in 1t.
The chandelier fell to the floor with a
loud crash
Bruno, whose eyes had been riveted
upon Serena from the second she entered
the room, rushed forward at the first sign
of danger and snatched her away, receiv-
ing, in so doing, a blow upon the head
which, though he drew her to safety. rem
dered him unconscious.
The old man. like Serena. had been
saved by the prompt action of Bruno. who
bad roughly thrust him aside from under
the falling mass.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Natures Clashing

Yet she loved this beautiful boy passion
ately, and because she did love him was
all the more stern and unrelenting with
him for fear that her affection would be-
tray her into some course of action which
would not be for his eternal benefit.
Bruno had some traits that he did mot
inherit from his mother. He was natur-
ally extravagant and inclined to dissi-
patton.
His mother thought to correct these
traits by shutting him off from money.
He retorted by taking any means to get
money. He got so that he would steal
from his step-borthers, servants, and II
he got a chance. from his mother.
One day a considerable sum was stolen
from the desk Of the bookkeeper of the
estate. There was thief in the house
holdl
Every part of the house was searched.
In trunk belonging to Bruno was found
the missing money. Bruno was summoned
before his stern parent.
Fall upon your knees and receive your
punishment she commanded.
He knelt not.
Fall upon your knees" she cried, sin
ner that you arei Obey me or submit to
my curse. My blood, my own flesh and
bloodi Have then brought thief into
the world Kneel, sinner, kneel."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
With One Idea

Bruno kissed the hand of Franzislka
and cordially embraced his brother.
After their agitation was over it was
agreed that for the present. the secret
OF Bruno's identity must be kept.
But" said Werner after Bruno had
left the house, "he must be reconciled
to his mother"
Werner went to Ramm and had a
long talk with Bruno. 1t was agreed
that Lars should approach the subject
of the lost son to Mrs. Gen Mansfield.
But whenever he did SO, even In the
most subtle way, he found her with all
her old bitterness against her erring
boy.
Bruno had told him that he felt as II
he had the mark of Cain upon him-his
mothers curse still oppressed him and
rendered his life miserable--not worth
living.
After he had fled from Ramm on that
fatal night, he had wandered In many
countries, finally bringing up In the
West Indies, where he had accumu-
lated great fortune.
He had come back to Sweden with the
one idea of being reconciled to his
mother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
A Brother DISCOVERED

MY God. 1t is Bruno.'' he finally ex-
claimed. Bruno alive and herei''
The next morning the proprietor of
Ramm came to Rosenvik. F'ranziska and
her husband were alone. They pretended
not to know who he really was.
The conversation turned upon hope.
Bruno became excited and declared that
for some people there was no hope; that
the Furies drove them onward.
yet I will cry to endless eternity,
Hope, hope, hope!" said Werner. "Why
do you come into my peaceful house to
preach doctrine of hopelessness? And
that house is the house of brother.
o, Bruno. Bruno!'
Brother. brother?" responded Bru-
no, Lars, can you then remember
me?"
Silence" said the doctor. "here's
my wife; come and embrace her and
embrace me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Lost in the Storm

One day there came denouement of
the relations between Bruno and his
mother. Mrs General had taken Fran
zisl1a to drive with her to a neighboring
town, to do some shopping. It was dark
when they started back for Carlsfors and
a thunder storm came up.
The old lady lost her way and, In a
sudden flash of lightning, saw that her
restive horses had taken her to Ramni,
instead of Carlsfors. There was the great
dark facade of the house and its huge
sweeping wings.
In her sudden surprise and agitation
Mrs. Gen Mansfield lost control of the
horses and they. terrified by the binding
flash and the peal of thunder which fol-
low it. dashed through the shrubbery to-
ward the lake.
A giant form sprang from the darkness
and grabbed the frightened steeds. There
was a struggle which ended in the un-
known gaining control of the horses
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Closer and Closer

Serena often visited Ramm while the
two injured persons were confined to their
beds there and was allowed to smooth
the pillow Of Bruno.
1t was all "out'' now and all the neigh
bors knew that the owner of Ramm was
that Bruno, who had gone away SO many
years before with his mothers curse
upon him.
It was pleasant to see.the eyes of Bruno
light up when Serena came into his sick
room to see how meek and docile he was
under her ministering care.
when Bruno had sufficiently recovered
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Friends from That Moment

While a murmur of good wishes ran
through the assembly, Mrs. General led
the bride and groom into another room
and ordered punch to be made for them.
Then placing both her elbows upon the
table and supporting her chin with her
hands. she gazed long and fxedly at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
AT It's Masters Feet

One day DR.. Werner and Franziska
took a little boat and rowed up the lake
to the forest of Ramm. AS they strolled
beneath the trees they suddenly caught
sight of the new owner of the place, M.
de Romily. standing beside his black horse
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09

he again took his place in the society OF
the neighborhood and attended again
their rural festivities. He and Serena
drew closer and closer to each other.
Everybody said 1T is a match and
all the neighbors seemed glad and salts
fled that another happy couple was to be
added to their number
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
His Mothers Curse

But Bruno still stood haughtily erect
and the infuriated woman launched
curse upon his head which made the
blood of the hearers run cold.
Bruno replied with angered words and
the agitation of both mother and son be-
came SO great that they both fell uncon-
scious to the floor
The next morning Bruno had disap-
peared-with his mothers curse upon his
head. For three years the desolate
mother shut herself up in her room and
refused to speak
Then-just as the family council had as
sembled to consider the advisability or
placing her under guardianship-she ap-
peared among them calm and rigid as
ever took her affairs into her own. hands.
removed to Carlsfors,. and the name or
Bruno was never mentioned in her pres
ence. MS.
1t was supposed that he had long ago
died in some foreign land. For no WORD
OF him had ever come to Sweden, and
it was now 16 years since he had been
gone.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
MYSTERIOUS Hagar

Bruno had been badly hurt, but had
watched beside the bed of his mother re-
gardless of his own wounds
Now that he was reconciled and had her
forgiveness he succumbed to the gravity
OF his injuries and was placed in bed,
where, for some time. he lay lowering be-
tween life and death.
The life of the old lady, also, was at
times despaired of. but the assiduous at
tentions of DR.. Werner, and the other
physicians and nurses who had been sum-
moned. at length restored both mother
and son to health again.
While Bruno had been lying in his most
critical state there had appeared at Ramm
a tall, dark, Oriental looking woman who
seemed to be some sort of serving maid
and who was called Hagar. She seemed
to be passionately devoted to Bruno and
exhibited much wild grief when his i'll
ness took a serious turn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Gloomy Eorebodings

In the music room sat Serena and Bru-
no, while at the piano Franziska played
to them some sacred pieces which she
had just received from Stockholm. BY
degrees she played lower and made long
pauses. for she caught words which riv-
eted her attention.
Bruno had been that evening in par
ticularly gloomy mood and Franziska
heard Serena ask him the cause OF his
melancholy. He told her of horrible
dream which he had had the night before
the memory of which oppressed him.
He had been hunting stag and when
he had slain the animal he looked into
its eyes and the eyes we're those OF Ser
ena.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
4. Her Blessing at Last

It was Bruno. He was wounded and
bleeding when the struggle was over;
Franziska was lying unconscious on the
ground and Mrs. Gen Mansfield was badly
hurt-badly shaken up and so bewll-
dered as to be almost unconscious.
Bruno took his mother to the house and
called assistance He watched over her
with feversh anxiety. When finally the
mother began to realize what had hap
pened, Bruno bent over her and said
Mother, I have suffered much. I have
wandered without peace. I have no peace
yet. Nor can peace ever be mine until
you remove from me your curse. Mother,
mother, give me your blessing"
There was long, solemn pause and
then the stern old woman turned to her
son and said: IT take away the curse
I once laid upon you. I bestow upon you
my full forgiveness"
She opened her arms to him and the two
were locked in a fearful embrace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
At the Deathbed

Dr. Werner, who was within call.
fastened to the wounded woman and
with skillful hand eased her pain.
Thanks said Hagar, in a milder
tone. thanks"
"Oh, Hagar." said Serena, bending
over the woman. II love him. but-do
not hate me-
II hate thee no longer" said Haear.
who can hate thee? If you wish me
to live see that he comes back. IL
were better to lie on the rack and en-
JOY the sight or his countenance than
be In paradise without him. They tell
me that you have much power over
him-usee it."
That night seated by the side OF Ha
gar's bed, Serena wrote a note to
Bruno begging him to come to the bed
Side OF the dying woman. Hagar
watched her closely
You are certainly much satisfied
with yourself" said the wounded wom-
an; you certainly feel that YOU stand
higher than such wretched creature
as l am"
No, not so In. truth, replied Sc
rena.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Unreasoning Love

You would be wrong If you did" re-
piled Hagar. What has he to boast
or who never has been tempted? Happy
are they whose bosoms have never
been shaken with passion--whose blood
runs softly. whose earliest companions
are virtue and peace
II they continue unshaken-if thew
fall not--small is their merit. Fate
determines and the world judges. And
both alike blindly."
Yet God who sees in secret" re-
piled Serena.
The stricken woman, after a lon.
pause during which she seemed to suf-
fer much both physically and mentally
said:
Yes. you are right. 1 would do
Bruno no injury now NV soul was
wild and my dagger thirsted for blood +"
Then she confessed to Serena that in
their relations Bruno was not to blame
In those western islands she had seen
him. loved him with the fierce. unrea-
soning love of her race. She had left
all to follow him.
He had tried to be rid of her but shc
had clung to him, and even had fol-
lowed him to the cold and cloudy land
Of his birth. She had stood by him in
many perils, had sacrificed all for him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Refr0thed

Bruno was laid upon a sofa and FAM
lily group gathered around him. Serena
hung over him with Bruno! Brunei" in
agonized voice.
DR.. Werner soon succeeded In restoring
the injured man to consciousness. He
called for Serena, who had stepped aside,
and said feebly:
where is she? Where is she? I had
her In my arms. She is mine-so beauti-
full 1t was-thus let me die. Where art
thou, my bride? Do not let the world
separate us. The world, men-what are
they to us?'
AS he grew calmer he still Insisted uopn
seeing Senera, and begged that her grand
parents would consent to their marriage.
The stately Mrs Gen. Mansfield added her
entreaties to those of her son. and the
two old people at length consented.
1t was their golden wedding. and what
more appropriate than that their beloved
granddaughter should be betrothed on
that day!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
More Furv Than Woman

Serena bade him forget such memories
of the night and he. taking her hand to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Applause and Congratulations

Serena" said the old Dahl. calling his
granddaughter to him, wilt thou-now
today--now, give him thy hand?'
YES" whispered Serena's lips.
Now then. in Gods name, Bruno Mans
feld," said the old man. receive the hand
of thy BRIDE"
The betrothed couple now made their
appearance in the ballroom. and knowl-
edge of what had transpired having been
circulated through the company, murmurs
Of applause and congratulations ran
through the assembly.
Serena went to visit the Werners. and,
after short time. at the house of the
aged Dahls. great preparations began to
be made for the approaching wedding.
Franziska and her husband went back
to the Dahl mansion for the wedding and
previous to it there was given by the old
couple a little neighborly entertainment
in honor of the prospective bride and
groom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
Life's Last Apparition

Thus his honor would not allow him
to entirely repulse her. When she
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12

IF you refuse you must sign re-
lease attested by four witnesses and
drawn up in the presence of a notary
public according to-"
But the front door had slammed
Mercy" calculated the widow, fan
ming herself briskly Thank heaven
haven't got that incubus on my
shoulders. A very vulgar young wo-
man, Mr.. Altemus, but upon my word,
I'm almost inclined to forgive her low
insults in view of what has occurred.
Do you think you can get the release
signed for certain, Mr. Altemus?"
IF she doesn't change her mind, 7"
murmured the lawyer. I'm afraid
I'm afraid"
But he had nothing to be afraid of.
for Maggie was at that moment tele-
phoning to Dick Mansfield in a public
booth
Dick Hello, Dick" she called.
Its all right, Dick, dear. I'll make it
Friday"
Copyright, 1912. by w. C. chapman.)
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
Mice Qidn,t cara

Little Dorothea is one of those chill.
dren whose danger signal is silence.
When she is still, she is in mischief.
The other day her mother became
aware of the quiet which BODIED trou-
BILE. She was about to look for the
child when, at that moment. Dorothea
came in, her face rosy with happiness
and her mouth covered with crumbs.
Where have you been, Dorothea ?"
asked her mother What are you
eating?"
Cheese" said the young lady,
calmly
Cheese? Where did you get it.
dear?"
I'm the mouf-trap."
In the mouse-trap,v exclaimed her
mother, Mortified
20, yeth!"
But what will the mice do? They
won't have any cheese"
20, dey don't care, mammal Dey
was two moufies in de trap, and dey
didn't care bit"
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
HER QUICK CHOICE
As Between Riches and the Man
She Loved, She Chose the
I Latter.
BY FRANK FILsoN.

When the boarding house servant
announced Dick Mansfield, Maggie
put aside the letter over which she
had been puzzling and hastily patted
her hair, smoothed down her dress,
Strengthened the cover of the sofa
bed, and went to the door of her hall
bedroom. Next moment she was in
Dicks arms.
"Heigho Same old hall room!"
said Dick, taking his seat beside her.
Say, Maggie. how would you like to
pay Mrs. Flanagan her last weeks
rent and come west with me next Fri
day."
West, Dick?" Maggie Durham ex-
claimed.
Vests what l said," Dick an
swered. I've got chance to buy
a farm in Texas-fve hundred down
and the rest on mortgage. Then we
can get married and start out to make
a home for ourselves. You know,
Maggie, dear" he continued, in whis-
per of exultation, I've got twelve hun
dred dollars saved now
They had been engaged two years.
Maggie earned eighteen dollars
week as stenographer to Mr.. Burman,
Of the great department store. and
Dick twenty as clerk in the Iron
works corporation. And they had
been saving ever since they were en-
gagged
Il mean, Maggie, with your five
hundred" Dick volunteered And we
can start in on that and make our
way. Is it all right?"
But Dick, +"
But Maggie, you know now Mr..
Burmans dead you won't have such
prospects as you thought. He took
fancy to you, but his head man dis
likes you, you told me, and l guess
you'll find the future won't be SO
bright as you hoped Come, throw it
up and let's get married"
She would not give him her de-
cision. She would let him know the
next Sunday, she said. OF course
they could not go on five days notice.
She must give Burman's time to re-
place her. And Dick would have gone
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12

away very downcast, had not her low
Ing goodbye kiss treasured him Of
her love.
Left alone, Maggie pulled out the
letter again and began studying It,.
1t was from Mr.. Burman's lawyer and
it limited at something that she had
never imagined in her widest dreams.
And she was to be at the Burman
mansion, on Madison avenue. at noon
the following day.
The next morning, few minutes be-
fore the appointed hour Maggie Dur
ham was shown into the splendidly
furnished drawing room. Mrs. Bur
man, severe, stout, elderly woman,
in widows weeds, was seated in an
arm chair, her handkerchief to her
eyes. Upon the sofa, side by side,
looking the severest condemnation
upon the visitor were the Misses
Burman. The lawyer, Henry Altemus,
rose nervously out of his chair to
meet her. When he presented her
the women made only the slightest
inclination of their heads.
"Ahem Miss Durham, 1t is my
duty to give you some very painful
information" the lawyer began.
Painful to us, not the young wo-
man, Mr. Altemus," the widow cor
rected.
Il beg your pardon, madam" the
lawyer apologized. He turned to Mag
gle Miss Durham" he began, how
long have you worked in Mr. Bur
mans store?"
Three years." said Maggie.
You began as cash girl and had
phenomenally rapid rise, l believer"
Maggie nodded. Taught myself
stenography and worked up" she an
swered.
Nevertheless you are a young wo-
man of very limited education ]
Think"
What l don't know" said Maggie
she glanced round her" would fill
that library there"
Crude but true" the widow inter
posed icily.
And, Miss Durham. you never
ascribed your rapid rise in Mr.. Bur-
mans store to anything but native
ability?' the lawyer asked
Well" said Maggie, bordering, Il
guess that Mr.. Burman took kind of
fancy to me. | don't know. 4 didn't
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12

think much about 1t; just went
ahead and did my work"
One question more, madam. | am
not talking at random ! am now
about to come to the point. How
did you happen to obtain your position
In Mr.. Burmans store?"
Now you've got me-, said Maggie.
Il don't know. l was brought up at
the Catholic orphanage. l never knew
my father or mother. When l was
eighteen the mother told me that
there was job waiting for me at the
store. l just went ahead and took
it. That's all know"
Mr. Altemus," sobbed the widow,
come to the point. Tell the young
person of her good luck and get it
over"
Miss Durham" said Mr.. Altemus,
"on going through Mr.. Burman's priv
ate papers we find that he was-er-
married before"
I'VE hope so, interposed the widow.
And, to be brief, that you are Mr..
Burmans daughter"
Maggie looked at the lawyer and
at the widow and at the prim faces of
the two girls
why didn't he recognize me?' she
asked.
Because" said the lawyer, "Mr.
Burman had position in life which
had to be maintained And you were
the fruit of mesalliance, a juvenile
indiscretion. Mr.. Burman decided,
quite rightly, that he should not be
held responsible"
81 see" said Maggie. so he put
the responsibility on my mother
Where is she?"
She died when you were born.
And now the point is this: Mr. Bur
man has left you an annual income of
seven thousand dollars, to be held in
trust for you, upon two conditions.
First, that you agree to go to a school
in Paris which has been selected for
you, and to remain there two years
Secondly, that, after you have been
polished, you will reside with Mrs.
Burman as her niece, and that no hint
under penalty of FORGETTING your in
come All, by the way, there is
third condition, but it is too unimport-
ant to lay much stress upon it. l
believe you have considered yourself |
engaged to worthy young man by the |
name of Mansfield? A mere clerk, l |
think. OF course that episode is |
ended now and forever Well, Miss
Durham, you are a lucky young wo-
man and l congratulate you with all
my heart. All that is now requisite
Is that you sign document which
have here embodying these terms.
You will then receive a quarterly in
,tallment of $2,333.33 from me. And
Of course your past life ends here.
You will never return to your board
ing house. You will go to an apart
ment which | have already ordered
Tor you, being under the care of your
3haperon, Mrs. Griggle, a member of
PAPER He began shuffling among
he sheets upon the table.
Maggie rose up.
Goodbye, Mr.. Altemus," she said.
She bowed to the widow and her
daughters.
"Eh?" said the lawyer.
Declined with thanks" said Mag
,ie She began to grow red do
rou think I'd sell myself into slavery
or the pleasure of mixing with your
rewd?" she demanded. why, there
sn't drop of real blood in your
ems. There isn't a particle of decent
ceiling in you. No thanksl I've got
omething none of you will ever have
r ever have had, and that's the love
# a good man who's going to make
ne happy and give me home. De-
linedi"
Stop Stop" shouted the lawyer.
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
Japanned Ware.

Japanned ware should be washed
with sponge, dampened in warm wa
ter and dried Immediately with a soft
Cloth, says an exchange. Obstinate
spots can be quickly removed by rub
bling with a wooden cloth dipped in
sweet oil.
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
Prehistoric Mnnster-

Eighty feet long and thirty feet
bur prehistoric animals.
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
Good Test.

HAS Mrs. Bifferis sense of hui
mor?"
I'm afraid not. I've seen her look
AT Mr.. Biffels number of times
without ever smiling"
The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-06-12
Penrose and the Steam Roller.

A charming young Frenchwoman
was a guest at a dinner attended by
Senator Penrose recently. The con-
versation turned to horseback riding
and the fair visitor inquired If the
senator had had any adventures.
Yes" he replied reminiscently, 81
had an exciting experience not long
ago When out riding one afternoon
my horse SHE'D at steam roller and
threw me, shaking me up pretty bad
ly."
And the steam roller-did 1t roll
over your"
Not that time" said the senator,
ut did later"