davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
At the Dagger's Point

Tell me-" said the stranger, is this
the room where the fair Dona Sol meets
a smooth faced youth with whom she has
fallen in love in spite of the envious care
of her old uncle Don Ruy Gomez, the
worthy Duke of Pastrana?'
At first the duenna refused to an
swer, but at length taking his purse
in one hand and his dagger in the
other the stranger said: Madame, you
can choose between this purse and this
dagger
Overcome by terror and cupidity, the
duenna accepted the purse of gold, and
not only acknowledged that the young
man with whom the Dona Sol was in love
was to be there that night TO meet her,
but also consented to conceal the stranger
in the closet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Silent and Bitter

Hernani and Dona Sol repaired at
once to Spain. AS soon as might be the
confseated estates of Hermann were
restored to him, and all was at length
arranged for the marriage of himself and
Iona Sol, to take place in his ancestral
palace of Aragon.
Don Ruy Gomez had looked on, silent
and bitter, at the scene in the chapel
when the Emperaor pardoned HERNIA nj
and bestowed upon him the Dona Sol
for wife,
Then, when Don Carlos deprived the
old Duke of his lands but gave him his
life and bade him begone in safety, Don
Ruy went forth alone, still silent and
stiil bitter.
A gallant company of the best nobility
of Spain assembled in the recovered pal
ace of Hermann to celebrate his nuptials.
All was joy and splendid revelry in
those stately halls and, looking down
from the marble terrace one could see
the foundations flashing in the moonlight
and the fire flies sparkling amid the'
odorous shrubbery of that splendid gar
n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
A CL A S SIC
IN A P A C E

Those admirers of Victor Hugo who
consider him as the greatest dramatic
poet. with the exception of Shakespeare,
that the world has produced since the
glory that was Greece" faded away,
are fond of comparing Hermann with
Romeo and Juliet" And, indeed, there
is some resemblance between the two
tragedies.
Hermann is strong character, and the
old Don Ruy a character strong well
conceived and masterfully executed, as
well as original in most respects.s
But for the heroine, Dona Sol, she
impresses one as a young lady of de-
cidedly limited ability and little orig
inality of character. The ideas in her
pretty head seem to have been few and
far between, and she is cast about by
the tumult of the story quite help
lessly.
1t is true that our dearly beloved
Juliet was not long on brains, but she
had a personality about her which
makes us forgive her shortcomings in
the matter of intellect. a fascination
which, for the generality of persons, Is
wanting in Dona Sol But because of
the greatness of her misfortunes, let
us forgive the latter everything-even
her imbecility. "Hernani" is a great
classic, and Dona Sol is its heroine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
At War With the King

Scarcely had she done SO when the
steps of Dona Sol were heard approach
ing.
II dread some mischief" said the
girl. "for it is time Hermann should be
here
Just then he entered by the deer OF
the secret stairs. He wore a large hat
and cloak and under the cloak the cos
tune of a mountaineer of Aragon. A
sword and dagger and hunting horn
hung at his girdle.
Short We're their greetings, but ten
der Then Hermann began to implore
Dona Sol to fly with him and avoid the
intended marriage with Don Ruy.
She could only falter out that 1t was
the Kings command.
THE king," exclaimed Hermann, there
is an hereditary feud between his family
and mine My father died upon the
scaffold at his fathers decree. For 80
years my family has been at feud with
that of the King of CASTLE.
MY race has been oppressed by the
Kings race. | viii yet avenge my
fathers blood. Though now ] ssem
powefless, yet the time will come
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Disguise Thrown OFF

You can conceal your name If YOU
w'sh DO You come here to seek asylum ?"
YES said Hernani.
"1hen remain, whoever you are" re-
piled the Duke. 1T is enough that YOU
are my guest I'd take in the devil him
self If God sent him to me-
At that instant the folding doors
opened and there entered Dona Sol
dressed as for her bridal and accom-
panied by her pages and lackeys.
Two women followed her bearing
upon cushion silver box containina 2
splendid array CT jewels, presents
from Don Ruy. which they placed on
the table. Hermann. breathless and
scared. looked at Dona Sol with fam
ing eyes.
My bride, my most. dear bride. y
cried the Duke. Hermann started and
then cried out in a voice of thunder,
who wishes TO earn a thousand
golden crowns-sucn is the price placed
upon my head am Hermann And he
tore off his pilgrim robe and stood
garbed in his mountain costume.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
and reconciliation, and the lovers threw
themselves into each others arms.
Disdaining Protection

and reconciliation, and the lovers threw
themselves into each others arms.
Disdaining Protection
Don Ruy, entering suddenly, sur
prised them in this position.
rs this the requital for my hospital
ity?" said he. standing motionless with
crossed arms upon the threshold.
The lovers recoiled from each other
with a start. Then the Duke burst
out into a torrent of reproach-and
then reproaehed himself for reproach-
ing a guest.
At length Hermann interrupted him,
declaring that he cosIld not longer
claim the protection of a guest; that,
had he been able he would have carr
ried off the Dona Sol. He begged the
Duke to take his life, while Dona Sol
exclaimed that it was all her fault.
II am the cause of ALL she cried,
because | love him. Yes, my Lord,
pardon l ask-but / love Hernani.
Don Ruy gazed upon her with a ter
rible look. At the moment there was
a noise of trumpets outside, and a
page came running in to say that the
King had arrived before the castle
with a considerable force, and demand
ed that the gates be opened to him at
once.
Admit the King said Don Ruy
calmly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
To Marry Her Uncle

" HERE seemed to be no help for 1t;
the Dona Sol de silva must mar
ry her uncle, Don Ruy Gomez
de Silva, a man over so, and she a
virgin scarce 16. The King desired it,
and the will of The King was law.
A double orphan, brought up by her
fathers brother, she loved and re-
spected Don Ruy as an uncle; but the
thought of marriage with the old man
was abhorrent to her.
But Don Ruy mad fallen desperately
In love with the Dona SOL and she,
poor girl, had fallen desperately in
love with young gallant whom she
had met quite by chance and of whom
she knew nothing--only that she loved
him.
He was a young man of about 21,
handsome as picture, gallant of bear
ing, distinguished in manner and there
was, withal, an air of mystery about
him, which air never detracts in the
eyes of romantic young lady from the
charms of her lover.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

is dead. and l am King of Spain. ! re-
ceived the news late this evening and
came at once to tell it to you and to
ask counsel at so grave a moment.
came incognito, at night well knowing
your loyalty, The matter is very simple
that has caused all this hubbub."
During this speech Dona Sol had re-
garded the King with fear and sur
prise, while Hermann gazed upon him
with flashing eyes, which glowed with
the hate of his family feud, as well
as with the enmity he owned Don Car
los for his conduct toward the Dona
Sol.
That gentleman" continued the
King, seeing the duke look toward
Hermann. lis an attendant of mine whom
| brought along"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Better Thoughts to Reign

The Emperor smiled and said: Rise,
Duchess of Segorbe, Marchioness of
Monroy, Countess of Albeterra Don
Juan, l have forgotten your other titles.
There, Duke. take your wife"
Scarcely believing their ears, Dona Sol
and Hermann flew into each others arms
while the Emperor said:
'Henceforth shall reign in me the bet
ter thoughts which have so long stifled.
[ am the Emperor now and from this
forth my loves shall be ambition and
glory, my mistresses Germany, Flanders
and Spain.
"The Emperor must be like the eagle,
his cognizance--in place of heart only
an escutcheon. There, there, kneel
Duke"
And as Hermann knelt the Don Carlos
took from his own neck his collar OF
the Golden Fleece and threw 1t over the
neck of Don Juan of Aragon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
All Planned Before Hand

They had lain secreted in the obscure
corners of the chapel and in the neishs-
boring passages where they had BEEN
stationed by Don Carlos to await this
very situation. The conspirators were
at once surrounded and disarmed.
At the same times there entered the
King of Bohemia, the Duke of Bavaria
and other electors who had come to
congratulate Charles upon his election.
Don Carlos saw Hermann and Don Ruy
standing there among the conspirators,
but took no immediate notice of them
When he had left Spain for Aix-la-
Chapele he had sent for Dona Sol to he
brought to the electoral city. She had
arrived there on the day of the cleo
ton and before he went to the chapel
TO trap the conspirators he had instruct
ed one of his attendants to bring the
maid Immediately to the place IL the
guns from the fort should fire three
times.
Perhaps she will not be so scornful
of an Emperor he said, II wish her to
be the first to congratulate me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
"His Head or Thine."

The King angrily inquired why he had
found the castle gates barred against
him, and when Don Ruy attempted to re-
p,v he turned to one of his officers and
commanded Take the keys and guard
the door.
Turning again to Don Ruy he said:
Answer me without subterfuge or |
will raze the II towers of this your cas-
tle to the ground. Have you that rebel
leader Hermann, concealed in your house
l am informed that he was seen coming
here"
Your majesty. II is quite true replied
Don Ruy, "he is here
"Well. then" said the King, II want
his head or thine.
Don Ruy, turning to his ancestral
portraits recalled the glorious deeds
that each of them had done and the
great service they had been to the
Kings ancestors. Then he firmly re-
fused to surrender Hermann and bade
the King do his worst.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
"The King Is Dead,"

But the stranger, throwing back his
cloak and pushing back his hat so that
his features could be plainly seen,
stepped forward a little and said:
Duke, it is not a pressing matter
just now. that you should have your
weapon. Maximillian, the Emperor and
King, is dead, and l am
The duke looked at him and ex-
claimed: Heavens. the Kingr'
YES replied Don Carlos, for it was
indeed he. my grandsire. the Emperor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Begging for Mercy

And now, as the vaulted roof rang
with the cries of long live the En-
perorr' raised blythe soldiers and the
Kings and mobiles, who had come to
do honors to the new master of the
empire, one of the Spanish officers en-
tered, leading Dona Sol.
Seize only the nobles," said the new
Emperor sternly, 1.-The others are too
mean to feel our vengeance
81 claim to be included among the
nobies," cried Hermann, stepping forth.
God who gave thee the sceptre made
me Duke of Segorbe and Cadorna, Mar
quis of Monroy, Count of Cor and yis-
count and lord of many places more.
Il am. Juan of Aragon, Grand Master
of Avis the son born, in exile, of a
father murdered by your father. Death
is a family affair between us, sire"
Dona Sol at these words threw her
self at the Kings feet and crying out
that she loved Juan, or Hernani as
she still called him. begged for mercy
for both him and herself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Reconciled

Don Sol could not refrain from cry
ing jpyfully, 20, he livesw But Her
mani, thinking that Dona Sol had proven
false to him, kept crying out for some
of the lackeys to arrest him. until Don
Ruy, recovering from his first surprise,
said:
This man is my guest-he is crazy.
Heed him not. Any one who touches
him does so at his peril / will defend
one who has sought sanctuary in my
castle against the King himself Go
shut the castle gates and arm the gar
rison."
And he rushed out with his servants
to see that his orders We're obeyed.
Left alone with Dona Sol, Hermann
bitterly reproached her for her sup
posed Inconsistency. But she took dag
ger from amid the jewels in the box
and said that 1T was the one she had
taken from the girdle of King Charles,
and with it she had designed no kill her
self she stood at the altar with Don Ruy.
There was thorough explanation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Under False Pretenses

The attendant lords retired as bid.
Dona Sol as the hour of midnight
struck, appeared at the window and
said softly: "Hernani--is that your
For reply Don Carlos clapped his
hands three times, the signal he had
overheard Dona Sol arrange with
Hermann. The light disappeared, and
soon, from the little door of the secret
staircase. Dona Sol came out into the
night
The King seized her and said ten
derby: "Dona Sol"
She saw that she had been tricked,
and attempted to free herself and es-
cape back into the house.
You came to meet lover said Don
Carlos 'and a lover is here--a lover
and King. 'Tis Charles. thy slave!''
ITO the rescue, help. Hernani" cried
Dona Sol
This is shameful, sire said she, Il
am too high to be your mistress; too
low to be your Wife"
The King tried to plead with her, to
entfce her by offers of wealth and
rank, but, driven desperate because
no answer came to her call for help
no Hermann appeared-she snatched the
dagger from the Kings belt and spring.
ing back said approach me but one
step and / kill you--or myself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Pardoned for the Moment

The duke began to apologize for his
rashness. but the King stopped him
and informed him that he had appoint
ed him the governor of the Castle of
Figuere.
As to the succession to the imperial
throne, he said that the Elector of Sax
ony and Francis, King of France, each
aspired to it; but that when the cleo
tors met at Aix-la- -Chappelle, as they
would soon, he himself had hopes that
the crown his grandfather had worn
would come to him.
Then, after some more talk of i'm
perial politics. Don Carlos prepared to
take his leave, and motioned Hermann
to come with him, the duke calling to
his servants to light out the King.
As Hermann left the room Dona Sol
whispered to him, Tomorrow night
at 12."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Behind the Portraits

The great hall was hung with portraits,
a long line of ancestors looked down upon
Don Ruy from the walls. The last por-
trait on the left was a fun length one of
himself, painted when he was a young
and gallant warrior.
He went to this portrait, pressed but
ton, and the portrait swung back. re-
vealiIsy an alcoye into which he motioned
Hernani to enter.
My life is forfeited to you,' said
Hermann when you want it l am ready
to yield it up. Meantime l am your
prisoner ~
He entered the recess and the picture,
swinging back, closed upon him.
Dona Sol had just time to gasp out,
"Have pity upon him, my lord!7 when
the great folding doors flew open and
Don Carlos clad in full military attire
and accompanied by mobiles and soldiers,
entered the rom. Dona Sol lowered her
Veil quickly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
BY
VICTOR HUGO

and then a third. Carlos. King of
Spain. was Emperor of the Holy Ro-
man Empire.
The door of the tomb of Charlemagne
flew open and Don Carlos, stepping
forth, cried out: Fall back, gentle,
men, the Emperor hears"
At once all the lights borne by the
conspirators were tinguished-silence
and darkness fell upon the chapel.
But Don Carlos struck the key of the
tomb sharply upon the marble and on
the instant the place was filled with
soldiers bearing torches and halperds
and at their head a company OF mobiles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Hostage to the King

young woman replied the King.
perhaps if you had willed 1t l should
have been noble-the Lion of CASTLE.
7 am made tiger by your disdain.
However. will obey your wishes.
Duke, be still faithful to your guest
and faithless to your King. | grant
your pardon But it is better that
take away your niece as a hostage
In spite of the tears of Dona Sol
and the threats AMI reproaches of Don
Ruy, the King instructed some of his
followers to convey the Dona Sol under
guard to strong castle and keep her
there prisoner until they should hear
further from him in regard to the mat
ter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Under Arrest

Dona Sol, who had listened to this
conversation in an agony of doubt, felt
thrill of joyful relief when she found
that Don Ruy would not give up his
guest to the Kings vengeance
"Your castle annoys me-" said Don
Carlos 81 shall lay it low. l told you
/ wanted Hernaais head or. yours.
Well. now l have two heads You,
Jorge, arrest the Duke"
At these words Dona Sol tore the veil
from her face and threw herself be-
tween the Duke and the Kings guards
an evil thing"
Good heavensr' cried the King,
starting back, "it is the Dona Sol
"You have no Spaniard's heart cried
she.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
In the Tomb of Charlemagne

The King. upon reaching Madrid,
found letters which made II necessary
for him to set out at once for Aix-la-
Chapelle, where the electors of the En-
pire were assembling to select a sue
cess to his grandfather npon the i'm
perial throne.
Thither, also, went Don Ruy and
Hermann. bent upon vengeance.
The diet met and King Charles await
ed its decisi in the tomb of Charlie.
magne, whicl4 place he had chosen as a
fitting one in which to mediate while
the momentous decision of the electors
was Ibeing reached.
TIE guns of the neighboring fortress
were to fire once If the Elector of
Saxony was chosen to the imperial
dignity. twice if the King of France
was elected and three times if the
choice fell upon Don Carlos
strong league of discontented
mobiles had been formed against Don
Carlos Through his spies Don Car
los had come to knowledge of this
and also of the fact that they were to
meet that very night before the tomb
of Charlemagne.
He had managed to get possession
of the key of the tomb and had re-
solved to hide himself within it and
to learn for himself the designs of this
league.
nc i>ihS hdu Stdtttiy uioIii>Stu MS
attendants when he heard footsteps
approaching through one of the secret
underground passages, which led from
the chapel of the tomb to the neigh
boring fortress.
He hastily entered the tomb and
closed the door behind him
The conspirators entered the chapel,
the foremost one bearing a torch.
From this torch the others lighted
each wax taper and each seated him
self upon one of the ancient tombs of
the chapel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19

So Dona Sol. with head erect and
stately tread went through the DOOR
way of the hall. But not before she
had taken the dagger from the silver
box upon the table and concealed it in
her bosom
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
The Emper0r Hears

He was told that he must kill Don
Carlos that very night before the diet
had chance to elect him Emperor. 1t
was not thought the electors would
come to final vote before the NOR
row
But even as the chief conspiratcr
gave his directions the sound of a gun
was heard. A second gun was fred.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
No Mercy to Hope for

At the instant Don Carlos heard a
noise behind him and turned to see Her.
mani standing there motionless.
Save me, Hernani," cried Dona
Sol
The King called to his friends. but
they came not-they were in the hands
of the bold outlaws whom Hermann had
brought with him. Hermann drew his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Even Unto Death

After much impassioned talk he said:
Now do you wish to be delivered from
me7'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
The Sound of a Distant Horn

The marriage had been celebrated and
at length the guests departed, leaving
the bride and groom alone. They
walked forth from the heated rooms
upon the terrace where the night was
now beginning to wane
II can scarce believe my happiness
said Hermann. 81, the prescribed, who
saw danger and death lurking for me
everywhere But l know not the man
they called Hermann. I am Juan of
Aragon, the spouse of Dona SCol-a hap
by man."
"And | am happy" replied Dona Sol.
How beautiful the night is. But the
calm is too profound. If now / could
hear some of a distant lutte or the blow
ing of distant horn
Scarcely had he spoken, when, from
a distance. but distinct and clear, came
the winding of a hunting horn. Her.
nanf faint and trembling, fell against
the marble balustrade.
He knew the sound-it was that of his
own hunting horn. that which he had
given to Don Ruy with the rash oath
that he would die whenever the winding
of that horn called him to do SO.
Remedied of His Oath
Again the horn sounded, this time in
the gardens beneath them.
Dona Sol, filled with anxiety at the
distracted manner of Hermann begged him
only said that he felt i'll and bade her
so TO a little box she would find on a
table in his room and bring him a flask
she would find therein. saying that it
contained an elixir which would restore
him.
She flew upon the errand and as she
departed Don Ruy Gomez ascended the
steps of the terrace and stood before
Hermann.
''Wil you die by poison or by the blade
Il have both about me?" said he.
Hermann begged for respite, if only
for one day, but Don Ruy was romorse-
less and sternly recalled to Hermann that
he had sworn his oath by his fathers
head and bade him consider the circum-
stances under which he had sworn it.
United in Death
"GiVe me the poison" cried Hermann
in despair and Just at that moment
Dona Sol entered saying that she had
failed to find the little box Hermann
had sent her for She gave cry at see
ings her uncle there.
Between them they explained to tho
grief-striclzen bride the situation, and
she declared that she would die with
her husband
At length. goaded to desperation by
the taunts of Don Ruy, Hernani raised
the vial of poison to his lips and drank.
As he fell Dona Sol caught the vial and
drank also of the poison.
Together. in each others arms. they
breathed ther last upon the marble pave,
ment and the old Duke looked down
sternly upon them as they died.
Then, drawing a dagger, he plunged II
into his own breast and fell dead be-
side them.
Next weeks one-page classic VIII ~
Smoke by Ivan Turgeniev.
Copyright. 1918. by 1ripg K1E.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Drawing the Lot

The result of their conference was
that King Charles should be assassinat-
ed in order that neither he nor any of
his house should ever mount the inn
perial throne. Then each man wrote
bis name upon slip of paper and
placed the slip in an urn.
The leading conaprator then drew
out a name. 1t was Hernani, From the
crowd the outlaw advanced, joyously
crying out, II have WON'T
But making his way through the con-
spirators came Don Ruy Gomez and
begged Hernani to yield his right to
kill Don Carlos to him.
The old man. in his deep hatred of
the King, offered 10 renounce his
rights to Dona Sol and to return to
Hernani the hunting horn If the out
law would but turn over to him the
task of killing the King. But Hermann
still refused.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-19
Planning Escane

Il will follow you even there replied
Dona Sol. 1--WE will set out tomorrow
Wherever YOU go, there l will go; what
ever you endure that will l endure also.
You alone will I marry. AT midnight to-
morrow beneath my window clap your
hands three times.'
Eernani told her that though she linked
herself with a bandit, yet, perhaps be-
meath the outlaw there might be one
whose rank would entitle him to mate
with her.
He was going on in this strain when the
so,geously dressed stranger, who all this
time had remained hidden in the. closet,
opened the door and exclaimed:
when will you finish all this history ?
Do you think it is pleasant to be shut up
here in this hole?"