davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Mortham's Treasure Chests

He swore vengeance against the
double traitor. If Mortham was indeed
alive, then he dreaded his vengeance.
If dead, Wilfred had long ere this be-
trayed his secret, and a price would be
put upon the had of the murderer.
. He said to Denzil, Lead the way
l take thy proffer."
In a deserted mine, the entrance to
which Was hidden by thick growing
bushes, Bertram found assembled the
band of outlaws, who joyfully hailed
him as their chief.
While the outlaws reveled Denzi1 and
Bertram held a long and eager confer
ence. Bertram told Guy of his having
seen what he thought was the ghost OF
Mortham and of the treachery Of Wye
life.
Denzil replied that II Morthams S
ghost was keeping watch by the tomb
before the castle it was not keeping
watch over the treasure chests.
For by his spies Denzil had found out
that when Mortham went to the wars
he had sent those chests to Rokeby
castle with & letter to Matilda. saying
that if he fell they were his legacy to
her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Drinking in the Poison

Not long after this Mortham, return
Ing from a mysterious journey, brought
back to the castle a young wife. No
one knew who she was or where she
came from.
She seemed happy and in due time
bore her lord son. -Mortham and Os-
wald Were at the time firm friends as
we'll as kinsmen.
But the treacherous Wycl'ffe cast his
eyes upon his friends wife, and, find
ing all his advances met with cold dis
dain, resolved on revenge.
He filled the mind of Mortham with
suspicious of his wife's fidelity, and did
1t so skilfully that Mortham knew not
the poison he was drinking in.
One day as Oswald and Mortham
were sitting at twilight In a window of
the hall, they saw Lady Mortham steal
ing toward the copse evidently wishing
to avoid being seen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Killed by One Bolt

What can cause my wife TO go at
this hour into the wood?' exclaimed
Mortham.
Oswald smiled cynically and said.
There is a gallant in the. wood
Seized with sudden fury, Mortham
caught up his crossbow and hurried
after his wife.
He came to a little glen and saw
there Lady Mortham in the embrace
of a young man. Mortham fired and
both lay dead before him.
He bent over them and saw with
horror that the young man was Edith's
brother who had come in secret to tell
her that her father had forgiven her
clandestine marriage. He had been
ordered to tell her first and let her bear
the news to her husband.
That murdered wife was the daughter
of Hugh ONeil and that murdered
brother O'Neil's son. <,
Mortham was like madman when he
returned to the castle. Oswald fled
from his rage to foreign cline and
did not return until he learned that
Mortham had left England.
But before AIortham left his native
land another blow fell upon him. One
evening. as his little son was taking his
accustomed walk with his nurse. armed
men seized them and carried them, off
no one knew whither-and all attempts
to trace them were vain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Wycliffe's Sole Heir

Wifred was a young man OF feeble
ply and of a studious and roman
tic turn of mind. In childhood he had
been his mothers favorite, while his
father had treated him with contempt.
But that mother was long since dead,
also were the strong sons who had been
their fathers joy. The feeble Wilfred
was now Wyeliffe sole heir
When the civil war broke out, Wilfred
did not take the field. He had no skill
In arms-no desirt for the life of a SOL
dier. He remained at home with his
father and sighed and made verses for
the fair Matilda. Sir Richard Rokeby' s
daughter, with whom he was in love.
1t was this gentle youth who, when the
light of the rising day began to gild the
towers of Barnard, set out with the stern
Bertram for Mortham's castle all uncon-
selous of his fathers plots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
News from the War

K TIGHT hung over the vast and
nj gloomy castle of Barnard and
/ in one of the Gothic apartments
of the castle Oswald Wycliffe waited
anxiously for the coming of a messenger
from the seat of war, where King and
commons strove against each other.
There were rumors of a battle fought
and oswald knew that in that battle his
l<insman and former friend, Philip Nor
them. had fought under the banner OF
Fairfax, against the crown, and his
nelghbor, Str Richard Rokeby Mortham's s
brother-in-law, had ranged himself with
all his tenantry under the banner of the
fiery Rupert.
Suddenly he hears the sound OF a
horses hoofs approac ching, hears the
challenge of the warder and then the
tread of a heavy foot upon the stairs
of stone s
With clankiug sword and jingling spur,
with .dinted CORSET and accoutrements
soiled by battle and by hard riding
through flood and field there entered the
apartment a man of herculean form and
towering height. Above his dark and
sinister face there waved the plumes of
his steel moiias;.
The stranger threw himself into a
chair by the oak table, and, taking off
his steel gauntlents, threw them down;
WHILE relieving his brow of his morton,
be dashed the dew fGom- the waving
plumes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Lacking a Leader

His sword was instantly in his hand: :
but he dropped 1t when he saw be-
fore him Guy Denzil, a man whose
name had been erased with shame from
the role of Rokebys followers.
Denzil told Bertram that he was now
one of band of outlaws who, taking
advantage of the troubles Of the times,
had associated themselves together for
the plundering of both sides.
They had their headquarters in a hid
den cave hard by, but lacked a leader
whom all would obey Bertram was
Just the man for the position. Would
he accept it?
Bertram had no confidence In tho
good faith of Wycliffe. The fact that
he had followed him with an armed
force to Mortham castle showed that
he had come to prevent his accomplice
in crime from obtaining possession Of
the treasure chests.
The fact that Oswald's men had been
hunting him like a wild beast through
tho wood was, in the mind of Bertram,
proof that Oswald had thoroughly
played him false-was ready TO sacri-
flee him,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Afraid to Trust Himself

MY charge here" he said at length.
will not permit me to leave these tow
ers. But my son Wilfred shall go with
you. He is known to the two or three
old domestcs whom Mortham left at his
castle and they will open the gates to
him."
Bertram smiled contemptuously. ut
makes no difference-Wilfred or you-it
is all the same as long as l have access
to the CASTLE
"But do not think do not see what
you fear Why, Oswald, If 1 wanted to
kill you, what prevents me from stabbing
you nowhere? [ have jumped from
walls higher than these, and could kill
you now before one cry of yours could
reach the distant sentinel
NAY, do not start. l do not desire
your life-if you play fair with me. Go
and call your SON."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
The Enemy Enters

The minstrel came. He was young
Edmund, the weak and wayward min-
strel of Denzils robber band. lie had
seized an opportunity, after his ell
trance into the castle, to undo The pos
tern door, and while he sang in the hail
the great apartment was suddenly filed
with armed men. with Bertram at their
head.
cry of wild alarm at once arose,
Redmond drew his sword and the do
mestics, in a terrified group. gathered
close around Matilda.
Near where Matilda stood was a small
door leading to the garden. The key
was In the door, Redmond whispered
to Wilfred quickly to carry the half
fainting Matilda out that way.
The press of servants around tho
maiden concealed from the invaders
what was taking place, and soon NAL
tilda found herself seated on a bank
beneath grove of trees, while from the
hall came the sounds of clashing steel
and the shouts of fighting men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
To Drown His Sorrow

Philip Morth9m disappeared, fleeing
across the ocean to join with Morgan
and other sea rovers, leading the wild
life of a buccaneer.
His faithful, steward told the tale of
accidental shooting to account for the
death of Edith and her brother, and
did so with such cleverness that no ono
except Oswald knew the TRUTH
Immediately after the killing of his
wife and her brother, it should be said
that Mortham was, for while, a raving
maniac. 1t was not until his recovery
that he knew OF the abduction Of his
son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Just in Time

For Redmond had at once engaged
the blade of Bertram. and his desperate
bravery. his commanding and encour-
aging calls to the men among the do
mestics infused courage into them so
that, grabbinsz-from the walls what
weapons they couldJ they made a stand
against the outlaw band.
Where Is Redmond?" asked Matilda
as soon as she recovered her senses.
Have you like a coward. left him to
die alohe?"
Wilfred started as If stung by an ad-
der, and then, In spite of the fact that
Matilda, recovering her self-control i'm
plored him not to do so. he ran back in
to the hall with his drawn sword and
placed himself at Redmond's side.
He was soon down and Redmond
fought above him, protecting his body
But tho unequal contest would have
been soon decided had not, just at that
critical moment. there arrived the es-
cort sent from Barnard. These soldiers
rushed into the hall and killed or cap
tured all the rebel band except only
Bertram.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Planning the Raid

Now Matilda was alone with few
domestics at Rokeby.
True, now that Redmond O'Neil had
returned he might establish himself in
the home of his patron, but it would be
ain easy matter for the outlaw band to
get possession of the castle and the
maid. who might be held for ransom.
Denzil knew of secret postern door
by which the outlaws might be admit
ted into the castle by spy sent there
in advance. He had a man who would
fill that part-the young man vino waa
now singing for the amusement OF the
band-young Edmund they called him.
lie might get admittance as a war-
dering minstrel undo the postern gate,
let in the band and then the rest would
be easy--to seize both tke treasure ami
maid. To this plan Bertram consented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
The Prey of Flames

Scarcely had the hall been cleared
and the wounded Wilfred taken to tho
outer air and revived when the castle
was seen to be on fire. 1t had either
been willfully set on fire by the outlaws
or had caught from some of the lamps
overturned In the fight.
The flames had obtained such speedy
headway that it was impossible to stor
them-the castle became one mass of
fire.
Then from the flame and smoke sud-
denly came forth Bertram, his face all
bloody, his hair and clothing on fire.
With his mantle wound around his
left arm as shield and his sword
hashing in the air he hewed way for
himself through the ranks of the op-
posing soldiery and dashed into the
woods. Guy Denzil and Edmund were
taken prisoners, the others slain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
One Ray of Consolation

IN Matilda, alone his dark spirit
seemed to find ray of light and conso-
lation. And yet 1T was with pain that
he beheld even her, for she reminded
him, somewhat, OF his murdered Edith.
He sought no revenge against Wy
cliffe, but in an interview which he had
with him soon after his return he be-
sought him to say if he knew what had
become of his son.
Oswald swore upon the Scriptures
that he did not know-and for once
he told the truth. That was the state
of things when the war broke out and
Mortham sought the field with Fair
fax.
All this story Mortham had written
out and entrusted to Matilda before he
went to the wars, emitting only the
names of O'Neil and Oswald Wycliffe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Redmond Q,NeiI

Just as he did so there came out upon
the platform before the castle d band
of horsemsn with Oswold Wycliffe at
their head
BY Oswalds side rode Redmond
O'Neil a gallant youth, page of
Rokeby. who had followed the old
knight to the field and had been well
tried in battle.
Oswald beheld his son standing there,
pale and excited. and asked what had
happened.
Wilfred felt himself bound by Nor
tham's charge not to reveal the fact
that he was alive and replied that Bert
ram had just fed after admitting that
he had murdered Mortham,
"What?" cried Oswald. "Why, Philip
Mortham was killed in battle. Either
Bertram raves or you"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14

1t was then, when all efforts to trace
the abductors failed that Mortham-
now a gloomy, stern and desperate man,
left England to join the buccaneers.
Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil
war, he had. as we know, returned
to England, bringing with him his for
mer companion in crime, Bertram Ris-
ingham.
He became deeply religious after the
stern and gloomy creed of the most
gloomy of the Puritans, and lived an
Isolated life in his ancestral castle.
having as little as possible to do with
his kinsmen and neighbors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Fleeing Before the Cavaliers

Oswald welcomed him with nervous
courtesy; but the soldier only gazed at
him with cynical smile and shot at
him a glance which made Wycliffe
cover Oswald set food and wine be-
fore the newcomer, who ate and drank
like a famished man.
"Ilas battle been Fought at length
stammered oswald. How went the
day, good Bertram?"
"Would you hear the tale?' answered
Bertram when he had at last satisfied
his hunger and thirst
1.-THE two armies met upon Marston
Moor. 1t was a fierce battle, and Tor
some time it's result hung in the bal
ance.
.Then Rupert came charging with his
horse. and when l left the Held the
parliamentary army was fleeing oefore
the cavaliers of the fiery prince"
rDisastrous news said Oswald with
an assumption of detection.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Kin and Bertram had disappeared in the

woods
That afternoon Matilda had called
Redmond and Wilfred to her counsel
and had told them of the treasure Nor
than he'd left with her.
Living alone and unprotected as she
was. she desired that the treasure
chests might be carried to Barnard cas-
tie for safe keeping, that was the on
ly garrisoned hold in the neighborhood.
She had no suspicious of the bad faith
of Wycliffe, who. when his son told him
of Matilda's proposition, was, of course,
filled with glee and readily allowed
Wilfred to select from the garrison a
strong escort to convey at midnight the
treasure from Rokeby to Barnard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14

tions. He heard with fear this ruffan
lay down the law.
He felt satisfaction amounting TO Joy
that Mortham was dead. But he grudged
Bertram the mighty prize which he pro-
posed to take to himself. hated the MUIR
derer's insolence and pride and was filed
with terror at the thought of trusting
himself alone with him through the wild
country which lay between Barnards
castle and Mortham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
M Time for Hypocrisy

Nonsense" cried Bertram. do not
plav the hypocrite with me-, Oswald
wycliffe. What do you care for one
side more than the other? You hold
this castle for the Parliament-and
would tomorrow hold it for .he King
as readily if matters went his way.
"What do you care which side WINS
SO that YOU can get possession OF
Nortbam's wealth? Well then, know
that Philip Mortham lies among the
dead on Marston Moor
'He asked me to be near him IN the
battle-and l was. He had his visor
I'm. and saw his melancholy smile
when. as he rode among the ranks, he
saw opposed to him the banner OF
Rokeby.
II debated long whether should
carry out your purpose and KIN the
man. There came across me all that
we had endured together, and all that
we had been to each other.
But also thought of how, lured to
return with him and his wealth from
our wild buccaneering adventures to
peaceful England, Mortham had be-
come estranged from me-had grown
SO religious that my free manners
shocked him until. at last. he ordered
me to reform or leave his house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Peace and uanniness

For moment Oswald looked on in
horror Then he cried out: ".rne pris-
oners to the blockr'
Just as he spoke. into the church
came a horse and rider-and the rider
was Bertram. His eyes blazed, his pis-
tol spoke and Wycliffe fell deac with a
bullet in his breast.
Bertram turned to fly, but his steed
slipped upon the pavement and before
he could raise him Bertram died fight
ing desperately against the spears
which environed him.s
Scarce had he breathed his last when
Mortham and his troops arrived. Nor
than clasped Redmond to his hears
and, Of course. soon after Matilda and
oNeil We're married. while peace and
happiness settled once more upon the
castle of Mortham and the Hall CT
Rokeby.
Next weeks One Page Classic will be
Memoirs of Physician" by Alexande.
Dumas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
The Minstrel SDy

Then came the war. Rokeby and
Redmond went to the field and the
events followed of which we have told
So on the night when tho treasure
was to be removed, Matilda sat between
her lovers and waited for the sound of
the approaching escort from barnard.
They heard old Harpool. the warder,
at the outer gate, disputing with a
youth who begged entrance. Re said
he was wandering minstrel and
craved shelter for the night, as he was
weary and had wandered far.
He said he knew all the old songs
which told of the valorous deeds that
were done by the knights and barons
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
A Fitting Tool

Three days after the burning of
Rokeby young Edmund stole down the
glen and, entering the deserted mine
where the outlaws had formerly assem-
bled, began digging In the earth at a
corner of the cave.
soon he brought to light a small steel
casket from which he took a chain and
relinquaire of gold.
AS he did so heavy hand was laid
upon his shoulder and he covered he
fore fierce Bertram. Recovering from
his fright. Edmund, in answer TO Ber-
trans questions, told his story.
When he and Denzil had been taker,
prisoners to Barnard they had been
placed in the same cell under the mis-
taken idea that Edmund was Denzil,s
son.
On the morning of their third dav IN
prison Oswald had some to the cell
Wycliffe knew Denzil by reputation
and considered him a fitting tool for his
schemes, knowing. as he did. that Dem
I'll hated Rokeby and O'Neil, the lattcr
having been the cause of the outlaws
dimissal from the knights ban4.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
The Heir Discovered

The letter was from Mortham who
still thinking that Oswald knew where
his child was, begged him to restore the
boy to his father
II he would do this Mortham would
leave England forever resigning Il,
Wycliffe all his wealth. II he refused
Mortham would take vengeance upon
him.
Wyciiffe was plainly filled with dread
and cried out that Mortham asked what
was impossible for him to do--fe knew
not where the child was.
Denzil, who was present, said with a
sneer: Il can ease you of your fear.
You have Mortham's son in ;,our own
keeping. Redmond O'Neil is Mertham's s
heir"
Then Dsnzil said that 1t was the
0'Neil who had sent men to ahduct
Mortham's son and it was the O'Neil
who, on his death-bed had sent his
retainer to cafry the boy to Rokeby.
Denzil had been concerned in the ab-
duction, and 1t was Denzil who. with
some of bis wild companions, had ar
tackled the old man when he was bring
ing Redmond to the Knight of Rokeby.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
In Rokeby Castle

We must now look in upon tie castle
of Rokeby. In the great hall of that
baronial structure Matilda was seated,
with Redmond on one side of her and
Wilfred on the other. while around
stood the few old domestics who still
remained at the castle.
1t was the night of the day after that
on which Oswald had appeared at Nor.
than to take possession as nearest Of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
A Well-Forged Story

Oswald said that Rokeby .still refused
his consent to the marriage of Wilfred
and Matilda. Then he schoolcd them
In we'll forged story.
1t was to the effect that there was n
conspiracy among the cavaliers who
lived In the neighborhood to assault
Barnard castle; that Rokeby had yio
lated his parole and was leagued with
them. This Denzil and his supposed
son were to swear to-the reward to he
their lives.
! Then the Oswald raised an alarm.
called his garrison to arms tod of his
discovery of the supposed plot consirn-
Ing Rokeby to dungeon and chains.
sent word to all the neighboring cav
alters to appear for trial at noon the
next day at the Church of Eeliston.
In the midst of Wyclire's feigned
rage page brought him letter which
had been left at the castle gate by an
unknown horseman who had at once
ridden away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Wilfred Decides

When Oswald asked impatiently tf|
Denzils son had returned to Barnard
an old servant told him that the boyl
was not Denzips son, but one EdmundA
a minstrel
'Ha, I have been triclzed," cried Os-|
wa1d, and toward noon, when he set ou d
with his train for Egliston. he mad Den j
zil hanged from the castle walls.
Wilfred was deathly Ill from theI
wounds and excitement of the fight atl
Rokeby but his father forced him to|
accompany him to Egliston.
In that church was erected scaffold|
and block. And there was Rok eby and|
O'Neil in chains.
When all were assembled Oswald told|
Matilda that her father and Redmond
would be executed before her face dial
she not then and there marry wilfrec
Matilda faltered and said: "ret will
fred decide"
Wilfred, pale and trembling. knelt be !
fore her and protested that he had mol
knowledge of his fathers plot.
His head fell lower and falling ther.l
upon the pavement. he died at Natilda's al
feet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14

of Rokeby of old. Finally Hwpool ad-
mitted him. and after while Matilda
sent for the youth to come to the hall
and sing before the people waiting
there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Heir to Stolen Lands
to Redmond O'Neil.

Now as to Redmond O'Neil.
Age was thinning and whitening the
locks of the stout knight of Rokeby
when one stormy winters night, as he
sat by his fire thinking of the days
when he fought In ireland and of the
absent and half-crazed Mortham, an
old man dressed In the garb of the at
tendant upon an irish prince was as
sisted into the hail.
4 He had in his arms a boy of perhaps 3
years old. He had been set upon by
robbers in the woods near the castle
and had been robbed and wounded.
He had just enought strength left to
say to Rokeby that he came from the
O'Neil. That prince had been driven
from his throne and oespoiled OF his
lands by his enemies.
He had charged this faithful follower
to cary his grandson and heir to Eng
land-fearing his life would not be safe
in Ireland-and beg the Knight of
Rokeby by their ancient friendship ard
by the service he had once rendered
him, to bring the boy up as his own
until such time came-if it ever did
come--as he could, with safety and a
prospect of success assert his claims
to his grandfather's power and lands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Pursuers Raffled

Marston Moor. Cromwell turned the
tide of that doubtful battle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
Matilda's. Two Lovers

The old retainer died as he finished
his tale and Rokeby received the charge
of ONeil as sacred trust. So ted
mond and Matilda grew up together.
AT first. as children, they were as
older. change came over their rela-
TONS
The suit which Oswald made for his
son tore the bandage from their eyes and
they knew and felt that they were low
ers---this knowledge putting upon both
a restraint, almost an awkwardness, III,
each others presence which they had
not felt before.
With Wilfred Matilda was natural
and easy. would read and sing with him
as with a brother--but In Redmond's 8
presence she felt and showed embar-
rassment. 4r
Rolseby, WHO knew nothing OF Wy
cliffe's dark ambitions, looked with fa-
vor, at first upon the plan of uniting
oswald's gentle son and Matilda.
But when the civil dissentiuns arose
and oswald took the side of Parliament
the old knight declarde that M daugh-
ter OF his hould wed with rebels son,
and breaking off all intercourse with
Wyclire he began to regard the brave
young Redmond as a fitting husband
for his Matilda.
sometimes he made both his daughter
and Redmond blush by declaring openly
that the heir of the O'Neil should wed
his daughter.