davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Bert Baker was here from Hois.
ington Monday visiting with friends
and on business with the county com.
missioners.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Mr.. and Mrs. Will Flenor were
here Saturday for a short visit. with
Mr.. and Mrs. j. W. Jackson while
on their way to their home in New
ton after attending the funeral Of
Joe McCorkle at Galatia. Mr.. Nc
Corkle was a cousin Of Mrs. Flenor.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Charles Davis and sons were here
from Cleveland township Monday Wis
iting with friends and looking after
business matters.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Miss Kate keenan, and Miss Agnes,
Murphy were in from the west side
Saturday, shopping and visiting with
their many friends.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Gus Selle trustee of Liberty town.
ship, looked after business matters
at the court house Saturday.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

Fred Isern was here from Ellin-
wood Sunday evening for a visit with
friends
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-03-07

hstic control Of harvesting machines,
says the commissioner, has been at
tempted with more or less success
by the company's representatives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
The Lovers Part

Decius, however, while quite willing
that Polyeuete should be the first noble
in Armenia, was not willing that he
should rule in that country. A Roman
governor must hold the sovereign power
under the Emperor.
And who so fitted for the post of Ro-
man governor of Armenia as Felix, who
had already solicited the office?
1t was with supreme satisfaction that
Felix saw that Polyeucte paid much At
tention to the fair Pauline. Here was a
chance to place@nis governorship of Ar
menia upon firm basis.
With Polyeucte as his son-in-law his
reign over Armenia would be Invested of
revolt and trouble-hs power consoll-
dated.
The appointment Of Felix to his COVER
norship was made; Polyeucte returned 10
Armenia and after while asked the hand
of Pauline in marriage. Felix ordered his
daughter to accept the noble as her hus-
band, and, true to her principles, she
obeyed.
Sad had been the partings between
Severus and Pauline when she left home
their tears fell fast. But Pauline told
him that without her fathers consent
she could never be his.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Death to the Christians

Her love for Severus had been a con-
Stunning fire. 1t had burned out, but
there remained the smoldering erpbers
still.
Her love for Polyeucte was steady
flame. fed by reason and all high. prin-
ciples.
Such was the state of affairs when the
governor, Felix. received from Rome the
decree of the Emperor against the Chris
tians.
This new and dangerous sect was to be
exterminated, root and branch Ii was
said of them that they were impous
mad, absurd and vain.
They derided the immortal gods and
their religious rites We're of most re-
pulsve character. They were the foes
of civilization and of the human race.
dangerous to the state, and were so lost
to reason that it was useless to try and
argue with them.
Death was decreed against the whole
sect.
1t was suspected that these Christians
had secretly made many converts to-
their strange doctrines in Armenia and
Felix was ordered to carry out the decree
Of the Emperor with rigor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Copyright, 1918. by Irving King.
rights reserved.)


rights reserved)
Saintsbury calls "Polyeucte' the
greatest of all Christian tragedies" and
Paul de saint-victor says of 1t: Among
the masterpieces OF Coreille 'Polyeucte'
is assuredly the greatest. and nothing in
all his dramas equals the extraordinary
beauty of the character of Pauline"
OF Corneflle, DR.. r. b. Woodward says:
He ranks with Descartes as the first .
free the French language and thought
from the restrictions due to Greek and
Latin insuence."
Yet President Eliot says: THE works
of fCorneille represent most fully the
ideal of the French, so-called. classical
tragedy. The laws to which this type
of tragedy sought to conform were not
so much truth in nature as the principles
which the critics had derived from n
somewhat inadequate Interpretation of
---zistotle and of the practices of the
Greek tragedians."
A study OF "Polyeucte" would seem to
be enough to convince the unprejudiced
that President Eliot is right. The influence
of the Greek tragedies is especially no.
ticeable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Warned in a Dream m

When, on the morning when he was
to set out, Polyeucte told his wife that
he was going on a short, journey but
would soon return, she begged him not
to leave Melitena, the Armenian capital.
For in the night she had had dream
"a dream which presaged danger and
misfortune for him. So importunate
was Pauline that Polyeucate hesitated
and told Nearehus the reason
The dream is nothing" said he but
the dreamer is all to me And though
her fear is without reason, yet 1 hate
to leave her in tears. Can we not put
off this journey until another timer"
Now is the accepted time' replied
Nearchus; go and be baptized You
have call. If you sput off, for one
thing and another taking the step you
have decided upon, you will never take
it"
Polyeuete replied that he was already
a Christian-that his talks with Near
chus had convinced him. Yes, he would
go at once. Pauline would forget her
fears
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Courtinc a IIern.s Death

Severus, bereft of hope sought a SOL
ace for his thoughts in battle. where he
courted death Und, gaining rapid promo
tion for his bravery, went with Decius
TO the Persian war.
In a great battle which decided the
victory for the Romans. severus not only
was foremost in bringing triumph to the
eagles, but had the good fortune to save
the life of the Emperor, who commanded
In person.
When the battle was over they sought
among the heaps of slain for the body of
Severus, but. so hacked and dsfgured
We're many of the bodies that his corpse
could not be identified, though there
seemed to be no doubt but that he had
perished in the fight.
The Emperor, in gratitude and sorrow,
reared a costly monument to the fallen
hero.
Pauline never forgot her first love,
though the memory of it was in her
wells organized and self controlled mind,
something quite apart from her present
life.
That duty which had caused her to
marry Pelyeucte made her give to him
all her respect, constancy and obedience
and all the love she could.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Coming to Take Vengeance

He is now sent to Armenia to hold
great feast and offer sacrifices TO
Mars and Jupiter in thanksgiving for
his escape from death and captivity. He
Is even now approaching the city.
Now here Is the danger. Seyerus IS
now all-powerful. This feast and sacri-
fice is all a pretense. He comes to Ar
menia to see the girl he once wooed.
He can now take vengeance on me
for my scornful rejection of his suit for
your hand My only hope is In you.
Love held him fast once--loose not the
chain now"
Father replied Pauline, "all that is
over long ago Shame is the only grief
which cannot be assuaged My traitor
heart shall still be a prisoner to my will.
To give it freedom were to disgrace both
YOU and me.
II will not see Severus. / could not veil
my soul before his searching eye. will
not see him.
Il have only one word to say" re-
piled Felix sternly, lit is obey Would
you ruin your father?"
II yield,' sobbed Pauline: let every
woe come, you have eommanded-and l
obey"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Felix, the Patrician

u ELK the Patrician, stood high IN
the favor Of the Roman Emperor
i Deeius and, able and ambitious.
looked forward 20 greater power and
splendor than was already his.
His only child, his daughter Pauline,
had many suitors at the Roman court.
Her sweet disposition and pure soul. as
well as her beauty procured her many
admirers, but to only one of them did
she feel her maiden love go out
This favored one was Severus, a soldier
of noble family, but without wealth, and
young man who, as vet, had gathered
no laurels from the fields of war.
Felix frowned upon the suit of the I'M
known soldier and Pauline had made
duty to her father her first principle of
action. To this duty and to filial love
she was ready to sacrifice all other emo.
tions and desires.
Her fathers will was her law.
Among those Princes of far climes who
thronged the court of the Emperor, suing
for pensions or for restoration to con-
quered thrones. was the great Armenian
noble Polyeucte.
He was of the ancient royal house Of
Armenia and the Armenians. though
their country was under Roman subjeo-
tion, reverenced him as the representa-
tive of their old line of Kings and looked
upon him as their lawful ruler
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Many Perpiexities

For his son-in-law Felix had a real
affection and regard. Besides, he was
the husband of his dearly loved daugn-
ter and what injured him would cause
her grief
Then again. from a political stand :
point, there was much to cause anxiety.
In.eXecuting the decree of Decius Felix
had found the Christians stronger than
he had supposed. He had cause 10
supect that Armenia was honeycombed
with secret congregations of the hated
and despised faith.
The fact that in his own court--in
his own family-the religion of Christ
had found a lodgment was evidence
that it possessed a vitality and power
which he could not gage.
Again the Armenians looked upon
Polyeucte as their rightful King and
his execution would be almost sure to
stir up civil disorder.
On the other hand there was the
Emperor, Decius. furious against the
Christians. who would be sure TO take
vengeance upon his governor if he
showed any relaxing of the sterh en-
forcement of the edit against the fol-
lowers of Christ.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Pleading With Her Husband

And there is this to be thought Of. II
Polyeucte dies. then Severus will marry
Pauline and through her 1 can obtain
his powerful influence and bid defiance
to my enemies.
And yet I have a love for Polyeucte.
will go to his cell and try what l can
to make him sacrifice to the gods and
abjure his horrid heresies. If fail then
Pauline shall try her strength"
But meantime Pauline had hurried to
the citadel When she entered the prison
Polyeucte was brought before her
Pauline he said, 'do you come here
as friend or foe? DO you come to greet
a soldier of the cross or to try and in
duce me to abjure the true and living
faith? II the latter. then you. and not
Decius. are my deadliest foe"
Long and earnestly did Pauline plead
with her husband. begging him not to
throw away his life.
She bade him think of the Armenian
people who adored their prince; of the
honors that Felix would shower upon
him If he recanted She showed him the
path Of glory opened before him il he
would beg for mercy, abjure the odious
Christian faith and live.
A nations hopes were set upon him. and
should the blood of kings be caused to
flow by common executioner?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Courage Found at Last

She denounced Felix. calling him the
murderer of Polyeucte, and declared that
she embraced the faith in which her hus-
band had died.
Severus followed Pauline into the pres 1
ence of the governor and added his rej
proaches to hers. He declared that here
after he was the enemy of Felix and bads
him beware.
Felix now quite broke down. All his
sophistry. his suspicious stateeraft this
rear for his place left him.
lie confessed that While he had killeS
PoEeucte and prosecuted the Christians
bitterly he had done so out Of cowardly
fear of Decius.
lie said that he had long been a Chris
tian secretly; but had never found the
courage before to avow 1t. Now he mad9
the avowal and welcomed the worst that
could befall him.
Pauline clasped her father in her arms
and the governor, standing proudly with
his daughter. said to Severus: Now,
slay us both. Behold we are willing
sacrifice"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
News From Seyerus

This dream, she thought, presaged
the death of Polyeucte and therefore
she did not want him out of her sight
She feared that the Christians would
take revenge upon him for the torrents
of Christian blood her father had shed
since he had received Decius' decree.
While the two women were talking
the governor appeared, seemingly in a
state of perturbation.
Daughter" he said, you told me of
your dream. l lightly regarded it-but
now 1t begets fear. l have just re-
ceived important news-Severus lives
Az the court of Rome he is in high
honor with the Emperor. 1t seems that
he was not killed in the battle in which
he saved the Emperor's life, but was
wounded and taken prisoner
After being confined for a long time
in Persian dungeon news of the fact
THAT he still lived reached the Emperor,
VINO ransomed him at "A great price and
brought him to court to receive great
honcrs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Doomed Because of the Christians

But Pauline could not entirely dispel
the fears which had arisen from her
Dream and when her lord was gone
she talked with her companion, STRAIT
onice. about them.
OF her she made a confdant, telling
her the story of her early love for
Severus and of the soldiers subsequent
fate.
In her dream she said Severus had ap-
peared to her. He was in an angry
mood and said:
"Faithless one, give, IL you will, to
your husband the love which is by
rights mine own. But your tears shall
not save your husband. He is doomed
because OF the Christians"
Pauline thought she had cried out
to her father for help and that Felix
came to her.
Polyeucte seemed to be standing by
and the governor, drawing a dagger
plunged it into the heart of his son-in-
law whereat Pauline awoke in terror
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Signaled Out by the Shirt

Polyeucte was now in state of re-
lisious exaltation He felt that he had
been signaled out by the Spirit for some
great work for the faith.
He felt that he could not resist that
call. though beyond 1t lay death.
Nearchus caught his enthusiasm and de-
clared that he would dare all that Poly
euete would for the cross.
Together they went to the temple, where
a great throng had assembled and where
the priests had already begun their sac
rifices to Jupiter and Mars. All the court
was assembled in the magnificent tem-
ple.h
The air was heavy with incense. and
the invocations of the priests. the songs
of the clloristers, the clashing of sym
balls and the tinl<lins of sistrums resound-
ed through the marble pillars
There came a pause; the people knelt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
'Twixt Love and DUTY

messenger came to say that Severus
was approaching the city gates and Fe-
lx hastily went ont to meet him at the
head of his mobiles, while poor Pauline
held counsel With herself, striving to
steel her heart for the conflict which
she felt was coming between duty and
that old love which, when Severus stood
before her, she knew would spring up
again from it's smodering embers
But firm and high was her resolve TO
make a conquest of her passions by her
reason and her WILL though she broke
her heart in doing it.
The messenger whom Severus had sent
on ahead to announce to Felix his coming
to Melitena he instructed to make partic-
ular inquiries concerning Pauline.
He had not heard of her marriage with
Polyeucte and was come to Armenia, as
Felix had suspected, to renew his suit
for her hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Life Not a Toy

She pleaded with him by the love he
bore her, by their relations as man and
wife and by all that she felt for him not
to rush blindly to destruction.
IF life a toy that he could thus throw
1t away for an idea. new-found belief
In the abhorrent doctrines of an outcast
cult?" she cried
But Polyeucte was immovable.
MY dearly beloved Pauline he said,
no, life is not a toy with which to play.
Our life is for US to use and we must
pay with it the debt demanded of us.
What is this mortal life that men so
love?-an empty dream wherein all things
are but seeming. Death ends every Joy
and puts term to every success. Power
ana wealth are but fieeting shadows
But have an ambition greater than
caesar ever knew. Death cannot end if
for death is but its servant. I seek that
peace which the world cannot give and
cannot take away. Is this poor life TOO
great a price to pay for eternal bliss %
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Orders Carried Ont

This seemed to he proved by the gen.
erafs suit in behalf OF Polyeucte. He
had the prisoner brought before him and
begged him to repent and abjure the
Christian faith.
Polyeucte being immovable. Felix fell
INTO fury with him and, calling tho
guards, ordered his instant execution.
Pauline. who had been present at the
interview between her father and her
husband, Shipped out unnoticed by Felix
and followed Polyeucte to the place Of cxy
eeution
1t was not long before Albin came to
say that the governors orders had been
carried out and that Polyeucte was 10
more The news was rapidly spreading
through the city and there was every
sign of popular revolt among the Armen-
ians.
Scarce had Albin told his news when
Pauline came to her father. Her eyes
blazed and she was in "a state of suSeme
agitation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Saved by Seyerus

Surely" cried Severus in astonishment,
This Is some miracle. I can but revere
the courage and the faith of these Chris
tians-what is It that lifts them above
our human weakness.
Hereafter l will be the shield of tho
Christians in spite of Decius. And as for
you, Felix+and you, my once dearly
loved Pauline-yes still loved--fear NJ
harm.
Il go to Rome where / may be able to
sway the counsels Of the Emperor to
milders courses"
Through the influence of Severus, Felix
retained his post as governor. while Ar
menia rapidly became a Christian nation.
Pauline never saw Severus again, but
devoted her long life to works of charity
and religion.
Copyright, 1912. by Aving Kng.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
His Homes Dead

1t was his friend Fabian whom Severus
had sent ahead as announcer of his ap-
proach and when, upon Fabians return
he told Severus, as gently as he could
that Pauline was married to the great
Armenian noble the soldier reeled and
came near falling. But recovering him
self by great effort he said:
my hope is dead. But her choice was
not unworthy. His name is illustrious
he comes from line of kings
But that is cold comfort. My wound
cannot be healed. My cause is lost one
boon only crave now-death.
'But I would see her once more. I
would before / die hear that voice again.
/ accuse fate-and not Pauline.
She broke no plighted faith in marry
ing Polyeucte. She had refused my hand.
Duty-her father-fate; these she obeyed''
Pauline met Severus as she might meet
an old friend. She seemed to have fun
command OF her feelings.
But Seyerus. when the two by chance
were alone. could not keep such control
of his emotions.
Memory Linked With Pain
Too fair-too DEAR he cried, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
A Pensioned Horse

Mick, the only horse on Uncle Sans
pension list is enjoying his new freedom
in a pasture on the military reservation
at Fort Riley. Kas., after 26 years of con-
tinuous service So far as the post records
show he is the only army horse that was
ever "pensioned." All of them are con-
demned when their period of usefulness
has expired, and are sold at auction.
Mick's long service and unusual qualities
saved him from this fate, and he will be
kept at Fort Riley until he dies. says the
Kansas City Star.
Mick is 80 years of age. He was pur-
chased for army use in 1887 for $40. about
half of the amount now paid by the gov
ernment for artillery horses He fwas
signed to a battery as wagon horse s>5iA
served in that capacity until eight yeal<l
ago, when he was promoted to chief of
section horses, and was ridden by the
sergeant in command of the section until
his retirement short time ago.
Within the past eight years Mick has
developed unusual talents for horse
without high school, training and has
won number of medals and blue rib
bons for performances entirely out of the
line of his duties. He took a blue rb-i
bon in Roman race at the st. Joseph
military tournament six years ago, and
that race is still discussed by the older
men of the army who were there AS n
jumper he also has good record. and
In spite OF his age is able to clear the
bars in good shape.
Mick is veteran, too, having served
in Cuba during the Spanish American
war. Until his retirement he was with
Battery ID of the Sixth Field artillery,
and has been stationed at Fort Riley for
dozen years.
At the post he 10 known as the horse
that cleans his teeth. After every meal
he hunts out a picket rope and rubs his
teeth across it until they are thoroughly
clean. He is a blood bay without white
spot on him. and weighs 1900 pounds
When it is considered that the average
period of service of an artillery horse IS
from three to ten years. Micks long rec
ord is exceptional. and army men say
that he has more years to his credit than
amy other horse In the army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
POlyeucte Interested

The suspicion that the Christians had
secretly made converts in Armenia was
well founded. Even in the court of the
governor Felix, there was one who had
secretly embraced the new faith.
He was an Armenian noble, one Near
chus. close friend of Polycucte. lie
had confded 10 the governors son-in-
law his secret and had had many con-
versations with him upon the subject of
the religion of the Christians.
50 interested had Polyeucte become in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Ready to Fight for the Faith

When Nearchus and Polyeucte were
alone the latter asked If the newly bap-
tized Christian was going to the tenn
pie.
Yes. will co. replied Polyeucte, and,
with the fiery zeal of convert, he add
ed: Il will not absent myself from the
worship / disown. But l will overthrow
1t. l will conquer by the cross and fight
for God. o, Nearchus, let us fight for
our Lord"
Nearchus besought him to let timely
moderation temper his zeal. 'Will you
seek a death you yourself prepare?"
asked Nearchus.
II see a martyrs crown" replied Poly
eucte.
But, argued his friend, you may win
heavenly crown by life of duty"
1T is our duty" answered Polyeucte,
ITO overthrow the false gods Is this
poor life so dear that we should hesitate :?
His staff will support my feebleness and
show the way. Christ died for u.s. Should
l fear OF die for Him? To the temple /
will go and exalt the cross above their
pagan shrines."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
Pauline His Only Hope

Some sacrifice must be made to the
offended gods and to the anti Christian
fury of Decius. Nearchus would bo
that sacrifice. and then, if Polyeucte
would abjure his new found faith. sac
rifice to the gods and beg for mercy
all might yet be we'll
Pauline must work upon the love
which Severus held for her to induce
the general to stand between Felix and
the wrath of the Emperor
AS for Pauline. she saw now all the
woes that her dream had pictures to
her closing about her in the darkest
shadows.
She sought in interview with her
father and begged him to spare her
husbands s life. She herself would rea-
son and plead with Polyeucte, who had
doubtless, as Felix said, been misled by
Nearchus, and Polyeucte must give
way before the reasoning and the pray
ers of his wife.
Felix thought that sight of the tor
ture of Nearchus, which he was to suf-
fer before he died, would move Poly
eucte, but Pauline thought * would
only make her husband more firm in
his errors. for Nearchus would die
steadfast and unchanged.