davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
More Plots

He had set his mischief afoot and now
saw no way but to go through with it.
Besides he was filled with many angry
passions, baffled desire, hatred suddenly
grown, of the man who had raised him
from nothingness to his present high es-
tate-but who could cast him down again
and memory of his sisters wrongs.
no less fierce that the memory had so
long lain dormant in his breast. Marcelia
was true to Ludovico and Ludovico to her
Therefore, If for no other reason, would
Francisco hate him to the DEATH He
called for his horse and rode to Eugenia' s
retrat.
AS Francisco and Eugenia conversed,
planning how to take revenge, a servant
announced that messenger from Milan
who gave his name as Graccho demanded
to see Lord Francisco. Now Graccho
was hanger-on of the court-the same
who had ordered drunkenness on the day
of the celebration of the victory which
never took place.
And he had incurred the enmity of
Francisco, who had had him scourged
This dicipline had worked SO well with
Graccho that, after his chastisement. he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
A Walking Tree of Jealousy

Enmeshed in lies and plots and schmes.
with his mother and his sister clamorin-s
for him to assert his manhood and pun
ish his false wife, Ludovico fell into one
of his RACES and, before she could obey
his last summons, sent to her an impar-
ative and insulting message, commanding
her immediate attendance.
This aroused all the naughty spirit of
Mareelia, and when she swept into the
hall where the duke was waiting for her
she cried out: Where is this monster
this walking tree of jealousy? Are you
here, sir? Is 1t by your command or
your permission that 1 am so basely
used?"
'Ha, madam, not so high a mood" re-
turned the duke; do you know that your
chief favorite, Francisco, is dead-and
by my hand?"
This he said to observe how such a
piece of false news would affect her
watching her closely
1.-The bloodier villain thou" returned
the duchess. You are jealous fool, and
a jealous fool dares to become mur-
derer In fact there is no mischief that
a jealous fool may not do"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Origin of an Expression

Every one of us is familiar with ths
term ''canard, used to describe an i'm
probable story. The origin OF the word is
cider than that of newspapers.
In the sixteenth century some Dutch
fishermen brought news of marvellous
"canard," or duck, which was born at the
bottom of the sea, apparently out of moth
ingness.
Another version had it that a special
kind of tree produced a capsule, whfNl
opened and had duck inside.
The naturalists of the period believed
in these stories, but not SO the public.
hence duck" became the equivalent for
a tall story, says the New York Tele-
gram.
"Going the whole hog" which is almost
universally regarded as a characteristic
American phrase, is said to be of Hiber-
nian coinage. Before the year 1925 the sill
yer shilling in Ireland was equivalent to
13 pence, or l penny more than the Eng
lish one. The former coin was sometimes
called "a thirteen and sometimes =
hog" When an Irishman. not chary of
expense, spent an entire shilling in en-
tertaining friend he was said ito go the
whole hog
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
His Part Oyernlayed

He had played and lost. He had gone
too far, and his head felt rather insecure
upon his shoulders. If the duke should De
pardoned by the Emperor and return 10
Milan Marcelia would tell him all, and the
chopping block would. be Francisco's por-
ton. He did not dare to kill Marcelia
unless the circumstances arose which the
duke had feared-sack and pillage of the
city
And he hardly dared to let her live now
What could he do? He must make his
peace with her. Profound repentance and
the imploring of her mercy might do the
trick and save his neck.
Marcelia was to be moved by pity. He
would try.
Early next day he went to the castle
and. through bribing the waiting women,
got access to Marcelia. With tears and
oaths he besought her forgiveness His
life, he said, was in her hands. He drew
his sword and threatened to kill himself
before her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Marcella Unafraid

Calm and serene Marcelia comforted and
strengthened him. She had never seen
as the duke had city sacked and pill
LACED And as to the danger in which
Ludovico stood from the Emperor why,
so great and good a man as the duke
would never suffer injury from the EN-
peror-the Emperor must think too highly
of such a good man and great genius.
So there was doubt and dismay in Mi
Ian that night in almost every heart.
only Marcela seemed to fear nothing-so
much better is 1t to have only a small
knowledge of evils which are impending
over US. Damocles would have been quite
comfortable with the sword over his head
If the sword had been invisible.
The duke set out for the imperial camp
But first he took his favorite Francisco
aside and said to him: Francisco, have
raised you from nothing to the heigh.
whereon you now dwell. I have married
you to my sister and have always found
you true and thankful. In my dukedom
you stand next myself
Sir replied Francisco, wondering
what the duke was leading up to, II am,
In all things, your creature"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Franciso i'm Dire Straits

The fact was that Francisco had sent
TO Marcelia, begging for an interview
with her upon matters of life and death
as he stated 1t.
When he came into the presence of
the duchess he burst out with, 90,
madam, am afraid that my last hope
is gone. | am your poor convert and
only wish to live in sad penitence of
my misdoings But fear that the duke
has found out my guilt"
by my unspotted honor, not from
meE cried Marcelia. What do you
mean?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
CITY in Festal Array

The news of what had happened at the
imperial camp flew swifter to Milan than
the dukes horse could carry him there,
and all the city was in festal array to re-
ceive him. He returned like conqueror
and not like a defeated man who had
barely saved his life and crown.
He hastened to the castle, eager as a
boy to embrace Marcelia. What was his
surprise to see the person by whom he
had expected to be welcomed most rap
turously greet him with a certain cold
ness.
Sir l am most happy to see you safe"
she said, "and would express to you my
love and duty"
"Come, my dear, embrace and kiss me-
cried the duke. She formally embraced
him and imprinted upon his cheek cold
kiss.
by heavens, she kisses me as If she
were my grandmother" cried the duke.
What does all this mean? Have you
been bewitched while 1 have been away.
Tell, me Marcelia, is it some fault of
mine?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

so" Course TO Learn Playwritinp
me grim and voiceless walls of n nr,s'
On cell are responsible for .erba NJ,
ihsioe' the melodrama bv Rola,a :,
Moiineux, which was presented IN ,ho
f'eiioh theatre last week. For if tho
'aseuy which caused its author To snand
nearly two years in the deatb bo,,sa
the room with the little door, -,
stirred the nation with its ,,.,,.... ,''e'
~ happened Mr.. Molineux might never
nave taken up writing as an avoeatio,,
IN al probability he would never have
hao the knowledge nor the interas+ .,
the subject of the rehabilitation oe an,
criminal which forms the PLAYS then,a
oiio"inS the first performance of bis
urahia Mr.. Molineux talked with a yy7or,,,
reporter or his literary efforts. saws Tho
New York World.
When 1 was in Sing sinp. ba s.,s
l began writing to amuse nvsale 49,,
oueupy my mind. l wrote stories
COS Oh them, thousands of them
l useo TO write many letters home. and
10 make them more interesting vo,,Id
oIten put them in the form of dialos,,,o
1 dld this with some of the stories ga
that was my first attempt at dramati,
construction.
"Hen was in the Tombs-not tha
P"iace OIL that name now. but the old
Feiiiiih-iliied dungeon from the tiers Of
Niich some one used to plunge to death
almost every week-I determined IN noka
study of dramatic writing, and w. n
friee' an authority on the subject was
engaged to teach me. So Mr.. Price usaa
TO come regularly to the prison and Sit
TINS outside the grated door. instruct ma
remember how he never quite got usea
to the sight of Hagan, the old warae,,
sitting there with a gun across hi.
knees and Mr. Molineux smiled sardon.
ioally.
took the entire course and Price
ana became fast friends and shall con-
tinGe SO as long as life is in us both.
one or the earliest plays I attempted
was a little satire on my own family. I
called II Once in Hundred Years. and
the distinguishing feature of 1t was the
coming to life of some old family nor
traits Last year one of the university
eieps-Prlnceton's / think it was-gave
musical comedy here with the same titIa
ana much the same plot. Eventually nv
play was whipped into shape and pro-
uueed under the title of The CRYSTAL
Gazer and enjoyed considerable success.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07


you and l will reign over Milan in happi-
ness He ragged of what he would ae-
complish-the seas of blood he would swim
through for Marcelias sake, and the great
nation he would build up for the two to
rule.
Marcelia heard him and then said delb-
erately; you are villain. You have all
the attributes of the archfiend l prefer
the hate of Sfroza, though it marks me
for the grave, to your base affection. I
detest and scorn you. Proceed and play
your hangmans part. You are only fit
to be an executioner. So. with my curses
of horror for thee in this life and the
pains of hell hereafter for thy part--I spit
at thee and, Fastening to make my peace
with heaven, shall expect thee as my mur-
derer at any time
She went out of the room, leaving Fran
cisco much disturbed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Franciscn's Plot

As soon as the duke had left the
city his wife began to fear for him and
ordered day of fasting and prayer.
Francisco sought an interview with
her, desiring to see her alone upon
matters of great simport
She admitted him, bidding her at
tendants retire, but remain within call.
He spoke of the enmity which his wife
and her mother bore toward Marcelia.
flattered her, praised her and declared
himself to be her most devoted servant.
But, madam" said he, you are sur
rounded by enemies, hidden and open
ones. Upon me alone can you rely. .
MY husband shall reward you for
your devotedness." replied Marcelia.
looking inquiringly at the man-for
there was that in his zone and manner
which perplexed and rather frightened
her.
'It Is your thanks I want and not
the dukes" replied Francisco; "and
be the consequence death-death with
all the torments which tyranny can de =.
vise-I must say love you"
LAS a subject--and that well becomes
you" answered Marcelia. pretending
not to understand him.
Since you will pretend not to under
stand" cried he-but she stopped him
with an imperious gesture and flush :
ing angrily, called him a beast, un-
grateful-heaped upon him such scorn
and loathing that he cringed before
her.
But he had still his great card tc
play, and when she threatened him
with her husbands vengeance, he drew
from his breast the paper the duke had
given him and said: "Your husband
Why. your husband wishes you dead
and has given me orders to kill you.
Here, read this; you know the writing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
A CL A S SIC
IN A p A G. E

What have to command is so wicked, "
continued the duke, that men will curse
You to the end of time for doing it and
me for ordering it. 1t is this-should l
never return from the imperial camper
return only a helpless prisoner. leaving
my city to the mercy of the invaders, you
must, when you know that all is lost,
kill my wife. You must see that she dies
before she can be exposed to the horrors
of the captured city,
Francisco stood silent in amazement,
but the duke turned upon him fiercely
and cried out: Express a ready pur-
pose to do this deed; or by Marcellas S
soul this is thy last minute.
Il shall; though with unwillingness
and horror perform the dreadful charge,
replied Francisco.
I'm order that you may be held inno-
cent of doing any more than obeying my
orders' said the duke, here are writ
ten instructions for you signed and sealed
by me. They hold you exempt from all
penalties. Do faithfully what I have di-
rected-f may live to reward YOU" The
duke was gone. and then the devil, who
goeth about seeking whom he may de-
YOUR, began to get busy with Francisco.
He had long worshiped the duchess afar
off, was in reality in love with her. But
the gulf between them in rank, the pure,
chaste life of her highness and his OBJ
legations to the duke had caused him,
heretofore, to put aside all evil sugges-
tions. But now he began to think of
what had been and what was-of his
could put the dukes written order to.
A Sister Wronged
And then he thought with flush of
shame of another thing. Was he, in real
ity, so much obligated to the duke?
The duke, some years before, had
brought dishonor upon Franclsco's family,
although he had heaped ,honors upon
Francisco himself. OF in the country. in
a secluded place. was living Francisco S
sister, Eugenia; she who had once though
to become the Duchess of Milan.
Ludovico had made violent love to
her and had sworn that he would
marry her, had, in short, ruined her.
Then he saw the beautiful and stately
Marcelia, and poor Eugena was
thought of no more. She had, how
ever, thought night and day of the
duke and of that revenge upon hirn
for which she painted.
Always was she urging her brother
to avenge the dishonor the family had
experienced in her person and always
the young man put her off with high
promises of eventually calling the duke
to account How could he call to ac-
count a great and powerful prince who
had loaded him with favors?
No, his position at court was too soft
a thing to be jeopardized by his sis
ter's whims. But now, with the for
tunes of the duke apparently at an
end, with the paper he had in his
possession, with his immoral thoughts
of Marceia-with all these came back
the memory of his sisters wrongs and
a sudden fierce hatred of the man
whom he had so long served faithfully
Scheme after scheme went through his
head. How best and safest could he
accomplish all the matters which he
now designed?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Only Part of the Truth

Marcelia was so struck with his ap-
parent sincerity that she listened pa
of the sty placed Marcelia in a peril
thing behind this-what is it she asked.
You have not told me the whole truth ?''
Il only wish to have your pardon" said
Francisco, who was now, in reality,
ashamed of what he had undertaken to
do. Il will not await the vengeance of
the duke, since his return is doubtful
will do justice on myself if you will not
forgive me. Madame, the warrant signed
by your lord for your death was but cor
ditional. And it was not hate, but excess
of love, which caused him to make out
the order"
He then told her in detail all that the
duke had said to him concerning the ex-
ecution of the order-that it was only to
be executed when the sacking of the city
placed Marcelia in a peril from which she
could not be extricated.
And now," cried Francisco, putting his
sword to his breast unless you par
don me and, in case he returns, keep my
ng-dong from the duke, end my
life here at your feet. 1 am resolved
Marcelia Forgives
And so the man was. He had now so
wound himself in his plots and his con-
fession of plots, so outraged all decency
and all honor, that, in case Marcelia did
not give him her word that she would
not betray him, he was doomed.
She saw the man meant, to take his life
and said: ''Hod-it is forgiven; l pardon
you-though you have grievously offended.
Live to live better life. l will not be-
tray you unless l see that you are still
the beast you were yesterday. Beware
Go, and remember your allegiance to your
duke
Madam, l look upon you as the savior
of my life, said he and left the ROOM
Meantime the duke had had a better re-
ception in the imperial camp than he had
dared to expect. He came before the
Emperor with a manly and straightfor-
ward mein.
When his arrival was announced the
Emperor was holding council of war,
and some of his officers were urging the
sack of Milan.
The Emperor must pay his army at
once, as the soldiers pay was in arrears.
and the sack of Milan would satisfy their
clamors. But Charles said: Il know that
money is the sinews of war. But bring
in this Duke of Milan. 1t is strange that
he, to whom we sued for help once and
was refused, now comes a suppliant to
our camp without our sending for him.
Well, we have brought him to his knees;
let us hear what he has to say.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07


uuNe sazed moment and then
feYerentiy leaned over and Kissed The
corpse before him. That was what Fran.
CISCO mad been plotting for This was
ehe way he was to kill the duke Jnst
at that moment there came noise -
tnmult outside the room and a eon,nanv
OIL lords rushed in with Graceho win
them. s. rza- vi"
ireason' 7treasonl' shouted Graccho,
We are lost" whispered Francisoo
TO Eugenia. Il got away by bribing
your servants" went on Graccho. NV
lords, this man is"-eSpare vonr braat,s
ioot said the pretended physician: ~
an francisco l sought the dishonor
ol your wife. my lord duke, as Won ao-
eo'npiished the dishonor of my sister
ehere she stands-Eugenia. I soueho,
your death-and have accomplished II
iou are marked for the grave vhat,
Inc poison begins to worls?o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

made profound promise of deep and un-
questioning service to Francisco, and that
lord employed him on many little matters
in which he wished to have a man who
was entirely devoted to him-deVoted
through fear he knew Graccho to be-pnt
he believed the fear so great as to make
the service true and loyal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
False Happiness Is Offered

But l am true" said Francisco. in a
low voice: II shall not obey this order.
Forget the man who would murder you
and learn that you may yet be happy. II
the Emperor takes not the life of the duke
he returns to die by my hand for thus
plotting to kill you.
my wife shall quickly follow him--and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
The Duke in Anger

o, no, 1t was no fault of his, but Mar
celia knew her and the reserve be-
coming a regning princess-with a lot
more of such stately talk that drove the
duke to anger.
Not one tender expression could he get
from her. and finally he lost his temper
and commanded her to leave his presence
he would find out what the matter was.
The fact was that Mareelia had been
thinking over that order of her husband 8
for ffer taking off.
The more she thought of it the less She
liked it. Why had he not told her to
take her own life in case the city was
sacked. Shes would have done it had she
been in danger But even had the city
been sacked IL would have been by no
means sure thing that she would not
have had protection from the Emperor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
The Dukes Command

"well, Francisco. then / am about to
propose to you a test that will make you
tremble in the execution of it as much
as it puts me to torture to command it,"
II dare do whatever you dare to CON-
mand," answered Francisco resolutely.
"will you swear to do it?"
"I will"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
The Death of the Duka

MY lord, how do you feelgo ex-
',,,,, e,a,,ned one of the sacred courtiers
f,a Tai,e 'he guards were assembling around
francisco and Eugenia.
Like one who learns to know in death
nc punishment of breach of faith T
nave hVed prince and my last words
s"a,i 'e command. Yet I will not die
iaelng-for my whole life has beon =
frenzy Good Eugenia. in reath forgive
celia" WIN MAR
Yet, as he died, he turned b,v on..
upon the man who had wrought ali tbis
woe and pointing to Francisco. said.
Upon that wretch all the tortures oo,
science or the witty cruelty of man 90 =
invent" 'n CAN
30 they buried the duke and his No.
oeiia, Eugenia retired to a. convent 70
spend her days in prayers and penancs
ana francisco was delivered over to tbe
executioner. 'iio
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Denied the Right To Be a Widow

But to put an assassin upon guard
over her with such a loosely drawn or
der as that he had written was not
to her liking. The duke had more
confidence, it appeared, in the traitor
Francisco than in her.
She would teach him a lesson. He
had told. Francisco, according to that
person, that he did not wish her to
live to bhis widow-she must be killed
il her husband was executed by
Charles. WELL" she thought with a
singular resentment $50 he denies me
the right to be a widow"
Still she loved him-loved him as
dearly as ever-but was angry with
him just the same. And for a man to
order his wife killed without consult
ing her upon the important point is
really, to say the least, taking a great
liberty-no matter no wmuch we love-
So the duke lost his temper and
Marcelia lost hers and she retired with
great dignity to her own apartment
where she declared she would see no
one. while the duke swore that he
would never forgive his wife for her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
The Dukes Letter

A strange fear came over Marcelia, She
saw her husbands writing. she saw his
ducal seal. She hardly dared to take in
her trembling hand the paper Francisco
extended toward her. 30, innocence
abused" cried the tempter simplicity
cozenedl Read your husbands affection
here. Read!'
Marcelia took the paper and read as
follows: you know my pleasure and the
hour of Marcelias death; which fail not
to execute as you will answer, not only
with your head alone. but with the ruin
of your whole family. And this, written
with my own hand and signed with my
seal, shall be your sufficient warrant
Ludovico Sfroza."
Marcelia managed to gasp out: Every
and then fell in a dead faint.
Francisco was scared at his own WORK
what have l donel" cried he. Madam,
for Gods sake, madam" and hurriedly
and almost frenziedly strove to revive
her.
AS she came to her senses she struggled
to her feet and turning upon Francisco
cried out: stand off, base man. Though
1 am dead, yet in death will l be Sfroza's.
Even my ashes shall abhor the touch of
any other. 0 unkind and cruel! Learn
women to trust in one another-there is
no trust in man. Sfroza is false-false 10
Marcelia."