davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

So inone of the expensive restaurants of Paris Marcel and Rodolph sat and talked about their old Bohemian days You know" said Marcel "Musette once called upon me in my garrett lodgings and I not being there, she left me the following note, written in pencil
 My Dear Love-It is freezing in- doors and I understand your wood cellar is shut off I broke up the last two rungs of your last chair but they did not burn long enough to cook an egg. Besides the wind comes in through the windows if it were at home. A good deal of bad advice may vex you to listen to- I am going out to look at the shops. They say there are some velvets on sale for 10 francs yard. It seems incredible, but I must look at them. MUSETTE
 Marcel put the letter in his pocket. There was silence for sometime and then Rodolph asked: What came of it?' "I do not know. I believe she mar ried a rich manufacturer"
 As they talked in came a young Eng fish lord and with him was my Lady Musette She recognized the two Bo- hemians at once.
 She introduced her husband. She tried to be gay. She, rather too fervently per
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
L A $ SIC
 IN A P A G E

Copyright, 1914, by Irving King. All
 Rights Reserved)
 Someone somewhere, says that ev- cry man has one great story to write the story of his own life. This was true at least. of Henri Munger with regard to his scenes in the Life of Bohemia"
 For it is the story of his own life while, as a poverty stricken, scat tering Bohemian" of the Latin quarter, he drank pleasure to the dregs-and bitter dregs they were.
 It is said that when Munger wrote "Bohemian Life" which was published daily as a 'feuilleton" in a paper or limited circulation, the Corsaire, he de- pended entirely upon the money which was paid him for each installment and, having no money to buy books, and being too dissipated really to evolve anything, he wrote each evening his own life and each day lived the "feu- illeton" for the next installment
 The Corsaire paid Munger SFO for "Bohemian Life" and it made him fla nous He was a most respectable and prosperous person after that. And he used to say of the only work by which he is now remembered, "That accursed work will prevent me from ever be- coming a member of the academy. Peo- pie cannot understand that one may cross a muddy street without being splashed or that there are pavements in the Latin quarter"
 In the story Rudolph is Munger him self All thC characters are drawn from real persons. The story has been dra- matized with great success and an opera founded upon it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
At Minis Deathbed

Rodolph was preposterously sad, know ing that the end was near, and Mimi was preposterously gay in the fact that she hope of an earthly life which she was destined never to know, never to enjoy. She recalled all the Bohemian friends oe the other days.
 Make me laugh. Cheerfulness is health to me. It is that young viscount who has made me i'll. Just think of it; he wanted me to learn to spell, and what set his friends were. There was a regular poul- try yard, and he was the peacock in it.
 All the Bohemians tried to hide their tears and went on testing With the dying girl.
 The next morning Rodolph went to the hospital. Mimi" said he, you shall not die here. l have cab. Come back to your old place.
 "Rodolph." said Mimi, "here I will die
 Rodolph left the hospital Next day he met the young surgeon and said in fal- tering voice. How is my wife?"
 Why, she is dead. She was very un- easy. She fancied that you might be ill. ''
 Let us go to the hospital at once' said Rodolph
 They were kept waiting quarter of an hour on the steps of the hospital.
 When did she die?" asked Rodolph. Take me to the amphitheatre He knew that they might be performing an au- topsy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
A Past Generation

Well, it is something tc be pc--. them he said.
 Musette looked at Marcel and then broke out suddenly: Well l don't know. my lord. If Marcel had been rich 1 never would have married you. It was a kind of presentiment I had this morn ing, Marcel, that I was to meet you.'
 In spite of her effrontery, his lordship was still charmed with her. A trifle jealous, perhaps. but it is said of Mu- sette that she asked for looking glass while in her cradle and when her posi- tion was the humblest, when she was used to cotton frocks, she wore in charming style the simple uniform of a grisette. In those days pretty girls half bees, half grasshoppers-san at their work all day and only asked of God little sunshine. They loved with all their hearts and sometimes threw themselves out of windows.
 Thanks to the present generation. that breed is now lost. But not everything is vain, foolish and brutal.
 (Copyright, 1914, by Irving King). Next weeks one-page classic will pe ''Fanshawe" by Nathaniel Hawthornes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Monopolists

It is said that the conversation, ,tke discussion, of the four was of srIch a nature that the waiter who served them became an idiot in the p1Ime of life and lost his job by indiEing a madrigal to the .middie-aged. qSrpulent and re- spectable lady, hiS employers wife who sat behind tthe counter in the mair room and took the cash. - Precious little cash she received iron the Order of Bohemia.
 There was a most respectable coterie presided over by M. Bosquet. who. be- fore the arrival of the Bohemians, had been good customers of the Momus But now the Bosquets could get neither the backgammon board nor the news papers.
 Rodolph carried away the papers to his own rooms early in the morning. and the Bohemians monopolized the backgammon board from 10 a. m. to midnight. When it was asked for, Mar eel would say: Somebody is reading it-call tomorrow"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

patrons.
 The Momus was rather good sort of restaurant on the borders of the Latin Quarter in the days when Louis Philippe was King of France.
 The "Bohemians," as they called themselves-but who were known to the other frequenters of the place IS the Four Guardsmen-were first Gustave Colline, the great philosopher; Marcel the great painter; Schaunard, the great musician, and Rodolph, the great poet.
 That was what they called each other and the titles they modestly acknowl- edged for hemselves-though a cold, careless and inappreciative world had, as yet, refused to acknowledge their greatness.
 These people chose to meet in a room which would have accommodated 40 people. but they were generally there alone. For a chance customer who entered this den became, from the mo- ment of his entrance, a victim of the talk of the terrible four, who spoke loudly and poured forth such a farago of unheard of opinions upon music, art, literature and politics that the stranger fled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

path ioyfury and willingly. and plucked the flow wers by the way.
 Art, literature and music had obsessed them, and to say a bright thing was greater to one of them than to have breakfast
 It should be said that years after, when the four were about ready to die. they made good" But their art, their music and their literature, at that time. were what would be called "cubist," or post impressionist, or something of that sort.
 but you must remember the waiter who became an idiot in his prime by listening to the conversation of the Bohemian four. and believe the facts existed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Compromise

It was a crisis-and they compromised. The Bohemians would drink the coffee of the establishment; Phemie, whenever she appeared. would wear her bonnet; Marcel should make the room studio no more, and a reasonable amount of time was to be allowed the Bosquets to handle the backgammon board. The newspapers should have fair division.
 A modus yivendi was established which went along very well until 1t came to Christmas eve. Then it happened that Carolus Barbemuche became a member of this celebrated club which has given it's name to all subsequent coteries of the sort since--and became a member in his 24th year.
 M. Barbemuche was a most responsi- able man, as the world goes, a bachelor of arts and tutor to a young viscount.
 Now these knights of Bohemia lived in garrets-when they could pay the rent. When they could not they slept under trees-and enjoyed the fresh air. It was good for the health-very.
 Sometimes there were four in a room. Sometimes they each had separate estab- lishments and even took under their patronage grisettes or models who came and made coffee for them in the morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
His Rake-Off

English Guide tshowing places of in< terest)--It was in this very room, sim that Wellington received his first come mission.
 American Tourist--Indeed! And how much commission did he get?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Unappreciated Genius

M Barbemuche was one of the unrec- ognized authors of great ability. but no circulation. One of those who read their productions to you.
 Colline was fairly trapped. But the liquor was good and he solaced himself while Barbemuche went on and on with his dreary prose and drearier blank verse.
 The light of morning was piercing through the windows when Colline aroused himself to take leave of his host and to say that-with a few alter ations-which he would indicate later all the manuscripts which he had had the pleasure of hearing were of the first water.
 Next day Colline tumbled in upon his Bohemian associates. 1t was the break fast hour and, for a wonder, breakfast had come with the hour. Three couples were at table feasting on artichokes and pepper sauce.
 q arrive" said he, "as the envoy oi the generous mortal we met last night He has grandeur of svul, austerity of manner, is afraid to go into wine shops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
schunad by He an

Together they went to the hospital. As Rodolph went over to the little white bed of his wife he said: You see that I am here Mimi"
 She replied: You must not leave-the doctor told me so. When I am well I'll come back and see you. I have found you and we can be happy"
 He pressed lingering kiss on her lips and went out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Astonishing the Waiter

Silence fell upon the Bohemans with "a dull, sickening thud." Then Marcel recovered.
 ''Bahr' said he they complain of our being bad customers. Let us astonish them by spending 100000 francs for this5 once.. Waiter! Waiter.'' ..
 When the order was given tIHs waiter he looked his astonishment. BV.I he looked more astonished when INimi said: q would like some ham," Then every young woman named something she would like to eat. ~
 'Waiter.|i said Colline gravely. give us everything that is requisite for a good sppper'
 After quarter of an hours consulta- tion with his wife, the landlord concluded that the Bohemians had, somehow, come into some cash and were going to spend it right royalty
 Such supper as they had And Caro- Jus Barbemuche sitting there and pip. Ing them off all the time!
 At 1145 the bill was sent up. The mer looked serious.
 Come said Marcel. i've will draw lot. to see who goes and negotiates with oul host. This Is getting serious. Here arc some dominoes The highest goes"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
HENRI MURGER

haps. reviewed the hard times the Bohe- mians had passed together. His lord- ship appeared rather envious.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Musette's Victim

When he reached the amphitheatre the hospital official said: 'She is no longer here; she is there.' And he pointed to a large van drawn up in courtyard in which the bodies who died in that hos pital were then taken to paupers graves.
 'Goodby," said Rodolph, and the offi- cial said, Would you like me to go with you?'
 'No,' said Rodolph. q want to be alone.''
 1t was year after Minis death when Rodolph and Marcel celebrated their off cial entrance into the world. T have had pictures admitted into the academy and l have a real studio,' said Marcel.
 T have partly paid off my debts. The trouble with me is that I water my cred itors and they spring up again like grass, ? said Rodolph. Now, what do you think, Musette burst upon me yesterday like <. bombshell"
 "Musette Why, you weren't very fond of Musette."
 Yes, yes, but she is going to be mar ried"
 And who is the victim, Rodolph?''
 70, a manufacturer And she told me that she had said to him beforehand I will marry you, my dear sir, but before definitely giving you my hand I want to have my affairs settled I want to drink my last glass of champagne. my last glass of cordial
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

swered collinlse;:~ pointing to a small wine sbcp, where I stand on better foattigHg" t
 Barbemuche hesitated. "Is it respec- table?" he asked.
 Colline looked him over. His cold and retiring attitude his limited powers of conversation and his gold watch chain indicated to Colline secretary of em- bassy, who feared to compromise him. self.
 70, you need not fear" said Colline, there is no danger of anyone seeing us-the legations have gone to sleep long ago.
 They entered. Carolus ordered the drinks. Before drinking, Colline, hay ing half raised his glass to his lips put 1t down and said. You cultivate the fine, fine arts?"
 q labor humbly in that noble field oi intelligence, said Barbemuche
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Guarantees Demand

Do you understand music?'
 q play the bass viol."
 "A most philosophic instrument. Therefore you must know something about astronomy"
 Yes"
 Now there are four cardinal points. Suppose there were to turn up a fifth cardinal point? All the harmony of na- ture would be upset What they call a cataclysm-you understand?'
 T am waiting for the conclusion"
 "Yes. yes. That Is the end of argu- ment; as death Is the end of life and too often marriage the end of love. If we take you into our association. my dear sir, we must have guarantees. We can not destroy the harmony of nature for a trifle Where do you liver"
 This was just what Barbemuche was waiting for. Come" said he. "and I will show you"
 Into luxurious apartments in the Rue Royal he lured the innocent Col1ine and set wine and brandy before him. Tn en he took out from a cabinet a formida- ble pile of manuscript and began to read.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14

and Rodolph called in body lpon Bar bemuche. He looked ur them with as- tonishment as they stood before him in very serious mood.
 Has anything happened to put off the dinner?' he ventured
 They fixed him with their eyes and Colline said "Yes--no-that Is, we want clothes"
 But I have not black clothes for all of you.''
 Do the best you can.'
 He did. But Colline never forgave him: for the shoes he borrowed were half size too small But you should have seen that ball, dinner-reception-- what you will-at the young viscount' house!
 The dinner lasted two hours and a half, and a very good dinner it was served at 6. The young viscount sat next to Mile. Mimi. and now and then stepped on her foot-which she objected to. g
 Phemie took twice of every dish that was offered; Rodoph smprovised sonnets and broke glasses in trying to show the rhythm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
A Letter From Mimi

Then the winter came on and it was hard times for the Bohemans One morning Colline sought out the abode of Rodolph-it was in deserted street in the Faubourg St. Germain-in gar ret. It had taken him two days to find the abiding place of the Bohemian. As he ascended to the top floor he saw the concierge placing a pair of women s boots and pair of mems boots at the door of his friends room.
 Whose boots are those?" demanded Colline of the concierge
 Mime -Rodolph's."
 Hes married,' thought Colllne. well, then, he is married; there can be no doubt about that. I think-I will take a walk
 A few days later the Bohemians each and every one of them received the fol- lowing notice: "M. and Mme Rodolph, literati, beg you to favor them with your company tomorrow evening at 5 o'clock sharp.
 N. B.-"There will be plates"
 It was jolly supper the Bohemians had.
 For a time the merry life of Rodolph and Mimi went on smoothly. But pov- erty came in the door and love flew out of the window. One night Rodolph ar- ''I have not a sou, and the rule
 In such cases surely Is to forget.
 So till 1t is foreseen who's the greatest
 fool,
 I will blot out all memory of the yet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Elected at Last

Colline talked to Marcel who remained sulky. His borrowed clothes did not fit him. In stately manner he sought out M. Barbemuche.
 My dear sir" said he q find that We shall never be friends For this rea- son: Physical differences are almost certain to be signs of moral differences On this point philosophy and medicine agree"
 "Well?"
 "Well-your shoes hurt my feet con- fcundedly. They are too small for me. In other respects your little party has been a success"
 It was in the ''wee small hours" when the guests took their leave from the house of the viscount. Barzemuche felt very i'll and delivered incoherent haran- gues to his pupil. who, for his part, was only thinking of Mile Minis blue eyes.
 It Is needless to say that Barbemuche was elected at the next meeting of the Bohemians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
The viscount's Banquet

The revel at the house of the young viscount took place. Or the morning of the festivity colline, Echaunard. Marcel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Treading the Primrose Path

When they had money they spent 1t royalty. When they had none they bor- rowed or lasted. They borrowed from each other-money and clothes were com mon property with them; the pity was all four of them were so scantily supplied.
 They borrowed from relatives and friends who tried to get them jobs and set them in a straight way of labor and hrsiness. But they trod the primrose
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Carolus Orders

There are, trust" returned Barbe- muche, "other places in this }vicinity where the same mathematical difficult ties will not embarrass you?'
 There is little place here" am
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
At the Cafe Momus

ROM the day that the four
 "Bohemians' began to make
 Cafe Momus their head
 quarters, the place began to for the rest of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Talking of Old Times

good wine. What would you? I'm cor
 rupted. I only care for what Is good"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
After Many Years

Years rolled away, as years will, and one day as he was walking in the park of Luxembourg Rodolph met a very we'll dressed man who addressed him as follows:
 Why, is that you? You look prosper ous. We go no more into the pleasant quarter-is it not so? But still, come with me to the boulevard and there we will take luncheon and an afternoon drink"
 Where is Mimi?" said Rodoloh. taking a frappe.
 Mimi? Why she has sent for a doc tor. She thinks she has consumption and Is dying"
 Rodolph fell back in his chair. "She is in the hospital, the other added
 Gan see herr"
 Why. yes. should think SOL
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
To Examine Further

"He doesn't want his money back again?" gasped Rodoiph. "No, nothing of the sort Why, he plays upon the bass voil His ambition knows no bounds He is disposed to be hail fel- low we'll met with us. For my part l decidedly recommend him as member of the association
 And what I say should have some weight Did l not suffer in your cause last night? Literature. philoso phy, blank verse-it was all there-until the rosy dawn with laughing feet crept through the windows of the most re- spectacle apartment.
 Gentlemen, I am not quite sober yet. Whether 1t was the worthy mans wine and brandy or his literature which af- fected me. cannot say.'
 "He is tutor to viscount." said Ro- dolph. "a young viscount We must ex- amino further and see if that same vis- count will not invite us all to dinner.
 ''rhe only way to really size up tutor is to size up his pupil. I move that we have a dinner at the viscount's house and after that we can judge better of the qualifications of M. Barbemuche.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
A Last Glass

"Musette came to see me and drank her last glass of champagne. We had a very melancholy two hours of 1t. She said Neither of us Is as we used to be. Years have made us realize the seriousness of life We sat there and talked and talked. We were like some wretched copy of an old master piece. I do not think my love is dead, but 1t Is forgotten"
 Poor lad" said Rodolph. Your wit is fighting duel with your heart. Take care that it does not kill it."
 Marcel looked at him in a hopeless manner and said, My heart is already that. That is done for, old man. We are dead and buried. Youth lasts such a little time"
 Rodolph drew himself together and said. "Well, where shall we go and dine?' Marcel named several restau- rants
 ''No.' said Rodolph. none of those expensive places, but if you like we win go and dine at our old restaurant where they have old-fashioned crock cry and where we used to be hungry even after we had finished dinner"
 "No." said Marcel. "I do not object to look back at the past, but 1t must be through the medium of a bottle of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
To the Rescue

Schaunard was chosen by fate He was not cut out for an ambassador. The irate landlord came up the stairs and a volley Of abuse was interchanged between him and the Bohemians while the women calmly talked aside about themselves and their clothes
 Then came forward Carolus Barbemuche and whispered in the ear of the landlord. The clouds rolled away-the landlord said. Just as you please,' and disappeared.
 Gentlemen" said M. Carolus, .T have for sometime been anxious to know you Excuse me for the liberty I take"
 The excessive delicacy of Schaunard came near spelling everything "Excuse me-" said he briskly. but you have not the honor of knowing us. And the usages of good society forbid-would you be so good as to give me a pipe of tobacco In other respects I am of my friend S opinion"
 M. Barbemuche had listened so much and so often to the talk of the Bohe- mians that this speech of Schaunard's 8 did not surprise him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Past the Fatal Door

Of course Barbemuche had the good sense and the good taste to lose the game at billiards. But he was not at once elected member of the Bohemians They examined him to see if he were really worthy-and appointed a commit tee to see if he really had an income
 Colline was delegated to take charge of him that night. He left the Momus with the initiate and walked on the street until Barbemuche, pointing to a cafe, said: Shall we go in and have a drink?"
 Now there was a long score against Colline in this place and he grabbed Bar bemuche by the arm and hurried him by the fatal door.
 But why will you not enter that wine shop?" asked Barbemuche
 Well. to tell the truth" said Colline. there is a barmaid in there who is very much addicted to tho exact sciences. And as I could not have helped having a long discussion with her hurried by. Tn fact, used to patronize the place."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-14
Dignity Preserved

He simply rose and making a very genteel bow, said: Gentlemen, I, like yourselves am a disciple of the fine arts I have most eager desire to be considered friend of yours and to find you here every night
 The landlord is brute-but I have said word to him. You are quite free to go. I trust you will accept this slight service in the spirit in which 1t was rendered."
 The face of Schaunard became scarlet with indignation.
 He is taking advantage of our finan- cial situation" he cried; The has paid our bill. We cannot accept. I will play him at billiards for the amount and give him points,"
 With great pleasure.'' said Barbe- muche.
 Now" said Schaunard, ''our dignity is saved"
 Why, yes.' said Colline, Eve can al- most ask him for another supper.