davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Permitted to the Wicked

A stir among the monks who hither to had listened with attention to tho wavering replies of the burgomaster and his young companion, was caused by the entrance of a group that had hitherto stood aloof in the obscurity of the nave.
 One closely muffled stepped from the group and. throwing back his cloak disclosed the Count of Hartenburg, clad in armor and with a drawn sword in his hands.
 As soon as Ulriche recognized the count she buried her face in her hands and left the church. Enrich and Boni- facius gazed at each other with de- fiance in their eyes.
 So it is to you that we owe this visit?" said the abbot. What would your?
 Peace in the valleys-and mine own,' replied the count.
 After one or two sharp interchanges of words, the abbot arose like a prel- ate in the undisturbed exercise of his functions and, raising his voice so that every word resounded throughout the church, he said:
 God in his wisdom has permitted to the wicked a momentary triumph. We search not now into the reasons for this mysterious dispensation. The truth will be known in His own time But as one sworn to his service-'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
VALUE INCREASES
 100000 PER CENT
Most Highly Prized Postage Stamp, Originally Worth One Cent,
 Reposes in Paris

Pride of place among the many vafu
 able and unique specimens belongs to slngularly unpretentious and sorry looking stamp issued in the colony of British Guinea in 1856, for provisional use pending the arrival of q. fresh con- slgnment of the regular postage stamns rom England, writes D. B. Armstronsr Tn the April Strand. It is of the de nomination one cent the design beins. cfudely set up from ordinary printers type at the office of the Official Ca zette with the central device of s sailing ship taken from the heading. paper. - .1'
 The single known CODY of this raritv was discovered by a young collector in the colony among some old family na
 pers stored away in an attic. Know
 ing nothing of it's scarcity and not be- Ing favorably impressed by it's annear. ahee he sold it to another collector for a lrilllng sum, the purchaser also be Ing ignorant of his great barpain IT1
 timately it found it's way to E,ra.a ana now reposes in the collection of M Fniliippe de la Renotiere of Paris the olstihguished owner of the world,s Sreatest stamp collection, who pur- chased It many years ago for an amount that has never been disclosed
 , oencVed to have been at that period record one. r''ff siieS .s' :
 US intrinsic value today. in tba ,,ar,, unlikely contingency of it's eyer conoi,,s. into the market, Is certainly in excass of f200O III eAcess
 A report on this famous stamp bv q ceieorated expert states that s.the cony IS poor one, dark magenta in color. ana an somewhat rubbed. It is initialed not G h. So, w, and dated April 1. the year not oeihg' distinct enough to be read :" NeVertheless. it is the rarest stamn i,, the world "ip Il"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Deserted by Its Guard

Finally they reached a postern gate and giant smith from Durkheim began to batter at it. He would probably not have succeeded in-his attempt had the as- saulting party not had friend within the walls who had managed to see that the gate was only partiall ybarred
 Gottlobe, the cowherd, had professed to go over to the monks and was in the monastery. He had really been sent there gate was only partially barred
 Follow" cried Berchthold waving his sword as soon as they were within the walls-and led his men toward long silent building. which was known to be the quarters of the men-at-arms scni for garrison by the elector.
 But they found the barracks unten. anted. There was the straw, the rem nants of food and all the marks of a recent occupation-but no soldiers
 Hard pressed by his enemies, the cleo tor had withdrawn the garrison to his own aid the night before-w withdrawn ii secretly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
The Summer Landpraye

But the Count Enrich was now-from being what his ancestors were-what the Hapsburghs and the Hohenzollerns once were-a mere mountain chief.
 The feudal system had become meth odized long before his birth and the laws of the empire secured to him many villages and towns upon the fertile plains as the successor of those who had obtained them in more remote ages
 He had recently claimed wider sway and higher title as heir of a deceased kinsman. But in this attempt to in crease his rank and his possessions he had been defeated by the decision of his peers who awarded what he sought to another branch of his family.
 He had, however borne the title of prince for two months and was called the Summer Landgraye by i'll natured people
 Of robust and athletic build, of unal- terable ambition and interruptions as to means when his ends were in view, he was at the same time politician of craft and cunning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
The Course of True Love

Thou are not alone, Meta?' said he.
 That" replied the girl, "were unbe- coming, truly, fin my fathers daughter. Had l carried imprudence to that pass, Master Berchthold, thou woudst have req son to believe, in sooth, that 1t was some peasant girl who had crossed your path .''
 She spoke proudly and pointed toward q portion Of the fallen wall, where the forester recognized the form of old Ilse, a servant grown aged in the service of the burgomaster.
 Thy father loves me not, Meta said Derchtho.d.
 "He does not so much disapprove of Shee.' returned Meta "as that you are Lord Emrich's forester If you were, as Nour father was, substantial burgher, he might esteem thee much. But thou has great favor with my mother
 Berchthold walked with Meta and Ilse as far as the walls of Durkheim, and the girl explained her strange visit to the hermit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

Copyright, 1911. by Irving King. All
 rights reserved.1
 z ! his story by Cooper is probably his most ambitious tale. In 1t he attempt ed to picture society in continental Eu- rope as it was emerging from feudalism and medievalism into the present state.
 There are fine passages in it-some of them the most graphic Cooper ever wrote - his canvas is broad, his colors some times vivid and sometimes dull. It just failed of being great novel-one to rank with a production of Sir Walter. But it did fail of that.
 However. of all Coopers writings aside. of course, from those sometimes tedious but always charming, Stories-if such a paradox may be allowed" The Leather stocking Tales''-"rhe Heidenmauer' is most worthy of consideration by those who would know the true value of the first great American author.
 If Cooper had left his theological dis courses out of the story, it would have been just well Cooper had a remarkable faculty for giving offense. and in 'The Heidenmauer'' he gets on the nerves" of both Catholics and Protestants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
OdO XOn Ritterstein

It was strange that in those haggard features and that wasted form she had recognized Odo von Ritterstein, once one of the gayest cavaliers of the Pala- tinate.
 This was the man whom Ulricl1e had once really loved the man she would have married, in spite of the difference in their ranks, had not the Baron Rit- terstein proved himself unworthy of her by wild debaueh and outrageous sacriIege
 Thou odo--and a penitentl'' she said.
 One stricken of soul replied the hermit
 For a time they sat apart with the torch burning between them and ques- toned each other upon what had trans pired in their lives since they had parted.
 Finally she said: q am happy in an honest husband and an affectionate child
 Suddenly there came the deep sound of the bell from the convent of Linn burg
 That sound is for me-" said the her init. T go to struggle for my peace with God"
 ''Odo. thy blessing" said Ulricke.
 Thou asketh this mockery of me?" he cried. Nay, leave me in my sins
 For moment he stood irresolute and then rushed forth into the night leaving the wife of Heinrich Frey kneeling in the center of the hut
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

of their ever being able to melt the heart of the burgomaster, ending with the joint conclusion that they would leave the matter to Meta's mother to handle-who could manage it if any body could.
 In the meantime they would just go on loving each other and Berchthold would make himself famous somehow just how they could not tell
 Ii was the next day when Enrich von Leiningen- -Hartenburg entertained the Abbot Bonifacius and the two monks of his order who came in at tendance upon the prelate.
 Count Enrich was taking such rest as the troublous times allowed him in the hold of the Hartenburg.
 Let the reader imagine a massive structure in the midst of a confused pile of buildings. all perched upon a rocky hill and commanding the passes below-those roads, or trails by which. once, the caravans Of merchants went through and paid tribute to the robber Baron perched upon the rocks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Unexpected HonOrs

This was an honor not to be lightly rejected; and when the burgomaster, his wife and his daughter, were within the castle the count still further honored the city official by a private interview, in which he went so far as to make the good man sit in his presence-tallling with him quite in a friendly way-and, unneces- sary to say, striving to beguile him to his own ambitious ends.
 Do the monks still trouble the town for their dues?" asked the count.
 Most persstently," replied the burgo- master; T fear that we shall soon come to strong dissensions
 Gradually did Count Enrich unfold his plans to the burgomaster and craftily inf1amed him against the Abbot Boni- facius.
 Finally it was arranged to storm the convent, and the burgomaster was to sup ply 100 men under his own command from the city to aid in the work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Misgivings

Taking Berchthold by the arm the burgomaster led the way toward that far-famed pile the abbey church. They were followed by a body of some 20 chosen artisans who. throughout that eventful night, had kept close to their two leaders. like men who had been se- lected for this especial duty.
 The same ominous silence reigneo around the church as had made the ap- proach to the quarters of the men-at- arms imposing. Both the forester and the burgomaster had heavy misgivings as they drew near the church door as to the merit of their enterprise.
 Luther was then disturbing the church and had, by his theses and his energy, given encouragement to those who were ready either from ambition or from sin cere doubts, to throw off her authority.
 The ambition of princes and nobles found in this sunsettled state of the public mind an ample opportunity to assert themselves and to seize upon the tenn poralities of the church, to relieve themselves, like Count Enrich, of duties which made them, in part, vassals of an ecclesiastical power.
 Medievalism was passing away in that disorder in which an era of pronounced type almost always disappears. Ecu dalism was vanishing with it; but that the count could not comprehend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Received in Silence

It was that very night when, as the hour Of midnight approached, the shad- owy forms of armed bands might have been seen approaching the hill of Lim- burg. ,
 The burgomaster, with his hundred promised men, was on hand, and a consid- erable body of the armed retainers of the count led by Berchthold Hintermeyer met them in the valley before the fortress convent.
 The counts cousin, the Knight of St John, was present. but desired to take a part of as little prominence in the af- fair as was possible on account of his semi-clerical office.
 As they climbed the hill they were dis concerted by the absolute silence which reigned within the convent. They would greatly have preferred an open resist ence and nothing would have more re- lieved the minds of the leaders than a hot discharge of arquebuses
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Her Last ApDeaI

And can you think of the saerilege which drove the Herr von Ritterstein to the penitence of this midnight mass without thinking upon what you would accomplish here? You see that years do not suffice to relieve a soul upon which the weight of sacrilege sits"
 Young Berchthold," said Heinrich, you see what matrimony brings us to, though We be girded with a sword
 The abbot had resumed his seat up- on his throne, apparently content to wait the effect of Ulriche's appeal to her husband. The earnest woman turned to Berchthold and said:
 T make my last appeal to you This cruel father-this negligent husband, is madly bent upon his own schemes. Do you think that Meta will dare trust her fate to one who is 8 participator in this crime?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
To the Hermit for Advice

The naughty count and the naughty abbot were at war. each with much to complain of on the part of the other. But this good woman saw only the ministers of her religion on one side and the power of the secular arm on the other.
 TfN count was much disappointed; but before he could gather himself to reply they were interrupted by serv- ant come on message and the inter- view closed.
 Ulricke was much troubled in mind and that night determined to see the hermit of the Heidenmauer for advice. Stealing out in the darkness with old Ilse she went to the cell of the recluse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Years and Years Before

The next day was Sunday and the count with his guests at the castle-and he was entertaining several at what would now be known as 'house party went to mass at the convent.
 After visit to the crypt where were the tombs of his ancestors Enrich came out of the church and saw several groups of citizens There was the burgopaster with his wife and daughter talking with knight of St. John-of that order of military priests.
 The knight was a cousin of the counts and now his guest. A little apart stood Berchthold, looking on with jealous eyes at the attentions bestowed by the knight upon Meta.
 And as the count gazed a pang shot through his own breast that there should be standing together, man and wife, the burgomaster and his spouse Ulricke.
 Years and years before Enrich had loved her-had proposed for her hand in a boyish passion-and had been rejected She had married a man of her own rank by her fathers orders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
A Result of the Feast

The abbot replied with his benedction and with many regrets that his duties had prevented him from visiting the cas- tie oftener.
 All the time, as they proceeded to the banquet hall, he kept his eyes about for signs as to the strength of the garrison of the hold.
 The feast was of that rude and copious sort which characterized the Germans of those days and the wine flowed freely.
 In fact, the business which the abbot and the count had met to discuss was the payment of certain tribute from the counts vineyards which the convent had long enjoyed but which Enrich had de- cided to appropriate to his own use.
 Suffice it to say that as the result of this feasting the count, by a trick, got the better of the abbot and before the ecclesiast had left the castle had got from him q renunciation of the right to the wine tribute. Matters were coming his way with the count.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
A Reputation for Sanctity

Since the hermit had taken up his abode at the Heidenmauer he had achieved a great reputation for his skill in giving spiritual advice and consolation to the people of the neighborhood.
 He had taken a greater interest. ap- parently, in Meta Frey than in any other of his penitents, and, with the full per mission of her mother, the girl was al- lowed to visit him from time to time under the escort of old Ilse.
 Perhaps Berchthold had heard of these visits-perhaps that was why he had bethought himself that he, too needed spiritual aid from the holy her init.
 Of course the meeting with Meta was purely accidental When two young people are in love and the course oi true love does not run smooth because of an obdurate parent such meetings always are accidental
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Disappeared Into the Night

BonlfaciuS beWare!' cried the count. Where are the followers of Hartenburg?''
 The voice of Enrich, as well as that of the abbot. was drowned in the tumult which ensued. Signing his community to follow, the abbot slowly left the chan eel the brothers following in their GUS tomary silence and order, and left a spot where, for so long, they had resided in peace and security, and, it might be added, in the possession of power and affluence.
 With the disappearance of the monks the work of destruction was renewed with fury. The marble tombs and the spen- did carvings were broken, and a wild scene filled the convent and the church.
 It was work of destruction, pure and simple. To this was now added fire, and the flames began to roar through the convent. Even the roof of the church was soon on fire, and Enrich, even had he so desired, was powerless to stop the work of the mob.
 The roof began to fall in, and as it did so one monk, who had remained when the others left, brother Johan, appeared upon the altar and exhibited some of the most sacred relics of the monastery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
"TO the MOnks'y

Stupor was the first feeling on seeing the barracks deserted. a Some of the troops brought before the burgomaster a captured lay brother, porter who lp4] rushed to the defense of the postern gate
 He really told them what they had astery undefended. There no longer re- mained adoubt but that the conquest was effected.
 Until that moment not man had gone near the convent church. through whose painted windows could be seen the gleam
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Awaiting Their Fate

The abbot had been, before he became Fr. Bonifacius, Wilhelm von Venloo-a man of such strength and courage that the Paatinate had known him in arms.
 Those who thought that Wilhelm von Venloo would desert his post at such q moment of outrage and tumult did him injustice.
 When the little band entered the church the candles still burned upon the altar the lights threw their fficlering lights upon the quaint architecture and the gor- geous ornaments of the edifice, while every face of the assembly of monks seated in the choir looked at the in truders calmly and each seemed con secrat ted watchman, placed near the shrine to protect it from pollution.
 Each monk was in his stall except Er John and the prior, who had stationed themselves upon the steps of the altar. The abbot was upon his throne, motionless and calm, though with features which displayed great but repressed passion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Would Not Be Pitied

TTOm PeaFSOn WtekIy.
 The musical public has, as a gen. tral rule, a strong objection to British names, and the reappearance of Percy Pitt as conductor at Covent Garden is welcome sign of improvement in this matter
 The story goes that MT. Pitt hesi- tated for sometime as to whether he should yield to the stupid convention of Italianising his name, and he went as far as to have some cards printed
 "Signor P. Pitt
 When they came back from ths printers. however, he changed hhs mind. ''No' ae exclaimed, "I'll be hanged if either printer or public shall Pity men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
What Art Thou?"

The burgomaster and Berchthold ad- vanced to the choir alone, their follow CTS remaining in the body of the church. Both were uncovered, and while they walked slowly up to the choir every eye seemed to be riveted as by common consent upon the cruci- fix of ivory and precious stones that stood upon the altar.
 'Who art thou?" demanded the abbot as the burgomaster entered the choir.
 By St. Benedict" replied the burgo- master, my face is not unknown to you, most holy abbot"
 q rather had said What art thou?'' ' returned Boniffcius. Thy name and office are known to me-but in what capacity do you come here?"
 'To speak fairly, revered sif," an- swered the burgomaster. q come from the town of Durkheim, which Is tired of exactions. We are here, armed, as you see, and have the power. We are trad CTS and artisans"
 Then in a halting and abashed man ner he intimated that the purpose of the expedition was to destroy the ab- bey and drive out the monks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
The Abbey Destroyed

Seeing his peril, Berchthold rushed to Come back, come backv'
 The roof of the choir fell with crash. Father Johan was seen to fall and rise again; but the group which was now gath cred at the entrance of the church saw nothing of BerchthoId
 The interior of the church became a fiery furnace and the destroyers soon descended from the Hill of Limburg, their work completed. The abbey of Limburg had ceased to exist.
 'Nevermore," thought Enrich, Twill l or my descendants pay tribute to that hill.
 But the high and well-born count had reckoned without his host. He began to hear from people who wanted to know
 The elector was now in such circum- stances that he could exert some of his legitimate authority, and the Emperor could not look with complacency upon the attacking and destroying of an an cient and wealthy religious house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

Enter in Gods name" said the deep voice of the hermit when Ulricke knocked at the door of his hut.
 Entering she stood confronted by the hermit. They looked at each other eye studying eye in long and eager gaze Finally I1lricke spoke.
 "Odoi' she said with a melancholy emphasis.
 "Ulricke," he replied mournfully.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

Thou here?" said Heinrich, but with out any trace of anger.
 "Yes, here to stay this dreadful crime" replied Ulricke, and the con- sequences of it from myself and thy househ old"
 .I had thought thee at thy prayers with poor Herr von Ritterstein in his comfortless hermitage"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

of lights. Now the assaulting party broke up into bands, many of which began at once the work of pillage in the cloisters and dormitories.
 Let us to the monks" said the burgo- master, sheathing his heavy sword.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
J. KENMORE COOPER

Behind Berchthold appeared the tall form of the hermit Berchthold now ex- plained:
 When obliged to fly from the falling roof of the abbey I met the Herr von fitterstein-this holy hermit-kneel . Ing before remote altar, and dragged him with me to the crypt. We were wounded and helpless-but alive"
 Then he told how some of the Bene- dictines, returning secretly to the ab- bey ruins, had found them there and rescued them. For this the abbot re- quired from Berchthold a vow that he would not reveal himself until the pill grimage to the Swiss convent had been accomplished.
 He and the hermit had gone .1ter to the Roman camp, and as the VOW was as can be so conferred. MastN burgo- thold's intention that very day to make his presence known to his family and his beloved Meta.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
Tryine to Stay a Crime

This is thy final answer, burgomas- ter?' inquired the abbot.
 May. nay" replied the city official; If the matter may be compromised perhaps in our city council. Send in thy terms
 Then" replied the abbot, rising from his throne. before quit these sacred walls harken to my maledic- tion."
 He was about to hurl upon the burgo- master an anathema when a female voice cried out: stay thy words, rev erend and holy abbot, have mercy
 It was Ulricke, pale and trembling, who cried out.