davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Until Years of Discretion

Perhaps, for I have never heard her speak. But you can inform me-for she is your fathers ward, Miranda"
 What, Miranda, Well, you are hope less there, for my father would not more part with her and her e5000O than he would give me a guinea to keep me from starving.
 You see that although my uncle left me his heir, yet, for some wildness in youth, he left dad my guardian until should come to years of discretion-and presume the old gentleman will never think l have arrived at that period of life--now that he has got my estate. which does me no more good than if it were in the hands of Prester John.
 "As for Miranda, I can tell you little about her for, since my uncles death and my return from travel, I have not stood well with my father
 He thinks that my expenses are too great and l that my allowance is too small. We never meet but to quarrel and so l avoid the house as much as possible
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

Sir Jealous was in the Spanish trade Spain, where he had become convinced that the only way to bring up moth erless daughter was after the Span ish method.
 He guarded his daughter, Isabinda, as carefully as did Sir Francis his ward-only in different manner-in the Spanish manner with a duenna and strict prohibitions from speaking to young men until she should her hus- band-who was to be picked out for her; had, in fact, already been picked out for her
 But bolts and bars and duennas can not always accomplish their object and lsabinda had seen. spoken to, and fall en in love with Charles Gripe
 This was before her father had seen fit to shut her up to await the ar rival from Spain of the husband he had picked out for her, son of one of his mercantile correspondents there Senor Diego Babinetto
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Sent On a Fools Errand

It was the next morning when Sir Francis, with a letter in his hand, came to Miranda and said:
 "Ah, wardy. wardyl I must leave you Tor this day. I have a very pressing request to come to Squire Squeezum at Bosom, who, for all his riches, is de- parting this life. He wants to consult rae about making me the guardian of his son.
 But I will be with you bright and early tomorrow, wardy. Yes, bright and early-for that will be our wedding day wardy.'
 70, my stars-must you really go, guardy?" said the beautiful hypocrite. lie must. and did.
 Needless to say who had sent the mes sage. It was between Charles and Sir George. They had only to date the let ter Epsom-there were no postmarks in those days-and sign fictitious name the name of a mythical attorney--to it ano send it by a ticket porter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Securing His Consent

Then the lovely deceiver set her wits to work-and very bright wits they were. wits which have sparlSled through tho English drama now for, To, more than two centuries.
 She must cajole her "guardy." The old man was pressing for an immediate mar riage.
 Well Guardy," said she, you know that l cannot get married without your consent
 My consent? If I marry you will not that be consent enough?'
 That I do not know. I would take no chances. Give me your written con sent to my marriage-and we will t1ame the day"
 The infatuated miser wrote his con- sent-and named the day.
 Now what do you think that mink was up to?-nothing less than an 'elopement with Sir George Airy But how to get word to him? While she cogitated this matter a messenger presented himself in the person of the meddlesome Marplot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
In Love With An Unknown

Sir George Airy had never seen Miranda except at a distance, and. as he told Charles, he had never spoken oher. Yet he had been captivated by her matchless beauty, and felt that he loved her.
 But. as he also had told Charles. there vas another girl with whom he thought he was in love. One morning as he was taking his walk in the park he had seen tall and graceful young woman walking there, too.
 She wore mask--as was not uncommon in those days with ladies going abroad in c sort of innocent incognito--and had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
A One-Sided Interview

Miranda looked at him, but said never a word. He tried other fine speeches, but the young lady still remained silent.
 He protested his love and his desire to make her his wife in the strongest manner he could think of, but the giddy girl still maintained her silence.
 Then Sir George began olose his temper and said:
 This interview cost me 100 pounds, If you will not speak to me, answer to what I shall say by mods. When I ask anything to which you would reply in the affirmative, gently nod your head thus. In the negative, your head from side TO side
 They were beginning to get along fairly well in this manner, when Sir Francis observed it. and running up, cried out:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Now Or Never

He attempted to dance a little, but our joints creak so at so years that he gave up the attempt and compromised by singing, in a cracked, wheezy voice; My choice Is fixed. let good or i'll be-
 tide,
 A joyful bridegroom land you the
 bride.
 When at length the old man went away to attire himself for the festivi- ties of the day Miranda got an oppor- tunity for further conversation with Mistress Patch and that good woman told her that she was discharged by Sir Jealous and came from St. George. She told her who was to be at the wedding-how Miranda could meet Sir George there. explained how this was a now or never" opportunity for the love affairs of both Isabinda and Mi randa to come to a favorable conclu- sion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
TemptatiOn Resisted

"Yes," said Sir Francis. and will give you wife to boot. There is Lady Wrinkle. She has f40,000 and will mar ry you. I have inquired
 "She is old, it is true. So much the better-she will die sooner She has one eye and is humpbacked-som much the better-the beaux will not be run ming after her"
 Charles respectfully declined the proposition and his father told him to be gone until he came to his senses.
 Charles sighhed as he went out. Forty thousand pounds-and if things did not mend he must soon shoulder brown bess" and go to the wars. It was the only way he saw out of his present financial difficulties.
 Charles was in love, and so. putting the temptation of Lady Wrinkle and her forty thousand pounds behind him. he made his way to the house of that most eminent and opulent merchant that city knight-Sir Jealous Traffic.
 Awaiting Her Husband
 Sir Jealous was in he Spanish trade
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Keeping An Appointment

These ticket porters ran all about Lon dor in those days delivering messages and, if they were not instructed to wait for an answer. disappeared and were swallowed up in the multitude as soon as their mission was accomplished
 II was easy for Sir George to mark ''by post on the letter and make the cid skinflint pay sfxpence for it.
 So off went Sir Francis, and at o'clock S.r George approached the garden gate with his hand upon his napier it is true, and walking warily. There might be pitfalls intended for him-but he would dare the issue.
 To his great joysno ferocious blunder- buss blazed forth at him as he came to the gate but, instead. the voice of Mis- tress Scentwell said in high whisper one of those whispers which some peo- rle, when they want 10 be very secret, so modify as to make it something as far-reaching as a fog horn and as try irg to the nerves as a charge of cav alry-"She is waiting for you, sir
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

she said. So? ha, hal of course I will gu; let us dress ourselves in our best at onee.s precious. I am happier than the Emperor of China and the Great Mogul happier than all potentates who are not in wars. Now speak and confirm it. this is our wedding day, too"
 q am resolved.' said Miranda, that if l am not married today I shall never be. Hurry up, guardy."
 The old miser went off humming love song and saying: "Yes, yes; I will put on my best, my very best clothes for this occasion. Though, perhaps, it were as well to put on my second best clothes wear out so.'
 Then gazing upon Miranda with look which disconcerted her he cried out: 70, ny precious. Verify. I am a happy, hap ry man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Three Fortune In His Hands


 "HERE was not harder. tighter,
 listed old skinfint in all London ! than Sir Francis Gripe. As very often happens with regard to such people, he had achieved a reputation Of oelhs .strictlv honest"- accurate to the last farthing.'
 When he put in an account dealing with hundreds of thousands of pounds there were always so many shillings and pence at the end of it-which was nightly i'm pressive Therefore. when rich old codgers died they had a habit of leaving him guardian to their children, never thinging that Sir Francis might stand up so straight that he leaned over backward"
 There are Sir Francis Gripes at the present day: and they do a mighty pros porous business.
 Sir Francis had now the fortunes or three wards in his hands. One was ms own son and only child, Charles, who had been left a fortune by his uncle' who had brought him up One was veak-minded flop, young MT. Marpot; and inc third was the beautiful Miranda daughter of a deceased baronet, who had left the young iady e50OOO to her TOT tune.
 Marplot, Sir Francis would occasionally allow portion of the income, of when he ought to have all; Charles, his father would neither allow an income from him. self nor give more than begsardiy allowance out of the fortune the young mans uncle had left.
 As for Miranda, the old man had be- come enamored both of the young lady and her fortune and proposed to annex them both.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

alighted from a waiting sedan chair
 Some trifling accident-such as the dropping of her handkerchief, which Sir George had restored to her-had brought them into conversation, and he found the unknown most witty andNntelligent.
 Her manner and speech proved Ter to be a young woman of birth. breeding and virtue The curiosity of the baronet was piqued
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Business Is Business

Y TOTil FeHTSOII S w eeKIy.
 Judge Lumley Smith. who has just re- tired from the bench. tells story of tko eminent K. C.'s who happened ono day> to see a serious street accident. One o4 them seized the other by the arm and hurried him away
 Come away quick" he exclaimed, eve mustn't stop, or they'll make us witnesses in the case instead of sending us briefn to conduct the action for damages"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Fine Speeches Wasted

Sir Francis ushered his fellow-Baronet into the room where Miranda was wait ing for them and then retired tN the further corner of the apartment.
 There she is, Sir George" cried he; "try your fortune"
 "So from the eastern chambers breaks the day and gilds the vale below" said Sir George as he approached Miranda.
 Madam, whether you excuse or blame my love as author of this rash proceed ing''-Sir George was using his finest society anguage-"depends upon your pleasure. Also the life of your admirer.
 '.Shake off this tyrant guardians yoke. Surely you cannot love him. And. madam. l cannot tell how much I am in love with you.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

netto-has already arrived in England, ard Sir Jealous expects him at his house to claim his bride in a day or so. Prob ably he will arrive in London day after tomorrow. What can be done?"
 Do you speak Spanish, Charles?'
 'I? faith I do, after a fashion. I learned it on my travels"
 And then these two conscienceless young men proceeded to supplement the job they had put up on Sir Francis by a job on Sir Jealous
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
A CL A s SIC
 IN A P A c E
Copyright, 1914. by Irving

Copyright, 1914. by Irving King. All
 rights reservedD
 Mrs. Centivre wrote some IS plays, ef which three-"The Wonder "A Bold Stroke for a Wife" and The Busy Body preserve her memory
 When "rhe Busy Body was first brought out at Drury Lane the actors who performed in it expected that it would die that night. But it has survived since that evening in 1709 as a play, and, as one of the standard English classics, has achieved permanent place in published form.
 The character of Marplot was an origi- nal one and Sheridan or Goldsmith never exee1led it in comedy In the play that eharacter-coming and going-alwaNs busy-always mixing things up" when he thought he was helping his friends stands out more prominently than it can in a short story.
 The life of Mrs. Centlivre was itself romance, a tragedy and comedy rolled into one. After being betrayed by one gentleman, marrying two others and be- ing left pennless, she nearly starved un- ii she married M, Centlivre, chief cook to Queen. Anne, and died-probably O. oVereating.
 She was a great beauty and tried the stage once But she could not act. Then she took M. Centlivre, authorship and Queen Anne's fat living-and died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
BY CENTLTVRE

let, scouting at the end of the street, l suspect he must be in this house again. I have also learned that he has borrowed a Spanish suit from the play house. What can it mean?
 "Ah, Thomasi Thomasr' to the foot man-"can you inform me if there is a gentleman in the house dressed in Spanish habit?'
 There is a Spanish gentleman with in, who Is just a-going to marry mX young lady, sir"
 Are you sure he is Spanish?' 2
 He speaks no English that I knows on."
 ''Then that can't be the man I want, for 'tis an English gentleman dressed in a Spanish habit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
With a Drawn Sword

Thomas 'ssmelled q rat at once, and said: Wait here in the hall. I will in- form my master.
 What is your business2 Why do you interrupt me- cried Sir Jealous, as he came to the hall.
 ''Why-why-" stammered Marplot.k and then repeated what he had told Thomas, and added what he had learned about the doings of Charles that day.
 'If it really be Charles in disguise said he, wont he wonder how I found him out?"
 "If should be triekedr' gasped Sir Jealous. "Ho. within theer: stop the marriage"
 Sir George. in response to the cry, came out with his drawn sword.
 You here? you fool,' he cried when he saw Marplot.
 Why, yes, Sir George-I only want ed to know what was going on."
 sir Georgew cried Jealous. Then I am undone, tricked."
 And he began to scream: Thieves, rogues swfndlersl Stop the marriage, I say"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Into the House of Joy

But Sir George with his drawn sword stopped at the door and cried over his shoulder to Rev Tackum, "Go on with the marriage. Old gentleman, l. guard this door F
 In a fury Sir Jealous turned about for an object upon which to vent his rage and his eyes, catching the sima pering Marplot, he fell upon that un lucky person and beat him sorely while Sir George burst into laugh and cried That is where vengeance is due.'
 Marplot whimpered. Why do you beat me? I ain't married your daugh- :, ter"
 Just then in came Miranda and Sir Francis.
 Tn the house of joy we enter without knocking. Ha, ha," began the old man. Dear, dear, what has happened?" \Sir Jealous turned on him. 70, you are come, sir, are you, to see the success of your trick? What-you would have your son cheat me out of my child would you?"
 The bewildered Sir Francis began te expostulate, but the furious Sir JealouJ cried out, Do you mean to say that you did not send your worthless son here in Spanish habit to marry my daugh- ter?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
No Time for Fine Language

The maid ushered the baronet into the room where Miranda was waiting for him. Sir George at once began his flow Of fine language''-of which he never seemed to have deficit.
 He was of the 'couft end" of the town, you must remember, and for a really truly" swell to speak naturally was little less than social suicide.
 And do I once more behold that love ly object whose ideas fill my soul and form my pleasing dreams?" he began.
 But Miranda interrupted with what was the substitute in Queen Anne's days for 'cut it out in the days of George V and MT. Wilson.
 70, let the heroics go, Sir George" :" said she; never nina prodigal ora tion. l have tried you in conversat tion, inquired into your character and am sat- isfied with both. am satified you love me-and I am satisfied I love you
 What I do is an undignified and an unmaidenly thing. But, subject as I am to knavish guardian. l cannot take the advice of the good and wise-I must act fer myself And I have acted.
 Do you think we can manage that terrible bugbear. matrimony, without heartily repenting on both sides? My guardian has gone down to Epson to see dying friend.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

What do you mean?"
 "To cut your throat if you interfere again. cried Sir George in fury, which made the old miser retreat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
MarplOt Interferes

What do you want now?" cried Sir Francis. "Is the last money you got from me gone alreadyT'
 T do not want money now" replied Marplot. "I only came to ask a ques- tion. I overheard Charles and Sir George Airy talking and. from what I could gather you, Miranda, did a most civil and honorable gentleman out of a hun dred pounds"
 'I?" exclaimed Miranda.
 Why, yes. you-I gathered that you did not speak to Sir George after he bad paid hundred pounds to see you"
 Sir Francis threatened to throw the reddler out of the window, but Miranda interposed with:
 You may tell that most honest and honorable gentleman tnat if he is seen at the garden gate in the wall at & oclock tomorrow night--his usual place of lurking-he will be received with hlunderbuss.
 T have heard of his lurking there. Guardy. Tell him td, be sure not to be seen there at o'clock tomorrow night at his peril.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Two Schemes Prepared

We may be wrong" at last said Sir George, 'but I will take the risk. In tho meantime, can we get Sir Francis out of the way?'
 Thus, at the very time when Sir Fran cis was filled with admiration at the devotion of his ''wardy,' these two young men put up job on the ancient nIiser.
 Then they turned to Charles affairs "l am told by Patch,' said Charles,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Warned of His Peril

Marplot trotted away to tavern where Sir George and Charles were discussing the various phases of their two love affairs and. breaking in upon them, cried out:
 sir George, l have done you a great sorvice-I have found out something. Do not go to the garden gate in the wall at St. Francis's tomorrow night at s o clock at your peril.''
 '"The garden gate-what do you mean?" cried the astonished baronet.
 Marplot related what had taken place at the house of Sir Francis. At first Sir George was bewildered-and then light began to dawn upon him.
 They got Marplot out of the way by sending him upon some fool errand" and then took counsel of each other. By putting both their heads together they surmised the truth-Miranda would meet Sir George at the garden gate at o'clock on the following night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
An Inference
A From Judge.

 'Is old Hardcashel. keeping Lent?" No; but you can bet his money isr.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Marplot Once More

Meantime Marplot was knocking at the door of the house and saying to himself: "I have looked for Charles all over town. By seeing Whisper. his va-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Invited to the Wedding

Sir George was beginning a protesta- tion of his love when Scentwell rushed into the room, crying out that her mas ter had come back
 They hustled Sir George out of back way just in time and Sir Francis en- tered, storming. saying that he had been tricked. He had met the supposedly dy- ing Squeezum coming up to London, as well as he ever was.
 Miranda was very den,lre-and so glad to see her dear "guardy'' back She night, but early the next morning Mis- tress Patch came to her and whispered a word in her ear. That set her smil- ing again.
 It was an invitation to the wedding of Sir Jealous Traffic's daughter to the Senor Babinetto that day, at the wor- shipful knights house in the city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
His Wedding Morn

She ran to tell her "guardy."
 And you must go with me, guardy,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Miranda Produces the Papers

My son in Spanish habit?" replied Sir Francis, no wangry in his turn, what dye mean, sir?
 What will you give hsm now; what will you give him by way of jointure?'
 Give him? He shall have halfpenny. Tricked quotha? I thing that 1t is 1ns that has been tricked.
 But, look ye, l shall trick you. IIas Sir George, there you are. You see thai your hundred guineas were of no use. Here is the fair Miranda going to be married to me-
 Sir George lowered his sword and they all passed into the parlor, where Mir. Tackum had now made Charles Giripe and Isabinda Traffic man and wife.
 Here, Charles, are your papers-thoseS of your uncle's estate. My dear guardy put me in possession of them.
 What, mistress, so you have tricked me, have you'' cried Sir Francis.
 70, you have been tricked, too have you?" cried Sir Jealous, and laughed mos theartily.
 You see, you should have had your es- tate five year sago Charles" continued Miranda calmly, "and as here Is my dear guardys permisison to marry-and as here is clergyman ready-why, Sir George, if you do not mind suppose we get married also"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
RecOnciled At Last

hCSOHCiiCu Al LdSt
 Sir Francis nearly had appoplectic fit, but was restored to himself by Sir Jealous saying:
 How about the arrearages in my som m-laws accounts? How about them? Beware. I am philosopher enough to know when l am licked and to make the best of it-do not shake so. Ha, ha; l have got a rich son-in-law after all.
 Now, Sir George and my lady-if M.. Tackum has got through with the cere- mony-let us go in and refresh ourselves with cheerful glass and bite to eat
 Marplot never understood why he was not popular. Sir Francis finally snb- mitted to his fate and when he died left his wealth to his son.
 AS Tor the Sonor Babinetto-why when he came at length in his leisurely way to London and found that the bride picked out for him was married already to another he was in high glee.
 For by dreamy, silent Guadalquiver' was "a lady in a villa" whom he very much desired to marry-and did
 Next weeks one-page classic will be, The Heidenmauer by James Fenimore' Cooper.
 Copyright 1914 by Irving King)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

Awaiting Her Husband Sir Jealous was in he Spanish trade
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05

"HERE was not harder, tighter
 listed old skinfiint in all London 4 than Sir Francis Gripe As very
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