davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Dismay at Bellamont

But let us go back a few months to England-to a quieter and an unwarlike scene
 There was dsmay in the great castle of Bellamont. The son and heir-in fact the only child of that great ducal house had announced his intention of trav- cling abroad He made this startling announcement to his father at the close of the festivities which celebrated his coming of age.
 ''This will be terrible blow to your mother" said the duke; q say noth- Ing of myself. But we will not be un- reasonable. I suppose you would go to Paris. With Brace at the embassy there, we could manage very well with Paris.
 But then, l suppose. you would like to see Rome. I do not think Hour moth CT would consent to that. Then, at the game time, they say one should see Rome before he dies. I never did. never crossed the water but once-when I went to Irelan
 With Brace, -sur cousin Howard, a medical man and other proper attendants, think the danger would not be extreme. But you know what my arrangements have been?"
 'Yes, father"
 Well. I will talk about it with your mother. Yours is a precious life"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
BATTLESHIP TIME SAVER
The New York Used Coaling Rig to
 Load Ammunition

The battleship New York, which left the Brooklyn navy yard several weexs ago to join Rear Admiral Winslow's special service squadron off Vera Cruz was got ready for seat in haste, as the orders taking her out of the navy yard were received before she had a chanea to have even a shake down trip to test her engines Ir is asserted by the Army and Navy Journal that be- tween three and four days time was saved by the unusual use made of her deck capstans and coaling rig in get ting aboard ship the ammunition for the 14-inch guns.
 set of deck capstans for indepen- dent coaling is a customary provision On battleships. They are arranged along both sides of the ship, as in the case of the New York, and are used to han, dle whip lines, which are run through blocks at the end of spars footed near the rails and extending at an angle outboard, so that the falls drop clear of the ships side The sparts are fot- ed a little out of line with the capstans. so that they naturally swing around and bring their loads over the deck The swinging of the spar is controlled by hand with lines running to the tops of the spars.
 The capstans on the New York are controlled py Ioot pedal beside tf foot of the capstan. A slight presr s- of the foot instantly and positively con vests the gears, and similar light pressure on the catch beside the pedal releases the button and automatically puts the capstan into action The real power for the connecting and discon- meeting action is secured from the line shaft by very simple and ingenious mechanism.
 This facility in connecting and dis connecting was that made it possible in the coaling apparatus of the New York to be used with safety in taking aboard such sensitive and dangerous ammunition as 14-inch shells. This work was done without accident and with perfect satisfaction. to the naval authorities. although the shells weigh 1400 pounds and the coaling apparatua is intended for handling soo-pound loads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Arabia's Place in the World

The shiek was now well along in years and practiced his profession of brigand- age but seldom. He was very wealthy. But Fakredeen had tempted him and the old shel1 had fallen.
 It was not only the money which the sheik was to share with Fakredeen that had tempted the chief of many tribes, but the emir had hypnotized the old man with his idea of the Asian move ment-that with the Arabs united, what great possibilities were there,
 Arabia had overrun the world before she might again. But the arms were the principal matter for a beginning and for the arms there must be money.
 And the ''brother cf the English Queen could furnish the money.
 Eva, in agitation, told Fakredeen that he must not carry out his plans against the Englishman. He smiled, mounted his horse and rode away.
 It will now be understood by whom Tancred and his train were attacked in that narrow pass in Arabia Petra anc the second crusader of his family taken a prisoner to the camp of the great sheik Amalek.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
COndemning Her Rival

.It surprises me-" said he one day. that you should think that my com panion~ is of your faith All he knows of your gods is what he has learned in the schools of his cold and cloudy island.
 He is I think, spy sent here by England. And he is much inter-s1eI in Asian affairs from the fact that he
 What Jewish woman?"
 What Jewism woman?
 Eva, the daughter of Besso of Jeru- salem.''
 The next day the light of her coun- tenance was withdrawn by the queen from Tancred. And that same day some captives were brought through the mountain passes to the castle of the queen.
 Among the captives was Eva. She had been on her way to Aleppo to r-ar- ry her cousin, to whom she had long been betrothed, when a foray of the mountaineers had captured her caravan.
 FaSredeen told the queen who her fair captive was. The queen, wild with ieal- ousy, ordered that she be killed
 Fakredeen asked permission to be the executioner. An old feud he said, had existed between his family and hers. Would the great queen grant him the favor?
 She would. But instead of killing Eva Fakredeen managed her escape-and he escaped with her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
WANT OUR MOTORCYCLES
"ermans About Cologne Eager for
 Machines Made in America

writing from Cologne Germany ohlted states Consul Charles A Holder says that thus far American automo- plles and cycle cars have made Iitt,a headway in that part of the German empire, says the New York Times O,lv nose manufacturers who have estab- iisneo branch houses in Berlin or some o'ner 1erman trade center have met "ien any success, as Cologne dealers ana their customers are unwilling to purchase a car which they have not seen and for which they cannot easily oDtaln extra parts
 mere Is also," says Mir. Holder. "a certain amount of prejudice apai,st American automobiles, partly dua to the Tact that the standard American car IS almost unknown there, and partly years ago, did not conform to what was tneh the standard German type. On ehe other hand, an American motorcv cie' Which was only introduced here a snort tlme ago, has met with great suocess' the dealer selling it having or- dered no fewer than 40 machines in inc last three months. This motorcycle owes US success to the fact that no uerhan or foreign machine on the harhet mas so many convenienees or ia so completely equipped.
 TOT expensive American machines there Is no market at present nor is there likely to be in the future aa German purchasers naturally prefer when they invest a large sum. to buv european makes of world reputa- tlohs with which they are thoroughly lamlllar. For inexpensive cars, selling TOT s1o00 or less. there is an excellent market in this district, but it can only be entered by showing and demonstrat ing the actual car to dealers and not by sending catalogs. The latter arc usually printed in English, which ia not understood by local dealers. and the prices quoted are for delivery free on board. New York. Cologne dealers KnoW little Of ocean 1reights and the details of importing
 Cycle cars would also find ready sale here If properly introduced. At pres ent large numbers of three wheeled cycle cars, manufactured in Germany are in use not only as pleasure ve hlcles, but also with various types of pooles- Tor commercial purposes
 with depot carrying supnlies to fall back upon, and a responsihle nor son Tn Germany and not in the distant ciited states to whom complaints ar inqulrles may be addressed local deal CTS would feel secure and would buv hhe1can cars. Without these condi. uons few If any responsible dealers VIII undertake to do so This also an piles to motorcycles"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Before the Great Sheik

Amalek had pitched his camp amid the ruins of an ancient 1dumean city. Fragments of columns were lying about and masses of unknown walls, A river ran through the place and there were groves of oleanders, fig trees and will lows.
 There was vast array of black tents, groups of horses and crouching camels. Over the whole scene the sunset threw a violet hue, while the moon, broad and white. floated over the opposite hills.
 The carpet of the great sheik was placed before his pavilion and there, smoking his chibouque of lakewood, the patriarch ruminated. Came a horseman galloping up.
 "SheilS of sheiks, salaam," cried he, ''it is done. The brother of the Queen of the English is your slave"
 Good; may your mother eat the hump of young camel,' replied the sheik.
 When the captive was brought before him Amalek caused carpet to be placed by his side for Tancred and another, at a little distance, for Baroni.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
In fhe Marble Kiosk

One day at Bethany he came upon beautiful garden. In it grew a palm tree. He had never seen palm tree before and his curiosity led him to en- ter the garden. The garden was deserted, as was also beautiful marble kiosk in the center of it.
 In the center of the kiosk was a basin from which sprank a fountain Rich rugs were scattered about. Tancred re- posed himself upon one of the rugs to rest-for the day was hot and he had hand a long walk.
 The fountain lulled him and he fell asleep. He awoke to see gazing down at him a girl of most exquisite beauty.
 She wore the rich dress usual among Syrian ladies. Her stature was rather above the usual height and her form per lection. Her face was the ideal of the oriental type which marks the Jewish maiden of ancient descent.
 Lady, l am an intruder" cried Tan cred, springing to his feet.
 We are so near the desert that you must not doubt our hospitality" replied she, seating herself upon the brink of the fountain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Guest, but Prisoner

"Salaam, brother of many queens, ,'' said the sheik. ''all that you see is yours" Baroni. who could speak Arabic perfectly, translated.
 The sheik invited Tancred to feast. Tancred answered that he was tired and wounded. and had no appetite.
 He is my guest and not my prisoner" said the sheik.
 Then ask him if we may depart at once," said Tancred.
 But Tancred found that he could not depart at once-far from 1t. He received every attention-was treated with the utmost coudtesy--but he was a prisoner
 As he sat talking with the sheik a young man passed through the bystand- CTS and seated himself upon the carpet with Amalek.
 Are you wounded?" inquired the young man, looking earnestly at Tan cred and speaking in French
 Not severely, I hope" replied Tan cred.
 The sheilz has assigned you apart ments in my pavilion,' said the young man; but it will prove but a noisy rest ing place for wounded man. have a tent here which will soon be prepared for you and where you will be more at rest. And your servants shall be well provided for"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Fakredeen

She ordered attendants to bring re- treatments. They talked religion, Asian politics, Asian mysteries, racial differ ences-they argued, they explained.
 Finally the maiden disappeared and Tancred went back to Jerusalem. won dering at his adventure and who his fair young hostess could be.
 As Tancred took the road to Jerusa- lem he was passed by a horseman su- perbly mounted. He was habited in the Mameluke dress, huge trousers and jack ct of crimson cloth, white turban, shawl around his waist holding his saber and pistols.
 He shot keen glance at Tancred as he passed him.
 It was the young Emir Fakredeen, head of the house of Shehaab, a great chief in the mountains Of Lebanon and claiming sovereignty over all the tribes of the mountains. In few moments he was in the presence of the lady of the kiosk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
The Last Tancred

When the worthy duke and duchess found that Tancred did not long to visit those dangerous cities, Paris and Rome, but really was bent upon going to Jeru- salem and the Holy Land, there was a row
 Some six centuries before there had been Montacute who had been cru sader upon the great Tancred, after whom he had named Els son. So the name had come down, and now this modern Tancred was bent upon making a new crusade.
 It was a great shock to a family whose lives had been so well ordered for so many generations that even the old clocks in the halls and castles kept time by them.
 Tancred Montacute, the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Bellamont, came of age so suddenly that it sur prised his worthy parents. But he did tt-as all boys who live to be 21 will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Exploring Jerusalem

A retired general-who now com manded the Belamont yeomanry-a chaplain. a physician and two servants also formed a part of the retinue of Tancred, who sailed away to the land of his dreams upon his own steam yacht.
 In Jerusalem a large house was taken for the young man and native attend- ants engaged. No wonder that the ru- nor ran about that the brother of the Queen of the English had arrived
 Tancred himself did not go to his great house, but to monastery, where he slept in a whitewashed cell.
 Remembering what his crusading an- cestors had done when he had at length gained Jerusalem, Tancred, upon his ar rival in the Holy City, went to the Church of the Holy sepulchre and re- mained there all night in prayer.
 Then he began to explore the environs of the city and upon these wanderings he liked to be alone.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
All According to Rule

Now the Duke and Duchess of Bella mont were in the very highest ranks of the British nobility. Therefore they were simple people, never went into 'society'' and lived their quiet lives humdrum one in the great town house in London-spending as little time as they could there.
 The estates were vast; the castles and manors many. The thing for people of their high station to do was to Tive among their people"
 The dukes business was to receive the reports of his stewards and "busi-
 -ss men," to see that all was well or Aered upon his feudal possessions; once a year to pay his respects to his sovY ereign and dine and sleep at the castle with his duchess-the said castle being Windsor-his respects being paid for mally at Buckingham, and to go through a harmless ands well-ordered life with his gentle spouse.
 She contributed to charities visited the poor of the rural districts over which her husband had jurisdiction and dosed the sick with her infalible cures For long, long years there had been Montacute.
 The heir to the titles received a modi- cum of education-was shown to Eton and Oxford-properly guarded-and then snat6hed home to the paternal embrace to be placed under the care of private tutors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28

fathers titles and estates and live the same life his ancestors had lived for many generations.
 Only in Asia said he. "has God spoken face to face with man. Jeru- salem and Sinali-there perhaps l. too, may learn what here can never know"
 His imagination, like the imagination of Napoleon. was captured by Asia. And as he thought of Palestine and Arabia and their great deeds of the past, the teeming populations of the east. the pos abilities latent there stirred him and, like Napoleon. he said, "The East awaits but a man"
 They threw all sorts of obstacles in his way-but finally Tancred went to the east
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Dreams of Emnire

Eva" he said, my foster sister, want your help again. I have bought arms through that old camel Scheriff Effendi. They have arrived, but he will not give them up without money.
 Now the success of my plan for the independence of Syria depends upon my getting these arms. Go to your father. Besso, and get him to advance me the money"
 q have helped you and helped you. Fakredeen,'' replied the girl. When your father was killed my father took you to his home and you were there brought up until the times allowed of your being called to the court of your uncle.
 We were brought up as brother and sister, and my father and mother loved you. But Fakredeen. to help you does no good to anybody. You have been helped so often.
 Your schemes are so unstable. You delight only in intrigue. You are ann bilious but unreliable l am powerless to assist you"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
In the Passes of Syria

Suffice it to say that Tancred recov- cred; that Eva returned to yerusaiem and that the fascinated and volatile Fakredeen carried off the young Eng lishman to his feudal castle in the mountains of Lebanon, where there as- sembled the chiefs of many tribes, and Tancred, sending an order for money to pay for the arms, entered heart and soul into the strange conspiracy which was to pour again the hordes of Asia over the world.
 But it is not by arms that we shall win," he would say. Tt must be by the promulgation of some great idea. That will bring to us arms and men as of old"
 The poor boy believed that in his feverish night and day upon Sinai he had received that idea-though he seemed unable to formulate it.
 With all his wild idealism Tancred was still an Englishman and had a practical side to his mind
 He had heard of a strange people, the Ansarey, who held the northern passes of Syria, a people who would allow no strangers to enter their land. With much difficulty Tancred, Fakredeen and Ba- roni obtained entrance into this myste- rious country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
"Eya found Tancred lying in his tent deathIy ilI.n

the least agreeable is the pleasure of making your acquaintance. Your cour- tesy has much compensated for the rude ness of your tribe,'
 70, I am not an Arab,' laughed the young man. q am a Christian prince.'
 The young man was, of course, Fax redeem. The two walked and talked there, and with wonderful frankness Fakredeen revealed to Tancred all his hopes, his ambitions. his necessities.
 Baroni with an agent of the sheik, was in the meantime sent off to. Jeru- salem to demand from Besso the ran som of the young Englishman. In ten days Baroni returned-and not alone. With him came Eva
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
ExDlanations

Tancred, not knowing that Eva had escaped, sought Astarte to intercede for Eva, and found the queen in the rock hewn temple prostrate before a statue of Apollo. An explanation ensued and he learned of the treachery of Fakre- deen.
 You will not desert me now?" said Astarte. "The Turks approach my boun- dal'ies I am in danger.''
 'I will stay and fight for you,' re- piled the second crusader of his family
 So Tancred went forth at the head of the warriors of the Ansarey. He fought well and long. But he was overcome and obliged to flee again to the desert. Once again he found himself in the camp of the great Sheik Amalek.
 "Salaam. great sheiS,' said Tancred : ''I feel that we are brothers. There are friends of whom we must speak, and, in- deed, many things"
 The lamps gleamed, fires blazed sheep were killed, bread baked, coffee pounded and the pipe of honor placed in the hands of Tancred.
 After the feast,' said the sheilS, Eve will talk. There is time for all things for eating and drinking, also for prayers and also the time for asking questions"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28

Eva's grandfather. Besso had married the daughter of the Sheil1 Amelek. a great Arab cheftain who ruled many tribes in northern Arabia and was not averse to stopping caravans and holding wealthy travellers for ransom in order to increase his flocks and herds-his cam els and his horses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Whole Potato or None

'
 An easterner who had bought a farm in California had heard of his neighbours talent for raising large potatoes. so sent his farm hand over to get 100 pounds.
 You go back home," answered the tal- ented farmer to the messenger. "and tell your boss that I won't cut potato for anyone"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Too Deen for Him

'1em,' said Baroni The conversation was getting trif1e deep for him.
 The evening drew on and Tancred re- tired early to his room. There is some thing on that young mans mind.p thought Baroni
 At reasonable hour the coloni re- turned, having succeeded in prod icing a fair sample of pudding-and also hay ing sung the national anthem
 The other attendants also returned. But Baroni succeeded in putting off an interview with Tancred until the morn ing.
 Tancred rose early. No one was stir ring in the house except the native ser wants and Freeman, the English servant, who was making a great distribution of hot water.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
The Great Hakim

Basso had been filled with anguish when he heard of the capture of Tan cred, and cried out My own father-in- law has done this"
 Tancred had been consigned to the care of Besso by that all-powerful Hebrew, Sdonia, and Besso felt that he had neglected his duty.
 Eva demanded the immediate release of Tancred. Her grandfather replied in polite words-but unsatisfying It was the piastres he wanted.
 Baroni and Eva found Tancred lying in his tent deathtly ill Every one in the camp believed that he was at the point of death.
 Fakredeen, who had been completely won by him, was watching by day and night. He had with that volatile spirit of his.-- come to love the captive as a brother. He thought that he had rec ognized in him kindred sour
 "Go you into the tent and visit the patient" said the sheik, for you are a great halxim '-meamng doctor. As a doctor Eva had a great reputation among her people
 She gathered some herbs; she brewed them and administered them, and finally the fever passed ana Tancred opened his eyes with reason in them to look up at Eva and say, 'the lady of the kiosk
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Wooed by Astarte

And the young queen who ruled over the Ansarey fell in love with Tancred! She even took Tancred to a roclx-hewn temple and, waiving her hand toward many marble figures, said: '"rhe gods of the Ansarey."
 "The gods of the Greeksv' exclaimed Tancred.
 And so they were-Astarte, Apollo, Ju- piter, Minerva-they were all there. For these Ansarey were a stranded Greek people left there in the mountains Tancred had not been shown Etou and Oxford and had private tutors for nothing-and so he talked Grecian my thology to the queen-whose name was Astarte, by the way-in a manner which caused her to say, "Ah. yes. you are one of us; you shall marry me and rule my kingdom.''
 This tttering-but embarrassina --and T<1.-4temporized. Fakredeen thought that ha ~ou,d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
Longing for Action

Tancred roamed about the house. T know not how it is, said he to Baroni. but I never thought I could have felt so sad and spiritless in Jerusalem"
 Tt is the reaction, my lord.' replied Baroni, "after your adventure.' ''I am disappointed that Besso is not here. I am surprised that there is no letters from England. Heigh-ho; I wish the battle we fought for Astarte had never ceased, but that, like some hero of enchantment, I could have gone on fighting forever"
 es. there is nothing like action. re- piled Baroni calmly.
 But what action is there in this world?" went on Tancred. "The most energetic in Europe are mere busy bodies. Empires are now governed like parishes and a great statesman is a select vestryman.
 And they are right. Unless we bring man nearer to heaven, unless govern ment becomes again divine, the insg- nificance of the human scheme must par alyze all efforts.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28

which combined the specific gravity of lead with the appearance of mass of kneaded dates in a state of fomenta- tion after long voyage.
 Rev. MT. Bernard was at Bethlehem assisting the bishop in catechising some new converts who had passed them selves off as true children of Israel, but were in fact Nestorians, Christians.
 Dr. Rohy was botanizing in the valley of the Jordan. ii3siHlHlx[H
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-28
To Asia for Licht

His life had been mapped oun for him He was to marry his cousin-a most amiable young lady of rank-go into Parliament. vote with the tories and help his father keep the country so- sether.''
 Finally he was to succeed to his