The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-04

to his readers and the commentators.
 Adelbert Chamisso was born in France and was brought up in Germany, to which country his parents emigrated at the out break of the French revolution. He was a page to the King of Prussia in his youth, served in the Prussan army and acquired fame a naturalist and as an author. He seems to have been fonder of the land of his adoption than of that of his nativity, and did his literary work in German. But after Napolean restored to his family a portion of their possessions in France Chamisso went back there for brief period; and when, in 1913 all Europe armed against the Emperor he hesitated to draw his sword against Napoleon and France. It was while the war of 1913 was going on that he wrote 'Peter Schlemihl' to beguile the time that he spent in a re- treat near Berlin which his friends pro- vided for him.
 DHTnIR soahnmah SCH 1aa1.n %as aas ln young paos 4 health, with a strong liking for bot any and natural history But he had one affliction-not an uncommon one to be sure-impecuniosity. Having letter of introduction to a Mir Thomas John, d wealthy man who might be of assistance to him. Peter presented himself before that gentleman. He found MT. John walking in his garden and recognized him at once from his corpulent and self complacent air
 "Oh from my brother" said MT. John. glancing over the letter. Tt is 8 long time since I heard from him. Is he well?' and scarcely interrupting his conversa- ton with the guests who accompanied him, he continued "Yes. indeed, a man who has not million is a poor wretch
 ''Oh, how true" said Peter from full heart.
 MT. John seemed pleased at this. and putting the letter in his pocket, said: .'Remain here my friend Later l may have an opportunity to tell you what l think of this letter" Giving his arm to one of the ladies of the party. Mir John led the way to hill thickly planted with blooming roses. The party was in high spirits and spoke os serious matters trihlngly and of tri1ng matters seriously, and greatly exercised their wit at the expense of their absent friends This surprised Peter. He had never been in society before.
 i. A lovely girl, whom they called Fanny. seemed easily to be the queen of the day The fair creature insisted on pick ing rose branch for herself, and in so doing pricked her finger with thorn. Court plaster was called for and quiet, elderly man, tall and of meagre aspect, whom Peter had not noticed betore' lm- mediately placed his hand In the tight breast pocket of his old-fashioned coat or gray, pulled out a small letter case, opened it and presented the young lady with the wished-for plaster.
 Soon after, gazing from the hill over looking the ocean, some one espied speck upon the horizon between the dark flood and the azure sky. MT. John called for telescope. The gray man with bow drew the desired article from his pocket
 Peter was filled with the greatest tonishment at the capabilities of the weird mans small pocket but when later, the stranger drew from the same receptacle turkey carpet for the guests to sit on. splendid tent to shade them from the sun and finally three beautiful horses, he rubbed his eyes to convince himself that he was really awake.
 A most singular thing was that none of the guests seemed to notice the tall. thin man or seemed to realize that all these things came from his pocket.
 The charms of the lovely Fanny in- clined Peter to stay with MT Johns par ty, put the fear which he began to feel of the weird possessor of the marvellous pocket finally madeh i'm resolve to leave the place and return at some more con venient time for MT. Johns answer to the letter of introduction.
 As Peter was returning toward the city gate he turned suddenly to see the weP'd man of the marvellous pocket following him, and he stopped in the sunshinei as If rooted to the ground, gazing at the stranger with a feeling as if he we're bird fascinated by a serpent. VIII you excuse me. slr?" said the gray man, bow ing humbly, but during the short time have been in your company I have be- held with admiration your most beautiful shadow. Excuse the boldness of my prop osition, but perhaps you would have no objection to selling me your shadow"
 Sell my shadow'' exclaimed Peter, and thought to himself, "the man must be mad"
 Yes" continued the stranger, T have in my pocket many things which may posses value in your eyes,
 But. sir, part with my shadow! How can I?"
 "Oh, leave that to me-" replied the man. Here is the purse of Fortunatus; be pleased to examine it.' Peter took the purse, which was a small one of cor dovan leather. in his hand. took out ten gold pieces. then ten more. and repeated the operation again and again. There was no doubt about it-in exchange for his shadow he might have that which would make him rich beyond all men in the world.
 "Doner cried Peter, My shadow for the purse.'
 Agreed" replied the stranger and with wonderful dexterity he gently Ioos- ened Peters shadow from the grass, lifted 1t up, folded 1t together and put 1t in his pocket Then. with a low bow, he disappeared into a cluinp of bushes
 Overcome by the weirdness of the whole transaction. Peter Schlemihl fell to the ground unconscious. When he came to himself he was still holding tightly to the magic purse, and he hastened to leave a place where he had been so terrified. As he passed in at the gate he heard one ot the sentries ask another where the poor gentleman could have left his shad ow."
 He, had to cross broad. sunlit street