The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

continually, Peter, get myself a warmer
hearth
Next day he told everybody that Iisbeth
had gone on a journey. He felt no re-
morse but the fear of earthly punishment
for her murder and the threat of the
Glass Man haunted his brain.
In vain he tried to distract his thoughts.
Vainly he spent hours in the tavern with
the Fat Ezekiel. and his other boon COM
panions. Wherever he went and what
ever he did the sweet voice sounded In
his ears; and at last. after seven days
had passed thus, he suddenly said TO him
self: every well. I'll see II ! can get a
warmer heart. This Indifferent stone in
my breast makes my life pretty monot-
onous and dull anyway"
He rode to the Tannenbuhl and repeated
his verse before the huge pine. The Glass
Man came out at once, but he was not
friendly and merry as usual. His face
was gloomy and sad and he wore coat
of coal black glass, while long black
streamer hung from his hat.
81 have still one wish, Mr.. Glass Man.
said Peter with his eyes bent to the
ground
Can stone hearts wish?" asked the
manilxin, with a hollow voice. 81 can
refuse it if it is foolish What is it?"
Take the stone and give me a living
heart" said Peter.
Did l exchange your hearth asked
the Glass Man 81 am not the Hollander
Michel But l pity you, evil as you are.
You can get your heart only by strate-
gem Here is a cross of glass. He can
not harm you If you hold this out toward
him and pray at the same time. Now, do
what | tell you"
Carefully the little man gave him d.
rections for tricking the Hollander Mi
chel and Peter went straight to the ra-
vine and called his name three times. At
once the giant stood before him.
you have murdered your wife, said
he with dreadful laughter 81 suppose
you need money to get away Very we'll
All you want"
He led the way into the house and be-
gan to count out gold. While he was
doing it Peter said You are a great
joker, Michel. to try to make me believe
that you have my heart and that I have
stone in my breast"
"Why, you don't feel any heart in your
breast, do you?" said the Holander Mi
chel, puzzled
"Oh, you have made it stop" said Pc
ter. laughing, but 1t is all a trick. l
have seen lots of tricks like that in my
travels Those hearts that you keep in
Jars are all wax You are a great fell
low. I'll admit, but you are no sorcerer.
as you pretend.
Angrily the giant reached to a shelf and
it. 81 will show your! said he indignant
". He tore Peters coat open, took a
stone out of his breast breathed on the
heart that he took out of the jar and set
1t carefully in the place of the stone.
Peter felt 1t throb and a wonderful joy
overcame him. Quickly he pulled the lit
tie glass cross out of his pocket and held
1t toward the Hollander Michel, at the
same time praying as fast as he could.
Michel glared in fury, until he became
smaller and smaller until he was no
larger than a worm. He wflthed and con-
torted himself. and groaned and moaned
and all the hearts began to throb and
culver till it sounded like the workshop
OF cloekmaker.
Peter ran from the house in terror and
| clambered up the rocky wall, driven by
panic, for he heard the Hollander Michel
cursing behind him. While he ran to-
] ward the Tannenbuhl a fearful tempest
blew. Lightnings struck the trees to the