The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

 a great many of them, isn't there? We've just looked them out, Oliver, ready for the wash. That's all, Oliver. that's all. Hal hal har
 It was late next morning when he awoke from a long, sound, much-needed sleep. He was alone in the place, save for Fagin, who was cooking something again, and stopping ever and again to listen. Presently the Artful Dodger came in with a very sprightly young companion, whom he introduced as Charles Bates. The four sat down to breakfast, during the course of which Fagin, looking slyly at Oliver, said to his young friends "I hope you have been at work this morn- ing. my dearsT'
 The Artful Dodger produced two pocket books, which Fagin inspected carefully, especially inside.
 Not so heavy as they might be-" said he, "but very neat and nicely made. h. genious workman, atn't he o1iver?''
 At Divers admiring reply both young men burst Into an uproarious laugh, which became hystericaI when Charley Bates, produced four silk handkerchiefs, and Fagin asked Oliver if he would not like to learn how to make pocket hand kerchiefs as easily as Bates did.
 When breakfast was cleared away the two boys and the merry old gentleman played at very curious and uncommon game The merry old gentleman. dress ing himself in street clothes, placed snuff box and notebook in his trousers pocket, a watch fin his waistcoat pocket, put on chains and pins and then buttoned his coat around him tightly and trotted up and down the room, stopping now and then to stand still as if looking into a window.
 He would look constantly around him, as if for fear of thieves. and keep slap ping all his pockets in turn to see that he hadn't lost anything. The two boys followed him closely about until the Dod- ger managed to tread upon his toes, while Charley Bates stumbled against him behind. In that moment they took things out of his pockets with the most extraordinary rapdty. If the old gentle man felt a hand in his pocket he cried out where 1t was and the game began all over again.
 For many days Oliver remained in the room, occupying himself with pock- ing the marks out of handkerchiefs, of which great many were brought in. Sometimes he took part in the game. which was played regularly every morning.
 At last the old gentleman told him he might go out and placed him un- der the joint guardianship of the Art ful Dodger and Mr. Bates. Oliver &C., companied them. very eager to learn their work. At first they sauntered along, and he thought that they were going to deceive the kind old gentle man by not working at all. But sud denly they changed their behavior en- ttrely.
 A very fine looking old gentleman with a powdered head was standing at book stall. reading book as hard as if he were in his own study. Divers two companions approached him stealthily, and Oliver saw the Dodger draw a pocket handkerchief from the old gentleman's pocket and pass 1t to Bates, who immediately vanished around the corner. followed by the Dodger.
 Tn an instant the whole mystery of the handkerchiefs and the games with the merry old gentleman rushed on Divers mind. He stood for a minute with the blood so tingling through his veins Tn terror that he felt as if in a burning fire. Then, confused and dis mayed, he took to his heels. Just then the old gentleman missed his handkerchief and seeing the boy run, shouted: "Stop theifr The cry aroused, as 1t always does, the passion for hunting something that Is inn planted in the human breast. The wretched, breathless child agony in his eyes, terror in his straineo face, be- came the quarry of an eager mob. At last he was caught and knocked down, and when the old gentleman arrived and, unwillingly enough, identified the lad, he was carried in triumph to the police office.
 There the gentleman who gave his name as MT Brownlow tried to have the child released. but the stupid and obstinate magistrate refused and was about to com init Oliver when the book dealer arrived and testified that the theft had not been committed by him, he having seen the | perpetrators run away.
 l The excitement and> the cruel blow that | had felled him proved too much for him. He had hardly been discharged before he fell to the ground insensible. Hurriedly | Mir Brownlow had him carried to q coaoh and driven to his home.