The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
MOTHER. MOTHER! WHAT IS TIE f1ATTER.? ASKED JACOB, FRIGHTENED TO HT 1OUI.


 He sniffed at the herb. The scent was so
 strong that it made him sneeze.
 The sneeze awakened him. He found himself lying on the sofa and he looked
 around him in amazement. What a
 dreamr' said he to himself. 'I could swear even now that I had become a
 squirrel and a companion of guinea pigs,
 and that I learned to be a great cook!
 How mother will laugh when l tell herl But won't she, be angry because went to
 sleep in a strange house?' The latter thought made him start up
 to hurry away. His limbs were quite stiff from sleep, especially his neck, which was
 50 lame that he could hardly move his
 head. He had to smile at the sleepiness that still controlled him. Every moment he struck his nose against something as he moved around the room on his way to the door.
 The squirrels and guinea pigs sur rounded him, whining and moaning, and followed him to the door. He invited
 them to accompany him home, but they
 darted hastily back on their nutshell | after he had left the house.
 He found it very difficult to make his
 way through the narrow streets. There was a great throng everywhere and he
 soon perceived that the people were at
 tracted by the sight of a dwarf, for he
 heard the cries: "Oh, what a queer dwarfn See the ugly dwarfr' Look at
 his immense nose and his head sticking between his shouldersi" Look at his long, brown fingers" At any other time he would have stayed himself to see the dwarf, for he loved queer things like dwarfs, giants or strange ! people But he was in great haste to get back to his mother.
 Still jostled by the crowd that seemed to grow as he approached the market : place, he made his way to his mother, who, it seemed to him, looked pale and
 sad He run to her and put his hand on
 her arm. saying Mother, dear, are you angry with me?"
 The woman sprang up with cry. What do you wish from me, ugly dwarf?" cried she. Away! Away l am in no humor for fooleries!" Mother, mother! What is the matter?" asked Jacob, frightened to his soul. Surely you would not drive me away?' T have told you to go your way" said
 Hannah. You cannot earn any money
 by testing with me, ugly thing!" Dear mother" said Jacob, beginning to
 fear that she was out of her mind, dear
 mother, pray look at me. l am your son, your Jacob
 This is too mnch." cried Hannah, ad- : dressing the crowd He dares to mock my wretchedness, and to call himself my Jacob. my beautiful boy, who has not been seen in seven years.'
 The people pressed on Jacob and men
 and women began to threaten him. When they prepared to beat him he fled and
 went by unfrequented ways to the little shop where his father mended shoes. His mothers strange remarks about seven years, his mysterious dream and all the strange events of the day made his
 hrain spin 1T wonder if father will know aS?" thought he. T will stand in his doorway ard sec"
 He did so. The shoemaker was work lHS Dul tl ldSL iit ldBpcuSu lO look up. Instantly shoe, wire and awi fell from his hands. For Heavens sake he cried, what is it? What is it?'
 Good evening, master, said Jacob, en-
 terins the shop. How goes it?' Badly! Badly. little sir said the shoe
 maker. T am getting old and need as- sistance, but l cannot afford to hire d workman"
 Haven't you a son who could help | your? asked Jacob, wondering at his | fathers lack of recognition. l Alas, I had one," said the old man l with a sigh. His name was Jacob, and | he would be young man of 20 now and l could help me nobly, for even when he | was only 12 he showed great skill and cleverness. He was a fine. handsome lad, too. But so goes the world"