The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-19
JEWISH LAUGHS
By Jacob Richman

wronged man lodged a complaint | against the "Malach- Hamoves" before the celestial tribunal. who found him guilty, and. as fitting penalty. ordered him to descend to earth in the form of man and marry and support the widow.
 The careless angel carried out the decision of the supernal court and in due time begot son.
 In the beginning, while not en- toying celestial bliss and felicity, they lived about as happily as other mortal couples do. But the novelty of married life and the fascination for each other soon wore off. and the woman proved to be of nagging and quarrel some disposition.
 By the time his son was fifteen the patience of the "MaIach- -Ha- moves" was all exhausted, and he decided that instead of living with such a shrew he would rather go to hell, the native abode of the Malachi Hamoves." Calling his son, he revealed his identity to him and gave him instruction as to how to prosper in this world. For although the "Malach-Ha- city, his heart throbbed with sym pathy for his earth child whom he had brought to this world. My child" said the Angel of Death. tenderly, T am passing away from this temporal life. but I will not forsake you. With my help you will become rich and prosperous. You become a physi- clan and when you visit a patient see If I am standing at his head; 1t is a sign that he is hopeless and do not undertake to cure him. On the other hand, If I am not there you may be sure that the patient will survive, and you may prescribe a little water and sugar or anything-it does not matter, he will recover anyhow. Thus you will acquire reputation as great physician and become wealthy"
 As he concluded his words the Angel of Death took wing and disappeared.
 The young boy soon after be- came physician and with the aid of his ghostly father waxed ex- ceedingly rich
 Now 1t happened that the king took seriously i'll. All the magi- clans and sorcerers and medicine men gave him up in despair. Then his majesty heard of the miracu- lous achievements of the young h him.
 My dear doctor" said the mon- arch feebly, as the former came into his presence. "I am told that you are great physician and that you can cure any disease. Now I want you to heal me. If you suc- ceed you will marry my beautiful daughter and become king after me. If you fail or refuse to heal me you will be beheaded out right"
 There was nothing else to do but to obey the kings order. For the sake of formality he felt the Kings pulse, meanwhile looking around whether his father, the
 Maiach- -Hamoves." was there. And To and behold. to his horror ne was standing right at the royal patients head-a sign that the emperor was doomed.
 Realizing the danger that he was in, should the ruler die. he called his kind father out and begged him to depart from the regal patient so that he could cure hlm and thereby save his own life
 The Angel of Death assumed sullen and terrifying countenance and in firm language told his son ,hat nothing could change his course. as the kings time had eoIhe to depart this life.
 seeing that his parent was de.f to ms arguments and entreaties TOT mercy. the son finally ex- cialmed with indignation: "lf you don't go away from here am gong to call my mother"
 No sooner had he pronounced the words my mother' than the sich angel of cruelty nervously .,apped his ethereal wings and in .ne twinkling of an eye vanished from the sick room.