WISDOM’S WAGES AND FOLLY’S PAY

turning young, there she lay, as dumb as a fish and as
black as coal.

When the blacksmith saw what Babo had done to his
mother, he caught him by the collar, and fell to giving him
such a dressing down as never man had before.

“Help!” bawled Babo. “Help! Murder!”

Such a hubbub had not been heard in that town for
many a day. Back came Simon Agricola running, and
there he saw, and took it all in in one look.

‘Stop, friend,” said he to the smith, ‘‘let the simpleton
go; this is not past mending yet.”

“Very well,” said the smith; “but he must give me
back my golden angel, and you, must cure my mother, or
else I'll have you both up before the judge.”

“Tt shall be done,” said Simon Agricola. So Babo paid
back the money, and the doctor dipped the woman in the
water. When he brought her out she was as well and
strong as ever—but just as old as she had been before.

“Now be off for a pair of scamps, both of you,” said
the blacksmith, “ and if you ever come this way again I'll
set all the dogs in the town upon you.”

Simon Agricola said nothing until they had come out
upon the highway again, and left the town well behind
them ; then—‘‘‘ Born a fool, live a fool, die a fool!’”
says he.

Babo said nothing, but he rubbed the places where the
smith had dusted his coat.

The fourth day of their journey they came to a town,
and here Simon Agricola was for trying his tricks of
magic again. He and Babo took up their.stand in the
corner of the market-place, and began bawling, “ Doctor
Knowall! Dr. Knowall! who has come from the other

273 s