escaped unknown from the palace with his goose, and started on his way
for the sea-coast towards Mimi's home.
It is needless to add that their journey was successful, that
Wetterbock disenchanted his daughter, and dismissed Jacob laden with
presents, that the latter returned to his native town, that his parents
with delight recognised in the handsome young man their lost son, that
he, with the presents that he had received, purchased a shop and became
wealthy and happy.
Only this much may be added, that after his departure from the duke's
palace there was great consternation, for when, on the next morning,
the duke was about to fulfil his oath, and to have the dwarf beheaded
in case he had not discovered the herbs, he was nowhere to be found;
and the prince maintained that the duke had let him escape secretly
rather than lose his best cook, and accused him of breaking his word
of honour. This circumstance gave rise to a great war between the two
princes, which is well known in history by the name of the 'Herb War.'
Many battles were fought, but at length a peace was concluded, which is
now called the 'Pie Peace,' because at the festival of reconciliation
the Souzeraine, queen of pies, was prepared by the prince's cook, and
relished by the duke in the highest degree.
Thus the most trifling causes often lead to the greatest result; and
this, reader, is the story of 'Nose, the Dwarf.'
THE END
_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_
Transcriber's note
Words in italics have been surrounded with _underscores_ and small
capitals changed to all capitals.
On page 78 "hat" was changed to "that" (so that it sounded like).
Otherwise the original was preserved, including inconsistent
hyphenation.