The three small devils went to a swamp to consult as to the best means
of accomplishing their mission. They disputed for a long time--each
one wanting the easiest part of the work--and not being able to agree,
concluded to draw lots; by which it was decided that the one who was
first finished had to come and help the others. This agreement being
entered into, they appointed a time when they were again to meet in the
swamp--to find out who was through and who needed assistance.

The time having arrived, the young devils met in the swamp as agreed,
when each related his experience. The first, who went to Simeon, said:
"I have succeeded in my undertaking, and to-morrow Simeon returns to his
father."

His comrades, eager for particulars, inquired how he had done it.

"Well," he began, "the first thing I did was to blow some courage into
his veins, and, on the strength of it, Simeon went to the Czar and
offered to conquer the whole world for him. The Emperor made him
commander-in-chief of the forces, and sent him with an army to fight the
Viceroy of India. Having started on their mission of conquest, they were
unaware that I, following in their wake, had wet all their powder.
I also went to the Indian ruler and showed him how I could create
numberless soldiers from straw.

"Simeon's army, seeing that they were surrounded by such a vast number of
Indian warriors of my creation, became frightened, and Simeon commanded
to fire from cannons and rifles, which of course they were unable to
do. The soldiers, discouraged, retreated in great disorder. Thus Simeon
brought upon himself the terrible disgrace of defeat. His estate was
confiscated, and to-morrow he is to be executed. All that remains for
me to do, therefore," concluded the young devil, "is to release him
to-morrow morning. Now, then, who wants my assistance?"

The second small devil (from Tarras) then related his story.

"I do not need any help," he began. "My business is also all right. My
work with Tarras will be finished in one week. In the first place I made
him grow thin. He afterward became so covetous that he wanted to possess
everything he saw, and he spent all the money he had in the purchase
of immense quantities of goods. When his capital was gone he still
continued to buy with borrowed money, and has become involved in such
difficulties that he cannot free himself. At the end of one week the
date for the payment of his notes will have expired, and, his