hose beggars really have got some money?" he said. "We
better go over at once and see."

So they hurried over to the shoemaker's cottage and they shook hands
with him and his wife most effusively and they rubbed their hands
together and they smiled and they smiled and the rich man said:

[Illustration: _He led them to Prince Lucifer_]

"Dear Godfather, how are you? And how are all my dear godchildren? And
what is this good fortune that has come to you?"

"I owe it all to you," the shoemaker said.

"To me?" the farmer repeated and, although he began to feel sick inside
to think that any one had benefited through him, he kept on smiling and
rubbing his hands. "Tell me about it, dear Godfather."

"You know that piece of meat you gave me," the shoemaker said. "You told
me to give it to the Devil. I took your advice and made the Devil a
present of it and he gave me all these wonderful things in return."

The shoemaker made the tablecloth spread itself, he made the rooster
crow and drop a golden ducat, and he made the clubs dance merrily around
the room and tickle the children under the ribs.

The farmer and his wife grew sicker and sicker with envy but they kept
on smiling and rubbing their hands and asking questions.

"Tell us, dear Godfather," they said, "what road do you take to go to
hell? Of course we're not expecting to go ourselves but we'd just like
to know."

The shoemaker told them the way and they hurried home. They slaughtered
their finest cattle and then, packing on their backs all the choicest
cuts of the meat, they staggered down to hell.

When the little devil of a guard saw them coming, he grinned and
chuckled.

"Welcome!" he cried. "We've been waiting for you a long time! Come right
in!"

He led them to Prince Lucifer and the Prince recognized them instantly.

"It's very good of you coming before you had to," he said. "This saves
me a trip to earth. I was thinking just the other day it was time to go
after you. And see all that fine meat you've brought with you! I
certainly am glad to see you! It isn't often I have the pleasure of
meeting people as avaricious, as greedy, as mean, as you two have been.
In fact, both of you are such ornaments to hell that I think I'll just
have to keep you here forever!"

So the rich farmer and his wife were never again seen on earth.

As for the shoemaker--he and his family lived long and merrily. They
shared their good fortune with others, never forgettin