f
the gold.

"I owe all my good fortune to my old grandmother," the farmer used to
say, "for she it was who told me to tie _them_ with bast."

THE DEVIL'S LITTLE BROTHER-IN-LAW

THE STORY OF A YOUTH WHO COULDN'T FIND WORK

[Illustration]

THE DEVIL'S LITTLE BROTHER-IN-LAW

Once upon a time there was a youth named Peter. He was the son of a rich
farmer but on his father's death his stepmother robbed him of his
inheritance and drove him out into the world, penniless and destitute.

"Begone with you now!" she shouted. "Never let me see your face again!"

"Where shall I go?" Peter asked.

"Go to the Devil, for all I care!" the stepmother cried and slammed the
door in his face.

Peter felt very sad at being driven away from the farm that had always
been his home, but he was an able-bodied lad, industrious and energetic,
and he thought he would have no trouble making his way in the world.

He tramped to the next village and stopped at a big farmhouse. The
farmer was standing at the door, eating a great hunk of buttered bread.

Peter touched his hat respectfully and said:

"Let every one praise Lord Jesus!"

With his mouth stuffed full, the farmer responded:

"Until the Day of Judgment!" Then in a different tone he demanded: "What
do you want?"

"I'm looking for work," Peter said. "Do you need a laborer?"

Peter was well dressed for he had on the last clothes his kind father
had given him. The farmer looked him over and sneered.

"A fine laborer you would make! You would do good work at meals--I see
that, and spend the rest of your time at cards and teasing the maids! I
know your kind!"

Peter tried to tell the farmer that he was industrious and steady but
with an oath the farmer told him to go to the Devil. Then stepping
inside the house he slammed the door in Peter's face.

In the next village he applied for work at the bailiff's house. The
bailiff's wife answered his knock.

"The master is playing cards with two of his friends," she said. "I'll
go in and ask him if he has anything for you to do."

Peter heard her speak to some one inside and then a rough voice bellowed
out:

"No! How often have I told you not to interrupt me when I'm busy! Tell
the fellow to go to the Devil!"

Without waiting for the bailiff's wife, Peter turned away. Tired and
discouraged he took a path into the woods and sat down.

"There doesn't seem to be any place for me in all the world," he thought
to hi