the son of Krutshinin.
And Mistafor gave him a skilful master to teach him the art of
shoemaking that he should become the best and most skilful of all
workmen in that craft. Goria went on learning for several years, and
became so clever that he made shoes even better than his master. Then
Mistafor Skurlatovich took him into his house and ordered him to make
some shoes; so he set to work and made twenty dozen pairs, but not a
single pair of them satisfied Mistafor Skurlatovich. So he beat him
unmercifully till the shoemaker, Goria Krutshinin, was half dead, and
lay sick for ten long weeks.

As soon as Goria began to recover, Mistafor Skurlatovich ordered him
to make some more shoes. And when Goria had finished several pairs he
took them to his master to try on; but not a single pair pleased him.
Then Skurlatovich flung the shoes at his head, and beat him until his
face was covered with blood. Goria Krutshinin, who had one poor
copper altine in his pocket, went to spend it in a public-house by the
road-side, and, as he sat down, he said to himself: "I wish the devil
would free me from this master of mine!"

Suddenly a stranger stood before him, and said: "Why are you in such a
passion, my good lad?"

"How can I help it?" replied Goria, the shoemaker; "my master is as
cruel as a mad dog; you see how he has dressed me down, and ten weeks
ago he beat me even still more than now."

"Why does he beat you so?" said the stranger. And Goria replied: "I
have learnt the art of shoemaking better than my teacher, and I make
shoes for my master, but though I work for him all I can, do what I
will, I never can please him; and instead of thanking me, he beats me
as you see."

Then the stranger said: "I know your master well enough; you must be
freed from his cruelty; and, if you like, I will marry Mistafor's
daughter to you instead of to the Prince to whom she is betrothed."

"Are you mad?" said Goria; "what nonsense are you talking?" "Trust
me," replied the stranger, "I can bring it all about." But the
shoemaker could not believe him, and said: "You may talk and promise
what you will, I do not believe a word." "Whether or no, you shall
see that what I promise I can perform."

So saying the stranger desired him to shut his eyes, throw himself on
the ground facing the sun, and then retire two steps backwards. When
Goria had done so, the stranger told him to look at himself. Goria was
amazed at seeing himself attired in a costl