. Still, in the
present story, it appears to have been a rather expensive instrument.]

THE LUCKY EGG.

(KREUTZWALD.)

Once upon a time a poor man lived in a great forest with his wife. God
had given them eight children, and the elder ones were already earning
their living with strangers. So the parents were not much rejoiced when
a ninth little son was born to them in their old age. But as God had
given it to them, they were obliged to accept it, and to have it
christened according to Christian usage. But they could find no one
willing to stand sponsor for the child, for everybody thought that if
the parents died, the child would be left a burden on their hands. Then
said the father, "I will take the child and carry it to church next
Sunday, and say that although I can find no sponsors for the child, the
parson may please himself. Then, whether he christens the child or not,
no sin can rest on my soul."

When he set out on Sunday, he found a beggar sitting by the wayside near
his house, who asked for alms. The father said, "I have nothing to give
you, dear brother, for I must pay out the few copecks which I have in my
pocket for the christening. But if you will do me a kindness, come and
stand godfather to my child, and afterwards go home with me, and share
the christening feast which my good wife has prepared." The beggar, who
had never before been invited to stand godfather to anybody's child,
joyfully accepted the man's proposal, and went with him to the church.
Just as they arrived, a magnificent carriage and four drove up, and a
young Saxon lady alighted from it. The poor man thought, "Now I'll try
my luck for the last time." He bowed respectfully to the unknown lady,
and said, "Noble lady, whoever you may be! will you not have the
kindness to stand godmother to my child?" The lady consented.

When the child was brought up to be baptized after the sermon, the
parson and the congregation were much surprised to see a poor beggar-man
and a proud handsome lady standing together as sponsors for the child.
The child was baptized by the name of Paertel.[156] The rich lady paid
the christening fees, and also made a christening present of three
roubles, which much rejoiced the child's father. The beggar went home to
the christening feast. Before leaving in the evening, he took from his
pocket a small box wrapped in a piece of rag, and gave it to the child's
mother, saying, "My christening gift is poor enough,