Atondido Stories
So Lukas related to his wife all that had happened at the
christening. In conclusion he said: “When I saw the old woman
was really gone, I started home. On the way curiosity overcame
me and I drew out the christening present and instead of one
ducat I found a handful. I can tell you I was surprised but in-
stead of letting them drop on the ground I let them slip back into
the baby’s clothes. I said to myself: ‘Let your wife also have the
pleasure of pulling out those golden horses.’ And now, dear
wife, leave off exclaiming. Give thanks to God for that which he
has bestowed upon us and help me gather up the golden dar-
lings, for we don’t want any one coming in and spying on us just
now.”
As they began picking them up, they had a new surprise.
Wherever there was one ducat, there they found ten! When they
got them all together they made a fine big heap.
“Oh, dear, oh, dear!” said the woman as she gazed at the
pile. “Who knows whether this money will be blessed to our
use? Perhaps that old woman was an evil spirit who just wants
to buy our souls!”
Lukas looked at his wife reprovingly. “How can you be so
foolish? Do you suppose an evil spirit would have gone with me
to church, allowed herself to be sprinkled with holy water, yes,
and even herself make the sign of the cross! Never! I don’t say
that she is just an ordinary human being, but I do say that she
must be a good spirit whom God has sent to us to help us. I’m
sure we can keep this money with a clear conscience. The first
question is where to hide it so that no one can find it. For the
present I shall put it into the chest, but tomorrow night I shall
bury it under the pear tree.
And one thing, wife, I warn you: don’t say anything about it
to any one. I shall take one ducat and go to the burgomaster’s
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