Atondido Stories
Yirik feared Peter but he feared the landlord more. He was
an orphan, poor lad, and served the landlord for his keep and
three dollars a year.
So with trembling fingers he drew a pitcher of beer and then,
breathing a prayer to his patron saint, he slowly dragged himself
into the tavern.
"There, there, boy," Peter called out kindly. "You needn't be
afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not the Devil. I'm only his
little brother-in-law."
Yirik took heart and placed the beer in front of Peter. Then he
stood still, not daring to raise his eyes.
Peter began asking him about himself, who he was, how he
came to be working for the landlord, and what kind of treatment
he was receiving. Yirik stammered out his story and as he talked
he forgot his fear, he forgot that Peter looked like a devil, and
presently he was talking to him freely as one friend to another.
Peter was touched by the orphan's story and, pulling out his
magic money bag, he filled Yirik's cap with golden ducats. The
boy danced about the room with delight. Then he ran outside
and showed the landlord and the people who had gathered the
present which the strange gentleman had made him.
"And he says he's not the Devil," Yirik reported, "but only his
brother-in-law."
When the landlord heard that Peter really hadn't any horns
or a flaming tongue, he picked up courage and going inside he
begged Peter to give him, too, a few golden ducats. But Peter on-
ly laughed at him.
Peter stayed at the tavern overnight. Just as he fell asleep
some one shook his hand and, as he opened his eyes, he saw his
old master standing beside him.
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