Seite 326 von 626

What have I done to deserve this?' 'Thou hast shaved many a poor

soul close enough,' said the other; 'thou art only meeting thy

reward': so he played up another tune. Then the miser began to

beg and promise, and offered money for his liberty; but he did

not come up to the musician's price for some time, and he danced

him along brisker and brisker, and the miser bid higher and

higher, till at last he offered a round hundred of florins that

he had in his purse, and had just gained by cheating some poor

fellow. When the countryman saw so much money, he said, 'I will

agree to your proposal.' So he took the purse, put up his fiddle,

and travelled on very pleased with his bargain.