Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/105

 were situated  opposite  to  each  other. Two of  a trade,  the  proverb  says,  do  not  agree; and  so  it  was in this  instance. Jealousy of  each  other  caused them to  become  open  enemies. Now one  of  the  two felt pangs  of  conscience; he  knew  the  sentiments  he entertained  toward  his  neighbor  were  highly  reprehensible. He went  to  a priest,  and  asked  him  what he should  do  to  propitiate  his  adversary. The priest replied: “ You  can  take  no  better  course  than  this: whenever you  have  not  the  article  required  by  your customers send  them  over  the  way  to  your  neighbor.” The  man  followed  this  advice. The other tradesman soon  learned  who  it  was  who  sent  customers to him,  and  on  the  first  opportunity  he  took  occasion to thank  him. Thus the  two  were  reconciled  and lived on  the  best  of  terms  with  each  other. As the sun’s rays  melt  ice,  so  benefits  dispel  jealousy.

Every one  is  bound  to  work. Charlemagne was one of  the  most  famous  monarchs  that  ever  lived. He was  not  only  an  able  ruler,  but  an  exemplary father. He made  all  his  daughters  learn  some  kind of household  work, — work  which  is  usually  performed by women; they  had  to  sew,  to  spin,  and  even  to wash  and  cook. The emperor  himself  would  only wear linen  which  his  daughters  had  spun,  clothes which their  deft  fingers  had  made. Thus by  the  example of  his  own  domestic  arrangements  he  taught his subjects  that  not  only  is  it  no  disgrace  to  work,