Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/220

 and gold purses, on the contrary, are, for the most part, in the hands of rich and reckless men; is it to be wondered at that the money runs out in all directions, as from a sieve; and that, however frequently replenished, they are ever empty?

“My father had strongly inculcated this maxim upon his seven sons: ‘Whatever you do, my children, do it in earnest.’ I accordingly applied to my business indefatigably, but my condition got none the better. Then war and scarcity came upon the land, and we were inundated with base coin. My fellow tradesmen said: “Light‘Light [sic] money, light wares;’ but I said: ‘Honesty is the best policy,’ and continued to give good purses for bad money; the result of course was, that I was beggared, thrown into gaol, kicked out of my guild by my fellow freemen as a discredit to their mystery; and when my creditors got tired of keeping me in prison, was most handsomely set at liberty, with orders, however, to quit the territory within twelve hours, and not to return on pain of death. When advanced some way on my enforced journey, I knew not, cared not whither, I met one of my former customers, mounted on a very handsome horse. When he saw me he burst out into a scornful laugh: ‘Bungler!’ cried he, ‘stupid ragamuffin! ’tis clear thou dost not know thy business; thou can’st make purses, but not fill them; make pots, and