Page:Select Popular Tales from the German of Musaeus.djvu/79

Rh so that he who had formerly contributed to other men’s feasting, was now obliged to practice fasting on his own account. In his former calling, he had been a man of a merry mood, tickling the fancies and the palates of the guests in pretty equal ratio. In the noble science of cooking his talent was unrivalled. There was no dish or culinary compound in which he did not exhibit the utmost skill of a professor. But, unfortunately, our hero would needs dress for himself a sauce that requires more of the ingredient called prudence than any other article in the cookery-book. Peter, in short, sought out for himself a helpmate; and, in evil hour, made choice of one whose unhappy tongue had already gained her the ill-will of the whole town. Whoever came in her way, be it friend or foe, she was sure to load them with abuse; nay, the very saints in the calendar did not always escape her with impunity. Master Block, however, had heard her commended as a thrifty, notable housewife, and he ventured accordingly to espouse this foul-mouthed specimen of the sex denominated fair.

The circumstances of the family soon altered very materially. He had given up his situation of cook, and ventured to open a tavern, in which new calling, however, he was, in the long run, unfortunate. Master Peter had at no time been a proficient in arithmetic; for, of all the rules, the only one in which he succeeded was subtraction; as to addition and multiplication, he could comprehend neither; nor was he much more successful in division. It was too great an exertion for him to keep an exact account of his money affairs; while it lasted, neither kitchen nor cellar went unprovided; his friends, too, were always sure of meeting with the best cheer, long credit, and open house. On the other hand, his kindly, compassionate nature displayed itself equally towards those whose only claim consisted in their inability to pay for their lodging and cheer. When his finances were exhausted, he borrowed money from the usurers; and as he went on, the more did his debts accumulate. The accommodating principle by which, like many other easy, well-disposed people, he found it convenient to regulate his conduct, was, that all would turn out right at last. But, at the last, however, Master Peter found that he had turned all the money out of his pockets, and himself out of doors; for, to the regret of all his good friends and boon companions, he was obliged to strike and take down his sign.

Under these unfortunate circumstances, therefore, he was compelled to become a dependant upon his wife, who set up a small flour trade; and, as an ass was an indispensable adjunct to her establishment, Peter had to act as substitute for that well-behaved animal. Without the least compunction, the dame loaded the shoulders of her partner with many a heavy sack of flour, which he was obliged to carry to the mill, although not without