Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/254

238 After inquiring everywhere, he at last found the merchant, and asked him to take him as a workman, saying,—

"I will work hard for you for a whole year, but I want no wages. All I ask for is to have the famous image of the Virgin Mary which is in your possession."

The merchant consented, and the man worked away night and day, without a moment's rest, for he was very anxious to please his master. When the year was over he came to the merchant and asked for his reward.

"I am more than pleased with your work," the merchant said; "but I do not wish to part with the picture. Would not money do as well? You could have as much of it as you pleased, if that would satisfy you."

"No; money would be of no use to me. Give me what you promised, and what you agreed upon when you took me."

"It is hard for me to part with that picture; in fact, I don't know what I should do without it! Still, if you will work another year for me, I will give it to you."

There was no help for it, and the truthful man was obliged to consent.

When the year was over, the merchant was again loath to part with the picture.

"I would rather reward you with all possible treasures," the merchant said, "than part with the picture; but if you are determined to have it, you must stop with me and work for another year."

It was difficult to argue with such a rich and