Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/46

38 ever but this: "I will write a letter for thee to the priest of the parish in which thy people are, and unless that does thee service I cannot help thee." He wrote the letter for him. When he had got it he departed as fast as his legs would take him, without making any delay, till he came to his father's house. He did not stay long there before he went to the priest, and gave him the Pope's letter. The priest read it, and was greatly astonished. He said, "How is it possible for me to rescue when the Pope has not done so? Does he suppose my power to be greater than his own? For his sake I will do for thee as much as I can. I have a brother, Mathew by name, living half-way between the kingdom of God and hell, and his perpetual occupation is playing cards night and day. He is there now with a table and a pack of cards. His last end after death was to go to hell, as he was a man of very bad life, and it is right his dwelling should be there."

The priest showed him the road to find Mathew. "When thou approachest him, put this letter at the end of a stick, else he will pelt thee with stones. Then he will understand thou wilt play a game with him."

The youth went on his way with the priest's letter along every path as he had been directed, till he came within sight of Mathew. When Mathew saw him he picked up stones to pelt him. Then he put the letter at the end of the stick and stretched it out before him. When Mathew saw that he sat down waiting for him. He took the letter and read it, and was greatly astonished at it. He said, "How was it possible for my brother to think that it was in my power to do thee a service, for I spent my former life very ill, and now there will soon be an end to my evil deeds? I understand that too late," said he. "There is nothing at all for me to do for thee but write to the Arch-Devil in hell. If he does not take an interest in thy scrape, pitiable indeed is thy tale."

Mathew instructed him as to the road as well as he could. He went along with a heavy heart. Whether long or short the journey he made, at last he reached the gate of hell. He knocked outside, and a messenger came out, to whom he gave the letter. The messenger took it in with him. Presently the big man himself came and ques-