Page:The Russian Garland of Fairy Tales.djvu/178

 had one poor copper altine in his pocket, went to spend it in a public house by the road-side, and, as he sat down, he said to himself: "I wish the devil would free me from this master of mine!" Suddenly a stranger stood before him and said: "Why are you in such a passion, my good lad?"

"How can I help it?" replied Goria, the shoemaker; "my master is as cruel as a mad dog: you see how he has dressed me down, and ten weeks ago he beat me even still more than now." "Why does he beat you so?" said the stranger. And Goria replied: "I have learnt the art of shoemaking better than my teacher, and I make shoes for my master, but though I work for him all I can, do what I will, I never can please him; and, instead of thanking me, he beats me, as you see."

Then the stranger said: "I know your master well enough; you must be freed from his cruelty; and, if you like, I will marry Mistafor's daughter to you instead of to the Prince to whom she is betrothed." "Are you mad?" said Goria; "what nonsense are you talking?" "Trust me," replied the stranger, "I can bring it all about." But the shoemaker could not believe him, and said: You may talk and promise what you will, I do not