Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/236

 So the shoemaker when, he was led again into Lucifer’s presence explained to the Prince that the red rooster no longer worked and please would His Highness give him something else instead.

The Prince was most affable.

“Certainly,” he said.

“Well then, Your Highness, I’d like that pair of clubs I see under the oven.”

Lucifer gave him the clubs and wished him a pleasant journey home.

When the shoemaker got back to the gate, the little devil of a guard wagged his head and blinked his eyes.

“Shoemaker,” he said, “those are fine clubs! You don’t know how fine they are! Why, they’ll do anything you tell them! If you point to a man and say to them: ‘Tickle that fellow!’ they’ll jump about and tickle him under the ribs. If you say: ‘Strike that fellow!’ they’ll hit him. And if you say: ‘Beat him!’ they’ll give him a terrible drubbing. Now I want you to try these clubs on that landlord and his wife for they have been playing tricks on you. They stole your tablecloth and your rooster. When you reach the tavern tonight, they’ll be entertaining a wedding party and they’ll say they haven’t any room for you. Don’t argue but quietly take out your clubs