Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/294

 breakfast and after breakfast he took them on their way for a mile or two.

As he was leaving them, St. Peter whispered to Christ:

“Master, this poor man has given us of his best. Don’t you think you ought to reward him?”

Christ nodded and, turning to the little shoemaker, he said:

“For your kindness to us this day I will reward you. Make three wishes and they will be granted.”

The shoemaker thanked Christ and said:

“Well then, these are my wishes: first, may whoever sits down on my cobbler’s stool be unable to get up until I permit him; second, may whoever looks into the window of my cottage have to stand there until I let him go; and third, may whoever shakes the pear-tree in my garden stick to the tree until I set him free.”

“Your wishes will be granted,” Christ promised. Then he and St. Peter went on their way and the shoemaker returned to his cottage.

The years went by and at last one afternoon the devil stood before the shoemaker and said:

“Ho, shoemaker, your time has come! Are you ready?”

“Just let me have a bite of supper first,” the