Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/300

 In desperation the little. shoemaker returned to heaven and pounded loudly on the golden gate. Thinking from the noise that some very important saint had arrived, St. Peter flung open the gate. Quick as a flash the little shoemaker threw his leather apron inside, then hopped in himself under St. Peter’s elbow and squatted down on the apron.

In great excitement St. Peter tried to turn him out of heaven, but the little shoemaker shouted:

“You can’t touch me! You can’t touch me! I’m sitting on my own property! Let me alone!”

He raised such a hubbub that all the angels and the blessed saints came running to see what was happening. Presently Lord Jesus himself came and the little shoemaker explained to him how he just had to stay in heaven as the devils wouldn’t let him into hell.

“Now, Master,” St. Peter said, “what am I to do? You know yourself we can’t keep this fellow in heaven.”

But Lord Jesus, looking with pity on the poor little shoemaker, said to St. Peter:

“Just let him stay where he is. He won’t bother any one sitting here near the gate.”