Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/72

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60
The Spectre Barber.

of God. They carry their follies to so great a length, that I scarcely know what to do in my own house. They put me at last into a passion, I seize them by the collar, cudgel them soundly, and turn them out of my doors. This is my plan, and I treat every guest thus, whom I find troublesome. But a man like you is always welcome to my house. You spoke your mind openly and freely, as the good people of Bremen always do. Let me see you again, therefore, on your return, and now farewell.” After these words Frank departed, and continued his journey towards Antwerp with renewed strength and courage, sincerely wishing he might every where meet with as kind a reception as at the castle of Sir Egbert of Brockhost. At his first entrance into that city, the queen of the cities of Brabant, his hopes were raised to a high pitch. Opulence and luxury were every where visible, and it seemed as if want and poverty were banished from this seat of industry. “My father’s debtors,” he said to himself, “must most likely be sharing in this general wealth; and have again improved their