THE DEVIL’S LITTLE BROTHER-IN-LAW
ONCE upon a time there was a youth named Peter. He was the son of a rich farmer but on his father’s death his stepmother robbed him of his inheritance and drove him out into the world, penniless and destitute.
“Begone with you now!” she shouted. “Never let me see your face again!”
“Where shall I go?” Peter asked.
“Go to the Devil, for all I care!” the stepmother cried and slammed the door in his face.
Peter felt very sad at being driven away from the farm that had always been his home, but he was an able-bodied lad, industrious and energetic, and he thought he would have no trouble making his way in the world.
He tramped to the next village and stopped at a big farmhouse. The farmer was standing at the door, eating a great hunk of buttered bread.
Peter touched his hat respectfully and said:
“Let every one praise Lord Jesus!”
With his mouth stuffed full, the farmer responded:
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