to eat one last meal with you. Let us have no
more words but be kind to each other as we've always been and then part
as friends."

The burgomaster agreed to this and Manka prepared a fine supper of all
the dishes of which her husband was particularly fond. The burgomaster
opened his choicest wine and pledged Manka's health. Then he set to, and
the supper was so good that he ate and ate and ate. And the more he ate,
the more he drank until at last he grew drowsy and fell sound asleep in
his chair. Then without awakening him Manka had him carried out to the
wagon that was waiting to take her home to her father.

The next morning when the burgomaster opened his eyes, he found himself
lying in the shepherd's cottage.

"What does this mean?" he roared out.

"Nothing, dear husband, nothing!" Manka said. "You know you told me I
might take with me the one thing I liked best in your house, so of
course I took you! That's all."

For a moment the burgomaster rubbed his eyes in amazement. Then he
laughed loud and heartily to think how Manka had outwitted him.

"Manka," he said, "you're too clever for me. Come on, my dear, let's go
home."

So they climbed back into the wagon and drove home.

The burgomaster never again scolded his wife but thereafter whenever a
very difficult case came up he always said:

"I think we had better consult my wife. You know she's a very clever
woman."

THE BLACKSMITH'S STOOL

THE STORY OF A MAN WHO FOUND THAT DEATH WAS NECESSARY

[Illustration]

THE BLACKSMITH'S STOOL

A long time ago when Lord Jesus and the blessed St. Peter walked about
together on earth, it happened one evening that they stopped at a
blacksmith's cottage and asked for a night's lodging.

"You are welcome," the blacksmith said. "I am a poor man but whatever I
have I will gladly share with you."

He threw down his hammer and led his guests into the kitchen. There he
entertained them with a good supper and after they had eaten he said to
them:

"I see that you are tired from your day's journey. There is my bed. Lie
down on it and sleep until morning."

"And where will you sleep?" St. Peter asked.

"I? Don't think of me," the blacksmith said. "I'll go out to the barn
and sleep on the straw."

The next morning he gave his guests a fine breakfast, and then sent them
on their way with good wishes for their journey.

As they were leaving, St. Peter plucked Lord Jesus by the sleeve and
whispered: