Stranica 130 [130]
OCR
VABOULAY ES FATRY BOOK and frenzy which ill accorded with their icy faces. One of the dancers gathered up all the gold that was heaped on the table, and, pouring it into Swanda’s hat, "Here," said he, "take this for the pleasure that you have given us." " God bless you, my good lords!”’ said the dazzled piper. Searcely had he spoken when men, room, and cards vanished. In the morning a peasant on his way to the fields heard the sound of a pipe as he approached the cross-road. "It is Swanda,” said he. But where was the piper? Seated on a corner of the gallows, he was blowing with all his might, while the corpses of the robbers danced in the wind to his music. ‘Halloo, comrade!” cried the peasant. "How long have you been playing the cuckoo up there?”’ Swanda started, dropped his pipe, opened his eyes, and glided, bewildered, down the gallows. His first thought, however, was for his ducats. He rummaged his pockets and turned his hat inside out, but all in vain; there was not even a kreutzer! " My friend,” said the peasant, making the sign of the cross, "God has punished you by giving you the devil for a partner; you love cards too well." " You are right," said Swanda, trembling; "I will never touch them again in my life." He kept his word; and, to thank Heaven for having 100
