The Waldorf family . y clouds. Theysoon arrived at a more open country ; and as they entered a green valley, through which murmured apleasant stream, they saw, by the waters edge, anold man, clad in miserable tatters, and bearing onhis shoulder a beggars wallet. As soon as he sawthe travellers, he began to implore their assistance. What can we do for you, father ? askedTonyk, taking off his hat as he spoke, out of re-spect to the old mans years. Alas! my dear little gentleman, said thebeggar, you see my gray hairs and wrinkledcheeks; I am so old that my legs will no longercarry me, and I must
The Waldorf family . y clouds. Theysoon arrived at a more open country ; and as they entered a green valley, through which murmured apleasant stream, they saw, by the waters edge, anold man, clad in miserable tatters, and bearing onhis shoulder a beggars wallet. As soon as he sawthe travellers, he began to implore their assistance. What can we do for you, father ? askedTonyk, taking off his hat as he spoke, out of re-spect to the old mans years. Alas! my dear little gentleman, said thebeggar, you see my gray hairs and wrinkledcheeks; I am so old that my legs will no longercarry me, and I must die in this place, unless oneof you will sell me your horse. Sell our horses to an old bone-picker, likeyou ? exclaimed Mylio. I would like to seewhat you can offer for them. Do you see this hollow acorn ? answered theold man. It contains a spider, which spins aweb stronger than steel. Let me take one ofyour horses, and I will give you in exchange thespider and the acorn. Mylio burst into a loud laugh. Do you hear 62. that, Tonyk ? said he ; did you ever know sucha fool ? I will wager my silver buckles, that youmight find a pair of asses heels in that old fellowswooden shoes, if you were to pull them off. The poor man can offer no more than he has,replied Tonyk, softly. Then alighting from hishorse, and advancing towards the. old beggar, hesaid: I will give you my horse, my good man, notfor the price you offer, but for charitys upon him as your own, and thank Heaven,who has sent us to your assistance. The old man muttered a thousand benedictions,and mounting the horse with the youths assist-ance, galloped off into the woods. Mylio, whohad been more and more incensed at each ofTonyks gifts, now no longer attempted to contolhis indignation. Idiot ! he exclaimed, you* have reducedyourself to a pretty condition by your folly. Idare say, you fancied that after you had strippedyourself of every tiling, I would share with you 63
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