80 COSSACK FAIRY TALES.

“Alas! would to God that I had no need to say it.
It has come to such a pass with us that there’s
not a crust of bread nor a farthing of money in the
house. So I have come to thee, dear little master ;
lend us but a silver ruble and we will be ever
thankful to thee, and [Il work myself old to pay it
back.” —“ But who will stand surety for thee?” asked
the rich man.—‘ I know not if any man will, I am
so poor. Yet, perchance, God and St. Michael will
be my sureties,” and he pointed at the ikon in the
corner. Then the ikon of St. Michael spoke to the
rich man from the niche and said: “Come now!
lend it him, and put it down to my account. God
will repay thee!”— “Well,” said the rich man,
“Tll lend it to thee.” So he lent it, and the
poor man thanked him and returned to his home
full of joy.

But the rich man was not content that God should
give him back his loan by blessing him in his flocks
and herds, and in his children, and in his health,
and in the blessed fruits of the earth. He waited
and waited for the poor man to come and pay him
back his ruble, and at last he went to seek him.
“Thou son of a dog,” he shouted, before the house,
“why hast thou not brought me back my money ?
Thou knowest how to borrow, but thou forgettest to
repay!” Then the wife of the poor man burst into