THE MERCHANT
"Of me?" cried the landlord.
"Yes. The ghost promised to visit you in a few days and shave your head and chin. He said that he had kept his eye on you for a great length of time."
"Gracious!" shouted he. "How can I escape him? I would die of fear if I ever awoke and found him in my room."
"I shall tell him to-night," answered the young man, "that you would prefer not to be shaved as I was. But in return you must keep me here for a month, and when I am ready to return home I wish to borrow your horses and carriage."
The landlord promised this, and implored him to do all that was in his power to prevent his being shaved by the terrible ghost, of which he had heard so many fearful tales.
In the course of the next four weeks the young merchant's hair had again grown into its usual length, so he left the ruin in the landlord's carriage, and returned home with the chest, which was found to contain an immense sum of money. The old book-keeper initiated him into the duties of the business, which grew rapidly, and brought him back his old wealth in the course of a short time.
As soon as it was known that the merchant had returned home with immense riches, his friends again presented themselves at his door. The young man hired, however, a couple of stout stone-cutters, and as soon as the friends appeared they were
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