“You seem to be a very happy man,” said Seekpeace, though there was no smile on the old man’s face.
“I have servants by the score, and my house is full of fine things. My table is covered with dainties, and my beds are of the softest down,” said the man; but he did not say that he was happy, though Seekpeace thought he must be, in the midst of so many fine things.
The carriage left him, and Seekpeace could not help comparing the condition of the two old men. One had all the fine things of this world, and the other had none.
“I will be a rich man,” said Seekpeace. “I will get money, and buy me a great mansion, and fine clothes, and handsome horses. I will have servants by the score. I will have my table covered with the richest food of the land, and I will sleep upon beds of down.”
“That’s right, young man,” said a voice near him. “Be a rich man, and then all men will bow their heads to you.”
Seekpeace turned to see who it was that spoke to him, and beheld the giant whose name is Goldenhand standing by his side. The young man was not afraid of the giant, for though he was very large, there was nothing ugly about him.
He was dressed in rich garments, and he was just the person to please a young man. He was a very skilful and powerful giant; and just to show Seekpeace what he could do, he pulled down an old house that stood by the road side, and piled up a handsome stone mansion in its place; and he performed a great many other wonderful things, that filled the young man with unbounded astonishment.
“Now, young man, you have seen what I can do, and if you wish to go with me, I will help you to become rich and great,” said Goldenhand.
“But where must I go, and what must I do?” asked Seekpeace.
“I cannot tell you now. A great many different kinds of people go with me. Some of them will do any thing I ask them to do, and they generally get rich very fast. Others are not so willing to obey me, and prate about right and justice; and a great many of these I am obliged to discharge from my service. If you go with me, I shall expect you to obey me in all things.”