So the wicked Bluebeard perished miserably, and Fatima became mistress of all his riches. Part of her wealth she bestowed on her sister Anne, and part on her two brothers. The rest she retained herself, and presently she married a man whose kind treatment helped her to forget her unfortunate experience with Bluebeard.
THE SPENDTHRIFT MERCHANT’S SON
THERE was once a merchant’s son, who, when his father died, squandered all his inheritance. At last he had nothing to eat. So he took a spade, went to the market-place, and stood waiting to see if anyone would hire him for a laborer. By and by a rich noble drove into the market-place in his golden coach. As soon as the men who were waiting there for work saw him, all except the merchant’s son scattered in every direction and hid. The gilded coach came to a stop before him, and the noble said, “Do you want work, young man?”
“It is for no other purpose than to get work that I stand here,” replied the merchant’s son.
“Then I will hire you,” said the noble. “What wages do you require?”
“One hundred silver pieces a day,” was the answer.
“That is a high price,” said the noble.
“If you think it too much,” said the merchant’s son, “go and find a cheaper article. But I observe that you are not very popular as an employer. Crowds of laborers seeking work were here a few minutes ago, but you came, and away they all bolted.”
“Well,” said the noble, “I agree to pay your price. Meet me at the harbor tomorrow.”