THE BROTHER OF CHRIST
An old man was dying, and he was enjoining on his son not to forget the poor.
So on Easter Day he went into the church, and he took some fine eggs with him with which to greet his poor brothers, although his mother was very angry with him for so doing—for she was an evil-minded woman and merciless to the poor.
When he reached the church there was only one egg left, and there was one dirty old man. And the lad took him home to break his fast with him.
When the mother saw the poor man, she was very wroth. "It would be better," she said, "to break your fast with a dog than with such a filthy old beggar." And she would not break the fast.
So the son and the old man broke their fast together, and went out for a walk. Then the son looked and saw that the dress of the old man was very shabby, but the cross on him burnt like fire.
"Come," said the old man, "we will change crosses; you become my brother by the cross."
"No, brother," the lad replied, "however much I may wish it; for I should get such a fine cross as you are carrying, and can give you nothing in return."
But the old man overbore the youth, and they exchanged. And he asked him to come as his guest on Tuesday in Easter week. "And if you want to find your way," he said, "follow the path yonder. You need only say, 'The Lord bless me!' and you will find me."
That very Tuesday the youth set out on the footpath,
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