A Fortune in an Empty Wallet
By Walter Crane
Edited by Jane Mouttet
Several hundred years ago, a young knight lived in the north of England. He was penniless, as his father had spent all his money, and the only things of value that he left his son were a white horse of extraordinary beauty and a very curious old sword. Edgar—that was the knight’s name—was obliged to leave his home, for he had no money to spend in keeping up a large house; and, besides, his father had been deeply in debt, and the tradesmen were clamoring for their bills to be paid, and threatening to put him in prison if he did not pay them. So, he filled two bundles with clothes and food, mounted his horse, and rode off to seek his fortune abroad.
He had been journeying for several days, not knowing where to go or what to do, when he found himself riding through a dark and gloomy forest one evening. He was thinking how dismal his future looked and wondering how he could make a living when suddenly, his horse started, reared up on his hind legs, and then stood quite still, trembling with fright.
Edgar looked around him and saw, standing under the shadow of an old yew tree, the figure of an aged man. His form was bent with years, and he leaned for support on a thick knotted stick. His clothes were patched and torn, and his toes peeped out from his worn-out boots. He carried an old wallet in one hand, which had been carefully mended and evidently contained something he greatly valued.
When Edgar’s horse stopped short, the old man came near and asked for alms.
“You have come to the wrong person,” replied Edgar, “for though I would gladly help you if I could, I expect that I am quite as poor as you are, except that I still have my sword and good steed.”
The old man looked earnestly at the sword, and his eyes sparkled as he asked eagerly — “Where did you get that sword from?”
“My father gave it to me,” replied Edgar, “and he brought it home when he returned from the wars beyond the seas.”
“Noble knight!” returned the old man, “I have a jewel beyond price in my wallet. That sword of yours takes my fancy, and if you like to exchange it for my wallet and what it contains, I assure you that you will not repent it.”
“Let me first see the jewel,” said Edgar. Although he was very anxious to get it, he wanted to make sure it was there.
“Before I let you have my wallet, I must have your sword,” said the old man. But if you do not like your bargain, I will return it to you. I cannot run away with it, for you are on horseback while I am on foot.
At first, Edgar refused to do this, but finally, he agreed. He thought he could get the sword back quickly, as the old man could not run as fast as his horse. So, he handed down his sword and received the old wallet in exchange.
He opened it eagerly but, to his rage and dismay, found that it was empty. He turned round so angrily that he accidentally touched his horse with his spur. The horse at once began to gallop off, which had carried him some distance before he could stop it.
When he returned to the spot where he had given up his sword, he first saw nothing of the beggar. But when he looked up, to his great surprise, he saw him sitting on top of a tall tree, having climbed there to be out of his reach.
“Honored knight!” cried the beggar, “forgive me for playing you such a trick, and rest assured that you shall not, in the end, suffer for it. This sword which I hold in my hand belonged to my great-grandfather, who was killed in the first crusade, and it has now become your property in some way or other. I knew it at once by the curious hilt, of which the cross-piece is, as you know, turned up at one end and down at the other. Give me your knightly word that you will not harm me, and I will come down and explain why I value the sword so highly. Of one thing you may be certain—I shall not deceive you again. And what I tell you will be of great service to you.”
Edgar promised the beggar he would be safe, and the latter began to scramble down from his uncomfortable perch. But, he was entirely changed and was now a handsome youth, though still dressed in the same tattered old clothes.
“My name,” said the beggar, “is Bertram, and I owe you a debt of gratitude that I can never repay, for using this sword, I can win back the castle and lands of my ancestors, from which I have been lately driven to wander about in the guise of an old beggar. From now on, we will be as brothers and half of my lands shall be yours, for had it not been for you, they would never have become mine again. But let me tell you my story.
“Three years ago, my father died, and I became heir to all his estates, but my stepmother was a wicked woman and hated me with all her might. Twelve months ago, she married again, and both she and her husband set to work to drive me from my home. Many of their attempts failed, but they finally secured the help of an old wizard, who turned me into a beggar. Of course, nobody recognized me in this disguise. My own servants only laughed and jeered when I told them who I was, and my stepfather drove me from the castle with blows that I was too feeble to resist.
“I begged him to have mercy, but he only laughed, and the wizard standing by him said, ‘A beggar you must remain until you find your great-grandfather’s sword:’ then they slammed the door in my face.
“My father thought he was perfectly safe to keep the castle forever, as he believed the sword had been lost in a foreign land and that I could never find it again. But chance has brought it to me when I least expected it and at a time when I am within a mile of my castle. Come, my friend, let us go and take possession, for I know that the wizard spoke the truth when he said that I should enjoy my own again when I got this sword because already half of what he said has come true since I am once more my own self, instead of being an old beggar.”
Edgar took Bertram up behind him on his horse, and together, they rode off to the castle, which was not far distant. Leaving the horse tied to a tree, they drew near the gate when they heard shouts, songs, and music, so they knew that a great feast was being held.
“This way,” said Bertram, and they ran down a narrow passage, then up a steep flight of stairs that led to a platform from which they could look into the courtyard. An incredible scene met their eyes. The courtyard was full of people who were eating, drinking, singing, and enjoying themselves to their hearts’ content. In the middle, several servants, with their long sharp knives, were cutting up an ox that had been roasted whole while a number more were bringing in fresh dishes of delicacies, such as peacocks, truffles, and boars’ heads.
Bertram quickly looked around and whispered to Edgar, “He is not here. ” He motioned him to follow and ran down the stairs again.
They passed through many passages and rooms, meeting no one, for everybody seemed to be helping at the feast. At length, they reached a stone terrace that ran outside the wall of the castle. They walked along this until Bertram suddenly stopped opposite a large window and signed to Edgar to look through.
He did so and saw a man seated at a table with a lot of money before him. He was paying away as fast as he could to several wicked-looking men with fur caps, who were putting the money into bags and carrying it away.
“The wretch!” said Bertram; “see how he is wasting my money. Let us dash in upon him through the window so that he may see his day is over.” So saying, he jumped right through the window onto the floor, closely followed by Edgar.
At the sound of the breaking of glass, the men looked up. Seeing two strange figures coming through the window, they ran off as fast as they could, leaving their money behind and shouting out that they had seen a spirit. His stepfather fainted with terror, but the old steward at once knew his master again and, kneeling down, kissed his hand, blessing the day that had brought him back once more. Soon, all the servants came running in, having heard the shouts of the men as they rushed away. Their delight at again seeing their young master, whom they had mourned as dead, was beyond bounds. They brought him beautiful clothes and took away his ragged garments while his wicked stepfather was hurried off to prison.
They then conducted him to the courtyard and seated him in the chair of state, after which they served the banquet prepared for his stepfather. But amidst all his happiness Bertram did not forget his friend Edgar, who had been the means of restoring his inheritance. Taking him by the hand, he led him to the seat of honor, saying aloud as he did so,—
“From now on, we are brothers, and everything shall belong to both of us equally. If it weren’t you, I would still be wandering about in the forest, so the least I can do is to share my good fortune with you.”
Edgar never regretted the day when he exchanged his sword for an empty wallet.
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