The tub of holy water

Poor X. once stood on the fish market at Luxembourg, sadly pondering his lot. His longing to become a rich man was so great that he hit on the idea of calling the devil to his aid.

Hardly had he done so than the devil approached him, dressed as a well-to-do citizen. After some bargaining and haggling they agreed that the devil should have X.’s soul after thirty years, on condition that he gave him twelve thousand francs.

The deed was signed by X. with his own blood. X. then founded a large factory and became a rich man.

Meanwhile the thirtieth year drew on, and X. grew afraid. He turned to the Jesuit father Fraenzchen, famous for his piety and his power over evil spirits.

On the father’s advice and instruction X. was converted, visited the church of St Nicholas in the city daily and prayed diligently.

When the thirtieth anniversary came round, X. locked the doors of his house and betook himself to that church.

On a fiery wagon drawn by four fiery hounds the devil came driving to X.’s house, knocked, and was told by the porter that X. was not at home. Where is he, asked the devil. I do not know, answered the porter, and shut the door.

At this the devil circled the house three times more with his wagon, then drove across the glacis to the church of St Nicholas and three times round it, knocked, but was not let in.

Then he drove in through the keyhole towards X., whom Father Fraenzchen had set in a tub of holy water, seized X. by the hair and drew him so far out of the water that he touched the holy water only with his little toe, but had to let him go again, for he was too heavy.

The church shook, and the clergy, all but Father Fraenzchen, fell to the ground. Once again the devil drove three times round the church, then round the altar, seized X. by the hair again, but could now raise him only as far as the waist. He repeats the same a third time, and now the devil cannot lift X. at all.

Full of rage he plunges him once more entirely under the water, races three times more round the church, burns the bond and drives off for ever.

X. was redeemed, and because Father Fraenzchen had helped him break his compact with the devil, he endowed him and the whole monastery richly. X. remained pious and God-fearing, and his descendants are rich and happy to this day.