The Cossack Mamariha [antikvár]

The Cossack Mamariha, having spent twenty-five years in service to the wealthy, was given three copper coins in payment. Taking these he set out on the highroad, going wherever fortune took him.As he walked along he met a young man."Good-day to you lad!" he greeted."And good-day to you, too!" answered the young man. "And who might you be?""I'm the Cossack Mamariha who served the rich for twenty-five years, earned three copper coins, and am now going wherever fortune takes me. And you?""And I," answered the young man, "served one landlord, and while harvesting grain I found a haircloth pouch, one that always contained food and drink. When the Master found out about it he ordered me beaten and the pouch taken away. But I was able to escape, pouch and all.""And where is this pouch?""Some highwaymen attacked me in the forest and robbed me of it.""Well, let's go on together, you can be a brother to me."So the two went on together. They walked and they walked till they met another young man."Good-day to you lad!" they greeted."A good day to you also," he replied. "And who might you be?""I'm the Cossack Mamariha, and this is my sworn brother. And you?""I," answered the young man, "was in the service of a rich man, and while cutting wood in the forest I found a pouch of wire mesh in a tree, one that was able to do all kinds of work. When the Master discovered that I had such a pouch he ordered me beaten and the pouch taken away. But I was able to escape and here I am.""And where is your pouch?"