Chapter #23The Story of the Two Brothers by: Seuzz   —and that is the story of the rag-picker, said the merchant's chief servant. And in his art thou canst perceive see how thou might have the carpenter's wife not only for one night but for all.—Speak plainly, said the merchant, for thy meaning is yet dark to me.—And the servant said, Let my master and the carpenter be changed by the rag-picker's art, so that his wife knows not the imposture. Then shall we ply the carpenter with spirits and poisons, so that it appears that my master hath died. But first shalt thou have drawn up documents bequeathing thy estate and all it containeth to the carpenter, for the sake, it will be supposed, of his wife that he loved. Then my master shall return to his dwelling and all it contains, but his wife shall think him her husband yet.
And this seemed good to the merchant, yet he wondered how the rag-picker might be persuaded to exercise his craft, for by his words the rag-picker had shown himself unfriendly to the merchant's desires. And so the servant said, Let my master invite the rag-picker to another of his houses and there disguise his voice and tell a story of such woe that the magician will offer his aid. But being blind he will not know that it is my master who entreats him, and shall unawares make the transformation thou seekest.
The merchant rejoiced at his servant's words, and resolved to do as he said. So he went to another house he had in the city and giving himself another name summoned the blind rag-picker to sup, and after plying him with food and wine spoke unto him, saying—My father, it is known to me that thou hath an art whereby one man may be so changed as to seem in face and body like unto another, so that none can tell the change. And the rag-picker in an agonized voice said, Who hath told you this thing?
And the merchant said, Be at peace, for this is known only to thou and to myself. And yet I have need of thy art. But the rag-picker shook his head saying—It is a thing from which no good hath ever come.—And the merchant said, Let me tell you my tale, my father, and then you shall judge whether thy art may be lent to justice.
Then, with words his own servant had in him rehearsed, said—
The Story of the Two Brothers
In the days of his youth my father went with darkness before his eyes, for though he had a wife that he loved very much, yet he had no children by her. And though it was suggested that he take a concubine and by her make himself children, this he refused to do for the love of his wife.
And yet it came to pass that when age had begun to creep onto his cheek she did conceive by him, and when I was born my father rejoiced, for though I was small I was healthy. Yet his wife, my mother, still kept to her bed in pain, and the next day cried out in agony, for she was still with child; and so another son was born, and he and I were so alike that none could tell us apart. And yet in aspect and spirit we differed greatly, for I was the oldest, and my brother was jealous of me.
Now, ten years ago our father set aside for each of us five thousand talents, to do with as we would. I did not touch my portion but left it with my father, and instead hired myself out to a shipmaster. And from my wages I saved up a hundred talents, which by careful trading I built into two hundred. But my brother improvidently spent all his on luxuries.
Then, when I was at sea trading on the islands, my brother put on clothes like those of a sailor and went to our father, and made a pretense of being me, saying—O my father, give unto me my five thousand talents, for the ships are lost at sea and all my cargo, and I have nothing left. Then our father gave my money to my brother, for we are so much alike in appearance that even he could not tell us apart. Then my brother took the money that had been apportioned to me and went away, and I have heard that he has squandered much of it again.
But I was shipwrecked before I could return home, and indeed lost my cargo and all that I had saved, and when I returned to my home my face was much changed by my woes. Then I went to my father in despair, saying—O my father, give unto me two hundred of my talents, that I may replace what I have earned and lost. But my father refused me, saying that I was my brother, a scoundrel changed by hard living, and he would not give me a copper coin—Lo, your brother, he said to me, hath already taken his money and journeyed to lands far away, to escape thy evil influence.
And then from his house he barred me, and I have not seen him these four years since. I have repaired my small fortune in those days, but my father will not recognize me, corresponding instead with my brother, who ceaselessly urges him against me. And today I learn that my father hath taken to his bed and is dying.
To put aside the book and keep investigating the room: "Disposing of Lucy" 
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