One day, some young fellows from Bissen were watching the horses out in the fields and, to pass the time, they played cards — a penny was the stake. After a while, they noticed that one penny was missing from the pot, and an argument broke out, since none of them wanted to admit to having taken it.

“If I didn’t put in my stake,” cried one, “then may the Devil take me!”

Soon after, a stately gentleman came riding up, approached the players, and seized the liar and blasphemer by the hair, trying to pull him up onto his horse. The man screamed: “Let me go, or I’ll strike you, Devil or not!” But all his shouting did no good — the rider would not release his prey.

Then one of his companions ran forward and threw his rosary around the captive’s neck. At that moment, the stranger let him go and rode off.

The young men quickly gathered their horses and set off for home — but their path was blocked by a pack of black dogs. Taking a detour, they finally reached the village.

Once home, the guilty man scarcely had time to receive the last sacraments before he died of sheer terror, for there was no doubt that it had been the Devil himself who had seized him by the hair.

J. B. Klein, parish priest, after a manuscript by P. Bies, parish priest.