Editor’s Note: this story is sometimes told about demons, sometimes about fairies.

There was once a Tailor, a profane man, and a great drunkard, who having been to a Fair, and coming home drunk, met a certain man on horse back, who asked him if he were a Tailor? He said he was: the man on horse back asked him if he would make some clothes for him? He said  he would, and received a piece of cloath with a charge to be sure to be at home on such a day, and  such an hour, to take his measure: the Tailor said he would. Although he was drunk, he observed  this person’s feet were not like a man’s, but like  horse’s feet; and some other circumstances which  made him concerned; the more he considered it, his fear increased, thinking it was not a man, but  something belonging to the devil; he being in great  fear about the matter, went to Sir David [a dealer in the magic art] to ask his  opinion about it, from whom he received the fol lowing advice: to delay the measuring of him as  much as possible, and not to stand before but  behind him: he bid him be sure to be at home the  time appointed, and that he (Sir David) would  come to meet him that time. The supposed man  came, and the Tailor, in great fear, began to  measure him, at the same time fearing he was something not good; and according to the advice given  him, delayed measuring him, pretending that he  wanted this and that thing: at last the supposed man  said to him, thou art very long about it, and why  standest thou behind my back? why dost thou not  come before me? The Tailor being in greater fear,  thought every minute a long time, expecting Sir David  to come according to his promise; accordingly he  came, and having looked on the strange man who was  come to be measured, said to him, What is your  business here? Go away; and he went away.  This the Tailor told to all who enquired about it, and  it passed through the Country.    Jones* Cardiganshire