The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-06-11
VOL. MI.
From Morris's National Press.
VISIT OF ST. NICHOLAS.
BY MRS FLLErT

"ihii AHo VIC uH0 tuiCO HCoS
were allhandsome, and had no lack of admir-
ers; but so extreme was the poverty Of the
father, notwithstanding his incessant toll, thai
he could give them no dowfy. 1t was moi
thought proper in those days to'marry without
one; and thus The poor man already old and
feeble, has nothing to look forward to for his
family but desiiution, in case ofhis death.
In his extremity, he had resource TO his
patron Saint Nicholas, to whom he prayed
every day, that he wOnld work nrlcle to
relieve him from his distress. Every morn
ing found him bh his knees before the holy
al ar.
One of his nearest neighbors was rich
aud avaricious merchant who noticed him
g,ing every daylo church, On one occasion
ne followed him and standing near as he
knelt, overheard the fervent prayer he utter
ed aloud, in the ardor Of his emotion. When
the poor man arose, the merchant questioned
him. and learned what were his troubles.
You will have 10 pray good while" said
he, sneeringy, If you wait for the saints TO
take care of your daughters. The age Of
miracles is gone by. Heaven does not con-
Germ itself now day With what happens on
earth. You must choose patton saint,
such as have--who can do something for
you
What is his name p asked the simple shoe
maker, eagerly.
tIi is the Jew--Ruonaluto lie lends
money al Two per cent month; and if you
know how 10 manage, you may make four
with il. Only try him--he is not so deafas
old Saint Nicholas
The poor man shuddored at this impious
speech and assured The merchant his religi-
Gus faith could never be shaken. The other
laughed, and persisted in his efforts to pur-
saade him TO leave off praying, and apply TO
the Jew. Bat Giraldi peEseyered, and went
every day TO church as before.
1t was now Christmas day--!he time when
the merchant and the Jew were accustomed
TO settle up their accounts for year. The
latter found he owed his friend arrears to the
amount of three hundred ducats; and ii &C.
CURED TO him to pay il in such manner as
should give him an agreeable surprise.
Buonalu'o understood the art of faiienine
ducks 10 perfection, and had great-varieiy
of them. He caused and unusually fine one
TO be killed and roasted; aud then with his
own hands, Introduced the three hundred gold
pieces in the inside, and sewed them up.
lie then sent the duck TO his rich friend as
Christmas present.
The wife of the merchant, an upright,
honorable woman, had never been pleased
with the business of usury her husband car
red on with the Jew. She shared the com
mon prejudice, too. against all Ofthat nation
So when the present came, she declared she
would no', for the world, be induced to touch
a bit of it,
The merchant was not displeased at her
refusal 'I'he duck is worth dollar said
he, fora Chistmas dinner will rather try to
sell its
Just then Giraldi, the shoemaker, passe d
on his way from church. His neighbor be-
gan TO banter him, rs usual, on his devotion.
alas Saint Nicholas heard your petition
al last? he asked.
q have patence;' answered the poor man.
at will not always be night
See here,' said the other--showing the
dack--'the Christmas gift my patron saint
has sent me! Yours, will venture, cannot
afford you even piece Of bread'
After little more talk, the merchant Of
fered 10 sell the duck to his poor neighbor
Giraldi had nothing to pay; but said, if he
could be trusted for the price, lie would pay
whenever he was able. His neighbour knew
him to be strictly honest, and thus the bar
gain was closed. The shoemaker carried The
duck home.
When he sat down with his family TO their
Christmas dinner, and the duck was carved
what was the establishment of all 10 find in i
three hundred ducats! Praise 10 Saint Mich
l. L. ~ ha
exclamation of the father
When he had recovered from his surprise
his first thought was to go and return the
money.-But his wife convinced him that, al
he had purchased the duck, it was rghtfulll
his own. He therefore divided The sum be
tween the two suitors for his two eldest daugh
tiers, and the wedding day was fixed.
Some days after, the Jew wen; 10 the mer
chant. "How did you relish the duck?" hi
asked.
81: was excellent" was the reply, Il neve
. saw one finer or fater.' He was ashame'
to own that he had sold it.
'And you found therein the three hundre'
ducats owed your enquircd Buonaiuio.
The merchants surprise at this question
and his horror when he learned the truth
may be imagined. He confessed havingdis
posed of The duck, and they both went TO III
shoemaker
Graldi owned that he had found the mon
ey, but refused to return it, inasmuch as b
had bought the duck. The cause came be
fore The magistrate. When the poor man
= story was told, and il was known how crlell
he had been ridiculed about his religion
much indignation was excited. The Judg
was pious man. HIS sentence was, III;
,ha shnennaker sI1nnld keen the three hui