The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-08-30
A Russian Saint Story.

NJ. de MOlln2rl. q Well-knOWu cOntrIDttbOf
to the Paris Journal DIES Debats, has repub-
lished series of letters written from Russia
in 1860, which are very entertaining.
Among the most amusing OF them is one on
religion in Russia. Here, for instance, is
an edifying legend of St. Nicholas and how
he out Xittcd St. Elias Once upon a time
there lived farmer who never failed to keep
the st. Nicholas holy. Often, too, he re-
cited litanies in honor OF the saint. and burn
ed him many tapers. But st. Elias he
somehow neglected, and was even so ill
advised as occasionally to work on his day.
Now, it CHANGED that on one bright after
noon Saint Nicholas and Elias were taking
a walk together. ''See, my BROTHER" quotb
the first, pointing to the farmers land,
'swhat a splendid crop and in trouth the
man deserves it, for he honors the saints. ;"
''Hump - quoth the neglected saint, II am
not quite so sure and when ]. have spoiled
his crops with little hail, perhaps he will
learn to remember st. Elias" The saints
thereupon parted a little sulkily, and Mich
to sell his crops, as they stood, to the priest
OF the parish Of st. Elias. The farmer did,
and the crops hardly become the property
OF the priest before storm of hail compete
ly ruined them. OF course Nicholas and
Elias took another walk, and Elias pointed
out to Nicholas the damage done. 81 think
have cooked your farmers goose" 'sMy
farmers Nay, my brother, it is the goose
of thy own priest that thou hast cooked. "
Explanations followed. ''Poor pope - says
Elias. ''Never mind; 1 will soon set his
| fields to rights" Nicholas now runs off,
and bids the farmer buy the crops back
again. The farmer repairs to the pope's
house. s'Alas reverned Father" he be-
gins, sit is a terrible visitation of heaven,
this. Well, suppose we share the loss-I
| take my crops and return you the half OF
my money ?'' The pope delighted at the
| mans good nature or simplicity, eagerly
consents, and in a few days bitterly regrets
| the bargain, for the crop has been miracu-
| lously restored to more than its pristine
beauty of appearance. Third walk of Mich
olas and Elias, the latter learning with dis
gust that the full ears he admired belong
ed to the;farmer. swell, I'll be even with
him." adds the saint. ''Let him put as
much as ever he likes on the ithreshing floor
he shall beat out each time measure OF
wheat, and no more"
Nicholas now runs off, and instructs the
farmer to put only sheaf at time on the
threshing floor this advice being conscien.
tiously followed, each sheaf produces a
measure. The farmers barns no longer suf
lice MIN ne DulluS new ones, ana tney are
all filled. Fourth walk of Nicholas an6
Elias, and manifest irritation Of the slighte6
saint at the prosperity of man who has
never troubled his head about him. Al
length the truth dawns upon him. "Why
Nicholas, it must.be you who tell the far
mcr!'' ''My dear Elias What an idea
That ~ "Well, well; I'll make thai
farmer remember me.'' s'How % ''Catcl
me telling you." Nicholas was now alarmed
for his friend; but he had a ready wit, ant
gave him some excellent advice. Next morn
ing, accordingly, the two saints CHANGED tc
meet the farmer, who bore great thick ia
per OF a rouble's worth in his right hand
and a miserable little one not worth co
peck in his left. "Hi ! my man" called on
Nicholas, .swhither bound?" s'To offer thi
big taper at the shrine OF blessed St. Elias.
''And for whom is the small one?'' ''rhat
Oh, that's for St. Nicholas" There Elias,
says Nicholas, ''you accused me OF secretl.
protecting the farmer you now see hov
likely that was to be true.' And there tn
affair ended, for St. Elias, pleased with tn
big wax candle, also took the farmer unde
his protection while the farmer ever afte
observed the festival Of both saints wit
equal idleness, and doubtless with equa
, draughts of vodka.