Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-09-28

NJ de Molinari a well known contributor
to the Paris journal dies Debats has repub-
lished n series of letters written from Russia
in 1850, 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 outwitted
st. Elias.
Once upon a time there lived farmer who
never failed to keep the st. Nicholas holy
Often, too, he recited ltanies in honor of
that saint and burned him many tapers. But
st. Elias he somehow neglected, and was even
so i'll advised as occasionally to work on his
day. Now it Glanced that on one bright af-
temoon Saints Nicholas and Elias We're taking
a walk together.
See, my brother" quoth the first, point
ing to the farmers land, what n splendid
crop; and in truth the man deseryesi it, for he
honors the saints"
"Humph! :" quoth the neglected saint Il
am not quite so sure and when have spoil
ed his crops with little hail, perhaps he will
learn TO remember st. Elias"
The saints thereupon parted "A little sulkily
and Nicholas went to seek the farmer, and
bid him sell his crops, as they stood, to the
parish of st. Elias The farmer did, and the
crops had hardly become the property of the
priest before n storm of hail completely ruin
ed them. OF course Nicholas and Elias took
another walk, and Elias pointed ont to Nicho-
las the damage done.
Il think I've cooked your farmers goose"
My farmers Nay, my brother, it is the
goose of thine own priest that thou hast cook
ed"
Explanations follow. Poor pope !" says
Elias. Never mind, will soon set his fields
10 rights"
Nicholas now runs Of and bids the farmer
buy the crops back again. The farmer re-
pairs to the pope's house.
ALAS reverend father, he begins, lit is
terrible visitation of heaven, this we'll
suppose we share the losses l take back
my crop, and return you the half of my mon
ey."
The pope, delighted at the mans good ma
ture or simplicity, eagerly consents and in a
few days bitterly regrets the bargain, for the
crop has been miraculously restored to more
than its pristine beauty of appearance. Third
walk of Nicholas and Elias, the latter learn
ing with disgust that the full ears he admires
belong to the farmer
"Well, I'll be even with him." adds the
saint, ''let him put as much as he likes on the
threshing floor, he shall beat out each time a
measure of wheat and no more"
Nicholas now runs of, and instructs the
farmer to put only sheaf at n time on the
threshing floor this advice being conscien-
tiously followed, each sheaf produces meas
ure.
The farmers barns no longer suffice him
he builds new ones, and they are filed.
Fourth walk of Nicholas and Elias, and mani
fest irritation of the slightest saint at the pros
perity of man who has never troubled his
head about him. At length the truth dawns
upon him. why Nicholas, it must be you
who tell the farmer!" MY dear Elias
What an idea That -" ''Well, well,
I'll make that farmer remember me-" "HowT'
Catch me telling you" Nicholas was now
alarmed for his friend, but he had ready
wit, and gave him some excellent advice.
Next morning accordingly the two saints
CHANGED to meet the farmer, who bore great
thick taper of a ruble's worth in his right
hand, and q miserable little one, not worth o