The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-08
St. Francis Of Assist.

st. Francis OF Assist,
St. Francis lived in Italy in the thin.
tcenth century, and founded the order
of friars called the Franciscans, He
was noted for his picty, his hatred Of
all quarrels, and the great kindness Il
his heart. He loved animals, and VISA
gentle to them. even in an age when
human life and suffering were Of small
account. He loved to wander aloha
over the beautiful Umbrian Mountains
singing hymns that told Of his joy il
the light OF the sun and moon, and Of
his love for the birds and animals
whom he called his "brothers and sis.
ters."
1t is said that once he saw a number
of birds together, and. coming up,
talked to them in such gentle tones
about Gods care for them that they did
not fly away, but, waving their wings
looked up at st. Francis with their
bright eyes, as if they could un:erstaud
what he said; and have no doubt that
they did understand that he loved them.
When he walked in the fields, the sheep
and their young lambs would follow
him; and even hares and rabbits would
yield to his gentle power, winning tones
and looks, and, drawing near. would
nestle in his bosom.
One day, he was passing through .
meadow, when he saw one little lamb
feeding in the midst OF q iock OF. goats;
and he was filled with pity, fearing that
they might hurt it in some way. He
longed to get the lamb out Of danger,
and wanted to buy it and take care o.
it himself; but he had no money. While
he was grieving about it, rich man
came by, and him he persuaded to buy
the lamb. The man then gave the
timid little creature to st. Francia and
it ted gladly from his hand, and laid it,
head in his bosom.
Whenever St. Francis found A9pbn
insects in his path, he gently lifted
them out of the way, SO that they might
not he trodden on. nor injured. The
grasshoppers would alight on bis friend
ly hand and play their tiddles 70 him;
and at one time a lark, whose nest wss
near his cell, and who had become used
to his loving voice and quiet move
ments, brought her little nestling u
be fed from his hand.
Perhaps we all might live on suc.
kindly terms with the wild creaturesa
the wood and field, il only We should
love them as he loved them. Irenenl'
Der that the sparrows would alight
upon my fathers head and hand while
he was resting in the porch, and the
bees would walk about over his HANDS
without stinging him, although they
would quickly and iiercely drive Away
an intruder whom they did not trust
Nathaniel Hawthorne tells rs, N n'S
story 1.-THE Marble Faun, OF . Young
man who had taught the dumb cres+
ures in his native woods to love HIM
aud come at his call. But afterward 10
had the misfortune to slay a human oe'
ing, and then the shy animals fled from
him. as if they had been told o. lne
crime of their formerly guiltless TREND;
No doubt they felt the changed tone o.
his voice and the restlessness OF nS
movements.
St. Francis of Assist loved especially
the birds, and of all birds be loved past
the dove; but many beautiful stories 4 40 =
told about him and the swallows ina. !.
chirped and nestled under the caves o.
his dwelling, of the multitudes o. ol ~
upon the lagoons of Venice. ana o. !ns
nightingale that sang near him atm J.
He once saw q young man gong y
town, carrying some doves for sale; sua -
he begged so tenderly for them !. s ~.
they were given to him. He put .nsn
in bis bosom and carried them nome;
where he made nest for them my
tended them until they learned 70 ea'
from his hands in perfect trust: -,
He had friend, Antony OF raauA
who was full of the same spirit o. peece.
fulness and loving goodwill. Thism a:a
was an eloquent preacher, and 70 pa
sermons he told the people who croWuoSS
to hear him about the gentIeness anu
whiteness Of the swans, the mutual love
of the storks. and the purity ana ir -
GRANGE of the blossoms; and ne trled ~
Show how beautiful is life Of love anu
peace. The country was full Of wars
and quarrels, and expressions ou' L Ast
tony bravely went among the ro1sn u.
men in the widest places. to heip tue tue
poor and ill.treated. and to tell 1ns
truth to all. St. Francis and ne welS
wonderfully patient and loving towai 'a
dumb creatures. and believed strongy
in the good that the animals 90 ~.
might be brought 20 do. And 50 !" W.
not SO very strange that people WV aas
knew them should believe the Pre'y
tale that these kind men preacneu :.
the birds and fishes who crowded W
listen to their loving words. rern 10Y.
the story was not true; but 1t IS 'I so
that all men should be gentle 70 'uo
creatures of earth, air and wate!, - :
were the good St. Francis Of Assist anu
Antony, his friend. ,.
1t is pleasant to hear OF men n "o
these, who, even hundreds OF years ~.
were such staunch lovers and de'enue 9.
of our lowly fellow-creatures. 80"
Nicholas.
"A part of the annual tribute ps, "'
by the Maharajah Of Cashmere IN =: ~ .
acknowledgement of the suZerainty OF 'no