Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-07-03
A Russian Saint Story.

M. de Molinari, well-known contributor
to the Paris Journal des Debats, has repub-
lished a 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 outwitted st. Elias: Once upon
time there lived farmer who never failed
to keep St. Nicholas holy. Often, too, he
recited litanies 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 CHANGED that on one bright after
noon Saints Nicholas and Elias were taking
awalk together. "See, my brother" quoth
the first, pointing to the farmers's land,
''what a splendid crop; and in truth the man
deserves it, for he honors the saints. /"
'Humph!" quoth the neglected saint, 81
am not quite so sure; and when have
spoiled his crops with little hail, perhaps
he will learn to remember st. Elias" The
saints threupon parted a little sulkily, and
Nicholas went to seek the farmer, and bid
him sell his crops, as they stood, to the
priest Of the parish of st. Elias The far
mer did, and the crops had hardly become
the property of the priest before storm OF
hail completely ruined them. Of course
Nicholas andElias took another walk, and
Elias pointed out to Nicholas the damage
done. 81 think have cooked. your far
mer's goose. my farmers! Nay, my
brother, it is the goose of thy own priest
that thou hast cooked" Explanations
follow. "Poor popep' says Elias. Never
mind; [ will soon set his fields to rights"
Nicholas now runs of, and bids the farmer
buy the crops back again. The farmer re-
pairs to the pope's house. calais! rever-
ent Father" he begins, cit is a terrible
visitation of heaven, this. Wen, suppose
we share the losses-I take back my crop
and return you the half of my money ?"
The pope, delighted at the mans good ma
ture or simplicity, eagerly consents, and in
few days bitterly regrets the bargain, for
the crop has been miracuously restored to
more than its pristine beauty Disappearance.
Third walk of Nicholas and Elias, the lat
ter learning 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
measure of wheat, and no more" Nicho-
las now runs of, and instructs the farmer
to put only sheaf at time on the thresh-
ing floor; this advice being conscientiously
IOllOW6u, edCn Sn61I PRODUCES d IH0dSuIc.
The farmers barns no longer suffice him !;
he builds new ones, and they are all filled.
Fourth walk of Nicholas and Elias, and
manifest irritation of the sighted saint at
the prosperity of man who has never
troubled his head about him. eat length
the truth dawns upon him. ''Why, Nicho-
las, it must be you who tells the farmer ~
''My dear Elias What an idea That
l." ''Well, well I'll make that farmer
remember me-" ''How?' Catch me tell
ing 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 a great thick
taper of a roubles worth in his right hand
and miserable little one not worth a CO.
peck in his left. ''Hi my man." called
out Nicholas, ''whither bound ?'' ''To offer
this big taper at the shrine Of blessed ST.
Elias ''And for whom is the small one p
THAT? Oh, that's for St. Nicholas"
''There Elias" says Nicholas, ''you accus-
ed me of secretly protecting the farmer !;
you see how likely that was to be true"
And there the affair ended, for St. Elias,
pleased with the big wax candle, also took
the farmer under his protection; while the
farmer ever after observed the festival of
both saints with equal idleness, and doubt
less with equal draughts of voka.