The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-02-12
A MEDAL WITH A HISTORY.

Robert Hartley always wore upon his watch
chain a tiny medal of st. Anthony, which he had
caused be dipped in gold and his intimate friends
knew that the reason for that popularity upon his
part dated back years and to an Italian church
in a quaint medieval city of which the wonder
worker of Padua titular saint The church it
self had been erected by St. Anthony's devout clients
in gratitude for favors received, and over the high
altar pictured representation of that glory of
the franciscan Order which drew thither con-
slant stream OF supphcants. Dressed in the brown
habit and sandals, and placed that the light from
an exquisite stained window near at hand seemed
to throw upon the figure a CLEAN of heavenly radi
ance none who ever saw that work of art could for
get the impression which it produced
Robert Hartley, who had spent several months
in the town, had been frequently and forcibly at
tacted to the spot, where his religious-no less his
artistic and aesthetic feelings-were gratified But
the moment came when that picture was associated
with dramatic incident in his life
One evening he was strolling about aimessly
watching the groups of and women, with the
always picturesque fanciulle, enjoying the balmy
air at their porches in quaint court yards he was
addressed by woman who half in English half in
dialect which recalled Naples to his mind. and
with gestures that were wild and frenzied told him
Of loss which she had just sustained 1t was of
sum OF money, large to her way of thinking which
she had obtained through the sale of some mountain
evil men, of whom as she declared, there were many
thereabouts Hartley very naturally advised her to
have recourse to the police, but she shook her head
and exclaimed with streaming eyes that there was
only one way she might be helped and that was if,
he the good Signor Inglese, would accompany her
to a certain quarter of the town. which she named
and where the robbers might still be found and per-
suaded to give up their prey. She expressed the
opinion that the police would be worse than useless
since the robbers had spies upon the lookout, and
would be instantly informed of their advent; and
moreover, that the police would demand for their
services far more than she could afford to pay If
the sgnOr refused to accompany her, then all hope
was lost, and her aged father and mother would
have to starve.
Robert Hartley hesitated; he was old enough to
know the danger Of following this strange. wild
looking woman into quarter near the wharf, which
he was aware had unsavory reputation as attract
ing thther lawless characters from all part of Italy
But he was, the other hand, still young enough
TO love spice of the adventures and the romantic
and to be inspired by generous ardor Moreover the
woman was not Unlocking, and beauty has proven
bal power. The black eyes which looked into his
were lovely, the hands casped with supplicatory
gestures shapely and graceful and if the dis
1Tess were not genuine, then this peasant must be
consummate actress, indeed. The young mans hest
latlon was but momentary, and he turned to accom-
pany the girl, who warned him that their course
must be taken in unfrequented streets, since she
was afraid Of an alarm being conveyed to the rob-
bers
1t was lovely evening, the mellow tints of the
Italian sky blending towards the sunset into com
plete harmony The molten gold of the west was
licked here and there with white The olive and
myrtle trees waved in the breeze from the lake.
winch lay shimmer-blue nestled amongst the hills
Inc way which the two followed led past the Church
=" st. Anthony, the door of which stood invitingly
open and from the altar piece the face and figure
Oh the saint shone TRANSPORTED by the evening light
and SO real that it appeared if he about to
advance and speak
Hartley, at all times devout man, and gust then
ID the first fervor Of his conversion to the faith,
uaa made resolution never to pass church with
'OJ entering TO pay visit. Having, moreover,
great devotion to the patron of Padua, he said half
Jeslngly to his companion:
Since are in search for something that is
missing we cannot do better than to enter here and
pray to good Saint Anthony who is sure to help in
restoring what is lost"
The started.
The signor, then, is a Catholic!" she exclaimed.
"A Catholic? Oh, yes" Hartley answered. "And
client of your Italian saint. Besides, the Blessed
sacrament is in there, and / never like to pass a
church without making visit"
The woman visbly held back. 1t seemed to the
Young man that she grew paler, but he pointed to
me SAINT as it visible through the carved portal
which they were approaching.
See" he cried, show beautiful he is your San
Antonio! He must look like that in heaven, and
lie will be sure to help youF
The woman followed the outstretched arm of
heT companion and her eyes fell with startled and
wild glance upon the picture but she stood still
Hartley would have urged her towards the door.
Tome" he said, 'we need his help you know"
mo. no." answered the woman, 81 cannot go in
there might be recognized: [ might be seen with
you, and our efforts would be in vain"
Then" said Hartley. "you must wait for me
moment here. ] viii go in alone and beg of st.
Anthony to protect us against the evil people whom