Evening star., 1927-12-30
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Brother Juniper was one Christmas
day in deep meditation before the altar
at Scesi. Now this altar was very
fairly and richly adorned and, at the
desire OF the sacrstan, Brother Juniper
remained to keep guard over it while
he went to his dinner
And as he was absorbed in devOut
meditation. a poor woman came and
asked aims of him for the love of God.
To whom Brother Juniper made an
sWer, Wait awhile. and / will see If
I can find anything for thee on this
grand altar Now there was upon the
altar an exceedingly rich and costly
hanging of gold, with silver bells of
great value.
"'These bells said Brother Juniper,
are superfluity:' so he took a knife
and cut them off the hanging and
gave them to the poor woman out of
compassion. The sacriStan, after he
had eaten three or four mouthfuls, be-
| thought him of the ways of Brother
Juniper, whom he had left in charge;
and began exceedingly to doubt
whether, IN his charitable zeal he
might not do some damage TO the
costly altar.
"As soon az the suspicion entered his
head he rose from the table. and went
into the church TO see If any of the
ornaments of the altar had been re-
moved or taken away; and when he
saw that the hanging had b-c,l cut
and the bells carried off. he was be-
vond measure troubled and scandal
i2ed.
Brother Juniper. seeing that he
was very angry, said TO him: Be not
disturbed about those little bells, for
have given them to poor woman
| who had great need of them, and here
they were good for nothing but to
make a ponpous display OF worldly
vanity
"When the sacristan had heard this,
he went with all speed to seek the
woman in the church, and throughout
the city: but he could neither find her
nor meet with any one who had seen
her. So he returned, and in great wrath
took the fringe and carried 1t TO the
general. who was at Assist. saying,
Father general. / demand justice on
Brother Juniper. who has spoilt this
hanging for me, the very best l had in
the sacristvl I" And the guardian
answered him: 1t Is not Brother
Juniper who has done this, but thine
own folly; for thou oughtest by THIS
time to have known his ways: and l
tell thee, l only marvel that he did not
give away the whole hanging. Never
theless. | will give him q sound correc-
ton for this fault
The general, in the presence OF the
chapter. proceeded to do this, the story
continues. and raised his voice until It
became hoarse. Brother Juniper who
delighted in reproaches. and reloiced
when he received a good humiliation,
had but one thought. how 10 find
remedy for the generals hoarseneSs.
After his reprooi. he conCocted haSty-
pudding. and went to the generals cell
in the night. The latter, not liking the
disturbance at such an hour, bade
Brother Juniper to begone, saying that
he would not cat. The story continues:
Then Brother Juniper. seeing that
neither persuasion nor prayers We're OF
any avail said, Father. since you Will
not eat the pudding which was made
for you. at least do this for me: Hold
the candle for me, and I will eat IT.
And the general. being a devout ano
kindly man. seeing the piety and SIM
plicity of Brother Juniper. and that he
had done all this out Of devotion. an
swered. Well. since thou wilt have 1t
SO, thou and ! will eat together.
And so the two ate this haSty-pud-
ding together. out on an importunate
charity. and were more refreshed by
their devotion than by The food"
Thus ends a genuine Christmas story;
and may we all profit from 1t.