SAN SIDORO.

[This seems very like another version of the foregoing.]

St. Isidor was the steward of a rich man, and as he was filled with

holy piety and compassion, he could never turn away from any that

begged of him, but gave to all liberally; to one Indian corn meal,

to another beans, to another lentils.

At last men with envious tongues came to his master and said:

'This steward of yours of whom you think so much is wasting all your

substance, and he has given away so much to the poor that there can

be nothing left in any of your barns and storehouses; you had better

look to it.' The master, after hearing this, came down to St. Isidor

very angry, and bade him bring the keys and open all the barns and

storehouses. St. Isidor did as he was bid without an angry word, and

behold they were all so full of grain and beans, and every species

of good gift of God, that you could not go into them, they were full

to the very doors. After that the master let him give away as much

as he would.

[I have heard the same at Siena told of San Gherardo, or Gheraldo as

the people call him, under the character of a Franciscan laybrother. He

seemed to give away all the provisions people gave him in alms for the

convent, but when the Superior, warned by envious tongues, chid him,

he showed that there remained over more than sufficient for the needs

of the community.]

Roman Legends: A collection of the fables and folk-lore of Rome · 第 64 / 148 题