Page 57 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

attempt to defraud them again.”
Saint Gerard then insisted on paying the amount which was really
due, and left the house. Before departing from the spot, he made the
sign of the Cross over the poor mules. They immediately gave every
sign of the possession of their pristine vigour.
At the foot of the mountain, the young students complained that
they were consumed by a parching thirst.
“Patience!” cried Gerard, “there is, remember, a well a little
farther on.”
But on their arrival at the eagerly expected spot they were
dismayed to find that the rope by which the bucket was lowered had
been removed. They could gaze, but only gaze, upon the tantalizing
sight of the cool water as it sparkled temptingly below them far
beyond their reach. The owner of the place had taken advantage of
the prevailing drought to extort payment from the thirsty traveller,
even for that which God gives freely to all His children. Saint Gerard
besought this avaricious man not to be so hard-hearted as to refuse
the poor pilgrims the means of slaking their thirst. All, however, was
in vain. Gerard pressed his case again and again, only to meet with
reiterated refusals. At last the Servant of God pleaded no longer.
“Since,” he said, in a tone of menace, “you refuse even a cup of
water to your neighbour, whom you are bound to love as you love
yourself, soon the well in its turn will refuse to supply your wants.”
With these words Gerard turned away, but scarcely was he gone
before the wretched man came running after him, begging him for
God's sake to return and not delay. It was, he bewailed, the only well
in all that neighbourhood. What would happen to him? What would
happen to the country-side? Even while Gerard was still speaking, it
appeared that the water had commenced gradually to subside,
obedient to his voice, and now the well was completely empty. Hence
the consternation of its owner.
“Come back, come back, all of you, I entreat you!” he exclaimed;
“you shall have plenty to drink, you and your beasts as well.”
Gerard's companions, accustomed though they were to his
miracles, could hardly believe their ears. Quickly they retraced their
steps, and, leaning over the kerb of the well, beheld with wonder dry
stones where, a few minutes before, the water had been glistening in
the sun. They then turned to the Saint, and begged him further to
exercise his power and give them something wherewith to assuage

47