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one who saw evil where no evil was。 He was simply a level…headed boy；
who figured out the business of life clearly and convincingly； and who had
the courage of a hero in living up to his convictions。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
CHAPTER VIII
IN DANGER OF DEATH
Two years of loneliness； when his brother and his cousins and his tutor；
who should have been his comrades； were his persecutors； two years in
which he was always under a strain； always having to control his anger； to
be patient and sweet…tempered amidst a thousand vexations； two years；
moreover； in which the bodily exercise he was used to； and which he
needed as every growing boy needs it； was cut down to a minimum； two
such years would have broken the health even of a grown； strong man。
And Stanislaus was not a grown； strong man； but a boy of sixteen。 It is
remarkable that he should have held out so long。 It shows what courage
and goodness and trust in God can do。 But finally； towards the end of
November； 1566； his body and brain could stand it no longer。 He fell sick；
with fever。
He was not a baby。 He did not complain； or even tell any one that he
felt unwell。 He kept to his feet for weeks； trying to go on as usual with his
work and his prayers。 The feast of Saint Barbara； who had been the
patroness of the boys' sodality in Vienna； was drawing near。 Stanislaus
prepared for it with particular care and devotion。 Saint Barbara was the
patroness of a happy death and her clients always besought of her the
special grace of receiving the Holy Viaticum when dying。
December 4th； the feast of the Saint； came and passed。 Stanislaus grew
weaker； his fever increased。 About the middle of the month he had to keep
his bed； and his condition quickly became serious。 Then Bilinski and Paul
forgot their anger against the boy。 They called in the best physicians of the
city； they spared no pains or expense。 The servants； who had always loved
this gentle master； were all kindness and attention。 But despite the efforts
of all； Stanislaus became steadily worse。
He was entirely at peace； not at all afraid。 Yet he felt that death was
coming near。 He prayed whole hours； smiling gladly in talk with our Lord；
with the Blessed Virgin； with his guardian angel。 He was ready； even eager；
to go home。 The evil spirit wondered at this boy of sixteen； who had
fought him off so bravely through his life and who was dying now so
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
fearlessly。
One day； when his people and even the servants had left him for a little
while； Stanislaus saw an enormous black dog with glaring eyes and
hideous foaming jaws rush across the room toward his bed。 The door was
closed。 It was impossible for the beast to have entered the room in any
ordinary way。 Stanislaus had no notion how it could have come there。 But
if he was frightened for the moment； he did not lose his wits。 With an
effort； he sat up in bed and made the sign of the cross。 〃In the name of the
Father； Son and Holy Ghost！〃 he cried aloud。 Instantly the huge； snarling
dog fell to the floor with a thud as if struck by a sword。 But after a few
moments he sprang up again； and first circling the room； came crouching
to the bed； howling as no mortal dog could howl； making ready to spring
at the sick boy。 Again Stanislaus made the sign of the cross。 Again the
terrible dog was stricken to the floor。 A third time he came； only to be
beaten back in the same way。 And then； standing with bristling hair and
horrible cries in the middle of the room； he vanished from sight。 Stanislaus
fell back on the bed； fearfully exhausted； and with tears in his eyes
thanked God for his deliverance。 The shock of this dreadful incident
prostrated him。 He failed more and more。 The doctors； coming several
times a day； shook their heads in despair。
〃We can do no more；〃 they said； 〃the end is now only a question of
time。〃
For seven days and nights Bilinski sat by his bed； snatching only a few
hours' sleep now and then； for he feared that Stanislaus might die any
moment。
Yet in all this long time they had brought no priest to the dying boy。
Every day he begged them earnestly that he might receive the Holy
Viaticum。 But they lied to him。 Bilinski said：
〃You will soon be well。 The doctors will cure you。 Don't think of death
or go frightening yourself。〃
〃I am not afraid；〃 said Stanislaus。 〃But I know I am dying。 Do not let
me die without Holy Communion。〃
But Bilinski still put him off； and tried to tease him jokingly with
charges of cowardice。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
The fact was； Bilinski and Paul were afraid of their Lutheran landlord；
the Senator Kimberker。 His anti…Catholic prejudice was intense。 They
feared he might put them； sick boy and all； out of his house； if they dared
to bring a priest and the Blessed Sacrament into it。
That was a hard trial for Stanislaus。 But he met it as he had met every
difficulty； bravely； hopefully； cheerfully。 He remembered Saint Barbara； of
whom he had asked 'the grace of not dying without the Holy Viaticum。 He
renewed his prayers for her intercession。 He laid his whole case with
confidence before God； and with confidence waited。
Bilinski still sat by his bed； watching anxiously。 The day passed； the
light failed； darkness and night came on。 Stanislaus all the time had lain
quiet； his face smiling as ever； his lips moving in prayer。 Suddenly he
turned to Bilinski； radiant； glowing with joy。 〃Kneel down； kneel down！〃
he said； in a clear but low voice。 〃Two angels of God are bringing the
Blessed Sacrament； and with them comes Saint Barbara！〃
Then； worn out though he was by his long sickness； Stanislaus raised
himself； knelt on the bed； and struck his breast as he three times repeated：
〃Lord； I am not worthy！〃
Then he raised his face； and opening