按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
when he felt sure； he left a letter for his brother Paul and his tutor； Bilinski；
with whom he had been studying in Vienna； he gave his money to a couple
of beggars； he said； 〃If God wants me to do this； He'll furnish the means〃；
he put on his best attire； tied up a rough suit in a cloth； took a stout staff in
his hand； and with God's blessing upon him and His Eucharistic Presence
in his heart； stepped out cheerfully on a journey that would stagger most
men。
That is the stuff of which heroes are made。 If Stanislaus had done this
for the glory of the world； we should have his praises in our histories； we
should have stories woven about him； the whole world would cry 〃Bravo！〃
But he did it for God； and the world cannot understand him at all： the
world is silent。
An hour or so of that steady； tireless stride carried him well away from
Vienna。 He slipped off his velvet and silk； put on his coarse tunic … a shirt…
like garment that came below his knees … girded himself with a bit of rope；
tied his stout shoes on his feet； and took the road again。 There were folk
aplenty journeying from the countryside to Vienna in the early morning。
Stanislaus picked out one of the poorest…looking peasants and handed him
the gala dress he had just taken off。
〃I can't carry these with me； friend；〃 he said。 〃Won't you please take
them？ I have no use for them； and perhaps you can sell them in the city。〃
6
… Page 7…
FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
And he was gone before the peasant； gaping in wonder at the rich
garments and dagger in his hands； could much more than catch a glimpse
of that bright face and those laughing eyes。
He tramped all day； and made his thirty miles。 When he was hungry；
he asked some one he met for food。 It is not likely that any one would
refuse the smiling； handsome boy； from whose face innocence simply
shone。 But if any one had refused him； it would not have annoyed
Stanislaus。 His good humor came from heaven； as well as from his own
cheery soul … and you cannot rebuff that kind of good humor。
Night came down at last； and he was tired out。 He came to an inn and
asked for shelter。
〃I have no money；〃 he told the landlord； smiling； 〃and I have no claim
upon you。 Will you take me in？〃
The landlord looked at him shrewdly a little； then said with respect：
〃But what is your grace doing in such a garb？〃
Stanislaus thought for a moment that he was recognized； but he put on
a bold front； and laughed as he said：
〃I am not 'your grace。 I am what you see me； and I have a long journey
to make。〃
In those days it was not unusual for even nobles to go； roughly clad；
upon pilgrimages of devotion。 That Stanislaus was a noble； the landlord
was quite certain。 That he might be engaged on some such pious business；
was possible。 But who ever heard of a mere boy going upon pilgrimage？
The whole affair puzzled the landlord more than a little。 However； the
face of the boy reassured him。 At least there could be no evil behind that
frank； brave countenance。 So he shook his head； saying：
〃I do not understand。 But come in。 You are welcome。〃
He gave Stanislaus his supper and a bed to sleep in。
〃You shall not be the poorer for this；〃 said Stanislaus； as he thanked
him。 〃You know God makes it up to us for even a cup of cold water given
in His name。〃
And as the boy spoke； the landlord saw his face glow when he spoke
of God and he was very glad at heart that he had given shelter and food； to
this strange boy。
7
… Page 8…
FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
Stanislaus slept soundly。 But he was up with the sun； washed and
dressed quickly； and went to thank his host again before setting out。
〃But you will have something to eat before you go？〃 cried the man； as
Stanislaus stood before him； staff in hand； ready for the road。
〃It is good of you to offer it；〃 the boy answered。 〃But perhaps I shall
find a church before long； and I must go fasting to Holy Communion。〃
Then the landlord marvelled again； for at that period even good people
did not go very often to Holy Communion； especially when they were
traveling hard； as Stanislaus evidently was。 And his admiration and liking
grew for this boy with the merry face and the heart so near heaven。
〃At least；〃 he said； 〃you must take something with you for the way。〃
And that Stanislaus did not refuse； but accepted gratefully； and so
parted from the kind landlord； leaving him gazing in the doorway with
wonder in his eyes。
His legs were a bit stiff and sore this second day。 But the first few
miles wore that off； and he swung on his way as bravely and gayly as
before。
8
… Page 9…
FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
CHAPTER II
THE PURSUIT
Meanwhile； there was a hubbub in Vienna。 Stanislaus had lived in that
city about three years with his brother Paul； who was about a year older
than he； and in the care of a tutor； a young man named Bilinski。 He had
left them in the early morning。 As the day wore on and he did not return
home； they became uneasy。 They went about all afternoon； inquiring
amongst their friends and acquaintance if any had seen him。 Only one or
two were in the secret； and they kept discreet silence。 Unable therefore to
get any trace of Stanislaus； they soon came to the conclusion that he had
fled。 And； as we shall see； they had good reason in their own hearts for
guessing that from the first。 They returned to the house of the Senator
Kimberker； where they were all lodging； and taking Kimberker； who was a
Lutheran； into their confidence； they held a council of war。
It was decided that Stanislaus must have gone to Augsburg。 Paul
recalled something that Stanislaus had said to him only the day before；
when he had threatened plainly to run away。 And they had heard him say；
another time； that at Augsburg was Peter Canisius； the Provincial of the
German Jesuits。 Of course they were going to follow him and bring him
back。 But night had come on before their inquiries and deliberations were
finished。 They must wait till the next day。
Accordingly； bright and e