mong the trees, where they
met a little old woman who kindly brought them a pitcher of cool
water.

After the saints had drunk, the old woman told them the story of her
hard life. She had seen better days, she said; her husband had once
owned a cow, but he had lost it, and he now was only a laborer on the
place.

"Let me take the stick in your hand," said St. Peter.

The saint struck the stick on the ground, and up came a fine cow with
udders full of milk.

"Holy Virgin!" said the woman. "What made that cow come up from the
ground?"

"The grace of God," said St. Peter.

When the saints had gone, the old woman wondered whether, if she were
to strike with the stick on the ground, another cow would appear.

She struck the ground as she had seen St. Peter do, when up came an
enormous wolf and killed the cow.

The old woman ran after the saints and told her alarming story.

"You should have been content," said St. Peter, "with the cow the Lord
gave you. It shall be restored to you."

She turned back, and found the cow at the door, lowing to be milked.

Another story, which greatly pleased Tommy is

THE WONDERFUL SACK.

St. Christopher was a ferry-man. He dwelt in Brittany, at Dol. One day
the Lord came to Dol, and wished to cross the river with the twelve
Apostles.

St. Christopher, instead of using a ferry-boat, carried the travellers
who came to him across the river on his broad shoulders.

When he had thus taken over the Lord and his Apostles, he claimed his
reward.

"What will you have?" asked the Lord.

"Ask for Paradise," said St. Peter.

"No," said St. Christopher; "I ask that whatsoever I may desire may at
all times be put into my sack."

"You shall have your wish; but never desire money."

One day the Evil One came to St. Christopher, and tempted him to wish
for money.

They fell to fighting, and the fight lasted two whole days; but, just
as the Evil One seemed about to overcome the saint, the latter said:--

"In the name of the Lord, get into my sack."

In a moment the Evil One was in the sack, and St. Christopher tied the
string, and took him to a blacksmith, and requested the use of a
hammer.

Then St. Christopher and the smith hammered the Evil One as thin as a
penny.

"I own I am _beaten_," said a voice from the sack. "Now let me out."

"On one condition," said the saint.

"Name it."

"That you will never trouble me again."

"I promise."

The ferry-man now began to l