A CURE FOR SLANDER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2605, 23 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

A CURE FOR SLANDER.

The following very homely but singularly instructive lesson is by St. Philip Neri: — A lady presented herself to him one day, accusing herself of being given to slander. " Do you frequently fall into this fault f" inquired the eaint. "Yes, father, very often," replied the penitent. "My dear child," »»id the saint "your fault ie great, but mercy is greater. For your penance do as follows: —Go to the nearest market, purchase a chicken just killed and well covered with feathers ; you will then walk to a certain distance, plucking the bird as you go along; your walk finished, you will return to me." Great was the astonishment of the lady in receiving, so strange a penanoe, but silencing , all human reasoning she replied:—" I will obey, father. I will obey." Accordingly she repaired to the marktt, bought the fowl and set out on her journey, plucking it as she went along, as she had been ordered. In a short time she returned, anxious to tell of her exaotness in accomplishing her penance and desirous of receiving some explanation of one so singular. "Ah," said the saint, "youhave beenrery faithful to the first part of my order; now do the second part and you will be cured. Retrace your steps, pass through all the places you have traversed and gather up one by one all the feathers you have scattered." "But, father," exclaimed the poor woman, "that is impossible. I cast the feathers carelessly on every side ; the wind carried them in different directions, how oan I now recorer them?" "Well, my child," replied the saint, "so it ie with your words of blander. Like the feathers, whioh the wind soattered, they have been wafted in many directions; call them back if you can. Go, and sin no more."