MYSTERY OF A FRIAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

MYSTERY OF A FRIAR.

DEAD SAINT AND PEACE.

The pretty littJe story of the warning fall of the church bell at Nay. betokening the end of the war. is not true, says a matter-of-fact citizen who went down there to investigate, says a Paris correspondent. How much truth is there in the leger*". that comes from Italy, of the mysterious friar who predicted the coming of peace!

According to one who got the detail! from the sergeant in charge of the part? to which it happened, a squad of recruits were being drills, and their clumsiness caused the sergeant to use "language-' A friar was passing at the time, and, turning a reproaching look upon the instructor, said, " My son. why bother then poor lads so ? They will never be wanted for the war, for it* will be over inside * couple of months'." Saying which, tis good man drew his robe round hin, and departed. On thinking the matter over, the sergeant decided that he ought to report it to his superior officer. He, in his-tip. declared it l.> be a subject for invesfcjation, and a committee of inquiry repair* to !"■ in p.astery near by. _ - The sergeant described the monk, p" asked thai he should be brought War* them. Th» nv.oi- answered that he d* not recognise the description, and that » would be belter f'.v all the brethren " parade, perhaps, for identification. _ . This was done, but no-one could g« out the prophet? friar. Some**" mystified, and thinking that the csipn had been hidden away, the officer proceeded to search the building. 1? "J chapel the sergeant suddenly <*P ! ~, portrait on the wall. and exclaim*. " Whv. that is the man!" . when* 'That." said the prior, "is St. Ant*». of Padua." , _j-$ Xo one spoke tor a moment: tnen, native pietv. eveiv soldier present Q tarted himself before the saint ? shrine. prayed that hi; prediction might contrue.