Saint Francis and His Friends

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... SAINT FRANCIS AND HIS FRIENDS. I. SAINT FRANCIS IN THE DAYS OF HIS YOUTH. Francis, born in the city of Assisi, in the Vale of Spoleto, was by his mother first called John; but by his father, in whose absence he had been born, on his return from France, he was afterwards named Francis. After he had grown up, and had shown himself to be of a refined turn of mind, he practised his father's calling, that is, his business. But he was very unlike his father, since he was more generous, and more given to merriment, fond of jokes and songs, loving to wander through Assisi by day and by night, with those like unto himself as his companions. He was lavish with money, so that what he could get into his hand, or could earn, he would spend in feasting and in other ways. For this reason he was many times scolded by his parents, who used to tell him that he spent so much on himself and others that he did not seem to be a son of theirs, but of some great prince. Since, however, his parents were rich, and had very tender love for him, they bore with him, not caring to vex him in such matters. His mother, when she heard the neighbours talk about his extravagance, would reply: "What is that that you think of my son? He shall yet be, by grace, the son of God." Francis was, however, by disposition courteous both in manners and in speech; according to the intent of his heart speaking to no one a hurtful or disgraceful word. Indeed, even when he was merry and lighthearted, he purposely scarcely answered those who talked to him of shameful things. From this the report of him through well-nigh the whole district was so carried about that by many who knew him it was said that he would in the future be something great. By which grades of natural goodness he...