I told him one day how
much edified I was at this. The poor fellow replied with great
earnestness: 'Sir, as long as I have life in me I'll say the Rosary, and
I'll tell you why. In the Famine times, my family and myself were
starving. One night the children were crying with the hunger, and there
was no food to give them. By way of stopping their cries they were put
to bed, but, after a short sleep, they awoke with louder cries for food.
At length, I recommended that all of us, young and old, should join in
saying the Rosary. We did; and before it was ended a woman came in,
whose occupation was to deal in bread, and she had a basketful with her.
I explained our condition to her, and asked her to give me some bread on
credit. She did so, and from that day to this we never felt hunger or
starvation; and from that day to this I continue to say the Rosary, and
will, please God, to the end of my life.'"
The news came from Sligo, through the public journals, that the Famine
was carrying off hundreds and thousands there, and that the work left
undone by the Famine would be finished by pestilence. The Workhouse was
described as a pesthouse, and the guardians in terror had abandoned it.
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