'
When the good woman heard of this vision, she crossed herself with
awe, and going to the secret place where Lope had hid the treasure,
she filled a great leathern purse with pieces of Moorish gold, and
gave it to the friar. The pious monk bestowed upon her, in return,
benedictions enough, if paid by Heaven. to enrich her race to the
latest posterity; then slipping the purse into the sleeve of his
habit, he folded his hands upon his breast, and departed with an air
of humble thankfulness.
When Lope Sanchez heard of this second donation to the church, he
had well nigh lost his senses. "Unfortunate man," cried he, "what will
become of me? I shall be robbed by piece-meal; I shall be ruined and
brought to beggary!"
It was with the utmost difficulty that his wife could pacify him, by
reminding him of the countless wealth that yet remained, and how
considerate it was for San Francisco to rest contented with so small a
portion.
Unluckily, Fray Simon had a number of poor relations to be
provided for, not to mention some half-dozen sturdy bullet-headed
orphan children, and destitute foundlings that he had taken under
his care. He repeated his visits, therefore, from day to day, with
solicitations on behalf of Saint Dominick, Saint Andrew, Saint
James, until poor Lope was driven to despair, and found that unless he
got out of the reach of this holy friar, he should have to make
peace-offerings to every saint in the calendar.
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