Involving St. Anthony

Even though it said “Cancelled” she sent her pass book to the Glasgow office to be updated. It was the only one she had.

Later, back came a booklet displaying a blackberry tart. Inside a request to send on the later replacement of 2002 plus ideas on how to increase her savings.

She thought the picture was a bit cheeky. “I have a good mind to tell them what a good cook I am, and add a few tart remarks”.

Then she relaxed. “But where was the newer pass book?”. For days she searched.

“What about increasing your savings?”, I said.

She said, “Why should I? At my age I do not need more of anything”.

Days went by while she searched for the replacement. At last she remembered.

I said, “But where and why?”.

“I hid it because there was a spate of burglaries nearby” she said.

She went on to tell me of her friend long ago, Dina, the mother of a large family, and how upset she was when the sweeping brush was lost. After a few days, Dina gave her daughter, Pam, a few pence to go into church and light a candle to St. Anthony, who was reputed to find lost things. More days went by.

I said, “Did this work?”.

Dina said, “St. Anthony is putting up his prices”.

The brush was eventually found.

“Where?”, I asked.

“On the window sill behind the curtain”.

“And where was your passbook?”.

In no way would she disclose the hiding place.

Rose Lynch

28-Jun-2006