THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO
ing in its simplicity. One day shortly after his arrival at Nice, he had said Mass in a convent near the railway station, when a son of the official, a boy of seven, who had never walked without crutches, was brought to him by the mother, who begged him to bless her lame child.
"Willingly," answered Don Bosco, "I give him the benediction of Our Lady, Help of Christians," Then stroking the boy's cheek, he repaired to the end of the parlor.
"Come to me now, my little friend," he said, "but without crutches; let them fall. Don't be afraid. No, do not give him your hand."
The little one paused, while his mother encouraged him. Timidly, step by step, he approached Don Bosco, who then told him to go back and get his crutches. In the excitement of his new found strength, he ran across the room, caught them up, and rushed to the station whirling them in the air to the wonder of the passers-by. His mother, pale with emotion, followed, saying: "He is my son; Don Bosco has cured him." This miracle was witnessed by Don Ronchail, several religious, and some ladies who had come to consult Don Bosco.
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