St. Vincent Ferrer on Adulteration

A tavern keeper came to beg the support of St. Vincent’s preaching on the duty of paying debts, for the man had sold some wine on credit and could not get his money. ‘Very good,’ answered the Saint, ‘I shall say how guilty those people are who keep their neighbour’s goods. But I should like to know what sort of wine it is that you sell.’ The Publician fetched a bottle, saying, ‘Taste and see how good it is.’ ‘Pour some of it on my scapular.’ ‘But I shall spoil it.’ ‘That is my affair. Do as I tell you.’ He did so. To the Publicians great astonishment, the bottle produced wine and water: the wine fell on the ground, whilst the water remained on the scapular. Then Vincent remonstrated strongly with the man for his unjust adulteration, and the Publician, touched with contrition, made good his cheating, and entered the Saint’s company.