that there remained no means of obtaining food for his daughters but
by sacrificing them to an infamous life; and oftentimes it came into
his mind to tell them so, but shame and sorrow held him dumb.
Meanwhile the maidens wept continually, not knowing what to do, and
not having bread to eat; and their father became more and more
desperate. When Nicholas heard of this, he thought it shame that
such a thing should happen in a Christian land; therefore one night,
when the maidens were asleep, and their father alone sat watching
and weeping, he took a handful of gold, and, tying it up in a
handkerchief, he repaired to the dwelling of the poor man. He
considered how he might bestow it without making himself known; and,
while he stood irresolute, the moon coming from behind a cloud
showed him a window open; so he threw it in, and it fell at the feet
of the father, who, when he found it, returned thanks, and with it
he portioned his eldest daughter. A second time Nicholas provided a
similar sum, and again he threw it in by night; and with it the
nobleman married his second daughter. But he greatly desired to know
who it was that came to his aid; therefore he determined to watch:
and when the good Saint came for the third time, and prepared to
throw in the third portion, he was discovered, for the nobleman
seized him by the skirt of his robe, and flung himself at his feet,
saying, "O Nicholas! servant of God! why seek to hid thyself?" and
he kissed his feet and his hands. But Nicholas made him promise that
he would tell no man. And many other charitable works did Nicholas
perform in his native city.'

"These three purses of gold, or, as they are more customarily
figured, these three golden balls, disposed in exact pawnbroker
fashion, are to this day the recognised special emblem of the
charitable St. Nicholas."