Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-05-26
Narrow Escape of the Pope.

In the cloister of the monastery Of St. Agnes bis
Holiness entertained his distinguished guests al
dinner, in large hall on the first floor, and subse
quenty admitted the pupils of the Propaganda
College to kiss his foot
At this moment about one hundred and fftv per-
sons were collected together around the Pope, when
an awful tremor manifested itself in the flooring
which his Holiness instantly perceived and endea-
vored to prevent his guests from being alarmed at
assuring them that it was the shock of an earth
quake, phenomenon with which his residence as
nuncio in South America had rendered him some
what familiar. However, before any coniectures
were preached the floor gave way.
With hideous ruin and combustion dire. the
Pope, preates, cardinals, generals, soldiers, and
scholars precipitated through it, without order
Of precedence, among falling beams and fragments
of masonry. Cardinal Antonelli's good luck saved
him alone Of all the cardinals present He was
near the window, to which he chung for support
but bis eminent brethren, Marini and Patriz, were
severely injured in the fall, was the General and
great number of the Propaganda pupils.
Pho Mono himself descended unhurt, and sitting
in his papal chair, and was extricated from the
wreck amidst EXPLANATIONS of miracolo miracolo,
from all around. In gratitude for such an escape,
his Holiness forthwith invited all who were able to
follow him to enter the church, and with loud
voice ntoned thanksgiving to the Almighty, and
afterwards received the sacramento benediction
from Monsignor Tizzani.
Meanwhile the wounded were extricated from
the ruins and conveyed to Rome in carriages,
much to the surprise of the peaceful citizens who
had assembled at the gates, and were consternated
to see SO many priests with their heads tied up.
Some disabled jockeys were expected from the
steeple chase, but it was supposed that the Popes
excursion would be by means so dangerous.
An Irish Propaganda pupil boasts of having been
the first to succor his Holiness, the same youth
who was reciting congratuatory sonnet to the
Pope when the floor gave way, and was conse-
quently an immediate proximity during the descent
to the regions below.
The great carpet which had been spread over
the floor is supposed to have broken the Pope's
fall by rendering it more gradual; but, to what
ever tutelar influence we may chose to attribute it,
his Holiness certainly did escape safe and sound,
and the Roman Municipal Council and Senate,
viewing it in the light of prodigy have given
orders for devout thanksgiving to the Immacu-
late Conception during three days, to commence
on Monday next.-Emglish Paper
A CASE OF CoNscIENcE.-Some time since
the Treasurer of Holmes county, Ohio an old
man by the name Of Shrock, disappeared, and
with him all the funds of that enterprising COM
munity. Handbills were issued to all parts of
the world offering reward of two thousand
dollars for his detection, which resulted in his
being arrested by the authorities in Switzerland.
On his person were found three drafts upon q
house in Paris, amounting to sixty thousand
dollars in all, which were endorsed by Shrock
and given to Mr.. LEE, Consul of the United
States at Basic, before he was sent to the United
States. Mr.. Lee, in company with Mr. Owens,
prosecuting attorney for Holmes county, pres
ented these drafts as directed, and to their as
tonishment they were protested. Msssrs. Lee
and Givens proceeded at once to London to
demand an explanation. Here arose the case
of conscience The Bankers, Speelman and
Company, who had received the sixty thousand
dollars, stated that they had ordered the protest
upon the ground
1st That Shrock was prisoner when he en-
dorsed the draft.
3D. If he was free agent, they were salts
fed that the money belonged to Holmes county,
Nd ~ TO A