Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-18
PARIS. MAINE. TUESDAY, MAY 1S, 1875.

Z
dina Antonelli desired that The visitor
should be conducted without delay lntc
the presence OF his Holiness.
New Dixon knew about as much Of the
Italian language as of the Choctaw of his
native land. He had not therefore, the
remotcst conception OF the purport oI
this message. lie was, indeed, inclined
to believe, in consequence OF the extreme
po!ileness OF his companion, that the
latter had inquired after the health OF his
estimable mother, who was then busily
engaged in the dairy OF the old farm Ia
Oshkosh. Dixon responded, THAT she
was enjoying excellent health, that he
had heard from her that very day, and
that a saw-mill in the vicinity oi their
residence had been burned down since he
left home-total loss; no Insurance :"
Ills companion regarded him. Tor a
moment, with slightly puzzled express
sion OF countenance, and then beckonlng
the visitor TO follow he led the way
thu oush a series oil corridors TO \ secluded
part ot the palace, where he opened
door After the Lieutenant had entered
the apartment to which it admitted. his
conductor closed the door. and remained
within call in the outer passage.
The American found himself in 4 small
room, furnished with extreme plainneSs.
There was a small table near he center,
upon which lay pens aud paper. Beside
this stood Il carved oaken chair. with a
high back, in which sat an old gentleman
ol very pleasant expression OF counle
nance. lie was uuosten,atiously dressed
in dark clothing. He wore, also, n pair
oil embroidered slippers. Ga bis head
was velvet cap. His face was clean
shaved and, consequently there was
nothing to concea! the play OF his features.
By The side OF the entrance door stood a
second and smaller chair.
Now Dixon Was actually in the pres.
ence of The Pope. but he believed that he
saw before him Signor Cozzi, to whom,
Is he thought his letter OF introduction
had Jcen delivered. Never having seen
Plus Ninth. he had not the iemotest idea
ot the identity Of The individual whom
he WAS addressing II he had, we may
perhaps doubt whether he would have
acted very differently. But vet. here he
was. in the very chamber which Kings
and EnperOIS have entered with bended
knees. in order to Kiss the sacred signet
on the linger ot him whom they regarded
Hs the yice.erent OF heaven upon earth.
Other and less exalted personages, in ac-
cOIdince with the req Iiremenls OF the
papal court. are not admitted TO this priv.
ilege. Tuey. too, are expected to
advance upon their knees. but not to
venture upon sa!u.ing the hand oil the
ponlin. II is theirs to press their lips
upon the embems embroidered on the
point OF His Holiness slipper per
formancc which is vulgarly known as
kissing the Pope's toe"
They who have seen the wonderful
picture by Healey. recently exhibited in
the ar gallery oi,he Chicago Exposition,
can form a just conception OF the sweet
ness and benevolence that beam in the
countenance of this primate OF The
church of Rome. Whatever may be
said by those who disagree with him,
respecting his doctrinal belief. his firm
adherance to the ancient prerogalives OF
bis office, and his unmitigated hatre OF
those whom he considers the spoilers OF
the church's heritage, certainly there Is
but one opinion respecting his private
character. He is universally admitted to
be kind-hearted. urbane, Christian
gentleman.
Il must be confessed that lie was not
little surprised at the manner 10 which
he was approached by his visitor on this
occasion. Dixon strobe into the room as
though he were pacing the quarter deck
of irigate, and advancing 10 his Holi.
ness. seized the hand of the latter, and
shook II with all the unaffected earnest
ness of sincerity. Sir" said he, in his
execrable French IL am delighted TO
see YOU. am proud TO make your &C
auaintance-upon my word | am. Fer
NIT me TO hand YOU my card. Mr.. Bella
was very kind in giving me the letter OF
introduction. lfhe hadn't. | should have
dipped my colors, and introduced my
self. You seem 10 be pretty much at
home here. Private office, | suppose
and all that sort of thing. Not much oi
run, after all, down to your house on
the Corso. Well, you don't do much
more 10 the way of style here, than did.
when entered mid. .shipman's steerage
and bade good bye to the corner grocery
in Oshkosh.
The Pope was at irst startled, then
shocked, and finally convinced that an
error had been committed somewhere.
He accordingly rose from his official
seat. aud extending three fingers OF his
soft white hand, in the manner accord
ing TO which il is customary 10 give the
papal benediction pronounced the follow
inc words in Latin: "Pax tecum-in
pace demitto, iillom Now this was 8
polite intimation to his visitor 10 termin.