Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-04-15
word. The letter of Introduction
was dnlV inditad and read "a fnilnws :.


will, doubt not, receive at your hands that
general hospitality which, | am sure, you will
agree he deserves. Faithfully yours,
BELLA
1t Hpears, however, that Monsig-
more BolIa, stimulated by his ambi-
ton and zeal for the church, had oc-
casion to write another letter that
same afternoon. Both of these he
handed to his valet, with instructions
as TO their delivery The latter,
howeVer-possiblY in consequence of
an undue libation of the "lachry ma
christi in his masters wine closet
became confused as to the destination
of these two epistles. He according
y dropped the letter of introduction
to Cozzi in the mail office and deliv-
cred the other into the hands of Lieu
tenant Dixon at the hotel
My LORD Signor Blanquard, officer of
the French army, viii repair to the Vatican to-.
morrow morning. I beg your lordship to Sc
cure for him immediate and private inter-
view with his holiness, as he has important and
secret information relative to the Austrian
| occupation of Venice There should be no
delay. | will be responsible for the anthentic>
ity of his reports
Your Lordship's faithful servtor,
BoRACHIo BELLA.
| "Hullo ~ said Dixon, as he read
the address on the envelope Of this
note-"a letter Of introduction-seal-
ed, and addressed to Cardinal Anto-
nelli ? | suppose that's what might
be called the Italian method Per-
haps the gentleman M looking for
is short of purser or chief boatswain's
mate in Cardinal Antonelli's Office at
the Vatican. Seems to me this is
fetching rather long tack 10 order
to make soupdingsl"
But our hero was not to be detere
red by any such consideration from
pursuing his project. On the ensuing
morning be arrayed himself in full
uniform-cockod hat, epaulet, and
sword beIt--and descended to the
courtyard Of the hotel, where he en-
tered carriage which he directed to
be driven to the PapaI Palace. As
he was whirled past the yellow
waters of the Tiber and the gloomy
castle of ST. Angelo, he did not feel
any interest in boxing upon these
memorials of remote past, which
others have journeyed 50 many miles
to soc. His mind was intent upon
another problem. La what manner
should he accost the gentleman to
whom be was about TO be 10 troduced?
should he attempt the courtly man.
ners of the noble ecclesia sties of the
papal government Or shoul1 he
| initiate the sleek and almost iawning
subserviency of the lower order
priests? He resolved to do neither
| but 70 adopt the style most congonial
to one of his education and Instincts
the CROUCH and ready" behavior Of
the Western American.
Once arrived at the Vatican, his
coach dismissed, and the magnificent
staircase assembled, his reception was
of the most formal. He was ushered
past the Swiss guards, whose harlequin
uniform still contrasts strangely with
the gravity of their demeanor-past
groups of cardinals, whose crimson
capes did not fail TO remind him OF
the birds that are their namesakes-
past the grand SALOONS, where the
genius of Michesl Angelo, Giulio
Romano, and Raphael have hung the
walls with glowing poftraitures Of
human Iife--along the corridors Of
that immense building, which is said
to cover as much space as the city OF
Turin past the unrivaled collections
of antique sculpture, impossible of
reproduction and the despair of mod
ern art-past all these to the ante
chamber Of Cardinal Antoneli. Here
be delivered his letter to gentleman
10 waiting, who left the room, and
speedily returning, addressed him a
few words in the Italian language.
The messenger, in fact, announced
that Cardinal Antonelh desired that
the visitor should DO conducted with
out delay into the presence of his
Holiness.
Now Dixon knew about as much
of the Italian language as of the
Choctaw of bis native land. He had
not, therefore, the remotest concept
ion of the purpose of this message.
He was indeed, inclined to believe,
in Consequence of the extreme polite
ness Of his companion, that the latter
had inquired after the health Of his
estimabie mother, who was then BUSH
" engaged in the dairy of the old
farm in Oshkosh Dixon responded,
| or oh
health, that he had heard from her
that very day. and that a saw. mill in
the vicinity Of their residence had
been burned down since he left home
total loss 20 insurance.
His companion regarded him, for
moment, with a slightly puzzled ex.
preston of countenance, and then,
beckoning tho visitor to follow, he
led the way through series OF cor
ridors to secluded part of the palace,
where he opened door. After the
Lieutenant had entered the apart
ment TO which it admitted, his con,
ductor closed The door, and remained
within call in the outer passage.
The American found himself in
small room, furnished with extreme
plainness. There was a small table
near the center. upon which lay pens
and paper. Beside this stood cary
ed oaken chair, with high back, in
which sat al old gentleman of very
pleasant expression Of countenapce.
He was unostentatiously dressed in
dark colored clothing He wore
also, pair of embroidered slippers.
Or his head was velvet cap. HIS
face was clean shaved, and, conse-
queutly, there was nothing to conceal
the play of his features. BY the side
; of the enterance-door stood second
and smaller chair.
Now Dixon was actually in the
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