The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-04-23

IN undue libation of the ''lachryma chris
IT, in his masters wine closet-became
confused Is TO the destination of these
two epistles. He accordingly dropped the
letter Of introduction to Cozzi in the mail
Office; and delivered the other into the
hands of Lieutenant Dixon at the hotel.
Ny LORD: Signor Blanquard, an officer
of the French army, vii; repair to the
Vatican tomorrow morning. beg your
lordship to secure for him IN immediate
and private interview with his holiness, as
he has important secret information rela-
tive to the Austrian occupation of Venice.
There should be no delay. l will be re.
sponsible for the authenticity of his re-
ports. Your Lordship's faithful servitor,
BoRAcH1o BELLA.
"Hullo J" said Dixon, as he read the
address on the envelope Of this note-''a
letter of introduction-sealed, and ad.
dressed to Cardinal Antonelli! I sup
pose that S what might be called the
Italian method Perhaps the gentle
man I'm looking for is short of purser or
chief boatspain's mate in Cardinal Anto.
nelli's Office At the Vatican Seems to
me this is fetching rather long tack in
order to make soundings."
But our hero was not to be deferred
bv any such consideration from pursuing
his project. On the ensuing morning he
arrayed himself in full Uniform cooked
hat, epaulet and sword. holland de-
scended to the courtyard of the hotel,
where he entered carriage which he d.
rected to be driven to the Papal 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
looking upon these memorials Of q remote
past, which others have journeyed SO
many miles to see. His mind was intent
upon another problem. In what manner
should he accost the gentleman to whom
he was about to be introduced! Should
he attempt the courtly manners Of the
noble ecclesiastics Of the papal govern
ment! Or should he initiate the sleek
and almost fawning subserviency of the
lower order of priests! He resolved to
do neither, but to adopt the style most
congenial to one of his education and
instincts--the trough and ready" be.
havior Of the Western American.
Once arrived at The Vatican, his coach
dismissed, and the magnificent staircase
assembled, his reception was the most
formal. He was ushered past the Swiss
guards, whose harlequin uniform still con-
trasts strangely with the gravity of their
| demeanor-past groups Of cardinals,
whose crimson capes did not fail to re-
mind him of the birds that are their
namesakes-past the grand saloons, where
the genius Of Michael Angelo, Giulio Ro-
mano, and Raphael have hung the walls
with glowing portraitures Of human life -
along the corridors of that immense build
ing, which is said to cover as much space
As the city Of Turin past the unrivaled
collections of antique sculpture, impossi-
bic Of reproduction and the despair Of
modern art-past all these to the ante
chamber Of Cardinal Antonelli. Here he
delivered his letter to gentleman in
waiting, who left the room, and speedily
returning, addressed him few words in
the Italian language. The messenger, in
fact, announced that Cardinal Antonelli
desired that the visitor should be con-
Quoted without delay into the presence Of
his Holiness.
Now Dixon knew about as much of the
Italian language as of the Choctaw of his
native land. He had not, therefore, the
remotest conception Of the purport Of
this message. He was, indeed, inclined
to believe, in consequence Of the extreme
politeness Of his companion, that the lat
ter had inquired after the health of his
estimable mother, who was then busily
engaged in the dairy Of the old farm in
Oshkosh. Dixon responded tsthat she
was enjoying excellent health, that he
had heard from her that very day, and
that saw-mill in the vicinity Of their
residence had been burned down since he
left home.-.total loss; no insurance.
His companion regarded him for a mo.
ment with slightly puzzled expression
Of countenance, and then, beckoning the
visitor to follow, he led the way through
q series of corridors to secluded part Of
the palace, where he opened door. A.
ter the Lieutenant had entered the apart.
ment' to which it admitted, his conductor
closed the door, and remained within call
in the outer passage.
The American found himself in a small
room furnished with extreme plainness.
A small table stood near the centre, upon
which lay pens and paper. Beside this
stood carved oaken chair, with a high
back, in which sat an old gentleman of
very pleasant expression Of countenancc.
He Was ostentatiously dressed in dark.
colored clothing. He wore, also, pair of
embroidered slippers. On his head was
= velvet cap. His face WAS clean.shaved,
and, consequently, there was nothing to
conceal the play Of his features. By the
side Of the entrance door stood Z 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, as
no thought, his letter Of introduction had
been delivered. Never having seen Plus
Ninth, he had not the remotest idea Of
the identity Of the individual. whom be
was addressing. If he had, We may pcr.
haps doubt whether he would have acted
very differently. But yet, here he was,
in the very chamber which Kings and
Emperors have entered with Bonded knees,
IN order to kiss the sacred sienet on the
finger of him whom they regarded Is the
vicegerent -of. zys heaven UPON
earth. Other and less exalted
personages, in accordance with the "a
quirements Of the papal court. are not "a.
mitted to this privilege. They, too, are
expected to advance upon their. kneas
but not to- venture upon aaluting the
hand Of the pontifi. L Is theirs to pres
their lips upon tho enblsns embroidusd