The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-05


with the prisoner.
his head resting on his hand. AS the priest
entered he looked up and asked;
"What is it you require from mc3 Is
the Pope mcrciful2 Am l to die2"
:" have come, =" the priest answered, "to
bril- & news Of your mother"
lily mother he demanded; "is she
still aliyeY Speak truly; say she lives,
and God bless you for the news"
"She lives and is WE'LL" the priest
answered, "within a short time you shall
see her yourself"
"God has mercy OH me-" he said, "and
has sent me an angel of consolation"
After the first burst of his emotion had
subsidcd, Gactano related the story of his
long imprisonment. He spoke in affection
ate terms Of the young priest by whose in
tcrcession his life had been spared; "and
yet, " he added, cit were almost better l
had died, except for the good news you
bring me now."
Have you petitioned for further COM
mutation Of your sentenced"
Yes, many times; but every time with
the same ill-succcss"
Have you reason to suppose chat your
letters have hccn intcrccpcd2"
81 fear So"
"Writc again"
"Gregory XVI is not easily made aware
OF prisoners suffering-thc sighs of st.
Angelo seldom reach the courts of tho
Vatican"
"Grcgory XVI Is dead. His successor,
Plus TX, may be more accessible"
''But my letter would never reach him. {"
~ promise you it shall"
"By wkom2"
"Mysclf Look at me, Gactano; have
you no remembrance of tho youthful priest
who saved you from the scaffold2"
The prisoner looked corncstly upon him
and answered:
II think recognize the voice. am
sure have seen your face before. Are you
my old preservcr2"
"Ycs, Gaetano, ycs-comc again to rem
der better help than before. Write state
mcnt of your case fully and frankly, and
promise you it shall be in the hands Of the
Pope sooner than you surmise."
The priest produced writing materials,
and Gaetano wrote a short, touching appeal
When he had completed his letter the priest
took 1t from him, badc him be of good
comfort, and to hope for the best.
Just at that moment the key turned in
the lock, the door opened, and the gaolcr
angrily entered the room.
:'Comc," he said, "thc hour has elapsed
and you be off, a fine priest, forsooth, to
set the fellow scribbling in hope Of what he
never will obtain"
Don't be too sure of that, my friend "
81 am no f.iend Of thine; come, be off :;
you have had your hour, and you shall have
no more" 'H
"By whose authority do you hold those
kcys2" H@ ".'
'"The Pope's."
"Thon, by the Pope's authority, bid
You never turn key again on the prisoner
Gaetano."
The gaoler laughed scornfully. "Not
until / have some better assurance than
your word," he said
The priest made no reply, but requested
to sec the Governor of st. Angelo. The
Governor made his appearance, and to him
the priest spoke, demanding the immediate
liberation of Gaetano
| Excuse me, my honorcd father" the
Governor answered, "but such request is
propostcrous. The Pope only could grant
such an indulgence.
Sand that indulgence Is granted by the
Pope"
GLOW so2"
The priest took IL sheet OF paper and
wrote: IL hereby grant full pardon to
the prisoner Gactano- direct the Cover
nor Of the Castle OF st. Angelo to obey tho
mandate on his peril likewise command
him Immediately to resign the keys of St.
Angelo "PlUs, Pope"
And so this romantic adventure ended,
as other romantic adventures of older times
have done before, The disguised priest
was recognized as the sovereign pontiff, the
prisoner Gactano was liberated and restored
to his friends; the Governor and his myr-
midons were dismissed; and never had the
| Pope more faithful and devoted subject
as well he knew in '48--than Gactano, the
prisoner.