The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-09-10

appointed professor of rhetoric in the
Jesuit college at Detroit, is spending
august at Georgetown university, in
West Washington, writes a CORE
spondent of the New York World. His
lite reads like a romance. A few years
ago he was one of the most dashing
and popular young men in Washing
ton society. His father was general of
the armies of the United States and
almost dotted on the promising young
man. A bright worldly future was be-
lore him. His uncle, the senator, was
to initiate him into politics, and soon,
1T was expected by his fond father, the
boy would be adding luster to the
Sherman name. He had graduated
from the classical department of the
Georgetown college with highest hon
ors. He was handsome, manly, full
OF animal life, and apparently devot-
ed to social pleasures. There was
even some talk of his intended mar
rlaEe to a young lady of Cincinnati.
At this juncture, however, when his
parents and friends expected him to
settle down and come out q brilliant
future, all the Washington world was
shocked by the announcement that
young Thomas had made up his mind
to forsake the world, don the Jesuit
cassock, and take the VOWS ofpoverty,
chastity and obedience. At first the
report was ridiculed, as young Sher-
man had never shown any marked re-
ligious tendencies, but on the contrary,
had exhibited that spirit of religious
indifference which characterizes the
young man of to-day. Still thereport
proved true. All at once Sherman
disappeared from the drawing
rooms of the elite, and inquiries
for him ELECTED the fact that he
had gone to the Jesuit novitiate
to make preparations for enter
ing the priesthood. 1t is said that a
religious retreat at Georgetown had
much to do with his change of life.
The college is under the charge of the
Jesuits, and Sherman, who had been
educated there, naturally had an az
lection for his teachers, though while
under them there had been no mention
of his entering the ministry. This re-
treat, which he took part in with zeal,
was followed by the announcement
that he was about to join the Jesuit
order. 1t may be imagined that the
announcement was q shock to his
fond father. How great the shock
was only the Sherman family circle
know, but certain it it that the old
general was never quite the same af-
terward. He tiiedto dissuade his son
from the step contemplated by every
means he knew of, but it was all in
vain. Whether the father and son part
ed in anger or not is not known. Any
how, they have had no communica-
| ton with each other since, and Gen.
Sherman, it is said, will have no one
mention his son'snamei in his presence.
Mrs. Sherman visits Thomas quite
often, however. She was, OF course,
bitterly disappointed that her son
should give up his brilliant future, but
she is a devout Catholic, and, like all
Catholic mothers, is fond OF her sons
ecclesiastical character. While Thorn.
as was at the Frederick novitiate she
went up there weekly. Afterwards he
was transferred to Woodstock, Nd,
which is also within easy reach of
Washington. When, however, his
superiors told him he must 60 to Eng
land to complete his studies, and this
arrangement was evidently made for
the purpose of getting the young man
as lar as possible from his parents,
Mrs. Sherman appealed to her son
to come home and carry out his
fathers wishes. The general joined
in this entreaty, but Thomas had
made up his mind to become a
priest, and nothing could shake his
determination. 1t is said that the
parents then proposed a compromise.
They proposed that he should give up
the cassock and study for the secular
priesthood, since secular priests have
the opportunity to display their abili-
ties and to be advanced to the prela-
cy, while Jesuits and other members
OF orders must pass their lives in OBJ
security, teaching in colleges and giving
missions. Young Sherman would list
en- to no compromise, and even ap-
pealed to his superiors to send him
to England at once, so that he might
not be tempted by the entreaties OF
his parents, whom he loved dearly.
So to England he went, and for
four years studied hard in the college
at Stonyhurst, graduating in phil
osophy, Then he returned to
+ba JTn;tod States tn nI1rsue
his theological studies at the
Jesuit seminary at Woodstock, Md.
Now, in accordance with the Jesuit
rule, he must teach a certain time to
repa himself for the life that is be-
fore him. AS he distinguished himself
for literary talent while in college he